If you’re in London and looking to start off 2019 with a bit of a health kick, you’ve come to the right city. The health food scene in London is booming at the moment, with more and more vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free and paleo cafes and restaurants popping up left, right and centre. Think you’re too much of a foodie to enjoy the offerings of a ‘health cafe’? Well think again, because the dishes served up in these healthy London joints aren’t just nutritious but they are simply delicious, too!
Check out our 7 favourite healthy cafes and restaurants in London that’ll satisfy your taste buds and give you that much needed health boost into the new year!
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FARMACY
Notting Hill
Giving Veganuary a go? On the main high street of Notting Hill’s Westbourne Grove, Farmacy is a popular foodie hangout especially for those on a plant-based diet. The menu is 100% vegan, organic and chemical free, with every dish having been inspired by countries around the world. Go there for breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner, or even indulge in a vegan high tea. Their ‘Earth Bowls’ are all wholesome, filling and delicious, however the tacos, pie and burgers are well worth a try if you’re after something a little less healthy but still totally plant-based. It’s not just the food menu that’s full of tasty options, as the list of juices, hot drinks, wine and intriguing cocktails goes on and on!
RUDE HEALTH CAFE
Fulham
For the smashed avocado on toast of dreams, and porridge that’ll rival any you’ve tried before, the Rude Health Cafe in Fulham is a place to check out. As the name might suggest, this place is all about making healthy food into something much more exciting. Open only for breakfast, lunch or weekend brunch, the Rude Health Cafe menu is only small but each dish is incredibly tasty however not all are vegan or veggie friendly. If you’re all about the avo, the avo toast here complete with beetroot and chilli has got to be one of the prettiest in London. Rather head there for lunch? The salad options are good value, healthy and packed with flavour. For a healthy pitstop in Fulham, the Rude Health Cafe is ideal.
FARMSTAND
Covent Garden
For a quick and casual bite to eat in central London, Covent Garden’s Farmstand is a health food cafe that’s perfect for a refuel. The entire menu is both dairy and refined sugar free, every ingredient has been locally sourced and the options for vegans, vegetarians and meat eaters is fantastic. The canteen-style vibe of Farmstand gives it its casual vibe, and the ‘build your own’ meal is seriously decent value at £6.50 for a main and two sides. At Farmstand it’s all simple, guilt-free and feel good food.
THE DETOX KITCHEN
Fitzrovia and Soho
Specialising in all sorts of smoothies, juices and smoothie bowls, as well as muesli and porridge to satisfy any cereal-lover, the Detox Kitchen is health food goals. There are two branches of the deli in London, both serving up mainly plant-based menus plus build your own granola and muesli if you know exactly what you fancy. The salad bar, hot stews and soups all get switched up regularly so you’ll never get bored (not that you would anyway as it all tastes so great). You won’t be disappointed if you’re looking for a quick, healthy refuel in the middle of central London.
FARMER J’S
Aldgate and Monument
Farmer J’s has a real casual yet somehow classy feel to it when you choose to eat in. Every element of every dish is packed full of flavour, hearty and delicious - you could spend ages going through the menu deciding what to order as it all just looks so good! The epic selection of meat and fish dishes as well as totally veggie options (including a good few vegan-friendly, too) is ideal for any diet or palette. The menu changes with the seasons to ensure Farmer J only serves up the best and freshest ingredients, bursting with colour. Breakfast, lunch, brunch and dinner are all available every day, with many middle eastern flavours inspiring the dishes. If you’re after fresh, healthy food that’s exciting, affordable and of course mindblowingly tasty, Farmer J’s is a favourite.
AHI POKÉ
Fitzrovia
Poké is a great healthy option that’s light, flavoursome and exciting. The Californian-Japanese fusion of ingredients and ideas is a match made in heaven, so Ahi Poke in Fitzrovia hits the spot. Every bowl is gluten and dairy free, and you can build your own to make it suitable to whatever it is you love to eat. Raw salmon, tuna, chicken, shrimp or miso tofu are all the main draw, but it’s the sweet, crunchy toppings such as ginger, kimchee, onion or edamame and tangy sauces like sriracha mayo or sweet ponzu that make it such a tasty yet healthy treat. There are a fair few poke cafes to have popped up around London in recent years, but Ahi Poké has to be a favourite.
WILD FOOD CAFE
Neal’s Yard
Wild Food Cafe in the centre of London is all about organic, nourishing food that’s good for the body, mind and soul. That’s why it’s menu is totally vegan. It may only be a small menu here, however that doesn’t mean they go easy on the flavours. The cauli wings and wild mushrooms are to die for, but the green burger is Instagram perfect! Pop in for a hearty plate or try one of their extravagant smoothies to go with a sweet treat that tastes as good as it looks.