Essex

<p>Plantfaced is our favourite new local vegan cafe. Based in Hadleigh, it&#8217;s a great new little place to stop for a refuel.<br />
They are super friendly, accommodating &amp; serve delicious breakfast, lunch, snacks, sweet treats &amp; hot &amp; cold drinks. We&#8217;re gradually working our way through the menu &amp; as yet have not been disappointed! Long may it continue. Keep up the good work guys!</p>


<p>This place is totally brilliant, we have been having our food delivered  by home kitchen for over a year now  it doesn’t come any better than this  .  All the best to you Home Kitchen</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-alec-s-restaurant-navestock"><a href="https://alecsrestaurant.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Alec&#8217;s Restaurant</a>, Navestock</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/01/alecs-restaurant-vegan.jpg" alt="Alec's Restaurant Navestock" class="wp-image-15485" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/01/alecs-restaurant-vegan.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/01/alecs-restaurant-vegan-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/01/alecs-restaurant-vegan-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/01/alecs-restaurant-vegan-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p><a href="https://alecsrestaurant.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Alec&#8217;s</a> is first up on our Essex vegetarian and vegan restaurants line-up. Why? While this quintessentially British establishment isn’t all-vegan/veggie, there&#8217;s enough dishes on the menu to delight non-meat eaters. From the log fires and softly-lit interiors to the lush à la carte options, it&#8217;s fine dining done right. Mine&#8217;s the lightly battered Japanese cauliflower with coconut and Asian pickles.  </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-food-leigh-on-sea"><a href="https://foodleighonsea.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Food</a>, Leigh on Sea</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/01/food-leigh-on-sea.jpg" alt="Food Leigh On Sea Vegan Vegetarian restaurant" class="wp-image-15486" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/01/food-leigh-on-sea.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/01/food-leigh-on-sea-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/01/food-leigh-on-sea-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/01/food-leigh-on-sea-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Leigh-on-Sea&#8217;s <a href="https://foodleighonsea.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Food</a> is every diner’s dream. Think locally-sourced organic dishes and plant-based options boasting fine flavours to boot. Each of the menus can be adapted to suit vegetarian and plant-based diets – just let the team know in advance. Their Sunday offering&#8217;s also enticing, with a three-course vegan roast at £42pp. Add on free-flowing Cava or wine for two-hours for an extra £25.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-plant-faced-coffee-shop-hadleigh"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/PlantFacedCoffeeShop/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Plant Faced Coffee Shop</a>, Hadleigh</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/01/plant-faced-coffee-shop.jpg" alt="Plant Faced Coffee Shop Hadleigh" class="wp-image-15488" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/01/plant-faced-coffee-shop.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/01/plant-faced-coffee-shop-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/01/plant-faced-coffee-shop-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/01/plant-faced-coffee-shop-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Run by father-and-daughter team Stephen and Harriet, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/PlantFacedCoffeeShop/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Plant Faced</a> opened in 2022 and was an instant hit. As you can guess from the name everything&#8217;s plant-based, from pancakes and pastries to a full English. Fancy a sarnie? Think coronation chickpea, egg-less mayo, &#8216;vish&#8217;finger and tartare sauce and &#8216;am and cheeze&#8217;. It&#8217;s also a great spot for your caffeine fix.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pig-amp-whistle-restaurant-chelmsford"><a href="https://www.pigandwhistlechelmsford.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pig &amp; Whistle Restaurant</a>, Chelmsford</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/01/pig-whistle-chelmsford.jpg" alt="Pig &amp; Whistle Restaurant Chelmsford vegetarian vegan food Essex " class="wp-image-15489" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/01/pig-whistle-chelmsford.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/01/pig-whistle-chelmsford-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/01/pig-whistle-chelmsford-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/01/pig-whistle-chelmsford-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>We&#8217;re also fans of Chelmsford&#8217;s <a href="https://www.pigandwhistlechelmsford.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pig &amp; Whistle Restaurant</a>, which dates back to the 16th century. Ideal for a romantic dinner date, kids under 10 are not permitted, but when you enter you&#8217;ll see why. Oozing elegance and sophistication, there&#8217;s plenty of veggie and plant-based choices, like their butternut squash and chickpea pakora<strong> </strong>with coriander, curry &#8216;mayo&#8217; and pomegranate.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-stoked-vegan-bb-q-westcliff-on-sea"><a href="https://www.stokedveganbbq.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Stoked Vegan BB</a><a href="https://stokedveganbbq.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Q</a>, Westcliff on Sea</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/01/smoked-vegan-bbq.jpg" alt="Stoked Vegan BBQ Essex" class="wp-image-15490" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/01/smoked-vegan-bbq.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/01/smoked-vegan-bbq-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/01/smoked-vegan-bbq-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/01/smoked-vegan-bbq-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Another on our Essex vegetarian and vegan restaurants list is <a href="https://www.stokedveganbbq.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Stoke</a><a href="https://stokedveganbbq.