Kombucha on tap at London cafés

Where can you find the best kombucha in London? The 2000 year old fermented tea drink is packed with probiotics and said to support gut health. And you know kombucha’s gone mainstream when Pret-a-Manger bring out their own version. Cafés are now busy brewing their own craft versions where you can get it on tap. Here’s our top three Glowcations in London for a home brewed fermented fix.

Plant Hub, Hackney

The ever innovative David Bez now runs the Plant Hub and Academy with  chefs Lauren Lovatt and Antonio Alderuccio. Not only is it a community hub and café for all things plant-based, it’s now east London’s hotspot for the beverage.

Plant Hub offers four delicious flavours on ice – lavender, blood orange, thyme and turmeric.

In addition, there’s a tempting selection of kombucha based mocktails. This includes the Kombuchito (thyme kombucha, coconut sugar, mint, lemon and ice) and the Floral (lavender kombucha, grapefruit and ice). We can’t resist.

To read more about Plant Hub click here.

High Mood Food, Marylebone and Spitalfields

High Mood Food is the first grab-and-go café in London to focus on gut health.

Their salads, bread, drinks and deserts are all made from natural, fermented, living food.

So, it’s not surprising that amongst their array of live fermented foods, kombucha takes centre stage. High Mood Food stocks several craft varieties: Momo, Wild Fizz, Fix 8 and Boo Chi. Interestingly, they also have several home-brewed kombucha products on sale. This includes a kombucha vinegar and the newly launched raspberry kombucha sorbet.

To read more about High Mood Food click here.

Caravan, Bankside

Caravan Bankside is the third branch of Caravan and is the one to visit for a house-made immune boosting ferment.

Bankside brew their own immune boosting kombucha and shrubs as part of their Ferments and Sodas menu.

The pro-biotic soda range of ginger and galangal soda, beetroot and clementine shrub, lacto rhubarb and vanilla soda and coconut and lime water kefir makes decision making tricky.

 

To read more about Caravan, Bankside click here.

 

 

Bravocados, Tofino, Vancouver Island

Tofino is a tiny town in Canada’s breath-taking Pacific Rim National Park so we were delighted to discover one of the best plant-based cafés we have ever visited – Bravocados. Don’t be put off by the setting in a car lot. The food has to be tried to be believed.

The setting

Despite being surrounded by some of the most stunning scenery in the world, there’s no sea view or any real view from this Glowcation.  But if it’s views you are after, then it’s right next door to the booking venue for the most spectacular boat and sea plane excursions to see wild brown bear, whales and stunning scenery. So be savvy and book a table for your return.

Once in, if you look up, you might be lucky and see soaring eagles perching on poles as you order.

The space

It’s modern with local art displayed on the dark grey walls. You can sit at the wooden tables or at the friendly bar. The customers are mostly travellers to the Pacific Rim National Park. The staff are super friendly and it’s often packed so be prepared for a wait.

The little things that made a difference

The fact Bravocados supports local suppliers and producers. Plus, there’s Trivial Pursuit cards on all the tables which is an inspired touch.

The fresh juice test

Bravocados doesn’t do fresh juices, but they more than make up for it with kombucha. We fell in love with the locally brewed Tofino Kombucha which is raw, organic and delicious.

There’s a choice of jasmine and hibiscus, ginger and lemon and apricot and rose. We couldn’t resist all three.

What we ate

The food is all vegetarian with lots of vegan and GF options. There’s  an extensive choice of tacos, tortillas, bowls, salads, fries, burgers and waffles. We tried two burgers : the Bravo  and the Pulled ‘Pork’. The Bravo was a tortilla crusted, black bean and corn pattie crammed in a multigrain bun with lettuce, tomato, red onion and pickled jalapeno topped with a melted cheese blend. The Pulled Pork was made of kelp stout, BBQ braised jackfruit and topped with apple, carrot and cabbage slaw and vegan aioli. All in a ciabatta bun. We loved both.

 

We also went for the great Ground Beyond tacos with salsa fresca, shredded lettuce, sliced avocado and jalapeno queso. Determined to try as much as possible, we also had a side of guac and chips, additional fries and a fresh Caprese salad! Then we rounded it all off with a waffle and brownie.

The Nutella Banana had added coconut whipped cream and candied walnuts and the brownie was black bean baked and topped with coconut whip, chocolate drizzle and walnuts.

Despite being very full by this point, we finished them both!

What we’d go back for…

The food, the eagles and the kombucha

The bill

Pulled pork burger  $16
Bravo burger  $15
Fries  $3
Tacos  $12
Chips and guac  $7
Caprese salad  $14
Nutella banana waffle  $13
Brownie $8
Kombucha  $5

 

 

 

 

 

 

O Antigo Talho, Lisbon

Ignore the sign of a pig over the door, because O Antigo Talho couldn’t be more vegan. The name translates as The Former Butcher and television host João Manzarra has transformed this beautiful location into a plant-based café and a multi-brand vegan store. It’s a quirky must-visit on your next visit to Lisbon.

The setting

O Antigo Talho is near the Marquês de Pombal roundabout and metro and close to the stunning Park Eduardo VII.

The space

Part store, part café, it’s a calm and warm environment you can linger in for hours. You enter via the store and there are steps tucked away at the back leading up to the café. It was full when we arrived so we pottered in the store before we were called upstairs.

The café has a natural feel with warm woods, pale green walls and whitewashed wooden ceilings. Plants hang from the ceiling and dot the café in modern troughs. The staff are friendly.

The fresh juice test

Chose from a fresh juice of the day or kombucha ( or even craft beers).

We loved the fact they used glasses made out of recycled port bottles to serve up the juice.

The little things that make a difference

The whole concept of a one stop vegan shop – for food and super stylish clothes, accessories and home decor. It also has free WiFi.

What we ate

Chef Filipa Ruas creates a different dish on the menu every day. From couscous and baba ganoush to curries and pho. There’s a choice of three fixed price brunches or create your own menu from açai bowls, salads, quiches and wraps. We chose the Colourful Orient wrap.

It was a fresh mix of tempeh, cayenne pepper hummus, avocado, tomato, spinach and red onion.

We also chose the Spring Garden salad. It was a delicious combination of tempeh, quinoa, spinach, roasted peach and pesto sauce. Finally, we picked the Fresh and Green cake. It was a creamy mix of avocado, lime cashew and pistachio.

What we’d go back for…

The in-house shop and the every changing menu. It was a calm and fun way to spend a few hours in Lisbon.

The bill

Juice  €3
Wrap  €7.5
Salad  €8.5
Cake  €4.50