A Vegan Obsession

A Vegan & Gluten Free Guide To Leipzig. Plus Handy Travel Tips

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I arrived into Leipzig on the fast (70 min) ICE train from Berlin. The fare was not cheap (costs between €29-40) and I could have taken the more leisurely 2 hour, €8 bus, but I was impatient to get here. My first view of the city was the fun yellow and blue trams zipping in and out of the zone in front of the station.
Leipzig is another town hailed as the ‘new Berlin’, I heard that about Budapest (I visited recently) as well, but seriously, no where can be the new Berlin. Berlin is Berlin, Budapest is cool and very inexpensive and Leipzig has a charm all of it’s own. My curiosity, and my obsession with getting to grips with places that have a large vegan following (though that is becoming less and less unique..I am happy to say), were the driving forces behind my visit. I’ll give you a bit of background first and then we will delve a bit deeper and show you want you want to know…what I did I eat?.

The city of Leipzig borders a lush riparian forest, a forest which lies adjacent to a river, with towering trees. The Elster Saale canal runs alongside too. It is beautiful and surprisingly you can feel like some of the paths are leading you to the depths of nowhere, but the city is never that far away. Leipzigers really enjoy this area, and a canoe or two are always gliding through the shaded waters. I did not do that, but I did have lovely bike lent to me and I took the bone shaking cobbled street from my apartment, through the beautifully landscaped Clara Zetkin Park for a bit of red squirrel and nordic walkers spotting, to the forest everyday for some ‘green time’. I also biked to the Cospudener See, a large picturesque lake south of the city with white sandy beaches, where clothing is optional, or just biked along the canals that weave through the city. I could not help but note whilst exploring Leipzig, just how clean it is. No litter droppers here!

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A Trip To The Coast Unearths An All Vegan Food Store

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A Trip To The Coast Unearths An All Vegan Food Store

I was house sitting a couple of months ago when Britain was awash with a welcome hot sun.  I traveled to a little English village beside the ‘Butlins infamous’ town of Bognor Regis.  A seaside town with pebble beach on the south coast of England.  I was a bit concerned beforehand that it would be a jolly vista of lobster pink bodies, garish teeth chipping candy, and awash with bawdy ‘hens’ on a night out.  Not so.  Just 1/4 mile from Bognor promenade and you arrive in a calm and peaceful oasis where time has stood still.  It’s all precision clipped lawns and friendly doffed caps.  The most rowdy you’ll experience in this village of thatched cottages and dogs you can tuck under your armpit, is a swooping opportunist seagull nicking your cucumber sandwiches!
 
As usual when I am travelling around much research is carried out and the internet chugs out helpful lists of places of interest, and of course Happy Cow lets me know what is in my area in terms of vegan eats.  The vegan eats drew a blank, the closest being Daisy Moo in Worthing.  What I did find was Vegetaria.  An all vegan food store (curiously combined with an estate agency - the veggie passionate owners wanted to make eating meat free easier for shoppers).  It is small shop floor but well stocked with ready meals, gluten free products, veggie ‘meats’, vegan cheese, desserts, frozen good, condiments, snacks, drinks, household products and pet food!  And, it is a not just a high street store.  Vegetaria have an online store too!  I’m so happy to see more and more vegan stores sprouting up in Europe.

 

 

 

Two of the three pugs that I had the pleasure to look after.  Pugs are hilarious as I had the joy to discover!

 

 

 

Eating OUT & Eating IN. Gluten Free & Vegan in Paris [Part 2]

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Gluten Free & Vegan in Paris

Gluten Free & Vegan in Paris 

Following on from Paris Part 1, I bring you supermarkets, cafes and a few other vegan cafes I sat and watched the world go by in whilst enjoying a little snack or two.  You’ll also find a really useful list of articles on eating gluten free & vegan in Paris, I picked up from the internet.  Though of course, this is all you need! Do make sure you check if the restaurants and cafes are open every day and check their opening hours.  Also, find out if they take cash and/or cards for payment. (You can benefit from my mistakes).

