Go meat-free in Knightsbridge

Harvey Nichols Café and Terrace, 109-125 Knightsbridge

This casual fifth-floor restaurant has every part of the day covered, whether you want breakfast, a weekend brunch, all-day dining or fancy a spot of afternoon tea. As with the department store itself, there’s something for everyone here, with a menu that lists plenty of vegetarian and vegan dishes alongside some tasty meat and fish ones. Options for non-meat eaters include beetroot and feta on sourdough with pickled cucumber, a Greek-style watermelon salad with crispy shallots, an aubergine schnitzel and a vegetarian club sandwich. Its afternoon tea offer is even more vegetarian-friendly, with sandwiches such as ploughman’s pickle, egg mayonnaise, and cucumber and cream cheese, and a spinach and cherry tomato quiche as well as scones and cakes.

The Levant Bakery, Harrods, 87-135 Brompton Road

Levantine food is well-known for its accessibility as well as its distinctive flavours, and this modern take on a traditional Levant bakery on the fourth floor of Harrods is no exception. Freshly made appetizers such as baba ghanouj (charred aubergine, tahini, cucumber, tomato and chilli paste), and potato wedges with tomato chilli jam, sit alongside a range of flavour-packed salads suitable for vegetarians and vegans that feature ingredients such as roasted cauliflower, lentils, pomegranate seeds and smoked green wheat. Don’t leave without ordering one of its mouajjanets (bite-sized bakes) that include vegetarian, meat and sweet options or its signature manousheh (Lebanese flatbreads), with a falafel topping.

The Knot Churros, 36 Knightsbridge

Dubbed the world’s first churros afternoon tea and churros cotton candy combo – which sounds completely plausible – The Knot Churros is not your typical dessert restaurant (it is also home to London’s first candy floss burrito). For the fully whacky Knot experience head to its new pastel pink and green Knightsbridge store for its ridiculously large range of dipped churros, brightly coloured slushy drinks and speciality hot drinks, which can be made with almond, soya and oat milk. For those without a sweet tooth there is a short savoury menu, but what it lacks in sugar it more than makes up in colour, with options that include a blue vegan hot dog and a caprese rainbow bagel.

Chaiiwala, 241 Brompton Road

Meat eaters, vegetarians and vegans routinely rub shoulders at Indian street food brand Chaiiwala where its range of dishes, whether breakfast items, buns, rolls or wraps, offers something for everyone. Start the day with an omelette wrap or aloo paratha or, for a lunchtime snack, choose the potato-based aloo tikki burger with some spiced masala chips. Don’t forget to try its Lotus Biscoff wrap – Biscoff spread on a freshly-cooked paratha – or gajar halwa – a sweet carrot-based dessert that is not as healthy as it sounds.

Images – @chaiiwala

The Lanesborough, Hyde Park Corner

Famed for its afternoon teas, The Lanesborough’s creative interpretation of this quintessentially English repast sees it serve finger sandwiches that might include options of tea-cured salmon with lemon and caper cream, coronation chicken, and devilled egg mayonnaise, as well as delicate pastries and homemade scones. If this all feels a bit non-vegan/vegetarian friendly then fear not, head pastry chef Salvatore Mungiovino and his team also offer a plant-based alternative that is equally decadent – think sandwich fillings of roasted portobello mushroom, celeriac remoulade; grilled aubergine, chickpea hummus, piquillo peppers; and roasted pumpkin, rocket and caramelised onion, and pastries such as a dark chocolate and jasmine fudge cake. For the full experience, accompany it with a glass of (vegan-friendly) Moët & Chandon.

Al Arez, 128 Brompton Road

Traditional Lebanese food is on the menu at this homely and atmospheric restaurant. Al Arez aims to bring people together through food, and vegetarians and carnivores can happily rub shoulders thanks to its extensive range of dishes. All of Al Arez’s cold starters are vegetarian – try the tabbouleh, rice-stuffed vine leaves and moussaka – while many of its hot starters and pastries are also vegetarian friendly.

Caffé Concerto, 78 & 152 Brompton Road

Glamorous Italian restaurant Caffé Concerto boasts not one but two locations on Brompton Road, and an extra-large menu covering everything from sandwiches and afternoon tea to sharing platters, Danish pastries and “alternative” lattes. Italian cuisine tends to be on the carnivorous side, but Caffé Concerto provides excellent choices for non-meat eaters with a large range of vegetarian salads, pizza, pasta and dedicated vegan menus.

Images – @caffeconcertouk

Feya, 146 Brompton Road

With its enchanting forest-inspired interiors and artistic dishes, Feya is a whimsical haven from the hustle and bustle of Brompton Road. The independent café caters to gluten-free, vegan and halal diets, but its vegetarian afternoon tea menu has changed the game when it comes to meat-free dining. Veggies (and those who simply fancy trying something new) are treated to a wide range of savoury options, such as a flavourful wild mushroom quiche and silky avocado hummus along with a fine selection of mini patisserie.