Though the neighbourhood's restaurant scene leans traditionally French or Italian, a quietly expanding vegan offering has gone a long way towards reshaping expectations in South Kensington. From Michelin-endorsed establishments within grand hotels to creative independents tucked behind exhibition avenues, the neighbourhood now finds itself increasingly catering to more thoughtful fare for plant-based diners.
Some of the following suggestions may not be exclusively vegan, but each offers a curated and serious plant-based menu that excels when it comes to innovation and presentation, elevating the options on offer across the area for vegan dining.
Pravaas
Opened by Chef Shilpa Dandekar, Pravaas occupies a fine space just behind the Natural History Museum in the heart of Kensington. The interiors carry the look of a high-end private residence, with textured grey walls, natural timber, with a hand-carved wooden lattice separating the entrance from the dining room, whilst the lighting is moody and warm, giving the room a calmness that caters towards intimacy. The dedicated vegan menu offers a novel interpretation of regional Indian cooking without the overwhelming emphasis on heat in every dish.
The grilled asparagus poriyal is a South Indian classic reimagined with pine nuts and micro herbs, while the baby aubergine masala arrives split and charred, resting in a deeply spiced tomato gravy. A standout is the dahl makhani, made without cream but still rich and thick from a long simmer in the pot. The desserts, particularly a vegan coconut and jaggery sorbet, reflect the kitchen’s commitment to traditional ingredients, but cater to a clientele whose requirements demand careful selection to preserve traditional taste as much as possible.
Mali Vegan Thai
Located on a quiet side street in Earls Court, Mali Vegan Thai may seem unassuming at first glance with its antiquated chalkboard menu and the more homely choice of decor. Hand-painted wall motifs of lotus flowers, soft pendant lights and tightly packed wooden tables with banana-leaf patterned runners may not signal fine-dining, but there’s a warm and welcoming vibe to the place which feels more reminiscent of being back in the family kitchen.
Chef Pam Suntrajarn draws on her family’s recipes to flesh out the menu, providing unapologetic depth of flavour to each dish. Her som tam is fiery and sour in the traditional style, with the accompanying green papaya strands hand-shredded for each order. Main dishes include a jungle curry of young jackfruit and aubergine with wild lime and holy basil, a creamy red curry with tofu puffs, and Thai aubergines that rival anything found in Bangkok. Portions are generous, spice levels are selected by preference, and the entire menu is vegan by default, not from adaptation.
Blake’s Hotel
Blake’s has long been held as a bolthole of sorts for designers and actors, hidden behind a row of black-painted Georgian townhouses that provide a discreet entry (or exit) for diners. The restaurant is candlelit and atmospheric, with dark wood panelling, lacquered antique sideboards, and rich Persian rugs underfoot. While the hotel is not a vegan institution per se, the kitchen offers an assured plant-based tasting menu that reflects the building’s bohemian roots, in keeping with modern dining tastes.
A starter of celeriac carpaccio is topped with pickled walnuts and shaved truffle, followed by a coconut saffron curry with heirloom carrots and purple potatoes. Even traditionalists are converted by the vegan chocolate ganache tart, served with a tangy orange blossom sorbet. The moody setting lends the meal a slightly seductive edge that is as perfect for date nights as it is for more low-key meals without the need for a frivolous dining affair.
Botanica at 100 Queen’s Gate Hotel
Housed within a five-star hotel originally built as a Victorian townhouse, Botanica is a light-filled, atrium modelled dining room that's designed with a modern glasshouse concept in mind. The wrought-iron detailing, tiled floors, and potted olive trees create a Victorian greenhouse aesthetic, complete with plush armchairs and marble-topped tables that invite slow dining, whilst the small open kitchen allows glimpses of the chefs whilst they work.
Though not a vegan-only institute, as the name may imply, Botanica serves a dedicated plant-based afternoon tea, where miniature savouries include carrot lox bagels and beetroot hummus tartlets. Scones come with a wonderful coconut clotted cream, as an alternative to the traditional staple and desserts include aquafaba-based lemon meringue pielets and pistachio friands. Served with rare botanical teas or sparkling elderflower, the experience is as visually delicate as it is flavourful.
Holy Carrot
Located inside the Urban Retreat just beyond South Kensington in Knightsbridge, Holy Carrot occupies a spotless, almost futuristic space with polished plaster walls, brass fixtures, and monochrome marble floors. Though inside a wellness complex, it operates as a serious restaurant in its own right, with an open kitchen and Nordic-lite aesthetic.
The fully vegan menu leans into the inventive, with standout dishes like vegan ceviche made from oyster mushrooms and coconut, and a main of seared tofu with harissa, date syrup, and charred greens. The drinks list is alcohol-free, reflecting the wellness branding, including fermented botanical tonics and smoked lapsang sodas. It’s a more clinical, bordering on experimental, approach to vegan food, but it certainly delivers a memorable dining experience, even by South Kensington standards.
Mildreds
Though Mildreds is based slightly further afield, it’s only a short stretch to their Victoria location and is more than worthy of mention thanks to the restaurant's long-standing commitment to plant-based cuisine. With teal leather seating, low lighting, and blonde wood, Mildred’s offers a fresh take on modern bistro design with an elevated plant-based king menu.
Options include a Sri Lankan curry of sweet potato and green bean, gyoza with black vinegar dipping sauce, and a smoked tofu burger that’s both beautifully crisp and tender at the same time. Desserts include a blood orange and polenta cake with coconut whip to round things off, and while other restaurants may be flashier in terms of both food and aesthetics, Mildreds is a cornerstone of London’s vegan dining evolution that should never be overlooked.