Restaurants



Also known as Sol Semilia.  I had a slice of ginger cake here. Made with buckwheat. They serve lunch and dinner on certain nights. I did not try but it looked and smelled great as they served it to the diners beside me. They also sell super foods.

 

Currently the only vegan patisserie in Paris.  Vegan Folies. Freshly baked cookies, cupcakes, cheesecakes and brownies.  Their toffee cheesecake was gluten free so I grabbed a take out slice to devour whilst sitting in the park with a friend.  I’d love to see more gluten free Parisian pastries on offer here.
 

 



Nestled in a covered market between two butcher (eek!) is My Kitch’n  The Swedish founder serves one or two gluten free, vegan dishes.

 



Supermarkets

A totally dedicated vegan supermarket in Paris Un Mond Vegan.  They have an extensive range of products.  A great little shop, near the Place Du Republic.



 

 

 

 


The lovely girl at Un Monde Vegan had a list of all the great vegan restaurants and cafes in Paris.

 


I loved these polenta bakes from Tossolia. They are vegan and gluten free.  I enjoyed them with Lima courgette soup and slices of Morsserisella.

 


Naturalia stock a good selection of vegan, raw, and organic products.

 

 

 

Health food/ organic stores are scattered all over Paris. Naturalia, Bio Moi, Bio C Bon to name but a few.

 


I found a shop entirely dedicated to gluten free items of an Italian bent.


Carrefour  a chain who are dotted all over the city. They have many items suitable for vegans, and a gluten free and organic section. 


Most of the supermarkets, even the little express stores had a gluten free section. I found these tarts.  They were a bit sweet and artificial for me but you may love them.


I lived off these patties from Sojasun. A tasty respite from expensive dining out! Only 3 Euro from most supermarkets. Gluten free and vegan but not for the soy adverse.

 


I was happy to discover what I consider to the best, hands down, almond milk I’ve had to date (beside my own fresh). La Mandorle actually taste like almonds.  Delicious.  Not like some of the ones I’ve tried in the US (Silk) which are a bit unnatural tasting.


I discovered this French made Karma Kombucha. It has just the right acidity & fizz. They also sell a kefir which was refreshing and delicious.



cafes in Paris


Chic and bright, Cafe Pinson located at the north end of La Marais in the 10th arrondissement.  They have vegan desserts that are gluten free.  Though on the day I visited just a syllabub was on offer. Typical cost of a cup of tea, 4 euro.  Paris is anything but cheap.

 


Another hip coffee bar. Intimate and friendly just off the Canal St Martin. 10 Belles is much loved by the discerning coffee connoisseur.

 
One of my favourite places to write.  Great background music and a calming atmosphere.  Many cups of green tea were supped here by 
me.      
                                 La Chambre Aux Oiseaux
Canal  St Martin

 


I had to include this restaurant not because I ate there but because I am immature and I thought the name was funny.


Dose Dealer De Cafe is a nice little coffee shop in the Latin Quarter.  My second favourite area of Paris.


Whilst wandering the streets away from the tourist areas I stumbled across this covered market. Built on the site of a 16th century orphanage on the Rue De Bretagne. It had lots of food stalls but I did not find anything vegan.  It is a good place for coffee/tea and a spot of Parisian watching.

 


After a little bit of research and planning, I strategically placed myself in the area with the most vegan/vegetarian cafes and restaurants.  I was steps from Bob’s Juice Bar, Holybelly, Tuck Shop, Le Bar Des Artisans, and easy walking distance to others.

 


Useful guides for vegan eating in Paris

There is much written about the vegan and vegetarian restaurants in Paris.  I wrote about it in [Paris Part 1]. Top 5 Vegan & Gluten Free Dishes In Paris

These are just a few I found useful when I first arrived in Paris.

The Wilted State Of Vegetarian Dining In Paris. By Parisbymouth
My Top Ten Eats In Paris by Type Craft Writer
Paris Rental wrote about Vegan & Gluten Free Dining
Gluten Free Paris
Happy Cow
Vegan Paris

I found this really useful, too.  It is a mobile app for vegans in Paris, by a Parisian.  


