Pura Vida, South Beach, Miami

Pura Vida was created by a husband and wife team as a place for friends and family to meet and eat delicious food. They’ve created an enticing all day menu and we visited this peaceful South Beach spot at lunch time.

The setting

This South Beach café is set in the quiet South of 5th neighbourhood on Washington. It’s a few blocks from South Pointe Beach and Park.

The space

Tables for two, with sun umbrellas, line the quiet, tree-lined pavement.

There’s also a covered area with more tables in the shade of the building – all screened off with lush greenery.

What else?

Pura Vida have several branches in Miami in South Beach, Coral Gables and Edgewater. You can order online. Plus, there a small shop inside where you can buy Pura Vida accessories including tote bags, T shirts and re-usable cups.

The fresh juice test

There’s a choice of eight superfood smoothies (including the Welcome to Miami of passion fruit, mango, banana and honey), four freshly made juices, four wellness shots, two house made lemonades and various kombuchas.

We decided to review the flu shot which was a bracing mix of ginger, honey, lemon and cayenne pepper.

As it was a humid day on our visit, we also chose the signature house made lemonade, their refreshingly zingy Lala Lemonade and a blood orange, carrot and ginger Heath Ade kombucha. Both hit the spot perfectly.

What we ate

Pura Vida has an all day breakfast selection of açai bowls, smashed avo and fruit salads.

The menu is vegan, vegetarian and pescatarian.

We chose a Kale Caesar which was a generous mix of multi-grain croutons, local kale and parmesan. The dressing was rich and creamy and the texture was excellent. We added feta to the Green Market Salad, which was an equally generous portion. It was packed with rocket, mixed greens, cucumber, cherry tomato, carrot, pickled cabbage, radish, sprouts, scallions, chick peas, micro-coriander and sunflower seeds and all topped off with a delicious green tahini and honey lemon dressing. The salad was fresh and filling, but sadly the dressing came in a separate plastic pot which seemed unnecessary.

What we’d go back for…

The açai bowls and smashed avo looked very tempting.

The bill

Lala lemonade  $4.95
Flu shot  $5
Kombucha  $6
Kale Caesar salad  $10.95
Green market salad  $12.95
+feta  $1.50

Drake Devonshire, Wellington

The popularity of foodie destination Prince Edward County is often put down to one factor – the opening of the Drake Devonshire Hotel. The country outpost of Toronto’s iconic Drake put laid back Wellington firmly on the map. Today, the picturesque town is packed with cool eateries and shops and the hotel’s café still offers one of the best weekend brunches in town.

The setting

The Drake Devonshire is tucked away down a quiet side street and set directly on the shore of Lake Ontario. It’s handy for the beach and shops.  Nearby local hotspots include the Enid Grace Bakery and La Condesa for authentic Mexican food with lots of plant based options.

The space

The café is set at the back of the hotel with a large outdoor terrace directly overlooking the lake and hotel beach.

The view is stunning and there’s also a large inside dining area. The café gets pretty busy and when we went the service was quite slow due to this.

What else?

The hotel serves non-guests for breakfast, brunch (at the weekends), lunch and dinner. Kids are welcome and there’s free WiFi.

The fresh juice test

The Drake offers two juice blends: a red and a green. We decided to review the red which was a zingy mix of beet, apple and ginger. The green is a combo of cucumber, rocket, spinach apple, ginger and wheat grass.

They also do simple fresh juices like orange, grapefruit and apple.

What we ate

There’s a large choice for vegans and vegetarians. We went for two salads and a side of hummus.

We chose the Tomato and Strawberry salad with pickled beets and rocket drizzled with a delicate lavender and pistachio vinaigrette

(no doubt inspired by the local lavender fields). Next, we had the Baby Gem Caesar. This was a crispy, fresh salad with pickled corn, avocado, croutons and radish, but it didn’t really taste like a caesar salad to us. The hummus was house made and had a lovely taste and texture and the sour dough was perfectly toasted.

What we’d go back for…

The location and the view

The bill

Orange juice  $7
Red juice  $8
Tomato and strawberry salad  $16
Baby gem Caesar  $17
Drake + bake sourdough  $4
+  hummus  $6

 

 

 

Dirt, Miami

Dirt’s Chef Nicole Votano says “At a lot of healthy places the health comes first and the taste comes after, we’re the opposite.”

The setting

Dirt is in South Beach’s waterfront enclave of Sunset Harbour. The casual café is surrounded by gourmet restaurants, chic shops, high-rise condos and fitness centres.  It’s also just a few blocks from the retail therapy mecca of Lincoln Mall.

The space

The modern grey tiled exterior is pretty much unmissable.

Inside, is a large, light space with a warehouse vibe- polished concrete, industrial touches and metal stools. There’s a selection of shared counters and tables, plus sofa banquettes with cushions lining the walls and windows. Dirt has free WiFi and lots of laptops were out during our visit.

 

What else?

Dirt are keen on inclusivity and do include meat on the menu. You can order a steak sandwich, but it will be grass fed.  Dirt also has branches in Brickell and Arlington.

The fresh juice test

We were totally spoilt for choice.

There’s the local Counter Culture kombucha on tap, the local brand of Radiate Kombucha in cans, Rebirth Elixirs and house-made lemonades including a matcha lavender.

If that’s not enough, they offer tempting vegan ice-cream mylkshakes, honey cardamon lattes and a large selection of Dirt’s own juices and shots.

Despite the various temptations,  we decided to review the Dirt Root juice. It was a cold-pressed blend of beet, apple, carrot ginger and lemon. It was refreshing with a subtle kick. We also had a delicious Radiate Flower Power kombucha favoured with hibiscus flower, lemongrass and lemon juice.

What we ate

Theres quite an extensive menu and an all day breakfast featuring bowls, pancakes and toasts. Plus, soups, sandwiches, tostadas, salads and seasonal plates.

We couldn’t resist the intriguing Grilled Watermelon and Balsamic Toast.

It was a surprisingly delicious combination of watermelon, lemon-zested Greek yogurt (there are vegan alternatives), blueberries, balsamic reduction, honey, toasted sunflower seeds, Maldon sea salt, Harpke Family Farm Farm sprouts and Zak the Baker bread.

Next we had the So-Cal Burrito. This was a filling portion of  scrambled cage-free eggs, pepper jack cheese, sautéed onions, organic quinoa and “Dirty” de gallo all rolled in a spinach tortilla wrap and served with pickled onions and house-made salsa verde (there’s also a chipotle option). Although the portion was large, it was quite bland, so maybe we should have ordered the chipotle sauce with it.  Finally, we had the Vegan Creamed Spinach. The spinach was cooked with house-made garlic cashew cream, almond “Parmesan” and grape tomatoes. The cashew cream was delicious.

The little things

Dirt has four menus: vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, and Paleo.

Plus, they break down the nutritional components of each dish on their menu  into calories, protein, fat and carbs.

What we’d go back for…

The vegan ice-cream mylkshakes…

The bill

Root juice  $8
Kombucha [canned]  $6
Grilled watermelon + balsamic toast  $12
So-cal burrito  $12.5
Vegan creamed spinach  $6

The Vic Café, Picton, Ontario

Prince Edward County is fast becoming the must visit weekend destination for Toronto, Montreal and Ottawa.  This small island on Lake Ontario is packed with fresh farm stalls, wineries and antique shops.

The main town of Picton is a foodie destination and home to The Vic Café – a modern diner that prides itself on catering for all diets in a fun atmosphere with individual vegetarian, vegan and GF menus.

The setting

The Vic Café is on Main St, Picton surrounded by antique shops, vintage clothes stores, book shops and retro record stores.

The space

The café, with its neon sprayed walls, is unmissable from the historic street. Outside, there’s a large wooden, covered terrace with a lot of tables and pot plants.

Inside is white, shiny and modern with neon lighting and pastel retro stools, banquettes and cushions.

It’s child friendly and exudes fun.

What else?

The café caters for meat eaters and kids and doesn’t do take-away. Make sure you check out the pink kitsch toilets!

The fresh juice test

You can order straight OJ, kombucha, matcha and turmeric latte or go for one of their signature smoothies.

We decided to review the Queen of Green,  a blend of kale, pineapple, banana, OJ and mint. Despite the banana, it wasn’t overly heavy or sweet and the mint added a refreshing kick.

What we ate

There’s lots of vegan and veggie options. In the end we ordered an avocado toast. It came with a side of fruit and consisted of a slice of sourdough, two poached eggs, avo mash, with pumpkin seeds, pesto vinaigrette and pickled onion.

Next, we had the Sunrise Skillet, a version of shakshuka with two poached eggs, a slow burn tomato and pepper sauce and onions on sourdough.

All garnished with a leafy salad. It was beautifully presented in a skillet with a home knitted handle protector.

The bill

Smoothie  $8.50
Avo on toast  $16.25
Sunrise skillet  $15.00

Enid Grace Café, Wellington, Ontario

Every morning at 7.30am a queue forms outside a bakery in the small town of Wellington, Prince Edward County. The reason for the daily ritual? The range of fresh baked breads and goodies prepared by local woman, Enid Grace.

The hotspot in question is the Enid Grace Café, whose founder began selling from a food truck and then progressed to this pretty café and bakery. Her baked goods are famous across the county and a sell out sensation…  and she also makes the best French toast we’ve ever tasted.

The setting

The Enid Grace Café is on the quiet Main St in Wellington, a short walk from Lake Ontario with its clear water and rocky beaches.

The area is surrounded by wineries, farm shops and lavender fields.

The space

There’s a small eating area inside – think pale woods, grey walls and vintage lamps. Outside, is a seasonal terrace set back from the quiet road with umbrellas and pot plants. You order at the bar and there’s free WiFi. Plus, there’s a small shop at the back of the café selling cookery items, local honey, coffee and Enid Grace aprons and tote bags.

What else?

Everything is based on the Italian café model of first come first served.

The food is intended to sell out daily eliminating food waste and ensuring freshness.

The impressive range of continental breads includes GF options. The café caters for vegans, vegetarians and meat eaters and sells out most days.

The fresh juice test

The Enid Grace Café is best known for coffees, however they also offer a creamy turmeric latte and local bottled juices. We tried the apple cider (non-alcoholic) which was sweet with a hint of tartness.

What we ate

Given the iconic status of the bread, we by-passed the selection of fruit plates and granola and ordered two dishes both made with Pain De Mie. A French Toast and a Croque Madame which are both available in a GF form.

The French Toast was soaked in custard and came with a choice of lemon curd or maple syrup. It was topped off with a cascade of fresh berries with had a jug of maple syrup on the side. It was quite simply the fluffiest, tastiest French bread we’ve ever had.

The Croque Madame was equally impressive.

We ordered the vegetarian version without country ham.  It was soaked in bechamel sauce, coated in melted gruyere and then topped with two eggs. On the side came a leafy side salad with a lovely dressing. It was very filling, but not too heavy.

What we’d go back for…

Everything!

The bill

Apple juice $3.50
French toast  $11
Croque Madame  $12

 

 

The Avocado factory, Canggu

The Avocado Factory is famous Bali-wide for its innovative avocado-inspired menu: the 21st century’s trendiest way to get your 5-a-day.

This top vegan friendly café  offers some revolutionary dishes from green matcha pancakes to decadent chocolate-avo mousse. All made from fresh locally sourced produce.

Created by the distinguished international chef Emilio Bean, this unique café concept is the first of its kind in Asia.

The setting

The Avocado Factory is in the heart of Bali’s hip beach town Canggu, which has a relaxed Australian surfer vibe. The district brims with swimwear and surfboard stores as well as vegan cafés and smoothie bars.

The space

The outside is clad in foliage with the signature avocado-shaped sign. There are several tables to choose from. It offers fast and friendly service as well as a good WiFi connection. Grab a seat on the bar directly overlooking the rice paddies, or sit outside and soak up the Indonesian sunshine. Decor-wise, there are crates of pineapples and other tropical fruit on display and an open kitchen where you can watch the chefs create and decorate each tantalising dish.
The crowd has a distinctly young demographic, which enhances the laid back ambiance, with many tourists from Australia, America and the UK.

The fresh juice test

To drink, we got the green juice – a refreshing blend of apple, kale, celery, cucumber, lemon and ginger.

Next, we had to review the thick chocolate smoothie made from cacao, banana, chia seeds, vegan protein, coconut water and, you guessed it, avocado!

They also offer health shots made from ingredients such as apple cider vinegar, turmeric and spirulina.

What we ate

The Avocado Factory serves meat and fish, but also caters for vegan, dairy-free and gluten-free diets.

We chose the avocado-hummus open sandwich, which included crunchy roasted chickpeas, green peas, radish and a beautifully crafted avocado rose, served on seeded sourdough toast.

We also ordered the spicy smashed avocado with chilli, grilled mushrooms and a runny poached egg on black rye sourdough.

What we’d go back for…

The restaurant is 98% plastic free and uses straws made out of cassava. Plus, all the food and drink packaging is eco-friendly.

The bill

Avo hummus  64,000 IDR
Spicy mash with egg 58,000 IDR
Soy capuccino  45,000 IDR
Detox juice 35,000 IDR
Cacao elixir  49,000 IDR
Still water 25,00 IDR

 

Marta’s Veggie Fusion, Split

If you’re looking for a vegan café in Split, you could well walk straight past Marta’s Veggie Fusion and not give it a second glance. Bang in the heart of the Diocletian’s Palace,  it competes with the many sights of the old city. But we highly recommend their delicious raw cakes and some of the best falafel we’ve tasted outside the Middle-East.

The setting

The location couldn’t be more picturesque.

You don’t get to sip on a protein smoothie in the heart of a UNESCO listed palace everyday.

Marta’s Veggie Fusion is adjacent to the colannaded Roman courtyard, the Peristil, which forms a perfect location for a take-away. Plus, it’s next to the Cathedral of Saint Domnius. For Game Of Throne’s fans, Daenerys kept her dragons in the basement beneath the street.

The space

Marta’s is compact.  High stool tables line one wall and there’s counter seating at the bar where you can overlook the chefs cooking dishes fresh to order.  Industrial lights and fans hang from the ceiling and a large display of raw cakes features in a cabinet overlooking the street.

What else?

The staff are really helpful and hardworking. Marta’s does take away too, and if it’s not too hot, there are plenty of amazing locations to picnic nearby from the Riva to the Peristil to Park Josipa Jurja Strossmayera.

The fresh juice test

Marta’s Veggie Fusion has a choice of smoothies, juices, ginger and cinnamon shots and home made iced tea and lemonades.

 

 

 

We chose the Fresh Re-Fresh juice, a zingy mix of apple, lemon and mint, and a home made iced-tea.

What we ate

Marta’s has an international range of dishes on the menu from burritos and burgers to curries and stir fries. We decided to review the Falafel Bowl and the Hummus Plate. The falafel were perfect, slightly spiced, moist centered and crispy. They came with tahini drizzle and quinoa, slaw, hummus and rocket. The Hummus Plate came with deliciously nutty, seeded bread, olives, sweetcorn and the home made slaw.

We finished off with a raw lime and coconut cake to take away. It was creamy and light and the tart lime perfectly cut through the sweetness of the coconut.

What we’d go back for…

The location, the falafel and to try the raw chocolate cake.

The bill

Falafel Plate  63 HRK
Hummus Plate  49 HRK
Juice  35 HRK
Iced-tea  19 HRK

For more Split inspiration click here. 

Maison Nomade, Paris

Need a vegetarian café in Paris where you can eat well and relax close to the Eurostar? The motto of Maison Nomade is meditate, eat and treat.  It’s open for breakfast, brunch and lunch, promotes zero waste and offers yoga classes on site!

The setting

Maison Nomade is in the 10th arrondissement close to Gare de l’Est with the Gare Du Nord also nearby. The café is extremely handy for commuters and Eurostar passengers. But the area is also known for pickpockets, so do take care of your belongings.

The space

The café feels more like Bali than Paris and you instantly relax when you walk in.

You will find the décor is soothing whites and pale wood.  Outside is a terrace bordered by plants and there are heating lamps for the cooler months.

The furniture inside is quite boho with sofas, chairs, pillows and hanging plants. There’s a lot of of tables inside, some shared,  so there’s plenty of  space to eat, and work. The WiFi is good.  At the bar they display freshly baked cakes and pastries. I couldn’t take my eyes off them!

The fresh juice test

The café offers a range of healthy juices and teas. We decided to review the Vitaminasana juice.

 

It was a bright blend of carrots, orange, lemon and ginger.

It is one of my favourite combinations, as it contains vegetables, but you don’t notice because of the sweetness of the orange.

What we ate

Maison Nomade serves vegetarian food with a lot of vegan and gluten free options (clearly marked on the menu).  At the weekend there’s a special brunch menu; and for lunch  and breakfast during the week they have a  fixed menu, which is typically French.

We ordered a Full Nomade menu fixé which comes with a choice of a bowl, a drink and dessert.  The choice was the Nomade bowl, curry or the Mexican bowl. We went for the Nomade bowl which was a mix of roasted butternut squash, sweet potato fries, quinoa, kimchi made off red cabbage, avocado and sukkah (we skipped the labneh). It was warm and delicious and very filling with a generous portion of quinoa.

For desert, we picked the carrot cake. It was vegan and gluten free, moist on the inside due to the grated carrots, walnuts and raisins. It was topped with some very sugary icing, but the cake wasn’t too sweet. We chose a home-made lemonade for the final part of our menu. It contained lemon, ginger and a little hint of agave. It was not sweet.

As well as the fixed menu, we also had an açaï bowl, a plat du jour and the Vitaminasana bowl. The açai bowl was delicious.  It contained cherries, dragon fruit and açai.

It was pretty sweet, but had an intense berry flavour which we really liked.

The bowl was topped off with fresh bananas, blueberries, homemade granola, coconut chips and puffed crisps.

The plat du jour was pretty special.  The base was coconut curried rice with raisins. Next was a layer of eggplant and zucchini tempura. It was not oily, but  perfectly crispy – with some super spicy warm grilled tomatoes. Finally, a layer of sprouts added the perfect finish in touch making the dish complete for me.

The little things that make the difference

You can book yoga classes at Maison Nomade. Check the website for the schedules.

The bill

Full Nomade  19EU
Açaï bowl  9EU
Plat du jour  12EU
Vitaminasana  6EU

 

Maka Maka. Split

Heading to Split and looking for a plant-based café in Split? We discovered Maka Maka for a unique healthy brunch experience. There are two plant-based locations in Split. We visited their Old Town branch and also tried out their take away stall nearby.

The setting

The main café is on the corner of a pretty tree lined square in the Old Town, one street away from the Diolcletian’s Palace.

The UNESCO listed area is Instaworthy and peaceful.

Maka Maka is also near local falafel hotspot, Daddy Cool, with its iconic floral syrup drinks.

The space

So what can you expect when you arrive? A massive window opens onto the street. Outside, there are more tables in the tree shaded square and a few stool height tables for two against the wall. We loved the bright coloured cushions on the floor.

 

What else?

Maka Maka also has a take away stall on the Riva. It’s a  perfect plant-based pitstop for an evening stroll along the waterfront. It serves a range of plant-based smoothies, açai bowls, juices and kombuchas. The café also does take-aways and they are happy to pack any leftovers up for you.

The staff, especially at the stand on the Riva, are very helpful.

The fresh juice test

Need a kombucha when you are in Split? There’s a good range of smoothies and juices – seven of each, plus kombucha and shots.

We decided to review the Detox – a crisp and thirst quenching mix of cucumber, carrot, ginger apple and lemon.

What we ate

The café keep it simple and stick to doing two things very well- poké bowls and açai bowls. There’s a large choice of vegan and vegetarian bowls on offer.  We went for the for the açai.

We chose the Nalu – a blend of açai, banana, mango and coconut milk. The freezing cold mix was topped off with granola, cashews, blueberries, pineapple, coconut shavings and bee pollen.

It came in a pretty ceramic bowl.

Later in the day we visited the stand on the harbour front. We had the pink Dragon Bowl. Refreshingly cold, it contained pitaya, bananas and coconut milk. It was topped with granola, pineapple, bee pollen and berries and was perfect pre-dinner treat. We also tried a bottle of lime and ginger kombucha.

The bill

Detox juice  32HRK
Nala bowl  55HRK
Dragon bowl  55HRK
Kombucha  30HRK

For more Split inspiration click here. 

 

 

 

East Village, Café Bristol

If you’re looking for a vegetarian café in Bristol, then why not head for beautiful Clifton? The stylish and airy East Village Café is 100% vegetarian with plenty of vegan and GF options. They also serve a mean pitaya latte.

The setting

East Village Café is in the heart of beautiful Clifton Village, surrounded by independent shops and cafés. It’s five minutes walk from Brunel’s iconic Suspension Bridge, the Observatory and the Zoo.

The space

The café is in a quiet courtyard under an arch. Outside there’s a large selection of pastel blue chairs and tables. Indoors is equally as light with high ceilings, wall sized windows and white walls. There are two large eating areas decorated with plants and pale wooden furniture and a serving bar featuring delicious cakes lines one wall.

It has feels relaxed and a retreat from the busy city centre.

 

What else?

The staff are helpful, you order at the bar and they serve at your table. They use paper straws and provide complimentary decanters of tap water.

The fresh juice test

East Village Café has fresh OJ, kombucha and a range of smoothies. We decided to review the Hula Hoop Shake – a light refreshing blend of pear, strawberry, ginger, hemp and apple juice. It was delicious. We also couldn’t resist one of their signature superfood lattes. The choice includes Blue Skies, Red Velvet, Matcha and Turmeric.

We went for the Pink Pitaya which was not too sweet and sprinkled with pretty rose petals.

What we ate

The plant-based menu is extensive. It features shakshouka, açai bowls, porridge and salads. We went for brunch and ordered the Maple and Coconut Pancakes with fresh berries and the Savoury Corn and Quinoa Waffle with extra eggs. . The pancakes were light and fluffy and packed with fruit. The waffles were crunchy and topped with perfectly cooked poached eggs.

The bill

Pink pitaya latte £4.00
Hula Hoop Shake  £4.95
Pancakes with extra fruit £8.50 + £2.50
Waffles with extra egg  £10 +£1.50

For more inspiration in Bristol click here. 

 

 

Wave, Hackney

WAVE stands for We Are Vegan Everything and is the brainchild of cupcake queens Cait and Soph. Their company ‘Cupcakes and Shhht’ is renowned for frosted cupcakes and cookie sandwiches. The duo created WAVE to offer good, honest and delicious food. The café is proudly fully vegan and on a mission to prove that vegan food is the future.

The setting

WAVE is a 5-minute walk from Hackney Central overground station. Set in a private courtyard with wide, bright glass doors and windows, the café has a large indoor and outdoor seating area.

The space

Outdoors the wooden tables are surrounded by small stools as well as a gorgeous ground seating area covered in patterned rugs, comfy cushions and cosy throws. Or you can relax in their numerous hanging egg chairs.  There are two outside and two hammock chairs inside too.

The light and airy nature of the café has a chilled-out Bali beach vibe.

There are cosy wooden sofas, plush pillows and lots of greenery – plants in vases, flowers on the tables and green foliage dotting the seating areas.

Inside you are welcomed with a well-stocked counter top of fresh sourdough cheese stuffed sandwiches, vegan cream and faux-salmon bagels as well as a selection of bakes, raw bakes and power snacks.

The fresh juice test

All the juices at WAVE are made in house. The Goodness Gracious Green is a vibrant  mix – a not too sweet blend of spinach, apple, spirulina, cucumber, lemon and ginger. It is a real refresher and feels packed with goodness.

We also had the Himalayan salted coffee which comes with oat milk as standard, as do all the hot drinks at WAVE. It tasted just like caramel. Served like a latte, rich and creamy, it tasted unique!

What we ate

The menu at WAVE is extensive with every dish sounding – and looking – delicious.

Decorated with edible flowers, fresh herbs and nuts and seeds, each dish is presented in beautiful stoneware crockery.

We chose the famous Brekky Bowl – a buddha bowl style breakfast feast. It’s filled with organic turmeric scrambled tofu with chives and black salt, basil toasted plum tomatoes, garlic and parsley fried mushrooms, smoky aubergine and avocado served with a fresh wedge of lemon, chilli flakes, mixed seeds, walnuts and rocket.  The dish is gluten-free and packed with flavour. The sticky glazed aubergine was the real highlight of the bowl.

We also had the Mac and Cheese – a creamy and light macaroni pasta in a vegan cheesy sauce topped with roasted tomatoes and broccoli, crispy kale, rich umami coconut bacon and fresh micro herbs.

We spotted slices of pink frosted strawberry and pistachio cake, thickly-stuffed cookie sandwiches, raw berry cheesecakes and peanut butter chocolate slices.

We chose the sticky and generously glazed cinnamon roll. It was subtly sweet and filled with so much cinnamon. Light and fluffy with a silky-smooth glaze, this bun is the perfect afternoon delight.

What we’d go back for

The staff are really friendly and informative, adding an inviting touch to the already incredible eatery.

The bill

Greens juice £5.00
Brekky bowl  £12.50
Mac and cheese £10.00
Salted coffee £3.50
Cinnamon roll £3.50

 

 

Our favourite Glowcations, Amsterdam

Amsterdam is one of our favourite cities. It’s packed with canals, art galleries, flower markets and museums. However, what attracts us most is the cool vibe and the huge choice of plant-based food. The selection of vegetarian and vegan cafés can be quite daunting. Luckily, two of our Glowstars, Fabienne Dobbe and Fleur Maat are local and Dutch, so we can really narrow down your hit list. Here’s our top three must visit vegan and vegetarian cafés in Amsterdam.

Lavinia Good Food, Centrum

Lavinia Good Food is a hidden gem in the historic centre of Amsterdam. Sat on the pretty Kerkstraat, between two canals, it is charming, laid back and serves a mean gluten-free pizza. The food is mostly vegetarian and vegan, but they also have some salmon dishes if you eat fish.

Lavinia has an all day brunch and lunch menu with lattes, juices, cocktails, beers and organic wines.

We suggest  ordering The Lavinia bowl with whole grain cous cous, roasted sweet potato, chickpeas, pickled red cabbage and home made hummus. Model Fabienne thinks the vegan vanilla pie is “a must! ”

To read more about Lavinia Good Food click here.

Juice Brothers, several locations

Our favourite spot for a vitamin packed juice is Juice Brothers. Founded in 2015 by four friends on a canal holiday, it’s now a huge success and has  several branches in Amsterdam, plus two in New York. We love their Haarlemmerbuurt branch with its view of the iconic ”Willemsbrug”. The café and grab and go is modern and minimal. You order at the bar and the eating area is upstairs.

Juice Brothers have a mega choice when it comes to drinks: ten juices, three tonics, three mylks, six shots and ten smoothies! We suggest the Unicorn’s Blood – a fresh and spicy mix of watermelon, pineapple, ginger and lemon.

And there’s the smoothie bowls… all the smoothie and açai bowls are made with made with non dairy organic products. We love their signature bowl the Almond açai.

