Essential Surrey & SW London's resident veggie person Hattie Curl goes in search of the finest local vegetarian and vegan eateries
If you mention to someone that you are a vegetarian (or, God forbid, a vegan), you are often met with a series of eye rolls and pitying looks, followed by a slight sense of wariness and mistrust on their part.
Having not eaten meat or fish myself for almost a year now, my friends and family love to tease me, repeatedly asking if I'm alright and do I want some chicken?
It can occasionally be a bit tricky going out for meals with loved ones. I used to religiously choose the steak frites at my favourite restaurant, but now opt for the slightly less indulgent mushroom crêpes or goats cheese salad (both of which, for the record, are utterly scrumptious too!) Mention this struggle to your fellow diners though and you receive no sympathy, just a blank expression and the pearl of wisdom that nothing is stopping you from having the meaty option.
Having said that, I love the creativity that has come with finding alternative meals and making different delicious dishes, not to mention the health benefits which I have felt and the lesser impact on the environment.
Therefore, in the spirit of all this, I have put together a little compilation of great vegetarian and vegan restaurants in the area to tempt veggies and meat eaters alike.
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1
The Beano Restaurant
Guildford's only totally vegetarian restaurant, it is nothing short of veggie heaven. Located in the Guildford Institute the Beano Restaurant is dedicated to serving meat free dishes, with wheat free and vegan options too. Very relaxed and cosy ambience, with a range of homemade meals at incredible prices. An absolute gem.
Price: for just £9.50 you can have your choice of a main course, two salads and a dessert
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2
Riverside Vegetaria
An extensive vegetarian menu, with distinctive and exotic flavours and stunning views over the Thames. It prides itself in serving vegetarian food so tasty that non-vegetarians will crave it too.
Price: £8 - £11
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3
WGT Restaurant
A Chinese fusion restaurant and mindfulness centre which cooks healthy, seasonal dishes. The recipes are unique and the set menu changes everyday, showcasing the extraordinary talent of their chef as well as whatever fabulously fresh produce is in season.
Price: £5 - £8
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4
Tide Tables Café
Situated next to a ferry dock, so with beautiful views, Tide Tables is an ideal place for a vegetarian breakfast or lunch, and a great place if you want to hang out and escape the hustle and bustle of London. Fantastic food with gluten free and vegan options and delicious coffee.
Price: £2 - £8
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5
The Gate
Established in 1989, this has grown to be London's most successful vegetarian restaurant. Vegan options are available and the cuisine is incredible. Drawing upon Indian and Arabian flavours with a distinct French and Italian influence, the menu is created with passion and executed with flair.
Price: £7 - £14
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6
House Twenty8
HouseTwenty8 is a family-run coffee house, juice bar and vegetarian cafe. Its homemade menu offers organic and refined sugar free food and there is a large range of vegan, gluten and dairy free dishes too. Absolutely gorgeous food served in a lovely atmosphere.
Price: £3 - £8
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7
Green Tree Goodness
63 Wingate Square, London, SW4 0AFA little walk-in vegetarian cafe inside a yoga studio (Yogahaven) at Clapham Common. The menu is small and simple but oh so tasty. Their ethos is vegetarian, vegan and gluten free food which is wholesome, filling and affordable. Serving mouth watering smoothies, salads and snacks.
Price: £2 - £6
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8
The Juice Smith
This sweet little cold-pressed juice bar is dedicated to making the most nutritious juices from the best ingredients. As well as their array of drinks, they serve smoothies, sweet treats and raw dried snacks. Their all day menu has a delicious selection of healthy, body fuelling foods.
Price: £3 - £10
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9
Crazy Bean Cafe
Crazy Bean is Surrey's first completely vegan cafe, opening only a couple of months ago. The menu is constantly evolving to add more scrumptious dishes and flavours, whilst the selection of desserts and smoothies is truly mouth watering.
Price: £3 - £6
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10
Bonnington Cafe
This little veggie restaurant is situated in the gorgeous Bonnington Square, a hidden gem of an area near the Oval in Kennington. It has a fantastic story; back in the 80s it was inhabited by squatters who decided to cook cheap meals for the community, taking turns to cook every day and changing the menu daily.
Although no longer a squat, the cafe has continued in the same vein ever since and it’s maintained by a collective of cooks. They change the menu on a daily basis which keeps things refreshing and gives them the opportunity to demonstrate their fantastic skills in the kitchen.
Price: £3 - £8
Handy to know: it's bring your own booze and cash only.
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