 

Gorgeous Cafes in Paris

 

I gathered some information on the most happening cafes in Paris, too.  Personally, I do not like coffee. The aroma..oh yes but the taste..not so much!  However, I like hanging out in a good coffee shop.

 
 

Have you been to Paris?  Eaten gluten free & vegan in Paris? Leave a comment and let us know which were your favourites.
Did you spot any food trucks? I do not think this idea has hit the streets of Paris yet.

 
 

Paris - My Top 5 Vegan & Gluten Free Eats In Paris (Part 1)

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Top 5 Vegan & Gluten Free Eats In Paris

Top 5 Vegan & Gluten Free Eats In Paris

I once heard ‘Paris is tough for vegans’.   Pah!  Parisians are embracing not only veganism but health.  Ok, so I’m not saying that every inhabitant of the French capital is denouncing meat and jogging to the Patisserie, but if the legion of Bio and health food stores spread over the city are a marker then I’d say that Parisians are mindful of their diet and the origins of their food.  Artisan vegan cheese makers are rising in number and developing delicious flavours.  The near future is bound to bring Dairy Free Fromageries to our shopping experience. I found, like so many I’ve visited recently, is very vegan and gluten free friendly.
 
I was grateful to Happy Cow, et al (whom I will document in Paris Part 2)who list all the vegan eateries in the city. I grabbed my Euros (and I needed many.  Paris is SUPER expensive!…Seriously Paris, 4 Euro for a cup of green tea!? Hanging out and people watching is certainly not a cheap pastime). I was impressed with what was on offer.  After ten days of feasting and vacillation, these are definitely best five vegan meals, or at least dishes, I enjoyed on this trip.  I’ll share the others in the next post.  The top five are in no particular order.  All the dishes are gluten free.
 

Top 5 Vegan & Gluten Free Eats In Paris

 
No.1
 
In my hunt to bring you the best vegan ‘junk’ food joint in Paris I discovered Hank Burgers Bio.  I use junk loosely rather than a reality of the food.  A fill up at Hanks manages to deliver HUGE flavours.  The best gluten free burger buns I’ve tasted..soft and actually like a burger bun.  Toppings and sauces that marry perfectly with their meatless bun.  And crispy fries that left me contentedly stuffed.  
 
Who’s Hank?  Well, I asked that of Pierre (the guy on the right) the proud owner of this newly opened burger house (or should I say maison?!)  ‘I don’t know’ he replied with a warm smile.  Hank is a figment of his imagination and part of the whole branding of his establishment.  The small, clean and bright restaurant is situated in the uber hip neighbourhood (arrondissement) of La Marias.  Pierre is an earnest new chef,  not long wrenched from the world of tech.  He is a vegan newbie too. Only having notched up just over a year of meat AND dairy free living.  He told me a light bulb went off and not long afterwards Hank Burgers was born. LOVE.
 

 

 

 

 
Hank Burgers
 
55, rue des Archives 
                                                                                                                                
 

 

No.2
 
Next up  Le Potager Du Marais.  This berry crumble nearly made me humbly weep with joy.  The perfect balance of tart and sweet with a generous layer of golden crumble.  It needed no creamy embellishments.  I took an inordinate amount of time to thoroughly devour this dish. I scraped the dish clean and then I mourned its demise!
 
Yes, I list the dessert first.  The courgette soup, with the lavish side of soft gluten free bread, was watery green vegetable alchemy… transformed into silky, flavoursome soup. But even this paled in comparison to the dessert.
 
If they injected as much love into the decor as they do their food it would take the dining experience up that final notch.
 
 
 

 

 

 

 

Le Potager du Marais

 

24 rue Rambuteau 
Paris, France 75003

 

                                                                                                                                                                   
 
No.3

Pousse Pousse(pronounced puss puss..doesn’t sound quite so good in it’s translation Sprout Sprout).  Ah, the French language mellifluous in nature could make a tax return sound like poetry.  I loved merely just being in the City, surrounded by these sensual, exotic accents.  My efforts to emulate it where poor, but I did try my best.  Though even my novice attempts were appreciated, as more than one Parisian told me (in English).

