The start of a new year is often full of changes in eating and drinking habits, focuses on wellness and fitness, and plenty of gym memberships. But for vegans, it’s a month of celebration and enjoying some top-notch vegan grub usually involving a Veganuary deal or two.
In honour of Veganuary, we’ve thought long and hard about the vegan restaurants and eateries us Bristolians love. Sadly, 2024 saw a number of vegan establishments close their doors for good.
But never fear, as there’s still a vast array of beloved vegan eateries, cafes, restaurants and takeaways to visit in the city, as well as locations that have branched out into the world of vegan menus, too. We’ve compiled a list of favourites based on the BristolLive team and other reviewers. Is your favourite featured? If not, let us know by emailing [email protected] – and we’ll be sure to explore it and let you know what we think…
Koocha Mezze Bar
Where is it: 203B Cheltenham Road, BS6 5QX
You may have spotted the Koocha Mezze Bar building on Cheltenham Road – a teal blue colour with flowers and leopards/cheetahs painted as a mural on its frontage. Opening back in 2018, Koocha Mezze serves up a menu of Persian and Middle Eastern cooking, all made with plant-based ingredients that both vegans and non-vegans can enjoy.
The idea behind this venue is that guests can eat, drink and socialise without having to review each and every detail on the menu, making for a more stress-free experience. What’s more, Koocha Mezze Bar also has a menu of signature cocktails and mocktails inspired by the Middle East, as well as gins, beers, ciders, wines, and soft drinks, too.
Koocha’s owner, founder and head chef, Noda Marvani, was also named finalist in the Female Chef of the Year category at the 2023 Restaurant of the Year Awards. She’s also since launched her very own Koocha Sunday roast.
Root
Where is it: Unit 9 Cargo 1, Gaol Ferry Steps, BS1 6WP
Sister restaurant to Root in Wells, and part of The Pony Group (think The Pony Chew Valley’s Josh Eggleton), Root at Wapping Wharf’s Cargo development is described as being a “modern, veg-led” restaurant serving up sharing plates on the banks of Bristol’s historic harbour.
Opening back in 2017, owners Josh Eggleton and Luke Hasell (of Story Butchers and Valleyfest) wanted to create a ‘forward-thinking’ restaurant that ‘championed local suppliers and producers’, and led with a ‘more veg, less meat’ ethos.
Items on the sample menu at time of writing include the likes of smoked beetroot, Homewood feta, almond, blood orange, and dill, as well as grilled Jerusalem artichoke, lemon brown butter, and hazelnut. Fish and meat options on the menu include trout, cod and chicken thigh, while puddings range from pear and ginger cake, to saffron brioche, and even a wilding squash with spiced ice cream, Swiss meringue, and an oat biscuit.
Oowee Vegan
Where is it: 65 Baldwin Street, BS1 1QZ
While the Picton Street branch of Oowee announced back in October that it would be adding meat to its menu, the Baldwin Street restaurant remains solely vegan.
Dubbed ‘the birth place of Oowee Vegan’ and ‘an easy-going stop for plant-based vegan fast food’, the Baldwin Street site offers up takeaway vegan burgers with intriguing concoctions like a hot honey halloumi burger on the menu at time of writing, as well as vegan smash burgers, vegan chicken burgers, vegan cheese waffle fries, and even vegan milkshakes.
Eat a Pitta
Where is it: St Nick’s Market (BS1 1LJ), Broadmead (BS1 3EA), Gloucester Road (BS7 8AD), Clifton Village (BS8 4BX) and Queens Road (BS8 1QE)
Some reviewers have even gone so far as to say that Eat a Pitta does the best falafels in the city, but whatever your thoughts it is safe to say that this name has plenty to offer the vegan palate. Founder Dan developed the ‘perfect’ falafel recipe from his grandma Yolande’s kitchen, bringing it to St Nicholas Market with the help of The Princes Trust, back in 2011.
Items on the menu now include the likes of spiced lentil soup, halloumi fries, sweetcorn fritters, Moroccan curry, falafel boxes, falafel pittas, and a wide selection of others.
VeBurger
Where is it: Unit 22 Museum Street, BS1 6ZA
VeBurger opened in January 2022 with a simple vision to bring ‘delicious, affordable plant-based food that tastes just like the classics’. The 100 per cent plant-based menu here aims to deliver all the flavour without compromise, and with burgers that start at £3.89 (and sides from £2.89) so as not to break the bank.
Items on the menu at time of writing include the likes of the ‘bacon’ rooster, with vegan bacon and chicken, festive vegan beef burger, a vegan brie and chicken burger, dirty and loaded fries, sides like vegan nuggets, desserts like plant-based ice cream, and even vegan milkshakes.
A new physical location is said to be ‘coming soon’, too.
VX Bristol
Where is it: 123 East Street, Bedminster, BS3 4ER
Described as a ‘vegan junk food, coffee and grocery shop’ in Bedminster, VX claims to be the first 100 per cent vegan boutique in the UK, the first outlet to stock many of the biggest vegan brands and import many new products, the first all-vegan clothing line in the UK, and the first chain of vegan shops in the country.
VX offers a full junk food menu which features two sizes of kebabs, burgers and more. Plus, an array of vegan cheeses, and indulgent French patisserie, too.
East Village Cafe
Where is it: Boyce’s Avenue, Clifton, BS8 4AA
Situated in the heart of Clifton Village, East Village Cafe is a family owned plant-based cafe that serves up a selection of sandwiches, pastries, and homemade cakes. There’s also a wide range of seasonal drinks, iced coffees, smoothies, natural rainbow lattes, teas, and coffee from Stokes Croft‘s Triple Co Roast.
Everything on the menu is 100 per cent plant-based. There’s even a vegan chocolate range, and a selection of eco friendly homeware and gifts to peruse.
What’s more, you can bring your well-behaved dog with you to the cafe, to enjoy what’s on offer together.