Gosh, what do you even eat as a vegan? Is it just salad? Where do you get your protein? But what if you were stranded on a dessert island and your only option was to eat a burger?
The many questions that you’re faced with when you admit to being vegan. I’m not trying to make a song and dance about it, but it is the ridiculous misconceptions which still exist around it that make people think that all you can eat is fruit and vegetables. And yes, I do admit that they play a major part in my diet, but you might be surprised by the amazing recipes that you can create with them!
So, here is my guide to veganism in Liverpool, whether you are vegetarian, vegan, or just want to try something different, here are the five best places to eat!
Down the Hatch
Down the Hatch has developed a bit of a cult status over the last few years in Liverpool, being loved by herbivores and carnivores alike! Offering burgers like no other, and desserts which are worth giving up your diet for. Down the Hatch has it all. Their stand out burger must be the Captain Jacks, with its crispy seitan fillet, topped with slaw and pulled BBQ jackfruit! And it is always worth upgrading your fries, because if you have the option of pizza fries, then why would you say no?
Frost Burgers
Frost Burgers is an entirely vegan burger place opened only in November 2018 by social media star Monami Frost, to absolute rave reviews. The menu is entirely plant based, with gluten free options available so everyone can enjoy these delicious treats. The menu is small, but it does it all incredibly well. To be honest, there is certainly enough combinations to keep you going for a while, especially when you consider the amount of amazing sauces there are to try as well! The prices for the meals are reasonable; the meal deal of fries, sauce, a burger, and a drink comes in at under £10. I’m going to be real, you will not want to have a standard can of cola when you see the milkshakes!
Egg
The Egg cafe itself is very rustic looking and you can’t help but feel instantly welcomed when you enter through the heavy purple doors, the smell which greets you is lovely and warming, especially on a cold winter day. There are plenty of seating options for big groups or small. The staff are so friendly and welcoming, service with a smile has never been more true!
Most, if not all their food is vegan, even their famous cheese on toast is available to be made with vegan cheese! The bread is so fresh and fabulously thick, it also comes with a delicious serving of mixed salad, and when I say salad I don’t mean a measly portion of leaves with a few slices of tomato, I mean fresh pasta salad, bulgur wheat salad, and other lovely yumminess! The prices are very reasonable, and you certainly get your money worth in both taste, quality and portion size.
They offer a different selection of specials every day so there is no chance of food being anything less than fresh, you can even see the cooks preparing the meals. They offer a great selection of vegan puddings and cakes with vegan custard to top them off with so even if you didn’t fancy anything savoury there are still some good options available for you.
The Nakery
The Nakery was started over two years ago by the young and inspiring business woman Natalie Shilton. She had a vision to start something special within the city and bring something new to both the metaphorical and literal table! The Nakery has gone from strength to strength since starting and it is down to the incredible hard work from their small but dedicated team, with them now providing their products to several vendors in Merseyside and having their own stall seven days a week at the Red Brick Hangar in Liverpool’s Baltic Triangle.
The jars are quite easily my favourite thing to buy from The Nakery, coming in a delicious and tempting variety of flavours, from the original Peanut Butter, to the oh so indulgent Banoffee. They arrive in a mason jar (so perfect for that Instagram aesthetic), making them ideal to eat on the go, or maybe even half now and half later, not that I have ever managed to resist eating a whole jar in one go mind…
The jars are layered so that you get a a slightly different flavour sensation with each mouthful and never become bored of the texture. You have the smooth cashew cream which is beautifully flavoured according to the jar, working alongside the crunchy, chewy and decadent brownie/cookie mix which is swirled throughout.
These jars are simply indulgence at their finest but without any of the guilt! This is due to them (like everything from The Nakery) being made with high quality, all-natural ingredients. The jars are super filling and because of this, I love to have them for breakfast when I am anticipating a long day of work or studying. They keep my energy levels constant and the hunger at bay, allowing me to work for hours without interruption from my rumbling stomach!
The Caledonia
From the outside, looking at this unassuming little pub, you wouldn’t know that the Caledonia is a much-loved vegan hotspot. But when you enter, you are greeted with friendly staff behind the bar, and presented with a menu full of vegan junk food. The vegan bacon double cheese burger is a definite contender for best burger, with the ‘bacon’ being spot on. Both the patty and the bacon are some of the closest I’ve had to the real deal. If you enjoy mock meats and dirty vegan junk food, this must be one of the best spots in the city! Also, they have live music most nights, and it’s a pretty great place just to grab a drink even if you don’t eat. Plus, it’s well known as being a dog friendly pub so it’s always good for a bit of dog spotting!
Author, Erin Burns is a 3rd year English Literature student at the University of Liverpool.