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LNER’s guide to vegan-friendly cities around the UK

After the excess of Christmas and New Year’s, many people in the UK use January to review and rebalance their lifestyles.

The official Veganuary website supports people wanting to go vegan for January with meal plans, cookbooks, daily email tips, and more. Last year saw 700,000 people sign-up for a variety of reasons – including personal health concerns, animal welfare advocacy, and the environmental benefits associated with a vegan lifestyle.

To help support people going vegan for January, LNER’s First Class onboard food selection will include four menus containing vegan-inspired food across the month. And for those thinking about taking a mini-break during Veganuary 2024, we've researched the best UK cities for vegans to visit.

Top 20 vegan-friendly cities

Demand in the UK for vegan food has never been higher. The average number of searches for vegan restaurants has increased by 82.4% since 2021, now standing at 40,500 searches per month.

We looked at the UK’s 20 largest cities to see which ones catered for this growing appetite (no pun intended!) for vegan food, and here’s how they rank:

  1. Brighton

  2. Manchester

  3. Bristol

  4. Edinburgh*

  5. London*

  6. Glasgow

  7. York*

  8. Liverpool

  9. Cardiff

  10. Reading

  11. Newcastle*

  12. Southampton

  13. Birmingham

  14. Leeds&

  15. Leicester

  16. Bournemouth

  17. Sheffield

  18. Middlesborough*

  19. Coventry

  20. Stoke-on-Trent

*cities with stations on the LNER route

1. Brighton

Brighton tops our list for vegan-friendly UK cities, with the highest number of vegan restaurants (7.9 of them) per 100,000 people. This has no doubt helped to increase local demand, which has risen more than 50% in the last 2 years.

  • Terre à Terre

    A Lanes icon with a 5 star Hardens rating, Terre à Terre has been serving-up innovative vegan cuisine since 1993.

  • The Vurger Co

    The Vurger Co. is an award-winning vegan burger restaurant and takeaway, tucked away in one of Brighton’s many back streets. It also offers vegan chicken and waffles, salad wraps, and a range of decadent vegan shakes – the Biscoff in particular is a real treat!

  • What The Pitta

    Recreating the experience of a doner kebab is no easy feat for a vegan, but What The Pitta has succeeded and then some! The first-ever vegan winner of ‘Best London Takeaway’ at the Kebab Awards 2020, their Brighton branch is a must-try for residents and visitors alike. Close to the beach, their takeaway option is perfect for those who want to watch the waves while they eat – just remember to keep an eye out for the city’s smart seagulls.

Beyond food, Brighton also offers a wide array of plant-based shops – including more than one specialising in vegan shoes – and showcases a number of events across the year including Vegfest. If you’re there for the weekend, then definitely check out the Brighton Vegan Market, held every Saturday at the Open Market and full of homemade treats, trinkets, and ethical clothing.

If you're travelling to Brighton from the LNER route, you'll travel on an LNER train to London King's Cross. Then change to London St Pancras just across the road where you can catch a Thameslink train to Brighton.

2. Manchester and 3. Bristol

Between 2021 and 2023, Manchester saw a surge in demand for vegan eateries with 84.4% more searches. This growing vegan scene now includes numerous vegan restaurants, cafes, and shops that cater to all tastes and budgets.

Our research found that Bristol had the highest monthly search volume for vegan restaurants per person, and the third highest number of vegan restaurants per square mile.

Manchester

Purezza is an award-winning pizzeria in the Northern Quarter, renowned for its innovative vegan pizzas -- as well as their famous Mac ‘n’ Cheese and Courgetti Spaghetti options.

The Manchester Corn Exchange is located in the Medieval Quarter and is home to a diverse array of restaurants – one of which is Mowgli Street Food. Created to “spread the love of an Indian home kitchen,” Mowgli’s serves up simple dishes that are sure to delight. Not sure what you fancy? Take a chance and discover something new with their pot luck Vegan School Tiffin.

For an alternative vegan experience, head to the Fuel Cafe Bar. As well as a menu of hearty vegetarian food, you’ll find a wide selection of coffees, drinks, sandwiches, and cakes. They offer-up music, comedy, poetry, and quiz nights, plus board games and comfy sofas for that perfect Sunday afternoon.

Manchester hosts a number of vegan events throughout the year, including food festivals, pop-up restaurants, and educational workshops. They’re a great way to sample new vegan foods, and to find out more about veganism by connecting with the friendly local community.

Bristol

Cafe Kino is a vibrant non-profit cafe-slash-bar-slash-community meeting place, with a focus on ethical sourcing and animal welfare. As well as burgers, breakfasts, falafels and cakes, they offer a wide selection of loose-leaf teas, fairtrade coffee, and local beers, ciders, and wines.

Billed as “possibly the world’s smallest vegan deli,” what Herbivore lacks in floor space it makes up for with quality. Housed in a converted shipping container in Wapping Wharf, it specialises in artisan foods made by small producers, including vegan cheeses, cakes, tarts, and more.

