Three course vegan lunch at the Gallery Cafe, St Margaret's House

Vegan lunch at the Gallery Café, St Margaret's House

The best vegan cafes near Roman Road

10 January 202410 January 2024 Imogen Garfinkel High street

Whether you’re keen to give Veganuary a go or you’re simply searching for some plant-based goodness this winter, you’re spoilt for choice in Tower Hamlets.

A study by the experts at B-Well CBD, a CBD oil, health and wellness store, identified Tower Hamlets as London’s most vegan-friendly borough. With 714 vegan options and a further 824 vegetarian options on Deliveroo, Tower Hamlets took the top spot, above the City of London, Islington and even Hackney.

Here, we bring you a roundup of the tastiest vegan cafes around Roman Road, offering everything from budget-friendly brunches and plant-based BLT toasties to Moroccan-inspired salads. Whether you’re meeting a friend for a sweet treat over coffee, or doing your weekly shop, sticking to a plant-based diet has never been easier.

The Gallery Café

All day vegan breakfast with toast at The Gallery Cafe, St. Margaret's House.

BEST FOR: STUDENTS ON A BUDGET

Pay a visit to the award-winning Gallery Café to sample their brand new post-Christmas menu, featuring potato and nori pancakes, waffles drenched in salted caramel and an enticing ‘Quesadilla of the day’. The low-cost cafe offers locally ground coffees and fresh, healthy juices for those eating green on a budget, and all profits generated go straight back into St. Margaret’s House.

Find The Gallery Café at St. Margaret’s House Settlement, 21 Old Ford Road, E2 9PL

Sazzy & Fran

BEST FOR: CAFFEINE ADDICTS

Located between The London Buddhist Centre and Bethnal Green Fire Station, you’ll find Sazzy and Fran, serving up the neighbourhood’s finest speciality coffee and plant-based pastries. The cafe sources their house brew from local coffee roasters, Climpson & Sons, with a guest arabica coffee changing every few months. The all-vegan menu features colourful acai bowls, hearty frittatas and their signature ‘zalmon’ cream cheese bagel, available to buy in jars at Planet Organic so you can make it at home.

Find Sazzy and Fran at 33 Roman Road, E2 0HU

SimplyFresh

BEST FOR: VEGAN LIFERS

SimplyFresh may not be a cafe, but Mehmet Guzel’s haven of health foods and local products is more than a regular convenience store. The foodie oasis on the Roman Road is a long-standing supplier of fresh fruit and vegetables sourced daily from the New Spitalfields Market. Keeping up with the newest health food trends, SimplyFresh has expanded its fresh and frozen vegan range to help you stick to those resolutions this January.

Find SimplyFresh at 201-203 Roman Road, E2 0QY

Targa Green Café

Cakes on the counter at Targa Green Cafe

BEST FOR: DRESS DOWN WEEKENDS

From hummus wraps and falafel salads to wholesome soups ideal for winter, Targa Green Café is bringing homely comfort and Moroccan cuisine to Tredegar Road. The lime-green cafe resides in a shop that is 115 years old, giving the much-loved eatery a historic atmosphere. Greeting each customer with a warm welcome, the owners, Sanni and Targa, are committed to serving nourishing, fresh food to all the community.

Find Targa Green Cafe at 137 Tredegar Rd, Bow, London, E3 2EU

Jungle Electric

BEST FOR: LIVE EVENTS

More than just a cafe, Jungle Electric is a vibrant melting pot of the East End’s diverse community. The neighbourhood hub is one of the most dynamic spots on the Roman, with weekly quizzes, drag nights and live music to keep you entertained. Pay a visit to their bright yellow shop-front to sample their famous mac n cheese, bangers n mash, and nourishing soup made on-site.

Find Jungle Electric at 467 Roman Rd, Bow, London E3 5LX

E3 Vegan

BEST FOR: FINE DINING

Since opening its doors in 2022, E3 Vegan has been cooking up a storm for plant-based and meat-eaters alike. Located in the middle stretch of the Roman just east of Mile End Park, the eatery is London’s first vegan supper club, treating visitors to seven courses of fine plant-based dining every Friday. If you’re just looking for an affordable brunch and a fresh cocktail, E3 Vegan also functions as a cafe Wednesday – Sunday, serving up a seasonable menu of salads, sandwiches and cocktails.

Find E3 Vegan at 357 Roman Rd, Bow, London E3 5QR

Mandala Café

Mandala Cafe bright yellow shop front on Globe Road, off Roman Road.

BEST FOR: RELAXATION & MEDITATION

Last but certainly not least, the Buddhist-run Mandala Café offers everything you need to nourish your stomach and your mind. From coconut and lime mung dhal to their nutritious quinoa veg bowl, the café’s menu is seasonally updated with recipes designed by a Michelin-star chef. Pay a visit to the plant-based sanctuary for a bite to eat before attending a yoga or meditation class at the London Buddhist Centre next door. Use code “Veganuary24″ for a 10% discount.

Find Mandala Cafe at 241, 243 Globe Rd, Bethnal Green, London E2 0JD

Worthy Mentions

Many places, while not dedicated to plant-based food, are now offering vegan options.

Flat Earth Pizzas were crowned Britain’s Best Pizza in 2023, and they’re also treasured among vegans. The restaurant offers pizzas with British dairy cheese or plant-based mozzarella – just ask for a swap. And while you’re there, all the wines are vegan-certified, so why not enjoy a drink or two?

Find Flat Earth Pizzas at 288 Cambridge Heath Rd, Cambridge Heath, London E2 9DA

Zealand Cafe on the Roman Road offers a wide range of plant-based delights, from their tofu and spinach vegan breakfast to their meat-free sausage and chutney sandwich.

Visit Zealand Cafe at 391 Roman Rd, Old Ford, London E3 5QS

Just a stone’s throw away from Zealand Cafe, Loafing Cafe is the place to be for vegan cookies and the millennial classic, avocado and hummus toast.

Discover Loafing Cafe at 407 Roman Rd, Bow, London E3 5QS

If you liked this piece you might like our round up of the best beer gardens.