Finally, they sell Van Leeuwen the vegan ice-cream brand. Fabienne and Fleur suggest grabbing one to go. Plant-based heaven.

To read more about Juice Brothers click here. 

The Meets, De Pijp

The Meets is in the Pijp, one of Amsterdam’s coolest neighbourhoods, packed with cafés and home to  the Albert Cuypmarkt street market.
This brick walled café focuses on locally sourced produce, using organic ingredients as much as possible and staying away from refined sugars . The menu is international.  It includes açai bowls and kimchi toast for breakfast, fresh spring rolls, beetroot balls for lunch (a healthier vegan alternative for the famous Dutch ‘bitterbal’ which is a deep fried ball of minced meat)  and Sicilian eggplant stew or Pad Thai for dinner.

On the drinks front, student Fleur loves their fresh coconuts with lime juice,

“I have tasted many fresh coconuts in my life (in Vietnam, Malaysia and Bali), but I must say this was one of the best coconuts I ever had!”.

Also, don’t miss their blue smoothie. The ‘Samui Blue’ consists of banana, mango, coconut water, whey protein, spirulina and bee pollen.

To find out more about The Meets click here.

 

Wild Food Café, Islington, North London

Wild Food Café in Islington is a far cry from the cosy, rustic feel of their Neal’s Yard location, but it’s just as inviting and a short walk from Highbury and Islington tube on Upper Street.

Wild Food Café strive to find the most nourishing and inspiring ingredients available. Their sources include wild crafted and foraged foods from pristine eco systems, small organic farmers and ethical and local suppliers.  Everything is raw, plant based and, I think, delicious.

The space

The interiors feel sleek and millennial. There is also much greenery, with marble tabletops and pink detailing to round off the beautiful, open space.

Founders Aiste and Joel have created the most aesthetic, innovative feel to their second location, which is reflected in the food served.

The little things that make a difference

From the plants to the open kitchen, the stylistic details are what make the open space so magnificent. I’m a sucker for an open kitchen, complete with pizza oven and breakfast bar, as it allows for an element of transparency. There is no fear in presenting the labour behind the food, the ingredients and process behind every dish.

Whilst there are plugs and yes, there is WiFi, Wild Food Café will always first and foremost be a restaurant. You could sit for the odd hour or so with your laptop, especially as the environment feels ever so calming, but I wouldn’t stay more than that. There are so many other options on Upper Street to set up camp for the afternoon, save Wild Food for a magic elixir with friends, or a blowout brunch date.

The fresh juice test

I’ve had many a green juice at the Neal’s Yard branch. The Vibrant Green I decided to review contains celeriac, sea beet, watercress, nettle, sea purslane, mint and apple. However, it is the smoothies and hot elixirs that I urge you to try. From a rose hot chocolate to the cacao ecstasy I guzzled, they are every so dreamy.

What we ate

Each plate can only be described, as a masterpiece in its own right. Every dish as different in structure, flavour and finish as a row of art works in a gallery.  In my opinion, there is nowhere in London quite like it. It’s the main reason I keep coming back. The menu combines both the healing nature of food with the taste and presentation of a Michelin star restaurant.

The menu changes with the seasons introducing new ingredients, medicinal plants, adaptogens and herbs.

 

We had the Italian pizza  made with marinara sauce, cashew cheese sauce, cherry tomatoes, wild leaf pesto, sun-blushed artichokes, pink olives, rocket, basil and nori and the Fawaffle.

It was a falafel waffle served with cashew and mint cream, sweet chilli sauce, red cabbage slaw, pepper and tomato salsa and sprouted lentil hummus.

They were both part of the weekend lunch menu. The menu during the week varies. Then we shared the limited edition Easter egg, part of the Easter weekend specials. This dessert was the star of the show. The white chocolate cream was gloriously fluffy and decadent and formed a lovely sweet bed for the double-layered chocolate egg to sit on, filled with hazelnut praline. This was seasonal, but it’s worth saying that there’s always an amazing selection of raw desserts year round.

What we’d go back for…

Dessert. I won’t stop until I’ve tried every sweet dish on the menu.  Plus, the staff themselves who greet you so warmly as you walk through the door and serve each plate with love are another reason to return.

The bill

Vibrant green juice  £8
Italian pizza  £15.50
Fawaffle  £12.50
Desserts from  £7.50

 

Flax and Kale, Barcelona

Flax & Kale was the first Flexitarian health-food restaurant in Barcelona. While 80% of their dishes are plant-based, the remaining 20% contain oily fish. Flax & Kale are passionate about healthy food and the café is famous across the Catalan city.

The setting

You can find Flax & Kale in El Raval, near the Placa Catalunya and the main shopping district. Take the L2 metro to stop Universitat or bus D50 to Ronda Universitat. The amazing Museum d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona is also nearby.

The space

The outside is clean and simple. You will see large windows with beige awning with the Flax & Kale initials on it. The street is quite busy since it’s one of the main shopping streets near by Placa de Catalunya and there’s a terrace outside.

Inside, the café has high ceilings and feels airy and large.

The wall length windows fill the restaurant with natural light which suits the warm wood work and white accessories. You can expect lots of plants, exposed brick, communal tables and a selection of eating areas including booths. I sat down at the bar since I was alone and it was super crowded. I did the review around 11am  on a Tuesday.

On the second floor, there’s another section of the restaurant which they open during peak hours. Finally, there’s also a gorgeous roof top terrace where you can dine in between flowers and plants!

The service is very quick. I couldn’t decide what to pick and the waitress recommended her favourites instead of the best sellers and the most expensive dishes. There’s wifi, but I wouldn’t recommend sitting in to work, as it gets so busy during breakfast and lunch hours.

What else?

The crowd is very diverse and caters to all ages. They have a kids menu. Flax & Kale have two other smaller branches- the take-away F&K Á Porter in the H&M Flagship Store in the Passeig de Gràcia district and F&K Passage in Sant Pere Més Alt Street in the Ciutat Vella.

The fresh juice test

Flax & Kale have a large drinks menu.

You can choose from kombuchas, smoothies, a wide range of Theresa’s Juicery juices, mylks and purées.

I decided to review The Berlin juice – a rainbow coloured fruit purée. It was a very, very good choice! The cold-pressed purée has three different layers. The first layer is made of orange and mango purée. The second layer is a less thick blend of strawberries and blueberries. The last layer is a thick beetroot and activated charcoal layer. It comes ready made in a bottle, but do shake it first. I tried to drink it but nothing came out initially and then everything came out at once. All the flavours were there and I really liked the juice. Even though it is packed with fruit you can still taste the beetroot flavour.

What we ate

I had the Rainbow coconut milk parfait and the Ginger turmeric doughnut.

The base of the parfait is home made coconut mylk yoghurt mixed with blue spirulina, which colours the yoghurt pale baby blue. The bowl is topped off with a lot of fruit- blueberries, blackcurrants, strawberries, raspberries, kiwi, grapes and banana. Next to this, they add their gluten free crumble with chocolate chunks and their homemade “moskito”, which is a cookie made of buckwheat flour, cashew mascarpone with a plant-based chocolate cover. It is a great sized portion.

Next, I had the non-fried ginger turmeric doughnut. The doughnut is made out of almond flour and is covered in plant based chocolate. In the middle it has a blob of ginger, turmeric and cashew cream. The doughnut had a very airy texture because of the almond flour. It does taste a bit more like a cake though, since it isn’t fried.

The little things that make the difference

The toilet is so beautifully designed. The light is amazing and the walls are full of mirrors so everyone can take photos and selfies in the bathroom.

The bill

Rainbow coconut milk parfait  €8.95
Ginger turmeric doughnut  €2.95
Berlin juice  €5.95

 

Beter & Leuk, Amsterdam

 

Beter & Leuk translates as ‘better and fun’. It’s known for its organic, local, gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan menu throughout Amsterdam. Their delicious menu is 100% vegetarian and their USP is their vegan pastries.  You can eat in, but Beter & Leuk also has a flourishing take-away counter and an on site shop selling sustainable lifestyle items, clothing, jewelry and more. We love it.

The setting

Beter & Leuk is in a lively area in Eastern Amsterdam, near the river Amstel. This cute homestyle café is on an urban street, with a calm and relaxed feel to it. This area of town is less touristy than others. It’s quieter and more residential, but filled with cafés and shops.

The space

Beter & Leuk feels like a living room. It’s compact and cosy. With the little shop-area in the back of the café, it also has the feeling of a concept store. You can buy cookery books, jewellery, beauty products and more. Most products come from local suppliers and everything is sustainable. The emphasis on sustainability continues not only in the menu and shop, but also in the decor of the café. It’s a stylish mix of non-matching, vintage and upcycled furniture. The walls are hung with changing artworks (also for sale) showcasing new Dutch artists. In the Summer, there are a few outside-seats, but no large terrace. Inside, are small tables and a large sharing table plus window bar seating. Beter & Leuk has table service.

The crowd

Beter & Leuk is run by Ilse and Maja, two ladies that are are passionate about spreading the healthy lifestyle message.

The mostly female crowd is a fun mix of young girls and trendy mums as well as older ladies- proving that healthy eating is for any age.

 

The fresh juice test

We began  our brunch review with some freshly prepared juices- an apple, carrot and ginger juice for my sister and an apple, celery and lemon one for me. Their juices are not too sweet and pretty generous in size.

What we ate

The food menu at Beter & Leuk includes sweet items such as berry smoothie bowls and banana-buckwheat pancakes. And you can find savoury items including a selection of salads (a seasonal one and a bibimbap), soup and sandwiches.

We ordered the baked tempeh sandwich with wasabi mayonnaise, cucumber, pickles and a small, fresh side salad.

I also ordered the spinach-buckwheat pancake with pea hummus and grilled vegetables. It came with a small quinoa side salad and the portion size was really good.

 

You can’t resist the sweet items on the menu. You can choose from  scones made of oats served with coconut yogurt and berries, chocolate brownies made from sweet potato and sweetened with date syrup and much more. In the end, we decided to end our brunch with the berry banana bread (sweetened with rice syrup) served with date creme and the vegan carrot cake with coconut frosting.

The carrot cake  was especially good!

We also had an almond matcha latte and a spiced iced almond turmeric latte on the side, a perfect end to a good brunch.

What else?

Beter & Leuk is active in hosting workshops on healthy eating and living. On some days you can even take a yoga class followed up by a healthy breakfast.

The bill

Juices 2x  €4.95
Matcha latte  €3.95
Turmeric latte  €3.75
Tempeh sandwich  €8.95
Masala Dosa  €10.50
Banana bread  €3.95
Carrot cake  €4.50

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Flex Bowls, Barcelona

Flex Bowls was the first healthy bowl café in Barcelona. It has a wide range of plant-based, flexitarian food on the menu. It’s a must visit for you if you’re plant-based and in Barcelona.

The setting

Flex Bowls is in Eixample. To get there, take the 47 bus to Pau Claris Arago station. It’s near other gastro-hotspots Eatmytrip Brunch & Bakery, El Nacional and Citizin café.

The space

Flex Bowls has a large, glass front with their signature white plate sign hanging above it. Outside, there are wooden apple boxes filled with their juice, lunch and brunch menu, plus there’s a tiny terrace on the other side of the pedestrian walkway.

Once inside, there’s a huge bar where you order food to take away or eat in. Behind the bar are shelves stacked with wines, plants, coffee cups and preserving jars. There are three high tables with bar chairs where you can sit at the bar. And there’s more!  Down the stairs there’s another huge space where you can settle in to work or chat. They have strong wifi.

The fresh juice test

I had the slim fit juice which was a smart choice.

It was perfectly balanced between the sweet of the fruit and the savoury of the veg.

The juice came in a house Flex Bowls bottle and was a combination of watermelon, spinach, cucumber, celery, coconut water, lemon, chia and ginger. All the flavours were there, but none of them were overpowering. Delicious.

What we ate

Flex Bowls has a lot of plant-based variety on their menu – from smoothie bowls and chia pots to pancakes.

Lactose Free, Gluten Free and vegan dishes are all marked up. I decided to review the Pumpkin Pecan Smoothie Bowl, as I was curious about the pumpkin (!), and the Vegan Brownie.

The bowl had a base of almond milk, pumpkin, banana, almonds, dates, vanilla and cinnamon. It was topped off with granola, chia seeds, nuts, banana, strawberry, coconut and cinnamon. The base was pleasantly surprising. The pumpkin added a nice twist and the hint of cinnamon added a perfect finishing touch. The granola was very sweet and sugary but rather confusingly didn’t appear to include pecans!

The brownie made up for it though. It was super moist and chewy from the inside. The top layer had a huge crunchy layer of nuts on top. You won’t regret ordering one.

The little things that make the difference

The big smiles of the waiters!

The bill

Pumpkin pecan smoothie bowl  €8,95
Slim fit juice €5,45
Vegan brownie €4,50

 

 

Lavinia Good Food, Amsterdam

Lavinia Good Food is a hidden gem in the historic centre of Amsterdam. Sat on the pretty Kerkstraat, between two canals, it is charming, laid back and serves a mean gluten-free pizza. If you’re visiting Amsterdam or a local who loves healthy food, then it’s a must visit.

The setting

Lavinia Goodfood is based on the Kerkstraat. It’s close to the flower market and near other healthy hotspots like Delicious Deshima, Stach and SLA. Take tram 2, 11 or 12 to the Prinsengracht of Keizersgracht and from there it’s a five minute walk. There are also plenty of art galleries and vintage shops in the area.

The space

The space is charming and cosy. Outside there’s kitsch yellow furniture in front of the windows,  so you can sit outside and relax in the sun. Inside is brick walled with wooden furniture and lots of wood tables – mostly for two,  but they also have a huge sharing table.

The decor is very kitsch- cute plates and miss matched items stylishly combined.

Around lunch time it can get very packed. There’s great wifi and you can definitely take your laptop out and work, but not at lunch or brunch times since it is too busy. There’s another branch in Amstelveenseweg in Oud Zuid.

The crowd

What’s funny is the waiters are English – they’re not Dutch! Lavinia is really popular with a younger crowd, especially students.

What else?

You can eat in or take away and Lavinia also sells items like juicers, superfoods and even some gardening supplies.

The fresh juice test

Lavinia has a choice of fresh juices and lemonades. We had the green juice.  It was a mix of spinach, celery and apple. The juice wasn’t too sweet, despite the apple, and it contained lots of veg.

What we ate

Lavinia Goodfood serves a bit of everything. The menu is mostly vegetarian and vegan, but they also have some dishes with salmon. Lavinia has an all day brunch and lunch menu with lattes,  juices, cocktails, beers and organic wines. They also have some gluten-free options.

For my review, I had the Açaï bowl, Lavinia’s vegan bowl and a vanilla pie to finish off lunch. The portions were satisfyingly large and colourful. The acaï bowl came with cheese which we switched for coconut yoghurt. It didn’t really taste like acaï, more like a smoothie bowl, but this wasn’t a bad thing.

The bowl came with a very delicious and crispy granola which was gluten-free with coconut chips, fresh fruits and a drizzle of agave on top.

The Lavinia bowl was our savoury choice. It was whole grain cous cous, roasted sweet potato, chickpeas, pickled red cabbage, home made hummus and we also added some vegan “bacon” made out of mushrooms. All the ingredients were perfectly balanced. There was something creamy, something warm, something crunchy and something refreshing due to the pickled cabbage.

The vanilla pie was a must! They had a choice of vegan, gluten free pastries, but also traditional choices like dutch apple pie.

The vegan vanilla pie was a two layered cake with jam in the middle and and white icing on top. Topped off with some roasted almonds, blueberries and an extra drizzle of maple syrup. The cake was not dry at all, it had so much flavour and a really spongy texture.

The little things that make the difference

You can rent out Lavinia Good Food on the Kerkstraat for events.

The bill

Açai bowl  €9,50
+ coconut yoghurt  €2
Lavinia’s bowl  €11,50
+veggie bacon  €2,50
Green juice  €6,50
Vanilla cake  €4,50

 

Böl, Barcelona

Böl translated as Bowls Bar is one of Barcelona’s go to cafés, especially if you like your dose of fresh, organic, produce served up in a bowl.

From the morning bowls featuring açai, spirulina and protein through to the signature Buddha bowls there’s a huge choice. You can even have Avocado Toast Bowls.

Böl’s aim is to empower you to “Eat Good & Feel Good” to feed your body and spirit.

The location

Böl is in L’Antiga Esquerra de l’Eixample, on the west side of Carrer de Balmes. You can take the H10 bus to Mallorca-Balmes station. There’s a selection of other healthy cafés around and hotspots like Brunch and Cake, Bon and Green and Berry are near by.

The space

Böl has a small outside terrace with tables under beach umbrellas and  wooden stools in front of the window. You order at the bar and you can sit in or take away. Inside the decor is very modern, warm wood work and clean lines. It’s fresh and white with industrial iron lamps.

You can sit outside in the sun, on the pretty baby blue chairs.

The little things that make the difference

The smoothie bowls come in coconut bowls and a matching spoon, we love!

What we ate

Böl serves smoothie bowls, quinoa bowls, toast and plant-based pancakes. It offers something for everyone, meat, fish, vegetarian and vegan. There’s special notes on their menu for dishes which contain sesame, eggs, soy, gluten and lactose and it also indicates which are vegetarian, spicy and vegan. It’s great for those of us with allergies, like my lactose intolerance.

I ordered the coco mermaid böl and the Buddha böl with a beet latte with almond mylk.

The coco mermaid böl had a base made of coconut flesh, coconut mylk, spirulina and cantaloupe. It was topped with homemade granola, apple, blueberry, cacao nibs and grated coconut. The smoothie base was cold, really cold, but the taste was tropical. It had a very fresh flavour mixed with the cantaloupe.  It didn’t have a lot of topping, but the toppings it did have were nice, with a lot of crunch.

The Buddha bowl came on a turmeric quinoa base and was topped with sweet potatoes, broccoli, red cabbage, marinated chickpeas, grapefruit, crunchy seeds, alfalfa sprouts and a miso tahini sauce. The bowl was a mix of vegetables, protein, crunch, bitter and sweet. It was perfectly balanced!

The beet latte was a very cute pink. It wasn’t sweet, you can always add sugar later if you want, which I prefer.

The bill

Coco mermaid böl  €8,50
Buddha böl  €9,95
Beet latte  €2,10
+almond milk  €0,20

The Bowl café, Tokyo

The Bowl’s focus is on food as medicine. They serve delicious, health fuelling bowls, packed with organic products.

The setting

The Bowl is based in Ometosando which is Tokyo’s famous shopping district. You take the subway to the Ometosando station and from there it’s a short five minute walk. The area is quite urban, but with a lot of expensive shops and some cool plant-based cafés.

The space

The Bowl has a modern exterior. The entrance is a mix of iron and cement which really suits their minimalistic logo. Plants hang from the ceiling and the windows are filled with cacti.

We visited on a Sunday around noon and it was surprisingly not too busy. There is an upstairs, but most of the seating is downstairs.

Plants are draped around the light bulbs which tone down the industrial feeling created by metal and wood used throughout..

There’s really good WiFi and you could easily take bring your laptop in to do some work.

What else?

You can bring your dogs. They even have a sticker on the door to welcome them.

What we ate

The Bowl serves healthy, nutritional, gluten free and organic bowls. Most of the food is plant-based, but they also serve bowls with chicken.  They have four kinds of bowls: quinoa veggie bowls, fermented brown rice bowls, detox quinoa soups and smoothie bowls.

We decided to review the ashitaba smoothie bowl, the protein coconut curry and the soy cheese vegan caesar.

All the portions were so much bigger than I’m used to in Japan, which was perfect after a big workout, otherwise we might have struggled to finish it.

The protein coconut curry was lovely and warm, but not too hot, so we could eat it immediately. It contained a huge amount of brown rice with red beans, fermented red cabbage, grated carrots, bean sprouts and a generous amount of avocado. The curry consisted of turmeric, onions, zucchini, bell peppers and soy protein.

The soy cheese vegan caesar salad was a winner. I’m always surprised at how they can make caesar salads vegan. The salad came on a large portion of quinoa with a generous amount of kale on top. Which was good as kale is really expensive in Tokyo. It was topped off with shaved soy cheese and toasted almonds. The “cheese” really tasted like real cheese. It was salty and had a cheesey structure, but the dressing really finished off the salad!

Last but not least, we had the ashitaba smoothie bowl.

The bowl was richly topped with coconut chips, frozen raspberries, granola, frozen mango, pine nuts, pumpkin and chia seeds.

The ashitaba had a really special flavour and the bowl was very nice to end with, it was almost like dessert!

The little things that make the difference

I loved the menu and the fact they had photos of all the dishes, so we knew what to order, since we couldn’t read the contents of the bowls.

The bill

Protein coconut curry 1598¥
Vegan caesar 1490¥
Ashitaba fruits bowl 1598¥

For more Tokyo inspiration click here. 

 

 

Kupfert & Kim, Toronto

After a seven-hour flight, I landed in Toronto and knew exactly where to head first. I took the Express train from the airport to the city centre and walked through the snow (without tripping which is miraculous) to Kupfert & Kim.

Kupfert & Kim is a plant-based restaurant that I discovered through friends from Toronto. It’s a gluten-free deli serving only minimally processed plant-based food and it’s all sourced locally to minimise their carbon footprint. Their delicious, nourishing food and warm matcha latte were exactly what I needed to combat my impending jet lag.

The setting

Kupfert & Kim has several locations in Toronto, but I decided to review the one on Spadina, one of Toronto’s main arteries. On the day I visited, it was snowing heavily and I was happy to find warmth and comfort inside this cosy deli. It’s a quick walk from the shops, especially the vintage boutiques and record stores on Queen St West.

Located on the corner of a main street, it is perfect for people-watching and watching the snow fall.

The space

The deli has a warm, light atmosphere, large windows, a lush plant wall and a large, open counter. Seating options range from bar-style stools to large and single tables. There is also a cute little corner decorated with plants which sells cookbooks, vegan supplements and their in-house coffee mix.

The crowd

This branch is not too far from the University of Toronto, so you will mostly find students taking a lunch break with a latte and their laptop. A lot of business people also come in to pick up their lunch order as it’s a grab ‘n’ go. The café has a buzzing environment, but it was calm enough to picture myself spending afternoons studying here.

What we ate

I usually know within a minute or two what I want to order, but given Kupfert & Kim’s large selection of plant-based food, it was hard to choose.

They offer thirteen different kind of nourishing bowls and serve breakfast all day.

After hesitating between the Oaxaca bowl, the chilli bowl and the Indian bowl, I chose the healthy and filling Cauliflower Tahini Bowl. It was served in a beautiful ceramic bowl with organic quinoa, a generous spoonful of hummus, roasted cauliflower, organic greens, za’atar salsa, carrots, cabbage, beets, mint, pomegranate, radish, sesame seeds, pickled onions, seed and oat crackers and a lemon tahini dressing on the side! I enjoyed the bowl with its different textures (creamy, roasted, crunchy).  It was warming and fresh at the same time if that makes sense!

For dessert, I ordered a colourful smoothie bowl. The Blue bowl with blueberries, avocado, cashew butter, lemon, dates and vanilla. It was topped with berries, apple slices, hemp, chia and their house made granola. The bowl had a nice thick consistency and was the perfect serving size.  I also ordered a nice foamy matcha latte on the side. All the portions were large and great value.

What we’d go back for…

The staff were super nice and helped me decide what to order. One thing that is very important to me is that Kupfert & Kim promote eating fresh, wholesome, healthy and organic food with fresh products and they pledge to prepare almost everything in-house.

They also reuse and compost. All of their takeout materials are made from compostable plastic and they even offer discounts if you bring your own reusable container.

The bill

Cauliflower and tahini bowl  $12.25
Blue smoothie bowl  $9.75
Matcha latte  $4.50

 

 

 

Les Filles, Bayswater

Les Filles is the third restaurant in the LLS chain created by the inspirational plant-based restauranteurs, sisters Sonia and Hayet Zaame. Their other branches include LLS Hampstead and LLS Waterloo. Les Filles is an Australian inspired café and turns fresh, healthy ingredients into beautifully presented sumptuous dishes avoiding chemicals. The menu focuses on vegan-friendly food, but offers something for everyone, whether or not you’re vegetarian.

The setting

Les Filles is a short walk from Lancaster Gate station, between Bayswater and Paddington. It’s close to Hyde Park for an after walk latte.

The space

The street is quiet and the ambience is relaxing inside. Pick a wooden table with blue velvet stools to perch on, or curl up in the cosy cushioned spot by the window.

The wallpaper showcases artwork and quotes, reflecting the restaurant’s mission which is “everyone leaves feeling that little bit better”.

There’s an impressive selection of vegan and gluten-free desserts, such as carrot cake and banana bread on display. The table service was excellent too- fast, friendly and incredibly helpful when it came to allergies!

The crowd

The café is popular among customers of all ages and attracts many vegans for a vast selection of plant-based food, although it does also cater for meat-eaters too. When I visited for my review, it wasn’t too busy which made it easy to get a table. Dogs are also welcome!

The fresh juice test

We chose a freshly made Mean Green Juice – a nutrient-dense concoction of apple, cucumber, celery, kale and ginger.

In addition, we ordered a matcha latte with almond mylk and a beetroot latte with oat mylk, which came with a gorgeous sprinkle of dried rose petals.

What we ate

The menu places an emphasis on vegan and vegetarian food, yet they offer everything from poached eggs to chicken sandwiches. We shared two breakfasts. The porridge infused with earl grey tea was cooked in coconut mylk to creamy perfection and decorated with a variety of fresh fruit and an edible flower adding an elegant touch. We also had the stack of buckwheat pancakes served with mixed berries, sliced banana, a dollop of coconut cream and lashings of sweet date syrup.

The pancakes were flawlessly fluffy and the earl grey porridge had a truly unique flavour.

What we’d go back for…

The buckwheat pancakes and the colourful lattes plus the wonderful service!

The bill

Buckwheat pancakes  £8.95
Porridge  £6.50
Mean Green Juice  £4.50
Matcha latte  £4.00
Beetroot latte  £3.40

 

Sky High Juice Bar, Tokyo

Sky High Juice Bar began with the philosophy of creating a place to boost your health and beauty, both on the inside and outside, through cold-pressed juices and fresh salads. They only use 100% organic and plant-based produce and serve some of the best take away juices in Tokyo.

The setting

There are three locations in Tokyo: one in Hiroo, one in Shinjuku and one in Aoyama. We reviewed the one in Aoyama, their first and largest branch. It’s conveniently near other health hotspots like Elle Café and 8ablish. Also, at the weekends, there is a farmers’ market close by at the University of the United Nations.

The space

The café is hidden behind a stairway, so look out for their signs outside with their menu.  Inside is compact. They have two small counters with six chairs, but they’re mainly focussed on take aways not eat in.

