I happened upon all those vegan restaurants in Manchester a little randomly. Not even knowing how vegan Manchester was, I saw an amazing tattoo artist on Instagram, thought to myself I had never been to that part of the UK, and without further ado – because I do stuff like that – booked an appointment and a flight and off I went. If you’re interested, the result is in my vegan tattoo article, but the added bonus is that I get to go back often and sample more of the vegan restaurants Manchester has to offer as I go. Oh, and you can check out my Manchester accommodation and Manchester thrift stores guides.

Because much to my delight and surprise, I found out there are more vegan and vegetarian restaurants in Manchester than you can shake a stick at.

Fun fact, a dude called William Cowherd (that’s a little ironic, there) who was a minister of Greater Manchester in the 18th century was also one of the forerunners of what would become the Vegetarian Society. So there you go: the plant-based diet has its roots (err err) in Manchester. No wonder there are so many amazing vegan restaurants in Manchester, I guess?

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Vegan Restaurants Manchester: My Top Pick

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V Rev Vegan Diner

V Rev is one of the longest standing vegan restaurants in Manchester and the best of the best when it comes to dirty fat greasy amazingness. Always packed, always bustling (do make a reservation), the decor at V Rev Vegan Diner is great and the menu even better. I tucked into a fried doughnut burger (oh yes!), some mac n’ cheese, and mozzarella sticks, and I left a burp-y happy camper. But wait, there’s more: come for the pancakes, frickles, jalapeno poppers, loaded fries, hot dogs, and many many dessert options. Definitely not on the healthy food restaurants mMnchester list, but it’s fantastic.

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The Allotment Vegan Eatery

For something a bit more upscale and thought out yet still totally affordable on the vegan restaurants in Manchester list, Allotment Vegan Eatery (not to be confused with Allotment Bar in Northern Quarter, I made the mistake!) is excellent. Dishing out expertly prepared fully vegan dishes such as “fish” (it’s actually banana blossom!) & chips with crushed minted peas and homemade tartare sauce, rhubarb and ginger lentil stew, portobello mushroom steak and some sharing plates, it’s real nice and fancy and even more delicious. The ambience is nice and cosy too. They really do deserve all the awards and accolades as some of the best vegan food Manchester has to offer. Best to reserve.

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Plant Powered Sundays at GRUB

Don’t be confused as the GRUB street fair has recently moved from Mayfield to a new location at The Red Bank Project, an art space close to the Green Quarter – unfortunately, a little out of the way. But make the detour on Sundays, friendos, because you’ll be able to scoff your face with the most decadent homemade fares from a throng of local kitchens on time for Plant-Powered Sundays. I had just enough room to inhale a biscoff waffle on a stick with brulé bananas, a funfetti birthday cake cookie sandwich, and truffle mac and cheese loaded fries. Yes, in this specific order, and no, I regret nothing.

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Manchester Vegan Cafe and Wellbeing Centre

Definitely one of the cheapest options on the vegan restaurants in Manchester scene, and such a lovely little place filled with good fuzzy feels and bird noises. Manchester Vegan Cafe & Wellbeing Centre is a vegan restaurant in Manchester located in a theatre, hidden in a little mall and ran by people with hidden disabilities. They serve no-frill mama’s kitchen vegan food under £5, with the likes of curries, soups, sandwiches, cakes and so forth. Really worth a visit.

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Herbivorous @ Hatch

I’m here sitting with my Hoisin seitan duck wrap and loaded dinosaur chips (triple loaded fries with pulled BBQ jackfruit, creamy coleslaw and smokey chipotle mayo) and I have to say I have not put bomb flavours into my mouth like this in some time. The whole of Hatch is super interesting also – a lively cluster of popups, restaurant, independent retailers and craft beer. It’s a really awesome place to linger and do a bit of shopping between a few pints. I liked this a lot.

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Wholesome Junkies

A bit of an oddity inside of a mall, the Arndale Market transported me right back to a bustling food market of Thailand – smokey grills, boisterous vendors, exotic fruit stall, random trinkets in between sim cards booths and nail salons. I lost my way around a bit, but then, low and behold, found Wholesome Junkies, an all vegan Manchester stall selling fast food, mostly burgers, wings and tater tots, along with what I had there – this Korean soul bowl. It was really delicious even if I wished I was in the mood for a burger, but anyway. The Market is a hoot.

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Chez Mal

Chez Mal Brasserie in the trendy Malmaison hotel is the place to go if you’re accompanied by omnivorous people. They’ve recently revamped their vegan menu and the offering is quite amazing. Items such as a lightly curried parsnip and pear soup, a toasted fregola pasta, or a roasted cauliflower and almond korma will warm your little vegan heart. Fans of garlic and truffle, do get started with the filled mushroom and red onion crostini, it is stunning. And with prices starting at £13 for a main, it is also quite affordable for such well-crafted dishes. Fancy and delicious. One of the nicest vegan friendly restaurants Manchester options.

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Vertigo

I was here for brunch and, had it not been for all the other restaurants I was on a mission to explore, I would have come back every single morning for the waffles. The Biscoff waffles. The wonderful, glorious, cinnamon waffle, with Biscoff drizzle, Biscoff crumb, and vanilla ice cream. I know Vertigo serves much more than that, and the focus is rather health-conscious, but damn that was delicious. Everything is vegan and you’ll also find salads, sandwiches, soups and stews. Two locations, one freshly opened. Lovely ambience too.

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Foodwell

Omni but very vegetarian and vegan-friendly. A relative new-comer to the Manchester scene, Foodwell is a restaurant-cum-wellness-centre with amazing vegan and vegetarian food options amidst a few unfortunate meat and fish ones. Dubbing themselves a “California-inspired Mindful Restaurant, Thoughtful Bar, Health Deli, Wellness Studio, Creative Events Space and beautiful place to work, meet and relax”, the restaurant serves a mix of health-minded fares (Lemon Courgette Scallops, Indian Mushroom Balti Burger, Aubergine Fillet, vegan English Breakfast (pictured), Cauliflower Shawarma), with a great juice bar and good coffee. There’s also a great terrace weather permitting, but beware that there’s a lot of construction nearby at the time of writing this. Foodwell also offers yoga classes. Definitely deserves a spot on this vegan restaurants in Manchester list, but I do wish they at least opted to join the vegetarian restaurants Manchester rank. Oh well.

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Which vegan restaurant in Manchester is missing to this list?