Black-Owned Vegan Food Businesses To Support In The UK

Vegan food is intrinsic to lots of black cultures and communities all over the world. As veganism continues to become popular and the restaurant business has opened up to the world of plant-based eating, Afro-Caribbean cuisines and beyond are paving the way for delicious, creative vegan food. The next official Black Pound Day is the 3rd of October, which occurs the first Saturday of every month and encourages everyone to spend and shop at black-owned businesses to supporting the growth of the UK’s black economy. So why not start with these fantastic restaurants? 

From Jamaican street food to authentic Ethiopian classics, to your favourite vegan junk foods, these are the black-owned businesses you’ve got to visit. 

London-based black-owned vegan restaurants

London is a treasure trove of amazing food from around the world, and the vegan eats are no exception. Here are just a few that are black-owned, serving up vegan delights.

Deserted Cactus

135A Rye Ln, Peckham, London SE15 4ST

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Deserted Cactus is a unique and exciting eatery where there’s no menu. Instead, Esme, the owner and the only chef, serves a dish of the day, and the food is always delicious. It’s not surprising that she sometimes runs out of food and has to shut up shop for the day — that’s how much people love it. Expect hearty vegan soul food: vegan mac and cheese, stews and southern fried jackfruit. It’s great food with chill vibes. 

Beza

 8A Sayer St, Walworth, London SE17 1FH

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Beza is a vegan restaurant making authentic, flavourful Ethiopian dishes in Elephant and Castle. Making East African Cuisine accessible, Beza represents just one community in Africa in which veganism has been a part of the culture for centuries. Healthy seasonal food in a welcoming and cosy setting means you’ve got to check it out.

Eat of Eden

Unit 4, Brixton Village, Coldharbour Ln, Brixton, London SW9 8PR

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Eat of Eden is for the people with big appetites for lots of vegan food. With massive portions of fantastic vegan food, you’ll feel stuffed for hours with this fantastic Caribbean food. Be sure to try the vegan patties for flaky and authentic pastries of plant-based goodness. A staple in Jamaica (and one of my absolute favourite foods in the world), patties are the ultimate street food and are destined to be a favourite of yours too.

Livity Plant-Based Cuisine

Market, Surrey St, Croydon CR0 1RG

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Livity is all about the Jamaican philosophy of ital: derived from the word vital, it’s about celebrating and nourishing your body with the best the earth has to offer. Livity is run by two twins who keep this at the centre of their restaurants, providing hearty dishes like jerk lentils and stewed peas. Livity should be your go-to for rich curries and stews, bringing out the best of all things plants.

Vegan black-owned restaurants outside London

Vegan restaurants from black owners aren’t limited to London. Here are some amazing restaurants outside the capital that also deserve your attention:

Vegan Shack

184 Rochdale Rd, Manchester M40 7RA

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Based in Manchester, Vegan Shack serves up a range of street and healthy junk food vegan eats. They’re known for their fast-food style breakfast menu including veganised versions of the McDonalds’ sausage and egg muffin, but also knock it out the park with their main menu. From BBQ loaded fries to vegan burgers, from ‘chickn’ tenders to plant-based freakshakes, Vegan shack is your destination for the best vegan fast food.

Go Go Beets

165 Portobello High St, Portobello, Edinburgh EH15 1EU

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For the best vegetarian-vegan cafe in Edinburgh, check out Gogo Beets. Dog-friendly and plant-powered, this little spot is perfect for all your sweet treat needs. Vegan rocky road, smoothie cake and Biscoff brownies are just some of the bakes you’ll have to choose from, which will no doubt be the most difficult decision you’ll have made in a while, considering they’re all drool-worthy. 

Earth’s Kitchen

180 High Street Deritend, Deritend, Birmingham B12 0LD

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Sharing the vegan Caribbean love elsewhere in the UK, Earth’s Kitchen will transport visitors of the Birmingham-based restaurant straight to the West Indies with their amazing dishes. If there’s one thing you need to do, it's check out the ‘jackfruit bumpling’ on offer: fried jackfruit with fried Jamaican dumpling as buns? Insane.

Sowl Fuud

120 Eastgate St, Gloucester GL1 1QT

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As the name implies, this Gloucester-based eaterie specialises in vegan soul food. Whether you want a warming gumbo, stew or curry to beat the winter chill, or a vegan burger the size of your head, Sowl Fuud has something for everybody— and it won’t disappoint.