This restaurant, just south of Montmartre, situated in an area being slowly gentrified (where isn’t these days?!) has both raw and cooked dishes.  My tartelette sans gluten dish had both raw and cooked elements.  A host of wonderful flavours and textures on the plate that made eating quite a mindful experience. 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
The raw dessert was fudge-y, chocolate heaven. Cacao nibs offering a wonderful bitter crunch and the added hazelnut butter battled for attention with the raw cacao.  I was transported back to childhood when Nutella was consumed in heaped spoonfuls after a long school day.  A little raw fig cracker commanded attention and served as a good reminder to try to eat with delicacy!  
 
All dishes are vegan with lots of gluten free options. I suggest booking ahead as Pousse Pousse’s tables are few in number. 
 
 
 
Pousse Pousse
7, rue Notre Dame de Lorett, 
Paris, 75009
 
 
                                                                                                                                                                  
 
No.4
Cafe Ginger a charming little vegan cafe tucked in a side street, a stones throw from La Bastille.  The staff were super friendly and it had a nice relaxed atmosphere.  I actually wasn’t going to try this place but I’d walked to MOB and found that they were not like their Brooklyn counterparts and had no gluten free options. I hope this changes.  Anyway, so I had a quick chat with The Gentle Gourmet who are close by and they recommended Cafe Ginger.  It turned out to be a good call.  
 
 
They had just a couple of gluten free options.  I was actually glad the menu was limited because choosing can get exhausting!  I chose the vegetable crumble bake.  The polenta topping was delicately flavoured and complemented the soft stewed vegetables sitting below perfectly.  The plate was dotted with other elements.  Sauces, salads, stews, curry’s and grains.  Like a restrained buffet plate! Great flavours and textures. 
 
The ONLY thing I would say is to make sure your serve knows you are gluten free and it may be worth mentioning with each course just to make sure they remember.  The cafe is busy and my server had to be reminded that  I was gluten free when running through the choice of desserts with me.  I had their raw carrot cake and it was good.
 
 
 
9 Rue Jacques Coeur (metro Bastille) 

Paris, France 75004

                                                                                                            

No.5


Joint winners take the fifth spot.  Each had their own individual merits. I could not choose.

Caroline, owner of The Gentle Gourmet and her staff were so utterly sweet, I could not help but love them for that.  I only tried dessert here.
I did forget that ‘pastry’ means a sweet treat to the French so when I ordered the vegan white Bavarian chocolate pastry I imagined a towering stack of ‘buttery’ flaky pastry amid clouds of thickly pipped chocolate fondant.  I actually got a cheese cake.  A delightfully smooth and creamy cheesecake with a gorgeously tart coulis that made this dessert sing.

The Gentle Gourmet
24 Boulevard de La Bastille (at Place de La Bastille), 
Paris, 75012
 
 

And in joint place for 5th best vegan restaurant is 42 Degres.   A raw food (nothing cooked about 42 degrees to maintain maximum nutrients) restaurant in the 9th arrondissement.  I had to place them in the top 5 as their flavours were good.  The mushroom burger entree was a mushroom based patty in between two marinated portabello mushrooms that served as the ‘bun’.  It was lovely but with a single kale chip and two green leaves it was not for the hungry.  The raw passionfruit torte was stunning but the meanness portion I’ve ever encountered.  I looked around and mine got the medal for the smallest portion given out in the room!  (I couldn’t help but feel irked as being short changed!).  I would award few points to 42 Degres for value for money but  they make up for it with presentation and flavour.  If I lived in Paris I’d have this place on my list of favourites but I’d only visit it on occasion.  

 
109, rue du Faubourg Poissonniere, 
Paris, 75009
 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
 
 
Be sure to check out my next post…Paris Part 2.  I’ll list all the other restaurants I visited and give you options for ‘eating in’ which can be found in most supermarkets.   Also, I will share the great blogs that helped to make my Parisian experience a good one.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Pubs with Vegan Options in the UK

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Pubs with Vegan Options in the UK

Pubs with Vegan Options in the UK.

