Gone are the days when veggie burgers were glorified potato products and vegans felt unfulfilled when searching for the perfect hangover cure. As veganism continues to thrive in London, restaurants are serving up more of what the people want, and sometimes that's just good ol' fashioned junk food. Now, vegans can satisfy those fast food cravings with a stacked 'bleeding' burger, hearty seitan hotdog or piles of spicy tacos. Check out our recommendations of London's best vegan junk food, so you can chow down happy.
Last edited by Jasmine Lee Kennedy
Strongroom have created the perfect environment for their diners by offering top-notch music and a menu that features plenty of vegan junk food. Snuggle up with a vegan kofte cheesesteak, vegan dirty fries, 'no cow' nachos or a spiced pulled mushroom burger as you're serenaded by some of London's best new musicians.
BrewDog have not only perfected a vegan craft brew, but they've gone so far as launching meat-free Mondays with 2-4-1 on their plant-based food in all of their bars. Tuck into one of their burgers for the perfect way to dispel those start-of-the-week blues in the best way possible.
From Tottenham Court Road to South Kensington and Shepherd's Bush, there are a number of different locations across London to get your fix of vegan burgers from Byron. Founded in 2007 to bring the ultimate American burger experience to the UK, its menus has eight burgers that you can make vegan - ranging from Sriracha hot honey to smokey chilli BBQ flavours.
Better yet, there's even an option to build your own from a selection of protein options, toppings and sauces.
From smoked vegan shawarma kebabs to plant-based burgers topped with vegan bacon, vegan cheese, relish, pickles and salad in a brioche bun, Smok'd at the Britannia has a few delicious options for you, alongside monthly specials too. Find this barbecue venue on Kipling Street near Borough tube station.
Pizza Pilgrims in London, founded by brothers Thom and James Elliot, brings the authentic taste of Neapolitan pizza to the city. With several locations, including in Camden, Soho, and Shoreditch, Pizza Pilgrims serves up a variety of mouthwatering pizzas crafted from traditional Italian ingredients.
You can devour hearty vegan eats here, with plant-based 'nduja and customised pizzas like the Pizz & Love featuring wild broccoli, grilled aubergines, red onions, artichokes, olives and a garlic herb oil.
Beyond the beef and chicken, Honest Burger's juice-dripping veggie and plant-powered patties steal the spotlight. Swing by next to Electric Cinema on Portobello Road for a burger bonanza with a side of fun after a bustling morning at the market or hop over to Spitalfields or Peckham for the same taste, in a diff locale.
Although Neapolitans are probably turning in their graves, many do still consider pizza to be 'junk food'. At Mamma Dough's South London restaurants though, you can get your fix of sourdough slices cooked in wood-fired ovens and made from organic rye, wholemeal and white flour.
From the classic marinara to the seasonal vegan special (think toppings like vegan mozzarella, butternut squash, kale, wild mushrooms and truffle oil), get your lips around some pizza without feeling the junk food guilt.
Fronting Beyond Meat burgers, crispy cauli wings and more, The Queen Charlotte is one fine place for vegan junk food in London. Even better, this joint has a bucketload of craft pints to wash everything down, too.
Home to a gourmet take on some of our favourite 'junk food', it's all in the name at GBK. Having made their mark with burgers stacked high with toppings and sauces since 2001, these guys have a range of locations for you to visit across London.
As for the vegan options? Think a classic plant-based bean patty, QUORN™ buttermilk chickenless fillet topped with vegan Applewood cheese, smashed avocado and paprika onions, and a BEYOND MEAT® cheeseburger.
Lost Souls Pizza, the world's only vampire-themed pizzeria, is a total scream, appealing to those hungry for gothic horror nostalgia and quirky pie adventures. But let's not joke around—the pizzas here mean serious business; we recommend their vegan wonder, Kale All Vampires, sitting proudly on their signature charcoal base.
Purezza Camden, located in the heart of Camden Town, is the UK's largest vegan restaurant, offering a vibrant dining experience just moments from Camden Market and Regent's Canal.
The Camden location, which opened in March 2018, features a spacious two-floor layout accommodating up to 120 guests, and they can tuck into a variety of plant-based Italian dishes, including sourdough pizzas, calzones, pastas and indulgent desserts.
