Cafes
The "extra" part of Extraveganza (the non-vegan, long-suffering half!) could write at length about the lack of decent vegan cafes. A solitary vegan offering, regularly a solid block of chocolate and flour masquerading as a brownie, does not a vegan cafe make. We have road-tested many, many places and the list below are our favourites.
London
Kin Café, 22 Foley Street, London W1W 6DT (020 7998 4720)
Wedged in between a Seafood and a Thai Restaurant you will be able to spot this new café a mile off - it's the one with all the cool looking hipsters lounging around on arty wooden stools sipping gorgeous coffees and colourful salads.
When you need to duck away from the crowds for some healthy goodness and TLC from smiley staff head to this gem of a place slap bang in the heart of Central London. It's all vegetarian with a great spread of vegan options too.
Keep up to date with their daily specials by following them on Twitter (@kin_cafe) - look out for the 'NO BLT' toastie!
Wedged in between a Seafood and a Thai Restaurant you will be able to spot this new café a mile off - it's the one with all the cool looking hipsters lounging around on arty wooden stools sipping gorgeous coffees and colourful salads.
When you need to duck away from the crowds for some healthy goodness and TLC from smiley staff head to this gem of a place slap bang in the heart of Central London. It's all vegetarian with a great spread of vegan options too.
Keep up to date with their daily specials by following them on Twitter (@kin_cafe) - look out for the 'NO BLT' toastie!
Ms Cupcake, Brixton Market
Oh Ms Cupcake, you yummy happy place, you! A large variety of cupcake flavours and a few savoury options too (IF you are going to try and kid yourself that you travelled all that way for a 'sausage' roll...which, let's face it, you didn't). Spend your £2.50, pick a sexy cupcake and dig in. Make sure you pick the right one though: you'll only be able to manage one - major sugar and oil rush. Ms Cupcake also does cookery classes too.
Find out more at www.mscupcake.co.uk
Oh Ms Cupcake, you yummy happy place, you! A large variety of cupcake flavours and a few savoury options too (IF you are going to try and kid yourself that you travelled all that way for a 'sausage' roll...which, let's face it, you didn't). Spend your £2.50, pick a sexy cupcake and dig in. Make sure you pick the right one though: you'll only be able to manage one - major sugar and oil rush. Ms Cupcake also does cookery classes too.
Find out more at www.mscupcake.co.uk
Gelupo, 7 Archer Street, London W1D (020 7287 5555)
Not a vegan cafe as such, but a jewel of an ice cream parlour-cum-delicatessen tucked away in the Soho backstreets, in an area that only a few years ago was populated with red lights and model signs (and still bears some of the hallmarks of yesteryear, to put it mildly). This place gets the thumbs up because of its vegan sorbets which are absolutely exquisite. Make sure to have a scoop of bitter chocolate sorbet. Then you'll know why this place is on the list.
www.gelupo.com
Not a vegan cafe as such, but a jewel of an ice cream parlour-cum-delicatessen tucked away in the Soho backstreets, in an area that only a few years ago was populated with red lights and model signs (and still bears some of the hallmarks of yesteryear, to put it mildly). This place gets the thumbs up because of its vegan sorbets which are absolutely exquisite. Make sure to have a scoop of bitter chocolate sorbet. Then you'll know why this place is on the list.
www.gelupo.com
Brighton
Little Bird Cafe, 16 Kensington Gardens, Brighton, BN1 (01273 606565)
Sit down. Order a large slice of their banana and passion fruit cake. Thank us later.
It is hands down the best vegan cake we've ever had - and trust us, we've had many! It doesn't feel like you are eating either an oily fruity sponge or a wet chocolate fish. It is perfection.
littlebirdbrighton.wordpress.com
Sit down. Order a large slice of their banana and passion fruit cake. Thank us later.
It is hands down the best vegan cake we've ever had - and trust us, we've had many! It doesn't feel like you are eating either an oily fruity sponge or a wet chocolate fish. It is perfection.
littlebirdbrighton.wordpress.com
The Almond Tree, 109c Dyke road, BN1 (01273 737310)
If only they'd remove the hanging basket from the window. This lovely cafe is run by a young Italian couple who serve great vegan main courses, and they regularly have vegan specials like homemade cheese and pate. Reasonably priced and cosy. The downsides are the traditional vegan feel, but it's on the right side!
No website yet, but you can find them on Facebook
If only they'd remove the hanging basket from the window. This lovely cafe is run by a young Italian couple who serve great vegan main courses, and they regularly have vegan specials like homemade cheese and pate. Reasonably priced and cosy. The downsides are the traditional vegan feel, but it's on the right side!
No website yet, but you can find them on Facebook
Wai Kika Moo Kau, 11a Kensington Gardens, BN1 (01273 671117)
When you've spent the night clubbing and you need a big hangover breakfast, this is a fun place to go to. Their cakes look better than they taste though so stick to the savoury and the smoothies. The mini vegan breakfast, which is far from mini, is a steal at £3.50
www.waikikamookau.co.uk (for menus and openings times - sometimes open late on Friday/Saturday)
When you've spent the night clubbing and you need a big hangover breakfast, this is a fun place to go to. Their cakes look better than they taste though so stick to the savoury and the smoothies. The mini vegan breakfast, which is far from mini, is a steal at £3.50
www.waikikamookau.co.uk (for menus and openings times - sometimes open late on Friday/Saturday)
