This year’s World Meat Free Week (11th - 17th June) has coincided with reports of a huge increase in sales of vegan food across the UK. We’re swapping our much-loved meat for plant-based alternatives en masse, resulting in a mini-renaissance within the vegetarian and vegan food scene.

Manchester has a fantastic selection of restaurants, including a few that are 100% vegan. After extensive research we’ve also discovered some hidden gems where vegan options feature alongside regular dishes, as well as shops where you can stock up on vegan treats to cook up a storm at home. Here are 11 of the best places to find vegan food in Manchester city centre. Whether you’re a die-hard carnivore or newly converted vegan, there’s something to satisfy everyone’s taste buds.

Vegan Restaurants in Manchester City Centre

1 - V Rev Vegan Diner, The Northern Quarter

As Manchester’s first 100% vegan restaurant, V Rev Vegan Diner has earnt its place at the top of our list of the best spots for vegan food in Manchester. This is where to go if you’re on a plant-based diet but you’re craving a bit of comfort junk food. ‘Chikn Burgers’, fries and ‘Mac & Chz’ are guaranteed to satisfy those post-work-drinks hunger pangs. Also caters to gluten free and soy free diets.

Open 7 days a week

£3 - 10

2 - Go Falafel, various locations

Go Falafel is the place to head to if you need a quick vegan fix on the go. As well as fresh falafel wraps and salad boxes, they offer a great range of fresh juices and smoothies. Like a perfect combination between a kebab house and a health food café, Go Falafel is ideal for tasty, healthy comfort food. Everything is 100% vegan.

Open 7 days a week

Less than £10

3- Teatime Collective, various locations

For anyone in need of a sweet fix, Teatime Collective is one to look out for. Their Hulme café is sadly no longer open but they’re still baking at festivals, popup events and regular supper clubs so keep your eyes peeled! As well as an extensive collection of all the classic cakes you might be missing as a vegan (including tiramisu, cheesecake and black forest gateau) they also sell vegan ice cream and coffee.

£2 - 5

Vegetarian Restaurants + Cafes in Manchester with Vegan Options

4 - 8th Day Co-op and Café, Oxford Road

8^th Day Co-op and Café is something of an institution amongst the local vegetarian community. Open since the 1970’s, it’s a one-stop-shop for all things veggie and vegan. It boasts an impressively stocked shop on the ground floor complete with a deli counter, as well as a popular café in the basement serving vegetarian and vegan meals and snacks.

Open Mon - Sat

Around £10

5 - Bistro 1847, city centre

If you think vegetarian food is all chickpea stews in hippy cafes, you haven’t been to Bistro 1847. Scandi interiors and beautifully presented dishes mark it out as a restaurant at the forefront of modern vegetarian cuisine. Check out the monthly live jazz sessions they host. The menu offers plenty of vegan and gluten-free options.

Open 7 days a week

£20 - 40

6 - The Earth Café, The Northern Quarter

The Earth Café source local ingredients and make all their dishes from scratch every day. As well as a great choice of vegetarian and vegan mains, they also offer juices, smoothies, and desserts. With offers such as 4 food items for £7, it’s a great place to experiment and try something new.

Open Mon – Sat

£3 - 10

7 - The Thirsty Scholar, near Oxford Road Station

It’s not often you find a proper pub serving decent vegetarian and vegan food, which only makes The Thirsty Scholar even more special. Vegan chilli, toasties, and curry are all on the menu, with no-nonsense portion sizes and a good selection of ciders, beers, and wine to wash it all down with. Time your visit to coincide with their live music events.

Open Mon – Sun

£5 - 10

8 - Dough, The Northern Quarter

A good cheesy pizza is often one of the most missed dishes for those on a plant-based diet. Enter Dough, a stylish eatery in the Northern Quarter that boasts one of the most accessible menus around. Gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian and vegan options are not only available but handily signposted using color coding. Anything that makes it easier to get a dough fix is a winner for us.

Open 7 days a week

£5 - 10

9 - Bundobust, Piccadilly

After a successful run in Leeds, Bundobust opened its second branch in Manchester in 2016 and has been going from strength to strength ever since. They offer Indian street food and craft beer – what’s not to like? – and much of the menu is, or can be made, vegan.

Open Mon – Sun

Around £5

9 - The Deaf Institute, near Oxford Road

This popular live music venue might seem an unlikely place to go if you’re looking for vegan food in Manchester. But The Deaf Institute boasts a menu that is 80% vegan and includes treats such as ‘Satan Burgers’, ‘Loaded Hot Dogs’ and vegan ice cream. They even have daily vegan specials and the intriguing-sounding ‘Vegan Hangover’ from 3pm on Sundays…

Open 7 days a week

£5 - 10

11 - Sidney Street Café, near Oxford Road

Last but most certainly not least on our list of the best spots for vegan food in Manchester is the Sidney Street Café. Their vegan and vegetarian dishes are made fresh using produce from their Fallowfield allotment. They also offer catering services and cakes to order.

Open Mon – Fri

£5 - 10