Oowee Vegan has 2 Bristol locations, both of which take comfort food to the next level with their reimagined versions of classic burgers, fish 'n’ chips, mac ‘n’ cheese, and waffle fries.

If you’re staying in Bristol for a while, then plan a visit to St. Nicholas Market. Locally known as St Nicks, it’s home to a number of vegan eateries, as well as stalls selling a range of vegan produce.

4. Edinburgh

A 2018 study by Mindful Chef looked into the dietary preferences of 20,000 consumers, and found that nearly a quarter of Edinburgh users had chosen to adopt a vegan lifestyle. This demand was reflected in our research, with Edinburgh having the highest number of searches for vegan restaurants per person.

To meet this growing interest in the vegan lifestyle, Scotland’s capital city hosts a number of vegan events across the year – including the celebrated Scottish Vegan Festival. Edinburgh’s restaurants cater for a wide range of vegan tastes including…somewhat unexpectedly…vegan haggis!

Those seeking a more informal eating experience are also spoilt for choice:

  • Seeds for the Soul

    Seeds for the Soul is a popular spot in Bruntsfield that offers wholesome and flavourful vegan dishes, as well as vegan artwork that’s a feast on the eyes.

  • Black Rabbit

    Let’s face it – vegan cheese can be somewhat…underwhelming at times. But not at the Black Rabbit! A cosy cafe with an all-day vegan menu, it also supplies locals with vegan cheeses and vegan deli slices that are just as satisfying as their animal-based alternatives.

To round off your Edinburgh visit, be sure to visit Considerit and pick up a vegan doughnut or some dairy-free chocolate for the train home!

LNER has created a dedicated Green Guide to Edinburgh, which includes other recommendations for great vegan food and other environmentally friendly things to do and places to stay.

5. London

London is home to the UK’s largest share of vegans, offering a whopping 178 vegan restaurants to choose from. It’s also the UK city with the highest number of vegan takeaway options (48), and is the perfect place to explore all facets of plant-based living.

Areas such as Camden offer fresh produce and unique vegan products to inspire a more permanent lifestyle change, and speaking of Camden…

  • The Temple of Seitan

    Temple of Seitan is the first of our recommended vegan eateries. It’s a casual Camden Town spot that specialises in seitan-based dishes, including burgers, wings, and sides.

  • Farmacy

    For something more fancy, Farmacy is a stylish bistro that serves up a menu of seasonal, locally-sourced vegan dishes, with an emphasis on fresh flavours and elegant presentation.

  • Crosstown Doughnuts

    Crosstown Doughnuts is a popular chain with a dedicated vegan menu featuring sweet and savoury plant-based options.

  • Planet Organic

    With 9 stores dotted around the capital, there’s no excuse not to squeeze in a visit to Planet Organic between sightseeing stops. Once inside, you can peruse a wide range of organic and vegan products, including groceries, snacks, and cosmetics.

LNER has created a dedicated Green Guide to London, which includes other recommendations for great vegan food and environmentally friendly things to do.

6. Glasgow

Just behind Edinburgh for the number of vegan restaurants per person, Glasgow saw a 22% increase in searches for these in 2023 compared with 2022.

Glaswegians are particularly supportive of veganism, and there is a strong sense of community among the city's vegan population. This makes Glasgow a great place to visit for a vegan-friendly break in Veganuary 2024.

  • Suissi Vegan Asian Kitchen

    Suissi Vegan Asian Kitchen is a hidden gem that’s been serving up authentic vegan Chinese and Thai dishes since 2019. They combine fresh ingredients with traditional cooking methods, and all without any MSG or artificial enhancers.

  • Plant Blonde

    Vegan cafes don’t come much better than Plant Blonde. It’s a fully-vegan bakery that offers a variety of pastries, cakes, and sandwiches, all complemented by a lively selection of coffee and teas.

If you enjoy your Veganuary visit to Glasgow and want to go back for more, then the 2024 Glasgow Vegan Festival will be running on 12 October.

7. York

York is the second largest UK city we looked at in terms of square miles, and there’s plenty of vegan-friendly fare to discover on a visit this Veganuary. Take a guided tour of local vegan secrets, or strike out on your own and see what York has to offer!

  • Döner Summer

    Unsurprisingly, the Döner Summer menu is full of amusing names for their unique take on vegan junk food. The portions are plentiful, the tastes exciting, and the experience one to remember!

  • Goji Cafe Vegetarian Cafe & Deli

    Located within the historic city walls, the Goji Vegetarian Cafe & Deli is a cosy space with a menu of healthy and nutritious vegan options, from breakfast bowls and salads to sandwiches and smoothies.

  • Orchid Vegan Restaurant

    The Orchid Vegan Restaurant is an award-winning restaurant experience with the clear aim of avoiding all animal-based ingredients, materials, chemicals, or food additives.

