Bubala has restaurants all over London, so you know they’ve earned their creds. It’s a cosy, casual spot serving all vegetarian Middle Eastern food – perfect for sharing picky bits or if you just want a little bit of everything.

We’ve always wondered why vegetarian food gets such a bad rep, especially when one of the nation’s ultimate comfort snacks is hummus and pitta. Bubala seriously knows what they’re doing.  Their hummus is nothing like the supermarket stuff; it’s proper, authentic, and made with 100% olive oil.

So, of course, we started with that. And because we’re dip fiends, we also ordered the baba ganoush, served with super fresh warm bread. For mains, we went for the halloumi dressed in chamomile and fennel honey. See? Being vegetarian definitely doesn’t mean giving up cheese.

Have to try: Hummus with mango and lime leaf oil
Perfect for: Casual catch ups
Approx price for 2: £30-£70 (+ drinks)

Jam Delish is a modern, cute restaurant that immediately catches your eye with a massive vibrant garden wall showing off their love for greenery. They specialise in Caribbean cuisine, so if you think all veggie food is bland, prepare to be seriously humbled.

We started with the red stripe glazed jerk cauliflower. This came with quinoa and charred pineapple, plus two dips – a scotch bonnet sauce and a coconut green tahini. It was a mouthful to say and even more of a mouthful to eat. Who knew a vegetable could soak up so much flavour? It had everything: sweetness, spice, and smokiness — that you usually only get from meat.

For mains, we shared the Caribbean fried chicken (made from oyster mushrooms), served with Jamaican gravy. Who said you have to give up comfort food? It’s not pretending to be the real thing, but it was yummy and special in its own way!

Have to try: Caribbean fried “chicken” with Jamaican gravy
Perfect for: Special occasions
Approx price for 2: £30-£70

Club Mexicana is impossible to miss with its neon pink exterior and buzzing interior. When they say “club,” they really mean it – the energy here is electric and full of good vibes.

We kicked things off with the loaded nachos, piled high with ground “beef,” cheese sauce, guac, salsa, jalapeños – basically all the works. It was delicious, but honestly, the “beef” felt a bit unnecessary since there was already so much flavor and texture going on. That said, it paired perfectly with the frozen mango jalapeño margarita. An unbeatable combo.

For mains, we tried the buffalo mushroom tacos, which totally surprised us. Stuffed with southern fried mushrooms, buffalo hot sauce, and ranch, they balanced spicy and creamy in the most addictive way. We actually had to order a second round. They also have a solid range of burritos if you want to mix it up.

And of course, no Mexican meal here is complete without churros. These came dusted in cinnamon sugar with a pot of dark chocolate sauce so good, you could actually drink it!

Have to try: Frozen margs and buffalo mushroom tacos
Perfect for: Fun lunch/dinner with friends
Approx price for 2: £30-£70

Persepolis completely transports you to the Middle East, without ever leaving Peckham. It reflects the area’s diverse, eclectic energy, and just splashes that straight onto the interiors. It’s colourful, chaotic (in the best way), and such a refreshing break from the overly polished restaurants you’re used to seeing around London.

The vibe here is super casual – they just want you to have a good time. Their menu categories say it all: “starty things,” “brunchy things”… you know exactly what they mean and you’re immediately relaxed.

We went full picky bits mode and ordered: the breaded halloumi with chilli relish, Persian-style potatoes topped with mustardy labneh, and garlic mushrooms with feta, served with a big, fluffy garlic naan to scoop it all up. Heaven.

Drinks-wise, they don’t stop at the basics. We tried the fresh mango smoothie which was subtly spiced with tamarind and ginger. And dessert? No competition. Just get the banana, date, and sesame flambé. That’s all we’re going to say. Trust.

Have to try:  Banana, date and sesame ‘flambé’
Perfect for: Casual lunch with friends
Approx price for 2: £25-£50

Argue with the wall – you just can’t beat a classic margherita pizza. Especially when it’s stacked up against those over-the-top monstrosities loaded with triple cheeseburger meat, pickles, fries… like, are we even eating pizza anymore? That might be heaven to some, but when we’re craving Italian, we want actual Italian. Not some unhinged American remix.

Flat Earth Pizza gets it. They’ve got proper margheritas, along with loads of creative veggie options that still actually taste like pizza. If you want something classic but with a twist, go for the Mar-Burrata – your standard margherita, topped with a whole burrata and finished with the most addictive sticky chilli honey drizzle. Pure heaven.

If you’re feeling wild, definitely go for the KFM. Topped with fried oyster mushrooms, gochujang, piquillo peppers, pickled spring onions and toasted sesame. We didn’t expect that combo to work, but wow… it really did.