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">d</a>, which describes itself as &#8216;the UK&#8217;s very first authentic vegan BBQ joint&#8217;. It&#8217;s seriously impressive stuff, even down to its craft beer list. They&#8217;ve lot of events on throughout the year (check their socials) and then there&#8217;s the food. Oyster mushroom wings with sweet chilli, onion ash and peanut crumb; wood-smoked tempeh, corn ribs and cajun fries are just a few.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-house-by-hilly-gant-braintree"><a href="https://thehousebyhillygant.co.uk/vegan-menu-2/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The House By Hilly Gant</a>, Braintree</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/08/1-14.jpg" alt="The House By Hilly Gant Braintree" class="wp-image-18314" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/08/1-14.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/08/1-14-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/08/1-14-768x511.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Located in the town centre, <a href="https://thehousebyhillygant.co.uk/vegan-menu-2/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The House By Hilly Gant</a> has a fine dining vegan menu that&#8217;ll have your meat and fish eating friends questioning why they didn&#8217;t pick your choice. We say kick things off with the white onion soup, truffle and sourdough, followed by the house vegan burger with applewood smoked &#8216;cheddar&#8217;, chilli jam and dirty fries. Desserts are just as moreish, like the salted caramel and chocolate brownie with chocolate sauce and vanilla &#8216;ice cream&#8217;.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-olive-branc-h-wivenhoe"><a href="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-admin/post.php?post=5830&amp;action=edit">The Olive Branc</a><a href="https://www.theolivebranchwivenhoe.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">h</a>, Wivenhoe</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/08/Untitled-design-13.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-18309" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/08/Untitled-design-13.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/08/Untitled-design-13-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/08/Untitled-design-13-768x511.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Offering vegan and vegetarian dishes with a Syrian spin, <a href="https://www.theolivebranchwivenhoe.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Olive Branch</a> has now been catering for its customers for more than eight years. They specialise in serving up Mediterranean okra, veggie stews and traditional baklava (a must-have super-sweet dessert). Be sure to order one of their herbal teas, or trust their judgement with the option to have wine matched to each course.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-star-inn-ingatestone"><a href="https://www.thestarinningatestone.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Star Inn</a>, Ingatestone</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/01/the-star-inn-ingatestone.jpg" alt="The Star Inn Ingatestone sticky toffee pudding" class="wp-image-15494" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/01/the-star-inn-ingatestone.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/01/the-star-inn-ingatestone-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/01/the-star-inn-ingatestone-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/01/the-star-inn-ingatestone-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Once you look at <a href="https://www.thestarinningatestone.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Star Inn</a>&#8216;s vegetarian/vegan menu you&#8217;ll be sold. We’re not even just talking token starter, main and dessert – there&#8217;s a whopping amount to choose from. Try the baked camembert&nbsp;with honey and thyme roasted peaches, pistachio crumb and toasted focaccia. Next, go for their roasted red pepper, sun blushed tomato and basil pesto spaghetti. To finish? Sorry; we&#8217;re stuffed. Or you will be after sticky toffee pudding with toffee sauce, ice-cream or custard.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-three-horseshoes-fordham"><a href="https://threehorseshoesfordham.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Three Horseshoes</a>, Fordham</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/01/the-three-horseshoes-fordham.jpg" alt="The Three Horseshoes Fordham vegan vegetarian menu" class="wp-image-15495" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/01/the-three-horseshoes-fordham.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/01/the-three-horseshoes-fordham-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/01/the-three-horseshoes-fordham-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/01/the-three-horseshoes-fordham-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Want to grab a meal with friends and family who <em>do</em> want non-veggie or vegan fodder? <a href="https://threehorseshoesfordham.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Three Horseshoes</a> in Fordham&#8217;s one to book. A family-run pub and restaurant, it’s open Weds to Sat for lunch and dinner, and Sunday for a roast.&nbsp;Their velouté of curried cauliflower, pakora and cumin yoghurt is as heavenly as it sounds – and don&#8217;t get us started on their pea reginette with mint ricotta, split peas, caper and walnut dressing.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-windmill-chatham-green-chelmsford"><a href="https://thewindmillchathamgreen.co.uk/menus/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Windmill Chatham Green</a>, Chelmsford</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/08/2-11.jpg" alt="The Windmill Chatham Green" class="wp-image-18313" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/08/2-11.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/08/2-11-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/08/2-11-768x511.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p><a href="https://thewindmillchathamgreen.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Windmill Chatham Green</a>&nbsp;is tucked away in the Essex countryside, just outside Chelmsford. Here you’ll find a family-run and dog-friendly restaurant and pub, run by Michelin Star chef Tom and his partner Nancy. Dishes here reflect&nbsp;the importance of sustainability, sourced from local producers where possible. Vegetarians are catered for in serious style – think whipped goat&#8217;s cheese mousse with&nbsp;tomatoes&nbsp;and olives, and courgette flowers with pea and ricotta.</p>


National Vegetarian Week: Essex vegetarian and vegan restaurants

You may also like