The best Vegetarian and Vegan food in Peckham - updated for 2019!

When is comes to vegetarian and vegan dishes Peckham serves up some of the best in London. There is now a huge variety of Vegan and Vegetarian restaurants in Peckham for the meat-free diners amongst us. From the institution that is Persepolis to the popular Deserted Cactus, vegetarians and vegans really are spoilt for choice. Check out our ultimate round up of the best vegetarian and vegan restaurants in Peckham.

UPDATED: With lots more vegan and veggie restaurants and dishes popping up around Peckham we have updated this round up to include the latest and most up to date info when it comes to vegetarian and vegan food in Peckham.

(this updated article includes words from SouthEast15 contributor Frances Heaume)

Taco Queen: Tex-Mex to the Max

Life doesn’t get much better than a mountain of nachos and Taco Queen in Peckham does not disappoint. If you can squeeze into this bustling Rye Lane restaurant (there is almost always a queue), you’ll find top tunes and margaritas aplenty. Battered avocado, kimchi, and tofu all feature on the list of tantalizing tacos. Paired with the ginormous jackfruit nachos, smothered in guacamole and cheese sauce (which can be swapped out for cashew cheese!) - it’s a winning combination. Pop in at lunchtime to check out the jackfruit arepas too. Make sure to save some room for an ice cream sandwich for dessert!

Monday: Closed/ Tuesday - Saturday: 12–3pm, 6–10pm/ Sunday: 12–3pm

191 Rye Ln, Peckham, London SE15 4TP

Ganapati Peckham: South-Indian Street Food

Tuck into traditional thalis and street snacks at Bellenden Road’s beloved Ganapati. Inspired by the home-style cooking of Southern India, the menu is regularly updated with delicious vegetarian dishes but you can always find their signature paratha, the flakiest outside of India! Plus, a selection of delectable Indian sweets to finish off with. Take a seat at one of the “special charity tables”, where the profit from your meal goes to support charities fighting human trafficking and supporting access to education in Southern India. At the opposite end of the street from the main purple and yellow Ganapati restaurant, you will find the Ganapati Takeaway restaurant - where you can pick up from and enjoy your delicious veggie food in the comfort of your own home.
Monday: Closed / Tuesday - Thursday: 12–2:45pm, 6–10:30pm / Friday: 12–2:45pm, 6–10:30pm / Saturday: 12–10:30pm / Sunday: 12–10pm

38 Holly Grove, Peckham, London SE15 5DF

Vegan fish and chip: Tofish at Codfellas in Peckham

If you’re after the best Tofish (tofu with nori seaweed) head straight to Codfellas fish and chip shop down Bellenden road.

Codfellas which is a family run business established in 1963 first opened its doors in 2008 and has since grown into one of Peckham’s best fish and chip shops! We love that the guys at Codfellas have understood the growing popularity in veganism and have reacted by creating a delicious vegan menu - our favourite dish being the generously portioned Tofish (£7.50) and chips (£1.90). Honestly it’s the best faux fish we have ever tasted!

Opening times: Mon-Thurs 12-3pm & 5-11pm, Fri-Sat 12-3pm & 5-12am, Sunday closed

125 Bellenden Road, London SE15 4QY

Deserted Cactus vegan restaurant

Deserted Cactus is a cute little vegan café in Holdrons Arcade down Rye Lane. Set up by the vegan influencer Esme @london_afro_vegan. Esme cooks up a daily changing menu of homemade Vegan Caribbean food like southern fried jackfruit, rice n peas served with plantain dumplings and jerk tofu fried dumpling burger! (Cash only)

Sunday & Monday- Closed, Tues – Fri 1pm-4pm, Saturday 1pm-6pm

Holdrons Arcade Unit 23 & 25, 135A Peckham Rye, Peckham, London SE15 4ST

Zionly Manna Vegan Rastarant

Vegan Rastarant isn’t a spelling mistake, but a nod to local owner Jahson Peat’s Rastafarian roots – his Rastafarian mantra ‘Eat not flesh’ has not only influenced his Caribbean inspired Vegan menu but also his mission purpose to educate those in the local community in which he grew up on eating a healthy vegan diet. Think vegan street food, vegetable chow, dumplings and a tasty variety of curries.

Rye Lane Indoor Market, 41, 48, Rye Ln, London SE15 5BY

Mon- Fri 10am – 6pm, Sunday closed.

The Odds: Beautiful Vegan Brunches

It’s time to relax in Peckham’s newest cafe - The Odds. The menu features everything from full English to pancakes, granola to toasties. And it’s all vegan! Served in a way that looks too beautiful to eat, these little works of art are good for you and the planet. You can stock up on seasonal veg from @localgreensveg and your favourite vegan cheeses in the deli, including Kinda Co, New Roots, I Am Nut Okay & loads more. Plus, grab your morning filter coffee before 9am and its just 50p - be sure to say hi to head barista Patch!

