Vegan Dining on The Suffolk Coast

This cosy restaurant at The Crown & Castle exudes tranquillity and is the perfect place for a relaxed meal with friends or family. The independent vegan menu includes a range of dishes to suit all tastes. To start diners can choose from chicory with kale and sage or the unusual squash with celery and Bloody Mary. Main courses embrace an Italian vibe with spinach tagliatelle, celeriac and pine nuts as well as lentil ragu with spinach and kale. If you are feeling especially hungry you can add a range of sides including the house salad, new potatos or chips. To complete the meal, choose from a selection of tempting desserts including apple with pear and fig, coconut with pineapple and blackberry and a range of refreshing sorbets. 

www.crownandcastle.co.uk

The stylish eatery at the Salthouse Harbour Hotel occupies a unique location on the picturesque Waterfront at Neptune Quay. It is the perfect place to enjoy the view across the marina whilst indulging your senses. Choose from the many great beers, wines and cocktails at the bar before taking your pick from the dedicated vegan menu.

Start the meal with a range of delicious nibbles such as homemade focaccia and Nocellara olives, followed by starters including heirloom tomato bruschetta and the colourful summer allotment salad which includes a cornucopia of homegrown produce like radishes, broad beans, cauliflower and fresh herbs, all drizzled in a moreish truffle oil. The main dishes are hard to choose between; saffron and confit tomato risotto with tempura courgette flower, artichoke and local mushroom spaghettini with a truffle and Champagne dressing or crown prince squash with tarragon and caper crushed potatoes, sea vegetables and sauce vierge.

If you still have room you can end the meal with a dessert, such the totally tropical vanilla braised pineapple with coconut and Malibu sorbet and lime granita or chargrilled banana bread with a strawberry and mint salad. This is truly an establishment that embraces the tastes of their vegan customers, even offering 25% off the vegan menu on Thursdays. 

www.salthouseharbour.co.uk

Situated at the heart of stylish Southwold and just steps from the sea, The Swan Hotel is renowned for its historic building housing an elegant contemporary restaurant and serving exciting and creative cuisine.

There some thoughtfully designed vegan dishes featured on the main menu; the flavoursome pickled turnip, apple, freekah wheat and hazelnut salad to start, followed by charred courgette & broccoli, tempura cashew nut, puffed rice and nori seaweed pesto for main. The restaurant also offers a vegan version of the parsley, creme fraiche & parmesan reggiano orzotto with lemon oil. Complement your meal with a range of delicious sides such as triple cooked chips, charred carrots and tenderstem broccoli. 

www.theswansouthwold.co.uk

Open for breakfast, brunch, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner - the stylish restaurant at The Crown at Woodbridge showcases all that is great about Suffolk's local produce with Great British menus with a difference. 

Chef Ben Hegarty has put his own spin on vegan dishes, with some exciting plates to tantilise the tastebuds. Starters include charred charred tenderstem broccoli with vegan cheese, gremolata & olive dressing, pickled beetroots with watercress puree & hazlenuts and roasted butternut squash quinoa salad. For your main, choose from chickpea pancakes with truffle wild mushrooms, pickled artichoke, spinach & broccoli, garlic roasted mushroom with pear barley sweet potato risotto & herb crumb and Thai green noodle broth with tofu & cashew nuts.

Delightful desserts to finish your meal include Pina Colada with rum marinated pineapple, coconut jelly & toasted coconut, apple & blackberry crumble tart with coconut ice cream and a selection of sorbets.

www.thecrownatwoodbridge.co.uk

Steeped in wholesome rustic charm, The Westleton Crown with its exposed brick walls and homely open fireplace is the perfect place for a leisurely meal. Head chef Keiren Drinkwater has developed a sophisticated yet hearty menu that has earned the restaurant an AA 2 Rosette Restaurant Award.

The aptly named ‘Plant Powered’ menu contains a whole range of exquisite vegan dishes, each brimming with attention to detail and offering playfulness when it comes to delicate flavours and interesting textures. The small plates include teriyaki aubergine, pickled mushroom, wasabi and coriander or wild mushroom and garlic arancini with arrabbiata sauce.

The big plates include delights such as salt baked celeriac Schnitzel, crushed potatoes and Salsa Verde and the filling pulled jackfruit and black bean burrito with BBQ sauce and lime and coriander cream. The sweet plates are irresistible with pumpkin meringue pie with orange compote, coconut panna cotta with maple roasted pineapple and chocoholics won’t be able to resist the dark chocolate mousse with pistachio praline. 

www.westletoncrown.co.uk

The Sweffling White Horse is in many regards a traditional local pub, with a relaxed atmosphere, games to play at the bar and a range of local real ales and locally produced spirits to choose from. But this isn’t your usual local pub with the grub you might expect, Landlord and Lady Marie and Mark are proud of their ethical ethos; choosing to support local producers and buy organic and fair trade wherever possible.

