Vegetarian Britain (3rd edition)

East of England Updates

Updates to the third edition as at 16 March 2015.

BEDFORDSHIRE

NEW Café Virtuoso vegetarian cafe 7 Harpur Street, Bedford MK40 1LA. Tel: 01234 354707. Open: Mon-Sat 9.00-15.30, Sun-Mon closed. Brand new vegetarian café and coffee shop in the town centre, specialising in wheat-free and vegan. Kids meals, high chairs. Meditation classes, book club, evening talks. www.cafevirtuoso.co.uk

BUCKINGHAMSHIRE

The Eating Point, Milton Keynes, closed. Instead go to Veggie World new vegan Chinese restaurant at 150-152 Queensway, Bletchley MK2 2RS. Tel: 01908-632 288. Open: Wed-Sat 11.30-14.30,17-22.00, Sun-Tue closed. 100 vegan dishes in the evening and low price set lunches around £3.80, or go a la carte. Lots of meat substitutes like fake chicken and pork, plus tofu, stir-fried veg etc. Starters and soups around £2.40-2.70. Main courses £5.20-5.50, take-away £3.80. Special rice from £4 eat in. Four set meals £10 to £20 such as mixed starters, crispy duck, tofu in In black bean sauce, sweet and sour ribs, kong po fish and Thai fried rice. Bring your own wine. Freshly crushed fruit smoothies £2.50-2.80. Tea and coffee £1.40-1.60. Children welcome, high chair but best to bring your own for very small children. www.veggie-world.com

CAMBRIDGESHIRE

Joan's B&B has closed. The Jolly Abbott has closed.

NEW Taste of Cambridge vegetarian falafel stall on Market Street by the church, near the market square. Tel: 077155 11260. Open: Tue-Sat 11.00-16.00, Sun closed (reduced hours in winter). All the falafels wraps ££3.95-4.45 are vegan and contain hummus, harissa and tahini. They also do vegetarian pizzas to order, can be vegan without cheese. Winter soups £2.50-2.80, often vegan, with crusty sourdough bread. Vegan brownies £1.50 are always selling out. Organic fruit drinks £1.40, cloudy lemonade 80p. Cash only. www.tasteofcambridge.co.uk and Facebook Taste of Cambridge

ESSEX

NEW The Den at Twenty Three vegan cafe, Colchester opened March 2015 at 23 Crouch Street CO3 3HH. Tel: 01206-616966. Open: Mon-Thu 08.00-17.00, Fri-Sat 9.00-16.00, Sun closed. Breakfast, lunch, cakes, waffles, ice-cream, cakes, tea and coffee. Also take-away. facebook.com/thedenattwentythree

NEW The Railway Hotel vegetarian pub-restaurant, 32 Clifftown Road, Southend-on-Sea SS1 1AJ. Tel: 01702-343194. Food: Tue-Fri 12.30-15.30, 18.00-21.00, Sat-Sun 12.30-18.30. Most of the food is vegan. Main courses £6.50, or weekday lunchtime only £5, such as Thai green curry with sticky rice, mixed bean chilli with rice or wedges, burgers with wedges, vegan calzone. Antipasti or portion of chips £3. Desserts £3 include vegan chocolate cake with orange sauce. Children welcome till 9pm. Beer garden, dogs welcome there. www.railwayhotelsos.co.uk

NEW Cafe Dharma in Yoga Dharma centre, 129 Southchurch Road, Southend on Sea, Essex SS1 2NW. Tel: 01702-600 762. Open: Mon-Sat 8.45-17.30, Sun bookings only. Vegetarian cafe with a vegan chef in a yoga and therapies centre, near the bus and train stations. Cooked breakfasts £2.95-4.55 such as porridge, spicy scrambled tofu with ciabatta. Wraps, paninis, sandwiches £2.95-3.95 include roast veg, sausage and tomato, falafel with beans and hummus, avocado with salsa and pesto. Light bites and lunches £3.95-6.95 are almost all vegan like carrot and coriander soup, mezze plate, pasta bowl, goulash, risotto or Thai tofu salad. Dairy-free cakes, vegan ice-cream and cookies £1.05-1.95. Fresh juices, smoothies, shakes £2.55-3.95. Cup of tea £1.25, pot of loose leaf herbal tea £2. Coffee £1.50-£2. Children welcome, toys, books. Sofas. Outside seating, dogs welcome. Drop-in adult yoga classes, kids you need to book for. www.yogadharma.co.uk

