Happy Veganuary! I am so excited to bring you this MK Food Guide. A guide to vegan eats has been very much requested! And it is unsurprising – the number of people going vegan in the UK has quadrupled between 2014 and 2019, with over 600,000 people going vegan in 2019. January is of course Veganuary, a campaign to encourage us all to embrace a more plant-based diet.
I am far from being vegan, but like many people, I do make plant base choices when I’m out or when cooking at home. For this vegan guide, I have enlisted the assistance of fellow Milton Keynes content creators, Amanda, Jessica and Sam, who all embrace a vegan, dairy-free or veggie diet. As this guide has progressed I’ve also included more recommendations from local foodies to expand your vegan options in MK. They all know exactly what they’re looking for when they’re eating out and looking for plant-based options which is why I’ve asked for their help.
So, whether you are a full vegan, flexi-vegan or taking part in Veganuary, this guide will help you discover some of the best vegan eats in Milton Keynes.
Vegan eats in Milton Keynes
- Akasaka
- The Chester Arms
- Clare’s Vegan Cakery
- French Affaire
- The Green Elephant Café
- Made in Sud
- The Nutmeg Kitchen
- Olé Tapas Bar
- Out of Office Coffee
- Saf’s Kitchen
- Tasty MK
- Veggie World
- Walnut Tree Fish & Chips
Every effort has been taken to ensure the information in this blog post is correct, however, I advise referring directly to the vendor websites and social media pages for the most up to date information. If you do see an error or something is incorrect, please contact me via blog@sophieetc.com. These guides are listed in alphabetical order, not order of preference.
Akasaka
Recommended by Josephine @gohfeedme.
I decided to take my vegan friends for some Japanese food at Akasaka in Central Milton Keynes. It was so nice to see they had a separate vegan menu with a wide selection of options to choose from which my
friends were impressed with.
We ordered some appetisers to share between us – miso soups, edamame, vegetable gyozas and Koroke (deep-fried pumpkin) and they all went down a treat. For mains, the tofu teriyaki with rice was definitely a crowd-pleaser – grilled tofu with teriyaki sauce on a bed of stir-fried bean sprouts. It was delicious and the teriyaki sauce gave a sweet and salty flavour to the dish! We really enjoyed the food and had such a great experience. It caters so well for both vegans and non-vegans and it got a seal of approval from my vegan friends so I would highly recommend this place!
Website: www.akasaka.co.uk
Location: Akasaka Wolverton, 24 Stratford Rd, Wolverton, Milton Keynes MK12 5LW / Akasaka Central Milton Keynes – Exchange House, 466 Midsummer Blvd, Milton Keynes MK9 2EA
Opening hours: Monday – Friday 5pm – 11pm, Saturday 12pm – 11pm and Sunday 12pm – 10pm.
Price range: From £2.50 – £15 for individual dishes.
Dietaries: Akasaka caters for vegan and vegetarian options. These items are clearly marked on the menu.
The Chester Arms
Recommended by Amanda.
I had to give a mention to The Chester Arms without a doubt. It’s the one place I’ve seen being recommended over and over in the local Milton Keynes vegan group on Facebook for vegan meals out and vegan Sunday roasts. I’m yet to try their roasts but I’ve visited them a couple of times for meals now and I’m always blown away by the number of options on their menu and the quality of the food. If you’re yet to try vegan food, I’d definitely recommend The Chester Arms, because there are *so many* meals to choose from, rather than being stuck with just one or two things to try.
The seitan pie is definitely my favourite dish so far from The Chester Arms, I just love a good pie, and both the filling and pastry was top notch. Other top recommendations food wise include the deep-fried cauliflower sriracha starter and the mixed grill main, the latter coming with lots of yummy veg, skin-on chips, onion rings, salad and mayo.
Desserts wise we’ve enjoyed the pineapple and syrup sponge pudding, and the crumbles such as the apple and blackberry crumble have always gone down well. A lot of the desserts also come with a choice of vegan-friendly ice cream or custard to choose from as well, both of which are lovely.