Alongside the wholesome main menu they have carefully curated ‘free from’  options which are all free from meat, dairy and gluten. The homemade Smoky Bean Stew sounds especially comforting, with a big hunk of break on the side. The vaal dhal is made using British grown fava beans & mild aromatic spices for a warming bowl of goodness. The humorously named 'Cheatballs' are made from locally grown beans and quinoa and are served in a spicy tomato sauce. Proof that even the most tradition pub menus can be inclusive of all diners. 

www.swefflingwhitehorse.co.uk

This modern and funky pub and restaurant epitomises classy and playful decor, with a menu to match. The Unruly Pig has a whole list of awards to its name, including ‘Best Suffolk Restaurant 2018/19’ and so it is hardly surprising that Head Chef Dave Wall has catered for vegetarians and vegans in a dedicated separate menu.

The classic avocado on toast makes an appearance, served with chilli, lime and coriander, alongside the beetroot salad with walnut and radicchio. The restaurant’s signature Italian influence is apparent on the main menu with two delightful pasta dishes; rigatoni with chilli, garlic and olive and smoked potato gnocchi with salt baked celeriac, hazelnut dressing and sprouting broccoli. 

For dessert, the glazed fig with blackberry and pistachio sounds sticky, sweet and delicious and the crumble with pear, raspberry, dates and nuts is a real crowd pleaser. 

www.theunrulypig.co.uk

The chefs at The Crown Hotel pride themselves on sourcing local, seasonal and fresh ingredients to create simple and outstandingly tasty dishes. The fabulous ‘plant based menu’ has a whole array of dishes for the vegan diner.

From crispy chilli fried tofu, kimchi, spring onion, coriander and lime to start, to Moroccan inspired vegetable and butterbean tagine, braised freekeh, harissa preserved fruits, pomegranate, mint or beetroot and quinoa burger, pickled carrots, gem lettuce, crushed avocado, sriracha and sweet potato fries for the main course. There are desserts too of course, with almond custard, pine nut and coco nib granola, griottine cherries  being one of the highlights. 

www.thecrownsouthwold.co.uk

Urban Jungle Café is a hidden gem and a truly unique place to stop for breakfast, lunch or just a snack. The café itself is set within a nursery for cacti, succulents and other unusual plants. As such, there are vines, leaves and greenery all around, hanging from the ceiling above and in just about every nook and cranny. The result is a transporting experience taking you to a tropical hideaway where you can while away the hours and indulge in some delicious food and drink too.

The menu offers a range of vegan options, including a vegan sausage roll with a butter nut and chestnut filling, served with a red onion marmalade. The breakfasts here are second to none and the vegan cooked breakfast will mean this place might become a regular Sunday morning breakfast location. In addition, there is  also a range of nibbles such as olives, nuts and hummus which would go well alongside drinks in the evening. 

www.urbanjungleuk.com

The Alex Cafe Bar & Brasserie is a restaurant with a view. Occupying a first floor location, diners can enjoy the panoramic views of Felixstowe’s south beach in all seasons, as the venue is open 365 days a year. The vegan menu is a delight, offering a whole range of options including appetisers, starters, mains, sides and small plates as well as desserts and drinks.

Especially intriguing are the Jack fruit, coriander & ginger cakes, teriyaki dip and the black turtle bean & red quinoa chilli, braised rice, guacamole and tortilla chips. The dessert options are great with sticky toffee pudding, chocolate brownie and pineapple, coconut and mint granita all in the running to be your new favourite. 

www.yeogroup.co.uk/the-alex-brasserie

Influenced by the flavours of Italy, Greece, Spain, The Levant and North Africa, Cafe Bencotto serves a delicious range of small plates and our mixed boards to share, pizza, pasta and grill dishes.

Small plates on the vegan menu include Habas, roasted and pitted pistachios, hummus with pitta, cashew allioli with ciabatta, garlic & rosemary stone baked bread, dolmades stuffed vine leaves and falafel with lime and coriander cashew cream and rocket.

There's a fabulous vegan platter plus salads and sides such as pecan nut and pear with cranberries, toasted seeds, spinach, rocket, baby gem, maple and balsamic dressing, ziti alla zucca - butternut squash, sage, toasted seeds, cashew cream, Rigatoni alla cacciatora - roasted peppers, courgette, aubergine and black olives in tomato and stone baked pizzas with your choice of topping.

Leave room for dessert as the mouthwatering offerings include Cassata - vanilla ice cream with Marsala soaked fruit and crushed biscoff, chocolate brownie with vanilla ice cream, pancake stack with banana and maple syrup, affogato with vanilla ice cream “drowned” with a shot of espresso and lemon affogato with lemon sorbet with a shot of limoncello.

www.yeogroup.co.uk/cafe-bencotto

Of course, most places cater to vegan on their main menus; Oak Fired at the Royal Oak in Beccles is an authentic Neapolitan wood fired pizza restaurant, which has a delicious vegan margherita pizza on their menu and all their pizza bases and doughs are vegan. As well as this, they offer to substitute any cheese with a vegan alternative.

The Brudenell Seafood & Grill in Aldeburgh has some delicious vegan options, including the roasted heritage beetroot salad with candied walnuts & raspberry dressing and the baby fennel tartlet with cauliflower piccalilli micro cress & lemon oil.

The Queen’s Head, Bramfield offers a great selection of deli sharing boards, perfect for a group of friends. The vegan veggie board includes chargrilled Mediterranean vegetables, hummus, avocado salsa, cornichons, sun blushed tomatoes and artisan bread.