Not too long ago, trying to order a vegan meal in restaurants would get you no more than a bowl of chips, maybe a bland bean burger, and – more often than not – a lot of strange looks. Vegan food has come along way in recent years, however. Most menus containing a range of plant-based options these days, with many at least giving the plant-based lifestyle a try now again. In fact Bristol is the most vegan friendly city in the UK. So from vegan cheese pizzas to burgers that could be mistaken for meat, we’ve rounded up the very best vegan restaurants in Bristol to try.
1. 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. New for 2021 and Veganuary is Oowee’s ‘Flamin’ Hot Smash’ burger, which consists of a double Beyond Meat smashpatty, double American cheese, ‘buttermilk’ fried jalapeños and Oowee Hot Mayo. 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
54 Picton Street, Montpelier, BS6 5QA
2. Eat Your Greens
“Eat your greens” may have been a typical phrase from parents when we were young, but this ethical, plant-based Totterdown eatery is sure to convince you to do so thanks its marvellous veggie creations. Enjoy their signature ‘cwtch rolls’ filled with marvellous flavours such as sweet potato, squash and fresh basil; mushroom and leek; roasted beetroot and squash with rosemary and caraway; and pesto and sundried tomato. Eat Your Greens also serves up delicious vegan brunch options, supper clubs and Sunday roasts.
Eat Your Greens, 156 Wells Road, Totterdown, BS4 2AG
3. Flow
Bringing contemporary, plant-focused dining to Bristol, the team at Flow aim to showcase the best produce of the season and also source their ingredients from local producers and suppliers. For instance, during the autumn you can expect dishes like salt baked and pickled beetroot, smoked UK grown quinoa with a pistachio, rose and pink tahini sauce. Flow regularly change up their menus with sustainability at the heart of what they do and their dishes are also created for sharing, plus designed to complement each other and provide a wide range of interesting flavours and techniques.
Flow, 8a Haymarket Walk, BS1 3LN
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. Seitan’s Corner
If the name doesn’t give it away enough, Seitan’s Corner creates devilish, meat-free delights for you to devour. If you’re search of somewhere to cure your vegan junk food cravings, Seitan’s Corner certainly delivers and they even have an unbelievable and wicked challenge. The Seitan’s Challenge consists of their Beelzebub burger (a seitan patty smothered with vegan cheese, jalapenos, Padron peppers and crispy onions served in a red beetroot brioche bun) plus and a special mix of Bristol own Satan’s gravy hot sauce and a 12.5 million Scoville concentrate, alongside Scorpion Chilli Fries and Camden Hells- finish it and you’ll see your face up on the Wall of Flame. This Bristol restaurant also serves up a mean vegan kebab featuring spiced strips of doner seitan, pickled cabbage and more.
Seitan’s Corner, 10 Zetland Road, BS6 7AD
6. Root
Not strictly vegan, Root puts vegetables front-and-centre of its dishes. So unsurprisingly, it was nominated as the best vegan-friendly restaurant in the country earlier this year. 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 invluded, a grilled courgette ragu, tempura spring onions and jerk carrots. Not everything is completely vegan, but due to their simplicity, many dishes can be altered.
Root, Unit 9 Cargo 1, Gaol Ferry Steps, Bristol BS1 6WP
7. Om Burger
Om Burger is Burger Theory’s vegan and vegetarian sister site, and if you loved the burgers at the meaty burger restaurant then you’re sure to enjoy the ones here. Serving an array of burgers using meat alternatives whether it be with mock fried chicken, broccoli falafel, black bean and walnut patty or Korean fried portobello mushroom, as well as deliciously loaded fries and moreish sides, you won’t leave Om Burger hungry. Plus, Om Burger serves up a brilliant breakfast in the form of a vegan fry-up, plus kimchi pancakes drenched in both chilli and peanut sauces and English muffins filled with three different options to choose from.
Om Burger, 54 Stokes Croft, BS1 3QU
8. Purezza
Becoming an instant hit in Bristol since opening in September 2020, Purezza serves up an all-vegan menu, with tons of tasty creations to enjoy. Designed in their very own kitchen lab, Purezza has created an array of ‘meaty’ vegan toppings for their pizzas, including plant-based N’duja, pulled pork and so much more. Tuck into sensational sourdough pizzas with various sauce bases such as red tomato, pesto and truffle or chomp on a cheesesteak calzone bursting with melted cheddar, seitan salami, courgettes and semi-dried tomatoes- whatever you choose Purezza has got you on Gloucester Road.
Purezza, 79-81 Gloucester Road, Bishopston, BS7 8AS
9. 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 and pineapple and ginger.
Fi Real, 57 West Street, BS2 0BZ
10. VX Bristol
The best thing about the vegan revolution is that we can suddenly enjoy all our favourite junk foods again – all with a little 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.