The UK now has one of the most vibrant culinary and gastronomic cuisines in the world. Whatever your preferred style of cuisine or type of diet you are likely to find it in London. There are positively thousands of restaurants and cafes, pubs and clubs with dining facilities as well as the innumerable street food operators in places like the South Bank and Dalston. Under the law, every food operator has to be able to give full details of ingredients – so if you are allergic to say nuts, or need gluten free food, they can provide the information instantly.
By far the most popular options sought by visitors staying in Aparthotels London are vegetarian and vegan diets. Look for the green V symbol on menus, or the words Vegan. This is a type of food which is increasingly common among both Londoners and visitors. Chefs enjoy the challenge of providing imaginative, high quality vegetarian and vegan food.
A good place to start if you just want a snack or light meal to take away is Veggie Pret in Berwick Street, Soho. This popular takeaway chain opened this completely vegetarian/vegan store a year ago, and it has been so popular they are considering opening more. The choice is enormous, covering everything from sandwiches to desserts. Their soups range are particularly good and have encountered rave reviews.
If you’re staying at the Presidential Apartments Kensington, head down to Mercanto Metropolitano in Newington Causeway, Southwark near the Elephant and Castle, for a really great choice in casual dining experiences. One of the best is Tiny Leaf, which is not only vegetarian and organic, it is also eco-friendly and has a zero-waste policy. It uses every scrap of food that comes its way. The majority of its dishes can be made vegan if requested. Menu’s change every day, depending entirely on what fresh produce is available. Typical menus might include chickpeas in smoked paprika sauce, charred lettuce, braised beets and carrot, vegan carrot cake with pomegranates and a creamy rice based sauce.
For a really nice vegetarian/vegan pizza, search out one of the many branches of Basilico. It can deliver on request and has branches throughout London including Hampstead, Marylebone and Islington. Vegans and Vegetarians love its Margherita Basilico made with fresh tomatoes, basil and lactose free cheese. Baked in a wood fired oven, it is really delicious.
Want a special night out? Lyles in Shoreditch has a great reputation. New menus designed specifically for vegans, vegetarians and pescatarian diners are created each day. It’s high quality, delicious food is much sought after among visitors and local people from the area. Among the many items that have been seen on its vegan & vegetarian menus include pumpkin, kale and chestnuts served with a pumpkin vinaigrette, chervil, watercress and foraged mushrooms; verbena granita and figs in fig sorbet.
Another high quality restaurant is Modern Pantry in Clerkenwell which offers imaginative cusine. They always have a good range of vegan dishes, which can be widened if you mention your dietary preference when booking a table. Among the typical vegan dishes are enoki mushrooms, miso glazed aubergines with pickled shimeji and Butternut squash roasted with baharat and served with roasted spiced cauliflower and sautéed kale.
So, make sure to pick a well located and affordable Holiday Apartments London so that you can position yourself in easy walking distance of everywhere you need to go.