In Colchester, Garden Cafe, The Lemon Tree and Natural Bodycare have closed.
NEW LevelBest ArtCafe vegetarian cafe at D'arcy House, 3 Culver Street East, Colchester CO1 1LD (behind Natural History Museum). Tel: 01206-366059. Open: Mon-Fri 9.30-15.30, closed bank holidays and 10 days Christmas-New Year. Great value vegetarian Fairtrade cafe in arts centre and gallery in a grade 2 listed building. Soup £2 with gluten-free homemade rolls. Vegan spicy bean casserole with jacket potato or side salad £2.50. Muffins £1. Cakes £1 slice but not vegan. Fairtrade filter coffee, teas and herb teas £1. www.dacontrust.co.uk

Singapore Sling, Southend, closed. Cafe Pulse in Leigh-on-Sea has closed and they recommend the vegetarian menu at the The Railway Hotel, Clifftown Road, Southend-on-Sea SS1 1AJ. Tel: 01702-343194. Food: Tue-Fri 12.30-15.30, Wed 19.00-22.00, limited menu outside these hours. Sometimes it's two dishes for £10 on Wed night or all you can eat. Phone during the day for details. www.railwayhotelsos.co.uk

Suruchi in Ilford has closed but there are two new places:

NEW Saravanaa Bhavan vegetarian Indian restaurant, 115-127 Cranbrook Road, Ilford IG1 4PU. Tel: 020-8911 8718. Open: 10.00-22.30. Train: Ilford. Tube: Gants Hill then bus. Very big restaurant on two floors near Ilford station, part of a worldwide chain with branches in East Ham, Tooting and Middlesex. Starters £1.45-4.50. Over 20 kinds of dosas and uthappam £2.45-3.95. Curries and Chinese dishes £3.95. Business meal £4.25, south Indian thali £6.95, north Indian £7.95. Desserts £1-3.95 include vegan halva, ladu, fruit salad. Wine from £5 glass, bottle £15-35. High chairs. Party room. www.saravanabhavan.com

NEW Dosa Rani vegetarian Indian and Singaporean restaurant and sweet shop, Goodmayes at 56-58 Goodmayes Road, Ilford IG3 9UR. Tel: 020 8598 8333. Train: Goodmayes BR. Open: Mon-Sun 11.00-23.00. Lunch special £3.99 rice, veg, curry of the day and dal. Starters £1.40-3.20. Dosas £2.95-4.20. Lunch thali £5.99, dinner £7.99. Noodle dishes £5.45. Curries around £5. No vegan desserts. Soft drinks, juices, tea, coffee £1.20-1.90. No alcohol. Children welcome, high chairs. Seats outside, dogs welcome.

HERTFORDSHIRE

NEW The Green Kitchen vegetarian cafe, St Albans at 419 Hatfield Road (A1057) AL4 0XP. Tel: 01727 753661. Open: Mon-Tue, Thu-Fri 9.00-16.00, Sat 10.00-16.00, Sun 11.00-15.00, Wed closed. Bus stop five doors down, from city centre ask for Oaklands, from Hatfield direction ask for Colney Heath Lane or Oaklands College. Free parking in nearby residential streets Longacres or Wynchlands Crescent. Mostly vegan. All day cooked breakfast, soup, vegan sausage rolls, pasties, tarts, salads, pasta, Mediterranean platter, sandwiches and wraps, cakes, bakes, biscuits, smoothies, shakes. Children's menu. Coffees include hazelnut or almond latte. www.the-green-kitchen.co.uk and Facebook the green kitchen

The Violin B&B has closed.

