The Best Vegan Food We Ate In England (London, Nottingham, Leeds)

Check out the blog post for links to all of the restaurants, plus more photos & info: bit.ly/KrockEng...
We spent two weeks traveling around England back in late December/early January and we tried a TON of really great vegan food. Sure, not all of it was "compliant" with the whole food, plant-based lifestyle we follow, but we were so inspired by all of the dishes and wanted to share it with you!
Check out our England Trip Playlist - bit.ly/KrocksEn...
VIDEO: Behind-The-Scenes with Krocks In The Kitchen - • Behind the Scenes with...
VIDEO: Brian Cooks Vegan Feast In Nottingham - • Brian Cooks Vegan Feas...
In this video, we visited:
LEON (London)
M&S / Marks & Spencer (London)
Hand & Heart (Nottingham)
Humpit: The Hummus and Pita Bar (Leeds)
Bundobust (Leeds)
Eat Your Greens (Leeds)
Mildreds (London)
Sagar (London)
Redemption (London)
Farmacy (London)
Vantra Eden (London)
Vantra Loungevity (London)
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OTHER LINKS YOU MIGHT ENJOY:
How We Got Started On Our WFPB Weight Loss Journey - bit.ly/KrockPot...
How We Lost 270 Pounds - bit.ly/KrockWei...
Ten Tips For Switching To A Whole Food, Plant-Based Diet - bit.ly/KrockTips
What We Eat In A Day For Weight Loss - bit.ly/KrockWha...
What We Eat In A Day [Weekend Edition] - bit.ly/KrockWha...
Our Travel Playlist - bit.ly/KrockTravel
Ten Travel Tips: How We Stay On Track With Our Diet - bit.ly/KrockTra...
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WEBSITE - krocksinthekitc...
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NOTE: We are not doctors, dietitians or nutrition experts. The information provided is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment. Please consult with your doctor before changing your diet. (Read more at bit.ly/KrockDis...)

[@KrocksInTheKitchen]

Check out the blog post for links to all of the restaurants, plus more photos & info: bit.ly/KrockEnglandFood Our England Trip Playlist - bit.ly/KrocksEngland VIDEO: Behind-The-Scenes with Krocks In The Kitchen - kzbin.info/www/bejne/iqHOdniVg62Br7s VIDEO: Brian Cooks Vegan Feast In Nottingham - kzbin.info/www/bejne/on7Fpmqug6ySpsk

[@TheMissOmni]

Not sure if you guys know what reddit is, but theres a Vegan snack exchange going on at the moment there www.redditgifts.com/exchanges/#/exchange/vegan-snacks-2020/

[@darcihillman2648]

An alternative for a pastry covered pie is to use mash potatoes instead, sweet potatoes are especially nice.

[@MartintheGreatPotatoMage]

@@TheMissOmni THERE'S A VEGAN SNACK EXCHANGE?! I just thought it was for cool ones like Lego and Books and all the other ones I like to take part in each year, I didn't know about this! 😱🤯 ohhh I might have to sign up, if I still can!

[@TheMissOmni]

@@MartintheGreatPotatoMage yessir. few others on as well at the moment as well. they opened up thus exchange round on monday

[@MartintheGreatPotatoMage]

@@TheMissOmni awesome!

[@Bookish_Lattes]

Gotta admit, I'm English and eating vegan is soooo easy over here, especially London. The plant based movement is growing so fast & companies are hopping on board.

[@BethGrantDeRoos]

Nubian Vegan here in California we talk a LOT about how London along with Germany are the BEST vegan areas to visit.

[@lizziedripping71]

Yes indeed the Plant Based movement is growing in the UK but away from the major cities it is not easy to find vegan restaurants; yes an occasional single menu offering (salad of course) but not interesting. But things are definitely looking up 👍

[@gelbsucht947]

I live in Birmingham and it’s pretty good too, and the number of new vegan products entering supermarkets now is amazing. (Not all are suitable for a WFPB diet though, as many contain oil). However, I‘ve been vegan for 20 years and it wasn’t always that way. Twenty years ago all you could expect to find in the major supermarkets was soya milk and mango sorbet, though Holland & Barrett had a few more (fairly exorbitant) offerings. So all going in the right direction, at least in the major conurbations.