Bonus: they do a weekday lunch deal: margherita pizza and Caesar salad for just a tenner. Don’t walk. Run

Have to try: “Mar-burrata pizza” (margarita topped with burrata and hot honey)
Perfect for: Catch up with friends
Approx price for 2: £40

Rasa is perfect for girlie luncheons. Think white tablecloths, pink chairs, pink frames. Total dollhouse vibes.

When you hear Indian food, you probably think chicken tikka masala, but with so many Indian vegetarians, the veggie options here are next level.

To start, we had the crispy gobi pakoda. It’s battered, fried cauliflower paired with a sweet and spicy tamarind tomato sauce. Honestly, just that with a few drinks would be a vibe. For mains, we went for the paneer cheera curry, a creamy tomato-based gravy with peppers, spinach, and soft cubes of paneer. Our waiter recommended pairing it with lemon rice, and it was absolutely beautiful. But, you know us – double carbs all the way – so we also ordered a side of chapatis.

We were stuffed, but the dessert menu was too tempting to skip, and we’re glad we compromised a jean button for it. The mango halwa was unreal.

Have to try: Crispy cauliflower with tomato chutney
Perfect for: Meal out with family
Approx price for 2: £30-£60

Kahani in Sloane Square strikes that perfect balance – it feels fancy enough for a special occasion, but not so pretentious that you have to whisper or show up in black tie for a casual dinner. It’s elevated, but still relaxed.

They do serve meat here, but unlike most places where that dominates the menu, the meat options are more of a side note. The real star is definitely their vegetarian dishes. It’s got a Michelin star, so while it’s not super duper OTT fancy, the food definitely comes plated with that wow-factor presentation.

To start, we shared the chargrilled tandoor broccoli, which was slightly sweetened with honey and came with the most divine garlic dip. For mains, we kept it classic with a paneer tikka masala. 

If you’re more of a weekend bruncher, they also do a veggie bottomless brunch for £45, where you get all your favourites in one set menu (plus drinks, obviously). One to add to the list for a bougie-but-laid-back day out.

Have to try: Paneer tikka masala and the chilli cheese naan
Perfect for: Special occasions
Approx price for 2: £50-£100

The Gate in Hammersmith is a modern restaurant–café hybrid serving both vegan and vegetarian dishes, and the food here is seriously aesthetic — so get your Insta stories ready.

To share, we started with the plantain fritters, which came with the dreamiest coriander and coconut chutney. We probably should’ve stopped there to save room for mains, but the starters were too tempting (and let’s be real, there’s always room). We also got the crispy courgette, stuffed with a pea and mint purée. So fresh, so light, so good.

For mains, it had to be the green Thai curry, because when has that ever disappointed? Instead of chicken, it came with aubergine, sweet potato and mushrooms, and honestly, you didn’t miss the meat one bit. Served with jasmine rice, the rich coconutty flavour properly came through and tied it all together.

Have to try: Thai green curry
Perfect for: Meal out with friends/ family
Approx price for 2:  £30-£70

While the rest of these have been proper sit-down, spend-the-day type restaurants, Veg & Tings is defo more casual. It’s giving quick lunch and a drink energy. But don’t mistake that for boring because the food slaps.

They’re serving veggie Caribbean food, and they do not hold back on flavour. We got the vegetable roti, which came packed with chickpeas, soft pumpkin and drowned (in the best way) in a mango and tamarind chutney. So simple but so elite.

We also had to try the Sunday lunch plate: stew red beans, mac and cheese, and black-eyed peas & rice. Just carbs on carbs on carbs and we were absolutely here for it. Caribbean mac and cheese is in a league of its own.

They’ve also got cocktails and if you want that “mentally on a beach in Jamaica” moment, go for Tina’s Rum Punch. Dangerous but necessary.

Have to try: Mac and cheese
Perfect for: Casual lunch out
Approx price for 2: £30–£40

Tendril’s interior is casual and humble, but don’t let that fool you. They take their food seriously, almost at fine dining level. You’ll get it the moment you check out the menu.

To start, we shared the tomato feta fritter, topped with a basil chili glaze, and honestly, it was next level. Tomato and feta is already a legendary combo, but fried and finished with that spicy-sweet glaze? Game changer. Next up was the charred aubergine with wild garlic tahini, paired with a side of chargrilled pitta to scoop it all up. You really can’t go wrong with that combo.

This kind of meal just begs for a glass of wine – even if it’s 12pm, who cares? We treated ourselves to a white, and it perfectly complemented every bite.

Have to try: Tomato and feta fritter
Perfect for: Catch ups
Approx price for 2: £25-£50