NEW Woody's vegetarian cafe, Apsley, near Hemel Hempstead at 19 Dickinson Quay, by the Grand Union Canal at Dickinson’s Wharf, Apsley HP3 9WG. Tel: 01442-266280. Open: Mon-Sat 10.00-22.00, Sun 10-17.00 (last orders one hour before closing). Train: Apsley (opposite). Directions: On A4251 between Hemel centre magic roundabout and M25 junction 20. In a beautiful, tranquil location alongside the Grand Union canal. English cuisine with Italian Influences. Soups with home-baked bread £5.50, or £3.75 as a starter. Stone-baked pizzas with vegan bases£6.35-9.95. Salads small £4, large £6.20. Savoury filled pancakes, vegan options, £5-£7.90 according to number of fillings. Cookies, brownies, cakes and desserts £1.20-5.90 including at least one vegan and gluten-free option such as chocolate banana cake or chocolate fudge cake. Organic vegan wines and beers, house wine £3.40 glass, £11.80 bottle. Children welcome, 2 high chairs, colouring books and games. Outside seating in summer, dog water (but only guide dogs inside). Disabled access. You can park at the back Mon-Fri 10-5pm, at other times there is the Papermill pub on the other side of the canal and offices where you can park out of hours. www.woodyscafe.co.uk

NEW Anusia vegetarian cafe, Tring at 50 High Street HP23 5AG. Tel: 01442-823993. Open: Mon-Sat 9.00-17.00, Sun closed. This daytime vegetarian cafe was opened June 2011 by David and Ania, who previously ran the Green House vegetarian restaurant here. Anusia is pronounced Anoosha, a Polish nickname for Ania. It’s in a grade 2 listed 16th century building, fitted out in a contemporary style. They can cater for gluten-free and raw. Breakfast options include their own supermuesli £3.95. Starter soup £3.95, main £5.90. Spicy chickpea and red kidney bean burger £8.95 with wedges and salad. Salads £4.95 small, £7.95 large. One or two daily specials (always something vegan) till 4pm from £7.85 such as Thai curry, lentil shepherd’s pie. Club sandwiches, wraps and panini with toasted or untoasted sourdough bread £4.95-7.95 come with mixed leaves and vegetable crisps, fillings include Cajon marinated tempeh and vegetable fajita wrap. From July 2011 lunchtime buffet with salads and hot foods, small plate £5.95, large £8.95. Cakes, brownies, muffins and cookies £1.30-£2.70, raw vegan cheesecake or apple pie £4.50, add a scoop of their banana, strawberry or chocolate cashewnut ice kream £1.90. Lots of organic ales, apple or pear cider £3.50-4.50. House organic wine £3.25 medium glass, £4.65 large, £13.95 bottle. Some vegan wines. Children’s portions, high chairs. Play room on the first floor for private parties or to rent out for yoga and evening events. Play area with little table, chairs, toys. www.anusiacafe.co.uk

Down to Earth in Ware is now The Lounge pizza-pasta restaurant with plenty of vegetarian and vegan food.

NEW GoKula vegetarian café, 65 Market St, Watford WD18 0PR. Tel: 01923-353289. Open: Mon- Sat 10.00-18.00, Sun 11.00-17.00 New family run vegetarian cafe in the town centre. No eggs. All day full cooked breakfasts (£3.50-£5.50). Wraps (£3.90, with wedges and salad £6.90) such as falafel, burger or Mediterranean veg with hummus. Mains (£2.90-£6.50), served with salad and wedges or baked potato, include spicy vegeburger, pizzas, buckwheat pancakes, or have the belt-busting Special (£7.90) with soup, pancake, filled baked potato and salad. Desserts (£1.60-£2.45) are worth a special trip for vegans with ice-cream, chocolate orange fudge cake, apple crumble, chocolate espresso tart. Teas from £1.20. High chairs, colouring books. Outdoor seating, dogs welcome. Last Saturday of the month open mic night 7-10pm. Sundays from 5pm half price meals and videos on vegetarianism and spirituality. Visa, MC. www.facebook.com/GoKulaCafe (menus)