[@jilldigwood4328]

Wow!! Food looks amazing. Haven't been to London for some time but when I do will have my list ready 😋

[@MrDodgerdodson]

I've just moved to Glasgow and I"m blown away by all the vegan stuff. Its everywhere, and I don't think i've been in to anywhere that doesn't offer a bunch of vegan options, plus lots of specifically vegan restaurants. The UK is going plant based and its great.

[@dutchgram3799]

I can't even imagine having options for meals. Where I live if you ask for vegetarian or vegan you get a "salad", lettuce, tomato, carrot. I do hope you are able to recreate some of the ways you had over the pond and share them.

[@errorerror1337]

Looks amazing! I know on a lot of this you guys say "not compliant" and I know what you mean, but it's not like you ate steak and pizza the whole time-at least you didn't eat any animal products. In my book, that's 95% which is still a solid A.

[@barbaramaas2009]

Don't apologize for being this video being too long! I usually don't like them long, but this went by so fast and I didn't want it to end! Make a Part 2 with the extra footage! Please? :D You guys are amazing!

[@marygueldenzoph1230]

Have you watched Earthling Ed on YT? He’s a pretty passionate vegan activist and he is part owner of a vegan restaurant in London called the Unity Cafe. The profits from the cafe go to an animal rights organization called Surge.

[@sobellabg804]

And I believe the eggplant tomato dish you had is a vegan version of Shakshuka. It is normally made with eggs and peppers in a spicy (not too hot) Middle Eastern spices tomato sauce. I have seen lots of different vegan variations. I used to love to make it for brunch before I went vegan. Warms you down to your toes. Glad you all had a great trip

[@vegassurvivor2745]

Nice to see options while traveling. Since I’ve been eating Whole Foods diet, I’ve steered away from restaurants even while traveling. Even while vacationing, I stop at a grocery store to get my good. I need to be more open to trying different options while vacationing. Great video!

[@randylangley1123]

I'm still laughing at "Hump It" Jessica! I'll have to rewatch the part I've missed while I'm laughing!

[@vickistone3700]

my mouth was watering at the end, literally!!

[@KrocksInTheKitchen]

Ours too! 🤤

[@livinginthehills4904]

The reason service is slower in European countries is that the servers actually get paid a living wage with benefits and don’t have to rely on tips. Great video!

[@Corridors9]

And it means you don't feel rushed and you can relax over a meal with friends. I am not a fan of the US service when you get the bill before even finishing your food and you know they just want you to leave.

[@KrocksInTheKitchen]

We had some really great service in a few places. And we had some really really bad service in others. In one restaurant our waitress got yelled at by the chef because our food sat at the pass for 10 minutes. But I can honestly say that I never feel rushed in the US (at least in the Midwest and the South). We like to take our time and enjoy the meal, but we also like getting the bill so we can decide when we want to leave. 😂 -Brian

[@marciw2794]

Thank you for taking us along with you! Love your longer videos! You guys are awesome! You have helped me immensely!

[@Elinious]

Wow the food looks incredible! Honestly, for me I'm making this a lifestyle change and I'm looking at compliance/non compliance like: would I want to do it this way in 20 years? And the answer is: on special occasions like a vacation I do want to be able to eat some nice restaurant food and if it's my birthday I want to be able to bake a cake and also have a piece myself. So I totally get it. You can be compliant in normal day life but also want to enjoy something non compliant every once in a while. I can see myself living like that in 10, 20 or 40 years, which to me makes me confident it is a sustainable lifestyle choice.

[@1989hayleyjayne]

I’m new to your channel but oh my gosh I live in Leeds, it’s nice to see people exploring more than just London :)

[@KrocksInTheKitchen]

We honestly wish we could have traveled to more places, but Leeds was absolutely wonderful. 😀 I hope to go back again soon. 🙂

[@wiolagiegiel]

Hi I live in London and even pubs have vegan food ! It’s so easy to be vegan 🌱

[@kittimcconnell2633]

Even in the 1970's, Britain had a big health food/whole food movement. We visited when I was about 7 and I remember getting pumpkin pie that was made without sugar, even the whipped cream.

