There are few things as satisfying as a really good burger. But what if you’re vegetarian, vegan or just trying to eat a bit less meat? Thankfully, cutting back on the beef doesn’t mean losing out on flavour. We’ve studied the menus of burger bars across the UK and rounded up ten of the most delicious meat-free burgers.
At this burger bar in Camden, the veggie option is a classic – halloumi cheese with grilled aubergine, courgette and red peppers. It’s so virtuous you can probably count it as one of your five a day. If you’re not a halloumi fan, try their Meat is Murder mushroom burger with goats’ cheese, rocket and pesto.
On the side: Try their rosemary and thyme chips, washed down with a homemade lemonade or smoothie.
For the first time ever, GBK are running a vegetarian special. Aptly named the Veg Out, it’s sweet potato, pea & feta croquettes, grilled aubergine, chermoula yoghurt, Cajun relish and garlic mayo. (There are three other veggie burgers on their menu, plus a vegan option – the Dippy Hippy.)
On the side: Chunky skin-on fries dunked in sriracha mayo or some of their excellent onion rings.
If you’re tired of sad bean patties, you’ll love the veggie option at Honest Burgers. The Fritter burger is made with cauliflower, tomato, sweetcorn, shallots, spices, coriander and cucumber yoghurt. Everything is made in-house from scratch and if you need a gluten-free bun, just ask!
On the side: Try their rosemary salted chips or onion rings dunked in chipotle mayo.
Nestled amongst the curry houses on Brick Lane is Mooshies – a 100% vegan burger bar. Their signature Pulled Mooshie tastes exactly like a BBQ pulled pork sandwich, except it’s made with jackfruit so it’s veggie-friendly. Their What’s The Beef? burger – a quinoa and black bean patty with caramelised onions and vegan cheese – is just as good.
On the side: Vegan cheese fries, homemade guac, and vegan cupcakes for dessert.
We’re big fans of the classic ShackBurger but if you’re vegetarian or just fancy a break from beef, Shake Shack’s veggie option is very tempting indeed. Between the buns is a crisp-fried Portobello mushroom filled with melted cheese, topped with lettuce, tomato and ShackSauce. Top tip: Their Leicester Square restaurant is open until midnight (Mon-Sat) – handy if you need a late-night feed.
On the side: Their crinkle cut fries (with or without cheese) and a super-thick shake.
With great service, killer cocktails and burgers cooked to order, it’s no wonder this burger joint is always buzzing. Their veggie option involves Portobello mushrooms stuffed with mature cheddar, garlic yoghurt and fresh tomato, then finished in the oven. It’s tasty enough to convert a die-hard carnivore!
On the side: Spice things up with fries topped with cheese, jalapeños, chillies and Cajun spices.
Burger’s veggie patty is a blend of organic tempeh, chickpeas, beetroot and sweet potato, served simply in a brioche bun with tomato, pickle and Burger sauce. You can add cheese and veggie bacon or go for the Mexi version which is topped with chipotle relish, jalapeños and slaw.
On the side: You’re going to love their veggie chilli fries and boozy milkshakes.
As well as lots of meat-free meze dishes, Hungry Donkey also serves a delicious mushroom and halloumi pita burger. They’re just a stone’s throw from Liverpool Street – perfect for a healthy lunch.
On the side: The burger comes with a side of chips and a rocket salad with balsamic dressing.
There are six veggie options at the Handmade Burger Co, and four of them are vegan – bonus! Our top pick is the Veg-Mex – a falafel patty topped with Mexican salsa, avocado, jalapeños, lettuce, tomato and red onion. If you’re looking for something a little different, try the Thai Vegetable burger with grilled peppers and sweet chilli sauce.
On the side: Sweet potato fries, jalapeño slaw, and seriously good milkshakes in flavours like Oreo and salted caramel.
Solita’s menu is basically a love letter to meat, so you probably wouldn’t expect to find a solid vegan option lurking in the burger section. The new addition is made daily in-house with four types of beans, topped with lettuce, tomato, onion, guacamole, vegan cheese and Thousand Island sauce. Try it for yourself at their restaurants in Didsbury, Prestwich and the Northern Quarter.
On the side: Sweet potato fries, deep fried pickles, and oven baked smores for dessert.
Have we missed any? Tell us where to find your favourite veggie burger in the comments.
