Eating Vegan in London

16:26 Soph 6 Comments


The variety of vegan cafes in London is ever growing and each time I visit I discover something new so I thought I could take you guys along with me to some of my favourite and newly discovered cafes. All of the cafes listed below are either 100% vegan or have clearly labelled vegan options, and are all independent businesses, if you want to check out vegan options at chain restaurants you can view that here. If you have any recommendations then please let me know via social media (all my accounts are linked at the top right of this page). 

 YORICA - SOHO - 100% VEGAN
VEGAN MILKSHAKES !!!!!!! That is literally all I have to say on this matter. If you are looking for amazing vegan milkshakes then THIS is the place to visit! All the milkshakes are made with rice milk based ice cream in an array of flavors and topped with whipped coconut cream !! They also serve ice cream and froyo, complete with a section of vegan toppings! I have visited Yorica 4 times now, and have had 3 shakes and froyo and all I can say is you HAVE to try the wow butter / cookies and cream combination and the chocolate orange / cookies and cream combination, it's truly to die for! The shakes are £4.50, the ice cream ranges from £2.15 - £5.50 and the froyo ranges from £3.50 - £5.50 (plus toppings). To check out their full menu visit www.yorica.com !


 VEG BAR - BRIXTON  - 100% VEGAN
If you are looking for vegan comfort food, then Veg Bar is the place to visit! Serving everything from Chilli Cheese Dogs to Fish & Chips, you will be sure to find something (or everything) on the menu that you just can't resist. After an intense search for vegan mac & cheese the other day we stumbled across this place and I am SO glad that I did because it encompassed everything I could have ever wanted in a vegan restaurant. As you can probably see from the picture above, we purchased so much food but it was all so delicious it was impossible to choose just one dish! We ended up sharing a Chilli Cheese Dog, Mac & Cheese, a Burrito and BBQ Wings, and every single dish was just incredible!! The Mac & Cheese was well worth the extensive hunt, and the BBQ Wings were so realistic that my friend who visited with me was so convinced they were meat she couldn't finish them - but that was merely a blessing in discuss as it meant more for me!! I would HIGHLY recommend this place if you are looking for vegan comfort food (though they do also do salads so don't be afraid to bring along your healthy friends) and even non-vegans will absolutely love it here! I can't wait to come back soon to try the Mozfather Burger and the Oreo Cake!! To view their website and full menu you can check them out at http://vegbar.weebly.com. 


BLACK CAT CAFE - HACKNEY - 100% VEGAN
After getting lost in Hackney one day on the hunt for vegan food I stumbled upon Black Cat Cafe, a 100% vegan and co-operatively run cafe! If the food wasn't incredible (it was) I would still recommend this place purely for the community vibes, amazing service and general welcoming atmosphere that you are greeted with upon arrival. Luckily for us though the food is also incredible, as you can probable see from the photos below! I had the BBQ tofu and garlic mayo sandwich and it was INCREDIBLE and to be honest it kick started my love of vegan mayo, which I now will add to ANYTHING! Black Cat also sells tofish and chips, lasagne, pizza, burgers, salads, milkshakes and an amazing range of cakes! This cafe is great because it's co-operatively run, it supplies the surrounding community with great food at great prices and it also has a lil shop which sells vegan junk food and fake meats and cheeses! Definitely worth a visit if you are in the Hackney area! To view their menu you can go to their full website www.blackcatcafe.co.uk and to get a look at some of their amazing food check out their instagram.  

NORMAN'S COACH AND HORSES - SOHO - 100% VEGAN
Whilst I was in London with my dad recently I knew I just had to try vegan fish and chips as I had heard so much about them and as he is a meat eater this was the easiest kind of vegan food to introduce him to. This pub in soho is completely different to anything you would ever expect and created quite the story for us to tell the rest of my family after visiting. On the ground floor, the slightly run down, yet still charming, pub appears to be full of locals having a pint - not somewhere you would think boasts a pretty impressive vegan menu. After wondering whether we were in the right place for a while one of the bartenders told us to walk behind the bar and climb the narrow staircase right at the back. Now, considering we are not city dwellers at heart, we were a bit apprehensive about climbing a dark set of stairs in the back of a local pub. However once you reach the second floor you are immediately transported into a proper british tea room, complete with floral tea-sets, exclusive royal family china and polka-dot table clothes! We both opted for the tofish and chips and a portion of onion rings (a batter overload that I do not recommend), and even my meat-eating dad thought that the food was incredible! The tofu tasted exactly like battered fish, like EXACTLY!! If you have never tried vegan fish and chips this is definitely the place to try, don't be put off by pub atmosphere. You can check out the rest of their menu and the restaurant in general on their Facebook page here. 


