Bristol now has more than its fair share of vegan and veggie places to eat, earning it a place as the most popular vegan city in the world.

I’m always happy to go to vegetarian restaurants, and tend to eat out a lot at Japanese, Korean and Indian restaurants, which by their nature offer extensive vegetarian choices (check out Tuk Tuck, Bento Boss and Nutmeg for particularly good examples of this), but even so it seems only fair to have a fully fledged vegetarian give their thoughts about the best of what’s on offer.

Read on to see what other plant-based treats you can get your hands on across the city!

Restaurants

Koocha Mezze Bar
Vegan mezze which arrives in a dazzling display of colours, with flavours to match. A perfect place to bring friends and share a bundle of plates. Try the cocktails and vegan kebabs too!

Root
Not an entirely veggie menu, but Root puts vegetables & pulses front and centre of its menu, with meat, fish and dairy taking a back seat. The quality here is first rate, some of the best food in the city without a doubt.

Thali Cafe
In addition to their Northern thali which includes a yummy paneer curry, they also do a dairy free thali, alongside numerous veggie snacks and sides such as mango and paneer shish kebabs, masala dosa, uttapam and crunchy salads.

Fi Real
An unassuming Caribbean cafe/restaurant opposite Sofa Project on Old Market. Curry, stew and rice’n’peas are the order of the day, as well as fresh juices, smoothies and cakes. Everything is vegetarian, if not vegan. Expect a friendly welcome.

Acorn Vegetarian Kitchen
Some of the most sophisticated vegetarian food to be found in Bath or Bristol. It’s a little expensive, but it’s worth it for the imagination and skill that goes into the food. Dishes often comprise hot, warm and cold elements. Expect menu items such as steamed beetroot with blackcurrant sorbet, truffled broccoli with cauliflower pannacotta, or glazed mushrooms served with cheese-filled profiterole-style pastries. When it comes to dessert, the salted chocolate tart is out of this world.

Oowee Vegan
No longer are the dirtiest burgers and loaded fries for meat eaters – Oowee do a ridiculously tasty line in plantbased junk food, from buffalo cauliflower to mightily stacked burgers, waffle fries and more! Hungover vegans rejoice!

Flow
Bristol’s latest vegetarian restaurant, this place is a good mix of sophistication and cosiness. Choose from a variety of seasonal plates such as stuffed aubergine, courgette spaghetti or Vietnamese style spring rolls, or go for the tartines topped with ever-changing combos including beetroot hummus, labneh or broad bean & mint. The cocktails are also bang on.

Pepe Nero
Up until recently, pizza was the nemesis of all those who had to avoid dairy, but not anymore. Pepe Nero can be found at The Beer Emporium on King St or The Full Moon on Stokes Croft and are proud purveyors of pizza which aims to cater to everyone, whether they be carnivores, vegetarians or vegans. The menu is extensive, so you’re not just limited to a couple of options or substitutions.

Other amazing places to check out which aren’t exclusively veggie but offer a brilliant choice of vegetarian & vegans dishes include Souk Kitchen (modern Middle Eastern with a bright, fresh menu -every dish bursts at the seams with flavour), Pieminister (including a vegan pie, and vegan/GF gravy!) No. 1 Harbourside, The Old Market Assembly, and Yakinori (including vegan sushi and a range of noodle & curry dishes).

You can also customise the menus at Pizzarova and The Burger Joint to build your own veggie or vegan meal!

Cafes

Eat Your Greens
This cosy totally plant-based Totterdown cafe does the most epic breakfasts, as well as some stonking roast dinners and evening menus. They also do rainbow waffles and epic cakes. Basically, get yourself there and be prepared to want to order everything.

Green Rocket Café
This Bath café offers wholesome, imaginative food, most of which is vegan, and there’s even a raw option. Choose from standard cafe fare such as soup, sandwiches and cake, or larger meals such curry, noodles and mezze platters. Everything we’ve tried there has been lovely.

Cafe Kino
A focal point on Stokes Croft – vegan-centric Kino attracts a loyal fan base regardless of their diet with its wholesome and homemade menu, ranging from their spicy burgers, to vegetable stews and curries, through to a mouth-watering range of cakes, tarts and biscuits. They also run a great programme of events, including gigs, talks and workshops.

