“So… you can’t have any fun?”
If you've come to the conclusion that this January is the time to go vegetarian, cut out wheat or sugar or even give vegan a whirl, you're probably familiar with these words. My decision a few years ago to take my health into my own hands and start a low-sugar, low-fat, gluten-free diet was long in the making, and not exactly greeted with enthusiasm. Friends thought I might soon give up going out altogether to enter a monastery and worship at the altar of wheatgerm.
I was pretty sceptical myself. I've always loved eating out and couldn't see how I would maintain a social life while ordering porridge and lusting after my friends' pancakes. What about dating? How many potential partners would run a mile from a future filled with quinoa?
If you're taking the plunge and embracing healthy eating this January, though, fear not. You've probably picked the best time in U.K. food history to start making healthy choices when eating out. Restaurants, cafés – even pubs – are happier than ever to accommodate, with gluten-free, low-sugar, vegetarian and vegan options. See your resolution as an opportunity to find new restaurants, new cuisines and even tastier dishes. As for me, my friends don’t call it my "no-fun" diet anymore – they’re too busy trying to steal a bite from my plate.
Click through to see our picks of where to have fun if you're vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free or low-sugar.
Niche
There are certain dishes to which those cutting out gluten must tearfully wave goodbye. Fried chicken, sausages and sticky toffee pudding have no place in a wheat-free diet, right? Think again. At Niche, gluten-free incarnations of all of these dishes make an appearance on the menu (where there is not a scrap of gluten in sight). Whether you're coeliac or just feel better for not eating wheat, you can come here and pick whatever you want without the fear of a nasty tummy ache for afters. Kick back and enjoy a bowl of apple crumble or a slice of passion fruit cheesecake instead.
Gluten-free/Vegetarian/Vegan
197-199 Rosebery Ave, London EC1R 4TJ
020 7837 5048
Photo: Via @gluten_free_fairy.
Andina
A marriage of Peruvian family restaurants and the traditional superfoods of the Andes, Andina is an all-day dining spot offering feel-good food. Arrive early for a new take on brunch – super-light sweet potato pancakes with whipped coconut cream – or linger over a guilt-free dinner of ceviche or authentic Peruvian street food. Then wash it all down with a pisco cocktail or, if you're cutting out the booze, a superfood smoothie or spiced Andean tea. These dishes not only taste as good as they look, they make you feel as good as they taste – and that's saying something.
Locations in Soho & Shoreditch
Drink, Shop & Do
The venue that brought you Lego robot-building competitions and Beyoncé-inspired dance classes has not forgotten about those who have cut out meat or dairy – or, for that matter, wheat. Choose from one of their specialist afternoon menus and be sure to treat yourself to a cocktail; after all, it’s gluten-free, vegan and vegetarian.
Gluten-free/Vegan/Vegetarian
9 Caledonian Rd, London N1 9DX
020 7278 4335
Counter Kitchen
Looking for a new lunch option now that Pret's Christmas sandwiches have been and gone? You can't do better than popping into Clerkenwell's newest café, which pairs the fine dining background of their head chef with a 'nature knows best' approach to produce salads, 'warming bowls' and breakfasts packed with flavour and nutrients. Curl up in a corner with their red lentil dhal topped with strained yoghurt and onion seeds or, if you're on the go, grab a slice of toast smothered in homemade Nutella, banana and granola. Counter Kitchen will keep you feeling great, inside and out.
Gluten-free/Dairy-free/Vegetarian/Vegan/Low-sugar
63 Goswell Rd, London EC1V 7EN
0203 441 9562
Romeo's Sugar Free Bakery
We admit that sugar-free, gluten-free, dairy-free cakes do not sound much fun, but let Romeo steal your heart. This Islington institution has been building its sweet and savoury options over the past year and is now open all day to satisfy your cravings.
Gluten-free/Vegan/Sugar-free
178 Upper St, London N1 1RG
07398 047525
V-Revolution
We would forgive you if the last word you associated with junk food was 'vegan', but this retro Manchester diner likely wouldn’t. Veganism, it seems, is no barrier to a good burger, whether it's the '50s-inspired ‘Hell-vis Presley’ or 'Buffalo the Vampire Slayer', a vegan fried chicken burger smothered in vegan ranch dressing and bacon. V-Revolution have even created hot dogs, macaroni cheese and lobster that is both vegan and gluten-free. Is there anything they can't do?
Vegan/Vegetarian/Gluten-free
20-26 Edge St, Manchester M4 1HN
The Creperie
Pancakes: a treat so wonderful that we have dedicated an entire day in our calendar to celebrating them. Thankfully, binning wheat doesn’t mean saying adieu to pancakes. Brighton’s Francophile crepe café The Creperie makes theirs with French buckwheat flour, which is not only gluten-free but may, according to new research, help to lower cholesterol. Does that mean we can order two?
Gluten-free/Vegetarian
2 Ship St, Brighton, East Sussex BN1 1AD
01273 323830
Ms Cupcake
Brixton is already known as a foodie’s paradise and Ms Cupcake is no exception. London’s first wholly vegan retail bakery will not only feed you cupcakes and cookies, free from any animal by-products, but they'll also teach you how to make them. Sign up to one of their day-long cookery courses and extend Veganuary to the other 11 months of the year – or at least learn how to avoid the dreaded soggy bottom.
Vegan/Gluten-free/Vegetarian
408 Coldharbour Ln, London SW9 8LF
020 3086 8933
Nibsy’s
This light and airy coffee shop offers that rare thing: a complete gluten-free menu, giving coeliac and gluten-intolerant diners the unusual experience of being able to order whatever they want. Choose from homemade cakes, quiches and pastries, then put your feet up and enjoy with a cup of locally roasted Winchester coffee.
Gluten-free/Dairy-free/Vegetarian/Vegan
26 Cross Street, Reading RG1 1SN
01189 597809
Hotel Chocolat
Cutting down on sugar and dairy doesn’t have to mean cutting down on chocolate. Luxury chocolatier Hotel Chocolat has worked with diabetes specialists to develop high-cocoa, nut-rich chocolates which are best for blood-sugar control. They have even added gluten-free and vegan recipes to the range. They shouldn’t have!
Gluten-free/Low-sugar/Vegan
Locations nationwide
Snog
Satisfying your sweet tooth while on a restricted diet no longer means snubbing the high street. Gluten-free and low-sugar have shaved off their beards, stashed their fixies and gone mainstream. Snog frozen yoghurts are sweetened with agave nectar, come with low-sugar and gluten-free toppings and, best of all, are available at nine locations across the U.K. as well as from all major supermarkets. Sweet.
Gluten-free/Low-sugar
Locations nationwide
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