Vegan Food Safari in Soho!
My cousin recently came to visit from Bermuda, and since she’s vegan and I’m always keen on trying new plant-based dishes, I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to take her on a vegan food safari in London. We decided to explore Soho and Fitzrovia – two lively areas known for their exciting food scenes. From street-food-inspired eats to refined dishes, we indulged in some truly delicious flavours. Here’s a recap of our vegan adventure!
Stop 1: Club Mexicana – Bold Flavors & Mexican Vibes
We kicked off our journey with a visit to Club Mexicana, a vibrant spot renowned for its fun take on vegan Mexican street food. The first bite set the bar incredibly high:
BBQ short ‘rib’ taco: jackfruit “ribs” coated in hickory-smoked BBQ sauce, topped with slaw, pink onions, pickled jalapeños, and a garlicky mayo. This was hands down one of our favourite dishes of the day! The jackfruit ribs had the perfect meaty texture, and the combination of the tangy, smoky sauce and mild spice was just perfect. We then tried the vegan “chorizo” and melty cheeze empanadas, which we didn’t love as much, but still enjoyed. We will be returning here, I’m sure!
Stop 2: Bubala – Middle Eastern Magic
Next, we headed to Bubala, a small-plates restaurant that focuses on vibrant Middle Eastern flavours. This was a true highlight of our day, with a variety of hero veg skewers and delicious dips – all made with fresh, earthy ingredients. The Chinese cabbage skewer was grilled to perfection, with a squeeze of tangy lime and aromatic cardamom. The oyster mushroom skewer was super flavourful, marinated in tamari and coriander seed, a true umami-packed dish. The grezzina courgette was served with a smooth sesame whip and smoky tomato jam. The balance of creamy and sweet flavours made this dish a standout. The laffa (a Middle Eastern flatbread) was paired with a tart, citrusy ezme and a rich, sweet molasses dip. The interplay of sweet, sour, and creamy flavours worked so well. To wash it all down, we enjoyed a Spicy Margarita each – my all-time favourite drink!!
Stop 3: Kolamba Soho – A Sri Lankan Delight
For a taste of Sri Lanka, we visited Kolamba in Soho. The bold, vibrant dishes here packed quite a punch! The sweet pineapple & shallot curry was unbelievable. Tossed with spices, red chilli, and curry leaves, this dish brought intense heat. My eyes were streaming, and I was gasping for water, but I honestly couldn’t stop eating it!! Luckily, we also ordered the green mango & papaya salad, which was zingy, refreshing and nicely balanced out the spice from the pineapple dish. The fruit-forward dishes at Kolamba were both fresh and vibrant, with an excellent balance of sweet, spicy, and sour elements.
Final Stop: Mildred’s Soho – Back to a firm favourite of mine!
We finished our vegan safari at Mildred’s Soho, a restaurant that has long been a favourite of mine for its inventive, innovative vegan dishes. I’ve been here many times and the dishes we had on this visit were as delicious as ever. The Arancini Rosso are the ultimate comfort bites: crispy risotto balls stuffed with smoky paprika mushrooms, served with garlic aioli and smoked chili ketchup. Crunchy on the outside, creamy on the inside. Yum! The grilled roman artichoke & hemp caesar salad was a super fresh, hearty salad with capers, tenderstem broccoli, and a crunchy hemp seed mix that gave it a lovely texture. The roasted sweet potato came with a deliciously rich apricot harissa butter and smoked salt. We then had the kimchi gyoza paired with this incredible gochujang sesame dip. For dessert, we indulged in the nicest crème brûlée ever, with vanilla custard, morello cherry compote, and puffed quinoa. And of course, we couldn’t resist the lychee rose martini – fragrant gin cocktail with lychee, rose, and lime – so good we ordered 4 between us (oops!).
What a great foodie-filled day. From the bold Mexican flavours at Club Mexicana, to the refreshing dishes at Bubala and Kolamba, and finally, the comforting classics at Mildred’s, we sampled the diversity and creativity of London’s vegan food scene. As someone passionate about sustainability, I’m always inspired by how inventive plant-based dishes can be. Whether you’re a vegan, or just exploring plant-based eating, these spots should be on your must-try foodie list. Next stop for me is Veganuary for my 4th year, woohoo! See you then!
If you have any vegan hot spots you would recommend, please do get in touch via our socials @jellybeanageny – we’d love to hear about them!