[@JessieCarty]

Isn't it funny how that happens? About the last place you went to. The last day I was in Japan the first time, we wandered into a restaurant for lunch after being SUPER tired and it was AMAZING. I can't wait to see Brian re-creating some of these recipes!!!

[@lisas2538]

Thanks for showing us this. Great photos of the food dishes. Cool you got recognized.

[@karentalbott8128]

If Brian opens a WFPB restaurant, I will be first in line

[@brendafarris7350]

Soooo fun! And yummy. Thx for taking so many pics of these fantastic meals. PS....I could have watched even longer!! Thx for posting.

[@KrocksInTheKitchen]

Thank you very much Brenda!

[@uellamckenney1680]

Am on. My 8 th day of 10 day diet! I chose brown rice for starch, have not tired of it at all! Have had it w/ spinach, string beans,asparagus , peas, but my favorite was in green pea soup. Used amino acid, but favorite seasoning was nutritional yeast. I’ve been vegetarian for close to 50 years, but want to get off meds. I’m diabetic, and have high blood pressure . Have control but on low dosage pills for both. For 3 days now my bs was below 100. Yeah

[@temperhollow7716]

Literally drooling when you got to Vantra. My kind of food!

[@papercracker4176]

One of the best things about eating out while traveling is the opportunity to enjoy new flavour combinations and then try to recreate it at home. Looking forward to future recipe videos which come from your London travels. (Perhaps the Fake and Ale pie could be just the filling with a mashed potato covering-similar to shepherds pie...)

[@laurelsternberg5861]

Oh, PLEASE figure out how to make those sausages and mustard mash (you probably already do that). And the burger! So glad you had fun and met nice people, and thanks for sharing all these good ideas. Marks & Spencers is the healthy food traveler's dream.

[@monicaurschitz1548]

Amazing video, loved everything. I live in London and love being vegan, especially here! If Brian opens a restaurant in St Louis I’m definitely coming to visit !! 😍😍😍👍😊😊

[@annabelw5088]

I'm a relatively new follower. I love that you enjoyed the UK. M&S Plant Kitchen is the best x

[@KrocksInTheKitchen]

Yeah, we still really miss going to M&S to get stuff. 😀

[@patico11113]

WOWwwwwWww what a wonderful video!! Thank you for sharing your experience definitely .... WOWWW 🤤😋

[@victoriablanc761]

boy now I wish I lived in England!! am vegan and would love to have that many options! everything sounds so good. I do the same where I come home and try to recreate the dish. but first I need to taste them. vegan food can be fabulous.

[@smallfootprint2961]

Looks like you made some great choices. It's just wonderful that they had so much food available that was even close to compliant... Thanks for showing us how you got along in the travel world. I've never had so many options while travelling, but I think things are changing. Great video; nice editing. Welcome home.

[@jillshippy5157]

In general, we in America tend to always be in a hurry & restaurants seem to comply with that as well as having the mentality of making more money, thus, “get ‘em in, get ‘em out”. It isn’t just England but the whole of Europe that has a more “relaxed” dining environment where they don’t expect guests to leave quickly so service isn’t as rushed either. However, I wasn’t there so your experience could have been slower than what the normal standard is. Glad you had a great trip. I love England!

[@Shelley9090]

I'll be anxiously awaiting Brian's re-creations! Yum!

[@JSBarrett92]

brilliant video thanks guys

[@rachelbird7798]

Wow! My mouth is watering! I need to get to Vantra next time I am in London!

[@kurlyl0ck5]

I think continental breakfast is the full American meal that you are talking about🙂 also, great video!!! My fiance and I are eloping in Ireland and honeymooning in London, so this is super helpful!!!

[@MikeEvansUK]

Just to let you know - I took a group of friends to Vantra in central London last night on your recommendation. What fabulous food, genial atmosphere, lovely helpful staff. Thank you so much for the tip-off, I'll be eating there any time I get the chance.