Find yourself hungry and away from a sizeable city and it can be a wasteland for vegans, and slim pickings for those with gluten or other food sensitivities.  Jacket potato anyone?  Oh yes, I’ll just pop on my 80’s shoulder pads, white stilettos and step back in time to devour this culinary masterpiece!

Back here in the 21st century changes are afoot. A trickle of inventiveness is emerging and SOME pub and cafe chains are offering those who prefer to live off plants and don’t find a plate of raw carrots sticks and tomato sauce a dinner worthy of salivation, a meal with flavour and a bit of thought.  

A few weeks back I was staying in a twee little English village.  A friend was visiting and I didn’t want to cook.  I heard something on the grapevine about a local Greene King pub that was serving a couple of vegan dishes on the menu.  Hoorah!  I called ahead and, hang out the bunting, ring the bells, they confirmed that they did.

I didn’t quite skip with glee all the way there as I was a bit wary, however, I  was pleasantly surprised.  The salad was tasty and filling.  The beetroot glaze was lovely and the tiny chillies added a gentle kick.

 Vitality (V)

Mixed leaves, rosemary-roasted squash, edamame beans,
roquito peppers, marinated olives, fine beans, chickpeas, broccoli, sun-blushed baby tomatoes, red onion, beetroot glaze £7.45 



 
Friend ordered the gourd and tomato soup.  It was not gluten free so I did not try it but he thought it was flavoursome and filling.
 
 
 
I contacted all the major pub chains in the UK in addition to Greene King, to enquire about their menus and if they cater for food allergies, etc.  Not one responded.  Charming.  However,  I visited Wetherspoons on a couple of occasions and they have a gluten free and vegan chickpea curry on offer in their Curry Club.  The website has a useful interactive special diets menu which lists food items to your particular dietary needs.
 
Do you know of any other pubs or cafe chains in the UK that welcome vegans and dinners with food allergies?  Please leave a comment below and I will add it to this post.  Thanks.

 

Vegan Dining Outside Of London - Hertfordshire

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Vegan Dining Outside Of London - Hertfordshire

Last weekend, my friend and I FINALLY decided to visit Woody’s Cafe in Berkhampstead, Hertfordshire, this weekend.  This is going to sound daft, but though I may traverse thousands of miles using planes, buses, feet and peddle power, just to discover and taste vegan food, but the thirty-minute drive from my mother’s house when I visit, just seemed too far.  Yes, that is illogical!

With the record-breaking storms in the UK (where in the world isn’t experiencing weird weather?!) abated (I was in Austin..happily avoiding it all!), the sight of the sun coming out and a friend’s belated birthday still to celebrate made me feel like a trip out for the afternoon.

To bring you Vegan Dining Outside Of London - Hertfordshire. I’d heard about Woody’s restaurant before but previously had felt lukewarm about the prospect of eating there. But i wanted to check it out and share my findings so this weekend, it was time. I called ahead to make sure they had some vegan, gluten free dishes on the menu. They reeled off several that sounded nice, so off we went.

Woody’s is situated on the banks of a pretty canal, and not the sort of place you’d ‘just come across’.  The setting is picturesque, with canal boats mored in the quay and a run of dog walkers.  It would be perfect on a warmer (and less awkwardly) day, to sit outside and eat.

We were wise enough to reserve a table, which was just as well as the place was heaving.  The decor is cozy and inviting.  The staff attentive, knowledgeable and personable.  The food is cooked in front of you in the open kitchen.  Everything is fresh.  Generous portions.  I opted for the Beet Bourguinon and it was really tasty.  Packed with fresh mushrooms and puy lentils (I love puy lentils!).  The mash was very good but not amazing (I may just be fussy as I’ve had some mind-blowing mash potato recently).   But overall the dish was practically perfect.

The prices are reasonable.   £35 for 2 dinners and latte and pot of green tea.

It actually only took me just over 15mins to drive here!  I’ll be eating here again for sure!


