From bristolpost.co.uk
Some of the best vegan and veggie foodie spots we've visited - and more on our list this Veganuary
Koocha Mezze
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.
During our visit in 2024, one BristolLive reporter described it as being "truly unique" adding: "It may not be the cheapest vegan place around but the unique dishes have been put together with care and attention and the friendly service and comfortable interior makes it a pleasant experience for all."
East Village Cafe
East Village Cafe in Clifton(Image: East Village Cafe/Instagram)
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.
Google reviewers have described it recently by saying: "Cute plant based cafe bursting with life, atmosphere, energy. Very busy place but didn't wait too long for a table and the service was prompt given how busy it was. Nice shop indoors too. Recommend the mushrooms on toast!"
A second added: "My only complaint is that they need more seating because people love it so much that there is never anywhere to sit! Food and drinks are all plant based and everything is delicious."
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.
One non-vegan BristolLive reporter visiting in 2024 said: "Vx, which is open from Tuesday to Sunday, is a quirky but chilled place to be. The mix of a convenience store, clothes store and a cafe provides a refreshing experience away from the mundane eatery. The menu is positioned above the till area so it was easy to work out what I fancied. So far, so good.
"I really have to praise the staff at Vx for not only being so friendly but being so fast as well to prepare everything. I don’t even think I was sat down for five minutes when the milkshake and the mac and cheese came out.
"The most astonishing thing was that at no point would I have known that everything I consumed was vegan. The milkshake tasted amazing, the mac and cheese was filling and could resemble a tasty side in a restaurant (both worth every penny), suddenly the tag of it being vegan food and drink just felt irrelevant - it is a great meal. End of.
"Vx Bristol is proud to be a vegan shop, it showcases being vegan everywhere you look, and the idea of vegan junk food creates a wonderful experience for all, vegan or not. The food and drink can also be served to go and it has a great range of options, including breakfasts, burgers, burritos and hot drinks which you’d find at any café.
Cafe Kino
Where is it: 108 Stokes Croft, St Paul's, Bristol, BS1 3RU
This vibrant non-profit vegan cafe-bar and community meeting place found itself launching a Crowdfunder in order to save it from closure in 2024 following the pandemic's aftermath, rising costs and mounting debts - but it is, at time of writing, still standing. And it's no surprise when you read that in 2022, when BristolLive visited, describing it by saying: "I approach vegan breakfasts with as much enthusiasm as I would a trip to the dentist but the one served at Cafe Kino was a revelation.
"Best of all, I didn’t have that usual heavy feeling after eating a ‘proper’ full English so I can see the benefits. Okay, it’s quite not enough to turn a committed carnivore like myself into a vegan evangelist - or should that be ‘vegangelist’? - but if there is a better meat and dairy-free breakfast in Bristol at the moment, I’d like to hear about it."
More recently, this former butchers and grocers site has been described by diners as: "Excellent vegan food - my favourites are the bean burger and curly fries, English breakfast, and their cakes. Non-vegan friends enjoy it here too and have suggested it. Servers are generally friendly. I have also enjoyed events here downstairs in the past."
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.
One Google reviewer said: "Ate here on a sunny Monday evening. Busy and buzzy. What an amazing place! I'm happy to eat anything, but have a strong preference for vegetable based dishes. I'm not vegan and I'm not vegetarian. Didn't know there was a name for it, and now there is: Root! Terrific food, lovely service and such a relaxed vibe. I will remember this place for a long time. Lucky Bristol!"
Oowee Vegan
While the original Oowee Diner restaurant on Picton Street venue in Montpelier, described by the team behind the Oowee brand as 'the place where it all began', shut for good in September, the 'original' Oowee vegan branch on Baldwin Street remains. Dubbed 'an easy-going stop for plant-based vegan fast food', reviewers have said: "Food was incredible! There's not enough vegan fast-food places about, but Oowee definitely shows why we need more."
Another said: "Regularly order from here and it's always amazing, even my non-vegan partner loves the burgers and Mac and cheese. " And a third wrote: "Wow, I mean wow. As an Australian, I keep gaslighting myself when I walk into vegan venues. Oowee Vegan Baldwin was exceptional.. The menu was so comprehensive and inclusive."
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.
One review online reads: "As the title suggest I've eaten at Eat A Pitta many, many times... St. Nicks, Gloucester Road, Broadmead and Park Street - so that says something in itself about how good I think it is. In fact I created Falafel Friday in our office - which occasionally changes day but nobody's perfect. So top line is it's great. Go there."
VeBurger
Where is it: Unit 22, Cargo 2, Museum Street, Bristol, BS1 6ZA & 105 Whiteladies Road, Redland, BS8 2PB
VeBurger initially opened a Bristol branch in January 2022 and has since opened more branches at Wapping Wharf and Whiteladies Road, 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'.
Recent online reviews include one which says: "Very decent food, best vegan burger I've had. As a quick summary, price is on the costlier side but no different than other burger places I've been to, food was overall very good and a quality replacement for both beef and dairy products, and the location was interesting but good.
"To start, I'm not a vegetarian exactly. However I am looking to cut meat out during my day-to-day eating and leave the meat for special occasions. I also love greasy food and have been craving a good burger for a while. Overall, I enjoyed it thoroughly, and plan to return sooner rather than later."
Honest Burgers
Where is it: Unit SU71, Glass Walk, Cabot Circus, Broadmead, Bristol BS1 3BQ and 21, off Clare St, Corn St, Bristol BS1 1XA
BristolLive recently reported that Honest Burgers would be opening at The Mall Cribbs Causeway in early 2026 - marking its third venue in the city/region. Predominantly located in London, and founded in Briston in 2011, it serves up a menu of beef burgers, smashed burgers, halal chicken burgers, vegetarian and plant-based vegan burgers, alongside its own homemade rosemary salted chips and beers from local breweries.
One review said: "Went on a Saturday at about 6pm without booking, service was pretty quick, staff super friendly and not awkward about dietary restrictions. Amazing plant (beyond) burger with la vie bacon and the fries were fantastic too. Really generous portions! Opted for no bun although gluten free was available just out of preference."
https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/whats-on/food-drink/bristols-vegan-foodie-spots-based-10740541
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