Plant-Based Perfection: 7 of the Best Vegan, Plant-Based and Sustainable Options in Chester

We all know Chester is renowned for its variety and quality of restaurants, and the plant-based offer is no exception. With a whole host of exceptional vegan eateries and menus across the city from just about every type of cuisine out there, Chester is a haven for plant-based dining. Across the city there’s vegan tasting menus, haute cuisine, pastries, small plates, pizza, curry and much more, all driven by high quality seasonal produce. So whether you’re vegan or not, these plant-based options are a must.

Shrub

Located on the historic Rows, Shrub is at the forefront of plant-based restaurant culture, offering a fully vegan menu, cocktails and bakes. The menu is innovative and full of variety with everything from mushroom calamari and poké bowls to seitan burgers, laksa and cookie dough blondies. You can even get a decent vegan Sunday roast! With outdoor seating available on the Rows, guests can watch the city go by while enjoying these vegan delights.

Perfect for summer is the fresh Linguine Verde with house pesto and charred asparagus.

Hypha

Hypha can be found on the city walls by the North Gate and offers an innovative take on plant-based eating. With micro-seasonal and ever-evolving tasting menus that are inspired by the freshest produce, hypha’s mission is to create a truly sustainable experience and zero-waste kitchen. This isn’t just our take, Hypha have been awarded the Michelin Green Star highlighting sustainability in the Michelin Guide Great Britain & Ireland – an award given to just 23 restaurants. And if you’re crazy for kimichi, pickles, kombucha and other fermented treats, Hypha have their own fermentation lab -koji - with regular demonstrations.

We want to eat: Lebanese Tartare with smoked aubergine, linseed tuille, onion pearls, and aubergine nage

Jaunty Goat

Jaunty Goat does coffee properly. While the coffee alone brings locals and visitors alike through the doors of their two shops, the food is just as special. The second shop, located on Northgate Street is entirely plant-based and is perfect for brunch, light bites and small plates as well as sumptuous bakes. The menu is seasonal, diverse and deceptively simple with dishes ranging from pancakes and acai bowls to full English breakfast and Sri Lankan curry.

You have to eat this: Wild mushrooms served with confit garlic pesto on homemade toasted focaccia

Simon Radley at The Chester Grosvenor

Think decadent multi-course tasting menus at Michelin-starred restaurants are only for meat eaters? Think again. Simon Radley at The Chester Grosvenor has held its Michelin star since 1990 and has 4 AA Rosettes to boot, so Simon and the team know what they are doing. Guests can reserve a table in the private dining room The Cellar, where expert chefs will prepare the tasting menu and expert sommeliers can guide you through the choice of over 700 bins. The vegan tasting menu is highly refined and driven by the freshest seasonal produce.

Don’t miss this: Ravioli with Jersey Royals, Yorkshire asparagus, and wild garlic

Dough Dough

Everybody loves pizza. Fact. (Well maybe not everybody but that’s OK). Dough Dough can be found on the magnificent Town Hall square and serve seriously good, leopard-spotted, wood-fired, bubbly, soft and crispy Neapolitan pies. Dough Dough has a menu of expertly crafted pizzas and many are either vegan or available as a vegan option (either without cheese or with vegan cheese), you can even get them rolled up as calzones. With a range of craft beers on offer too, Dough Dough is an excellent option for vegan pizza heads to sit back unwind and enjoy the good life.

You need to try this: Vegan Calabrese with tomato, vegan mozzarella, spicy vegan salami, spicy vegan n’duja, basil, and evo oil

Hanky Panky

Delicious sweet, fluffy pancakes and… curry?! Yes that’s right – Hanky Panky offers a unique and eclectic menu of pancakes alongside sumptuous authentic curries. Lovingly ran by husband and wife team Stephen and Rekha, Hanky Panky has a superb vegan selection. From the pancake side there’s vegan Scotch pancakes with such toppings as bananas and blueberries, peanut butter, bananas and chocolate, and even blueberry compote, lemon sauce and gin! And for curry there’s everything from sweet potato and walnut Villa Vindahlo and vegan Masala Dosa to Kumily cashew curry and mushroom Keema. You can even top it all off with a vegan affogato.

Must-eat pancakes: The Nut Lover - a vegan scotch pancake with peanut butter, choc chips, banana, dairy free vanilla ice cream, caramel sauce and vegan squirty cream.

Must eat curry: Jasmine Villa Vegan Vindalho - sweet potato and walnut meet in a deliciously sweet, sharp and spicey Vindahlo curry.

Artichoke

Follow the Shropshire Union Canal towards the historic Shot Tower and you won’t be disappointed. This is because you will find Artichoke – a great bistro with a wide selection of craft beers, gin, whiskey, cocktails and more. The menu is a delicious assortment of small plates and pizzas. There are some excellent vegan options to boot. Why not try wild mushrooms with artichoke and house dressing, or asparagus with watermelon, pumpkin seeds, and a sherry glaze? If you’re looking for a place to meet with friends and relax with a drink and some small plates by the canal, Artichoke is definitely one to try.

We want: Vegan Pizza with artichoke, houmous, truffle oil & garlic