[@KrocksInTheKitchen]

Yeah, that place haunts me! I honestly can't wait to go back! 😀

[@Furbabes]

Your videos are so inspiring I finally had a mostly whole food day! I stocked my fridge and am so proud ! It's been such a rough month in January as I just moved but now I'm on top of my game !I'm looking forward to trying your hummus recipe with my salad. Keep up the great work ! 🥰🥰🥰🥰

[@Gill.L]

Hi was directed here by a lovely lady on Kiki,s comments section - thank you Vicki 👍. I live just outside Leeds- so glad you enjoyed your visit to England- looking forward to exploring your channel as I embark on a plant based diet at the age of 66 3/4 😊💕

[@KrocksInTheKitchen]

Awesome! Glad to have you on our Channel as well! 😀

[@KrocksInTheKitchen]

Also, Leeds was incredible! We went to the Royal Armouries twice. 😀

[@ferndale9710]

Those M&S salads are SO good! Well done for finding them!!!!!

[@TammyD247]

Excellent video! I loved every moment and if the food tasted half as good as it looked.....wow! Thanks for sharing! You guys rock!

[@MeHere650]

Cannot wait for the recipe for some of these foods. Yummy!

[@mausibat6148]

I’m from Scotland (in the UK) and I’ve visited the US many time - I agree with you about the service! 😃 It’s probably because servers in the UK don’t have to rely on “tips”, we just don’t have the tipping culture like you do. Great video, love you guys!! Xx

[@KrocksInTheKitchen]

We in St. Louis are actually ranked as the best tippers in America. We typically will tip 20% on a good meal or service. 😁

[@susandurandstone4278]

I’m going to England in June, thanks for the tips! I went 3 years ago and was just playing around with plant based at the time, now I’m fully vegan. I was amazed at the vegan options then compared to the US.

[@Islandgirl5270]

Loved all the yummy places and food! Thank you!

[@auntdayskitchen6315]

Ok for me this video could’ve been twice as long and I still would’ve loved it it’s specially that last place I want to go cycle tour England but I think I’ll have to go there Yum

[@mairzeedotes5484]

Ok...this was mouth watering. Now I'll be waiting for the recreations of the burger with the seeds, the eggplant dish, the butternut squash thing that Jessica had, and the beans and curried chickpeas from the Vantra place.

[@RoseMaryBowen]

Looks like you had a fun and delicious trip.

[@jennifermckenzie4576]

You can make your videos longer! Love watching you and am now super hungry!

[@marcwolverson1186]

I’m WFPB convert who lives in the north of England, and grew up in St. Louis. Would love to have you guys visit the next time you are over.

[@KrocksInTheKitchen]

That is awesome! Jessica keeps telling me we should move to England. 😀

[@KCcode]

You are right , vegetarianism changes people’s perspective in a good way, thali mean plate. And it is traditional South Indian meals with different verities of curries , I am South Indian grew up with this and glad you tried it

[@judithgreaves8267]

Here in Illinois when we want everything for breakfast we call it a Grand Slam!! Awesome video all the food looked yummy!!

[@tamcon72]

The restaurants here look amazing and varied, but the grocery shopping must have been some of your favorite food-related activity. I watch the shopping haul videos of some of the British vegan YTers I subscribe to, and it really is like seeing footage from another planet. Like, plant-based eating is totally mainstream there. You look like you had a marvelous trip; TFP!

[@volition51]

Went to the blog post and immediately scrolled to Vantra; also found them on Facebook and Instagram (googled): now I can see them every day!! I'll never get to London, but it makes me so happy to just know this place exists: truly healthy AND the best food you had! Will have to enjoy Vantra virtually until -- Brian brings them to America!!!

[@rrhodes7594]

Fun video, as always! Looking forward to Brian’s recreations 😋

[@crashmusketeer306]

I would love to see a part two of this! All that looks amazing!

[@kathrynsanders295]

Good tips for me to check out locally, thanks. I'd recommend Box Park if you ever return to London.

[@KrocksInTheKitchen]

We will keep that on our list! 😀

[@Carcarfranklin]

Jessica your hoodie is phenomenal.

[@helenpennock2012]

Great video - thanks Krocks

[@helencollins7067]

It's so cute the way you pronounce Nottingham. The other cities that end in -ham are Durham and Birmingham,. We pronounce it 'um' rather than 'ham'. I totally agree about service in England. It can be pretty indifferent.

