Being vegan has never been so easy. Bristol is one of the most vegan-friendly cities in the UK, with plant-based restaurants and takeaways in every corner of the city. Gone are the times of a bowl of chips, maybe a bland bean burger, and – more often than not – a strange look. Nearly every restaurant in Bristol caters for a vegan diet these days. But from (vegan) cheesy pizzas to juicy burgers that could easily be mistaken for real meat, these are the very best vegan restaurants in Bristol.
1. Root
Not strictly vegan, but when Root has been regularly nominated as the best vegan-friendly restaurant in the country, we have to talk about it. Root puts vegetables front and centre. The modern, veg-led restaurant in Wapping Wharf specialises in small plate dining and champions local suppliers – while also creating stunningly simple dishes. Recently showstoppers have included, a grilled courgette ragu, tempura spring onions and jerk carrots. Due to the simplicity of many dishes, the menu can be altered to suit all diets.
Root, Unit 9 Cargo 1, Gaol Ferry Steps, Bristol BS1 6WP
2. Baba Ganoush Kitchen – Jerusalem Falafel
Just because somewhere offers cheap eats doesn’t mean it can’t stand among the city’s best. Baba Ganoush Kitchen – Jerusalem Falafel in St Paul’s has the best falafel in Bristol, award-winning too as the colourful graffiti on the exterior so proudly states. (You won’t be able to miss this funky and vibrant location.) Specialising in vegan and vegetarian Middle Eastern food, grab a Lebanese flatbread crammed with freshly made falafel and plenty of extras for something hearty. Or choose a handful of mezze dishes such as hummus, moussaka or dolmade for something lighter.
Baba Ganoush Kitchen – Jerusalem Falafel, 81 St Nicholas’ Rd, St Paul’s, Bristol BS2 9JJ
3. Oowee Vegan
Bristol is blessed with an array of burger restaurants, but nothing comes close to the vegan burger offering at Oowee. With two branches in the city, Bristolians are pretty spoilt and with a drool-worthy menu it’s enough to make anyone want to cheat on meat. Designed to satisfy even the biggest meat eaters, Oowee describes it as “a more delicious burger than any of the ‘traditional meat’ comparatives, it just so happens to be vegan”.
Oowee Vegan, 65 Baldwin Street, BS1 1QZ
4. Koocha Mezze Bar
Koocha Mezze Bar is a right of passage when it comes to discovering Bristol’s plant-based eats. The Persian-inspired restaurant on Cheltenham Road is home to one of the best vegan (and reasonably-priced) bottomless brunches in the city, plus their main menu is colourful, creative and brimming with flavour. Enjoy mouth-watering dishes such as their infamous vegan doner kebab made with seitan, harissa or falafel burgers or choose from a selection of mezze like spiced cauliflower, tabbouleh, sweet potato samosas, falafels, pistachio kofta and Persian potatoes.
Koocha Mezze Bar, 203B Cheltenham Road, BS6 5QX
5. Fi Real
Fi Real is a vegan Caribbean restaurant located in Bristol’s Old Market and the food is most certainly not short of flavour. A big favourite on Fi Real’s menu is their crispy tofu marinated in an authentic Jamaican Jerk sauce served with spicy kale. Add some rice and peas, fried dumplings or fried plantain and you have an incredibly comforting meal that provides a taste of the Caribbean – and no meat or dairy in sight! Fi Real also serves up gluten-free options like sweet potato and lentil stew, chickpea curry and Ital stew – a creamy coconut-based stew with red kidney beans, yams, potatoes and seasonal veg. And if you’re looking to get your five (or nine) a day, Fi Real creates their very own drinks packed full of nutrients and in flavours such as watermelon, pineapple and ginger.
Fi Real, 57 West Street, BS2 0BZ
6. VX Bristol
The best thing about the vegan restaurants revolution is that we can suddenly enjoy all our favourite junk foods again in Bristol – but with less guilt. VX Bristol ensures a vegan diet doesn’t have to be boring. You can indulge on diner-style dishes like mac and cheese burritos, cheeseburgers and chicken nuggets – while they even sell milkshakes! All vegan of course.
7. Vegan India
Vegan India, from the team behind Tikka Express in Easton, is Bristol’s first plant-based Indian takeaway. The Easton location is best described as vegan-friendly already, but this Gloucester Road venture serves a 100% plant-based menu. Tuck into everything from plant-based chicken korma to meatless kofta chilli masala and vegan shrimp curry. All while remaining authentic to Indian cuisine!
Vegan India, 189 Gloucester Rd, Bishopston, Bristol BS7 8BG
8. Cafe Kino
Does it get more Bristol than this? A non-profit vegan cafe-bar that doubles as a community space. Cafe Kino is a vital space that’s been serving Stokes Croft for more than 20 years. From all-day breakfasts to classic bean burgers, as well as salads, soups and sandwiches, you’ll find all manner of vegan delights here. Plus, there are always cakes on the counter! Kino also hosts an ever-changing programme of events including music performances, life drawing, comedy nights, book launches, film screenings and more in its basement.
Cafe Kino, 108 Stokes Croft, St Paul’s, Bristol BS1 3RU
9. Renato’s
The late-night pizza bar, Renato’s, reopened recently on King Street thanks to the team from Pizza Is Lovely. Renato’s only serves meat-free pizzas, including plenty of vegan-friendly options, in both crispy New York-style slices and thick-crust Detroit-style pan pizza. And the best thing about the new Renato’s? It’s open late most evenings!
Renato’s, 33-34 King St, Bristol BS1 4RR
10. VeBurger
“Classics made vegan”. It’s a simple statement, but one that VeBurger more than meats. Its 100% plant-based menu, means you’ll never miss the flavour of a double cheeseburger – and with burgers starting at just £3.89, how can you not enjoy that? Whether you fancy the taste of chicken, cheese, beef or fish, paired with in-house special VeSauce, baconaise or tartar, this is a unique combination of sustainability, affordability and favorability. No wonder a second site is opening on Whiteladies Road very soon!
VeBurger, Unit 22 Museum St, Bristol BS1 6ZA