Website: www.the-chester-arms.co.uk
Location: Newport Rd, Chicheley, Newport Pagnell MK16 9JE
Opening hours: Monday – Thursday 12pm – 9pm, Friday – Saturday 12pm – 10pm and Sunday 12pm – 8pm.
Price range: £1 – £30. Main meals are around £10.
Dietaries: The Chester Arms caters for vegan, vegetarian, dairy-free and gluten-free. The menu is clearly marked with items that are suitable for vegans, contain nuts, are gluten-free, dairy-free or can be prepared to accommodate these dietaries on request. There is a fryer that is dedicated gluten free and there is a gluten free and vegan dessert of fruit crumble rather than just a fruit salad.
Clare’s Vegan Cakery
Recommended by Jessica.
If it’s a vegan cake you want, look no further than Clare’s Vegan Cakery. Her cakes would never be mistaken for health food – she doesn’t skimp on the sugar, and clearly loves to work with all your favourite indulgent flavours. But they are incredibly delicious, and I’ve never missed the dairy or eggs because her bakes are every bit as soft, fluffy, and tasty as their “traditional” counterparts.
Between the two of us, we have tried…quite a few of Clare’s cakes at this point! Biscoff Cake Friday at Out of Office Coffee in Newport Pagnell, Olney, or Stony Stratford is not to be missed. That cake is absolutely immense, and perfect with a coffee. She recently released a new cake, Chocolate Mocha Drip, that has jumped right to the top of my husband’s list as his favourite. But there are too many I haven’t tried (Coffee walnut! Peanut butter cup! Cheesecake brownie!) for me to make the same pronouncement just yet.
Follow @claresvegancakery on Instagram and DM to order or email clareprosser@hotmail.com.
Price range: Varies.
Dietaries: Caters for vegans.
Read more: Best cake deliveries in Milton Keynes
French Affaire
Recommended by Jessica.
If you’re in the mood for a fancier brunch, French Affaire in Stony Stratford is the place to be! They offer several vegan savoury and sweet crepes that are absolutely delicious. The menu says the only savoury crepe is Falafel, but the first time I visited they were more than happy to make Le Chevre vegan for me. They’re both stuffed with so much flavour that I didn’t feel like I was missing out by eating vegan.
Make sure you save room for a sweet crepe – the Apple Tatin Flambee is a showstopper! The apples were soft and caramelly, and the Calvados came lit in a tiny saute pan which they poured on the crepe while setting it on the table for the flambee. And if the range of tasty vegan crepes isn’t enough, the restaurant itself is too cute to miss.
Website: french-affaire.co.uk
Location: 5 Odell’s Yard, High Street, Stony Stratford, MK11 1FA
Opening hours: Tuesdays and Wednesdays 11am – 4pm, Thursdays and Fridays 11am – 9:30pm, Saturday 10am – 1pm and Sunday 10am – 4pm.
Price range: Daytime menu dishes range from £4 – £11. Evening meal dishes range from £5.00 – £30.
Dietaries: French Affaire caters for vegan, dairy-free, and gluten-free options. Some of these are marked on the menu, but you may need to pre-order depending on your requirements.
The Green Elephant Café
Recommended by Sam and Sophie.
Tucked away on the ground floor of Acorn House you’d be forgiven for not knowing this little gem existed, but it’s my favourite spot to grab a vegan-friendly breakfast or coffee and cake. There’s a great selection of vegan sweet treats available and a range of plant-based milk for a coffee, speciality latte or even a milkshake. If you’re swinging by for lunch rather than a breakfast date, then you need to try their ‘Incredible Vegan Burger’ which really is deserving of the name! On warmer days when the sun’s out, you could even get your food to take away and enjoy in the Fred Roche gardens behind the building. Oh and make sure you sample the chocolate banana bread too! It’s 100% vegan and 100% delicious!
Website: www.thegreenelephant.cafe
Location: Acorn House, 381 Midsummer Blvd, Milton Keynes MK9 3HP
Opening hours: 8am – 3pm on weekdays, 9am – 3pm on weekends
Price range: Coffees and cakes all under £5. Main meals are all under £10.
Dietaries: The Green Elephant Café caters for vegan, vegetarian, gluten free. The menu is clearly marked. For specific requirements please contact them directly.
Made in Sud
Recommended by Sam.
