8 Vegan restaurants and cafes

From indulgent vegan junk food and cosy cafes to authentic Indian street food, discover top-rated vegan places to eat across the region. Leicester is actually the birthplace of British veganism! But there’s more because the city is also home to one of the largest Gujarati populations outside of Gujarat – an Indian state as famous for plant-based cuisine as Melton Mowbray is for pork pies. 

You could start your vegan Indian journey at Chai Paani on Belgrave Road, named Vegetarian Restaurant of the Year in the English Curry Awards 2022. Next, head to Herb on Granby Street to enjoy Keralan vegetarian and vegan food. You won’t find a better Dosa! Then pop next door for a digestif at Watson’s Bar which offers vegan bites and cocktails.  
 
For something a little more Western, visit The Good Earth, Leicester’s oldest vegetarian eatery, founded in 1965 and still serving up fantastic dishes.

For a calming experience, visit World Peace Café on Guildhall Lane, a vegetarian café run by the Kadampa Meditation Centre and possibly the only café in Britain to offer in-house meditation classes!  

But your vegan options don’t start and end in Leicester city. For example, The Village in Market Harborough was named the UK’s Best Sustainable Business 2022 – and with its café and exciting vegan food offering, it’s a must-visit for plant-based fans.