It can be difficult enough to get good vegetarian choices in a restaurant and practically impossible to eat out if you are vegan, although restaurant proprietors are taking onboard this change in peoples ethical and dietary demands. Menus are continually improving and making changes to cater to diners changing needs. Well that is certainly true here in Cornwall.
Here are a selection of mouthwatering places to eat where you can indulge in delicious vegetarian and vegan dishes, long gone are dull and uninspiring salads.
The Cornish Vegan, in Truro
The Cornish Vegan was established by partners Dawn and Paul to accommodate the lack of decent vegan places to eat in the area. Don't be distracted by the name whilst catering to vegans it does cater to non-vegans and has an enticing menu that will delight all diners. They share a passion to deliver the best and tastiest vegan food. A small, casual venue with a friendly ambience but with a big impact on taste. The Cornish Vegan has a lovely outdoor seating area when the weather is good.
Using local, seasonal and organic ingredients in their dishes. Most dishes are made freshly daily in-house as well as all their own condiments and sauces. The menu features comfort favourites like lasagnes, curries and stews to vegan fish & chips and fried chicken and exciting buddha bowls. Regular changes are made to the menu.
They serve a vegan cream tea, this includes two homemade scones served with your choice of strawberry or raspberry jam, vegan clotted cream and a pot of tea.
Booking are recommended particularly at the weekend when it gets busy.
https://www.thecornishvegan.com
The Bean Inn, in Carbis Bay
The Bean Inn is a vegan treasure that has been around for sometime now whilst continuing to grow in popularity. The entire menu is vegan including the drinks. The menu has been approved by the Vegetarian Society's Food & Drinks Guild. An intimate and cosy restaurant with a relaxed laid back vibe, set over three floors with local art displayed on the walls. Run by, Kate and Paula who share a passion for cooking and look forward to welcoming you.
Local, organic and seasonal produce features. Generally there are four starters and four mains to choose from however, the menu is continually changing to include old favourites as well as new inventive and interesting dishes. You can look forward to quality and the tastiest vegetarian and vegan dishes, all beautifully presented.
Enjoy tasty dishes like, vegetable paellas, potato cakes, chickpea casseroles, vegetable bourginion. You will find yourself coming back to try more of the offerings on the menu.
It is a popular choice and does get busy so best to book in advance.
Pea Souk, in Falmouth
Although tucked away in a back street in Well Lane, you won't have any problems finding Pea Souk a delightful cosy, intimate and quirky cafe with interesting artwork on the walls. Casual with a relaxed and friendly ambience. The owner/chef trained at the Vegetarian Society cookery school so you are in safe hands. Nicola does everything here so is literally full hands on, bear this in mind when it is busy, the wait is well worth the end product.
The menu contains a tempting choice of vegan curries, club sandwiches, inventive burgers, divine cakes and puddings as well as changing daily specials. There is always something new and exciting to try, the dishes are imaginative and the flavours are incredible. All freshly made and using quality locally sourced ingredients, so you can look forward to good wholesome and hearty food without any fuss. Food can be summed as flavoursome and absolutely delicious.
If a large party then you should phone ahead to ensure you can be accommodated.
https://www.facebook.com/peasouk
Huckleberries, in Bodmin
Huckleberries aims to fill in the hole in the market for vegans, bringing interesting choice and flavour to their customers. A small casual and friendly cafe located just past the main shops in the town. The menu not only features vegetarian and vegan options, it also specialises in dairy free and gluten free foods. There is lots of lovely choice, all freshly made using local produce and the portions are generous. Serving light bites, hot meals, with daily specials as well as a design your own milkshake menu, delicious. Their desserts are incredible too. There is a mini market so you can take home some tasty treats from their ready meal range and ingredients for your cupboard.
An incredible place although small in size its huge on choice and value, the service is excellent and overall very helpful with regard to answering questions on the menu and products. If you want to try something different this is the place to go.
Unfortuantely, they are now permanently closed
The Honey Pot, in Penzance
The Honey Pot is an eco friendly casual cafe with a lovely relaxed vibe. Although not strictly a vegan restaurant it does have imaginative vegan options available, as well as dairy free options. There is an extensive menu selection and they have the capacity to adapt some of the menu items to make them vegan. The specials board generally has a vegan option. Dishes are freshly made each day using quality and organic produce; hearty and wholesome food, you will not be disappointed.
They serve a vegan cream tea which is delicious, there is the option of almond or soya milk for the tea.