I was the only one eating in, but it was busy with people coming in for take aways. Service was quick.

The shelves and chairs are wooden and decorated with beautiful vases and flowers.

On the counter, they also have a little glass display with their gluten free and vegan pastries.  They have a really good working wifi, but I’m not sure if this is the most relaxing spot to sit down and work at.

The fresh juice test

Sky High Juice bar is known for their cold pressed juices and smoothies, but also serves smoothie bowls and gluten free treats.

Everything is organic and 100% plant based. The day I reviewed, they had seven juices to choose from which were pre-bottled in the fridge.

I chose the “Lifer” which was a mix of beets, pineapple, ginger, burdock, cucumber, grapefruit, turmeric, black pepper and liver tonic.

I only had half of the juice bottle, so they poured the other half of my juice in a plastic cup, which kind of upset me a bit… although the juice was really good.  All the flavours were there.  It wasn’t too sweet, but also not really veggie like. The juice was also had a hint of spice, because of the pepper, turmeric and ginger.

What we ate

I ordered the relax smoothie bowl and a gluten free strawberry muffin. The smoothie-bowl was not super frozen, which I really liked, so I could eat it straight away without getting a brain freeze! The base was a blend of banana, mango, pineapple and oranges.

It was sweet, but I loved it. It was topped off with banana, kiwi, blueberries, frozen raspberries and blackcurrants, coco chips, chia seeds, goji berries and some puffed granola.

They served this beauty in a small coconut bowl with a bamboo spoon which made me super happy and gave me Bali vibes straight away! Finally,  I wanted to try out one of their home-made vegan treats. My attention went straight to the strawberry muffin.  It was so beautiful and red. Surprisingly, it had little coconut chips and berries in it, adding an interesting texture. The muffin was made out of rice flour, which made it gluten free and chewy.

The little things that make the difference

If you’re feeling lazy or you have just landed and need it sent to your hotel, Sky High Juice bar is on über eats!

The bill

Relax smoothie bowl 1500¥
Lifer juice 1000¥
Strawberry muffin 350¥

 

Plant Hub, Hackney

It’s been a long journey for Plant Hub’s creator, David Bez, to find a fixed London home for his innovative, plant-based cooking. But finally and thankfully his journey has a happy ending with the creation of Plant Hub, Hackney.

I’ve had the pleasure of visiting David’s previous ventures in Chatsworth Road (Pride Kitchen) and his pop up in Broadway Market’s Tiosk, but this new plant-based café is more ambitious. I was very excited to review it, as Bez has  joined forces with chef Lauren Lovatt and co-founder and head chef Antonio Alderuccio (AKA The Rainbow Chef) .  Their new venue not only boasts a widely vegan (and scrumptious) menu, but it also has a brand new plant based culinary academy right within its walls. Their aim is “to inspire a passion for plants, through building a community where we can all learn from the most inspiring chefs and foodies … to make and enjoy more plant based food.” And I think they’re absolutely on their way!

The setting

Plant Hub is on über trendy Mare St. It’s just round the corner from beautiful London Fields and a short walk from Hackney Central.

The space

Stepping off busy Mare Street, you are welcomed in by a display of fresh produce and homemade cakes and desserts.  It shouts ‘come in!’ Although narrow, the back of the café has about 8 tables and warm, stripped walls creating a really welcoming environment.  The lighting is industrial, there are metal chairs and wooden floors.

The seating area  overlooks the Plant Hub academy kitchen so you’re really in on the action.

The fresh juice test

The menu features an irresistible mix of elaborate mocktails, super lattes and smoothies. I had a fresh turmeric latte  which was the nicest I’ve ever had in London and a CBD & chamomile latte. I was so keen to try this and it was incredible.

What we ate

With very hungry tummies, we shared the Protein Bowl, which is a combo of a chickpea omelette, black peas, coriander butter beans, hummus, fermented oat cheez, kale, toasted seeds, dressed with a tahini and cheezy mustard sauce.

We also had the Melanzane Parmigiana (I genuinely wouldn’t have known it was vegan) and the filled Gluten Free Focaccia.

The Focaccia was stuffed with beetroot hummus, sun dried tomatoes and  rocket. We were tempted to try everything, so we followed this with the heavenly bread and butter pudding and a chocolate and pear tart with coconut cream and date syrup.

What else?

Plant Hub runs a wealth of workshops and cooking classes every week. You can learn skills from how to make decadent plant-based desserts, how to ferment foods and even how to batch cook. There are also plenty of guest chefs and cooks taking classes, so do keep your eyes peeled for something that takes your fancy.

And if the café and academy wasn’t enough, Plant Hub also sells local produce in in the Deli, so you can come and do your weekly shop.

Products include British quinoa, lentils and beans, flours, mylks and keep cups.

What we’d go back for…

The food was incredible and I will definitely be back in no time at all to enjoy more of the menu. But probably the thing that made me glow, most literally, were the lattes to end the meal.

They were the best lattes I’ve had in London and the CBD was an added treat.

There’s just something really special about this place. It feels as though now that there is finally a stable home for David and Lauren’s passions, ideas and genius minds, Plant Hub will continue to grow into something really wonderful; making plant-based food accessible, easy and even more delicious for us all!

The bill

Melanzane parmigiana  £8.00
Filled focaccia  £6.00
Protein bowl  £9.00
Super lattes  £4.00

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

Caravan Bankside, Southwark

Need a London café close to the Tate Modern that ticks all the boxes? Caravan Bankside is a Southwark must visit for breakfast, lunch, dinner or just coffee and a home brewed kombucha. They cater for vegans, vegetarians and meat eaters. Our verdict? It doesn’t just entice, it delights and delivers.

The location

Caravan Bankside is located in an old metal box factory in this achingly cool area of  Southwark, a stone’s throw from the Tate Modern. It’s also an easy walk to the Menier Chocolate Factory, The Globe Theatre and Borough Market.

The space

The spacious café has retained many original 19th century features and has a warm, industrial feel.

Imagine large windows, white columns, stripped wood and metal girders. You could easily spend the day here with your laptop or celebrate with a large group.

 

What else

Caravan Bankside is the third branch of Caravan. Their mixed menu is also on offer at Exmouth Market, King’s Cross, Fitzrovia and in the City. They also brew their own immune boosting kombucha and shrubs.

The fresh juice test

As well as fresh juices, shots and milk blends (hot and cold), Caravan Bankside brew their own immune boosting ferments and pro-biotic sodas.

The ginger and galangal soda and the pomegranate kombucha sounded particularly appealing. In the end, we decided to review two fresh juices. First, the cucumber, apple, parsley, spinach and sorrel which was a prefect balance of sweet and bitter. Next we tested the beetroot, cucumber, cayenne and lemon. We’d never had beetroot in a juice without apple before, but didn’t miss it, as there was enough sweetness and it was refreshingly light.

What we ate

Caravan serves up a little bit of everything from across the globe; from small plates and snacks to larger dishes.

We began with snacks and chose the the stilton and peanut wantons with ketjap dip.

They were crisp and exquisite. We followed with the charred hispi cabbage, sweet miso, blue cheese and thai basil. This dish was even more heavenly, with the sweet miso sauce taking it to a new level.  Finally, we had the split pea dahl, braised greens, carrot relish, ginger jam, coconut yoghurt and pickled red onion. This was also good but not a standout dish.

What we’d go back for

The cabbage… and we want to try their plant-based breakfasts next time – which include spiced yoghurts, steel cut oat porridge and smoothie bowls. Plus, their industrial themed unisex toilets are lovely, with stripped bricks, exposed copper piping and Aesop hand washes and creams.

The bill

Stilton and peanut wantons, ketjap manis £4.50
Charred hispi cabbage £7.50
Split pea dahl and braised greens £14.50
Juices £4.50

Zazie, Rome

Rome has a fair amount of plant-based places including gelaterias, cafés, bakeries and restaurants, but Zazie was recommended to me so many times that I just had to try it. My Italian getaway lasted ten days, the last few days spent in beautiful and historical Rome. After eating pomodoro pasta or vegan pizza at every meal, I felt sluggish and in desperate need of fresh fruit and vegetables.  I loved it so much, I returned the day after my review!

The setting

Zazie has four different locations in Rome, but, as I had planned to visit Vatican City after lunch, I decided on Zazie Borgo Pio. After a stroll in the lush Villa Borghese gardens, you can explore Rione XXII Prati and Rione Borgo neighbourhoods, the latter being where Zazie is located. Both areas are very historical with beautiful churches and palazzos worth visiting. Plus, I would definitely recommend grabbing a juice on the go and walking to the Vatican after your meal.

The space

Zazie has a cool, industrial interior design with coloured metal furniture and lamps. However, the café feels warm due to details such as wooden ornaments dangling from the ceiling like mobiles. I really liked the large wooden counter and shelves with their display of fresh fruit and vegetables, glass jars full of freshly baked cookies and a counter dedicated to free add-ons to your meal such as various seeds, croutons, granola, nuts…

It is the first time that I’ve seen superfoods offered unlimited and free.

The crowd

I was very surprised by the crowd ! It was mostly working people in suits grabbing a soup and juice during lunch hours or older people sitting with a newspaper. Both times I went, I was the only tourist. The lovely staff translated all of the ingredients for me, explained to me which supplements I could choose from, let me replace ingredients in my order and asked upfront if I was a vegetarian or vegan.

The fresh juice test

I was craving a green juice so much so I ordered the greenest item I could find on the menu. It  was spirulina, kiwi, green apple and banana, but I asked to replace the banana with celery and add ginger. It was so hydrating and fresh ! They have a large selection of juices and you can also invent your own and there are three different sizes.

What we ate

Each day they offer a selection of warm salads, fresh salads and soups. I chose a salad bowl with red cabbage, white cabbage, arugula, spinach, chickpeas, radish and a tomato salsa. I also added barley, pumpkin seeds, flaxseed and their dressing of the day which was made from arugula, lemon juice, garlic, shallots and soy cream. It was super fresh, filling and creamy. The next day when I returned,  I ordered a pumpkin and carrot soup with couscous which was equally delicious and super warming.

There are so many bakeries, chocolate stores and biscuits in Italy, but, as a vegan, I have never been able to have any!

I was delighted to see that Zazie had vegan and gluten free versions of traditional Italian desserts.

I chose a chocolate tartlet with an incredible chocolate ganache (and I don’t like chocolate usually), a coconut biscuit, a walnut biscuit and a hazelnut and chocolate biscuit! All were very crumbly, as most Italian baked goods are and I really enjoyed discovering these culinary specialties.

The little things that make a difference

I could totally see Zazie as a place to work from while sipping on juice or tea with their fast wifi, power outlets and calm setting.

When I first saw that they do not have actual plates or glasses, I was worried about plastic over-use, but they actually use compostable bioplastic containers made from potato starch. Which was great. I also appreciated the little chalk boards everywhere with nutritional or environmental information. 

The bill

Green Juice + supplement  5.95€
Salad + cereal supplement 6.95€
Biscuits 6.65€

 

Naked, Lisbon

Lisbon is showing a lot of plant-based love these days. Naked is one of the city’s hotspots. It’s natural and flexitarian with stacks of vegan and vegetarian options.  Plus, fruit packed ice-lollies don’t come better than this!

The setting

Naked is across from the Jardim do Príncipe Real. It’s a pretty tiled building with glass hatches opening onto the street so the perfect stop for a smoothie or an ice-lolly.

The space

Even though it’s more of a grab and go, the walls are decorated with copies of classical artwork following the Naked theme.

There’s a pastel pink counter where a selection of their glorious cakes are displayed.

Little things that make a difference

One of the founders is Miguel Júdice, author of The 500 Hidden Secrets of Lisbon, so Naked suggest scenic picnic spots across Lisbon including the Botanical Gardens or the staircase of the National Museum of Natural History. 

The fresh juice test

There’s a choice of cold pressed juices, wheatgrass shots and kombucha. It was a steamy hot July day and we had a cold-pressed green juice and a deliciously creamy beetroot latte.

What we ate

There’s a great choice of  salads, soups, bowls, cakes and even ceviche and codfish for the non-veggies.

Naked stocks Paletaria artisan sorbet ice pops. As it was hot, we just had to try five flavours and they were some of the best we have ever tried.

We especially loved the mixed berry and strawberry.

What we go back for…

A healthy picnic for the park and the ice lollies. We didn’t try all the flavours!

The bill

Paletaria ice pops  €3
Juice  €3.5
Beetroot latte  €3.5

 

TurF, Vancouver, Kitsilano

TurF is in uber cool Kitsilano or Kits. – Vancouver’s reborn hippie area. It’s the birthplace of Lululemon and packed with lifestyle boutiques. And this is the first café we have ever visited where the eatery overlooks the mirrored pilates studio.

The setting

TurF is a one stop shop for juices, smoothies, lunch, athleisurewear and your daily workout. It’s unique. It’s cool and we highly recommend a visit if you are in the area.

The space

It’s bright, light and minimal with plenty of tables. The gym studios are suitably high end with lots of classes. There’s also a shop stocked with fitness clothing and accessories.

The little things that make a difference

The all in one concept. We’ve travelled all over the world trying out Glowcations but we love this concept which is so different. You can work out, hang out and take out.

The fresh juice test

There’s a choice of six smoothies including the intriguingly titled Chocolate Mushroom Trip and The New Green Party.

You can add to them from a choice of six boosters, including bee pollen and spirulina. And then there’s the lattes. TurF has a great choice from turmeric to charcoal. We couldn’t resist the Vanilla Beet and loved that fact that it is also packaged to go.

What we ate

The menu focuses plant-based recipes, but also offers “cared for” –  sourced animal meat. Naturally, we went for the non-animal burger. The Two Point Oh is a home made pattie with black bean, eggplant, sunflower and pumpkin seeds, walnut, oat, tahini and spices. All served in a bun with sauerkraut, avocado, sun-dried tomato aioli and an onion ring. Delicious.

We also had an Avocado toast with olive oil, pumpkin seeds, pea shoots, chillies and sea salt.

It was pretty and hit the spot. Next we chose the Plant Power Salad a crunchy mix of black and green kale, spinach, roasted broccoli, roasted beets, salsa verde, radish, quinoa, pine nuts and lemon cashew dressing.

What we’d return for…

The whole package!

The bill

Avocado toast  $10
Two Point Oh burger  $10
Plant Power salad  $12
Vanilla Beet latte  $5

 

Melbourne Shade Café

Shade Café is the new plant-based kid on the block in  Melbourne and takes café food to a whole new level. It branches out above and beyond the standard smashed avo toast.

The space

This cafe is an Instagrammer’s dream. It’s super stylish with high ceilings, exposed brick walls, hanging amber light bulbs and outdoor seating. I couldn’t stop snapping away.

The fresh juice test

Shade have a yummy range of smoothies and juices including a green juice combo of green apples, celery, cucumber, spinach and the added citrus kick of orange.

But their signature drinks are the “posh shakes”. So, I had to try the Malteaser Posh Shake because, well…. It’s a Malteaser posh shake. It was designed and tasted better than you could ever imagine. All in a mason jar with a plastic free straw too… win win!

What we ate

Let’s start off with the deserts because that’s way more fun. We tried their Mango Coconut Rice Pudding.

It was seriously creamy and fluffy, topped with toasted coconut shards, fresh berries and a baked pear.

It wasn’t too sweet and was very filling, I would highly recommend it.

Next, let’s talk about the Croffle. This is when a croissant and a waffle collide, and boy is it a match made in heaven. Sandwiched in between a scoop of strawberry ice cream for some texture contrast and a selection of fresh fruit… it was a seriously genius work of art.

They also have a large and varied savoury menu catering for vegans, vegetarians and meat eaters. We chose their low carb bowl (that’s actually served on a plate ) which is packed with cauliflower rice, bean sprouts, pickled red cabbage, edamame beans, asparagus, kale, fried enoki and a house made baba ganoush.

The little things that make a difference

The chef’s brief, “plate beautifully, deliver crowd favourites with flair and spike the interest of the food adventurer” makes a huge difference.

What else

The staff were super friendly and welcoming. Josh their head waiter couldn’t have been happier to help.

What we’d go back for…

Their golden latte with almond milk was so creamy and flavourful; a real hug in a mug.

The bill

Turmeric latte  $5.50
Malteser Posh Shake  $10
Low Carb Shade bowl  $18.50
Croffle  $18.00
Rice pudding  $17.00

For more Melbourne inspiration click here.

 

 

Fauna and Flora, Lisbon

Lisbon loves brunching and they even have a name for it-  “brinner”as it’s served all day.  Fauna and Flora is a fun, plant-based café that you won’t want to miss.

Our tip? Beat the queues and get there as early as you can for an unforgettable brunch.

The setting

Fauna and Flora can be found in a pretty tiled building half way up the hilly Rua da Esperança. Arrive by one of the local colourful tuk tuks and you can’t miss it due to the innovative living wall of plants at ground floor level and the people waiting outside for a much sought after table.

Inside, the light and bright interior will make you smile . It features white washed stone and board walls, recycled wooded furniture and, true to its name, lush greenery wherever possible. Not surprisingly, it gets busy and as they don’t take reservations arrive as early as you can or be prepared to wait.

The little things that make a difference

We love the fact they serve their selection of fresh juice in recycled glass jars. We also adored the abundant plant life.

The fresh juice test

Fauna and Fauna has a wide range of juices and smoothies including juices and smoothies of the day.  So, it was quite difficult to choose. As it was a hot July day, we by-passed the delicious sounding Sunny Smoothie (pineapple, avocado, apple, vegetable mylk, spinach and oats) and focussed on the juices.

We ordered the signature Flora (a zingy green juice), the Passion Fruit “cocktail” with fresh passion fruit, lime and basil and finally a refreshing lemonade and ginger.

All were beautifully presented and served quickly.

What we ate

The café doesn’t have a specific brunch (or brinner) menu, but most items are traditional  brunch food. There’s a good choice for for non-vegan and non-vegetarians too.

We were hungry so went pancake overload and ordered both the Green Matcha with lemon curd and the Baga with condensed milk, berry coulis and fresh berries.

Both were delicious. We also couldn’t resist the Detox Smoothie bowl which consisted of a generous helping of  fruit and vegetable smoothie with ginger, spirulina – all topped off with fresh fruit, super seeds and roasted nuts.

What we’d go back for…

The food,  the design, the smiling happy service… frankly everything!

The bill

Green matcha pancake €6.50
Baga pancake  €6.50
Detox smoothie bowl  €6.50
Passion fruit cocktail  €2.50
Lemonade and ginger  €2.50
Flora Juice  €3.50

For more Lisbon inspiration click here.

Tibits review

In 2000,  three Swiss brothers decided it was time to give vegetarians more choice. So, in 2000 they created Tibits in Zurich. The Swiss sensation has now moved to London and you can pile your plate with over 40 dishes from their buffet-style restaurant.

From Swiss Alpine macaroni to Middle-Eastern shakshuka, they’ve got it covered and you pay by weight. The ingredients are carefully sourced, primarily organic, seasonal and local.

The location

Tibits is tucked away on Heddon Street, a peaceful pedestrianised road just off Regent Street and only a few minutes from Piccadilly and Oxford Circus. There’s another branch in Bankside, just behind the Tate Modern.

The space

There’s a large outdoor seating area on the pavement which is a pretty unique tranquil setting in this fast-paced part of town. Or, if you sit indoors, you will be surrounded by floral wallpaper and crystal chandeliers, at a table decorated with candles and flowers. As you enter, a friendly host explains the concept of the restaurant. You grab a plate, fill it with as many options as you like from the buffet in the middle of the room (called the Food Boat), take it to the counter and pay by weight. There is no table service.

The chic vibe and relaxed background music creates an inviting atmosphere for long lunches with friends or working breakfast meetings.

There were several people comfortably dining alone while working on their laptops. The food is also available as takeaway and can be ordered on Deliveroo.

The fresh juice test

The juices are freshly squeezed on site every day and I ordered the Green Fitness. It was a refreshing blend of apple, fennel, lemon and kale. Hot drinks range from organic herbal teas to Indian Chai Latte, and soft drinks include Kombucha, Hibiscus Iced Tea and Ginger Lemonade.

What we ate

We stacked our plates with as much variety as we could squeeze on. I love that you’re able to taste a bit of everything, rather than having to choose one or two dishes.

Nothing compares to tucking into a mountain of rainbow colours, flavours and textures.

But do bear in mind it’s easy to go overboard and it can become quite pricey due to the weighing system, if you’re not careful! My plate included a range of hot and cold salads, falafel, hummus, tomato salsa, glass rice noodles, beans and chickpea stew. I also had a raw chocolate peanut butter square for dessert.

The crowd

As well as vegans and vegetarians, the crowd includes Mayfair or Soho workers who are looking for a nourishing local lunch. It’s always busy, but the staff can usually seat you as it’s quite a large space.

The little things that make the difference

Tibits caters excellently for people with allergies and intolerances. All dishes are clearly labelled for allergens and there are plenty of options.

While 80% of the food is vegan (with the remaining 20% vegetarian), every Tuesday all dishes are exclusively vegan.

What we’d go back for…

I’d love to go back and try the breakfast selection, which features freshly baked pastries, artisan breads, homemade bircher muesli, fresh fruit, juices and jams.

The bill

Large plate 1   £12.50
Large plate 2  £16.30
Dessert  £1.10
Green Fitness Juice   £3.90 

Kin Café review

Kin was created by father and son, Peter and Charlie Meadows. It’s tucked away behind Oxford Street. This vegetarian café takes pride in prime ingredients which are environmentally and socially sustainable. They also support other small start-ups and suppliers.

The space

The interior is simple and minimalist. It’s light grey and cream throughout. There are two wooden tables outside, so dog-owners or sun-seekers can indulge. Inside is a choice of several table sizes. Overall, this is a prime location to grab a juice and set up camp with your laptop. They also do take-away.

The fresh juice test

 

Kin offers organic and cold-pressed juices with a choice of Green Machine, Immune Booster and Unbeetable.

The Green Machine combo of spinach, lime, cucumber and pineapple was what I went for and it was a good choice. It didn’t taste too green, as the sweetness of the pineapple balanced out the spinach. They also offer freshly brewed Kombucha and booster ginger and turmeric shots to keep away the winter colds.

What we ate

The menu at Kin Café changes daily. The breakfast includes superfood porridge, layered chia puddings, Mexican style eggs or tofu and fresh sourdough toast. As an avocado addict, I had to go for their avocado on toast. Two thickly sliced pieces of sourdough piled high with creamy smashed avocado, chilli flakes and whole hemp seeds. It was simple but delicious. We also tried the pesto tofu toasted sandwich which was packed full of flavour.

Next we sampled the peanut butter chocolate chip blondie -vegan and gluten free studded with chocolate chips and with a light vanilla flavour.

The chocolate ganache raw brownie was decorated with pink rose petals and drizzled in dark chocolate.

It’s hard to believe this brownie was raw, as it was so fudgy and gooey. It wasn’t too sweet, either, offering a healthy indulgent chocolate treat. Finally, the protein millionaire slice – raw and gluten free again. The biscuit base was topped with crunchy peanut caramel and finished with a layer of chocolate.
They’re serious about their coffee at Kin, so to round the meal off, I had a delicious oat mylk flat white (they do charge extra for non-dairy milk). We also enjoyed their lemon and mint infused water and their retail Love Raw Cacao and Cardamom mylk.

What we’d go back for…

The fresh, vibrant and colourful ingredients! Plus, I was seriously impressed by the amount of avocado piled onto the toast!

The bill

Avocado Toast  £6.50
Tofu pesto toastie  £5.00
Green Machine juice  £4.00
Oat mylk flat white  £3.40
Protein Millionaire slice  £4.00
Chocolate Ganache raw brownie  £4.00
Love Raw Mylk  £3.00

 

Miranda Café

Longing for a thoughtful plant-based café in North London? How does a slice of spectacular house-made vegan cake or a Spicy Aztec Hot Chocolate sound? Then head to Miranda Café in North London.

Their innovative menu has an international twist which takes inspiration from all over the world. It offers plant-based dishes with hints of Latin America to the Caribbean and Korea.

The location

Miranda Café is in Crouch End on the buzzing High Street. It’s just a short bus ride away from Highgate Tube Station (on the Northern Line).

The space

The Café provides a peaceful sanctuary from the busy street outside. The large double doors are left open, creating a sense of spaciousness with bright natural light streaming through. The room is packed with vintage furniture. There’s a green velvet couch, decorative mirrors and rustic-looking chairs, wooden floor boards and sand-blasted brick walls.

The table service is quick and the staff are exceptionally accommodating to any allergies so do ask!

The abundance of plant pots creates a cosy vibe whether chatting to friends or working on a laptop using their WiFi.

The crowd

Run by a Venezuelan couple, it comes as no surprise that the menu includes plenty of South American inspiration and it also explains the international influences across the menu. Expect to find an eclectic mix of locals of all ages, including parents with children and dogs too. We went in the late afternoon, so it was not a particularly busy time but ideal if you want to avoid the crowd!

The fresh juice test

We ordered a freshly squeezed Beta Blast juice (carrot, orange juice and ginger).

We were tempted by all the smoothies too – from the deep green smoothie that screams “health”, to the vegan Oreo vanilla milkshake!

Plus, we couldn’t ignore the choice of nine colourful lattes. It was difficult to choose between the Golden Almond Latte or Beetroot Oat Latte. Eventually, we settled for the Açai Peanut Butter Purple Latte, which was the most mouth-watering treat.

What we ate

There’s a wide variety of dishes from different regions, such as the Latin American Breakfast with cornbread ‘arepas’.

Each individual plate is bursting with colours and flavours and most options can be made vegan and gluten-free.

We ordered the vegan shakshuka, which consisted of “eggs” in a spicy tomato and pepper sauce, served with toasted organic sourdough bread, along with a side of Mexican guacamole and organic tortilla chips. We also got the BBQ Jackfruit Burger and the Caribbean Dish with coconut rice, black beans and grilled plantains. It had the most delightful medley of tastes and textures.

For dessert, there are plenty of beautiful plant-based cakes to choose from, such as Lemon Poppyseed, Peanut Butter Chocolate, and Oreo cake. We were happily full by the end of our meal, but the lovely staff insisted we take home a large slice of Apple and Cinnamon Cake. I polished it off that evening and it was wonderfully flavoursome.

The little things that make the difference

The plant pots each have a name written on them from Shakespeare’s “The Tempest”, such as Prospero and Ariel, and presumably Miranda herself features too!

The bill

Caribbean Dish  £10.45
Shakshuka  £9.25
Açai Purple latte  £3.95
Beta Blast juice  £3.95
Guacamole and chips  £5.25

Bluestone Lane, NYC

If we’re talking about the most famous Aussie brunch spots in NYC, then Bluestone Lane might well top that list. After moving from Melbourne to New York to work in banking, the founder and CEO Nick Stone found himself missing his local Melbourne café experience. So, in July 2013, he opened the very first Bluestone Lane location in midtown.