MOOSHIES LONDON - BRICK LANE 
On a recent trip to London me and a friend visited Mooshies for the first time and fell in LOVE! They're a 100% vegan burger bar that do amazing food, and although the seating is limited its well worth it. From BBQ pulled jackfruit burgers and quinoa and bean patties to the 'fillet-om-phish' complete with tartar sauce and vegan cheese this place is a must to visit if you haven't before! They also do a range of sides such as cheese fries, sweet potato fries and possibly the best invention ever - chick p bites with SWEET CHILLI MAYO, honestly you have to try its incredible! They also serve desserts from Vida Bakery, such as peanut butter or oreo brownies, which I am definitely trying out next time I visit! The burger bar is located in Brick Lane and you can find more info at https://veganburger.org


 CEREAL KILLER CAFE - BRICK LANE 
The Cereal Killer Cafe in Brick Lane is an entire cafe dedicated to cereal (I know right, have you heard of anything more perfect!!). There are over 120 different types of cereal on offer including American cereal, British Cereal and international brands too, as well as more than 10 different types of milk and an abundance of toppings such as oreos, chocolate, sweets and fruit. My best friend and I both had the "Did I tell you I was vegan" combination which was Reese's Puffs, Oreos and Almond / Soya Milk which was incredible (pictured above). This is honestly my dream restaurant and I cannot wait to visit again and try new combinations, if you want to check it out there are cafes in Brick Lane and Camden and you can find more info at www.cerealkillercafe.co.uk.


 INSPIRAL LOUNGE ECO CAFE - 100% VEGAN
Camden is one of my favourite places in London as its just so eclectic and so beautiful! If you're looking for street markets, music, authentic food stalls, independent stores and an abundance of beautiful diverse people then Camden is the place to go! I was recommended inSpiral Lounge from one of my favourite accounts on instagram @rayy.t / @balanced_rachie as she lives in London and is always posting amazing pictures of her meals at the cafe that just made me want to visit. I was so surprised by the sheer abundance of vegan food this cafe does, there was an entire menu of delicious options including raw desserts, raw meals, cooked vegan meals and a whole selection of fresh juices and smoothies. Not to mention the view of the canal from this cafe was so beautiful, I would go back here in a heartbeat if I lived near London, definitely somewhere I would recommend! We both had the potato wedges which were so delicious and a smoothie each (mine was cashew & cacao and Beth's was mango). The second time I visited Inspiral was with my sister, and we opted for the vegan breakfast which was also amazing! However we did arrive very close to the cusp between breakfast and lunch meaning that there were not many options left which was really disappointing so I definitely will be revisiting closer to opening time! You can check out their website here for more information www.inspiral.co/cafe. 


 COOKIES AND SCREAM - 100% VEGAN
If you are looking for vegan heaven then I have found the place for you, also in Camden (can you see how much I love Camden yet) is an incredible vegan and gluten free bakery. YES YOU HEARD ME RIGHT A VEGAN BAKERY !!!!!! Every product they sell is dairy, egg, wheat and gluten free and every bake is low fat, low cholesterol and made with unrefined sugars, but you wouldn't believe that by what they sell! On sale is an abundance of cookies, pies, brownies, ice-cream sandwiches, milkshakes and donuts and all of them are 100% vegan. The first time I visited I purchased a 'Scream Ice-Cream Sandwich' which consisted of two vegan chocolate chip cookies sandwiched together with vegan vanilla ice-cream, it was heavenly. Unfortunately it was a pretty warm on this particular day so as I was attempting to both eat and get a good shot of this amazing vegan treat the ice-cream was dripping all down my arm and onto the floor (not my most graceful look, but it sure was worth it). The next time I got a Cookie Dough Pie and my friend got a Chilli Chocolate Shake - both of which looked and tasted INCREDIBLE - you HAVE to try out the Cookie Dough Pie if you are ever in the area! This is at the top of my recommended list, and I really hope I can venture back soon to try a peanut butter brownie, a chocolate donut and salted caramel milkshake (insert heart eye emoji). For more info you can visit their website at www.cookiesandscream.com.


