Veganuary 2020: Where to Celebrate in London

Veganuary - the ‘try vegan in January’ campaign - has been growing in popularity since its launch in 2014. More than half a million people worldwide join this campaign every year ditching meat, dairy and eggs for trying something to “feel good”. Whether you’re still bloating over festive food or are looking to make a real impact in climate change, this January could be your Veganuary. We can assure you it is much easier and more fun than Dry January. 

You can start anytime during the month and keep it on for 30 days. Whether or not you plan to participate for a full month, we have rounded up some great restaurants and events to try vegan.

“If you look at the climate crisis or the violence of our food system and feel helpless, thinking ‘I wish there was something I could do’-  you can. Right now. Sign up to try vegan this January.” - Joaquin Phoenix

 

Plates

Plates is a plant-based restaurant/ food studio in Hackney from the incredibly talented chef Kirk Haworth. The team of forward thinkers and food designers are dedicated to exploring all kinds of creativity with nature, food and drink at its heart. Plates is sensational and shows the high-end market how plant-based creativity can be done.

 

 

 

Silo

Silo is a restaurant conceived from a desire to innovate the food industry whilst demonstrating respect: Respect for the environment, respect for the way their food is generated and respect for the nourishment given to our bodies. They create everything from its whole form, cutting out food miles and over-processing, whilst preserving nutrients and the integrity of the ingredients in the process.

Silo is designed from back to front, always with the bin in mind. The production of waste has been eliminated by simply choosing to trade directly with farmers, using re-usable delivery vessels and choosing local ingredients that themselves generated no waste. The compost machine set inside Silo, turns any of their restaurant scraps and trimmings directly into a compost used to produce more food.

 

 

Scully

Scully St James's is Ramael Scully's first solo venture. Having had the benefit of a diverse cultural upbringing, not to mention his vast experiences from traveling the world; you can expect an explosion of flavours using sustainable, locally sourced ingredients where possible, created and served in an informal yet refined setting.

 

 

Mildreds

This year, Mildreds is totally vegan for Veganuary. While most of their menu already is vegan, they’ve decided to go big, or go home and make the entire menu, food, drinks, desserts entirely vegan. 

The main menu, their weekend brunch are 100% packed with flavour and creativity as they join millions of others in supporting Veganuary 2020.

The halloumi burger is out, and Mildreds’ replaced with Banh Mi, soft baguette packed with char sui mock duck, house made sashimi mayo, crunchy bean sprouts, carrots, cucumber, mint and coriander topped with roast peanuts.

For lunch, Mildreds is introducing an exclusive set menu for any burger (includes the excellent new special – Banh Mi), fries and an organic juice for £15. Available 12-5pm week days.

 

 

McDonald’s 

Mc Donald’s to launch its first vegan meal in January in the UK. The Vegan Society has endorsed the meal, which McDonald's says 'are prepared in a way that avoids contamination with any dairy ingredients, making this product fully vegan'. The move comes after an apparently 80% increase in vegetarian meal sales over the past year. We are still divided in our opinion but thought we should acknowledge given its the vegan month.

 

 

 

Vegan Nights

Vegan Nights returns with the first event of 2020 on Thursday 30th January 2020 at The Truman Brewery! This is the first event for 2020 and we are celebrating Veganuary, encouraging you to go vegan beyond the month of January!

Expect more of the warm Vegan Nights vibes, an incredible food selection and celebrating what it is to live a plant-based lifestyle! This is the destination to socialize and explore the best in plant-based snackery. Get your tickets here and get involved.

 

 

Veganuary at The Phoenix

New year, new you? The Phoenix is transforming January into ‘Veganuary’ as they showcase their sumptuous range of vegan dishes. They’ll tease your taste buds with heavenly wholesomeness, perfectly paired with unique and innovative selection of vegan craft beers and global wines. Veganuary means a little indulgence is no longer forbidden as you kick start 2020.

 

 

Plant Powered Expo

New vegans, Veganuary participants and the plant-based curious will enjoy Plant Powered Expo, a huge celebration of all things plant-based. 

Taking place on February 1st 2nd 2020 at Olympia London (National Hall) right after Veganuary 2020, the expo consists of 235 exhibitors, a global food court with a globally inspired plant-based menu from a selection of handpicked caterers, 2 cookery theatres demonstrating international cuisines as well as street food, on top of presentations on fitness, health, environment, lifestyle, growing your own food, and The Vegan Academy as an introduction to the vegan philosophy.

Tickets are now on sale here.