From birminghammail.co.uk
From elegant fine dining venues offering authentic Chinese cooking to fast food eateries, the city has it all when it comes to delicious plant-based options
As a large number of people look for ways to make their diet more ethical and sustainable for our planet, veganism has become a growing trend in the UK.
It has especially taken off in Birmingham. As a city known for its growing food scene and popular Michelin starred restaurants, the number of eateries offering plant-based options only continues to rise.
Vegans living in or visiting Brum should have no problem finding somewhere to satisfy their cravings. From Chinese, Japanese and Korean to Indian, Italian, Mexican and traditional British cuisine - there's a whole range of options to choose from in the UK's second city.
Some of them come with opulent surroundings that are ideal for date night, celebrating a birthday, hen-do, anniversary or other special occasion. And others have a cosy atmosphere and a simplified menu, ideal for visitors who are just looking for a quick bite to eat.
Dining out doesn't have to break the bank either, as many of the restaurants have a purse-friendly menu, or special offers customers can take advantage of.
To put this to the test, and provide BirminghamLive readers with a handy guide, we've rounded up some restaurants in the city that are a must-try for vegans. Carry on reading below to find out more.
1. Lulu Wild
A prized gem in the collection of restaurants which call Brindley Place their home, Lulu Wild is an exciting mix of chic cocktail bar meets classy restaurant. Its huge menu takes inspiration from traditional Chinese cuisine, which has a rich history of prioritising freshness and the health benefits of eating well.
Visitors can enjoy their food in an elegant setting with plush seating and ambient lighting. There's also a private dining area with plenty of Instagrammable hot spots; it even has a separate bar and infectious music playing while customers dine, living up to the Lulu Wild name.
The restaurant's offerings mean that those who are on a plant-based diet can still enjoy authentic Chinese cooking without compromising on their lifestyle.
I ordered the pak choi with garlic and stir-fry tender stem broccoli; the vegetables were fresh and crispy and both the dishes had a sweet and tangy taste.
Diners can also order classic bao buns filled with shiitake, shimeji and oyster mushroom in a vegan sauce. There's lotus salad, stir-fry spicy tofu or wui wor vegetables to choose from too, which can be paired with the side dishes like jasmine rice and asparagus with garlic and ginger.
Of course, the experience wouldn't be complete without a drink or two - and the restaurant's cocktail menu includes signatures like the cosmopolitan, mojito, and margarita.
There are also bespoke collections like the Bridge to Enchantment, which feature unique creations such as the Flaming Emperor - a blend of beefeater gin, bergamot and elderflower. Those who want to go alcohol free can order from a mocktails menu.
2. The Botanist
Located just around the corner from New Street Station on Temple Street, The Botanist is a cosy haven for food lovers and perfect for dining out, even for customers who are vegan. It also has a second location in the city in Gas Street Basin, offering stunning views of the canal.
The restaurant and bar's neutral interior, brick walls and wooden tables create a casual atmosphere that's perfect for an intimate gathering over good, wholesome food. The venue also has an outside terrace, which is dog-friendly, and live music every weekend to keep visitors entertained.
Those who prefer a mix of different cuisines don't need to look any further than The Botanist, as its menu features a blend of dishes inspired by various countries such as China, Greece and Thailand to name but a few.
Of course, there's lots of plant-based options among the offerings; roasted harissa cauliflower, Asian noodle salad, vegan kofta kebab, vegan cheeseburger, and the buddha bowl are just some of them.
I ordered the vegan katsu curry, which is made from a plant-based schnitzel drizzled with katsu curry sauce, and served on a bed of coconut rice with pickled ginger. The katsu tasted soft and crispy, going perfectly with the gooey sauce and aromatic rice.
Thanks to its on-site bar, The Botanist also features an impressive drinks menu with plenty of vegan-friendly options. The venue's signature cocktails include fruit and plant-infused flavours like the Poppy & Pink Gin Punch, Lilypad Martini, and the Garden Mojitio.
Of course, there are non-alcoholic flavours like the house lemonade, tropical tonic, and rhubarb and blackberry too. I chose the Mind Mojito; a mix of apple and lime juice, strawberry and elderflower cordial, strawberry purée, demerara syrup and mint, topped with soda - it was refreshing and hit just the spot.