[@lindadobson9854]

M&S Yay!! My favorite place for foods...hubby got his PhD at Nottingham Uni.. Expat in California

[@sallyis6084]

Love to see vegan options all over the globe. Would totally watch any travel videos you post no matter how long lol

[@stephsinger5163]

I’m hungry now!!! Jessica’s happy food sway is adorable . That sweet potato and greens looked delicious . You guys can open up a “ clone” of Vantra! You guys rock!!! love following you here. I don’t do FB or Insta so I hope you see my comments . Hi Peef! Playing peef a boo in Brians coat. !!!

[@annetteconnelly125]

Thank you so much for this video! I am in the UK and will be looking to visit all if these 😋

[@donnavickery9623]

Loved this video. I had no idea that they had restaurants like this. Wish I knew how to cook food as good as this !!!

[@pixrainbow]

Thanks for this video guys- now I know where to go next time in London! A butty is a northern sandwich. Traditionally it is made of one slice of bread from a loaf bent round the food. A chip butty is the classic form. I'm sure you'd be brilliant at running your own restaurant Have you written a cook book I wonder, I'll have to see.x

[@pawlet]

Will Brian recreate the burger? 🧡

[@danaj.7235]

I totally agree on Marks & Spencers. We visited London last year (for the first time with the eyes of two wfbp-people :) In Germany, and especially in the Ruhr-District where we live, there are almost no vegan restaurants and certainly not one place, where you can grab some wfpb convenience food. We ate at some great vegan places in London, too. Next time you should check out the food markets like Camden and Borrough Market. We ate some awesome vegan things there. The brownie and flapjacks we had at the Cinnamon Tree Bakery for dessert were two of the best baked things, I've ever had! We went back TWICE for them :))) Definitely not healthy, but sooooo good. We missed Vantra but will check it out when we return. That food looked so tasty. Thanks for your travel-tips!

[@marymcandrew7667]

I can't wait for Brian to start recreating some recipes! Brian please try to do the mushroom, walnut, beet burger, I need a really good burger recipe especially to get my husband more interested in eating healthier!

[@hypnosisforhappiness]

"All the Breakfast Things" = The Works

[@lisatansey5051]

You are making me so hungry! I can't wait to see recipes that Brian comes up with after being inspired by all of that yumminess!

[@danerikagrover7421]

It all looked so delicious 🤗 I'm now starving! Thanks for sharing🤗

[@wastenotwantnot6754]

Super video. Makes me want to go to England!

[@Melinda_B62]

This was GREAT - thanks for all of the work put into getting it together for us!

[@mistygoldstone8068]

Fabulous description of the restaurants and food you both ate. Great video!

[@4everyoung24]

Jessica, Agree on the carrots v. Baby carrots.

[@katies_vegan_travels5008]

I love m&s I found one on holiday in Malta and I agree such good choices. I am English living in Germany and my nearest 100% vegan place is 20k away!

[@margariteolmos3457]

We're wating for Brian's magical recipes!

[@ade1963]

love Vantra - only discovered it on my last trip to London

[@errorerror1337]

PS that Vantra mushroom concoction looks amazing, any chance of an attempted recreation? That style of food might work well as a food truck, especially during winter. Hey, maybe Krocks in the Food Truck??!?

[@sylviapage8572]

Wow! That all looked delicious and fully holiday compliant. Vantra is at the top of my to do list next time I visit London. Did you go to Tibits? It’s just off Regent Street and we sometimes go with friends. The owners are Swiss and this is the only restaurant outside Switzerland I think! The website is good and they have recipes so Brian may be able to reproduce some of the menu at home. Maybe you should think about opening a restaurant in St Louis or London 😁. I love your recipes and usually make at least one each week. Thanks for sharing I really enjoyed it especially the part when Jessica said you could have eaten healthier after showing a photo of that magnificent chocolate brownie nice cream 🤪x

[@bkwats1017]

Vantra looks awesome! Let’s get that in the US.

