London vegan news, reviews & events
Following on from my post yesterday about the vegan snacks I snagged in Genoa, I wanted to share news of a plant-based restaurant meal I enjoyed last night.
Soul Kitchen is a vegetarian restaurant nestled into a narrow lane way in Genoa, which is not really necessary to mention because everything in Genoa is nestled into a narrow lane way.
The majority of the menu at Soul Kitchen is vegan with some of those options being raw. But what did we eat?
Read more below.
I’m in Genoa and I want to know if it is weird referring to it as Genoa on my blog and not the Italian Genova?
I am such an uneducated fool. For most of my life I thought Genoa and Genova were two different places. The anglicised name for this Italian city was obviously the one I’m most familiar with so perhaps I should just stick with it for clarity.
My husband is feeling a bit under the weather so we are taking it easy with a few gentle strolls around the port and historic centre, but of course day one had me looking for vegan snacks.
This morning we popped into the Eataly cafe opposite the port and I was surprised to find fresh vegan croissants, including fruit jam filled varieties. The cafe also had pre-packaged vegan biscotti.
These croissants were delicious but they were just stop one for the day.
Read more below.
There was a time when I would jump on a train without thinking twice and head to another town or city. I adored discovering vegan cafés, supporting independent vegan businesses, and turning up at vegan events all over the country.
Those trips were always a highlight, a way to feel connected, and an opportunity to share what’s going on beyond London on this blog.
But things have changed.
Read more below.
I recently found myself back inside Disneyland Paris for the first time in more than twenty years.
Yes, two full decades have passed since I last roamed those pastel-paved walkways and heard It’s a Small World on an endless loop. And let me tell you, while the park has changed in a lot of ways, one thing has definitely improved: vegan food.
Read more below.
There are few things I love more than planning imaginary trips to places I can’t afford.
You know the vibe. One browser tab open to a budget spreadsheet with minus numbers, another tab open to an article about the best vegan pizza in Naples.
So instead of pretending I’ve been everywhere and know it all, here’s my list of 10 cities around the world I would visit as a vegan… if my bank account didn’t look like a horror film.
Please read below for the full fantasy holiday rundown.
Vegan travellers, rejoice.
If you have ever dreamed of staying somewhere that truly gets you, I have just the place. It is plant-based paradise by the sea, bursting with personality, run by passionate people who have been vegan for decades, and has some delightful surprises waiting inside.
Read the full story below!
I recently took a trip to the stunning island of Gran Canaria, and let me tell you, it did not disappoint.
Part of the Canary Islands archipelago, this sun-soaked spot offers breathtaking landscapes, from rugged mountains and lush countryside to vibrant cities buzzing with life. I had an absolute blast exploring everything the island had to offer, but what truly surprised me was the impressive number of vegan dining options scattered throughout Gran Canaria.
Who knew plant-based goodness could be found so easily in this island paradise?
From a cozy bakery with mouthwatering breads to a seaside restaurant dishing up creative vegan tapas, the island’s plant-based scene is thriving. Whether I was wandering through the city streets or soaking up the natural beauty of the countryside, I never had to look far for a delicious cruelty-free meal.
I’ve put together some Instagram Reels showcasing my vegan highlights from the trip. Check them out below and start planning your own Gran Canaria adventure!
Didn’t that year and a bit just fly by?
When I think back to the beginning of 2020, I remember so much to be excited about… not least the vegan cruise I was organising to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Fat Gay Vegan.
Cabins were being booked and special guests were being organised. I was busy creating a list of vegan places to visit during each of our stops. I met with out head chef and carried out tastings.
It was my dream trip to mark my first decade as FGV.
But then reality hit. Hard.
You don’t need a recount of the past year as I’m sure you are as acutely aware of what went down as I am. The basic facts relating to the cruise are that it was cancelled and I knew I wanted to bring it back as soon as possible.
In celebration of the world rising like a phoenix from the ashes of the past year, and me marking the 11th year of being Fat Gay Vegan, please join me as we set sail for an end of the year celebration like no other.