3. Giraffe
Giraffe is conveniently located on the dining terrace in Grand Central, offering Brummies and tourists the chance to get a quick bite to eat before getting their train in New Street Station downstairs. It specialises in comfort dishes from around the globe, many of which have a vegan substitute.
The eatery's main menu includes small plates like prawn gyoza which can be ordered as a plant-based option. For its mains, customers can order the likes of Japanese katsu curry and Thai duck stir fry, both of which can be made vegan by swapping to a Quorn alternative.
Giraffe's California burger can also be switched to a Quorn patty, and the classic cheeseburger can be made with a Moving Mountains vegan patty instead.
But my favourite part of Giraffe's offerings is its Rebel Vegan takeover menu, which collaborates with popular brands known for their plant-based products, including Quorn and Moving Mountains, as well as Beyond and Applewood.
I ordered the Moving Mountains hot dog, topped with diced onion and sliced gherkins, coated with French’s American Mustard and Heinz tomato ketchup, served between a brioche roll. It was bigger than I expected - and it definitely satisfied my fast food cravings.
For my side, I had the loaded spicy dirty fries, which come with Applewood cheese and Carolina Reaper sauce, with a sprinkle of jalapeños and crushed chilli flakes. I opted for the potato waffles instead of regular chips, which were crispy and soft but certainly very hot and tangy.
Giraffe also serves smoothies which are completely vegan and blended with apple juice. Customers can choose from flavours like strawberry and banana, passion fruit, pineapple and mango, kale mango and spinach, as well as ginger, blueberry, carrot, banana and courgette - perfect for cooling down on a hot summer's day.
4. Indico
Tucked away inside The Mailbox, Indico is a haven for spice lovers. After all, Birmingham is famous for its trending curry scene.
Luckily, since many of the dishes are already plant-based, Indian cooking and veganism go hand-in-hand. And food fanatics who visit the restaurant won't be disappointed, as they'll be able to get a taste of everything ranging from pani puri to paturas and naan.
The walls of the eatery are decorated with framed film posters from the golden age of Indian cinema, including of blockbusters like Mother India, Barsaat, and Don. There are even real-life portraits of Indian locals above the bar area, and poems that pay tribute to the country's street-side stall owners by praising their hard work ethic.
True to the taste of the Indian state of Punjab, which the restaurant's menu is inspired by, each dish is created with an authentic blend of spices.
I ordered the Punjabi choley; chickpeas boiled in a masala and onion sauce, which were rich with flavour, instantly transporting me to the streets of north India.
For my sides, I had the crispy plain fries and tandoori roti, which gets its name from the traditional tandoor oven the flat bread is made in. I also tried the vegetable biryani which was delicious, and came served in a painted earthen pot alongside fresh salad.
The restaurant's drinks menu is inspired by India too, and customers can order house cocktails like the Full Moon, which is a mix of passion fruit, mango and citrus with elderflower gin; or the Monsoon Season, made up of blending turmeric, mango, lime and Indian spiced rum.
The mocktails menu is equally as impressive, featuring names like the D&T - a twist on Darjeeling tea with added lemon grass, tart lemon and sweet elderflower.
5. Bill's
Bill's is a British restaurant and bar chain tucked away in the Bullring. It gives locals and those visiting from further afield the ideal spot to grab a lazy lunch after a day of shopping.
The restaurant also has fantastic panoramic views of the city, which is great for people watching. Inside, customers can find leafy plants, comfy leather seating and overhanging lamps, making for a welcoming and cosy atmosphere.
Vegans dining at Bill's will be spoiled for choice; its all-day breakfasts are a hit with customers - and they're healthy too. Visitors can choose from the likes of apple, maple and cinnamon porridge, avocado on sourdough, Korean fried cauliflower, vegan shawarma, and even a plant-based chocolate and salted caramel tart, to name but a few of the options.
I opted for the Plant Plate, Bill's take on a full English, which comes with scrambled OGGS, vegan bacon and sausage, fried potatoes, baked beans, toast, roasted plum tomatoes, and mushrooms. It's served with spicy sriracha sauce.
I've always been a fan of plant-based scrambled eggs and these didn't disappoint. I was definitely able to taste the 'eggy' flavour, and the vegan sausage and bacon also tasted succulent and crispy as meat-free alternatives. Overall, the dish was a great way to start my day.
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