[@kirlynz2554]

What an amazing video, thank you for sharing! And yeah, please find a way to franchise that vantra restaurant and bring it to StL! 🙌😁

[@pda2836]

So much fun to experience the vegan English scene through your eyes and taste buds!! Thanks for sharing!😀

[@robind.2290]

Everything looked so yummy! Excited to go to England sometime in the future, especially knowing that there will be food options available. It makes things so much easier to plan.Thank you for sharing.

[@coreenwalker9514]

This looked like such fun! I've been to England several times when I was younger and didn't care much about my health and found much of the food (except the sweets) to be sub-par. This video really made me want to visit again and enjoy the opportunity to search out vegan/plant-based dining options, because I'm confident it would enhance rather than detract from the trip.

[@RhondaReally]

I found Vantra recipes on Pinterest! I'm going in!

[@martyschumacher6979]

Excellent! I love to do the same!! Loved England!!

[@susanwaterworth5622]

So sad I missed Vantra when I was in London last October, but so happy I know now. Thanks a lot, you guys. Love your videos so much!!!

[@KellyS_77]

The way I’ve heard it explained is that in America, being vegan (or wfpb) is seen as something radical, or political, whereas in the UK being vegan (or eating a vegan diet) is just considered to be a “valid life choice” (like one’s religion or choice of clothing). My husband’s family all lives in England :) going to the grocery stores there is one of my favorite things.

[@KellyS_77]

Will you be checking out Indian restaurants in the St Louis area after your Mary’s Minis? Which chickpea curry did you like from Vantra? It look like there were maybe two, one looked to be Chana Masala (sort of a darker brown sauce) and the other looks like it was maybe chickpea tikka masala (more of a creamy sauce, though obviously not dairy cream).

[@KCcode]

Masala dosa - think crepe made of rice and paired with Sambar which is lentil soup; Baji is another name for veg fryems made of chickpea flour, more like battered shrimp in US; ragada pattis is potato spicy cutlet; behl puri means puffed rice with potato and fried puri , fried flat dough and some sauce and veg, Mr.B and Ms.J hope this explains bit more

[@KrocksInTheKitchen]

That is awesome! Thank you so much! 😀

[@yoursugabumps]

100% agree with the carrots belief! Regular carrots taste better than baby carrots

[@sharondesfor4112]

Thank you SO MUCH for the M+S tip. I have a fast trip to Kensington in a couple of weeks for a conference where they feed us our meals. Last time I went i was in a SAD diet so I don't recall what might be compliant at the conference venue. Luckily, there's an M+S a few blocks away in Kensington High Street near the Underground station, so I can pick up a couple of things to bring along each morning to ensure I'm not stuck with dry lettuce for two days. You two are lifesavers! Thanks. (I'm certainly going to try to escape one evening to get to Vantra!)

[@nicolebellemore703]

Waiting and BAM it's here!

[@rdcanyon]

loved this video. good to discover this channel. I live in London, so M&S is a staple for lunch.

[@KrocksInTheKitchen]

I really wish we had stores like that here. 😀

[@trishaknaul3442]

You mentioned your 5 vegan restaurants in St. Louis. How about a video reviewing those? I drive through several times a year and would love to know about my options!

[@McJc09]

So cool, we def need more places in USA

[@Carcarfranklin]

Omg toffee pancakes... when in England, do as the English....

[@KrocksInTheKitchen]

They certainly weren't American pancakes. 😂

[@tray8820]

Yet again I'm reminded of how lucky we are over here for vegan options. I really enjoyed the video on your visit to my home town, Nottingham. The Hand & Heart has been around for years! I used to go there often back in the 90s lol

[@findingfaith2683]

Looking forward to your improved, exciting recreations of these awesome meals!!

[@777Valmarie]

Val Marie here! I can't wait for your versions of some of this food! Looked absolutely delicious! Plant Based Jealousy at its best! I even tagged my sister who lives in England! Guess I need to visit her!

[@MartintheGreatPotatoMage]

Just a thought! You know why I wanted to try that Shakshuka? Because of you, Brian. Or more specifically, because you introduced me to the JOY that is Alton Brown's Good Eats, and he makes a proper, traditional Shakshuka. I love a good Middle Eastern dish, and seeing a vegan version just made me excited!!! I still have to figure out a recipe for that... once the Mini is over, anyway... :}