Vegan caramel latte.


Views of the canal from our table.


Aubergine, bean & pepper stew. V GF   Leek salad GF (not vegan). The stew was slightly spiced and very well flavoured.


  
Beet Bourgiunion & mustard mash.  9/10   I practically scraped the plate clean!


Chef’s hard at work in the open kitchen.



 
Too full for dessert?  It must be a first! They had vegan ice cream and a gluten free cake.



View of the restaurant from across the water. 


19 Dickinson Quay, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire HP3 9WG
01442 266280
 

Simply Good Vegetarian Food In London. Dished Up With The Warmest Of Welcomes

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Much as I try not to be judgemental in life, (or should I call it discerning?), I do sometimes make false assumptions.  Like ‘Bradley Cooper always makes a good movie’, and ‘a classy looking vegetarian restaurant a mere hop skip and jump from the sweeping curve of the legendary Regents Street, is going to have an atmosphere spawned from a transient crowd of diners and not be a place I’d want to linger.  My assumptions tripped me up once again, when I visited tibits vegetarian restaurant in London recently. Not only did I find the food tasty, imaginative and comforting, on a cool November day but also the atmosphere was more redolent of a cozy, welcoming cafe in Devon!. The staff are exceptionally helpful, and friendly. The seating, soft mood lighting, chandeleirs and layout make it for such a sweet space to relax and dine with friends.  

tibits was established in London in 2003 by three vegetarian brothers – Christian, Daniel and Reto Frei, together with Rolf Hitl.    Rolf Hiltl is the owner of Hiltl restaurant in Zurich, that is according to Guinness World Records, the oldest and longest running vegetarian restaurant in the world.

They are now regularly scheduling Vegan Days, when all of the hot dishes are vegan.
A self serve ‘pay by weight’ restaurant, bar and (for the busy City worker) take away.  All the food is cooked fresh each day (and throughout the day) with a huge array of hot entrees and salad dishes.  Most being created with seasonal ingredients.

Children are welcome and downstairs they have a great little area where the kids can play happily.  I spotted lots of cute wooden toys and trikes for them to entertain themselves with.

Being a buffet type affair, there is a method to employ to get you to the eating stage.  First, bagsey a table.  Plant a hat or something from your person to say ‘hey, walk on by, that’s my table’. Then..

  • Grab a plate from the warmer,
  • check out the comprehensive product info if you have special dietary requirements. 
  • do a drive-by recce of what is on offer
  • decide what you are going to have
  • load up
  • take your plate to the bar and put it on the scales. The meal will be charged by weight (bread is complementary).  
  • Take it to your table and eat.  Simple.
There is a HUGE variety to choose from.  Even for the gluten intolerant, coeliac among us.  Dhal’s, pumpkin lasagne, a couple of curry dishes, roasted aubergines, risottos and lots of fresh veg and quinoa salads, lentil salads, tofu based dishes, crunchy falafels, tempura (boo! currently not gf)…and soup!  A good selection of sauces, chutneys and condiments to drizzle, dollop and ooze. I did try and exercise restraint and just eat what would actually just fit comfortably in my stomach! 

they serve a large selection of vegetarian/vegan wine and cocktails.

I was a bit disappointed with the selection of desserts for vegans with gluten sensitivities.  Although I love fresh figs and other fruits, once my eyes have spotted apple crumble, cheesecake and sticky toffee pudding, I want to be able to place genourously heaped spoons of the like into my mouth!  Knowing as I do how easy it is to create gluten free vegan puds I would have thought that they would have had at least one indulgent dessert on offer.  Alas no.  But the silver lining was I left feeling comfortably satiated instead of filled up to the brim, as so easily can be done.

Typical entree costs £10-12

They published a cookbook on their 10th anniversary. tibits At Home, it’s seasonally compartmentalised, and is full of beautiful photographs with simple recipes to try.  One of the staff told me that all the photos in the book were taken in the homes of regular diners in Switzerland.  