Street food in the form of authentic Neapolitan pizza? Count me in! Made in Sud cook the freshest of pizzas at super cheap prices. You can opt for the ‘Vegana’ pizza with mixed vegetables and vegan mozzarella or keep it simple with the ‘Marinara Mia’; a tomato base topped with oregano, garlic, olive oil and fresh basil – skip the cheese! The pizza comes out with a deliciously light base which is the perfect mix of chewy and crisp. Takeaway is available from their stand in the ‘new bit’ of the shopping centre – intu, located opposite Zara.
Website: madeinsud.co.uk
Location: Midsummer Place, Milton Keynes MK9 3GB
Opening hours: From 11am – 6pm Monday – Thursday, 11am – 7pm Fridays and 11am – 5pm on Saturday and Sunday. Also available to order via UberEats.
Price range: All pizzas are under £10 and start at £4.50 for a margarita.
Dietaries: Made in Sud caters for vegan and vegetarian.
The Nutmeg Kitchen
Recommended by Sophie.
The Nutmeg Kitchen is a fantastic Indian food vendor based in Woburn Sands. Nearly every dish is vegan and it is absolutely delicious! You’ll find very traditional Indian dishes as well as more familiar sides like samosas. Pictured below is an incredibly tasty potato curry and cauliflower pakoras.
You can find The Nutmeg Kitchen at Woburn Sands Community Market every second Saturday of the month, or follow The Nutmeg Kitchen on Facebook to keep an eye out for when their next takeaway night is.
Opening hours: Refer to social media for updates.
Location: Woburn Sands.
Price range: Meals under £10.
Dietaries: 100% vegetarian and vegan options available.
Olé Tapas Bar
Recommended by Jessica and Sophie.
Olé Tapas Bar continues to win local food awards, and it’s not hard to see why. A Spanish tapas restaurant, they offer delicious small plates and paellas for every dietary requirement. We first tried Olé Tapas earlier this year, as a takeaway for my husband’s lockdown birthday, and I was so impressed with how helpful they were in catering to my dairy-free needs.
So when a vegan friend I hadn’t seen in a year came to visit after lockdown lifted this fall, I knew I had to take her to Olé Tapas for a meal! Between me, her, and my husband, we ordered 7-8 tapas and hardly made a dent in the vegan offerings. Their vegan aioli and tumaca with bread is a perfect starter, their olives are the best I’ve ever had, and their patatas bravas are exactly what you want as a tapa. But if you’re looking for something really special, you have to try the beregena frita (fried aubergine wedges with agave). The batter was crispy and fluffy, and the aubergine almost melted in the mouth. Dipped in the agave syrup it was almost like eating sweetly savoury doughnut bites.
Website: oletapasbar.co.uk
Location: Number 60 The Triangle, Wolverton Park Road, Wolverton Park, Milton Keynes, MK12 5FJ
Opening hours: Tuesday – Friday 12pm – 2:30pm and 5:30pm – 10pm, Saturday 12pm – 10pm and Sundays 12pm – 4:30pm.
Price range: Tapas dishes range from £2 – £12. Sharing platters are £16.50 – £18.50 and paella from £13.50 per person. Prices vary depending on specials available.
Dietaries: Olé Tapas Bar can cater for most requirements including vegetarian, vegan and gluten free. For specific allergies, please contact Olé directly.
Read more: Lunch at Olé Tapas Bar, Wolverton
Out of Office Coffee
Recommended by Jessica.
One of Milton Keynes’s fastest-growing independent chains, Out of Office is a local favourite for a reason. They make some of the best coffee in the city and cater to a wide range of dietary requirements to make everyone feel welcome in the cafes.
Their newest location at Witan Studios (where Fourth & Fifth used to be) offers a full all-day breakfast/lunch menu with loads of vegan options. I tried their berries & yoghurt American pancakes and a coffee banana shake, both of which were delicious and perfect on a hot, sunny morning. My friend had the tofu scramble, which looked really tasty and got her stamp of approval so I can’t wait to go back and try that next!
Website: www.outofofficecoffee.co.uk
Location: Witan Studios, CMK | Newport Pagnell | Olney | Stony Stratford
Opening hours: 8am – 3pm daily.
