Vegan menus in the South West

Whether you’re a flexitarian or fully committed to a plant-based lifestyle, you’re guaranteed a fabulous feed at these vegan-aligned venues. Read on for the low-down on the best vegan menus in the South West

Root, Wells and Bristol

The team at Root went against the grain in 2017 when they opened a restaurant that focused on ‘more veg and less meat’. Their gamble paid off, however, and the original Bristol venue’s modern menus of seasonal small plates proved such a success that, in 2022, a sister site opened in Somerset’s cathedral city.

Head chef Rob Howell plucks inspiration from the local micro-seasons for his produce-led dishes. The line-up always features a good showing of vegan options (such as roasted carrots with whipped tofu and salsa verde, and fried charlotte potatoes with romesco and crispy capers) but most other dishes can be modified to a plant-based diet.

Sacred Grounds, Exeter

Exeter’s Fore Street is a hub of indie activity, and at its heart – in the light-drenched atrium of McCoy’s Arcade – is this popular plant-based brunch spot. Sacred Grounds’ signature dish is its “poached eggs”, a recipe that took the cafe’s innovative chefs three months to develop. The secret to its authentic eggy flavour and texture is a clever mix of silken tofu, agar agar and turmeric.  

Another house favourite are the seasonal waffles. The sweet or savoury buckwheat beauties are topped with all manner of scrumptious ingredients such as brûléed banana with homemade toffee sauce, vanilla chantilly, chocolate biscuit crumb and toasted hazelnuts. Pair your brunch with a cup of locally crafted Roastworks coffee, served with Oatly Barista milk as standard.

Read our review of Sacred Grounds.

Oak Restaurant, Bath

Sustainable plant-based cooking is delivered in style at this contemporary restaurant in Bath’s city centre.

The talented kitchen team, headed up by Richard Buckley, create beautifully-presented and innovative produce-led dishes from the seasonally changing menus using quality seasonal ingredients. Produce is sourced from trusted local suppliers or grown in their own small chemical-free market garden on the outskirts of Bath. Delight in incredibly fresh ingredients in dishes such as potato terrine, smoked mushroom and caramelised cauliflower; and radicchio salad, smoked almond, pickled beetroot and thyme.

Interesting drinks pairings are guaranteed as the informal neighbourhood restaurant and grocer also specialises in natural, organic and biodynamic wines.

Yak Yeti Yak, Bath

One of Bath’s longest running restaurants (established in 2004), Yak Yeti Yak was serving plant-based food before most diners had even heard of the term. Founders and chefs Sarah and Sera Gurung specialise in Nepalese cuisine, and craft the kind of dishes you could expect to feast on in tiny Himalayan teashops – many of which are vegan.

The menu is a mix of classic Nepalese recipes and family favourites collected from the couple’s travels, and their cooking style is all about freshness and light spicing. Don’t miss the opportunity to try something novel, such as the vegetable momos (steamed dumplings served with tangy tomato chutney) aloo dum (sesame and new potato salad with a lemon and burnt-fenugreek dressing) or pharsi ra kalo channa (squash and braised black chickpeas stir-fried with turmeric and peppery spices).

Make Sarah’s Nepalese celeriac and potato curry recipe.

Sabzi, across Cornwall

Kate Attlee’s collection of delis across Cornwall (find them in Falmouth, Nansledan, Padstow and Truro) are ideal for those seeking a fast-yet-nutritious feed. Everything on the creative menus is available to eat in or takeaway, with the seasonal salad boxes making up the bulk of the offering.

The concept at Sabzi is simple: serve delicious creative food that champions sustainability. There’s a Middle Eastern leaning to the menu (a nod to Kate’s Iranian heritage), so expect hearty house dals alongside kaleidoscopic salads and Persian cakes. 

Make Kate’s khoresh bademjan recipe.

Like 5 of the best vegan menus in the South West? Check out our round-up of plant-based tasting menus.

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