A review of Mildreds vegetarian restaurant as part of my final project.

Photographed and created on Indesign by me.

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A Vegan Experience at Mildreds

Dining out with friends can be a tiresome experience when you’re limited to the vegetarian options on a large menu filled with beef burgers, steaks and salmon. Mildreds Vegetarian Restaurant gives you the luxury of choosing absolutely anything from the menu so you don’t have to stick to the typical salad or veggie burger.

Mildreds was established in 1988 serving internationally inspired vegetarian and vegan dishes from an 18th century townhouse in Soho’s Lexington Street. The restaurant has only recently expanded, opening new branches in Camden and Kings Cross. As a small business it has the independence factor that chain restaurants can’t seem to grasp, and the food is a vegetarians dream.

Serving everything from buffalo tofu to black bean burritos, the menu caters entirely for vegetarians and the majority of options are vegan too. It’s a far cry from mainstream restaurants and their tiny vegetarian section that is restrictive and unexciting.

The Soho branch is located just off Oxford Street so it’s perfect if you’re searching for a quirky, meat-free diner after a long day of shopping. The exterior looks like its stepped out of a Parisian brochure with pale blue paint covering its front and cafe style seating outside. The interior décor is incredibly simple with bamboo chairs and interesting art on the walls.

The restaurant itself is very small with a mere 15 tables, which is a pain if you’re dining during busy times. The seating is packed tight, presumably so they can take more customers, but it does mean you can hear the dramas of the table next to you, which is a downside to this particular branch. Although once the food comes you are likely to forget this small issue.

The service can’t be faulted. They bring water to your table as soon as you’re seated and will top you up throughout your meal so you never have to ask. The waiters are helpful with food choices, attentive and friendly, and the service is fast too.

The menu is definitely the best thing about Mildreds; it’s one that could tempt your friends to ditch the meat. Aside from the usual veggie burgers, the chefs cook up tofu inspired dishes that replicate international meals and turn boring salads into plates that will make you glad you’re on a health kick. Unlike vegan restaurant 222 Veggie Vegan, located in Kensington, customers can also choose from vegetarian and gluten free options, so you aren’t confined to eating completely vegan. And Mildreds use organic products too, so it really is health heaven.

If you head to Mildreds the sweet potato chips are an absolute must. They are chunky cut, crispy on the outside but soft on the inside and served with homemade, vegan mayonnaise. These really are a staple side plate. And for a taste of Indian takeaway the vegan Sri Lankan curry is highly recommended. Served with basmati rice, it has a creamy sauce that compliments the sweet potato chunks and mixed vegetables. You won’t even realise that it’s guilt-free.

And if you have a sweet tooth the dessert menu will win your heart. Four words: vegan peanut butter brownie. If you do anything at Mildreds you have to try one of these. You would be mistaken if you thought vegan treats couldn’t match up to mainstream alternatives because this brownie is proof that vegan dessert is better. The sticky peanut butter and crumbly chocolate texture mixed with vegan ice cream and chocolate sauce is divine.

Unfortunately most vegan or vegetarian restaurants come with a hefty price tag. But with starters costing £7, mains coming in at £11, and desserts at £6, it will cost no different to the typical London eat out. If you’re going for a three-course meal it will set you back around £35, but if you’re just popping in for lunch you won’t notice a huge dent in your wallet.

Vegetarian restaurants are a hidden treasure of London and more of them are turning to vegan options too. You shouldn’t be worried that you will be an outcast if you’re not wearing hippy inspired clothing and rambling on about animal rights throughout your dinner. Mildreds is filled with all kinds of people just enjoying the wonders of vegan and vegetarian cuisine.

Mildreds is a place to explore food and will keep you coming back just so you can taste everything on the menu. It reveals the true diversities that come with being vegetarian or vegan, and it’s a restaurant that even meat-eaters will love.

Opening Times:
Monday to Saturday / 12pm -11pm
mildreds.co.uk
0207 494 1634