Let’s cruise! We really deserve it this time.
Commencing in historic Nuremburg on December 20, 2021, our unforgettable week-long celebration takes in picturesque towns and cities scattered along the beloved Danube including Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest and the World UNESCO Heritage Wachau Valley (Durnstein, Melk, Linz, and Passau).
Did I mention this cruise will be 100% vegan. All food is completely plant-based and we take over the entire ship.
This unforgettable trip on the Danube has been personally curated by me, FGV, and will include:
This journey with Vegan Culinary Cruises and Fat Gay Vegan along the Danube is going to be more than just a cruise. It is set to be an unforgettable celebration of everything vegan. Think of it as your very own vegan festival on water.
The cruise will finish in breathtaking Budapest on December 27, 2021 which will give you enough time to travel home for New Year’s Eve or choose to stay a few extra days and ring in the New Year in style.
If this sounds like a wonderful way to get back into the swing of vegan travel and celebrate a brighter future, please click here to read more about the cruise and to book your spot.
Of course, you can sign up now with no financial obligation until the cruise is deemed completely safe and it has been confirmed.
EXTRA NOTE
I have also curated an extra special USA National Parks land tour for 2022 in conjunction with VCC.
Our Vegan Desert Adventure is open for bookings (which are already rolling in!) and I am extra excited for this trip as it takes in some of the most gorgeous scenery on the planet.
This is hotel based and we take coaches for day trips including the Grand Canyon. Maybe this is for you if ships are not your thing? Or perhaps you want to do both trips? I’ll be on both, so let’s hang out!
Click here to discover more about the Vegan Desert Adventure 2022.
This is a HUGE moment for me. Having to commit to undertaking these adventures after such an uncertain time in history takes a lot of belief and optimism.
Thankfully, I am working with wonderful partners in Vegan Culinary Cruises and we are fortunate to be in a position to take provisional bookings on these trips with no deposit needed.
We will only request deposits and bookings when the departures are deemed safe and secure. We won’t ask you to confirm until we have confirmed. You can dream now, pay later. We all need something to look forward to after the year we’ve had.
Help me celebrate and let’s see the world in vegan style.
Visit the Vegan Culinary Cruises website now.
Just dropping by to share some fun news with you all.
I was the guest on the latest episode of Two Vs & A Pod podcast!
It was a great chat that left me longing for future travels and food adventures. I can’t wait until I can get back on the road.
Here is the overview of the episode:
Join Issy and Ben this week for all things Travel! Earlier this week it was announced that we should be able to go and visit some of our favourite countries this summer, and for some of you it might be your first time going abroad as a vegan. Issy and Ben share their travel stories and top tips for eating abroad. They’re also joined a real travel expert; Sean O’Callaghan (AKA @FatGayVegan) to discuss his vegan cruises and vast experience around the world as a vegan.
Listen to the episode online here!
This is super interesting and kinda huge news.
HappyCow is thrilled to announce that Toyota and Lexus are making vegan-options easier to find.
Huh? Big name car manufacturers and plant-based eating don’t go together, do they?
Toyota Connected North America has integrated HappyCow’s guide to vegan and vegan-friendly eating into the Destination Assist feature on select 2020 and newer Toyota and Lexus models.
USA-based Toyota and Lexus Destination Assist subscribers will now benefit from HappyCow’s dining guide by pressing the ‘Destination Button’ from the navigation menu.
When speaking with an agent, they simply mention that they’re looking for a vegan or vegetarian restaurant and HappyCow will be used to direct them to nearby vegan and vegan-friendly options.
If you are drawing a blank when reading the name HappyCow, let me fill you in.
HappyCow is the leading vegan guide on the planet. The user-driven platform helps vegan and vegan-curious people location cafes, restaurants, grocery stores, stores, salons, bakeries, markets, and bars that offer vegan and vegetarian goods and services.
I’d love to hear from any Destination Assist users who have used the feature successfully. The rest of the world will need to wait patiently for it to be rolled out globally.
Visit HappyCow online and follow the guide on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
