Top five chic vegan restaurants in the UK

To celebrate World Vegan Day, here's our pick of wholesome British restaurants offering delicious veggie food with not a nut roast in sight

Food For Friends, Brighton

Established in 1981, Food for Friends has long been a well-known haunt for vegetarians and vegans alike. But despite its longevity, the menu remains fresh and lively with plenty of options for any number of preferences. "Generous portions are a theme that is carried through the entire menu, with expansive starters and mountainous mains," says The Guardian. As you'd expect, all the ingredients are organic, including the wines, which means "you get the satisfaction of supping untainted grapes", adds the newspaper.

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Ethos, London

Located just off Oxford Street in the heart of the capital, Ethos specialises in deliciously different meat-free, vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free cuisine. The quirky "pay-by-weight" system allows you to choose as few or as many cuisines as you like, building your own bespoke meal. The plate is then weighed and paid for at the counter. The vegetarian buffet offers some of the "best vegan food the West End has seen for years", says Time Out. "This self-service vegetarian buffet covers the globe yet gets everything is spot-on, right down to the last lentil," says the website. Another plus is that no bookings are necessary. Just pop in when you tire of central London's shopping delights and fill up on some winter warmers.

The Art School, Liverpool

One of the north-west's premier restaurants, The Art School in Liverpool takes Vegan cooking into the world of fine dining. The restaurant regularly features at the top of the city's TripAdvisor listings and for good reason, says the Liverpool Echo. "There's nothing forced, no airs and graces, but somehow life seems that bit better when you walk in through the doors," adds the paper. The menu is vast, with multiple options for each course. Visitors can watch their food being prepared thanks to a window into the stunning open-plan kitchen that covers one side of the room.

Acorn Vegetarian Kitchen, Bath

Another place of pilgrimage for the UK's vegetarian and vegan diners, the Acorn Vegetarian Kitchen in Bath has been welcoming visitors through its doors for nearly 28 years. The main attraction is the subtle and interesting food, says The Independent. "Chef Richard Buckley's great strength is texture, but he's pretty damned good with taste, too," it adds. The menu constantly changes and Sundays are given over to different vegetarian and vegan takes on roast dinner that are far more imaginative than the standard nut roast. The place is often busy on weekends so booking ahead is advised.

David Bann, Edinburgh

David Bann is an Edinburgh institution that offers vegetarian cooking at its very best. Known for good service and surprisingly tasty food, David Bann prides itself on being a great destination for vegetarians, vegans and meat eaters alike. The restaurant provides an air of luxury without being too heavy on the wallet, says blogger VeggieFoodie. It comes over as "peerless in its craft" and its "range of eclectic vegetarian and vegan dishes are as good as you will find in Edinburgh outside a Michelin-starred restaurant".