They do get busy so can be a slightly longer wait for your food but it is well worth the wait, incredible flavoursome food. Staff are informative and are clued up on food allergens. A delightful little gem.
https://www.facebook.com/thehoneypotpz
The Green HeART Cafe, in Newquay
Located on the edge of the town, the Green HeART is a little off the beaten track, not far from Fistral Beach, is this genuine vegan restaurant with some vegetarian choices. A lovely little cafe with a friendly and relaxed vibe and interesting bohemian decor with unique paintings, and a mishmash of furniture that works to create a homely atmosphere. A menu with a great variety and interesting choice of dishes to appeal to all tastes. The dishes are freshly made, wholesome, hearty and really delicious. Full of colour and above all nutritious.
Fresh, tasty ingredients and generous portions. The breakfasts are simply divine and the scrambled tofu is so good. Their buddha bowl is amazing, full of fresh goodness. You have to try their version of the Cornish Pasty and don't get us started on the smoothies.
The Green HeART cafe does not open for dinner but attracts a bustling crowd for breakfast, brunch, lunch or early dinner.
There is a nice outside seating area at the front of the premises.
https://www.facebook.com/thegreenheartcafe
Olive & Co., in Liskeard
We had to feature this award winning independent cafe here in the heart of beautiful Liskeard. Olive & Co is a family run affair with a passion to serve delicious home-baked goods, teas and coffees in a homely setting. A real asset to the town.
The friendly team is waiting to welcome you to their bustling cafe where you can enjoy the friendly vibe and tasteful decor. The menu features an amazing choice of contemporary, wholesome and healthy dishes with vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options, not forgetting the daily specials that are regularly changed. An exciting combination of flavours awaits you. Don't leave without sampling one of their baked goods, heavenly.
A delightful gem, it wasn't voted best cafe in Cornwall for no reason. Pop in for breakfast, lunch for a coffee break and savour the experience. There is a gorgeous, colourful and quirky garden that can be enjoyed during the good weather, so peaceful.
Twisted Currant, in Porthleven
A popular and highly recommended traditional tea room, Twisted Currant, is also one of the best cafes in Cornwall for vegans and vegetarians to eat. This family friendly cafe is found just off the main street up the hill. These bright and spacious tea rooms have a more contemporary feel, no doilies to be seen here. Meanwhile the menu is quite traditional with weekly specials to suit the season, in winter you can look forward to comfort foods like homemade stews and pies. All the cakes, breads and pastries are made on the premises. Locally sourced products are used where possible. They cater to a wide range of dietary options including, gluten and dairy free, with amazing vegan and vegetarian choices.
A speciality of theirs is the cream tea with the traditional, light fluffy scones, Rodda's clotted cream and Boddingtons strawberry jam, washed down with one of Tregothnan's delicious teas. Then there is the Chocolate Cream Tea, with chocolate chip scones, Cadburys chocolate spread and clotted cream, as well as a Gentleman's Cream Tea with cheese scones, Philadelphia cheese and red onion relish. Or perhaps try the latest addition the Twist, Maple and Pecan nut scones with clotted cream and maple syrup, simply mouthwatering.
The food is beautifully presented and absolutely delicious. The staff are so friendly and it has a lovely welcoming atmosphere, the perfect place to come eat and relax. It will make for a memorable visit and leave you wanting to come back again.
http://www.twistedcurrant.co.uk/
The Stable, in Falmouth and Fistral Beach
Who doesn't love pizza and we had to include these fantastic restaurants. The award wining The Stable has two locations here in Cornwall. Vibrant and bustling restaurants with amazing water views, offering delicious pizzas, local ciders and much more. Live music features regularly with the best musicians showcasing their incredible talent.
The decor is simple and laid back which allows for the food to speak for itself. Traditional and authentic pizzas taste like they have come straight from Italy, quirky starters and dips, delicious pies, as well as wholesome salads. There is a specific vegan menu, vegetarian options and gluten free options also. All pizzas are made from scratch using locally sourced products, and taste awesome.
A gorgeous independent pizza company with easily the best pizza anywhere. Great service and the team members are all super friendly. Super range of ciders and international beers, the staff are on hand for recommendations if needed. No need to venture anywhere else.
https://falmouth.stablepizza.com
Fuel, in Falmouth
A welcome addition to the buzzing foodie scene in Falmouth, Fuel, is a vibrant cafe, bar and lounge conveniently located on the main street. Although it serves meat, they have an amazing separate menu catering to vegans and vegetarian diners, with lots of interesting options to chose from. A stylish venue with plenty of seating and a nice homely feel. There is a friendly and relaxed vibe, and the staff are warm and welcoming. Outside seating available when the weather is good.
Food is homemade and freshly prepared using locally sourced products, the portions are generous and well presented. You will not be disappointed with whatever you chose to eat, you can expect a sublime taste sensation. Serving breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner so you can drop in at anytime of the day.
Fuel will soon become your favourite place to eat in Falmouth, you will find yourself visiting more than once. A wonderful establishment especially if you have children, they have a fantastic selection of toys and games to keep them entertained.