Monday - Friday: 7am - 5pm / Saturday - Sunday: 9am - 5pm

28 Choumert Rd, Peckham, London SE15 4RE

Persepolis: Peckham’s Persian oasis

A Mecca for vegetarians, Peckham’s Persepolis is an institution. Situated on Peckham High Street, this colourful cafe is crammed full of character. The 100% vegetarian/vegan menu features Persian-Levantine flavours, with classics like houmous, meze, halloumi, Turkish delight and a cheeky Cheeto here and there. Too much to choose from? Then BYO booze and friends to enjoy the “feasting platter”, a starter, main and dessert sample of the whole menu. On a busy night, you’ll find yourselves eating in between the aisles of the Persian delicatessen, stocking quality eastern spices, herbs, and sweet treats.  You can even pick up a copy of one of the vegetarian cookbooks written by chef & co-owner Sally Butcher to recreate your own middle eastern feast at home. 

Monday - Sunday: 10.45am to 10.45pm

28-30 Peckham High St, Peckham, London SE15 5DT

Mr Bao: Bangin’ Buns

Have you ever wondered what eating a cloud feels like? Behold, the bao bun. And not any old bao, these are London’s lightest, fluffiest buns (so people say). Having recently created a vegan menu, Mr Bao is up there with Peckham’s best veggie eats. Snack on ginger & garlic edamame, crispy sweet potato fries and golden kimchi as you wait for your tofu or shiitake mushroom baos. This trendy Taiwanese restaurant serves a range of sake, beers and classic cocktails with a twist, including lychee daiquiri and plum wine negroni.

Monday: Closed/ Tuesday - Friday: 12–3pm, 6–11pm/ Saturday: 11am–11pm/ Sunday: 11am–10p

293 Rye Ln, Peckham, London SE15 4UA

2 Girl's Cafe

This café in Peckham is sweet-toothed Vegan/Veggie persons' dream! The menu is made up of entirely vegetarian and vegan treats, serving delicious homemade cakes and plant-based dishes (vegan pies, sandwiches, pancakes) alongside fresh coffee and smoothies.

24A Peckham Rye, SE15 4JR

Mon- Fri 8am – 5pm, Sat & Sun 9am- 5pm

Made of Dough: Pizza Perfection

Complete with a disco-ball pizza oven, this trendy Bellenden Road pizzeria has quickly grown a cult following. Winner of London’s best pizza (twice!), Made of Dough’s veggie Neopolitan-style sourdough base pizzas are deliciously chewy - topped with fior di latte mozzarella, mushroom & truffle or spinach & tomato makes it a vegetarian treat. Monthly specials incorporate seasonal vegetables and you are after a vegan pizza, you can swap out the dairy for vegan cashew cheese. Why not go all-out and treat yourself to a boozy milkshake for dessert. Hit up this hipster hotspot on a Monday for 50% off all pizzas - don’t forget your basil aioli for the crusts!

Monday - Saturday: 12pm - 10pm / Sunday: 12pm - 9pm

182 Bellenden Rd, Peckham, London SE15 4BW

Wildflower - now closed

Update: unfortunately Wildflower in Peckham is now closed.

Wildflower is the latest Vegetarian and Vegan restaurant to open in Peckham. The canteen is part of the Peckham levels project sat on the fifth floor it serves a daily menu inspired by Middle Eastern, Mediterranean and Asian cuisine. Head chef Joseph Ryan has created an innovative menu with dishes like the Seitan sausage sarnie (£6) for brunch or Almond & sesame smoked tofu, ssamjang sauce, bok choi, carrot kimchi (£8) for dinner. Oh and even their cocktails are vegan! Not satisfied with being just a canteen, Wildflower also morphs into Ghostnotes – a late night bar and music venue.

Peckham Levels, Level 5, 95a Rye Ln, London SE15 4ST

PickyWops - now closed in Peckham

Update: PickyWops residency has ended in Peckham Levels but you can still find it in Brixton!

PickyWops is a new Vegan Pizza restaurant that has opened in Peckham levels. Yep, you heard it right, their menu is 100% vegan by swapping dairy cheese for other plant-based alternatives like coconut base mozzarella, cashew nut camembert, almond ricotta and coconut parmesan, With bases that include hemp, multigrain, burned wheat, kamut, turmeric and spirulina.

Peckham Levels, Level 5, 95a Rye Ln, London SE15 4ST

Kate’s Vegan Kitchen – pop up

Update: Kate’s Vegan Kitchen is no longer hosting pop ups in Nunhead

Kate's Vegan Kitchen comes to The Habit, Nunhead on the first Wednesday of every month. A delicious 3-course meal of home cooked, wholesome food. Kate's Vegan Kitchen serves up tasty vegan food tempting enough to convert even the most committed meat eaters (for one night at least!) Kate's Vegan Kitchen promises a fun night with a buzzy atmosphere at The Habit. 

The Habit, 60 Nunhead Lane, SE15 3QE

The V Spot – Pop up

The V Spot is a SE15 Plant based pop up that hold special events and bespoke catering by Danae Dade. Check out their Instagram page here to find out where their next event is!

Nutkin – Vegan Cheese

Fancy some Vegan cheese? Well, you need to check out Nutkin! They specialise in organic artisian nut-based cheese. They say ‘we are committed to using functional ingredients that promote health whilst never compromising on flavour’. Check out their Insta to find out more.