Now they have  20 branches across the States. Bluestone Lane is known for amazing coffee and their signature brekkie board: half avo smash and half greek yoghurt with lemon curd. Yum!

The location

My favourite branch is their most cosy café at 30 Carmine St.
It’s in West Village – a really trendy area with a cluster of healthy hotspots like ByCHLOE, Cafe Clover, Banter and Urban Vegan Kitchen.

The space

The outside is striking due to the pretty collection of blue seats and tables with umbrellas. Carmine St is busy, but great for people watching. Inside it’s all white washed timber and minimal. It’s also quite cosy). One wall is lined with banquettes and white marble tables. The other side has a long white table with bar stools.

It can be hard to get a table, as it’s always busy, but you can also grab a drink at the bar at the back of the restaurant.

Hanging plants jazz up the space. Be warned though- it can get quite noisy. You can work on a laptop, but, due to the turnover, staying for a longtime would probably not be appreciated.

The crowd

Bluestone Lane is very popular with New Yorkers and tourists. Our tip is to avoid the weekend as you may have a long wait.  Dogs are allowed on the terrace.

The fresh juice test

Bluestone Lane have a seasonal selection of cold-pressed juices, plus some heart warming lattes. These include beet, matcha and our favourite, Golden,  which is a delicious mix of turmeric, cinnamon, ginger and black pepper and is anti-inflammatory and detoxing.

What we ate

Bluestone Lane has an Australian inspired menu- pure food without any fuss.

They do have a lot of gluten free options, but dairy free is a little problematic. To eat vegan, you have to skip some things in the dishes, and they don’t have substitute items. This was a little bit disappointing for us. They also serve eggs, meat and fish

We had the Collective Granola, Bluestone Lane Rainbow Bowl and the Husk Bakeshop Banana Bread.

The Granola is from the brand Husk and is made of toasted oats, coconut chips, seeds and nuts and is gluten free. It usually comes with fresh fruits, greek yoghurt and citrus curd, but since I’m allergic to dairy, we switched the greek yoghurt to almond milk. They told us they would add more fruit to compensate, but they only gave us four blueberries and a sliced strawberry and a tiny portion of almond milk. However, the granola was very delicious, it was crunchy and had a really nice texture.

The Bluestone Lane Rainbow Bowl was filled with maple roasted heirloom carrots, spinach, lentils, pickled beets, poached egg, sweet potato hummus and avocado with turmeric, ginger yogurt dressing and feta (which we put on the side). The carrots were very well done, soft tender and slightly sweet because of the maple syrup.

The banana bread was our favourite dish.

We got two very thick slices of lightly toasted gluten free Husk banana bread. The bread was drizzled with some honey and topped with toasted pecans, fresh blueberries and strawberries. For those who like dairy, it came with fresh ricotta on the side.

The little things that make the difference

The West Village branch has been designed to host private events, casual cocktail parties and celebrations featuring flexible furniture arrangements and a multi-media and AV system. So, if you’re ready to celebrate, head to Bluestone Lane!

The bill

Husk Bakeshop GF banana bread  13$
Collective Granola   9$
Bluestone Lane Rainbow bowl   16$

Chesters By The River, Skelwith bridge

Snuggled in the middle of an area of outstanding natural beauty, perched next to the gurgling River Brathay and featuring locally sourced vegetarian food is Chesters by the River. We promise you’ll fall in love with it.

Every year, my family head north to the The Lake District for two weeks of hiking, swimming, pub quizzing and, most importantly, eating. The idyllic Chesters By The River is still my absolute favourite spot and in a week’s stay, I will usually go about three times (it’s really that great).

They are a purely veggie haunt and their menu is just as exciting as the stunning location in the Langdales the stunning Skelwith Force.

The location

I’ve seen Chesters evolve from a small cafe with just a few items on sale, to a beautiful destination spot.

It’s now a large café , with a sizeable veranda suspended over the beautiful River Brathway.

Inside, think warm, distressed woods, pretty tiled floors and walls and exposed local stone. There’s quite a large seating area inside and out and there’s also inspiring artwork on the walls. Chesters is also home to a sizeable shop featuring gorgeous gifts, books and homeware, plus a new take away bakery and café for walkers on the go. The take away also has a small garden to snack in before returning to your hike. Plus there’s WiFi.

The crowd

As it’s in a famous beauty spot, the crowd are mostly tourists and walkers. There were lots of dogs too. Rumour has it that dogs are allowed in as long as they don’t outnumber humans…apparently, this has actually happened in the past!

The fresh juice test

Chester’s don’t offer a green juice, but do have a smoothie of the day which changes daily.

We had the strawberry and banana smoothie which was delicious!

What we ate

After a long morning walk, we were pretty hungry when we arrived so ordered lots of food to share. We tucked into the minty pea smash on sourdough with pea shoots & pickled shallots. Plus, we ordered the wild mushrooms on sourdough (I’m a sucker for these) and the Kimchi fritter with peanut salsa & cucumber raita which was delicious.

Finally, we had the banana and blueberry pancakes with fresh fruit and maple syrup (what’s a brunch without a “dessert plate”?) All were absolutely scrumptious and accompanied by oat milk lattes!

The little things that make a difference

Chester’s used to be an old Timber Store for a bobbin mill and has a selection of local handcrafted slate to buy in the shop. It’s really a destination spot so stay a while, eat slowly out on the terrace and wander through the quirky shop. It does get quite busy, so do get there early to avoid disappointment. If you’re passing through and haven’t got much time then the take-away cafe on the other side has incredible salads and baked goods for your walk.

What we’d go back for…

Every year I go, Chester’s seems to get better and better. I absolutely love the fact that they’re a purely veggie spot and you can tell that they really care about the beautiful little haven they’ve created. The food is so reasonably priced too!

The bill

Minty pea smash on sourdough  £6.95
Wild mushrooms on sourdough  £8.50
Kimchi fritter, peanut salsa & cucumber raita  £6.95
Banana & Blueberry Pancakes  £5.95
Smoothie of the day  £3.95
Oat milk latte  £2.90

Surf Café, Dubai

 

The Surf Café is a rare thing in Dubai. A chilled out haven with great food and a genuinely casual vibe just two blocks from the beach.

Whether suited and booted for the office or still sandy in flip flops from the beach you’ll be welcome.

The location

This café is one of the increasing number of artisan eateries on the bustling Jumeirah Beach Road. It’s handy for Kite Beach, the Wild Wadi Amusement Park and it’s close to the spectacular Burj Al Arab.

The space

The eatery is on the first floor and you can take the stairs or a lift. Although you can’t see the nearby sea, the light, airy design more than compensates. It has chic surf-styled decor, hanging plants and even the odd tree or two.

Two walls are virtually all window and white-washed brick completes the rest of the space.

There are lots of tables and a handful of tables outside, (although I don’t know if it would ever be cool enough to sit at them and it was 40 degrees when we visited). There are a couple of sofas downstairs in a long hallway where you can wait for your friends or a cab. There’s WiFi, and some tables have plug sockets.

The little things that make a difference…

The friendly staff, the speedy service  and the quirky cacti ceramics on the tables. We also liked the cool music track.

The fresh juice test

There’s a choice of five juice mixes.

We went for the Orange Kicker, a perfect combo of carrot, orange and ginger which arrived in its own decanter.

Plus, we ordered  a simple orange juice from the choice of five fresh juices. There’s also a wide smoothie selection including three açai varieties.

 

We we ate

The Surf Café has a massive menu which is displayed on a tablet for ease. It features: an extensive açai bowl (eight plus a make your own option) and sushi menu; and a breakfast selection with GF and vegan pancakes, oats and toasts alongside more traditional fry ups. We visited at lunch and chose from the “lunch and dinner” menu which adds poké bowls, a variety of pan-Asian options, Tacos and salads into the mix.

With menus of this size, quality often suffers, but that’s not the case here.

We chose two salads-  a goats cheese and rocket salad with fresh figs, caramelised walnuts and honey vinaigrette and a quinoa and pesto salad mixed with romaine, yellow peppers, red onions, cherry tomatoes and buffalo mozzarella. Both were delicious, but the goat’s cheese salad was a bit light on the cheese and not as filling as the quinoa salad. So we added a side of sweet potato fries to fill up. They were super crunchy and did the trick.

What we’d go back for…

We’d love to try the breakfasts, especially the açai bowl selection and the smoothie choice was very tempting. And we loved the chilled vibe.

 

The bill

Orange Kicker  28AED
Orange Juice  24AED
Goat’s cheese salad  63AED
Quinoa salad  63AED
Sweet potato fries  21AED

 

 

The Meets, Amsterdam

‘We like to follow the 80/20 rule- 80% plant-based, 20% animal produce! Although the main rule is 100% lekker!’ Or ‘tasty’ explains The Meet’s website.

The Meets is a place for healthy food lovers. It focuses on locally sourced produce, using organic ingredients as much as possible and stays away from refined sugars. The menu is pretty international.  It includes açai bowls, kimchi toast for breakfast, fresh spring rolls, beetroot balls for lunch (a healthier vegan alternative for the famous Dutch ‘bitterbal’ which is a deep fried ball of minced meat)  and Sicilian eggplant stew or Pad Thai for dinner.

The space

The Meets is located on the corner of a lively street in the Pijp, one of Amsterdam’s coolest neighbourhoods.

The interior is clean and bright with brick walls, wooden tables and floors and single fresh flowers spread around in vases which add a pop of colour. There is limited seating available outside. Inside the space appears narrow at first sight, but it stretches down to the back.

The little things that make a difference

The Meets uses paper straws which is something I support.

The fresh juice test

The drinks menu features many different teas and lemonades, but not many fresh juices. We chose a blue smoothie! The ‘Samui Blue’ consists of banana, mango, coconut water, whey protein, spirulina (hence the colour) and bee pollen. It was not only a refreshing and lovely sweet drink, but also the fact that it was blue made us feel instantly happier and healthier!

What we ate

We ordered a fresh young coconut to start with, paired with some lime juice. I have tasted many fresh coconuts in my life (some of them being in  coconut famous countries such as Vietnam, Malaysia and Bali), but I must say this was one of the best coconuts I ever had!

We also ordered the avocado sourdough toast with poached eggs, spinach and roasted tomato. The bread wasn’t toasted (which led to it being slightly soggy) and the poached eggs weren’t poached quite like we like them to be, but the addition of spinach, and especially the flavourful oven roasted tomatoes, was a winner!

Next, a Mexican veggie burger (made of sweet potato, black beans and quinoa) which came with a vegan mayo that tasted exactly like French mayonnaise.

We had the option of having the burger served in a salad leaf which we went for, making it a rather light dish.

We also ordered the açai bowl. Paired with the house-made granola served on top of the bowl, it was delicious!

Finally, we couldn’t resist the house-made vegan treats! We decided to have them for take-away since we were told that they were amazing. We ordered the banana bread, served with almond butter, and a heavenly (though rather heavy) raw dark chocolate pie with caramel peanut sauce.

What we’d go back for…

What I really liked about the Meets was the amount of choice you have as a customer.

The menu is nearly fully vegan, but you can always opt for add-ons such as bacon or different types of cheeses (burrata, halloumi) as well as vegan cheese.

This means that The Meets attracts a very broad audience, as it has something on the menu for everyone!

Also, for dishes such as the wraps and the burgers (normally served in a tapioca wrap or a sourdough bun), you have the choice to have it served in a gluten free tortilla or even a salad leaf, which we included with the burger.

The bill

Fresh young coconut   5.00 €
Samui blue smoothie   5.00 €
Açai smoothie bowl  9.00 €
Avocado toast  10.00 €
Mexican veggie burger  13.00 €

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Motion Café, Bali

Canggu’s Motion Café is the must visit destination to eat in south Bali. They have a wide range of delicious menu options from vegan to paleo which puts them firmly on our glow list!

They also support local farmers and take sustainability and caring for the environment seriously. So what’s not to like?

Motion Café is known as the fitness food Valhalla in Canggu. Their standout dish is the divine sweet potato and protein waffle. The rest of the menu is also to die for, with an extensive range of organic food options- Paleo, Keto, Alkaline, Vegan, low sugar to name a few.

The location

Motion Cafe is on Jalan Pantai Batu Bolong, the busiest street of Canggu which leads to the beach a 20 minute walk away.

The space

The café space is open- half inside, half outside. It has turquoise and white walls alongside pretty printed wallpaper which creates a welcoming vibe. You can either order food as a takeaway or delivery, or eat in.

The service is very quick, we had all our dishes within 10-20 minutes and we were there at the busiest time of the day.

We chose a table with two large padded chairs in the outside section. The WiFi connection is very strong, so it’s a hotspot for people working on their laptops. There’s an open kitchen at the back of the restaurant, where they refrigerate their own homemade cakes, raw balls and juices.

The crowd

The crowd varies a lot, but it’s mostly the food and fitness conscious, like bodybuilders, due to the high protein menu options.

The fresh juice test

We ordered two freshly made juices- the Cold juice and the Frog juice (!). The Cold juice was a mix of pineapple, orange, lemon and ginger and tasted very tropical.

The Frog juice was, as it name suggests, green. It was a combo of apple, spinach, cucumber, parsley, lemon and ginger.

It wasn’t too sweet, as it contained a lot of veg, so it was refreshing to drink alongside the sweet dishes.

 

What we ate

Since we went for brunch, we chose a mix of sweet and savoury. As the sweet potato waffles are the real deal at Motion,  we had to order them and a smoothie bowl. Plus, we selected a vegetable wok with tempeh and two juices!

The waffle came with fresh chopped fruit (banana, apple, mango, papaya, watermelon, blueberries and dragonfruit (pitaya)), chopped walnuts, coconut cream and coconut syrup. It wasn’t as sweet as you’d expect, because of the savoury balance of the sweet potato base.

It was crunchy on the edge and soft in the middle and was packed with sweet potato making it very filling.

The Blueberry – Banana bowl had a frozen blueberry and banana base and was topped with a sesame- pumpkin- sunflower seeds mixture along with mango mousse, almond and coconut milk chia pudding, fresh strawberries and homemade vanilla granola. The base was quite liquid and melted fast, but the toppings were very rich and delicious.

The veggie wok was more simple. It came with a mix of stir fried vegetables, a little salad, a brown an red rice mix and some simply fried tempeh.

The menu indicates whether the food is vegan, vegetarian or gluten free and you can change the base to suit your preferences.

The little things that make the difference

Motion is committed to zero waste. They use glass straws, have their own reusable napkins and their glasses are made of recycled bottles.

When we couldn’t finish our “veggie wok” they offered a doggy bag.

The bill

Cold juice  45.000 IDR
Frog juice  45.000 IDR
Sweet potato waffle with fruit salad  70.000 IDR
Veggie wok  65.000 IDR
BB Bowl   85.000 IDR

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Café Pinson, Paris

In a small, quiet street in the Marais you can find Café Pinson. Café Pinson is one of the first and best vegan addresses in Paris. It has a fresh, organic menu, a cosy setting and it is in a great location.

Le Marais is a super trendy neighbourhood well worth exploring and is now home to a section nicknamed Veggie Town, as so many plant-based addresses have opened up there recently. It’s also a fashion district with lots of vintage shops, a historically LGBT+ friendly quarter and has a lively night life.

The space

The entrance is through a pretty little, almost farm-like, door which leads you into the first serving area.

With its beautiful tiled bar, painted window and neon sign, it looks super trendy.

The second area is the cosiest, with large sofas arranged in an L-shape where people sip on coffee, tea and juice while studying or working. Plus there’s lots of smaller tables with a more comfy feel. The café is light with large windows and the warm atmosphere is finished off with plants in the corners and on the shelves and bar along with books, mirrors and cute ornaments.

The little things that make a difference

Need I write again that this café is super cosy? I really enjoyed all the small objects placed on the shelves and plants which make you feel like you are in a family home.

The staff are very attentive, accommodating and friendly.

The menu also clearly displays which dishes are vegetarian, vegan and gluten free which is helpful if you are quickly skimming through the menu. You can also totally order a coffee and work for hours here since they have both WiFi and power sockets.

The fresh juice test

Café Pinson offers two juices on the menu and a juice of the day. I ordered the Green Detox which had apple, cucumber, lemon and ginger.

It was frothy, refreshing and light on the ginger.

I do wish they didn’t serve it with plastic straws though and it was quite small, but other than that it was good. If you prefer they also serve a smoothie of the day.

What we ate

Café Pinson is well known for their nourishing bowls, so I ordered the Bol Equilibré .

The “Balanced Bowl” was a combo of brown rice, chickpeas, seaweed tofu, grilled organic vegetables, coriander, purple cabbage, radish and a peanut-tamari dressing.

The dressing was really good and it was a very satisfying dish.

For dessert I went for three energy balls : matcha, carob and turmeric. Interestingly, they contained a lot of seeds and nuts rather than dates and were nice and crunchy.

 

What else?

Everything is home-made, organic and gluten-free and their cuisine is inspired by the principles of naturopathy meaning that they believe in the “Let food by thy medicine” philosophy.

The menu emphasises superfoods such as spirulina, kale, matcha, chia seeds, raw and whole foods.

I like the fact that the menu changes seasonally and offers a good diversity of dishes. Their brunch is delicious too if you have the chance to visit on Sundays (but you must reserve ahead).

What we’d go back for…

A super healthy and balanced meal, the pleasure of reading a book and having lunch in a cosy spot by the window, surrounded by plants!

The bill

Green detox juice  6.00€
Balanced bowl  14.50€
3 x energy balls  3.00€

 

 

 

 

Ethos, Fitzrovia

Ethos’ mission statement is to  serve deliciously, innovative meat-free cuisine that appeals to the largest number of people.

Tucked away behind Top Shop, just off Oxford St, Ethos is open seven days a week. Their global menu is stacked with creative choices catering for vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free and refined sugar-free diets. It’s self service and pay by weight!


The setting

Located in Fitzrovia, Ethos is a haven from the hustle and bustle of nearby Oxford St.

The award-winning café interior is light and airy. It’s dotted with stunning silver birch tree trunks which create a fantastic sense of beauty and nature.

There’s also a combination of black and white marble tables, leather benches and classic chairs. As you enter,  you’re greeted with a selection of freshly baked cookies, cakes and meringues. The staff are incredibly helpful and you’re shown to your table as you arrive. The restaurant cleverly contains partitions, so if you’re having a more private meeting you’re safe here too.

The little things that make a difference

The service was super speedy and the waiter was very attentive with lots of knowledge of the menu. There are plenty of vegan options, which can often pose difficulties for breakfast. Ethos are clearly very experimental and ahead of the trend – offering scrambled tofu and seitan on the breakfast menu.  They also offer a range of healthy snacks to go at the till. I particularly love the Emily crisps and the Brave peas which are perfect for snacking on.

 

The fresh  juice test

We ordered the green detox smoothie which is frozen and the deepest green  in colour. It was packed with pineapple, kale, apple, ginger, spinach, wheatgrass, chlorella, barley grass and spirulina. Although, for me, it tasted heavily of apple and pineapple,  so I’ m not sure I’d reorder it.

What we ate

We visited for breakfast, but it’s worth noting that for lunch there’s a whole selection of vegetarian and vegan salads, noodles, stews and roasted veg.

We ordered the shakshuka – eggs poached in chilli tomato sauce with black pitta. It was absolutely bursting with flavour and packed with spice. Served in a mini casserole pot, the presentation was clearly thought through. We also had the blueberry and coconut yoghurt vegan pancakes which had a similar texture to a sponge cake. It was ideal for breakfast, as it wasn’t overly sweet and the flavour combinations worked really well. To drink,  we ordered a matcha latte which was delicious, not too sweet (as sometimes they can be) and it provided the perfect hit. Finally, we got The Real Kombucha which was refreshing and light in taste. Very delicious.


What we’d go back for…

The menu is so varied that we wanted to try everything!  The food was bursting with flavour and I really enjoyed the natural environment and being surrounded by real tree trunks. I can’t wait to come back for lunch!

The bill

Shakshuka  £7.50
Matcha latte  £4.00
Pancakes  £7.00
Supergreen smoothie  £4.90
Kombucha  £4.50

 

 

 

 

 

Café Mareva, Paris

Mareva was working in finance when she discovered that she was dairy intolerant and started making her own food.

She enjoyed creating it so much that she quit her job, went to pastry school and a few months later opened Café Mareva sharing her love for breakfast – and waffles – with the rest of Paris.

The space

Café Mareva has a pretty, tiny terrace with two tables. The wall next to the restaurant is decorated with super cool graffiti. Inside is a complete contrast from the vivid colour outside to a simple, clean interior with stripped back white, brown and brick walls. A bar displays fresh, baked treats and at the back of the restaurant, it opens up with more seating space.

The little things that make the difference

The whole menu is gluten and dairy free and the signature Italian waffle is made with dairy free parmesan.

You can order the waffles, and other dishes on Uber eats. Don’t forget to get a stamp card. If you get nine stamps the tenth coffee is for free.

The fresh  juice test

Mareva don’t have a regular green juice, but do offer two juices of the day. We had the choice of a blend of watermelon, lime and mint or orange, carrot and apple. The mint based  juice had a good splash of lime in it which added interest.

What we ate

We wanted a balance of sweet and savoury and, as Mareva is known for their waffles, we had to try one! So we had the sweet potato and avocado waffle plus a sweet waffle with fruit and also the red berry smoothie bowl.

The sweet potato avocado waffle was unforgettable. It’s thin and crispy, and came with a very generous amount of avocado, rocket, tomatoes, sun-dried tomatoes and a perfectly poached egg.

By contrast, the sweet waffles are gluten free and you order a plain waffle and top it off with a choice of ingredients. We covered it with fresh fruit, house made praline, chopped almonds, maple syrup and whipped cream.

This waffle was truly amazing!.

The house made praline combined with the super crunchy chopped almonds and whipped cream were an amazing. It tasted like my childhood with loads of Kinder chocolate.

The red berry smoothie bowl was a great complementary dish to the rich waffles.

It wasn’t actually an açai bowl, but it tasted like one, which we really liked. It came with house made cereals (like roasted rice puffs) and fruit.

The fresh fruit salad was just a fresh, simple salad with fruits of the season- blackberries, blackcurrants, raspberries, strawberries, apple, cantaloupe melon and nectarines.

What we’d go back for…

Since I have a really bad intolerance for dairy, the gluten and dairy free waffles literally made me glow from inside and out. Add a sweet potato through the mixture and you make my day. The menu was a menu for my heart!

The bill

Smoothie Bowl  9.90EU
Pancake Mareva  9.90EU
Fruit bowl  5.90EU
Avocado waffle  10.90EU
Juice of the day  4.00EU

 

 

ByChloe Silver Lake, LA

ByChloe is the award winning, uber cool vegan sensation that has taken New York, and more recently London, by storm. Delivering delicious plant-based food in cutting edge cafés, it has a global fan base……..

With a mission statement of “Eat Well. Eat with purpose”, this must visit destination takes plant-based fast food, salads and treats seriously.  Currently, there’s only one café in LA in the peaceful, residential area of Silver Lake.

The setting

The Silver Lake café is located inside the Whole Foods supermarket, but makes the most of its space with clever design. Bay windows open up the area which features colourful benches, their iconic hanging basket chairs, communal tables and white exposed brick walls with calming plants. Plus, there’s the signature ByChloe neon sign – while London has “Guac save the Queen”, Silver Lake has a picture of their veggie burger and fries. The white tiled tables make a perfect Instagram backdrop!


I also suggest exploring Silver Lake if you’ve time. The neighbourhood reminds me of San Francisco. If you  wander through its hilly streets, you will find incredible houses, gardens and the famous Silver Lake Reservoir. There’s also the gorgeous Echo Park nearby with a profusion of palm trees and cool cafés.

The little things

You will instantly feel at home in ByChloe, as the smell of freshly baked goods fills the space and you swing in a hanging chair.

Everything is made in-house daily and that is reflected in the freshness of the food.

The fresh juice test

They didn’t  have any juices or smoothies on the day I visited, which was a little disappointing. They usually offer a selection of cold pressed juices and I would have probably had the Giving Tree with kale, spinach, wheatgrass, apple and lemon. Instead, the staff kindly offered me samples of their selection of aguas frescas,  but they were too sugary for my taste. So, I went for a fresh coconut which instantly reminded me of holidays.

The Thai coconut is stamped with a cute ByChloe logo and the coconut water was so refreshing on the warm day.


What we ate

There’s a large choice between salads or healthier versions of comfort food dishes like the creamy Mac ‘n Cheese, fries with chipotle aioli, burgers (I hear the guac burger is the best) or sandwiches.

As it was 30+°C  when I visited, I chose the Spicy Thai salad with shredded kale, chopped romaine, apricot-sriracha glazed tempeh, almonds, quinoa, edamame, scallion, crispy wontons and peanut dressing – to which I also added some aioli and beetroot ketchup. The salad was large and filling. It had a great crunchy, fresh texture and the combination of dressings on the greens made it extra creamy and spicy.

For dessert, I couldn’t resist the gluten-free chocolate chip cookie.

It turned out to be probably the best cookie I have ever had with a super soft centre, oozing chocolate and a lovely golden colour.

ByChloe

All PostsWhat else?

I always like places that use seasonal, locally-sourced, organic ingredients and are transparent about their preparation. ByChloe does not use artificial preservatives and makes everything in-house and you can definitely taste this in the food!

The staff  are very accommodating and the menu is certified kosher with soy, nut and gluten-free options as well. All the packaging and utensils are compostable or recyclable, but I do still wish they used less plastic.

What made us glow

The freshness of the ingredients, the satisfying salad and that dream of a cookie!

Plus, in true LA style, ByChloe also cater for dogs with peanut butter cupcakes and more! 


The bill

Spicy Thai Salad  $11.95
Chocolate Chip cookie  $2.50
Coconut  $5.00

For more LA inspiration click here. 


ByChloe
ByChloe
ByChloe

 

 

Squirrel, Kensington

Squirrel combines health, fun and a lot of greenery right in the heart of South Kensington.

This fast, casual café is quickly becoming one of the capital’s must visit pit stops.

 


The Setting

This cute woodland haven is less than a minute’s walk from South Kensington station and close to Hyde Park and museums.  You can choose between a variety of nature filled seating options. There is the indoor garden, upstairs treehouse (booth-tables, nestled among forest greenery overlooking the café), or outdoor tables on the pavement.

The walls are decked out in greenery, plant pots hang from the ceiling and there are trees in the middle of the restaurant. This creates an immersive atmosphere, surrounded by nature.

The Green Juice Test

We tried the “Happy Squirrel” smoothie – a wonderfully green blend of banana, matcha, cashew butter, vanilla, cinnamon, spinach, almond milk and coconut nectar. It was perfectly thick with just the right amount of sweetness! The extensive range of drinks in the fridge includes plenty of cold-pressed juice, kombucha and charcoal water.

The Little Things

Squirrel is stacked full of cute details like the Drinking Well with flavoured waters (including wild berry, lemon and cayenne, barley water and jasmine green tea).

