By Sayoni Ghosh, MA English Literature
Veganuary 2023 is here and with the start of the new year, many have taken the step towards what is widely considered to be a healthier and more sustainable lifestyle by switching to veganism or vegetarianism.
Bristol topped the global list as one of the most popular cities in the world for veganism from 2018 to 2021. There is no shortage of plant-based businesses and food chains for anyone making this dietary shift. Bristol has something for anyone looking to find eateries that offer reasonable vegan-friendly options on their menu.
Cafes:
East Village Bristol:
Boyce’s Ave, Clifton, BS8 4AA
Located in the heart of Clifton Village, this is a 100 per cent vegan café and a must-visit if you are ever in the mood for a sandwich, cake or coffee in a charming setting.
Café Kino:
108 Stokes Croft, Cotham, BS1 3RU
A great place for vegans and vegetarians alike, this café provides a varied menu of animal free burgers, sandwiches, cakes and drinks.
Ahh Toots:
17 Christmas St, BS1 5BT
Located at the bottom of Christmas Steps, this cozy café has amazing cakes with quite a few vegan options.
Eat a Pitta:
Various locations, Bristol
For all the falafel fans out there, this is recommended by many committee members of the University of Bristol’s Vegetarian and Vegan Society as their favourite vegan spot for a grab-and-go lunch with an amazing selection of salads.
Fast Food:
Oowee Vegan:
65 Baldwin St, BS1 1QZ
Loved by vegans and non-vegans alike, this place is known for its friendly and helpful staff and its crazy vegan fast food, like marmite butter waffle fries and big bacon swiss burgers. Their vegan popcorn milkshake is totally worth trying!
Om Burger:
54 Stokes Croft, St Paul’s, BS1 3QU
Another favourite spot of UoB’s VegSoc, Om Burger’s menu will make you fall in love with its green cuisine. They also source locally and do not use plastic packaging.
Purezza:
79-81 Gloucester Rd, Bishopston, BS7 8AS
The UK’s first vegan pizzeria. They also offer gluten-free options and even vegan dog treats.
Vx Bristol:
123 East St, Bedminster, BS3 4ER
This vegan fast food spot serves everything junk food, from cheeseburgers to burritos and shakes, and it even has a small designated grocery section with a variety of vegan items.
Desserts:
Future Doughnuts:
26 Oxford St, BS2 0QT
This bakery serves fluffy vegan doughnuts with their signature glazes, jams, custards and toppings. You can also grab an organic topped bagel with vegan fillings.
The Happy Cow:
The Bristol Hotel, Prince St, BS1 4QF
The UK’s first plant-based whippy ice-cream van, you will find their white and pink ice-cream truck at Narrow Quay on Bristol’s Harbourside.
Mrs Potts Chocolate House:
50 Park St, BS1 5JN
A divine place for every chocolate lover, this café has an awesome selection of vegan desserts like their vegan chocolate chip cookie and chocolate bars, and they’re renowned for their dedicant hot chocolates (that can be made vegan with alternative milks).
International Cuisines:
4500 Miles From Delhi:
8 Colston Ave, BS1 4ST
This authentic Indian restaurant has its own vegetarian menu, serving the likes of palak paneer and tarka daal.
Suyuan:
Grove Ave, BS1 4LU
Suyuan offers vegetarian Chinese home-cooked meals and every dish on their menu can be made vegan.
Dangun:
39-41 St Nicholas St, BS1 1TP
Dangun provides a variety of vegan-friendly Korean dishes packed with flavour at reasonable pricing.
Seven Lucky Gods:
Unit 26, Cargo 2, Wapping Rd, BS1 4RW
With many vegan options listed on their menu, including pumpkin futomaki and mushroom mapo tofu, this place has some of the best sushi in town at Wapping Wharf.
Fi Real:
57 West Street, Old Market, BS2 0BZ
A vegan and vegetarian cafe that offers unique and tasty Caribbean food with locally sourced and organic ingredients.
Pubs:
The Old Bookshop:
65 North St, Bedminster, BS3 1ES
Located on North Street, this is Bristol’s only vegan pub. Their current kitchen residency is Naasto Bassto, serving authentic Gujarati Small Plates & Indian Street Food. They update their drinks options daily, so there is always something new to try, as well as various alcohol-free options.
Struggling with meal ideas as a vegetarian or vegan?
University of Bristol’s Vegetarian and Vegan Society has many useful resources on their Instagram page for anyone wanting some meal inspiration like recipe sites, vegan baking sites and yummy dietary swap ideas.
Featured image: Charlie Marchant / Flickr
Are you doing Veganuary this year?