NORFOLK

NEW Wild Thyme vegetarian restaurant, Norwich at The Old Fire Station Stables, Labour In Vain Yard, Guildhall Hill, Norwich NR2 1JD (above Rainbow Wholefoods, off Guildhall St). Tel: 01603-765562. Open Mon-Wed 10.00-17.00, Thu-Sat 10.00-20.00, Sun closed. www.wildthymenorwich.co.uk

NEW Namaste India vegetarian restaurant, Norwich , 2a Opie Street NR13DN. Tel: 01603 662016. Open: Tue-Sat 12.00-15.00, 17.30-23.00, Mon 17.30-22.00. The lunch set menu £6.95 is great value with a choice of masala dosa with lentil soup and chutney, or a thali that includes the curry of the day. Evenings and Sunday a la carte with usual starters and chaat (around £4), dosas and uttapam (£3-7), mains (£8-11) like Punjabi cashew curry in sweet and spicy sauce, Gujarati mashed mixed veg curry with toasted sandwich rolls, or north Indian aubergine. Desserts (£3.45-4.95) include vegan rice pudding with soya milk, or banana, almond and cashew with mango pulp. Bring your own alcohol, corkage £4.95 per bottle of wine, £1.45 beer. Children welcome, bring your own child seat. www.namasteindianorwich.com and facebook.com/namasteindianorwich

NEW Namaste India Masala Dosa Bar, Sackville Place Business Centre, 44-48 Magdalen Street Norwich NR3 1JU. Tel: 07415 868916. Open: Mon-Sat 12.00-20.00. Second branch of the Indian vegetarian restaurant. Facebook: Namaster India Masala Dosa Bar

NEW Moorish vegetarian falafel café, Norwich 17 Lower Goat Lane NR2 1EL. Tel: 01603 622 250. Open: Mon-Sat 11.00-17.30, later in summer, Sun 12.00-16.00 in summer. Facebook Moorish Falafel Bar

NEW The Oasis World Peace Cafe, Attleborough at Amoghasiddhi Buddhist Centre, Cyprus House, Queens Square, Attleborough, Norfolk NR17 2AE. Tel: 01953-451 937. Open: Tue-Sat 10.00-15.30, Sun-Mon closed. Busy cafe with a peaceful atmosphere, run by volunteers, 15 miles west of Norwich on the way to Thetford. All day cooked breakfast ££5. Light lunches £3-4.75 include 3-bean chili with rice; jacket potatoes with two fillings and salad; large bowl of soup with bread ; panini with salad; cup of soup & sandwich combo; spicy wedges with salsa and salad; nachos and spicy beans with dip. Homemade cakes are very good value at £1.70, though there is not always a vegan option. Very child-friendly, there is a lounge off the main cafe where they can roam with baby chair and kids’ books. Garden with seating in spring/summer, dogs welcome. Cash or cheque only. www.amoghasiddhi.org.uk/world-peace-cafe

The Tree House, Norwich has closed.

NEW The Nectar vegetarian cafe, Norwich at 16 Onley St, Norwich NR2 2EB (corner Durham Street). Tel: 07971 134023. Open: Tue-Sat 10.00-17.00, Sun-Mon closed. www.thenectarcafe.co.uk

NEW Loving Hut Chinese vegan take-away & cafe, Norwich at 28 Cattle Market Street, Norwich NR1 3DY. (City centre, opposite Castle Mall) Tel: 07845-282127. Open: Tue-Sat 11.45-16.15, Sun and bank holidays closed. Mainly Chinese food, also salads, and frozen food to take home. Hot and cold buffet, fill up the container with as much as you like, £3 small, £4 large. Noodles, fried rice, Thai curry, sweet and sour veg, soya protein, stir-fry that changes every day such as broccoli and black beans, mini spring rolls, pasta and salads. Vegan hot dogs and burgers £3.50 with chips. Sandwiches from 2009. Vegan fish or sausages and chips £4. No seats, but you can stand at a table to eat. Previously called Vegeland. www.lovinghut.co.uk/norwich

