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There's nothing worse than going to a restaurant to find that the only vegetarian option is a goat's cheese tart with a soggy side salad. But sadly, this experience is pretty common.
To prevent disappointment, we've rounded up the best vegetarian restaurants in London. Or 'normal' restaurants with a cracking veggie option - so you can take your omnivore friends too.
London's Best Vegetarian Restaurants
Mildreds(01 of08)
The Mecca of vegetarian restaurants, Mildreds has been serving cheap and delicious meat-free dishes for 25 years.
From curries and tagines to bean burgers and mushroom pie, their offerings are loved by vegetarians and meat lovers alike.
You can't book, but feel free to sit at the bar on stand on the street with a glass of wine and people watch.
Mildreds
45 Lexington Street, W1f 9an
020 7494 1634
From curries and tagines to bean burgers and mushroom pie, their offerings are loved by vegetarians and meat lovers alike.
You can't book, but feel free to sit at the bar on stand on the street with a glass of wine and people watch.
Mildreds
45 Lexington Street, W1f 9an
020 7494 1634
Rasa(02 of08)
For north Londoners, Stoke Newington's Rasa is an institution. With its bright pink exterior and friendly staff, it is a must for curry lovers and loved by non-veggies alike.
South Indian cuisine, Kerala to be precise. Highlights include Bagar Baingan - aubergines cooked in a ground paste of roasted onions, coriander seeds, chillies and tamarind, mixed with yoghurt and cashew nut sauce - and Bhel Mix - famous Bombay roadside snack made of fresh crispy chickpeas, bhel, sev, peanuts, onions blended in spicy tamarind juice and freshly chopped coriander leaves.
Rasa
55 Stoke Newington Church St, London N16 0AR
020 7249 0344
South Indian cuisine, Kerala to be precise. Highlights include Bagar Baingan - aubergines cooked in a ground paste of roasted onions, coriander seeds, chillies and tamarind, mixed with yoghurt and cashew nut sauce - and Bhel Mix - famous Bombay roadside snack made of fresh crispy chickpeas, bhel, sev, peanuts, onions blended in spicy tamarind juice and freshly chopped coriander leaves.
Rasa
55 Stoke Newington Church St, London N16 0AR
020 7249 0344
Manna(03 of08)
At nearly 50 years old, Manna is one of the oldest, gourmet vegetarian restaurant in Europe. Or so legend (and their website) has it.
It's warm and cosy, serving up veggie takes of British classics such as organic sausage and mash or a flavoursome thali (pictured).
Despite its heritage, the restaurant is still trying more daring foods. The raw lasagne (yes, it's possible) layers of courgette noodles, cashew cheese, rocket pesto and raw marinara.
All wines are vegetarian and vegan too.
Manna
4 Erskine Rd, London NW3 3AJ
020 7722 8028
It's warm and cosy, serving up veggie takes of British classics such as organic sausage and mash or a flavoursome thali (pictured).
Despite its heritage, the restaurant is still trying more daring foods. The raw lasagne (yes, it's possible) layers of courgette noodles, cashew cheese, rocket pesto and raw marinara.
All wines are vegetarian and vegan too.
Manna
4 Erskine Rd, London NW3 3AJ
020 7722 8028
Amico Bio(04 of08)
The first organic vegetarian Italian restaurant in London. (That's a mouthful.) The menu changes each day, depending on the organic seasonal produce they source regularly from Italy.
One thing's for sure - menu is well thought out and adapts seasonally, a testament to the chef's culinary skills.
The Barbican branch is intimate and cosy, while the food is spot on. The tortelli - think square-shaped ravioli - is delicate and filled with seasonal vegetables, while vegetarian salumi and mozzarisella (made with rice milk) are worth a try.
For dessert, try the indulgent (and rather boozy) rum baba.
Amico Bio44 Cloth Fair, London, EC1A 7JQ020 7600 7778
One thing's for sure - menu is well thought out and adapts seasonally, a testament to the chef's culinary skills.