 It was ironic that the recipe I wanted to try first had ‘dried green beans’ I am sure I have an inbuilt tuner that alerts me to unusual ingredients.  A brief surf online failed to turn up with a supplier.  Luckily, I had been sent the cookbook to review before I went to eat at the restaurant, so I enquired about the recipe and asked where I could buy the dried beans.  ‘Right here’ was the reply.  So I grabbed a bag and took them home to recreate one of their iconic recipes.

It was so simple to make.  Yes, you could make it with fresh green beans but I so enjoyed the chewy texture of the dried beans after they’d been cooked in water and mixed with the other ingredients.

This is the recipe from the book that intrigued me so much. It’s a tangle of flavoursome lusciousness. 

Dried Bean Salad with Walnuts

Ingredients:

100g  dried string beans (1 bag from the restaurant)

½ onion, chopped
8 tbsp rapeseed oil (I used 1 2tbs walnut oil)
25g vegetable bouillon (1 1/2 vegan stock cubes)
1 garlic clove, crushed
70g walnuts pieces
4 tbsp red balsamic vinegar (red?!..not seen this before..I used ‘normal’ balsamic)
5g Fresh coriander leaves 


cook the dried beans in boiling water until soft, drain well and allow to cool.

sauté the onions and garlic in the oil and set aside.
once the beans have cooled mix all the ingredients together to complete the recipe.
spoon into a serving dish.  Enjoy! (and we did!!)

Other recipes in my (backlogged) catalogue of ones to try from tibits At Home, are the  passionfruit lemonade (just because I’m dreaming of days of sunshine, warm breezes and chinking ice cubes), the exotic Goan curry, the light and intriguing coconut and pineapple tiramisu, and the white asparagus with orange sauce.  80% of the dishes are vegan, so some I will have to adapt.  But I love a challenge.

There are currently five tibits’ restaurants in Europe.  So, for me, that’s one down and four left to try!  Any excuse to travel (and eat).

12-14 Heddon St, London W1B 4DA




Exploring Gothenburg, Sweden. Cafes Cakes & Culture

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Until 2 weeks ago, I thought that Goteborg and Gothenburg were two separate cities in Sweden.  I asked my friend on the way over which would have the most to see, do and vegan eats.  So, I find out they are the same.  Ok, so life is a constant lesson.

I had three days to explore the area, with my Swedish friend.  I’d never been to Sweden and had failed to swot up before I flew, so the itinerary was all down to her.  Once I’d loosened my grip on the reins (I’m so used to travelling alone) I just let her steer.  We only had a day in Goteborg.  The other days we spent chilling out by her lakeside home.  The other, checking out the deserted beaches nearby. I only had two requests.  Find me some quirky cafes, exercise me plenty, and find some vegan food.  The cafes were no trouble. Since the 18th century when workers cafes offered Goteborg residents a place to gather, cafe culture has been a vital part of the city. She also walked my feet off! The vegan food is revealed a little later.

The oldest part of the city is surrounded by a moat which also leads to the harbour.  We booked a Paddan Boat Tour. Not something I’d usually do in my pathetic attempts not to be a ‘tourist’, but it is a great way to get a leisurely upload of information whilst chilling out.  The boats are flat-bottomed and low in the water, to glide under the 20 bridges.  It was so funny when we had to slide off our seats and onto the floor to make sure we weren’t decapitated on the Osthyveln (cheese slicer), the ridiculously low bridge on the canal. It made me wonder at their planning! With that and the old, tall ship that was trapped in the harbour forever when they forgot about it whilst building the bridges!  I bet they don’t make good chess players!  At 15 Swedish Krona, the boat tour isn’t cheap.  And yes, it is touristy but sometimes the tourist traps can offer a gem.


all duck for the ‘cheese slicer’




As with most cities, Goteborg has neighbourhoods or districts, butting up against each other with atmospheres all of their own.  My most favoured was Haga. It was once a working class suburb and bohemian hive of artists, but, as will ALL neglected areas that attract interesting types, it was eventually gentrified in the 1980’s.  I loved the wooden buildings, the like of which I’d not seen anywhere else.  Minus 15 degree winters have rendered cafes cozy places for friends to meet in the warm. It was hard to choose which one to visit first!  But, as it was lunchtime when we finished the boat tour, my first Swedish meal was to be at Raw Food Baren. I mistakenly thought the name meant an establishment with ideas of nobility. Baren, actually just means bar.  It is the only raw food restaurant in Goteborg.


