Best Vegetarian Restaurants in the UK and Ireland

In a country steeped in a meat-and-two-veg tradition, the rise of vegetarian and vegan cuisine on the UK restaurant scene has been nothing short of groundbreaking. And it's not just in the informal, street food sector where this shift has been noticeable. A host of high-end, gourmet establishments has successfully smashed the stereotype of vegetarian food being bland and unexciting, lifting the plant-based fare to new culinary heights. Acorn in Bath, for instance, is one of the pioneers in the realm of sophisticated vegetarian cuisine. Under the experienced hands of Chef Richard Buckley, this Michelin-recommended establishment tempts the palates of even the most carnivorous gourmands with their critically acclaimed dishes. In London, Vanilla Black, conjures up innovative meat-free dishes that consistently challenge preconceptions. Equally worthy of note is the Terre a Terre in Brighton, turning vegetarian dining into a decadent experience with flavours that burst and textures that satisfy. And let's not forget Mildred's, a beloved restaurant chain that started back in 1988 in Soho, and serves internationally inspired vegan and vegetarian dishes that are as colourful as they are delicious. When it comes to vegetarian dining in the UK, patrons have never been so spoilt for choice, presented with a rich tapestry of flavours and creativity inevitable to impress even the veteran steak-lover. Indeed, vegetarianism has far surpassed the prosaic mushroom risotto, and is now contemplated with the respect it genuinely deserves.