The “Squirrel Away” section offers a “pic-n-mix” style selection of snacks, such as, dehydrated banana chips and all sorts of nuts. They also sell grab-and-go snacks, like healthier popcorn, coconut bites and chickpea puffs. Squirrel are also dog friendly.



What we ate

We ordered the Ginger Spice Grain Bowl – a nutrient-dense salad made with tofu, quinoa, spinach, beetroot, sweet potato, shredded red cabbage, mixed seeds and avocado, tossed in a delicious carrot-ginger-miso dressing.

Let’s be honest, you can’t call it brunch if avocado toast isn’t involved! We got it on gluten-free toast with a squeeze of lime, a pinch of chilli flakes and a handful of rocket to garnish.

We finished the meal on a sweeter note with the açai bowl, blended with banana, pineapple and mixed berries, and topped with granola, toasted coconut chips and chia seeds – a feast for the eyes and the tastebuds!


What else?

We loved the huge variety of options, from the “Create your own” salad bar to tortilla wraps, as well as every classic brunch staple.

Squirrel is also on Deliveroo.

What made us glow?

The cosy woodland décor and the cute interior details!


The bill

GF Avocado Toast   £7.20
Acai Bowl   £6.95
Ginger Spice Tofu Grain Bowl   £8.50
Happy Squirrel Smoothie   £6.95

 

 

Scarlett Green Soho

As a massive fan of the London based Aussie chain Daisy Green, I was keen to head to their new Soho home, Scarlett Green.

The chain began life  in 2012 when two former bankers, Prue Freeman and her husband Tom Onions, started selling smoothies and coffee from a Ford transit van next to the Gherkin. They now have nine cafés in London, each delivering their signature ‘bottomless brunch’ and lunches in stylishly, quirky settings. As the new kid on the block, Scarlett Green doesn’t disappoint and re-creates Melbourne and Sydney café culture in bucketloads.



The setting

This café is huge, a mega 4000 square feet, boasting two floors, stacks of seating and a super swanky bar.

The vibe is really relaxed with stunning artwork and some of the most beautiful toilets in London!  Plush sofas, plants and artwork dominate. There’s also a large area of tables and chairs, plus the signature brightly coloured deckchairs.

Like their Victoria branch, Timmy Green, this is the kind of spot that works beautifully for a brunch date as well as an evening dinner option with a menu to suit all!

The green juice test

They have a few delicious juice and smoothie options on their menu, but the green juice looked the best… and it definitely tasted the best!

It was a lovely blend of cucumber, spinach, celery and apple and perfect on a hot sunny day.

What we ate

Their brunch menu is always the talk of the town on Instagram, but as we popped in for lunch, we decided to share a few of the more interesting dishes instead.

We chose some of the smaller plates- the Spicy Tuna Tostadas (delicious), the Vegemite Cheese & Truffle doughnuts (which were absolutely out of this world and I could have eaten 50!), the halloumi fries with pomegranate yoghurt and then we shared the mango, carrot and samphire salad with pickled watermelon and nuoc cham. All of which tasted amazing! We also shared a caffeine hit smoothie with banana, dates, coconut H20, almonds and espresso. 


The bill

Caffeine hit smoothie £5.80
Green juice £5.00
Halloumi fries  £7.80
Tuna Tostadas x 2 £5.60
Vegemite dough balls x 2 £5.60
Mango and carrot salad  £9.80

What else?

Daisy Green also do catering for events as well as private hire and their famous bottomless brunch.

What made us glow?

In true Aussie spirit, he Vegemite balls were definitely a firm favourite.  I would come back time and time again for them!


Downtown, LA: Wild Living Foods

Wild Living Foods has inspirational mantras on the walls and ceiling such as “Live dirty, eat clean”, “Food is Spirit”, “Rise like the Eagle”.

Located bang in the heart of Downtown Los Angeles in the Fashion District, this deli specialises in plant-based, organic fresh foods with an emphasis on South American and Native American cuisine and art. Wild Living Foods aims to bring fast and nutritious food to busy LA residents…and it certainly succeeds!


The setting :

Wild Living Foods is on the corner of 8th and Main Street. It is easily recognisable with its neon lettering and bright red arrow pointing to the entrance. The bold colours of the traditional Native American tiles on the bar and floor, plus the wall art, create a warm atmosphere. The vibrant mosaics and the thick wooden tables combine perfectly to make the light filled  space welcoming. Large windows, and its position on the corner of two busy streets, also let you enjoy the outside view while eating.

I always love an open kitchen – and this deli has two of them!

One bar is dedicated to salads and packed with fresh ingredients. The other is called the “remedy” bar where you can order juices, wellness shots and smoothies. Next to the remedy bar, is a wall entirely lined with steel fridges containing a rainbow selection of juices. The deli has plug sockets and wi-fi if you want to recharge or browse.

Downtown Los Angeles is for me one of the most under-rated areas of the city. It used to be dangerous and felt abandoned, but the neighbourhood is experiencing a new boom in investment and gentrification. It is now a busy hub of sky-scrapers (the rest of LA is completely flat!), warehouses, museums, cafés and new points of interest for foodies. My suggestion would be to also visit The Last Bookstore, an incredible bookstore and vinyl shop with cool installations. Then maybe, check out Grand Central Market, the Bradbury Building, the Walt Disney Concert Hall and The Broad museum.

The little things

The touches of colour and emphasis on Andean and Native American culture in the middle of Los Angeles is so refreshing.

The campaign against  single use plastic and straws is close to my heart, so I was pleased to see the staff use either sustainable or compostable utensils.

The fresh  juice test

I was a little intimidated by the massive selection of freshly pressed juices to choose from! I eventually chose the Habanero Hallelujah. As the name suggests, it is spicy ! I definitely wouldn’t recommend it if you can’t handle spice, but I personally love it. The other ingredients were green apples, kale, cucumber, lemon and ginger, but the habanero pepper dominates. If spicy is not your thing, Wild Living Food has plenty of other green or non-green juices, wellness shots and smoothies.

What I ate

Wild Living Foods’ specialty is their bowls. The menu offers raw as well as warm salad bowls with fresh ingredients and the staff make them in front of you. The base for warm bowls is “Andean gold”, as they call it, but more modestly quinoa! I chose the Machu Picchu bowl with quinoa, romaine, carrots, beets, bell pepper, brazil nut cheese and a sesame sauce. I was surprised by the large size of the portion and it was very nourishing. The creamy dressing contrasted perfectly with the crunch of the vegetables.

I couldn’t walk by the dessert station without being tempted by their raw creations, dairy-free ice-creams or chocolates!

So, I ordered a slice of raw strawberry cheesecake with a berry swirl. It was smooth and delicious as expected!

What else?

Wild Living Foods emphasises organic and locally grown produce which explains why everything tastes so fresh and hearty!

The dishes are also prepared under 118ºF to keep their enzymes intact and  preserve nutrients.

There is a little corner in the shop with more South American art and organic products for sale.

What made us glow

The fresh ingredients, large quantities, vibrant colours and proximity to my favourite spots in Downtown LA!

The bill

Machu Picchu Bowl  $12
Habanero Hallelujah juice  $9
Raw cheesecake slice  $8
+ taxes


 

By Chloe, fast food vegan pioneers-Greenwich Village, NYC

Super cool swinging chairs, decor to dine for and vegan fast food- did someone say vegan fast food? Head to By Chloe.

By Chloe’s flagship café on the corner of Bleecker and Macdougal has turned a salad on its head by creating fast food out of plants. Creative Director and brand genius, Samantha Wasser, oversaw the transformation of this historic café favoured by Warhol in the 70’s after a fire. And now this ‘oh so clever ‘vegan fast food hotspot has taken New York by storm. But it’s not style over substance – the food not only looks good, but is quite simply some of the best vegan food we have ever tried.


The setting

By Chloe sits on the corner of the block with striking black and white striped awnings, open sides and super cool tiling on the counter.

Forget vegan food of past- this is 21st century plant-power with every stylish twist and turn you could hope for.

You can swing from a hanging basket, sit on a  plush rainbow-coloured  banquette lining a vintage  mirrored wall or grab a communal hotspot in the centre table or, if you are lucky, sit at an outdoor table.

The little things

Playful design is everywhere- on the recyclable food cartons, napkins and signage. You only have to look at the By Chloe Instagram feed to see that Samantha Wass is a branding genius.

And there are even coconuts stamped with the By Chloe logo for $5..

The fresh juice test

By Chloe cold press their own juices. They have two green options The Giving Tree and Junkie – we went Junkie – a refreshing mix of  kale, spinach, wheatgrass, cucumber, parsley and lemon. We also tried their Cuckoo’s Nest-a near perfect beetroot-based juice with apple, romaine, lemon and ginger.

What else?

They offer GF alternatives on all breads and buns. And they adore dogs so watch out for their pooch treats,

What we ate

There’s a huge choice of fast food favourites.

We had the Guac Burger – a delicious black bean, quinoa and sweet potato patty with corn salsa, onion, guac, chipotle aioli on a whole grain bun-amazing!

We also tried the pesto meatball sandwich – the meatballs were a yummy portobello mushroom and veg combo accompanied with marinara, sweet peppers, basil pesto cashew mozzarella, almond parm and a filling potato sub roll. Finally, we had a stunning side of avocado pesto pasta wth cashew pesto, grape tomatoes and almond parm.

What made us glow?

The food, the food and the food!

The bill

Sweet potato fries  $3.95
The Guac Burger  $9.95
Avocado Pesto Pasta  $4.95
Pesto Meatball Sandwich  $8.95
Juices  $9.95


No. 12 Houndsgate, Nottingham

Looking for a cosy plant-based café to escape to in the heart of Nottingham’s city centre? Try No. 12 Houndsgate.

No. 12 Houndsgate was started by Lauren Nally and Richie Stainsby when they returned from a 5-month trip around Asia where they were spoilt for choice with vegan and vegetarian options. Back in Nottingham, and with a background in hospitality, they decided to open their own café with an entirely vegetarian menu. Each dish can also be made vegan.


The setting

It has a warm welcoming atmosphere  and you’re greeted with the smiling faces of Lauren and Rich. It’s quite small. A wooden bench with bright cushions lines the wall and there’s simple, inviting wooden tables and chairs. The walls are slate grey and white and plants dot the shelves.  The sign that reads ‘Namaste’ makes you truly feel at ease.

The little things

Even the bright cushions decorated with leaves and birds fit with the natural veggie vibe.

We also received a jug of water infused with fresh mint leaves – a little twist to encourage you to hydrate!

The green juice test

They only serve plain apple or orange juice, but instead there is a good selection of four vibrant coloured hot drinks – matcha, turmeric, beetroot and charcoal lattes. They are all beautifully served and garnished with desiccated coconut.

What we ate

We had a stunningly presented avo crostini combining classic creamy avocado with free range poached eggs on toast and garnished with an impressive selection of baby red amaranth and pea shoot tendrils.

The delicious salsa smash consisted of homemade smoky BBQ beans, scrambled eggs, smashed avo, black olives, salsa verde and red chilli, all served on top of toasted gluten-free bread – a plate full of so much colour and flavour! We also got a side of mushrooms, a cappuccino and a matcha latte with oat milk, which I was so thrilled to see on the menu!


The bill

Poached egg & avo crostini   £6
Salsa Smash  £7
Side of mushrooms   £2.50
Matcha latte with oat milk  £3.20
Cappuccino  £2.50

What else?

We were highly impressed with the customer service – the staff were incredibly friendly.

What made us glow

A menu that proves that vegetarianism is by no means restrictive – it’s no surprise that they’ve just been awarded the best vegetarian restaurant in the whole of the Midlands by the Midlands Food, Drink and Hospitality Awards.

 

Café in the Park, Rickmansworth

Imagine a café bang in the middle of a 41 hectare nature reserve with wide open spaces, woodland and two lakes…Café in the Park in Rickmansworth is just that and has a strong focus on sustainability and delicious seasonal food.

If you’re not lucky enough to live locally, it’s a short day trip from London and perfect for dog owners.


The Setting

There’s no tricks here, this hidden gem is situated in the middle of the Rickmansworth Aquadrome Nature Reserve. It looks like a large wooden barn and on entering you’re greeted with the aroma of home cooked food, friendly faces from the staff and a whole range of local products on the shelves leading towards the till. This cozy café is packed with locals and is perfectly suited for dog walking, as there’s picnic tables outside for you and your four-legged friends. They even accommodate the dogs with water bowls.

The little things

The café clearly projects ethical and sustainable values. They have a filtered water tap in return for donations and they’ve already raised an impressive £18,500 for water aid.

The back wall displays their values- ‘Feed the mind’, ‘Ethical and sustainable produce’, ‘Health and well-being’. They  also have an adult zone at the back which contains wooden tables, cozy arm chairs and even art work from their local high school children. It really has a real local community feel..

The Green Juice

The green juice was packed with a range of fresh produce including cucumber, pear, celery, apple and lemon. I watched it being freshly made so I knew that there’s no cutting corners here.

We also tried the carrot, apple and ginger juice which was zingy and packed with a ginger kick.

What else

The café also has a Shop In The Park which sells local produce, seasonal fruits and vegetables and ethical food and lifestyle brands.

There are taps where you can bring your own containers to fill up on organic natural washing detergent and there’s even have a machine to make your own nut butter! I’m absolutely sold on that. The ethical values even trickle through to the bathroom where they have organic flowers stuck to the wall and ethical soap brands.

What we ate

We ordered the falafel veggie burger which was full of flavour, well seasoned with a crispy outside and a soft middle accompanied with homemade chips.

It was presented on a rustic wooden board and filled with lettuce, pickles and a roasted bell pepper to add some colour. We also ordered the park salad which was a combination of pesto quinoa, beetroot relish, roasted cauliflower and sun-dried tomatoes all topped with a variety of mixed seeds to add a perfect crunch.

The salad was super flavourful, a generous size and loaded with nutrients.

I also washed this down with a Birchall lemongrass and ginger tea I left feeling comfortably full and very satisfied. It was all very reasonably priced.


The bill

Green juice  £3.60
Carrot, apple and ginger juice  £3.60
Veggie burger  £9.90
Park salad   £7.90
Ginger and lemongrass tea   £1.40

What made us glow

Carly, the owner has clearly shared her passion for sustainability and her care for health and the environment throughout both the café and the shop. Every detail has been so thought through. I can’t wait to return!


 

 

 

 

 

Malibu, LA: Malibu Farm

With a sensational scenic view over the Pacific Ocean, and a cool, Californian interior,  Malibu Farm is a must visit and where the Glowcation brand began.

 

Both the Malibu Farm Restaurant and Malibu Farm Café perch on Malibu Pier, overlooking the ocean front. The restaurant at the entrance of the pier serves full plates, while the café at the end of the pier offers counter-service. I would recommend the restaurant for its elegant setting and fuller menu. The motto “Organic. Fresh. Local” sets the mood for a healthy Californian meal.


Setting

Malibu Farm is a chic, clapperboard beach house that overlooks a haven for surfers. It has whitewashed wooden furniture, string lights hanging from beams, linen cushions and blankets to curl ups in, a flying Californian flag and large communal tables.

If you wander to the end you will find Ranch on the Pier- a carefully curated gift shop owned by a member of the Bamford family who run Daylesford.

There is both indoor and outdoor seating available, but we suggest outdoor sitting either directly overlooking the pier or in a cozy booth.

Your view is waves crashing on the shore and watching surfers from afar!

Little things

The staff embody the casual Californian and friendly attitude and are very attentive. Even though there is not a lot of veggie options, they nicely make recommendations as to what to order or replace in your dish.

We also love there merchandise which includes branded kilner jars, blankets and cookery books.

Nothing compares to having a meal in the sun with the wind in your hair, breathing the salty air and taking the time to pause and appreciate the calming view.

The fresh juice test

Malibu Farm is known for its colourful juices served in Malibu Farm-stamped glass jars and reusable straws.

The smoothies and juices are all freshly squeezed with a choice of green (mint lemon), pink (watermelon) or orange juice. I chose the kale and apple juice which has a beautiful dark green hue. It was refreshing, but a little too sweet for my taste.

What else?

Malibu Farm is all about fresh organic and local produce which I’m all for ! The founder states on the website that for her people should “Eat the real thing or don’t eat at all”.

Another good point for me is that it is accessible by public transportation with a bus stop in front of the pier. LA is not known for having an efficient public transportation system, but there is a direct bus from Santa Monica to Malibu and it is more eco-friendly !

What we ate

You will find healthy dishes in the menu ranging from salads to fresh small plates, sandwiches or cauliflower crust pizza. There are not a lot of vegetarian and vegan options but I chose a grilled vegetable sandwich.

The sandwich itself is composed of multi-grain bread,  hummus, zucchini, arugula, eggplant, bell pepper and served with a side of arugula and beetroot quinoa salad.

It’s a filling fresh dish which leaves a little bit of room for dessert. You have to order ice-cream at Malibu Farm – instead of scoops, they give you a small pint ! I had the vegan matcha which is my favourite and it’s super creamy!

The bill

Kale Apple juice   $9.00
Vegan Sandwich  $15.00
Vegan Matcha Ice cream  $8.00
+ tax

What made us glow

The breathtaking view, the casual surfer chic atmosphere and the ice cream !

 



 

 

 

 

 

Copenhagen: 42 Raw

If you are looking for plant-powered perfection then head to 42 Raw.

It’s almost a Copenhagen landmark and it is such a vegan food paradise that even meat eaters enjoy eating here!

Everything is 100 % plant-based, mostly organic and free from dairy, gluten, sugar, lactose, eggs, fish and meat. They have added the odd cooked element on the menu.


The Setting

We chose to eat at the Frederiksberg location. It is placed just by the metro station making is super convenient and easy to access. It’s in the mall and the restaurant has a very modern and streamlined look.

Some of the tables are huge and communal, so you can fit in all of your friends if you would like to share the experience.

 

The little things

There is plenty of seating so you don’t have to rush through your meal.

The branding is fun and contemporary and there are racks of magazines to dip into.

The green juice test

You can chose from 6 organic green juices. They range from mild to mean.

The staff recommended the in between juice, “Pure Green” with pear, lemon, celery, broccoli, and spinach..

The juice was fresh and not too sharp as the pear and lemon disguised the more bitter components. Even my boyfriend liked it, and he is usually not a big fan of green juices.

What we ate

We had a matcha bowl of avocado, banana and matcha topped with coconut, granola, blueberry and goji.

The bowl had a nice smooth texture and it was delicious and filling. The homemade granola on top was to die for! We wanted to ask for more…

We also had the one and only burger on the menu with a gluten-free bun. It’s a quinoa patty, romaine salad, sprouts, tomato, marinated onions, aioli dressing and sweet potato fries with chili “mayo” on the side.

 

 

And boy was this burger good! I loved all of the components (especially the aioli dressing and onions), but the quinoa patty is the best vegan patty, I have had for a long time.

It was moist on the inside and crispy on the outside and tasted like a grilled meat patty.

In addition to the green juice, we had an ice cold organic cacao and date smoothie. It was rich in chocolate and banana and worked as a perfect after meal treat.

We have visited 42 Raw a number of times before and often had the brunch with pancakes and the granola bowl. The warm matcha latte with homemade organic, creamy almond milk is also to be recommended.

42 Raw


42 Raw

What else?

You will find three additional 42 Raw places around Copenhagen, including one in the airport so you can grab a quick bite before you board.

I also very excited to learn that everything is actually homemade by 42 Raw.

That includes the dressings, buns, marinated onions, nut milks and cakes.

The bill

Cacao/date smoothie  60 kr.
Pure green juice  65 kr.
Burger  129 kr.
Sweet potato fries  20 kr.
Matcha bowl  89 kr.

What made us glow?

The taste! No matter what we order at 42 Raw it is always a great pleasure and that’s why we will keep coming back.

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Line Evelin meet the Glowstar

Line Evelin is a freelance copywriter and runs an antique jewellery shop. She lives in an apartment in Copenhagen with a big balcony where she grows edible flowers and plants.

My two great loves are my animals and food. Every day I snuggle with my dog “Mini” and ride my dressage horse “Rumba” who lives on a farm near Copenhagen. And then, I  cook a lot!

Line spends many hours in the kitchen cooking only vegan meals and never compromising on the quality.

I cook with fresh, organic ingredients and I make everything from scratch keeping the food as healthy as possible.

Health is a very big driver for Line.  “When it comes to choosing what to eat. I try to eat as many superfoods as I can- things  like turmeric, garlic, berries, matcha, açaí and broccoli. And I don’t like meat substitutes like “chicken” nuggets, minced “meat” and other highly processed products”.


Line Evelin

Why did you launch @my_vegan_lyfe?

It actually started as my private profile with pictures of my animals, events, food, and jewelry. Two years ago I combined the animal and food part posting pictures of my dog, horse and daily vegan meals.

I really love the creative part of cooking and plating it all up as pretty as possible. That’s why I grow my own edible flowers on the balcony.

How would you describe your feed?

It’s colourful and lively. I post a lot of green stuff, pretty smoothie bowls, flowers and animal pictures.

I’m an animal lover, you know! Go vegan.

What are you learning from your journey?

Not to try and convince people to give up their traditional way of eating. If people show an interest in my vegan life I will talk and write about it for hours, but it’s really impossible to turn over somebody who doesn’t care.

Describe your upbringing? How important was healthy eating?

My mother was a stay-at-home mum and she made me the most wonderful meals with fresh ingredients.

Several times a day she would bring me little plates of finger fruit- grapes, red pepper, oranges, and cucumber.

We also grew berries, apples, pears, and herbs in our garden.

“You are what you eat!” is what my mother always told me.  Nowadays I tell my mum what to eat and how to stay healthy.

Line Evelin
Line Evelin

What is the mission of @my_vegan_lyfe?

I hope to inspire others to choose more vegetables and to eat less dairy, meat, and fish. I want to let them know that you can be vegan and still eat interesting, tasty food.

I sometimes post facts about how unhealthy it is to eat dairy and meat and how bad for the planet it is, but I’m always careful to keep it light. People are allowed to believe and eat what they want. I can only hope that a few of my followers will take the leap and become vegan – or at least eat more greens.

Why did you decide to collaborate with Glowcation?

It was a no-brainer for me!

Obviously, the site is beautiful and inspirational to look at and read. But it’s also useful for plant-based eaters who want to find great places in foreign cities without having to go through the bad ones first. I want to help do that.

What are you excited about?

It’s getting more interesting, convenient and normal to be vegan in Copenhagen. Most shops have many vegan options, you can order ready made wholesome vegan meals online and new vegan restaurants are popping up all over.

Copenhagen is a really good destination for plant-based food lovers.

What are the top 5 things in life that make you glow?

When my boyfriend is craving a smoothie bowl (he’s not vegan but he’s getting greener by the minute).

Riding my beautiful, clever horse.

Pretty edible flowers on my balcony and on top of my food.

Trying out a new vegan place.

Garlic! I eat so much that I’m sure that no vampire (or mosquito) will ever want to bite me.

To read Line’s review click here.

Line Evelin

Milan: Açai Sisters superfood bar

Açai Sisters is Milan’s first superfood bar.

They believe that nourishing your body and mind is crucial – and they are on a mission to spread their belief. Being 100% Vegan in Italy is still a sensitive topic, but in my opinion Milan is a much richer food hotspot for plant lovers!


Açai Sisters

The setting

The setting is simple, it’s a grab and go with seating.

Think marble tables, painted metal chairs and potted cacti.

They have a little terrace with a cute pink awning over it. There’s free wifi.

The little things

There are  two large fridges stacked with takeaway juices and their amazing deserts – strawberry cheesefake, avocado chocolate mousse or a 100% vegan matcha tiramisu (we’re still in Italy, right!).

The green juice test

We wanted to try a green cold pressed juice, but all the juices were sold out sadly at a Saturday brunch,, so we chose a smoothie instead.

It was a combo of banana, mango, pineapple, ginger and rice milk.

The smoothie was thick, more like a nana-style ice cream, so we ate it with a spoon, but it was very good – especially as it was a very hot day and it was icey cold.

What we ate

We went for the classic açai bowl which came with strawberries, banana, goji berries, honey and granola. With açai, you can never go wrong, but the granola was quite sweet.

It takes some courage to put a cauliflower based pizza on the menu in Italy!


Açai Sisters

But we can assure you, they still know how to make it taste amazing! The three  little mini pizzas came on a bed of raw spinach with some olive oil. The tomato sauce was so rich in flavour and was perfect combined with the grilled veggies and the cashew cheese.

We got the strawberry cheesefake for dessert and had to ask if it was really vegan, because it was so creamy!.

The base is deliciously crumbly with a second layer of the “cream cheese”. The topping is stewed berries, which adds perfection. We also had to try the brownie and banana bread on the counter as well!

The brownie is more like a Snicker. with a bottom layer of caramel with chunky dates. Finally, the banana bread was really fresh and wasn’t over sweet.

The bill

Berrylicious  7.50EU
Tropical yellow  5.50EU
Cali-flower pizza 9.00EU
Strawberry cheese-fake 4.00EU
banana bread  2.00EU
Raw Brownie  2.00EU
Water 1.00EU

For more Milan inspiration click here. 


What else?

You can order Açai Sisters on deliveroo and Ubereats.

What made us glow?

The fact that plant based food is growing in Italy and Açai Sisters have changed their traditional pizza, pasta  mindset and bravely put zucchini noodles and cauliflower based pizza’s on the menu!

 

Mantra Raw Vegan, Milan

Mantra Raw Vegan is the very first raw, vegan food bar in Milan. It’s curated by chef Alberto Minio Paluello, who trained at the Matthew Kenney Academy in Santa Monica.

Paluello brings his Italian passion for food and expertise in raw “cooking” to this trailblazing, innovative kitchen. It’s  an Instagram delight and a favourite of the King of Fashion, Karl Lagerfeld.


The setting

The café is based in the more contemporary east side of Milan. I went with a friend and as we entered there’s a market space where you can buy take away options like raw desserts, juices and snacks.

There’s also a half open kitchen where you can see the chef creating his artworks.

At the back of the restaurant is the dining room. The setting is minimal and modern with a stripped back palette, aluminium lighting and coloured vinyl chairs. A few little cactuses add warmth to the room. I loved the cosy the grey blankets.

The little things

They have a shop and a selection of containers where you can scoop your own portion of one of their treats. There are kale chips, chocolate walnuts and raw crackers.

The green juice test

Our green juices came in a wine glass. All the green juices were sold out so I went for the Purple Zen and my friend chose the Yellow Aim.

The Purple Zen was a mix of beets, apple and ginger and tasted more like a green juice – it wasn’t sweet at all (despite the apple).

The Yellow Aim was really special, because it was made of melon, lime and rosewater! The rosewater and the melon combined together to make the juice really delicate, but the lime gave it zing.

What we ate

We both had the two choice menu – a starter and a selection dish of the day which was pumpkin ravioli and walnut with mushroom balls. We ordered 2 different dishes and starters and shared everything between us.

