A lot of noise has been made about the vegan food scene in Manchester, with new restaurants popping up throughout the city centre and beyond. From a vegan pizza joint that serves up some of the all-time classics in the centre of the city, to a tapas-style restaurant offering delicious sharing plates in the suburbs village, there’s something for everyone. Add to that a vegan restaurant with views of the cathedral gardens, or a cosy hotel restaurant with an inside garden, and the theme of plant-based food couldn’t be more topical.
With inspiration for many of the vegan restaurants in Manchester coming from all corners of the globe, you’ll find dishes that conjures up memories of trips gone by. Whether it’s an Italian pizza or Pan-Asian cuisine, the best vegan recipes from across the world can be found right on your doorstep.
Perfect for first dates and romantic evenings out, group events and family-friendly spots, Manchester’s thriving restaurant scene goes beyond the food, with many of the establishments boasting bars, DJs and a late-night scene to rival the best nightclubs around. Grab a cocktail and enjoy watching the world go by, or get your dancing shoes on and take your evening to the next level. Check out the best vegan-friendly restaurants in Manchester for an exceptional meat-free meal.
Take your taste buds on a journey they won’t forget and book your seats at the best vegan restaurants in Manchester on OpenTable now.
The best vegan restaurants in Manchester for a healthy meal to remember – check out the full guide
For creative plant-based dishes – visit The Allotment Vegan Eatery in Manchester
One of the best vegan restaurants in Manchester’s city centre is The Allotment Vegan Eatery. A restaurant that creates top-notch vegan food with locally sourced ingredients and that boasts stunning views of the Manchester Cathedral.
The Allotment Vegan Eatery uses the best ingredients from the season’s harvest to serve up an entirely new plant-based experience to your table. Having been rated in the top 30 vegan restaurants in the world, this restaurant is certainly one you won’t want to miss off your list.
Start your dining experience with small plates such as the cauliflower wings, which use a secret house recipe, or try out the Plantballs, made from soy and pea protein and marinated in a white wine and cream sauce. For the main, go for the beetroot risotto with maple glazed beetroot, lemon ricotta and toasted pine, and don’t miss the popular jackfruit tacos loaded with guacamole, sriracha mayo and fresh pineapple.
To top off your experience, pair your meal with a flavoursome cocktail whilst you soak up the peaceful surroundings of the Cathedral gardens. Or, for those with a sweet tooth, go for the raspberry and chocolate tart, served with pistachio and vanilla ice cream.
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For the best vegan pizza in Manchester – don’t miss Purezza in Manchester
If you’re a pizza lover, then look no further than Purezza Manchester, one of the best vegan pizzerias in Manchester. A crowd-pleaser that is loved all over the world, pizza is a great idea for first dates, catch-ups with friends or family meals out. Pizzas here are completely vegan, with there also being an option to have a gluten-free base at request. Thanks to a healthy obsession with the ingredients used, a meticulous nature when it comes to prepping everything, and a passion for ensuring every pizza is perfect, you can rely on Purezza to provide an all-round great experience.
You don’t have to be vegan or vegetarian to enjoy the taste of Purezza, which is just as suited to dedicated vegans as it is to curious food lovers. One of the most popular pizzas is the BBQ bourbon pie, a white base pizza with mushrooms, BBQ sauce, whiskey marinade, and kimchi. If you’re looking for a meat alternative, then go for the pepperoni and agave pizza, with vegan pepperoni and mozzarella, chillies, hemp parm and chilli-infused agave. For those that fancy something other than a pizza, you can choose from a range of small plates, such as a Caesar salad with ch’cken (a plant-based alternative to chicken), pancetta, harissa corn and hemp parm tossed in a creamy garlic dressing.
Finish your meal off with a divine dessert such as the famous Purezza brownie served with a scoop of gelato. What really makes this restaurant stand out from the crowd is the dedicated dog menu. Treat your dog to a Pupperoni pizza with carrots, linseed butter, turmeric and a Pawroni dog beer. Or, if you’re celebrating, you better make it a Pawsecco dog wine.