Similar to Glasgow, the Great Yorkshire Vegan Festival is well worth a visit, which this year takes place on 04 May 2024.

LNER has created a dedicated Green Guide to York, which includes other recommendations for great vegan food and other environmentally friendly things to do and places to stay.

8. Liverpool and 9. Cardiff

With an impressive jump in search demand for vegan restaurants (up 23.8% from 2022 and up 136.4% from 2021), Liverpool is now home to almost 3,500 vegans.

And Cardiff saw the largest increase in search demand for vegan restaurants – up a staggering 250% from 2021 to 2023.

Liverpool

“Wholesome, home-cooked vegetarian and vegan food” is what The Egg Cafe is all about. Located in a Grade II Victorian warehouse, it’s sure to delight all your senses thanks to an independent art gallery and open-mic and acoustic music evenings.

Smooshing together the comfort of good junk food and the delight of a sumptuous cocktail, Down The Hatch prides itself on its generous food portions. Our recommendation? Order the Truffle Mac Daddy fries as a side and think of us when you tuck in!

Zero Clucks Given continues the tradition of fanciful vegan names – this one is located in Oxton Road and offers a variety of comfort food dishes, from burgers and fries to mac and cheese and milkshakes. It was voted “Wirral's Best Burger 2022” so head down and see what their 2024 menu has to offer.

If you take a visit to Liverpool in Veganuary 2024, then we highly recommend booking a vegan walking tour. It’s sure to include at least one of the above, as well as plenty of up-and-coming vegan restaurants, cafes, and bars.

Cardiff

Part of the Morgan Quarter Arcade, Crumbs Kitchen has a solid reputation for creating delicious and healthy vegetarian and vegan dishes, with an outdoor seating area that’s just perfect for people-watching.

In 2020, Tripadvisor placed the Vegetarian Food Studio in the top 10% of restaurants worldwide – and it’s easy to see why. They combine fresh vegetables, herbs, and spices to create unique Indian dishes, as well as authentic Indian sweets for afters.

Luna’s Vegan Corner is dedicated to “conscious living and a passion for kindness to animals,” and it shows. Foods are free from added hormones, antibiotics, artificial flavours, colours, and preservatives, and are all the more delicious for it.

Bonus tip: if you prefer a drink or 3 with your meal, then The Moon has everything you need. All their food is 100% vegan and handmade to order in their non-profit kitchen, and their bar remains pleasantly stocked with the best local libations.

10. Reading

Reading has the smallest population of any of our top 10 cities, but it’s one that’s very vegan-friendly. Its annual calendar features a number of vegan events, including the Reading Vegan Festival and the Reading Vegan Fiesta returning for 2024.

If you’re only able to visit Reading for Veganuary, then here are some places to sample:

  • Vegivores

    Vegivores seek to spread the joys of a healthier and more sustainable diet. The fun food matches perfectly with the relaxed atmosphere, and the staff are always happy to chat all things environmentally-conscious!

  • London Street Brasserie

    The London Street Brasserie (LSB to those in the know) is an award-winning Reading restaurant with vegetarian and vegan-friendly a la carte and set menus.

With LNER you can travel:

From Leeds to Reading changing at London.

From Durham to Reading changing at London.

From Newcastle to Reading changing at London.

Other LNER cities

There were 3 additional cities that ranked in the top 20 and are part of the LNER network:

  • Newcastle upon Tyne

    Ranking eleventh, Newcastle upon Tyne offers a plethora of vegan restaurants, cafes, and bars. You can read more about these – as well as other environmentally-friendly local highlights – in our Green Guide to Newcastle.

  • Leeds

    Placing fourteenth, Leeds is an emerging hub for all things vegan. If you’re planning a visit then take a look at the Leeds List for places to eat, and the Leeds Vegetarian and Vegan Society information page for meetups and local community activities.

  • Middlesbrough

    Ranking eighteenth, Middlesbrough has a lively vegan scene – check out the We Are Middlesbrough website and Middlesbrough Vegan Facebook group to delve deeper.

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      How we did the maths

      We looked at the biggest 20 cities by population in the UK (NI not included), and found the average monthly searches 'vegan restaurant’ for a year.

      We then looked on Happy Cow and Deliveroo for the number of vegan restaurants takeaway options per city and divided it by each city's population.

      For all of these metrics, we divided the data by each city’s population to provide per capita comparisons. We then normalised the data by dividing the value by the maximum value in that category. This scaled the values between 0 and 1, ensuring that no single criterion would dominate the others.

      The final score – out of 100 – was calculated using the following formula:

      Final Score = (Yearly Searches per 100,000 people + Vegan Restaurants per 100,000 people + Vegan Takeaways per 100,000 people) * 100

      Finally, the cities were sorted by their score, with the highest score being ranked as number one in this study.