Earthcake
If you want indulgent cakes that also happen to be vegan, head to North Street for a selection which includes sandwiches, biscuits, tarts, gateaus and afternoon tea (you can also enjoy a vegan afternoon tea at Cox & Baloney, hurrah!).

East Village
In the former Arch House Deli you’ll now find an entirely vegan cafe. The menu include sandwiches, soups, cakes and buddha bowls for you to enjoy in a light and relaxed setting.

VX Bristol
Vegan junk food you say? Count us in! Having started in London, VX have opened their second branch on East St in Bedminster and are serving up all manner of meat and dairy free filth including hot dogs, kebabs, nachos and huuuuge cake.

You can also find a great range of veggie and vegan options at Taste of Napoli in Broadmead (who even do a selection of vegan breakfast pastries & pizza) and Better Food Co.

We’re also lucky to have several excellent local chains which provide impressive vegetarian and vegan options, including Friska,  Biblos and Boston Tea Party – check out their websites for more menu information.

On the go

Gopal’s Curry Shack
Indian street food with a modern twist – bubble and squeak samosas anyone? You’ll spot Gopal’s Curry Shack at markets all over Bristol. The Aloo Tikki Chaat comes highly recommended.

St Nicholas Market
You’re spoilt for choice here, whether it’s the good value filled rolls & snacks from Royce Rolls, weighty falafel boxes from Eat a Pitta, gorgeous vegan cakes from Ahh Toots, grilled veggie wraps from Matina, Mediterranean salads from The Olive Works, comforting curry from Spice Up Your Life, Szechuan noodles from Chilli Daddy, spicy snacks from Caribbean Wrap or a vegetable tagine from Al Bab Mansour. And that’s before I even get on to the meat-free delights of The Sausage Station, Pieminister, Source and Eatchu, as well as the aforementioned Vegan Market on Mondays, Farmers Market on Wednesdays, and street food market on Tuesdays & Fridays, phew!

Falafel King
Whether it’s the stall by the fountains or the shop on Cotham Hill, Falafel King is surely a cornerstone for most vegetarians and vegans in Bristol. The sturdy falafel & salad wraps come in two sizes (we’re yet to finish the large one in less than two sittings) with a selection of sauces, plus there are also muffins and baklava if you fancy a sweet treat.

The Spotless Leopard
The Spotless Leopard van can be found on Alma Rd from Tuesday to Thursday, and on Gloucester Road on Saturday, serving vegan sandwiches, salads and wraps, as well as warm offerings such as spanakopita or lentil burgers. There’s also cake; lovely, lovely cake. Lots of wonderful cake. The coconut, lime & raspberry variety is a personal favourite.

Edna’s Kitchen
A strong contender for the best falafel in town, Edna’s Kitchen is situated on the edge of Castle Park near The Galleries and is open every day from 10am until 5pm. Everything on offer here is vegetarian or vegan; as well as falafel there are halloumi wraps, sabich (aubergine and egg), and eija (herby frittata). Fresh, quick and very tasty.

Pubs and Bars

Bocabar
Not exclusively vegetarian, but included in this round-up for its wide range of veggie pizzas and salads. The vegetarian ‘fish’ (ok, halloumi) and chips is a good choice, but we’ve heard good things about the meat-free Sunday roasts too.

Poco
Fresh and adventurous food which wears its eco credentials on it sleeve. Poco does a broad selection of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern inspired tapas dishes, such as spanakopita, fattoush, various homemade dips and seasonal cheeses.

The Lounges
Laid-back cafés with at least one – but often more – veggie version of everything on its menu. You’ll find the usual suspects here: falafel burger, lentil curry, paninis, and there’s often a vegetarian special. The Lounges do a good breakfast too, with lots of choice for non-meat eaters, and there’s also an entire menu just for vegans.

Watershed
Another café with a fairly extensive vegetarian menu, covering baguettes, baked potatoes and vegetable tarts. The soup, pasta and risotto of the day are always vegetarian too.

Hopefully we’ve given you enough choices to consider, but where are your favourites? Did we miss anywhere off?

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