Named as the most vegan-friendly city by Happy Cow in November 2022, the vegan lifestyle for Londoners compromises nothing — not even the pleasure of visiting a deli for your vegan butcher items (via Rudy’s Vegan). Even though only about 1.16% of the British population is vegan, per The Vegan Society, the trend is considered much more mainstream than in other parts of the world. According to an article from The Guardian, more than a third of adults in the UK view veganism as an admirable choice, with an interest in adopting it themselves.
While cultural attitudes undoubtedly play a role in the friendly adoption of veganism in the UK, another major reason why London has become the capital of vegan food is simply that it’s good for business. In 2021, The National Food Strategy for England, via Vegan Statistics, determined that, by developing and manufacturing plant-based proteins instead of importing them, they could create more than 16,000 jobs in the UK. Additionally, with the highest purchasing and consumption rates of alternative foods in Europe (per ProVeg International), restaurants and businesses can feel confident that the vegan items they offer will sell, no matter which style of cuisine they’re adapted to.
Whether you’re craving Japanese, Caribbean Middle Eastern or French, you can get it in vegan form in London.