Price range: Nearly everything is under £10.
Dietaries: Out of Office caters for vegetarian and vegan which are clearly marked on the menu. For other requirements please contact them directly.
Saf’s Kitchen
Recommended by Sophie.
Saf’s Kitchen is an award-winning Punjabi street food vendor and caterer. She always make sure to create a great vegan option for the menu that is as delicious as the meat option. Indian is a cuisine that I think anyone can enjoy without meat, because the flavours are just so punchy. From vegan curries to burgers, there will always be something plant-based on Saf’s menu. Plus, the pakoras are always vegan and one of my favourite things on the menu!
Location: You will find Saf’s Kitchen at many events including Eat Street.
Dietaries: Saf caters for vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free. Halal.
Follow Saf’s Kitchen
TastyMK
Recommended by Amanda.
We first tried TastyMK back in March when we were in the middle of moving house. It was one of those evenings when you’re running on 10% energy and need a quick, convenient and satisfying takeaway meal. We were not disappointed! Again, like The Chester Arms, the great thing about TastyMK is that there is a real variety of vegan options to choose from, not just one token option. On that occasion we tried the “tofish and chips”, which was certainly tasty and satisfying. I remember the chips being particularly good.
Tofish is made from tofu filets, which are wrapped with nori (edible seaweed) to give it a “sea-like” flavour, and then covered and fried in a batter. It’s really tasty and chunky in texture, but I’d consider it more of a “nod” towards fish and chips rather than a direct replacement – whereas lots of vegan foods these days taste just like the real thing. So, if you don’t fancy fish, it’s something else to try out.
The other month we placed an order for delivery from TastyMK and we tried a few new things. From the vegan menu we ordered the squid rings, prawns, lamb kebab and chips. Everything was super tasty! How they mimic the texture and taste of prawns and squid is pretty impressive. It was a real feast and I’ll happily order that again sometime soon. It’s also worth noting that TastyMK recently won “Best Independent Takeaway” at the Milton Keynes Food Awards!
Website: www.tastytakeawayanddelivery.co.uk
Location: 11a Bodmin Pl, Broughton, Gate, Milton Keynes MK10 7DP
Opening hours: Monday – Wednesday 4pm – 11pm, Thursday – Sunday 12pm – 9pm.
Price range: Options £1.50 – £11.50. Most items on the menu are under £10.
Dietaries: Tasty MK caters for vegan, vegetarian, dairy-free and gluten-free. The menu is clearly marked with items that are suitable for vegans, contain nuts, are gluten-free, dairy-free or can be prepared to accommodate these dietaries on request. Rachel from The Sightseeing Coeliac recommends double-checking with the manager what items are coeliac safe and ensuring the person taking your order understands your requirements.
Veggie World
Recommended by Sam.
Veggie World is an entirely vegan Chinese takeaway full of amazing food that even your meat-eating family or friends will enjoy. With a huge selection of appetizers, soups, chef specials and main dishes this is definitely one you’ll be returning to so you can try everything on the menu! You can choose your preferred filling on a number of classic takeaway dishes so whether you’re after tofu, mushroom, mixed vegetable or an alternative ‘meat’ option there’s something for everyone. My ‘must-order’ dish is their Singapore noodles – a huge portion of various fake meats nestled amongst delicious tasting noodles. Veggie World is based in Bletchley and operates a cash-only takeaway service; I’d recommend pre-ordering for your preferred collection slot as it’s very popular!
Website: www.veggie-world.com
Location: 150 – 154 Queensway, Bletchley, Milton Keynes MK2 2RS
Opening hours: Thursday – Saturday, 4:30pm – 9:30pm.
Price range: From £3.50.
Dietaries: Veggie World is 100% vegan.
Walnut Tree Fish & Chips
Recommended by Jessica.
MK has several very good chippies around if you know where to look, and fish and chips isn’t something I have to worry about dairy-free-wise. But I wouldn’t be a good food blogger if I didn’t use this piece as an opportunity to try out a chippy whose vegan offerings I’d heard so much about, would I?
