Indian cuisine is one of the most naturally plant-friendly in the world. Long before plant-based eating had a name, large parts of India were cooking without meat, and much of that cooking can be made without dairy too. If you are vegan, an Indian menu has plenty to offer.
Naturally plant-based
Vast swathes of Indian cooking are vegetarian by tradition, and a great deal of it is vegan once you set aside ghee, butter, cream, yoghurt and paneer. Lentils, chickpeas, vegetables and rice do the heavy lifting, seasoned with the same spices as everything else.
What to look for
At home and in restaurants, the best places to start are chickpea, potato and vegetable dishes. On our menu, look at Chana Masala, Aloo Gobi, Bombay Aloo, Saag Aloo, Brinjal Bhaji, Mushroom Bhaji and Mixed Vegetables. Some recipes include butter or cream, so ask us which dishes can be prepared without dairy on the day. Rice dishes are often a good choice, but it is always worth checking, and breads vary, since many naan recipes use yoghurt or milk.
Just ask
The simplest advice is to tell your server you are vegan when you order, and we will talk you through the options. Please tell us about allergies when you book. Our kitchen handles nuts, dairy, eggs, gluten, fish, shellfish, soya and sesame.
Plenty to choose from
You will find a wide range of vegetable dishes on our menu at Charing Cross. For more on the regions behind them, read our guide to regional Indian cuisine.
Planning a meal with friends? Our group set menu has vegetarian choices available, and we are happy to talk through vegan options when you book. Book a table and let us know what you need.
