Bristol has long been a pioneer in catering for all types of diets and lifestyle choices, whether it be organic produce, local ingredients or vegetarian and vegan menus. The city’s rich and varied culinary history make it an easy and tasty option for a Veganuary day out! Let’s explore.
Many more people now expect a flexible approach to dietary requirements from restaurants and cafés, especially at the start of a new year since Veganuary became popular. Here, Bristol can deliver with inclusivity and availability for all, thanks to an established and welcoming vegan community. The city even plays host to the popular vegan festival VegfestUK this year, held at Ashton Gate Stadium where home team Bristol City play Champions League favourites Man City later this month.
Start your day off right with a hearty full English breakfast from the well-established but recently refurbished The Bristolian on Picton St., Montpelier. This café is known for using free-range produce and providing filling breakfast fare, as well as barista standard coffee made with locally roasted beans. Their English breakfast is free from animal products but packed full of protein!
Gopal’s Curry Shack, a pop-up Indian street-food stall currently based at Wapping Wharf, offers a light but tasty lunch. Their menu has gone vegan for January, with mouth-watering dishes, such as samosa chaat, lentil dhal or a Buddha box. Run by two friends who’ve been cooking together since 2011, they are now open six days a week and have proven a firm favourite with locals. Drop in to experience a vegan taste explosion!
There’s plenty of options for a spot of afternoon tea and cake should you fancy it. Earthcake on North Street, Bedminster, has a range of beautiful and enticing cakes, tarts and crumbles. With a head baker who’s worked in Michelin-starred restaurants, you are guaranteed a taste sensation with everything that you order. They also now offer a (completely vegan!) full afternoon tea, including scones, mini cakes and sandwiches.
For an alternative bakery, there is the beloved Café Kino, a vegan café and community space formed by a workers’ co-op. They are a nonprofit organisation, with any money made going back into further improving the café. Their menu boasts a full complement of ethical, fair-trade coffees and teas alongside mouth-watering, homemade cakes.
For a filling evening meal, head down to Pie Baby’s new residency at the Golden Lion on Gloucester Road. With a range of New Zealand-inspired mash-topped vegan pies and dirty vegan fries to go with them, this pop-up run by a husband-and-wife team provides guaranteed satisfaction. Choose from a range of pies inspired by flavours from all over the world, which prove that vegan food needn’t ever be bland, boring or unsatisfying!
Finally, finish your day with a drink and some vegan tapas courtesy of the café bar Under the Stars. Located on Narrow Quay, Harbourside, the menu offers a wide variety of vegan bar snacks and staff will happily answer any queries about scrummy vegan wine or cocktails from the drinks menu. Enjoy!