The Barbican branch is intimate and cosy, while the food is spot on. The tortelli - think square-shaped ravioli - is delicate and filled with seasonal vegetables, while vegetarian salumi and mozzarisella (made with rice milk) are worth a try.
For dessert, try the indulgent (and rather boozy) rum baba.
Amico Bio44 Cloth Fair, London, EC1A 7JQ020 7600 7778
Grain Store(05 of08)
Although it isn't a vegetarian restaurant, the Grain Store puts veg at the forefront of the menu.
The restaurant itself is perfect for a date - it's in the swish Granary Square section behind King's Cross and once inside, there is a little nook to enjoy drinks before dinner. The dining area is huge - vast ceiling and open-plan kitchen which radiates warmth and bustle.
Try white asparagus with sesame seeds, sweet potato and mushroom risotto balls.
The Grain Store, Granary Square, 1-3 Stable St, Kings Cross, London N1C 4AB
020 7324 4466
The restaurant itself is perfect for a date - it's in the swish Granary Square section behind King's Cross and once inside, there is a little nook to enjoy drinks before dinner. The dining area is huge - vast ceiling and open-plan kitchen which radiates warmth and bustle.
Try white asparagus with sesame seeds, sweet potato and mushroom risotto balls.
The Grain Store, Granary Square, 1-3 Stable St, Kings Cross, London N1C 4AB
020 7324 4466
Ethos(06 of08)
The new vegetarian on the block, is Ethos. Located just a stone's throw away from Oxford Street, it is small sanctuary.
All you can eat brunch on the weekends Feast on butternut squash and feta salad or aloo Scotch eggs (pictured) filled with spring onion.
During the week the food is also buffet style, but once you've chosen you can pay for your food by weight. Build-Your-Own-Veggie-Feast, what's not to love?
Ethos
48 Eastcastle Street, London W1W 8DX
020 3581 1538
All you can eat brunch on the weekends Feast on butternut squash and feta salad or aloo Scotch eggs (pictured) filled with spring onion.
During the week the food is also buffet style, but once you've chosen you can pay for your food by weight. Build-Your-Own-Veggie-Feast, what's not to love?
Ethos
48 Eastcastle Street, London W1W 8DX
020 3581 1538
Odette's (07 of08)
While Odette's may not be strictly vegetarian, it has long embraced the Meat Free Monday phenomenon.
Vegetarian tasting menu is not to be missed. Highlights include: butternut squash tortellini with trompette mushroom and hazelnut, and pistachio cake, apple terrine, green apple sorbet.
Tasting menus are served at the kitchen table (pictured) - guests are invited to take part in creating and plating of some of their dishes.
Odette's Restaurant
130 Regents Park Road, Primrose Hill, London, NW1 8XL
020 7586 8569
Vegetarian tasting menu is not to be missed. Highlights include: butternut squash tortellini with trompette mushroom and hazelnut, and pistachio cake, apple terrine, green apple sorbet.
Tasting menus are served at the kitchen table (pictured) - guests are invited to take part in creating and plating of some of their dishes.
Odette's Restaurant
130 Regents Park Road, Primrose Hill, London, NW1 8XL
020 7586 8569
Tibits(08 of08)
Tibits is self-service veggie restaurant offering over 40 hot and cold plates, juices and soups.Grub is served from a central 'food boat' (pictured), customers plate up and pay for the weight of their food. Simple.The food is seasonal, fresh and influenced by Asian and Mediterranean cuisine. The restaurant is located just off of Regent's Street, but if you can brave the crowds it is well worth a visit.
Tibits offers a range of delicious juices and coffees, and even has a loyalty card. What's not to like?
Tibits
12-14 Heddon St, London W1B 4DA
020 7758 4110
Tibits offers a range of delicious juices and coffees, and even has a loyalty card. What's not to like?
Tibits
12-14 Heddon St, London W1B 4DA
020 7758 4110