29 Mar London restaurants: Three of the best for date night with vegan and allergy-friendly menus

Wondering which are the best London restaurants to go to on date night? The Bikini Girls uncover their favourite restaurants for Spring…

Mezze at Comptoir Libanais

Where? Located all around London and the UK, we headed into the brand new restaurant in Gloucester Road.

What is it? A quirky and delicious Lebanese restaurant with a bright, colourful interior which transports you to a Mediterranean destination as soon as you enter the door. The first Comptoir opened in 2008 and has been expanding and growing since. We headed into the brand new restaurant just opened in Gloucester Road and were extremely excited to try it out first hand.

Deni and Toby (her boyfriend, pictured with Vicky’s, Josh) ordered aubergine tagines

Why we love it?

We tried out the vegan and allergy free options starting of course with the cocktails, a cosmopolitan and a mojito twist with a plate of the plumpest olives we’ve ever seen – definitely a Mediterranean speciality.

We requested the hot and cold mezze and were amazed when a massive plate arrived filled to the brim with some Lebanese favourites. Deni and Toby (her boyfriend, pictured above with Vicky’s boyfriend Josh) ordered aubergine tagines. The group also went for double portion of falafel, a vegan protein dish which was filled with chickpeas, broad beans, coriander, parsley, garlic and pepper with a side of tahini sauce. Accompanying this was a side of moudardara – a lentil and rice salad with spring onions, cherry tomatoes and parsley that melted in the mouth and was a light and healthy option. Although, it didn’t stay light for long as we dipped, delved and indulged in a huge portion of hummus with pitta bread and veggie crudites.

Deni with a big plate of mezze and some fried potatoes

The service in the restaurant was glowing, we were recommended house favourites and the waiting staff were extremely helpful when it came to our dining requirements, which I might add – are pretty difficult to cater for. Being that we had asked for gluten, dairy and nut free options as well as options for vegans. So, if we can dine here anyone can!

Vicky choosing her food options from the menu

Bikini Girl’s favourite dish?

Our overall favourite dish was definitely the falafel and the baba ghanuj – a dish made from smoked aubergine, tahini and lemon juice. Put it this way, it was so tasty we ordered it twice!

Price point?

Compoir Libanais is very affordable with dishes starting from as little as £2.25 and most mezze’s sitting around the £4-5 price mark. Whether you want a small snack, healthy salad or a huge platter of the mezze selection, there is something for you. (We’d recommend the last one though… obvs!)

Starting with olives, we moved on to sharing two tiered platter presentations of hummus, fava bean paste (extremely high in protein), vine leaf rice wraps aka dolmades and olive oil-drizzled, grilled pitta flatbreads

Where? Located all around London and the UK, we headed into the branch tucked in on St Martin’s Lane in Covent Garden.

What is it? A genuine taste adventure delving into traditional, modern and innovative Greek cuisine. Pale blue and white interiors transport you to the heart of Athens. Sharing dishes are served on tiered stands encouraging sharing and tasting of everything for everyone.

Spicy Roast Aubergine with Chickpeas, Gigandes Plaki, and Aubergine and Potato Stack

Why we love it?

We tried out everything on the new vegan menu which suit our plant-based eating preferences and requirements to a tee. Even Vicky’s boyfriend Josh – an avid meat-eater – was left wanting for nothing (even the grill skewers) after tucking into the vegan offerings.

Starting with olives, we moved on to sharing two tiered platter presentations of hummus, fava bean paste (extremely high in protein), vine leaf rice wraps aka dolmades and olive oil-drizzled, grilled pitta flatbreads.

We were pretty full by the end (we couldn’t resists scooping the last bit of fresh, creamy hummus) – but then it was time for mains. They included Spicy Roast Aubergine with Chickpeas slow cooked with cherry tomatoes, chilli and dill, wholesome baked butter beans Gigandes Plaki with Spinach, and a scrumptious Aubergine and Potato Stack.

Gym fans Deni and Toby with a giant plate of fava bean mash (yum)

We thought we could eat no more but then our lovely waitress Tamara pointed out that we hadn’t yet tried some tasty vegan offerings on the normal menu including lentil and falafel dishes.

Well, who were we to argue. We ordered enough for all and despite the undeniable food coma that followed, the too-full feeling passed quickly and we were left energised and so satisfied from our densely nutritious, delicious and supremely satisfying late lunch.

Bikini Girl’s favourite dish?

The must-have choice for us was definitely wholesome baked butter beans Gigandes Plaki with Spinach. I even looked up how to make it at home as it was so tasty.

Price point?

It really depends how hungry you are to how much you spend (of course) but the Real Greek won’t break the bank. A starter and main can be done for around £10-£15 and should fill you up through till dinner.

We loved the offerings including the fragrant Miso Rice Bowl (above)

Where? A popular upmarket pub and restaurant chain with branches up and down the UK, we headed to the branch by Leicester Square to try out their new vegan menu.

What is it? A posh-man’s pub chain and go-to London restaurant with classy lighting and interiors and a real ‘Friday night’ feel. Perfect for a lovely dinner and cocktails or a boogie onto the night later on. Serving quality British and pan-Asian favourites.

We also had Firefly tonics – Kiwi, Lime & Mint and Peach & Green Tea

Why we love it?

All Bar One works any time of day for any kind of food or drinks need. So it was surprising that they excelled so much at vegan dinner time. You’d think if they tick so many boxes under one establishment, it may be a little ‘so-so’. But no.

First of all the service was excellent. Our friendly waitress and the bartenders never left us with empty plates or glasses for too long, and our orders were delivered promptly after being taken.

We started with bruschetta and soup before moving onto the amazing mains. We loved the offerings including the fragrant Miso Rice Bowl and sassy Superfood Salad.

Bruschetta and soup to start with

These were accompanied beautifully by two refreshing and vegan-friendly Firefly tonics – Kiwi, Lime & Mint and Peach & Green Tea. Firefly Kiwi, Lime & Mint is made with botanicals of garden mint, lime flower and rosemary and tastes like a refreshing (virgin) Mojito while Peach & Green Tea is bursting with fruity freshness and a dash of green tea.

Vicky and Josh pictured with their drinks at All Bar One

Bikini Girl’s favourite dish?

Unfortunately for gluten-free Vicky she couldn’t try it but the overall decision from the dinner party was that the decadent chocolate cake – which comes in at less than £5 a slice and takes about 20 minutes to eat because it’s do dense – was the ultimate, most amazing dish on the menu. Yep, chocolate cake. Bikini Girls need balance.

The decadent chocolate cake – which comes in at less than £5 – was to die for

Price point?

This one comes up top for price for the pure fact the cocktail list is just incredible! From fruity passionfruit types to espresso martinis, there’s one for every stage of your meal.

If you’re keeping on the straight and narrow, though, you could have a main and dessert for less than £15 which, again, is a bargain for fresh, quality vegan food at London restaurants on a Saturday night.