MILDREDS 
Mildreds is a vegetarian cafe in Soho (though they have just opened a new cafe in Camden also) that serves amazing food for vegans and vegetarians but that also appeal to meat eaters too (my dad for example loved it there!) The Soho branch doesn't accept bookings  and has a very small capacity so you do have to wait a while for a table but it is definitely worth it as the food is incredible! I had the Classic Burger - smoked tofu, lentil. piquillo pepper in a focaccia bun with relish, rocket, red onion and tomato with vegan cheese (and so did my sister) and we also shared sweet potato wedges! My dad had the vegan pie (which I believe was a special) and my mum had the Stir fry veg in shiitake, mirin, chilli, garlic and ginger with brown rice, tofu and toasted cashews (you can see them all below). This is definitely a place to visit if you are in the area and looking for a higher class meal for a special occasion or just a nicer meal out with friends or family! You can check out their menu and more information on the locations here. 


I have also compiled a list of some of the vegan cafes / restaurants in London that I am dying to try out at some point in the future, as I haven't visited any of these I do not know what they are like but I have heard amazing reviews about all of them, so if you do visit any of these (or the ones above) then please let me know over at positivesoph@gmail.co.uk or @positivesoph on twitter, instagram or tumblr! 

Wild Food Cafe - Neal's Yard 
La Gelatiera - Covent Garden
CycleLab & Juice Bar - Shoreditch 
Rubys of London - Greenwich Market
Ms. Cupcake - Brixton 
Keep your soul happy! - Sophie :)

6 comments:

Ultimate Vegan Mac & Cheese

06:44 Soph 1 Comments


The ultimate comfort food for me has got to be Mac & Cheese, I once even ordered a limited edition Kraft one from eBay and waited over a month for it to arrive I was that excited. Luckily nowadays I have progressed from the chemical filled boxed stuff and have finally perfected the ultimate vegan recipe! This has also by far been my most requested recipe EVER so I hope you guys enjoy it as much as I do! 

If the vegan cheeses that I mention in this recipe are not available where you are situated then feel free to substitute them for other brands but ensure that the 'hard' cheese is a block of cheese with a pretty strong cheese flavor as this is the base of your cheese sauce. The 'melty' cheese, as the name suggests, needs to be able to melt efficiently and then use a parmesan if possible but if not then just use 300g of 'hard' cheese instead of 250g and 50g parmesan. 



VEGAN MAC & CHEESE 

Serves 3-4  
Ingredients
2 tbsp dairy free butter (e.g. Vitalife)
350g macaroni - or any other type of pasta
2 garlic cloves
3 tbsp plain flour
500ml soy milk
250g vegan 'hard' cheese
 (Vegusto piquant or Sainsbury's free from cheddar)
50g vegan 'melty' cheese 
(Violife pizza cheese)
50g vegan parmesan
(Violife Prosociano parmesan)
2 tbsp nutritional yeast 
OR dairy free cheese sauce powder
breadcrumbs 

1. Heat oven to 200 degrees celcius (180 for fan oven)
2. Boil pasta as per instructions on packet 
3. Melt the dairy free butter in a saucepan, add garlic and cook gently for 1 minute
4. Add the nutritional yeast and flour and stir consistently, cook for an extra minute until it turns into a paste (if it starts to go crumbly add more butter)
5. Gradually add the milk whilst whisking to remove any lumps
6. Simmer for 5 minutes, whisking constantly until it has thickened, then take off the heat and stir in your 'hard' cheese and half the parmesan
7. Stir in the cooked, drained pasta and transfer to an oven proof dish
8. Mix the breadcrumbs (I made my breadcrumbs by grating a piece of bread as I am the epitome of student living), and mix with the rest of the parmesan and the melty cheese
9. IF you want to, you can also add some paprika at this stage
10. Sprinkle the breadcrumb cheese mix on top of the pasta and bake in the oven until crisp and golden brown. You can serve alone or with sausages etc

TIP : if you are planning on freezing a portion for another day then do it BEFORE you cook it otherwise it isn't as nice. You can also use the cheese sauce for things such as cauliflower cheese. 