The starter was a homemade carrot bread topped with a very thick layer of avocado smash, cherry tomato, lettuce, pretty edible flowers, e.v.o oil(extra virgin oil) and lemon marinated fennel on top, which gave the dish a very fresh flavour. The mushroom and walnut balls came with marinara sauce and some lettuce garnish.

The “no meatballs” were very crispy which was pretty impressive for raw food!

Our other plate was carrot bread with “feta cheese” and mushrooms. The feta cheese was stunning, it was really thick like real feta, but was made of soaked almonds and nutritional yeast! The pumpkin ravioli were filled with pine nuts and spinach fondue and came with some cilantro/pumpkin seed pesto and sweet and sour apple.

For dessert we had the tirawmisu (as we are in Italy)!

The base of the tirawmisu was made from hazelnuts soaked in caffeine-free coffee, and it did really taste like the traditional soaked lady finger cookies. The cream was made of coconut with beetroot juice (for the pink colour).

We also had a raw pie with a base of dried mango and a topping made from from soaked cashews with lime. Delicious!


The bill

Two Choices menu x 2   24EU
Purple Zen   5,90EU
Yellow Aim  5,90EU
Tiramisu  7EU
Raw pie  7EU


 


What else?

Mantra Raw Vegan is the first raw and vegan food bar in Italy so massive applause to them!

What made us glow?

It’s a real feast on your plate, all the food looks so pretty that you almost don’t want to eat it! Plus, the variety of ingredients they combine make the dishes very special …and it’s all raw, so packed with nutrition!

 

Ibiza: Passion Café, seaside plant-power

Passion Café have a must-visit chain of plant-based cafés across Ibiza.

The focus is on vegan, vegetarian, macrobiotic and raw cuisine. We tried a couple of their cafés, but our favourite by far was the one in Santa Eulalia.  Why? The location by the sea made it very special and it was quieter and more tranquil than the one we checked out by the marina. In fact the setting was so magical we visited two days in a row.



The setting

Wrapped round by sea views, palm trees and a cool Mediterranean breeze. Passion Café is a gem of a Glowcation.

Inside it is bright and spacious with whitewashed wooden walls and benches with pretty leafy patterned cushions. There are flowers dotted on the marble tables. The large outside terrace has rattan chairs and wooden tables. The vibe is relaxed and holiday like.

The little things

Passion source locally grown and organic produce as much as possible.

The green juice test

Passion are known for their freshly made juices and their best selling green is Super Detox a blend of cucumber, celery, spinach, lemon, apple and ginger. They also offer Protein Shakes, Superfood Smoothies and Bliss Smoothies! We couldn’t resist the Superfood Protein Shake – a mix of banana, maca, chai, mango, goji berries, bee pollen, hemp, raw protein powder and almond milk. Topped off with coconut shavings, berries, nuts and honey.

What else?

They have six locations on the island. Plus they have a  Passion Pantry-a bio shop and a Passion Juicery.

What we ate

We had a Spiritual Quinoa Bowl with added egg- a mix of quinoa, rice, avocado, broccoli and pumpkin. Then a  Buddha Bowl featuring pumpkin, avocado, cabbage, rice, broccoli, almonds and marinated tempeh and tofu.

To finish we had a Turkish Delight Latte made with beetroot powder, agave, rose water and almond milk and a Back To Black Latte – charcoal, cashew milk and agave. Delicious!

The bill

Superfood Protein Shake  12.50 EU
Spiritual Quinoa Bowl   15.75 EU
Buddha Bowl   16.95 EU
Back To Black Latte   4.50 EU
Turkish Delight Latte  5 EU

What made us glow?

The smoothies! And the choice of 13 Lattes…and those sea views. The staff were also super friendly and helpful.

 

 


Amersham, Buckinghamshire: The Green Grocer at 91

I made a special trip to The Green Grocer in Amersham as rumour was it was worth the visit.

This charming café-meets-deli was created by Marcello Cinelli

and there are now three branches  (another in Amersham, and one in nearby Gerrard’s Cross).

I chose to visit The Green Grocer (91 Amersham High Street) as this branch is entirely vegetarian with plenty of delicious plant-based and gluten-free options – and it definitely surpassed my expectations!

The setting

A welcome addition to the old town of Amersham, The Green Grocer is the coolest place on the High Street. It features exposed brick walls, white kitchen tiles, plant pots with dangling leaves and a long wooden sharing table in the middle of the room.

There’s additional seating indoors and a small table outdoors on the cobbled street.

The eye-catching display of desserts will draw you in as soon as you step foot inside, with a stunning assortment of sweet treats (including vegan options) such as the pistachio and olive oil cake.

The little things

The café also sells a great selection of artisan products.

The shelves are stacked with jams, chutneys and wines.

I also really liked the chilled playlist of tunes in the background and the fact that the café is dog-friendly.


The fresh juice test

I chose the “Jack” juice – a mix of celery, cucumber, apple, lime and mint, which was wonderfully refreshing.

There are lots of other juice options, such as mixed berries, apple and lime, as well as hot drinks with non-dairy milks upon request.

What we ate

We shared two mains and two desserts. I was excited to see avocado, fried eggs and za’atar on the menu, which I ordered with GF toast, as za’atar is my favourite Middle-Eastern spice blend!

We also got the Ceres Bowl which was aubergine, garlic and rosemary roasted peppers, courgette, grilled fennel, butternut squash, hummus and sun dried tomatoes. This was followed by a peanut butter blondie and an exceptional ginger-caramel bar dipped in dark chocolate, which hit the spot perfectly!

What else?

The whole team of staff are warm and lively, and contribute to the buzzing vibe.

 

The bill

Avocado, fried eggs, toast – £8.95
Ceres Bowl – £11.95
Fresh juice – £4.50
Peanut butter blondie – £3.00
Caramel chocolate bar – £2.95


What we’d go back for…

The breakfast options – from toasted banana bread with nut butter, to wheat-free granola with coconut yoghurt, blueberries and pomegranate.

Certainly worth a return visit!

Chiswick: brunch perfection at Angie’s Little Food Shop

There’s nothing little about Angie’s Little Food Shop – it is big on flavour and big on style.

Angie’s, or ALFS as it’s known locally, was founded by South African Angie Steele who spent 10 years heading up various Gordon Ramsay restaurants before opening her own cafe.

Her impressive cooking credentials shine through in the delicious all day brunch menu, tempting GF cakes and innovative salads.

 The setting

ALFS is at the Hammersmith end of Chiswick High Street and stands out thanks to the bright blue awning and painted doors. There are two tables outside and inside rows of wooden tables plus a large communal table at the back.

They fill up fast at the weekend so make sure you arrive early.

There are fresh flowers and mini cactus pots on the distressed wooden tables. The walls display original ceramics and modern art. The staff are very friendly and helpful in seating you when it gets busy.

The little things

As soon as you sit down you are given decanters of water infused with cucumber. ALFS is very welcoming to dogs and there’s usually quite a selection of four legged friends including the owner’s Australian labradoodle.

The green juice test

Angie’s does sell the Cold Press Clean Green (apple, cucumber, spinach. parsley & lime), but often runs out.

When we visited on a busy Sunday lunch time we were too late so had a freshly squeezed OJ and an apple and carrot juice both made on site.

They were both equally refreshing.

What we ate

We tried two types of egg – the creamy scrambled eggs with roasted tomatoes on sourdough and the Eggs Royale.

The latter was perfectly poached eggs with salmon on sourdough.

Plus, we tried the soft goat’s cheese bruschetta with smashed avo, raw beetroot and sprout salad and heirloom cherry tomatoes. The mix of textures and flavours was gorgeous. Finally, we had the sweet potato soup of the day with garlic bread. It was a warming and a filling meal in itself.


The bill

Soft Goats Cheese Bruschetta £7.95
Scrambled Eggs £8.00
Eggs Royale £10.50
Soup of the day £6.00
Fresh Orange / Carrot & Apple £3.10


What else?

The wide range of ceramics on sale are by three of Angie’s favourite South African artists and make fantastic gifts or treats.

What made us glow?

The vibe, the dogs and the beautiful plates all the food is served on.

Cobham, Surrey: The Juice Smith, including their very own Running Club

The Juice Smith was founded in 2013 by Richard Smith-Bernal, who became passionate about juicing after recovering from a gastric illness.

After meticulously researching juicing and cleansing, he wanted to make healthy delicious food available to all.

This Cobham hotspot offers a delicious menu which is 100% free from gluten, dairy, refined sugar and soya.

The Setting

Based on Cobham High Road, The Juice Smith has a sophisticated urban vibe. It’s airy, stylish and sleek with pale wood floors, white tables and metallic leather chairs.

I loved the feature, mirrored wall with uplifting quotes and leafy plant display.

It gives the whole café an eco-friendly and healthy feel. There’s also a couple of outside tables the sun is shining.>

The Little Things

The cafe had a charging point right by my table and free wifi, which makes it a great working lunch pit stop. I managed to get through some emails whilst enjoying the food and drinks. The Juice Smith is also dog friendly.

The Green Juice

I went for Fountain of Youth (cucumber, spinach, kale, mint, lemon and pink Himalayan salt).

It certainly wasn’t sweet and it really packed a refreshing punch.

Definitely my ideal green juice… I’d go so far as to give it a 10/10!

What Else?

There’s a fridge filled with delicious looking treats, nuts and a range of juices and milks to take away. And they do home delivery in the area and you can order healthy hampers or cakes.

What We Ate

I ordered the Mexican chilli bowl, which was loaded with quinoa, Mexican beans, lentils, beetroot hummus, lettuce, smokey cashew cream, tomato salsa, cucumber and sweetcorn. I absolutely loved the range of textures and flavours in this dish.

The combination of the beans, quinoa and hummous left me feeling super full and content all afternoon.

The beetroot hummus was my favourite as it was bursting with flavour and vibrant in colour!

I also ordered a matcha latte, which despite being told was unsweetened appeared very sweet.

It looked stunning, but it was a little too sweet for my palate.

My friend ordered the apple pie, which I couldn’t resit trying. It was a healthier version of a classic apple pie with maple syrup and coconut sugar- absolutely delicious, not too sweet and had the perfect filling ratio. There’s nothing worse than a poor pie to filling ratio!

The Bill

Matcha Latte – £3.00
Mexican Chilli Bowl – £8.50
Green Juice – £4.25
Apple Pie – £4.95


What Made Us Glow

The Juice Smith also has a Running Club every Wednesday Morning at 8:30am.

It’s in partnership with Sweaty Betty and caters for all abilities from beginners to marathon runners and all runners get the chance to enjoy a discounted post run breakfast with 10% off the bill.

Notting Hill: Farmacy, superstylish plant-power

The founder of Farmacy, Camilla Fayed, believes that people are becoming increasingly aware of the importance of the ‘conscious eating’ movement, so she opened Farmacy two years ago to reflect this.

Serving vegan food (plus eggs) and including many gluten-free, refined sugar free and raw dishes on the extensive menu…it has to be on our Glowcation hit list!

The setting

Farmacy occupies a large corner space on Notting Hill’s Westbourne Grove. As you approach, you see hanging plants and twining ivy surrounding the large windows and entrance.

Once inside, the plant theme continues and there is a useful, small waiting area (since it can be very busy).

The restaurant has been designed around a central green wood and brass bar. There are lots of wooden tables, plus plush booths and banquettes around the walls. The large windows flood the room with light and the many plants create a natural vibe which tones with the green upholstery and ties in with the food.

The little things

In every window there are coloured vases with plants. They have clearly thought really well about all the little details in the restaurant. There are plug sockets at the wall and window tables.

The fresh juice test

For my very first green juice test, I chose the greenest juice possible: the Alkaline booster – cucumber, kale, celery, spinach, romaine, lemon and parsley. Normally,

I like to include a sweet component like apple or pear, so this one was very green for me and not sweet at all.

I did like it though, as I got a huge vitamin boost, but the celery was too strong for me, so that’s why I’m not 100% sold on my choice.

What we ate

My friend and I shared two plates, one sweet, one savoury. Seeing they had waffles on the menu, I was sold in ten seconds and so we had the Chocolate Chip Warrior waffles and the Macro bowl. We started off with the waffles. As a serious waffle fan, I have to admit  I’ve never had such crisp waffles before – which I think is even more impressive for vegan waffles.

The delicious waffles came with house made “nutella”, coconut yoghurt, banana and cacao nibs.

The “nutella” had a very rich cacao flavour and no sign of crunchiness from hazelnuts. I t was a smooth paste, like real Nutella! That – together with the co-yo – was a great combination with the super crunchy waffles and cacao nibs.

Farmacy
Farmacy

The Macro Bowl was basic, minimal and clean – quinoa served with avocado, seaweed, sauerkraut, steamed seasonal greens & sweet potato with a miso ginger dressing.

I normally don’t really like salad dressing, but the miso ginger dressing had a very rich, nutty flavour and finished off the dish.

The bill

The green juice £7
Matcha latte £6
Waffles £10.50
Macro bowl £14.50


What else

You can get a chance to see the chefs at work on the way to the toilet as you pass by the kitchen. Plus there’s a private room with a huge square table, plants, posters and candles

What made us glow

Our dishes and the dishes around me. They were all so pretty that I couldn’t stop looking to see what someone else had ordered.

I really liked the interior.

Interiors are always important for me, as a well furnished restaurant makes me more excited about the food! And last, but not least, the waffles really made me glow! I was so impressed by the crunchiness of them!

To read our interview with the founder Camilla Fayed click here. 

Farmacy

Soho: Mildreds, the vegetarian trailblazer

Behind its pretty blue facade on Greek St, Mildred’s has been a Soho institution for over a quarter of a century.

This vegetarian trailblazer first opened its doors in 1988 and has served international vegetarian cuisine ever since.

The menu remains modern, innovative and delicious. There’s no reservations, but it’s well worth queuing for!

The setting

Set in the heart of Soho, just a side street away from Regent Street, Mildred’s is a vegan and vegetarian delight. With the option of grabbing a takeaway or sitting down for a leisurely lunch, it makes the perfect healthy pitstop. Its bright blue, signature window frame is hard to miss and the warm, basic interior is normally packed full.

Design-wise, it might not be as “cool” as it’s rivals, but Mildred’s put all their effort and energy into making good value, plant-based food incredibly tasty and exciting.>

The little things

I love the fact that on busier days I can pop into Mildred’s and pick-up a selection from their array of salad options, soups and mains such as stuffed aubergine. A large salad will only cost you £6.50 which I think is great value for a house-made healthy meal in the heart of London.

The green juice test

Mildred’s has a choice of five fresh juices. The green juice (apple, kale, cucumber and lemon) didn’t really do it for me.

The juice was predominantly apple, so it was far too sweet for my taste.

Personally I prefer a much sharper green juice, but for those with a sweeter tooth, I’m sure it would hit the spot. I preferred the carrot, apple, beetroot and ginger juice, which had a delicious kick to it.

What else?

Mildred’s is dog friendly, which I think is a lovely feature in a West End Glowcation. There are also three other branches in Camden, Dalston and King’s Cross.

What we ate

More like what didn’t we eat! We ordered a selection of the small plates to try a range of the dishes.

We tried tenderstem broccoli with chilli and a soya sauce, miso aubergine with ginger and spring onions, hummus with rose harissa, chickpeas with persian limes and rose petal harissa and roasted squash with spinach, hazelnut and almond dukkah and tahini.

All the dishes were absolutely bursting with such a range of flavours.

The chickpeas were plump and meaty and the aubergine had just the right amount of miso; often you find they drown the aubergine, but this had clearly been brushed with a light coating ensuring it had just the right hit, but wasn’t too sweet.


This is a perfect example of how plant-based foods can be totally delicious and creative.

The bill

Green Juice: £4.50
Beet Juice: £4.50
Hummus: £6.00
Roasted Squash: £5.00
Chickpeas: £5.00
Broccoli: £5.00
Aubergine: £4.00


What made us glow

I really appreciated that all the dishes came out at the same time (fairly quickly too).

It meant we could enjoy a range of flavours together rather than eating one dish and waiting for the next ones.

Shoreditch: Aussie Grind and avocados

Founded by an Australian musician, Shoreditch Grind features a healthy Antipodean-inspired menu and an upstairs recording studio.

It’s cool, quirky and hip and the brunch is pretty amazing too!

Shoreditch Grind is the original of four restaurants across London. It opened in 2011.


The setting

Located on Old Street Roundabout, right above the underground station, Shoreditch Grind is quick and easy to get to and perfect for people-watching. Our tip is to sit on the bar facing out through the full-length windows – which also  provides great lighting for that Instagram shot!

There’s a vintage cinema display outside and exposed brick walls.

The décor is minimalist – metal pipes run along the high ceiling and a neon sign spells out “cocktail baby” above the bar. Rumour has it, they make the best expresso martini in town! There are plenty of tables available both indoors and outdoors, plus you can take-away.

The staff are particularly accommodating for allergies and are happy to make adjustments, such as swapping almond milk into the porridge instead of dairy.

The little things

I loved the gorgeous ceramic crockery and the red coffee cups and saucers that perfectly match the red neon signs. The free wifi makes this an inviting place to sit with your laptop and catch up on emails.

Each dish is made from fresh, seasonal ingredients, ideally sourced locally, and the presentation has clearly been carefully considered.

Plus, you know you’re in good company given there’s a wall stacked with the autographs of the celebrities who have visited, from Kate Nash to Gabrielle Aplin.

The fresh juice jest

Their juices and smoothies come bottled from Press London but taste very fresh and are made from high quality ingredients.

I got the Green Smoothie, made from spinach, avocado, cucumber, apple and banana, as well as a cold-pressed Amber Juice – orange, carrot, apple and ginger. Both were divine!

They also offer a variety of multi-coloured lattes such as a fluorescent pink beetroot latte and a golden turmeric latte.

What we ate

We ordered three mains (and three drinks) between two very hungry girls. The smashed avocado was ripe and chunky, freshly mashed with lemon juice and chilli flakes. It came with two runny poached eggs with bright orange yolk, and crisp sourdough toast – although I was surprised that they do not offer gluten-free toast.

The açai bowl is a delicious blend of frozen açai berries and banana, decorated with coconut flakes, flaxseeds and blueberries.

We also got gluten-free porridge, which I requested with almond milk.

It had a creamy consistency and was topped with crunchy granola for a contrast in texture, as well as a handful of berries.

What else?

If you’re a coffee fan, they sell tins of their Grind House Blend Coffee, both in whole beans and ground, which is roasted daily, plus they mix a mean cocktail.>


The bill

Smashed avocado and eggs  £8.50
Acai bowl   £6
Porridge   £5
Amber juice   £4.25
Green Smoothie  £4.50


What made us glow

Beautiful and nourishing food in a landmark hipster setting with a laid back vibe.

Covent Garden: The plant-food innovator, Wild Food Café

Wild Food Cafe’s vision is to provide “innovative plant-food for the new generation of movers and shakers and to transform humanity’s relationship with food”.

As you enter the first floor café you walk up the steps past a William Blake quotation -“To see the world in a grain of sand and heaven in a wild flower, to hold infinity in the palm of your hand and eternity in an hour”. You turn right through a velvet curtain and the buzzing cafe awaits.

The energy hits you, the food is vegan and the innovative menu certainly lives up to their mission statement.

The setting

The decor is pink and pine but don’t be fooled – the menu and clientele are all bang up to date. The first floor room is flooded with light from large windows overlooking the rainbow-painted Neal’s Yard. It’s communal and casual.

The kitchen and bar is at one end of the room and most of the long tables are shared.

The staff are energetic and friendly. We didn’t spot any plug sockets, but it’s a great place to settle with a laptop.

The little things

We loved their unique water filter system. All water used in cooking and the complementary water served at the tables has been filtered through a state of the art filtration system with 10 levels of natural media mimicking nature’s cycles.

Wild Food Cafe then further ‘activate’ the water using leading-edge vortex and infrared ceramics.

The fresh juice test

There’s choice of 3 juices and all are tempting. We had the Vibrant Green a combo of cucumber, celery, seasonal greens, pear, swiss chard, parsley, ginger. Tasty and not too sweet. We will return for the Price of Persia  a mix of pomegranate, dulse, rose water and sea salt…

What we ate

We shared the Venus Bowl- a wholesome mix of  Mother Mary root super-slaw, quinoa, Jerusalem artichoke, roast sweet potato, broccoli, sprouts, hemp seed, olives

However, the showstopper (and Instagram star!) was the Golden Milk Latte.

We were already fans of turmeric latte, but this took a “hug in a mug” to whole new level! Presented like an ice-cream sundae, you can eat the topping of coconut whip and granola with a spoon, before sipping the creamy mix of turmeric, cinnamon, cardamom, pumpkin, black pepper, date caramel, ginger. It was beyond delicious!

It was difficult to choose from the tempting dessert menu, but we went for the raw chocolate tart with date caramel plus the pear and hibiscus cheesecake with pumpkin seed and coconut granola.

Both were delightful, dairy free and exceptionally Instagrammable.

The bill

Juice £6.50
Venus Bowl salad £14.50
Chocolate tart £7.00
Pear and Hibiscus Cheesecake £8.00
Golden Milk Latte £5.00


What else?

Wild Food cafe has an online shop, they run cooking courses and the food is available for delivery on Uber Eats.

What made us glow?

The Golden Milk latte and the buzz! We will return for more!

TriBeCa: Mulberry & Vine, “Live Dirty, Eat Clean” in NYC

Mulberry & Vine is a fast-casual eatery whose motto is “Live Dirty, Eat Clean.”

With four locations in Manhattan and Brooklyn, they serve seasonal, plant-based food.

Founded by Michelle Gauthier in 2013, the hip cafés serve a flavourful and exotic menu with gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian and vegan options! 


The setting

We visited the two-storey TriBeCa branch, which offers dine-in or grab and go. The café features bright, vibrant décor, wooden tables and on-trend, punchy music. If in TriBeca’s not handy, it’s good to know that their NoMad and Midtown East branches are also pretty cool.

The staff are super-smiley and you can try before you buy which is always helpful when faced with a huge choice.



The little things

Paperless receipts, glass and plastic recycling, composting, washable utensils and plates all make Mulberry & Vine an environmentally friendly champion.

The fresh juice test

Sadly, Mulberry and Vine don’t sell juices. They do sell delicious house-made pomegranate or green iced tea; turmeric and ginger lemonade and refreshing infused waters.

What we ate

The menu rotates seasonally and is based on a “pick three” options plate or bowl.

You can choose a protein and two side or three vegetables. 

The plate features 3 vegetables for $9 or 2 vegetables and 1 protein for $10.50. The bowl (a bit more expensive and larger) features 3 vegetables for $10 or 2 vegetables and 1 protein for $11.50, all served over romaine or spinach leaves. 

We tried their tangy Thai Chili Noodles, light Turmeric-Lemon Zest Cauliflower with Golden Flax, spicy-sweet Broccoli with Honey Sriracha, Acorn Squash with nutritional yeast, Roasted Brussels with Nori-Hemp Vinaigrette and, of course, their delicious Roasted Sweet Potatoes in coconut oil!

We also had their creamy Vegan Thai Curry over brown rice and gingery Sesame Scallion Tofu. Their tofu, grains and greens are all organic and local when possible.

All the sauces are made in-house, are preservative free and use local seasonal herbs. It’s great value with large portions.

The bill

“Pick 3 plate”- all veg $9
“Pick 3 plate”- 1 protein, 2 veg $10.50
Single veggie $3.50


What else?

Mulberry & Vine doesn’t do desserts, but, for those with a sweet tooth, there’s a good variety of sweet treats for purchase at the check-out area. 

What made us glow?

The nutrient packed food and the charming atmosphere.

We want to try their Midtown East and Nomad branches next! 

 

Brewed + Pressed, Mill Hill

Brewed+Pressed began in Dallas, Texas with a juice bar launched by Sohail Dar and Mike Heffelfinger, two dentists and friends who share a career and a purpose.

They want to empower you to feel better from the inside out.

For the two friends, healthy was not about boring but about nutritious everyday food packed with flavour. Or as they say it is a about “the art of nourishment”.


The setting

The cafe is bright, modern and inviting. Think modern pine walls, floors and tables with marble accents and cactus plants. As you walk in, you’re greeted with an array of raw cakes on the bar, chocolate, mocha or berry – they all scream ‘eat me’.

And there are homemade gluten-free cakes.

The indulgent red velvet layer cake smothered in a smooth white creamy icing grabbed my attention the most although as it was breakfast I sadly gave it a miss.


Brewed + Pressed

The little things

I loved that Brewed +Press also sell freshly-made soaps packed with natural ingredients and look delicious enough to eat!

They offer free wifi and has a welcoming working environment so you can sit and work at your laptop whilst drinking your matcha latte.

I also found the staff were friendly and really helpful in helping me decide what to have!!

The green juice test

The green juice comes in a bottle, so if you don’t finish it, you can take it away! It was light in flavour making it easy to sip across the morning – not too sweet and the addition of the lemon gave it a slightly sharp edge which I’m a fan of.

What we ate

There are plenty of of raw breakfast options including raw granola, matcha chia pudding and the classics such as avo on toast and a great bowl of oats topped with banana, sliced, almonds, cranberries and cinnamon.

We tucked into a warming shakshuka and a trusty smashed avo on sourdough with poached eggs.

Brewed + Pressed

The shakshuka was the perfect order for a frosty morning. It was warming, loaded with spice and packed a punch with the extra peppers.

The smashed avo was served on a chunky slice of sourdough which provided the perfect crunch and I particularly loved the addition of the mixed seeds and chilli flakes to give it an extra kick.

The eggs were cooked to perfection in both dishes!

We also enjoyed a matcha tea and a lemon, ginger, cayenne and turmeric shot. It wasn’t too hot which meant it went down much easier than some of the ones I’ve had in the past!

Brewed + Pressed

The bill

Avocado on toast  £6.65
Additional eggs x 2  £1.90
Green juice  £4.95
Shakshuka   £7.65
Matcha tea  £2.80
Immunity shot  £3.50


What else?

The choice of snacks on the counter was so good that I was tempted to fuel up for the day. They offer homemade buckwheat granola that you can take home along with some of my favourite on-the-go snacks including a whole selection of the Ombar collection!

What made us glow

I loved the brightness and calmness, it has a very soothing vibe to it which left me uplifted and excited about the day ahead! I’ll be back!

Marylebone: Meditation pods at Yeotown Kitchen

From the second I entered Yeotown Kitchen, I was in love.

The peaceful atmosphere, the welcoming faces, the inspirational quotes on the walls and tables…

Yeotown Kitchen is happy. It’s bright. It’s colourful and it’s oh so feel good!

Yeotown Kitchen’s mission statement is“Strong in body, clear in mind”. The cafe is the latest move from Mercedes and Simon Sieff, the couple behind Devon’s award winning Yeotown health retreat.

