Dining out on World Vegan Day

Tomorrow marks annual World Vegan Day – Tuesday 1 November – where vegans around the world celebrate and champion for their vegan lifestyle. The diet is entirely plant-based (vegetables, grains, nuts and fruit) and anything derived from animals is wholly avoided – which includes dairy, eggs and even honey. It is therefore somewhat a challenge for vegans to find quality cafés and restaurants where they can eat alongside meat eating and even vegetarian friends and family. Many establishments serve up vegetarian dishes which are labelled ‘vegan’, however just the hint of honey in a salad dressing or a sprinkling of Parmesan renders the dish unpalatable.

Read our guide highlighting some of the best venues in the area offering vegan dishes or complete vegan menus.

The ever popular No 3 restaurant on Gloucester Road has a dedicated vegan menu with three starters (Soup of the Day, Garlic Mushrooms & Baby Spinach on toast and Butternut Squash Arancini) two main courses (Beetroot & Spinach Risotto and Edamame Bean, Red Pepper & Sweetcorn Fritters) plus a choice of desserts including Vegan Sticky Toffee Pudding with vanilla ice cream, the No3 Vegan Tart and Fruit Sorbet with poached mixed berries steeped in cassis. Telephone 01989 564997 to book or reserve online.

The Hope & Anchor launched their new autumn menu at the end of October and amongst the traditional dinner options, vegans will be pleased to see the addition of a delicious Crispy Tofu Katsu Curry alongside standard favourites Wild Mushroom and Roasted Garlic Gnocchi and their Falafel and Spinach Burger with Red Pepper Hummus. You can dine every day from 12.00-15.00 and 17.00-21.00 during the week and from 12.00-20.00 for your Sunday roast.

Leonard’s at 39 on the High Street has some excellent vegan dishes with lots of delicious options including their Vegan Burger made from aubergine, chickpea, mushroom & sweet potato with melted vegan cheese & mayonnaise or you can choose from Beetroot Falafel, Loaded Nachos, Wild Mushroom Brioche, Five Bean Chilli, Tempura Fried Fritters and Pea & Spinach Falafel plus there are several lighter vegan bites for snacking. Open daily (except for Tuesday) from midday.

Ross-on-Wye’s smallest pub and microbrewery on Millpond Road, The Tap House, will be opening as a Vegan Café on Tuesday 15 November from 10.00 until 15.00 every day initially serving light snacks, cakes sandwiches and soup. Already established as a venue known for its inventive pop-up themed evenings including a Moroccan night and a Curry Night with vegan dishes such as Sri Lankan vegan curry and vegan naan – their vegan café will also have a gluten free menu.

The Royal at Palace Pound, with its incredible views over the River Wye and Wye Valley, also caters for vegans on its menu. For starters, they offer a vegan Soup of the Day or Squash & Sage Beetroot Ravioli whilst their mains include a Beyond Meat Burger plus a Mushroom & Ale Pie served with roasted seasonal vegetables, vegan gravy and roasted baby potatoes. For a really healthy option, try their substantial Garden Salad and follow on with one of their vegan desserts, Vegan Bakewell Tart or vegan ice cream and sorbet. Sunday lunches are served from 12.00 until 21.00 but it’s worth getting there early to enjoy the views.

A littler further out of Ross in Hoarwithy (HR2 6QH), The New Harp Inn has a great menu and caters for vegans and other dietary requirements on each course. Their nibbles and light bites include vegan Rosemary & Chilli Nuts (almonds, cashews & peanuts, roasted with aromatic rosemary and chilli) and Pea & Mint Fritters. Main vegan options include their delicious Sicilian Caponata with aubergines, courgettes, pinenuts, vegan cheese & flatbread or you can choose a Wild Mushroom Strudel made with vegan puff pastry encasing a medley of wild mushrooms, wild garlic and spinach.

Other options around town include Thorn’s Coffee Lounge in Croft Court – they have a few vegan options on the menu including a delicious falafel wrap with houmous lettuce & vegan mayo. Gelati’s, an all American café and diner at 47 Broad Street, serve a vegan breakfast, vegan burger and vegan chilli. Caffe Eleganza also do a vegan breakfast and bakes whilst Victoria’s at 25 Broad Street have a wide selection of cakes including their incredible Vegan Chocolate Fudge Cake. Also at the bottom of Broad Street is Ross-on-Wye’s only vegetarian café, Jacqueline’s, which serves up both vegetarian and vegan food and drink – try the Himalayan Stew, toasted paninis, soup and cakes.

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