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For the best vegan Sunday roast in Manchester – check out The Restaurant at The Refuge in Manchester
Whether it’s small plates or a Sunday roast that you’re after, The Restaurant at The Refuge offers a wide array of vegan-friendly and vegetarian-friendly options on the menu. Located in the heart of the city centre on Oxford Road, this elegant restaurant boasts an atrium ceiling that only adds to the sophistication of your surroundings.
To get you started, there are a range of vegetarian and vegan starters to choose from. From classics such as olives and sourdough, to family favourites such as padrón peppers with soy and crispy onions and hummus with pomegranate kachumber. Moving onto the mains, one of the top choices is the purple sprouting broccoli, which comes with homemade ssamjang and kimchi. Alternatively, the polyspore lion’s mane mushroom, with sherry pickle, mushroom glace, charred kale and kohlrabi, and a miso dressing, is a flavour-filled choice. Complete your meal with a delicious dessert, such as a sticky toffee pudding with orange miso caramel, which is accompanied by old-fashioned white ice cream. On Sundays, don’t miss the stellar vegan Wellington with roasted celeriac, duxelles, red onion, kale, and potatoes.
Grab a drink from the bar, which plays host to a range of live music, such as jazz, swing and funk, from Thursday to Saturday. For those looking for a more peaceful end to the evening, you can take your drink to the Winter Garden, which is nestled between the bar and the dining room. This inside-outside garden is the perfect location to unwind throughout the year.
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For international vegan-friendly dishes – book at Volta in Didsbury
If you’re looking for a place to enjoy a meal in a cosy and intimate setting, look no further than Volta. Located in the suburban village of Didsbury, this vegan-friendly restaurant offers a menu that is inspired by travel. Enjoy a range of international cuisine while soaking up the chic decor and vintage bistro-style ambience. For an al fresco dining experience, the restaurant also offers a welcoming heated terrace under a covered canopy.
Specialising in tapas and small plates, Volta is the perfect restaurant for those who love to share. While not an exclusively vegan restaurant, the wide array of vegan and vegetarian-friendly dishes makes it one of the best meat-free-friendly restaurants to visit in the city. Popular dishes include the chargrilled leeks with sunflower seed pesto and the coconut and kafir lime sorbet, with spiced pineapple and toasted coconut.
In the evenings, Volta turns into a bustling local bar, with a wide range of wines, cocktails and craft beers to choose from. Treat yourself to a glass of Pinot Noir, test out the international draught beers, or try a cocktail such as a spiced pear daiquiri, with spiced golden rum, pear, lime and aqua faba.
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For a healthy plant-based brunch – try Evelyn’s Cafe Bar in Manchester
Evelyn’s Cafe Bar is a local gem that serves brunch classics with many plant-based options during the day and refined small plates during the evening. With the kitchen centred around a charcoal Inka grill, diners can enjoy the theatre of live fires while the chefs cook up a storm. Taking influence from Levantine and Pan-Asian dishes, this restaurant gives off local neighbourhood vibes, which seasoned travellers will love.
The menu is created seasonally, based on what local ingredients can be sourced throughout the year, so you’ll know the food on your plate is as fresh as it comes. For brunch, try the classic avocado on toast, with smashed avocado, sourdough, grapefruit and coriander, or the sweet potato salad with farro, asparagus, kale, crispy chickpeas and a lemon tahini dressing. When it comes to the dinner menu, don’t miss the oyster mushrooms with teriyaki and sriracha mayo.
Complete your evening with post-dinner drinks at the downstairs bar, The Daisy, where you can enjoy Parisian-inspired cocktails and DJs until late. Choose a cocktail such as the vermouth spritz, which is made from belsazar red vermouth, strawberry shrub and cava, and round-off your evening in style.
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Vegan and vegetarian food has become more and more sought after in recent years, with many diners opting for a healthier option that is also kinder to the planet. You don’t have to be a fully-fledged vegan or vegetarian to enjoy this type of cuisine, though – it’s also great for curious foodies and those that just want to try something different. Vegan food caters for everyone, which is just one of the reasons for its rise in popularity. So, whether you’re trying it for the first time, or if you haven’t looked back since your move away from meat, the list of the best vegan restaurants in Manchester has got you covered. From pizzas and tapas, to grilled and fried veggies, you can find vegan food in Manchester that fits all tastes and budgets. Find your ideal restaurant now and take your food game to the next level.