It provides an oasis in the city to replenish and rejuvenate with their trend setting kitchen, juice bar and meditation pods.


 The setting

Yeotown Kitchen’s double fronted space fits in neatly with its neighbours on upmarket Chiltern Street. Chiltern Firehouse is opposite, and Daylesford and Sweaty Betty round the corner. The vibe is inclusive and relaxing.

It’s spread over two floors and you can grab ‘n’ go or eat in.

Warm wood and yellow hues dominate creating a calm and cheerful atmosphere.

What else?

Quite a lot! There are five mind boosting meditation pods on hand:  The Basic Break (for a quick rejuvenation of mind and body); The Bravery Break (for a boost of courage and confidence).

The cutting edge pods give you a mental boost in just five minutes.

The Beauty Break (to encourage self-love and finding beauty within); The Brain Break (to soothe anxiety, gain better clarity and perspective); and The Balance Break (to restore focus, direction and equilibrium).

The fresh juice test

Yeotown Kitchen specialises in organic dairy free smoothies (with an impressive ten on offer), plus six juices pressed on site. The signature green is called Love – a combo of cucumber, kale, celery, lemon, romaine, pear, lime, green apple and parsley.

My lunch date had the Wisdom juice – a mix of beets, apples, lemon, spinach, ginger and baobab.

And I can confirm, it was pretty damn delicious!

I also had the Adaptogenic Latte, which uses medicinal mushrooms for their amazing de-stressing properties, with added cinnamon.

What we ate

Anything seasonal, plant-based, gut friendly and full of healthy fats will always be a winner for me – so Yeotown was a winner! Plus, as they don’t use refined sugar or gluten, you know you’re in safe hands.

For the main event, it had to be the Courage Bowl – a delicious mix of quinoa, chickpeas, sprouts, avocado, perfectly seasoned sweet potatoes, sea veg, cherry tomatoes and the most amazing pink kimchi.

It came with a cute pot of tahini dressing, which made for the perfect accompaniment for the salad.

The Benevolence Bowl was a delicious all day breakfast concoction of  organic local eggs, greens, bean and grain of the day, pickles, avo, super seed crumble, sprouts and microgreens served with Zaatar tahini.

The bill

 Benevolence Bowl £11.95
Courage Bowl £11.95
Adaptogenic Latte £4.50
Juice £4.95


The little things

Many little personal touches are dotted around the café truly making the experience very special. Potted plants, hanging yellow pineapples, colourful graphics on the table surfaces and, of course, the meditation pods. There was also wifi and plenty of sockets, enabling yo to create a remote office space if you’re a laptop lover.

 What made us glow?

Just how healthy the food was! As a super health conscious eater, I like to know exactly what is in my food, and Yeotown’s menu really put me at ease. There were options to swap out, add in and to takeaway ingredients entirely if you wished, and the selection of smoothies and juices were all delicious as well as each targeting a different health concern.

Notting Hill: Be Kind to Yourself at Bodyism

Bodyism’s founder James Duigan has made it his mission over the past 10 years to spread his ‘clean and lean’ philosophy first through his personal training, books and supplement sachets so loved by supermodels and now through his gym and café.

The stylish café in Westbourne Grove is an oasis of calm and clever ways to make us all slow down and be grateful.

“Be Kind to Yourself” and “Love always wins” are written over the entrance and “love is the only superpower we need” is splashed across the window. There is a smiley welcome and the menu is seasonal, ethical, nutrient rich…and delicious.

The setting

Bodyism is a compact, pretty café and grab ‘n go. The mosiac tiled bar lines one wall, and opposite is a large window overlooking Westbourne Grove with counter seating and a few small tables.

You can also sit outdoors on the street at blue wooden tables with plant pots.

They have cosy rugs in the winter. Bodyism also has an athleisure wear shop and the vibe is welcoming and relaxed.

The little things

We love the hand-made paper sign offering peace, wisdom, confidence or warmth depending on how you feel that day which is stuck to the wall as you enter. We took inspiration and friendly James stopped us and asked us what we took as we did it.

There are a few plug sockets on the walls if you want to work from a laptop.

The fresh juice test

Bodyism doesn’t do juices, but it does offer power smoothies and ayurvedic teas.

We had the Long and Lean protein excellence smoothie – a delicious mix of ginger, almond butter, banana, Himalayan salt and almond milk.  It was filling, tasty and not too sweet.

What else?

Bodyism is attached to a gym offering a team of top performance coaches and fat loss specialists. It is also dog friendly.

What we ate

We visited at breakfast and went for Duigan’s signature dish of protein pancakes.

These are possibly the best pancakes we’ve ever had – not too sweet, amazing texture and perfectly complemented by the berry compote and coconut yoghurt.

You can find his receipt here. We also had a ‘Nourish Me’ Acai bowl. It was very pretty, but also delicious with a generous sprinkling of nuts, berries and cacao nibs.

We finished with a showstopping matcha latte made with brown rice milk and a dash of cinnamon for an extra energy boost. Again, it tasted as good as it looked.

The bill

Nourish Me Açai Bowl £8.50
Protein Pancakes £8.00
Long and Lean smoothie £6.50
Matcha Latte £3.80


 

What made us glow

The attention to detail, the food looks sensational and it tasted delicious.

We also like the hands on and friendly approach by James stopping to ask us what we took from his inspiration sheet.

We were complete strangers but it is clear that this founder practises what he preaches.

Chiswick: Crucial Cafe a hidden oasis of calm

“Nutrition for Life” is the mantra of Chiswick’s Crucial Cafe. Ruth Wood the founder, and a clinical nutritionist, is passionate about the life-changing power of nutritionally balanced foods.

Alongside her team, she creates super healthy meals, salads, cold-pressed juices, smoothies and snacks using the highest quality fresh ingredients, sourced from local suppliers.

There’s plenty of raw dishes and you can enjoy them all in the spacious and relaxed space as well as delivery free to your door if you live locally.

The good news is you don’t need be a member to use it.

The setting

Crucial Café is a well kept local secret. It’s tucked away in the Hogarth Health club – in a side road off Chiswick High Rd.

The café has a relaxed feel and you can sink into one of the red velvet sofas or lose yourself in their Eames black lounge chair for hours on end. It’s an open, large space with an in-built conservatory and plenty of outdoor tables in the garden that overlook a much-used tennis court. The conservatory is also home to laptop friendly counters and two communal tables.

Expect post workout lycra and a selection of individuals armed with laptops and lattes. The staff are super-friendly and Ruth herself is often on hand checking on the food and giving nutrition tips.

The little things

There’s free wifi and lots of plug sockets available. Crucial use biodegradable packaging and the space never feels crowded.

The green juice test

Crucial presses two green juices on site – Supergreens and 4 Greens. Supergreens (featuring celery, kale and pineapple) is slightly sweeter due to the pineapple. 4 Greens has kale, celery, cucumber, lime and coconut water. Both are large, refreshing and served in a Kilner jar.

What we ate

The fresh salads and specials change regularly and there’s plenty of choice.

Between two, we had: a perfectly poached egg with avo on toast; a wild rice and kale side salad with halloumi; sliced avocado and halloumi on a courgetti salad with kale and heritage tomatoes; and a deliciously, substantial protein bowl of beetroot, banana, nut milk, strawberry and brown rice protein topped with chia and pumpkin seeds, nuts, blueberries and coconut shavings.

Finally, we caved into the spiced apple and date crumble with creamy almond milk custard.

The portion came in its own tin and was enough for two. We managed one each (!) and it is quite possibly the best crumble we’ve ever tasted!


The bill

Poached egg and avo on toast  £7.00
added Halloumi  £3.00
added Avocado  £2.50
Protein Smoothie bowl  £6.00
Spiced apple and date crumble with almond milk custard  £4.00
Green Juice  £4.00


What else?

Crucial offer detox packages they can deliver to you door locally and for a small charge beyond their area.

What made us glow

The friendliness and attention to detail in the delicious food.

It’s a Glowcation HQ favourite we visit time and time again.

Grød, Copenhagen

Grød is Danish for porridge and as I’m an absolute porridge obsessive, I had to visit whilst in Copenhagen.

When it opened in 2011 Grød was the world’s first porridge bar.

Their goal was to redefine porridge and make show stopping bowls full of delicious, delicate and versatile spins on porridge. I popped in to their Torvehallerne branch to see if their porridge passed my porridge obsession test. It did!

The setting

This branch is in the famous covered Torvehallerne food market – a stall market packed with sixty stalls selling a fab mix of produce from paleo to organic.

In terms of seating, there were three designated high tables with high stools, plus there’s also outdoor picnic benches to sit on.

The fresh juice test

Grød don’t do a green juice but do offer juices like a carrot, apple, ginger and lemon combo and a beetroot, apple and lemon juice. I tried their homemade ginger and lemon juice which was the perfect zingy pick me up!

The little things

Not only do they attract the breakfast obsessed, but Grød also cater for hungry mouths all day and night with their savoury menu.

It varies from congee to dahl and looks just as mouthwatering.

What we ate

We visited as a pre-flight morning fuel up so we tucked into their delicious all day breakfast range. With 7 different sweet bowls to choose from, we were spoiled for choice so opted for the ‘ALL IN! Porridge’, with all of the toppings and a ‘Make Your Own Bowl’ consisting of the Gluten Free 3 Grain Porridge with almond milk topped with cocoa nibs, roasted coconut flakes, banana, caramel sauce, roasted almonds & skyr yoghurt. I also had a warming oat milk latte.

What else

Grød now has four locations in Copenhagen and one in Denmark’s second largest city; Aarhus.

They have  also brought out a gorgeous porridge cook book and stocks their own granolas, grains, toppings & instant porridges which you can buy in store or online.

The bill

ALL IN! Porridge 75DKK
Make your own Porridge 60DKK
Oat milk Latte 40DKK
Ginger Lemonade 35DKK


What made you glow?

All of the heavenly toppings and absolutely the portion size!

You will definitely not be hungry after a bowl here (I couldn’t even finish mine… which is rare).

down well in my books).

 

Notting Hill: Juicebaby opens in Westbourne Grove

Juicebaby’s philosophy is simple, “little by little”.

They believe that it’s the little choices that make a big difference. They’re all about the small switch ups, from fizzy drinks to cold-pressed juices, processed to unprocessed and dairy to nut mylks.

Juicebaby supports local, organic farmers and offers sustainable, healthy food on the go.

The brand began life on the King’s Road in Chelsea and their second branch has just opened on Notting Hill’s Westbourne Grove.

The setting

Although it’s primarily a grab and go, Juice Baby does have a good amount of seating in their light, bright space. Cushioned banquettes line the walls and there are several small wooden tables.

The vibe is industrial in tone with a pretty, hexagonal mosiac floor.

The walls feature polished concrete engraved with mottoes and a colourful striped mural. The staff are friendly and the clientele as cool as you would expect for Notting Hill.

The little things

We liked the handy plug sockets, free wi-fi and taster samples of juice on the counter.

The fresh juice test

We were absolutely spoilt for choice…Juicebaby has a whopping total of five green juices on the menu: Green Glow, Skin Balm, Thai Greens, Green Easy and Green Mean.

We were naturally drawn to the Green Glow a refreshing combo of cucumber, apple, seasonal leafy greens, celery and lemon with a welcome kick of ginger.

What we ate

It’s not all about the juice here, the salads and snacks alone are worth the trip. We had a Holy Kale salad – a crisp mix of their signature massaged “kurly” kale, avocado and toasted pumpkin, sesame, sunflower and hemp seeds.The price includes a dressing and there’s a large and interesting choice in small, separate bottles. We had the turmeric mustard (turmeric, olive oil, mustard lemon juice, black pepper and pink salt) which really added a kick to the salad.

The Cheezy Kale crisps are our favourites. Top tip -they are great for travelling.

Finally, desert…and Juicebaby does desert brilliantly. Don’t miss The Snix – layered almond shortbread, with gooey date caramel, roasted peanuts and homemade raw chocolate. It was amazing in both texture and taste.


The bill

Holy Kale salad £7.25
Cheezy Kale Crisps £4.95
The Snix £4.95
Green Glow juice £6.95

What made us glow

The massive choice of delicious juices and The Snix!


 

Dalston: Brunswick East, a hidden gem

Australian run Brunswick East is hands down one of my favorite brunch spots in East London.

It’s a bustling haven with instagrammable breakfasts and some of the most delicious and interesting brunches in the capital. It’s seasonal, local and organic and is a hidden gem in the heart of Dalston.

It’s tucked away in the corner of Gillet Street Square and the tables spill out into the courtyard during warmer months – you usually have to be quite savvy about grabbing a table in the sunshine! They have now expanded their inside space, which they share with Yoke Yoga Studio, making it a year round Glowcation.

The little things

Every time I’ve been to Brunswick East, I have left feeling glowing with satisfaction. The food is definitely a show stopper and eating outside makes it even more worth the visit. There’s also free wi-fi.

The green juice test

Their menu doesn’t offer a green juice but they do have a ‘Super Green Smoothie’ with avocado, spinach, banana & matcha, a ‘Cleanse’ juice with carrot, lemon and ginger and a ‘Fuel’ juice with beetroot, apple and celery.

I went for a ‘Cold Buster’ hot juice which was lemon, ginger, turmeric & pepper and the perfect Winter pick me up.

What we ate

Admittedly, every time I’ve been to Brunswick East I have ordered the Cauliflower Toast (plus I always go with a friend so I can sneak some of theirs too).

I ordered the Cauliflower Toast again… it’s insanely good –  a wonderful stack of  homemade Cauliflower Bread with caramelised onion jam, avocado, a poached egg and drizzled with sunflower tahini.

My friend went for the Autumn Hash which resembled a giant hash brown loaded with a fried egg and equally delicious!

We drank our way through a chai latte with oat milk, a freshly-squeezed orange juice, the cold buster juice and finished off with a heavenly vegan snickers bar. I couldn’t help myself.

What else?

Brunswick East also do a Yoga Brunch on a Sunday with Yoke Studios – an hour and a half of yoga and then a delicious brunch. They have also opened a second space in the Haggerston Railway Arches.

The bill

Cauliflower Toast  £9.50
Autumn Hash  £11.50
Cold Buster Juice  £3.50
Orange Juice  £3.80
Snickers Bar  £3.50


What made us glow?

Always the Cauliflower Toast!

Richmond: The Retreat Kitchen -plant based food for the soul

TV? Tick. Retreat? Tick. Thailand? Tick. The story behind The Retreat Kitchen is an intriguing one.

Maggie and Claire met on a month’s televised retreat in Thailand. They were joined by presenter Nick Knowles and a BBC film crew. They all detoxed together ditching their stressful jobs for a strict vegan regime with strangers on Koh Phangan.

But that’s not all. Energised and inspired by their experience , they decided to bring the virtues of plant-based food home. Nick Knowles joined forces with them and The Retreat Kitchen was born bringing organic, plant based food to TW10.

The setting

The café is at the bottom of Richmond Hill. Two rustic tables outside allow you to people watch or you can choose the slick, relaxing interior. The walls are clad with calming green and patterned white panels and the dark wood furniture adds style and simplicity.

There are fresh flowers on the tables and a few plug sockets for laptop lovers. It’s handy for Richmond Park, the river and Richmond’s eclectic mix of shops.

The little things

We loved the vibe and the backstory. Maggie and Claire exude energy and are clearly passionate about healthy eating. Plus the environmental, and pretty, patterned paper straws got our vote.

The fresh juice test

The Retreat Kitchen sells the Raw Press range of juices and make seven smoothies fresh on site. We chose the Green Giant-a deliciously filling mix of spinach, kale, banana, mango, kiwi, apple juice, spirulina,chlorella, wheatgrass and barley grass.

What we ate

We visited at lunchtime and had the tart of the day – roasted peppers and pesto. And we had two salads- Morroccan spiced aubergine and chickpea plus kale, pomegranate, cauilflower and sweet potato.

All were exquisite with large portions. There’s a good choice of vegan cakes and the plum tart was amazing. We finished off with a turmeric latte and a homemade Lemon Bao Ball a yummy mix of cashews, baobab, coconut, dates and lemon.


The bill

Tart of the day and salad  £10.50
Green Giant Smoothie  £4.50
Turmeric Latte  £3.25
Lemon Bao ball  £3.00

What else?

The Retreat Kitchen is family and dog friendly. They are happy to pack take-aways too.

What made us glow?

Meeting the owners and atmosphere and ethos of the cafe.

LLS Café, Hampstead

LLS Cafe’s ethos really resonated with me, mostly because their values and philosophies are the same as mine. They stay clear of labels and specific diets, yet also stay clear of chemicals and refined sugar. LLS  believes that eating real food should be the base of any healthy diet, and I couldn’t agree more. Making all their food in house, from their bread to the yummy coconut yoghurt, this cafe puts you at ease about what you’re putting into your body.

Their mission statement “Eat No Evil” is simple. They want to make sure that customers aren’t confused or mislead by overly complicated ingredients or health fads. The menu is marked with both vegan and gluten-free options, and contains all day breakfast options, salads, sandwiches and drinks.

LSS is run by two French sisters Sonia and Hayet.

The family feel is definitely present throughout every aspect of the café, from the simple dishes to the intimate setting and it’s recently been refurbished.

The space

LLS is not one to miss. The tiny café is full of personality and is bursting with love, atmosphere and cosiness.  It has paper lanterns hanging from the ceiling, a huge antique mirror, stacked crates of fresh produce and mismatched jars full of greenery. The most memorable aspect of the location was the large mural drawn on one of the walls, full of twists and turns, healthy buzzwords and phrases – easily missed if you opt only to take away! Located on Heath Street, the café is within a five minute walk of Hampstead station and is surrounded by fellow independent cafes, coffee shops and local stores. 

The little things 

The little things are very much what make LLS café what it is.  

From what I noticed, LLS is pretty plastic free – with takeaway salads coming in glass jars or cardboard boxes. Straws are metal too, a small yet important detail which really stood out. They’re also dog friendly and have free wi-fi and some plug sockets available. They also have another café in Waterloo.

The fresh juice test

Of course, I chose the greenest juice on the menu, the Mean Green. It had a nice kick from the ginger, and the other ingredients (cucumber, kale, spinach, lemon and lime) all complemented each other nicely. I don’t think I could ever truly, in my heart of hearts, call vegetable juice delicious, but this one is actually pretty damn good. I’ll always choose a veggie dominant green juice too, especially one that isn’t full of hidden sugars in the form of processed fruit juices.

What we ate

I chose a black rice salad, with lots of rocket (maybe a little too much), butternut squash, pomegranate, flaked almonds and a generous drizzle of tamari, ginger, lime and sesame oil. It was hearty enough to fill me up, but not so filling that I couldn’t face pancakes later. My friend had the Mama Avo – avocado on sourdough toast topped with goats cheese and harissa sauce. She couldn’t stop raving about it and highly praised the generous amount of avocado given too. 

We shared the buckwheat pancakes between us for afters, layered between slices of banana, topped with fresh figs, berries, homemade coconut yoghurt and date syrup. They were delicious, and made for the most perfect way to finish our meal.

They were delicious, and made for the most perfect way to finish our meal.

The bill

The Squash salad  £9.95
Mama Avo  £9.10
LLS Pancakes  £7.90
Mean Green  £4.60

 

 What made us glow

The staff, that’s what made me glow. LLS is probably one of the most friendly, warm and welcoming eateries I have ever visited.

It has such a local, independent feel to it that just enhances the sense of community and happiness that is present inside.

Our server was so patient as we took a ridiculous amount of time to choose our food (not down to the menu, simply because we hadn’t seen each other in a while).

The service is laidback and constantly delivered with a smile. I honestly couldn’t have asked for anything more.

Deliciously Ella, Mayfair

Deliciously Ella is such an Instagram hit that founder Ella Mills has some fans thinking her first name  is ‘Delicious’.

Blogger turned businesswoman Ella offers a wide menu of plant-powered goodness and products available online, in shops and at her deli-style café in London. We visited Weighouse Street,  a calm, stylish, welcoming refuge from nearby frantic Oxford St.

The staff are friendly and helpful. The rainbow-coloured food sits on an open-top counter.

Shoppers and local business people pop in and out.

The setting

Delicioulsy Ella occupies a quiet corner on Weighhouse St, one block behind Oxford Street and Selfridges. There’s a food counter and a communal table upstairs plus a large setting area with banquettes and smaller tables downstairs. It’s warm and welcoming.

Wood dominates the decor and there’s fresh flowers or cactus plants on the tables.

Upstairs, a dramatic bronze light sculpture overhangs the table, a stylish mirror reflects the office workers rushing past and the walls are filled with shelves lined with grains, plants and flowers.

The little things

The large wooden kitchen-style table is a good place to relax or work. The food and drink is all available as take-away. We love the wide range of cold-pressed juices on offer.

The green juice test

There’s a choice of two green juices, in two sizes. Greens is a mix of apple, cucumber, celery, spinach and lemon and Deep Greens is a combo of cucumber, celery, spinach, fennel and lemon. We had Greens and it was refreshing and not too sweet.

What we ate

We visited on a winter weekday morning and couldn’t decide between the two porridges on offer-  peanut butter, banana and maple syrup and apple and berry compote, coconut yoghurt and coconut chips. We ended up with both – made with oat mylk and  delicious and filling.

It was some of the creamiest-tasting porridge we have tried.

Next there was a good range of salads to choose from and an autumnal, carrot and yellow split pea soup. All the dishes were served in beautiful ceramic bowls.

Finally, we had an exquisite turmeric latte.

Ella’s hot dish menu changes during the day. Breakfast finishes at 11am.

 

There’s a good range of healthy cakes and snacks throughout the day.

The bill

Porridge with banana and peanut butter £4.50
Porridge with seasonal compote £4.95
Carrot and yellow split pea soup £4.50
Green Juice £6.95 (500ml) £4.75 (330ml)
Turmeric Latte £3.50


What else?

Ella also hosts occasional events. We recently went to a supper event at Weighouse.

We had a fantastic evening meeting Ella and a group of really interesting people aswell as a enjoying three course meal.

We also left with an impressive goodie bag! You can find out more about these on Deliciously Ella’s website.

What made us glow?

The ethos behind the brand, the food and Ella’s attention to detail.

To read our exclusive interview with Ella click here.

Selfridges: Sisterly love at Hemsley and Hemsley

The motto of Hemsley + Hemsley is ‘good food, good mood, good digestion, good health’. Sisters Melissa and Jasmine Hemsley are amongst leading pioneers of the healthy food scene in London.

As well as their cook books and TV series they now have a restaurant in central London within Selfridges to showcase their motto.

Their philosophy is that we can all eat to feel better by bringing food back to basics – using natural fats, a huge array of seasonal fruit and veg, nuts, pseudo-cereals and pulses. All the recipes are free from gluten, grains and refined sugars…and delicious.

The setting

The restaurant is on the third floor of Selfridges. The colours  are warm wood and a calm green with lots of plants. It looks modern, inviting and light. You can sit at the counter, a large communal table or separate tables. When we visited it was busy with shoppers  and tourists.

Photo credit: Selfridges

The green juice test

The green juice test, or as I sometimes think of it, the green juice challenge, was not very challenging at H+H. They offer two freshly made options, a ‘hardcore’ green one with only veggies and a milder version with apple juice. Being a huge juice softy, I went for the latter and thoroughly enjoyed it.

The juice was a bit sweet with a punchy note of celery. There was even a hint of fennel which was very nice.

What we ate

There is a huge menu to choose from, ranging from starters to hearty salads to soup so it was not an easy decision. We went for a combination of starters, soup and a main to try a broad range.

I went for the Moroccan spiced lentil soup which was seasoned perfectly and came with toasted quinoa bread to dip. What a treat!

My friend went for the easier, but equally delicious, option of salads. You can have up to three salads of your choice with any main and the choice is great.

All in all, one of my favourite places. The food is lovely, staff are friendly and the philosophy of Melissa and Jasmine really shines through. If you find yourself in central London, this is a great option at any time of the day.

What else

Although I would call this place a restaurant rather than a café, there is no reservation policy. However, we had no problem getting a seat.

The menus change with the seasons, so a bit heartier in Autumn and Winter and lighter in the summer. The prices might seem a bit steep but the portions are huge.

The bill

Spiced red lentil soup £7.50
Kimchi £2.00
Green juice (medium) £7.50
Main salads £15
Chilled pep-up tea £4.00

 

Photo credit: Selfridges


What made us glow

The culinary concept with sustainable, homemade, nutrient dense food which is colourful, tasty and makes you glow from the inside out.

 

Farm Girl, Notting Hill

 

Notting Hill’s Farm Girl is London’s bucket list healthy café with serious Instagram credentials.

But does this uber cool hotspot live up to the hype? In a word, absolutely! Founded by Australian Rose Mann, Farm Girl re-creates laid back Antipodean café culture and champions fresh and nutritionally nurturing locally-sourced ingredients. It has a serious range of fabulously flavoured plant-based foods and possibly the best selection of multi-coloured lattes in London.

Plus,  anywhere that has a turmeric latte decorated with a French bulldog has to be worth a visit…

The setting

Farm Girl is set in a small courtyard off the busy Portobello Rd. It’s a welcome haven from the crowds on market days, but do expect to queue at the weekend. The large, spacious interior is chequered with vivid turquoise and green ceramic tiles highlighted by industrial spot lights.

There are lots of tables with banquette seating along the walls. A quieter mezzanine with a few tables sits above the kitchen. Racks of fruit and spices surround the busy bar area, plus there’s additional seating in the courtyard at pretty, metal tables.

The vibe is relaxed, the staff are friendly and the customers are a mix of locals, market shoppers and tourists.

The little things

There’s 2 hours of free wifi and plug sockets around the walls, which make it a great place to chill and work after the lunchtime rush.

What we ate

Farm Girl has an extensive menu which makes it difficult to choose. As there were three of us, we shared the GF Bear Salad – a hearty mix of roasted beetroot, pear, goats cheese & toasted walnuts with an apple cider vinegar dressing, the pretty Sweet Kale and Coconut salad of shredded winter kale, charred corn, coconut & yellow courgette with a delicious date & tahini dressing, the Blue Jack Tacos with BBQ pulled jackfruit (very meaty tasting), pineapple, guacamole, egg free mayonnaise & lettuce, served on two soft blue corn tortillas and Scrambled eggs on toasted sour dough with a side of avocado.

To finish off we had a cute Açai bowl of organic frozen Amazonian berries blended with banana & almond milk and topped with coconut shavings, winter fruits & chia seeds. It was delicious.

The fresh juice test

Farm Girl doesn’t do homemade juices or smoothies, although there’s orange, apple and watermelon juice in the fridge. But what it lacks in juice, it more than makes up for with its signature latte selection.

Farm Girl makes eight different lattes and we worked our way through the five most nutritious: the Liquid Gold with turmeric, cinnamon, astralagus, honey and coconut milk (topped with a French bulldog), the Charcoal Latte with activated charcoal, date syrup & cashew milk, the Matcha Latte of organic Japanese green tea powder, the beautifully tart Hibiscus Matcha of organic hibiscus matcha powder with coconut milk and finally the vivid blue Butterfly Matcha with organic blue matcha powder and almond milk.

