How to be vegan in East Anglia 

Written by Amanda French (www.anoseforfood.com)

Being vegan is easier than ever now, thanks to the host of events, shops, pop ups and restaurants across the region which celebrate the very best in vegan food. We’ve pulled together a selection of our favourites to help you hunt down some tasty treats.

Vegan Events and Pop-ups

Saturday 3 March sees Colchester Hall in Essex taken over by the Essex Vegan Festival. Highlights include over 100 stalls featuring cakes, sandwiches, salads, candles, cheeses, crafts, healthy treats and much more. Enjoy free samples, nutritional advice and cookery demos alongside inspirational talks and workshops. Tickets are only £3 and under 16s get in free…so bring along the whole family.


 
 


The Cambridge Vegan Market returns on Sunday 11 March. There’ll be plenty for everyone, vegan or not, to enjoy with stalls selling a huge variety of vegan products from food and luxury cosmetics to ethical clothing. There is also rumour of a vegan beer festival taking place in a local pub on the same day. The first 100 people to arrive at the market receive some free vegan goodies and if you bring your own mug, there is a free mug of tea or coffee. Visit their Facebook page www.facebook.com/cambridgeveganmarket to find out more.

May might seem like a long way away, but if you are in Bedford, then head on over to the town centre on Sunday 5 May from 9am – 4.30pm to experience Bedford’s Vegan market. With plenty of stalls full of vegan food, cake and products to buy, there’ll be something for everyone. If you want to learn more about becoming vegan, this is the perfect opportunity, as there’ll be information stalls and plenty of people on hand to give advice.

On the last Saturday of every month the Quakers Building on Upper Goat Lane in Norwich becomes a vegan pop-up event from 11am – 2pm…perfect timing for lunch! Enjoy a variety of vegan treats including pizza, sausage rolls, cheesy garlic bread, fresh juice and more. The stalls change every month, so keep an eye on their Facebook page to find out more at www.facebook.com/norwichveganpopupshop

Vegan Restaurants in East Anglia 

The Vegetarian Red Lion (vegredlion.co.uk) in Great Bricett in Ipswich is one of the only pubs in the area serving a solely vegetarian and vegan menu. Vegan dishes include asparagus, minted pear and caramelised red onion tart and sweet potato, squash and peanut curry among other dishes. Many of the vegetarian dishes can be altered to offer vegan alternatives too.

Stem & Glory (www.stemandglory.co.uk) in Cambridge has two locations to enjoy their plant based dishes. Enjoy 100% plant-based dishes at either location and their selection of vegan wines. Make sure you check out their vegan brunch which launched last month.

You won’t find mung bean stew at The Den at 23 in Colchester (www.thedenattwentythree.co.uk) as their goal is to cater to those vegans who want to replicate the flavours of favourite dishes using 100% plant-based ingredients. Expect juicy quarter pounder burgers, oozing melted cheese toasties and ‘chicken-less’ tang tower burgers. You’ll also be able to tuck into cupcakes with creamy frosting, warm brownie sundaes and frothy coffees, safe in the knowledge they are all vegan friendly.

Worth a mention…the only 100% vegan shop in the region

Little Shop of Vegans is a small, independent vegan shop in Norwich, Norfolk, selling 100% vegan products including chilled food, frozen pizza, savoury rolls, confectionery, clothing, gifts and more. (www.littleshopofvegans.com)