Vegan fine dining: The top UK hotels for a vegan diet

It’s hard to believe that ‘vegan fine dining’ used to be three words you’d never expect to see in the same sentence and very cheering that some of the UK’s leading hotels now serve some of the very best vegan food on the planet. We’ve come such a long way from the days when those looking for vegan options might at best have been offered an apologetic mushroom risotto, or at worst been asked by a bewildered maitre d’ ‘but you do eat chicken?’

Just as vegan cuisine has since gone mainstream, the concept of vegan travel is a growing trend that is here to stay. Destinations and hotels that best meet the needs of those looking for vegan options are now key to their travel decision making and hotel booking process. And as such, many of the UK’s five-star hotels have raised the bar, transforming what used to be somewhat of an afterthought into a culinary art form in its own right.

Those looking for vegan options now not only expect hotel restaurants to offer at least some choice of vegan starters, vegan main courses and vegan desserts on both à la carte and room service menus, but also offer fully vegan menus, tasting menus and experiences ensuring gastronomy is a key part of the stay.

While vegan travellers obviously make up a significant portion of the vegan tourism market, people who are vegan-curious are also increasingly likely to choose a hotel that offers a range of culinary delights.

So if you’re considering becoming vegan or are simply looking for a tasty introduction to the vegan lifestyle, there’s arguably no better introduction to plant-based living than staying at a top hotel that knows how to create mouthwatering vegan fayre served with style.

Here’s our pick of ten of the best UK hotels now serving some of the most innovative vegan dishes and vegan fine dining experiences…

If you’re planning a trip to the Lake District, don’t miss your chance to devour some of the very best vegan food in the UK. SOURCE at the stunning Gilpin Hotel & Lake House, situated on the banks of Lake Windermere, has been awarded a coveted Michelin star following Ollie Bridgwater’s arrival earlier this year. This master chef spent nearly a decade at Heston Blumenthal’s three Michelin-starred Fat Duck, and now brings his passion for creating innovative dishes from sustainable local produce to this beauty spot by the water. The restaurant’s plant-based tasting menu is an experience not to be missed. Munch your way through vegan starters including chilled gazpacho of herbs with pickled radish, and vegan main courses including roast morel with potato, wild garlic and onion, before tucking into divine vegan desserts such as Furilake sushi rice pudding with miso caramel and lemon sorbet.

If you’re hungry for a taste of Regency elegance, The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa, a five-star haven of sophistication in the historic centre of Bath, has wow factor in spades. Montagu’s Mews is the hotel's new bar and dining experience inspired by the original resident of No. 16, the dynamic Elizabeth Montagu; host of the Blue Stockings Society, writer, salonière and advocate for women’s education. Who better to inform its unique approach to dining? The vegan tasting menu created by Head Chef Martin Blake turns the freshest produce into a memorable feast. Highlights include Black treacle soda bread with Piqual olive oil and chickpea hummus; Wye Valley asparagus salad with almond and confit lemon, and vegan petit fours. There’s also a delightful Gluten Free & Vegan Afternoon Tea menu with delicious savoury bites and sweet treats including Home-made gluten free scones, Raspberry Mousse, Chocolate Bounty Bar and Passionfruit & Basil Macaron.

Situated a short stroll from a glorious sandy beach, The Atlantic in Jersey is winning awards for its excellent culinary experiences, as well as its warm Channel Islands hospitality. The Ocean Restaurant showcases modern British cooking with the emphasis on fresh Jersey produce. Executive Chef Will Holland has a relaxed vision of good food, with all menus demonstrating his passion for seasonal produce and using the finest ingredients from the island’s fields as well as its shores. The vegan menu features a stunning repertoire of vegan starters including Caramelised Roscoff onion tart, with barbecued leeks, red wine pickled shallots, crispy onions, and green onion oil, and Coconut and celeriac panna cotta, with tomato and basil essence, sweet and sour celeriac, and fresh coconut. To follow, highlights include Forest mushroom risotto, with watercress salad, truffle dressing, and cep powder and Tomato and basil risotto, semi-dried cherry tomatoes, and basil cress. To finish, it’s a tough choice between the Caramelised chocolate, with Amatika custard, soft biscuit, whipped ganache and the Mille Feuille — a decadent hazelnut creme patissiere, with salted caramel and chocolate sorbet.