Hard to choose, but our favourite was the more-ish activated charcoal!

The bill

Bear Salad £7.50
Sweet Kale & Coconut Salad £7.50
Blue Jack Tacos £12.00
Scrambled Eggs £7.50 (with avocado £2.50)
Açai Bowl £8.00
Liquid Gold Latte £3.90
Charcoal Latte £4.00
Matcha Latte £3.70
Hibiscus Matcha £4.10
Butterfly Matcha £4.10

What else?

Farm Girl also has a café in the Sweaty Betty flagship store in Soho’s Carnaby St-with a larger range of smoothie bowls, a smoothie drink range and the signature lattes. Plus, another upmarket café in Chesea – read our review here.

What made us glow?

Frankly everything. We will be back and insta ready!

 

 

 

 

Bethnal Green: Carmel By The Green bringing California cool to London

Carmel by the Green, is a Californian inspired healthy eatery with a laid-back beach vibe. Its focus is on clean, healthy, simple eating – combining superfoods and organic produce.

The inspiration for the café came to the owner, Saida, in the seaside town of Carmel-by-the-Sea during a road trip along the Californian coastline. Leaving her job of 10 years in London’s financial industry, Saida set up Carmel by the Green to bring the fresh eating habits of California to Bethnal Green.

The Setting

The decor inside is fabulous! It’s bright and light, decorated in uplifting white and turquoise and has a relaxing seaside vibe.

There are endless plants and even enviable toilet wallpaper – seriously it’s so nice!.

Carmel By The Green has an inviting atmosphere with wonderfully welcoming staff.  Choose from sitting on stools at individual counters or one of the driftwood style tables. It’s near the V&A Museum of Childhood and not far from Columbia Rd Flower Market. Carmel By The Green is closed on Sundays.

The little things

We loved the fact that the walls featured a fantastic selection of local art for sale

The green juice test

There were two green juices on the menu and I chose the slightly less intense one ‘Green Thumb’ which was apple, spinach and mint. It was actually one of the best green juices I’ve had in a while and freshly juiced in front of me.

My friend had the ‘Buzz’ juice a combination of carrot, apple and ginger.

What we ate

We ordered the Acai bowl, with an array of gorgeous toppings (including homemade granola) which were all absolutely delicious. Then we moved on to the sautéed mushrooms with truffle oil on sourdough with fried eggs plus the cajun tacos with spiced halloumi cheese, avocado, kale, crispy onion, spicy salsa and siracha mayo which honestly was the real show stopper for me. It was also easy to make vegan by choosing the jackfruit instead of halloumi.

And even though we were sufficiently satisfied, we couldn’t help but order the Toasted Banana Loaf.

It was made with buckwheat flour and hazelnut chocolate chips and topped with the most heavenly espresso butter (which is actually vegan)! All accompanied by a delicious Turmeric Latte with coconut milk and a Rose Latte with Oat milk.

What else?

It wasn’t until I’d left that I actually found out about the ethos of the cafe, which made me love it even more! They aim to support small businesses, local partners, and up and coming artists. The cafe has a small gallery space where art is rotated periodically and all commissions from art sales go to charities for under-privileged women in South Asia.

The bill

Green Thumb Juice £3.90
Buzz juice £3.90
Acai Bowl £6.50
Mushrooms and eggs on sourdough toast £6.20
Cajun Tacos £6.50
Toasted Banana Loaf with espresso butter £4.60
Turmeric Latte £3.60
Rose Latte £3.60


What made us glow?

Definitely the Cajun tacos and the Banana bread with espresso butter…

I even took extra home and had it for breakfast the next day!

The guy serving us was also so lovely and friendly and keen to chat about the food and other places to visit in the area.

Fulham: Hally’s or Little H?

Two cafes, two menus, two vibes. Hally’s and Little H sit across the road from each other in Parson’s Green.

They share the same owner and the same Californian farm-to-table philosophy. But both offer different experiences and menus. Hally’s is the larger. It’s a café offering organic, ethical produce.

It has an extensive menu and it’s a place to linger with a relaxed vibe.

Little H equally offers fresh well-sourced ingredients, but has a more contemporary feel. It’s more of a deli with a few tables and an extensive juice and smoothie menu.


The space

Hally’s has reclaimed wood floors, a main area and back seating area  complete with pastel-dipped chairs and white clapper-boards.

Little H is more edgy with a neon sign and a feature wall. It has a few small tables and a counter area.

Little H felt friendlier and more personal. Hally’s was packed with locals and families, whereas Little H had more single visitors and customers on laptops. Both are in a great position for shopping on the New King’s Road.

The little things

Both are dog friendly and the owners’ Irish Terrier Arthur is a regular feature by the bar in Hally’s. It also ticks the environmental box in not automatically putting plastic straws in drinks.

The fresh juice test

Both offer juice – with Little H having a much more extensive menu. We tried the Green Dream from the choice of three juices at Hally’s. It was a mix of cucumber, pear, spinach, apple and lime. The addition of pear and lime made it very refreshing.

Little H nails this test in terms of choice and features eight smoothies and seven juices, plus you can create your own juice.

We loved the choice of added extra superfoods (including maca, lucuma, goji, spirulina, wheatgrass, matcha, cashews, bee pollen and turmeric). The Fruit Loop smoothie was  a deliciously light mix of apple, banana, pineapple, strawberry and ginger with added goji berries.


The bill

Hally’s

Goodness Bowl £12.50
Green Juice £4.30

Little H

Chia Seed and Almond Milk Pot £3.75
Fruit Loop smoothie £3.80 (plus added goji berries £.60)
Polenta slice £2.80


What we ate

At Hally’s we ordered the ‘Goodness Bowl of The Day’- a delicious combo of sweet potato, pearl barley, sun dried tomato, baby spinach, sprouting broccoli and feta cheese.

At Little H we chose the GF chai seed and almond milk pot with blueberries, toasted almonds, cacao nibs and coconut yoghurt. A filling combination and not too sweet. Finally, we had the GF lemon polenta slice which was deliciously moist and zingy.

What else?

It’s hard to call, but overall we preferred Little H as it was less busy and therefore the service was quicker.

However, we would certainly return to both.

What made us glow

The huge smoothie and juice choice at Little H and the Fruit Loop smoothie with goji berries.

Greenspeares, Chelsea

My new favourite spot in London is Greenspeares in Chelsea’s Walton Street.

Alessandra Brownsword-Matthews is a former financial analyst who gave up her job to follow her passion of running her own healthy food business.

Her new café offers wholesome food sourced locally and sustainably.

It serves fish, eggs, dairy, and sourdough bread but also offers the option of making a dish dairy-free, vegan, or gluten-free.

The setting

The café has an amazing space with a ground floor with a food counter covered in mouth-watering sweets and fresh salads at lunch. You can find a fridge packed with takeaway salads, snacks and juices.

 


They’ve got a lower ground with a beautiful conservatory above a few more tables.

The quaint back room is decorated like the cosiest of living rooms.


The little things

I especially loved the natural light that the conservatory gives the lower ground floor. They have a “living room” for guests who want to sit an enjoy an afternoon latte and healthy treat. The “living room” makes me want to cuddle up with their hazelnut hot chocolate and read a nice book on a rainy day!

They also use Neal’s Yard Remedies in their bathrooms which is always a nice touch.

Plus, the owner Alessandra has been there every day since opening. She wears the same uniform as her team and is behind the counter leading the service which gives a nice family atmosphere to it all.

What we ate

My friend and I tried the sweet potato and cauliflower coconut milk curry that comes with wild rice (£14.00). The curry packed a real flavour and spice punch, it was so delicious and filling! My friend added a poached egg to her bowl which came out perfectly cooked (£2.75).

We also shared the crudité board with baby heritage carrots, baby beetroot, and breakfast radishes with carrot top pesto (£7.00).

I also had a delicious fresh mint tea (£2.80) with lunch while my friend had a silver needle tea (£3.20)

After lunch, we shared a classic green juice (£5.75), their signature hazelnut hot chocolate (£3.60) and the most moreish vegan brownie (£3.00). The brownie is made of the upcycled chickpea water.

The bill

The total bill came to just over £56 and while it was not inexpensive their exceptional tasting food, super friendly service and focus on quality produce (plus their amazing ceramic bowls and mugs that all the goodies came in) made it worth every penny.



I could eat a whole tray of these brownies they are so good!

What made us glow

All of these small touches, beautiful spaces and the delicious food and drinks make it the amazing place it is. But what really made me glow is their focus on seasonal and sustainably grown and sourced food and the minimising of waste.

They use the carrot top greens to make their hummus and quinoa.

They use the leftover chickpea water in their baking (sounds odd, I know, but it gives an amazing fluffy texture similar to using eggs). And they have an oxtail dish served with polenta (very man friendly!) using the lesser desired cut of meat to reduce wastage. Alessandra uses British grown produce throughout.

For more Central London review click here.

Fulham: Rude Health – the café behind the brand

The Rude Health Café, gets its name from the English idiom ‘in rude health’ – which means “up for life and bursting with energy”.

But the café is so much more! It’s a lively, brightly coloured space serving up breakfast and lunches with nothing artificial or refined. They also have a well-known product line, so you might have seen their delicious nut milks or porridge products on supermarket shelves.

At the café, all goes by their motto: ‘Eat right, stay brilliant’…and we did!

The setting

The Rude Health Café is located at the Fulham end of the King’s Road just by Putney Bridge. The café is open, light and full of bright colours. It is constantly busy with locals who come here for a catch up with friends, or to work while enjoying a great coffee with a slice of even greater banana bread.

You can sit inside on a communal table, a smaller, bright turquoise bench, at the quiet counter at the back or at tables outside.

As varied as the space is, so is the choice of food. They have something for everyone – from a healthy version of a classic English breakfast to a bowl of gooey porridge. It’s in a good spot for the Fulham King’s Road shops and exploring Bishop’s Park.

The little things

The bright colours make you feel instantly happy. They offer a wide range of bottled drinks from juices to kombucha and have a truly extensive choice of hot drinks from coffees to spirulina or charcoal lattes.

The banana or honey loaves are super-tasty and they sell a variety of healthy snacks such as ChickP veggie hummus. They are closed on Sunday (despite what Google might say).


The green juice test

Their green juice, and, believe me this one, is very, very green, comes already pre-packaged in small bottles. It is more on the refreshing and veggie side of green and cucumber dominates, which would be fab on a hot summer’s day.

What we ate

We definitely could not resist and had a full-blown feast for Saturday brunch. First off, a healthy home-cooked, additive free full English breakfast skillet (sausages, bacon, eggs, beans, mushrooms and roasted tomatoes) and an avocado toast with sourdough, slightly spicy avocado, raw beetroot, crumbly feta cheese and perfectly poached, super fresh eggs.

After, we went for the pancake, which is as divine as it looks. It comes in a cute skillet covered in berries, nuts, banana and a dollop of mascarpone. How good is that?!

The cafe has such a welcoming and homely atmosphere, so the hours went by chatting and, eventually, it was time to try their honey loaf with a coffee.

All in all, the food is honest, fresh and very tasty with super fresh ingredients.

What else

The freshly baked banana bread! Plus, judging by their serious BBQ equipment (one of those amazing Big Green Egg BBQs), they offer freshly barbequed food for events and lunch on some days (better check with them).

They run various fun events including cooking classes, porridge competitions and bread baking.

The bill

Breakfast skillet (eggs, sausage, bacon, tomatoes, beans and shrooms) £9.50
Avocado, feta, beetroot toast with two poached eggs £10.00
‘Dutch Baby’ pancake £8.50
Chick P small hummus jar £1.00
Cappuccino £2.60
Beetroot latte with tiger nut milk £3.00
Espresso £2.00
Honey banana bread £2.50
Green juice £3.50


What made us glow

The super fresh orange yolk poached-to-perfection eggs on the avocado toast.

Their new tiger nut milk in the beetroot latte – so pretty and so tasty and guaranteed to give you that perfect Saturday glow.

Fitzrovia: Discovering The Detox Kitchen

Lily Simpson founded The Detox Kitchen in 2010 when she opened in Kingly Court in London.

Since then she has opened two more cafes in Fitzrovia, one on Mortimer Street and the other on Bernard Street.

There are rumoured plans to expand to ten cafés.

The Detox Kitchen serves up an eat-in or take away menu. It specialises in gluten-free, dairy-free, refined sugar-free and vegan options.

What can we expect?

The menu ranges from pre-made salads to freshly made ones. There are smoothies, juices, homemade treats and hot drinks. I stopped by with some friends at their Bernard Street location for lunch. They open all day serving breakfast, lunch and an early dinner (open to about 7pm on weekdays).

A little insider’s tip is to stop by after 5pm on weekdays.

Their fresh salads are half-price in an attempt to minimise food waste at the end of the day.

The setting

I was welcomed by a cheery young girl into a meticulously clean deli. It was packed full of vibrant plates of salad. Once my two friends arrived we decided to share everything to really taste the whole menu. It was a beautiful sunny day so we went for takeaway to enjoy it in the cute Bloomsbury Square just next door.

What we ate

We made up two cold salads boxes plus protein and chose one of the many hot dishes. We chose the the chicken and sweet potato stew (£5.95 for a really filling pot also served over quinoa).

The salad boxes are a ‘build your own’ concept so the choice of three salads (or two for a lesser price) and the option of an added protein side.

Each bowl is £8.95 for a really generous portion. We made up one box of Korean BBQ Aubergine, Mustard and Caper Cauliflower and Super Greens Salad plus Roasted Salmon.

Our other box was made up of Squash & Chickpea with Tahini Dressing, Winter Pad Thai and Pesto Courgetti with a Cauliflower Frittata for our protein. We also shared a basil and tomato savoury muffin (gluten free).

The green juice test

I decided to give their Green Machine fresh pressed juice a test. It was a blend of broccoli, celery, cucumber, spinach, courgette, ginger and lemon.

Green indeed it was!

I would have personally loved it with a bit more ginger and lemon so recommend you ask for that if you ever give it a go. It was however a great price at on £3.95.

The little things

They had little flower pots on each table and offered lemon cucumber tap water which is always a nice touch.

What made us glow

For dessert, we did a tasting of their chai latte with almond milk, Ginger Cake, Raw Cacao & Coconut Slice, Coconut Truffle, Pistachio Truffle and Raw Cacao Bites. They were all gluten, dairy and refined sugar free, but some do contain eggs.

The ginger cake made me glow the most as it was just so delicious and I will definitely be back for more!

My only feedback would be that some of the food was a bit bland so if you like food that packs a flavour punch I would recommend adding a little extra salt and maybe some chili flakes.

The bill

The total came to about £50 for all that goodness!

Chiswick: The Award-winning Urban Pantry

Urban Pantry takes inspiration from Aussie and Kiwi cafés – famous for delicious, healthy brunches.

This cute café set on a quiet shopping street off Chiswick High Road offers Veggie and Vegan breakfasts till 4 pm (!)

Urban Pantry won Time Out’s best Chiswick café in its first year and was a runner up in the Observer Monthly’s best cheap eats.

To keep at the top of its game, the cafe changes its menu every fortnight based on seasonality and availability of local ingredients and is organic wherever possible.

The setting

Urban Pantry is surrounded by the independent shops of Chiswick’s Devonshire Road. It’s a pretty café with pastel painted chairs, wooden tables and lime-washed wood panelling.

There’s also a counter at the window looking out onto Devonshire Road and an outside seating area hedged with plants. The staff are friendly and helpful.

At breakfast, the café was busy with locals and a couple of tourists. Urban Pantry is handy for Chiswick Park, Hogarth’s House and Chiswick’s many independent shops. 

The little things

Dogs are welcome. There are fresh flowers on each table and crayon pots for children.

The fresh juice test

Urban Pantry serves a smoothie of the day and fresh orange juice. In addition, the fridge is stacked with a selection of drinks including the Moju juice range. We had the Moju Green One – packed with kale, spinach, apple, ginger, celery, lemon and cucumber.

A lovely combo maintaining a veggie taste but with the ginger and apple adding a refreshing touch of sweetness.

Plus, we couldn’t resist the house mango and raspberry smoothie- thick, fruity and filling.

What we ate

Although there was a Vegan and Veggie Brekkie and warming porridges, we went for the seasonal special – the special autumn French toast.

A large plate layered with generous hunks of brioche, poached plums, plum compote, toasted almond flakes and clotted cream.

The avo on toast looked awesome, but we went for the corn fritters with roasted heritage tomatoes, chili jam and “little” leaves. A crunchy, yummy dish.

We had a rich Matcha Latte to finish.

 

The bill

French Toast Special £8.50
Corn fritters £10.60
Smoothie £3.50
Moju Juice £2.95
Matcha Latte £2.90


What else?

There’s free wifi and the staff are happy to provide goodie bags of any leftovers from the large portions.

The coffee is also highly recommended and Urban Pantry serves alcohol.

What made us glow?

The vibe – the friendliness of the staff spilled over and most of the customers ended up talking to each other. A lovely place to spend a morning.

Hackney: East London’s most Instagrammable café, Palm Vaults

It may be one of London’s most instagrammed finds, but Palm Vaults packs a serious punch as a Glowcation.

The food and drinks looks stunning. However, it’s not a gimmick. Palm Vaults takes its plant based menu seriously. Everything tastes as good as it looks.

It’s a pretty, plant-filled oasis on Hackney’s main shopping street.

On offer is avo on toast, over-night soaked porridge, smoothie bowls, granola and…amazing cakes! The drinks menu features coffees, matcha, lattes, hot chocolates and teas.

You can add bonsoy, almond, oat or coconut milk. There’s also an allergen menu. Yes, everything is seriously insta-worthy.

The setting

Palm Vaults embraces tropicana, retro and pink. The cute café has padded pink seats, fresh pastel flowers on each table, a stripped wooden floor and a hanging forest of exotic plants. At 11.30 on a Wednesday, the café was full of locals and families.

We had a short wait for an in-demand marble topped table.

The vibe is laid back and fun. It’s close to London Fields and the Lido, Hackney Empire and Hackney Picturehouse.

The little things that make a difference

We approve of the eco-friendly metal straws-kitsch pink! Plus, we love the retro pressed glass – pink decanters, sundae glasses and cut-glass beakers. The staff are fab at everything, but especially at explaining the dairy and meat-free menu. They also look after you if you need to wait for a table.

The fresh juice test

Palm Vaults has three juices on the menu Palm Beets, Pink Zing and Green Goddess. We went for the Green Goddess – a blend of cucumber, apple, lime, spinach, kale and ginger.  Lovely with a fresh lime hit and it becomes rainbow coloured as it settles.

What we ate

We ordered two smoothie bowls – both delicious works of art. The Unleash the Dragon is a vibrant crimson mix of dragon fruit, mango, banana, mint, passion fruit and coconut milk.

More Than a Woman is more subtle, but equally delicious – a concoction of rose water, strawberry, banana, pineapple, cardamom and soya milk.

Blue Moon is a fragrant mix of Thai butterfly tea, lavender and steamed oat milk – sprinkled with edible flowers. Pink Rose is a blend of freshly juiced beetroot, rose water, agave and steamed oak milk strewn with rose petals. It tasted sublime.

We couldn’t resist a double order of the famous Rainbow Lattes.

The bill

Smoothie bowls £8.00
Green Goddess juice £4.50
Rainbow Latte £4.00


What else?

Palm Vaults is very family and dog friendly. It has free wifi and everything is available as a take-away at a reduced price.

What made us glow?

The lattes, the fresh flowers, the care, the vibe and the complete lack of pretension given its Instagram status. We can’t wait to return and, yes, we’ll be bringing our camera back…

The Good Life Eatery in London, Chelsea

The Good Life Eatery is the brainchild of co-founders Yasmine Larizadeh and Shirin Kouros who have brought a new, fresh menu to the London’s food scene.

They offer a range of cold pressed juices and delicious all day foods. There are incredible cakes, delicious salads and a whole heap of mouth-watering gluten free options including falafel wraps.

About 6 months ago an allergy test showed I’m gluten intolerant, so when my daughter told me about it I was keen to go as one of the first gluten-free Glowcators! The chain began in Los Angeles and launched in London five years ago with obvious success.

I loved it so much, I bought the book when I left !


The setting

We went to their ‘flagship’ on Sloane Avenue, which was the first to open in London in 2013. It was a bright autumn Friday lunch time. We had to get there by 12.30 to get a table.

The setting was relaxed and easy, with distressed wooden tables and industrial large light bulbs handing down on wires.

The music was fun- if like me you love Lionel Ritchie and Al Green. We joined the super chic Chelsea families devour plates of delicious looking avocado on rye & mountains of quinoa and kale salads. You order at the bar and they promptly brought our food.

The green juice test

We tried three which had fun names. My least favourite was ‘Drink Your Salad’ a too-strong for me mix of lettuce, kale and ginger. The ‘Pro Greens’ was a spicy pep-up, a mix of Kale, turmeric and chilli and actually cleared my lingering headache.

But my favourite was Coco Verde, also very green with kale but sweetened with pineapple and coconut.

We did wonder why they came in plastic bottles rather than a more recyclable material like glass?

What we ate

We tried three dishes. ‘The Lean Machine’ was a hot bowl of baked sweet potato balls on a bed of quinoa and a tomato and pepper sauce. It was delicious and very filling with a mountain of quinoa.

‘The Good Life Salad’ was a mix of Sweet Potato, quinoa, lentils and a nice orange tahini vinaigrette.

The real winner was ‘The Good Bowl’ – a truly perfect salad mix of zucchini fettuccine, sweet potato, falafel, Kale, feta cheese and the most delicious minty beetroot dip.

What made us glow?

For an instant lift, The Pro Green juice with its Jalapeno bite is a brilliant wake-up call and the multi coloured Good Bowl salad was five star in its mix of crunchy zucchini, soft avocado and hot quinoa seed balls and basil cashew cream dip.

Seriously good.

On the way out we spotted a mountain of mouth-watering chocolate and banana wonders – which were all gluten free! Next time ….

Chelsea: Wulf and Lamb

If you love the idea of comfort food with a conscience, Wulf and Lamb provides it by the bucketful!

Offering “just veg, with edge”, the 100% plant based menu more than satisfied our comfort food cravings – from burgers to burritos, from Mac ‘N’ Cheese to Chili “Non” Carne. Wulf and Lamb use organic and ethically sourced produce wherever possible, plus optional cheese for vegetarians.

This eat in and take away café with a twist wowed us.

Their nutritious “junk food” hit the spot and the plant based desserts are to die for!

The setting

Tucked away on a quiet mews behind Sloane Square, the café has a take away counter downstairs with bar and table seating. Upstairs the main dining area is quieter and larger with a loft-like feel.

The decor is a calming grey green with red accents.

There are a few outside tables on Pavilion Rd and on the small balcony upstairs. The vibe is modern with marble and wood tables, fresh roses and playful table mats. Wulf and Lamb is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner (7.30-10pm) and serves wine. The staff are friendly and helpful.

At lunchtime, the café was busy with locals and shoppers from the nearby King’s Road.

The little things

The portions are large and exceptionally filling. Luckily, the staff happily provide take out boxes if, like us, you struggle to finish.

The fresh juice test

Wolf and Lamb sell their own range of smoothies and juices in handy take-away bottles. Their green smoothie contains 30% green matcha tea. A perfect blend with pineapple, avocado and agave.

It’s a light smoothie, so it won’t put you off your food. We also tried the exotic mix of clementine, turmeric, carrot and ginger – another winner!

What we ate

We had the signature Wulf burger. A seitan burger stacked with flavour. It’s layered with tomato, baby gem, pickle, red onion and cashew aioli. And all packed in a chunky brioche bun.

It was huge, fab and filling.

It came with mustard sauerkraut and a large portion of roast veg wedges with rosemary and thyme. We added the optional cheese topping.

The dairy free mango and passion-fruit cheesecake was irresistible. Prettily plated with a raspberry coulis, mint and dried raspberry flakes. It was smooth perfection on a crunchy pistachio base. Other comfort food favourites of Tiramisu (with raw almond cream) and Chocolate Pudding (with chia and caramel cashew cream) also feature on the menu – what’s not to like?

The bill

The Wulf Burger £14.95
Smoothies and juices £5.95
Mango and Passionfruit Cheesecake £7.95


What else?

The staff are happy to prepare allergy free versions of the food.

Free wifi is available.

What made us glow?

The concept won us over. The idea of vegan food you’ll crave and return for. And we will!

Chelsea: The Locals

We love a café off the beaten track. We’ve found a foodie secret loved and treasured by locals: The Locals café

The Locals is tucked away in a luxury flat complex surrounding the Grosvenor Canal. It’s not far from Sloane Square and the Tate Britain.

The Locals offers all day nutritious breakfasts, plus lunches and dinner.

The bar serves artisan coffees and lattes. It’s stacked full of gorgeous gluten free and vegan pastry options. It’s open from 7am to 10pm and also serves craft and organic beers and wine.

The setting

Think whitewashed bricks, metro tiles, open shelves of plants and stylish lighting. The stripped wooden floors and tables create warmth.

There’s a choice of wooden chairs or banquettes to sink into.

The two glass window walls add light and overlook the gardens and sculpture in the peaceful square outside. The service is quick and helpful.

At midday, the café was packed with locals. Although busy, there was still plenty of room to sit down. In the early afternoon it filled out with customers with laptops, studying, working and browsing.

The green juice test

There’s a great selection of green juices. Green Life mixes cucumber, celery, baby spinach, broccoli, lettuce and lime. Flat Belly is packed with celery, apple, lime and cayenne pepper.

But we were drawn to Green Glow.

A savoury, sweet mix of cucumber, apple, baby spinach, lemon and parsley. Juices come in a cute milk bottle.

The little things

The tap water came in a glass decanter with a fresh mint sprig. The rock salt was pink Himalayan. The fact that dogs are welcome.

What we ate

They serve vegan, vegetarian and meat options. There’s a delicious all-day breakfast menu which include avocado on toast, gluten free buckwheat pancakes and organic oat porridge.

We tried their lunch option of burrata on sourdough with a roasted Sicilian vegetable caponata, pesto drizzle and toasted pine nuts. The Detox Salad was large and prettily presented with strawberries, blueberries, spinach, broccoli sprouts, pea shoots, white chicory and seasonal leaves.

The sweet orange and basil vinaigrette came in its own ceramic pot.

To finish off – we chose a rose cappuccino which tasted as perfect as it looks.

What else

The Locals also has a take-away menu. Free wifi is available and there’s a pair of plug sockets at most tables.

The bill

Burrata Cheese £11.00
Detox Salad £10.00
Juices £4.50-£6.50
Rose Cappuccino £4.00


What made us glow?

We loved the vibe.

The relaxing atmosphere is homely and it’s a place we will return to again and again.