There were five lunch options on the menu.  The server, a really helpful girl who turns out was originally from California, helped us choose.  I opted for the raw carrot burgers.  My friend had the raw pizza.




The place is quite small, with a cozy side ‘nook’.  We took a seat and waited for our meal. The food was nicely presented. As I watched plates heaped high with fresh ingredients delivered all around me, I felt a little disappointed at the rather miserly portion of carrot burger!  The raw pizza was really very good.  The base had a great ‘bread’ texture and it was so flavoursome.  I’d highly recommend this place. 


Kanelbullar - HUGE cinnamon buns, .  Sadly not vegan! 


One of the many cozy cafes in Haga district.


I loved this place.  A vinyl record store with a cafe.  So hip! Cafe Santa Domingo  I discovered after on Happy Cow they serve some vegan snacks, too.

We stopped at Two Little Birds for vegan treats.  The cafe is owned by a group of artists who have created a welcoming space for friends to gather and enjoy an ever changing display of art.  The interior is mis-matched retro, with comfy chairs and 70’s wallpaper.  We loved it.  As we loved the cakes too.  My thin, chocolate covered gluten free vegan ‘Snickers’ bar was gorgeous.  All of the owners bake, and one of them has been steadily steering them over to the vegan side of life.  They don’t tout it as such, not wanting to alienate anyone, rather say it they are just great bakes for most tastes.  



Two Little Birds, is warm and open.  Originally started by two girls with a love of Bob Marley…3 little birds..or so the legend goes.



With not much time to scout for vegan happenings, I did my best for you.  Food in Gothemburg/Goteborg is so expensive.  I think being vegan and healthy here would challenge most.  ‘Life’ have a chain of stores, this one is called Grona Boden is a food market with many raw food, vegan, health products.  It is where you’ll find the best vegan cheese and a range of vegan sausages I didn’t get to try.  I found Fram to be more affordable, with bulk bin’s, or bags in their case.  The staff were helpful, English speaking as with ALL the interactions I had.



In the evening we met up with another friend and went to a vegetarian restaurant Hagabion, set in a gorgeous old brick building.  It’s where the cultured meet to chat, go to events and watch cinema.  It felt so welcoming. A gold circular bar was centre stage. The sort of place you could rock up by yourself and it wouldn’t be amiss. Great atmosphere with vintage furniture and retro movie posters.
We had the only vegan dish that we could see was gluten free. Though the menu was extensive.
We were not disappointed. It was delicious.  Faultless.  I wished I could have bagged up a few portions to take back to the UK!

Red Quinoa, thyme roasted tempeh, mushrooms and shoots on bitter red cabbage.  Sounds a bit simple. I don’t know what they did with it but the flavours were incredible.  Filling too.  No room for pud!

Unfortunately, the seaside sauna at Varberg was closed on the day we visited.  The green privacy boards you can see under the pier are where the guests dip from steamy sauna to icy sea, for maximum health benefits.  This is where I will head first when I next go to visit.


Finally, I thought I’d share with you my friends jetty on the lake.  The mist is rising as the sun was hitting the still, frosty air.  Here we began our days with a (very) refreshing skinny dip!

I hope to go back and explore more of Sweden next year.  A friendly chat in a shop informed me that Northern Sweden has vegan cafes in even the small towns.  If the quality of the food in Goteborg is anything to go by, this alone would be worth the trip! 

A handy tip* If you go to the tourist information office in the city they have a Vegoguide till Goteborg.  A leaflet containing most of the vegan/vegetarian restaurants, cafes and bars. It is provided by Animal Rights Sweden. Their website has an easy translation button.

Have you been to Sweden? Did you find any great vegan eats you want to tell us about?  We’d love to know!

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