The Best Vegan Dinner Options On The High Street

Image by: Deryn Macey

Extending your Veganuary is a breeze thanks to these delicious, plant-based high street dinner options from all your favourite food spots, from Wagamama and Wahaca to Pizza Express and Patty & Bun. 

Once a niche dietary requirement (and butt of many jokes), in 2020 veganism has gone mainstream. Over the last decade alone, the number of vegans in the UK has increased by a whopping 350% and while The Vegan Society estimate that there are currently 600,000 vegan Brits, vegans and vegetarians look set to make up a quarter of the British population in 2025. It’s no wonder why the movement has been dubbed the ‘vegan revolution’.

It’s hardly surprising that the food industry is eager to keep up with the trend. Gone are the days of tasteless tofu, limp salads and ‘rabbit food’ stereotypes. In 2020, book shops are crowded with vegan cook books, supermarkets packed with alternative cheeses and milks, and menus proudly boasting exciting and delicious plant-based recipes that would make any dedicated carnivore salivate. 

With our favourite food spots recognising Veganuary and the demand for meat, egg and dairy-free options like never before - some recreating vegan versions of their bestsellers, others offering entirely new vegan ranges - it really is an exciting time to be vegan. To celebrate we’ve put together the ultimate guide to the very best vegan dinner options on the high street, from vegan junk food (the best vegan burgers and ‘fish’ and chips) to vegan sushi.


Wagamama’s Vegatsu

Image by: Wagamama

Wagamama is one of the best dinner options for vegans on the high street. Much of the restaurant’s menu is vegan, but it’s highlight is undeniably the Vegatsu. Sweet potato, aubergine and butternut squash are coated in crispy panko breadcrumbs and served with the iconic katsu curry sauce that Wagamama’s has become known for. Order yours with one of Wagamama’s many vegan starters or sides. Our top choices include the Mushroom and Panko Aubergine Hirata Steamed Buns, the Yasai Steamed Gyoza and the spicy Bang Bang Cauliflower. Make sure you also finish off with Wagamama’s Mango & Matcha Layer Cake - delicious layers of matcha cream, vanilla sponge, yuzu cream, mango and passion fruit purée and a raspberry compote.

Discover Wagamama's full vegan menu here

Zizzi’s Jackfruit Italian Hot Pizza

Image by: Zizzi

Topped with vegan jackfruit pepperoni, spicy harissa, Roquito chillies, non-dairy mozzarella and fresh basil, Zizzi’s Jackfruit Italian Hot is popular amongst vegans and non-vegans alike. Need proof? It was voted as the Best Vegan Pizza at the PETA Vegan Food Awards 2019 and has been described as a “slice of heaven”.

Find Zizzi's full menu here

Byron Burger’s The Truffler

Image by: Byron Burger

Using Beyond Meat's infamous ‘bleeding’ vegan patty, portobello mushroom, truffle 'mayonnaise', crispy onions, American mustard and lettuce, The Truffler is a surprisingly meaty and decadent vegan burger option at high street prices.

Discover Byron Burger's other vegan options here

Pizza Express’s Vegan Giardiniera

Image by: Pizza Express

The vegan Giardiniera has long been a plant-based staple since its launch in 2017 thanks to it’s moreish mix of artichoke, mushrooms, red onion, black olives, tomato, vegan mozzarella, garlic oil and parsley. Start of your meal in true Pizza Express style with the restaurant’s vegan alternative dough balls (served with your choice of humus or smoky tomato harissa rather than garlic butter) and finish off with a surprisingly moist vegan carrot cake.

See other Pizza Express options here

Yo! Sushi’s Mushroom Teriyaki Burger and Shiitake Mushroom Ramen

Image by: Yo! Sushi

You may think vegan sushi isn’t an option but you’ll be proven wrong by Yo! Sushi’s impressive vegan menu. Featuring delicious meat-free sushi bites like Yasai Temaki, Avocado Maki, Glazed Aubergine Nigiri and Inari Taco, there is plenty to fill you up. For an evening dinner option though, we’ll be picking the Mushroom Teriyaki Burger (braised shiitake mushroom in teriyaki sauce with cucumber & pickled red onion in a steamed bao burger) and Shiitake Mushroom Ramen (noodles, mushrooms, tofu and pak choi).

Find more vegan sushi here

Bella Italia’s Vegan Bolognese

Image by: Bella Italia

Featuring Oumph!’s pulled meat alternative, Bella Italia’s vegan Bolognese is the perfect option for new vegans or those attempting Veganuary. At Bella Italia vegans can also enjoy a full three-course meal - there’s no need to sit out whilst you watch your non-vegan friends. We love the new vegan Polpette which includes vegan pork and beef ‘meatballs’ baked in a spicy tomato sauce and topped with melting vegan mozzarella for a starter, and the truly decadent Cookie Dough Al Forno with a melting middle and topped with vegan vanilla gelato and caramel sauce. It was awarded the Best Vegan Pudding in PETA’s Vegan Food Awards 2019.

Discover your nearest Bella Italia here

Patty & Bun’s Smokey Robinson Burger

Image by: Patty & Bun

Patty & Bun now offers five vegan burger options, but our favourite is the Smokey Robinson. Complete with a plant based patty, vegan cheddar, THIS isn’t Bacon (another Vegan Food Awards winner), tomato, lettuce, mounds of caramelised onions, ketchup and smokey P&B mayo, it’ll satisfy even your fussiest meat-eating friends.

Find more Patty & Bun vegan burgers here

Cosy Club’s Vegan Fish & Chips

Image by: Cosy Club

Yet another Vegan Food Awards winner, the Cosy Club’s vegan fish & chips is perfect for vegans missing that fishy taste but want a fish-friendly dish. Instead of traditional fish, battered nori-wrapped tofu is served with minted mushy garden peas, vegan tartare sauce, and of course, plenty of chunky chips.

Click here for the Cosy Club's vegan menu

The Real Greek’s Jackfruit Gyros With Vegan Aioli

Image by: The Real Greek

As a vegan who loves Greek food, saying goodbye to halloumi cheese is tricky. Luckily, The Real Greek have introduced a new range of vegan dishes, including cold and hot mezze; options like Melitzanosalata (a Greek aubergine dip), vegan meatballs served in a tomato and cumin Soutzoukakia sauce, Dolmades (stuffed vine leaves) and chickpea filo triangles. While you can easily build up a meal from these smaller plates, the true star of the show are the jackfruit gyros with vegan aioli. A delicious vegan alternative to your Souvlaki wrap craving.

Discover The Real Greek's vegan menu here

Wahaca’s Sweet Potato Burrito

Image by: Wahaca

Head to Wahaca for a plant based version of the classic burrito - a delicious combination of black beans, shredded cabbage and green rice with garlicky mojo de ajo coated sweet potato. Head here with a big group and share other smaller, vegan ‘street food’ dishes tapas-like: grilled-mushroom tacos, tortilla chips with a roast tomato salsa, fresh guacamole and sweet churros to finish.

Check Wahaca's menu for fresh vegan Mexican food

LEON’s The Love Burger

Image by: LEON

With a meaty beetroot patty topped vegan Gouda-style cheese, LEON burger sauce, tomatoes, pickles and vegan Carolina mustard mayo, it’s no wonder why LEON’s The Love Burger has been voted 2019’s best vegan burger by PETA.

See more LEON vegan options here