If you decide to make this mac & cheese then please let me know how it turns out over on any of my social media accounts (linked above) !! Hope you enjoy! 

- Sophie :)

1 comments:

10 Places to Visit in Prague

03:09 Soph 2 Comments


Wandering the cobbled streets of Prague, with its pastel buildings and bohemian architecture, it's as if you have stepped straight into a fairytale. After spending just over a week in the Czech capital this month it was easy to see how so many are encapsulated by the impossible charm that Prague has to offer. If you aren't immediately won over by the winding alleyways and ornate architecture, the view from the hilltop fairytale castle will be sure to entice you into seeing the sheer beauty that Prague holds. From street food in Old Town and pedal boats on the Vltava River to the beer gardens of Letna Park, Prague has so much to offer for anyone visiting, which is why I brought together all of the highlights in this mini guide. 


WHAT TO SEE IN PRAGUE
If you are only in the city for a few days then be sure to visit as many of these as you can however if you find a cobbled street that entices you then see where it takes you. I found so many beautiful places by getting lost and wandering until my feet hurt and I was mildly sunburnt, the list below notes just a handful of my favourite places in Prague. 

1. Charles Bridge 
Possibly the most iconic landmark in Prague, Charles Bridge is truly beautiful. Not only do you get a glimpse of the gothic castle upon the hill, you get a transfixing panoramic view of the hundreds of vibrant rooftops that have taken over the city. And all of this whilst you are being serenaded by the many buskers located along the bridge, creating an atmosphere that is hard to beat. Visit Charles Bridge at sunset or sunrise for an even more mesmerizing view. (To get to Charles Bridge take the 12, 20 or 22 tram to Malostranské náměstí or the 17, 18 tram to Karlovy lázně) 


2. Prague Castle 
Although I didn't venture inside of the castle during my stay, the view from the castle grounds is unbeatable. Whether you take the Old Castle Stairs, the Castle Stairs or the steep Nerudova Street, you will end up with a breathtaking view when you reach the top. In fact I endured the steps a second time during my stay just to spend longer looking over the city and it was in this very moment that I realised what a beautiful city Prague truly is. From the castle you can see all the way from Petrin Hill, to Old Town, Charles Bridge, and even over to the Žižkov Television Tower which, if you look closely, features some very interesting giant baby statues! The surrounding area of Prague Castle is also beautiful and filled with cute coffee shops, all with the best view of the city! If you only have time to do one thing in Prague, this is the one for you! (To visit Prague Castle get the tram to  Malostranské náměstí for the Castle Steps & Nerudova Street or Malostranská metro station for the Old Castle Steps, alternatively you can get the 22 tram right up to the castle - but nothing beats climbing the steps yourself and watching the views unfold!)


3. Střelecký ostrov
A little off the tourist radar, however perhaps one of the most beautiful places in the city, is Střelecký ostrov - otherwise known as Střelecký Island. Situated half way across the Legion bridge, this little island in the middle of the Vltava River is the perfect place for a romantic stroll, picnic or just some beautiful views of the city! I stumbled across this little island whilst wandering around the city on my own, and ended up loving it so much I brought the friend I was staying with back with me the next day for an ice cream and catch up. Take some friends and some food here for a sunny day relaxing next to the river whilst overlooking the city skyline! (To get to Střelecký Island take the tram to either Národní divadlo or Újezd and then walk half way across the bridge to the stairs / elevator which take you down to the island - you can also walk here from Petrin Hill, Prague Castle or the Dancing House)


4. Old Town 
Just a stone's throw from Charles Bridge is Old Town, which acts as a quintessential part of the city. Filled to the brim with narrow cobbled streets and charming architecture, you might as well just pick any direction to wander because the more you get caught up in the 14th century townscape, the more you will truly feel at one with the city. If you're around Old Town Square on the hour, be sure to check out the Astronomical Clock for its hourly show, try some street food (the spiral potatoes on a stick are AMAZING) and of course, just get lost in the hustle and bustle that is Old Town. We wandered every street from the square and found a story at every corner, definitely worth the visit. (You can visit Old Town by walking from Charles Bridge, Wenceslas Square or the tram stop at Náměstí Republiky)


