At its core, veganism is a compassionate lifestyle that prioritises the welfare of animals. While most UK restaurants now offer vegan options—with varying levels of success—few have mastered the art of creating an entirely plant-based menu. Grab a knife and fork and join CrossCountry as we explore some of the UK's finest vegan restaurants.
Mono, Glasgow
‘Good beer, good vegan food, good gigs and good times’…their website says it all. Known as one of the most popular gig spaces in Glasgow, Mono is also one of the best vegan spots in town. An adventurous menu, including shawarma salad bowls, haggis burgers, miso and sesame chocolate tarts, is served alongside tunes from some of the best bands around. The vegan café bar also holds exhibitions, book readings, art performances and workshops.
To get to Mono from Glasgow Central, you can walk or use public transport. It's about a fifteen minute walk from the station, or hop on a number of bus services to get there in ten.
Koocha Mezze Bar, Bristol
This Persian mezze bar in Bristol shows just how tasty vegan food can be. Serving up mouth-watering vegan mezze and kebabs alongside tasty cocktails, Koocha’s food is designed to give everyone a chance to experience the delights of plant-based recipes. Sample the oyster wings and ghormeh sabzi if opting for mezze, or the Koocha burger and fries, complete with homemade double patty and burger sauce. Serving up meals bursting with colour, flavour and a real taste of Persia, Koocha is one of the UK’s best vegan restaurants.
From Bristol Temple Meads, hop on a bus to Zetland Road Junction. You’ll find Koocha on the corner. If walking is a preference, it'll be roughly forty minutes through the city.
The Pod Café, Coventry
Affordable and cosy, the Pod Café is a bustling community café open to the public, specialising in freshly cooked vegan food. Its menu makes the most of produce entirely from local sources and takes inspiration and flavours from all over the world. Food options include cassoulet, focaccia, masala chickpeas, and veg tarts, all of which come at a shockingly good value. As well as fresh, delicious food the café runs arts events and supper clubs, amongst other events.
You can walk from Coventry Station to Pod in twenty minutes or catch one of several bus services that will get you there in roughly the same time.
Stem & Glory, Cambridge
Creative plant-based dishes are served in a friendly, vibrant ambience at this vegan joint in Cambridge. Stem & Glory offers breakfast, brunch, lunch, evening dining and special tasting menu events. It's widely considered to be, overall, one of the best restaurants in Cambridge, with plenty of non-vegans impressed with the menu too. The kimchi stuffed onigiri are particularly appetising if you’re after a smaller dish, while the fillet of 'sea bass' is the perfect main course option. They also have a mouth-watering dessert list, including raw cheesecake, and an irresistibly rich chocolate marble torte.
You can walk to Stem & Glory from Cambridge Station. Alternatively, a local bus will take you there in 10 minutes.
Green Routes Cafe, Oxford
Appearing bigger on the inside, Green Routes Cafe in Oxford is the perfect place to take your laptop and study or to take a friend for a coffee. The vibe is warm and laid-back and the food is unique and tasty, being voted Ox in a Box’s best veggie/vegan cafe in 2024. We recommend trying their mouthwatering breakfast burrito or their nut roast burger, a beloved family recipe. Overall, Green Routes is an absolute must-visit for vegan food in Oxford, appealing to plant-based lovers across the city.
Green Routes Cafe is a thirty minute bus ride from Oxford Station to Magdalen Road. If you prefer a longer walk through the beautiful city or perhaps, you've planned a day out in Oxford and want to make your way there gradually, the stroll will take around forty five minutes.
LAND, Birmingham
Land has been one of the go-to vegan restaurants in Birmingham since 2019. Their seasonal focus ensures each dish they present tastes divine and looks the part. Their menu is ever-changing but expect to see unconventional veg, exciting flavour combinations, and global inspirations. The interior of LAND can be described as intimate and a little moody, with low lighting, forest green accents, and an open kitchen to witness the magic happen. It's a perfect destination for a date night.
LAND is a short six minute walk from Birmingham New Street or you can ride a few stops on the West Midlands Metro and get there in five.
Church - Temple of Fun, Sheffield
Church - Temple of Fun, in Sheffield, is owned by British rockstar Oli Sykes, lead singer of Bring Me the Horizon. The industrial building has been transformed using South American iconography and features a host of activities beyond good food, including PS4 gaming pods, arcade machines, and DJ sets. The menu is full of mouth-watering vegan options, from The Frazzled Frango, a homemade chicken burger with smoked cheese and crushed Frazzles, to the Ma-Doner, a seitan kebab with pickled red cabbage and garlic and chipotle mayo. This venue is definitely considered one of the best vegan restaurants in Sheffield, and the rest of the UK too.
There are a number of bus services from Sheffield station that will get you to Church - Temple of Fun in fifteen minutes. Alternatively, take a walk through the city, see the sights, and you'll arrive in about half an hour.
If you’re planning to sample one of these vegan restaurants, don’t forget to book Advance rail tickets via our website or the CrossCountry app. Before you travel, make sure to check scheduled train times to find the best journey for you. If you need more information, you can contact us here.
Written by Abby