NEW River Green Cafe vegetarian restaurant and deli at The Street, Trowse, Norwich NR14 8AH (2.4km south-east of Norwich city centre). Tel: 01603-622448. Open: Tue-Sat 11.00-23.00, Sun 11.00-16.00, Mon closed. Buses from centre stop outside. The owners of the Red Lion veggie food pub in Great Bricett, Suffolk, have partnered with a local vegan businessman to open on the outskirts of Norwich, in an old bakery with cafe, formal dining area, meeting/event room and a deli. Food is similar to the Red Lion with organic wine list and locally sourced ales. Patio overlooking the village green. www.rivergreencafe.co.uk and Facebook: River-Green-Cafe

NORTHAMPTON

NEW World Peace Cafe, Kelmarsh at Nagarjuna Buddhist Centre, The Old Rectory, Kelmarsh, Northants NN6 9LZ (on the west side of Market Harborough). Tel: 01604-686778. Directions: X7 bus (hourly) Leicester to Northampton, get off at Kelmarsh Hall, follow signs for Buddhist Centre. Cafe: Mon-Sun 11.00-17.00. Office: Mon-Fri 11.00-13.00, 15.00-16.00. A peaceful oasis with a vegan manager. Paninis £3.75, jacket potatoes £3.50, toasties £3, scones. Cakes and flapjacks include gluten-free and vegan. Kids’ meals could be a toastie with fruit or yogurt and drink. Full disabled access.
www.meditation-nagarjuna.org/world-peace-cafe Also accommodation.

SUFFOLK

NEW The Red Lion vegetarian pub, Great Bricett at Greenstreet Green, Great BricettIP7 7DD. Tel: 01473-657799. Pub open Tue-Sun 12.00-14.30, food till 14.00; Tue-Sat 18.00-23.00, food till 21.00; Sun eve, Mon closed. Directions: On the B1078 roughly halfway between Needham Market and Bildeston. Stay on the main road and you will find it about 200 yards past the turning to the village(coming from Needham). From A14 get off at Junction 51 at the bottom of the A140. Follow the signs into Needham, and then to Bildeston. Fantastic vegetarian country food pub, about 30 minutes from Bury St Edmunds and 20 minutes from Ipswich. The quality of the food is fabulous and worth a big detour for. Menu changes frequently. Starters could include £4.90 avocado salad; sweet potato soup with chilli oil and toasted almonds. 8 main courses £7.90-10.90 such as African sweet potato stew; Mediterranean vegetable and tomato pie. Specials board changes weekly, for example main course of walnut salad with brown rice, pear and avocado. Desserts £4.50 include vegan summer pudding with dairy-free ice-cream, or sorbet in a chocolate basket (suitable for vegans). Give them a call if you have any special dietary requirements. Wine from £3.05 glass, £11.90 bottle. Dogs ok in bar area and they can sit outside on the outside patio which has tables, and there are further picnic tables on the grass. Kids welcome, menu can be adapted. Baby changing facilities. Al fresco terrace. Can cater functions up to 30 people. July 2011 they are opening Green River vegetarian cafe in Trowse, see Norfolk. www.theveggieredlion.co.uk (menu)

NEW Museum Street Cafe, Ipswich at Westgate House, Museum St, Ipswich IP1 1HQ. Tel: 01473-232393. Open: Mon-Fri 8.30-16.30, Sat-Sun closed. Ipswich finally has a vegetarian cafe, and they aim to offer vegan options every day too. They operate on the canteen principle with hot food ready to serve on a hot-plate so that people who work locally or are in a hurry can grab a meal. Great value too with main courses under £5 including a green salad, and plenty more salads are available as extras. Mains include various tarts, sweet potato cakes, lentil patties with home-made chutneys, spinach roulade etc. Ploughman's includes home-made pickles, hummus and pitta bread with sun-dried tomato salad, vegans can have extra hummus or something else. Soups, usually vegan, served from autumn to late spring. Home-made cakes, some vegan such as orange and date, from 70p for a choc slice to £1.70 for a large slice of cake. Children welcome, and next door is the Real Nappy Network shop with baby changing facilities and can lend a high chair. One small outside table. Not licensed, corkage may be charged. No credit cards. www.museumstreetcafe.com

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