Some more great vegetarian restaurants

Following on from our last blog post, we continued to speak to vegetarian restaurants from around the UK about National Vegetarian Week.

First today is Manna in Primrose Hill, London which is England’s (if not Europe’s) oldest gourmet vegetarian restaurant (they’re currently in their 43rd year). They describe their food as International fusion with a careful eye on England’s traditions and wonderful seasonal gardens. They have an extensive all organic, all vegan wine list. We spoke to Owner Roger Swallow:

“Once, a National Vegetarian Week would be the domain of whisperers in the corner, a loosely knit peer group, insecure but proud. Then coming out swinging, if protesting a little too loudly, that the animal consuming culture should drop their habit and come lockstep into the rice & bean culture, twiddling their newly acquired beads. Now, a National Vegetarian Week is more a celebration. More than a movement, a force of nature. Many battles still to win, of course. But there are few now that don’t understand that we are a self-sustaining mechanism that relies on consuming within the laws of the land, with a socio/eco responsibility to pay attention to the readily available facts. A vegetarian or vegan for a week or a lifetime, or once a week, you no longer have to whisper, nor protest a little too much. No longer a dusty corner, now the room – with room for all.”

We also spoke to Richy from cafe and restaurant Pulse Cafe Bar, in Norwich city centre:

“We have been a busy & hip cafe/restaurant for 5 years and still going strong and a mecca for students, families & shoppers alike. We have an amazing collection of organic wines which are both veggie & vegan friendly and also home-made cakes & muffins and we have a large selection gluten free and vegan options. During National Vegetarian Week we will be changing our specials board daily using purely local & organic ingredient. Throughout the week we will also have flyer teams dotted around the city centre with vouchers to claim a free spring tropical smoothie purchased with any meal.”

Last up is Green Note in Camden Town, where we spoke to promoter Alice, who told us:

“Green Note is an independent live music venue and vegetarian café-bar, located in Camden Town, London. Combining nightly live music performances (ranging from folk and blues to roots, world, jazz, country, bluegrass and singer-songwriters), with an exciting menu of vegetarian food from around the world. Every week is vegetarian week at Green Note, and it’s the perfect place for live music-lovers”

We’ve only spoken to a handful of the UK’s vegetarian and vegan restaurants this week, but if all veggie restaurants are as interesting and as passionate about food them to it’s a fantastic sign for diners across the UK. So veggie, vegan or carnivore, if you’re looking for a delicious, healthy meal out this weekend why not find a vegetarian restaurant near you?

You may also like:

• Celebrating National Vegetarian Week at veggie restaurants
• Unusual restaurants in London (part 2)
• Eating out as a vegetarian
• The Restaurant Inspector (Series 1)