5. The John Lennon Wall
After John Lennon's murder, he became a pacifist hero for a lot of the Czech youth, who painted an image of him alongside political graffiti and Beatles lyrics on a wall in a secluded square. The Lennon Wall soon became a political focus predominately for Czech youth before attracting tourists, who continued the graffiti until the owners stopped covering it up with whitewash. The wall is now a popular attraction for Beatles fans and tourists in general and at the least provides the perfect backdrop for an impromtu photoshoot (as seen below), definitely worth a visit if you are a fan, want to check out the political graffiti or if you just want some good photos! (Located just along from the Charles Bridge, you can easily walk here from there or get off the tram at Malostranské náměstí) 


6. Petrin Hill
Petrin Hill is the place to go if you want an incredible view of the city from above, as for a small cost you can climb the Petrin Tower (built as a mini version of the Eiffel Tower), providing you with unbeatable views. Although there are a LOT of stairs, its definitely worth checking out, and the surrounding bohemian gardens of Petrin Hill are perfect for a leisurely stroll or a picnic on a sunny day! (You can get to Petrin Hill via the tram from inside the park - closest tram station to the park is Újezd) 


7. Letna Hill
Another park worth visiting is Letna Hill, home to the infamous Letna beer garden, and the perfect place to relax with friends on a sunny day! Just a short walk from Malostranská metro station, the park is the perfect spot to overlook the city, partake in a bike ride or to simply do what the Czech's do best, indulge in vast amounts of beer! Well worth a visit if you want a more chilled out afternoon whilst still in the grasps of the city. (You can walk from Malostranská station/tram stop or get off the tram at Čechův most) 


8. Wenceslas Square 
If you are looking for the social hub of Prague, Wenceslas Square is the place to be. As the home of shops, eateries, hotels, entertainment venues and nightclubs, this 700 meter long and 60 meter wide 'town square' is the tourist meeting point of the city. If you are looking to do some shopping or fancy a Starbucks then this is the place to visit. However if you walk a few blocks west of Wenceslas Square, towards Prague Main Railway Station, wander the streets such as Senovážné Námesti for some beautiful architecture that is out of tourists' way. (To get to Wenceslas Square, either get the tram to Václavské náměstí or the metro to Můstek) 


9. Lesser Town 
The part of the city to the west of Charles Bridge, and beneath Prague Castle is known as Lesser Town, and features cute cafes, shops full of trinkets and an abundance of photo opportunities. Its the perfect place to get lost in, wander the streets until your feet ache, sip on cocktails under the sun in cobbled side alleys, admire the beauty that is the Baroque Church of St Nicholas and finish your day with THE BEST gelato in Prague from Angelato - located opposite Petrin Hill - they even do a selection of vegan sorbets!! (Lesser Town is fairly vast and ranges from the tram stops of Újezd and Malostranské náměstí to the Malostranské metro station)


10. The Dancing House & Vltava River 
Another one of the most iconic, and arguably the most eccentric buildings in Prague is the Dancing House, loved by many and hated by others due to its modern and therefore controversial design. The walk up the Vltava River from Karlovo náměstí towards the Legion Bridge and Střelecký Island is definitely worth doing, as not only do you pass the Dancing House, walking beside the river is incredibly peaceful, and provides some great sights. In the summer the river is filled with pedalo boats, people gathered on the lower paths to relax, share food and have a few drinks in the sun and canal boats are open as restaurants and bars. When I was visiting there was even a vegan festival taking place down by the river! (To walk up the river passed the Dancing House either get the tram to Karlovo náměstí or to Národní divadlo)


I hope you have enjoyed reading this mini guide to Prague and it has inspired you to take a trip to the city yourself! I will be posting a post all about the vegan food I ate in Prague soon so keep your eyes out for that! You can also check out the videos I did about my trip to Prague here. If you have any further questions feel free to email me at positivesoph@gmail.com or ask me over on my tumblr positivesoph.tumblr.com !! Please let me know what european city I should visit next !!

Keep your soul happy - Sophie :)

2 comments:

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