The acclaim is well-earned. We transported our takeaway from Walnut Tree to Newport Pagnell, and everything was still piping hot and crispy upon unwrapping. We shared the banana blossom, peppered celeriac bites, and medium chips. The portions were generous – the medium chips were huge and came with lots of little crispy bits too! I have had fried banana blossom several times now and while it isn’t my favorite dish, this one was definitely the best I’ve had. The real star though was the celeriac bites! They were delicious, crispy, juicy, and just a wee bit fishy. I will be back for more very soon, along with an onion blossom and maybe some cauliflower bites to try as well. Walnut Tree Fish & Chips have so many tasty vegan options you definitely won’t feel left out on the family chippy run.
Website: www.walnuttreefishandchips.co.uk
Location: 20 Fyfield Barrow, Walnut Tree, Milton Keynes MK7 7AN
Opening hours: Tuesday 5pm – 8:30pm, Wednesday and Thursday 12pm – 2pm and 5pm – 8:30pm, Friday and Saturday 12pm – 2pm and 5pm – 9pm.
Price range: Most items on the menu are under £10.
Dietaries: Walnut Tree Fish and Chips caters for vegan and gluten-free. Suitable items are clearly marked on the menu. Rachel from The Sightseeing Coeliac says it would be her takeaway of choice for anyone with multiple dietary requirements including GF, DF and Vegan.
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More places to find vegan food in Milton Keynes
As always, this MK food guide is not an exhaustive list of all the places that offer great vegan food – these are just ones that have been tried and tested! If you are hungry for more, here are some more speciality vegan food vendors or restaurants and takeaways that offer a vegan menu.
- Eat Your Heart Out is a family-run cafe and sandwich shop in Willen and does daily vegan specials. Read my review here.
- The Beans Bakery is based in Stony Stratford and is a 100% vegan bakery offering a range of custom sweet treats! Follow The Beans Bakery on Instagram.
- Pin Petch is a good Thai restaurant in Newport Pagnell and has an extensive vegan menu.
- Thai Home Cooking is a takeaway based in Broughton and offers a vegan option for the set menu. I have tried the meat option and it was brilliant. Thai Home Cooking offers delivery and collection on weekends. Order via Facebook Messenger.
- A Vegetative State is a vegan street food vendor serving only plant-based food featuring seitan and jackfruit as meat alternatives. Follow them on Instagram for updates.
- Nonna’s in Woburn Sands has a dedicated vegan menu.
- Sushi Club is a brilliant sushi delivery vendor and offers plant-based sushi platters. It is fresh and delicious!
- Namji is a restaurant in Wolverton and Xscape serving Punjabi cuisine with a vegan menu.
- MK11 has a full vegan burger and wings menu!
About the Contributors
A HUGE thank you to my contributors for sharing their best vegan eats in Milton Keynes! I want my MK food guides to become as inclusive as possible, so I’m thrilled to collaborate with local creators to make sure everyone can find somewhere awesome to eat in Milton Keynes.
If you try any of these places, make sure you tag me on Instagram, along with the other creators, and use my hashtag #EatandExploreMiltonKeynes.
About Amanda
Amanda is a local blogger who recently became vegan and looks to make sustainable choices in her daily life. By day, she’s a Content Designer. Amanda is going to be rebranding her blog in the new year – so if you’re interested in sustainability and slow living, stay tuned! Follow Amanda on Instagram: @amanda_alston
About Jessica
Jessica isn’t 100% vegan but went dairy-free a few years ago after her lactose intolerance worsened. Because of this, she often opts for the vegan option at restaurants instead of asking for substitutions. She writes the food and travel blog, Final Jesstination which showcases adventures and dairy-free eats from MK and beyond. Follow Jessica on Instagram: @finaljesstination
About Sam
Sam is a local blogger who loves food! Her blog, Sam Snacks, is a celebration of her love for great food, recipes, local places to eat and her journey to a more sustainable lifestyle. Sam shares vegan and vegetarian eats on her blog and Instagram. Follow Sam on Instagram: @samsnacksuk
About Josephine
Josephine is behind the foodie Instagram @gohfeedme where she showcases great places to eat in Milton Keynes, Bucks and beyond. She loves eating. out and finding the best foodie places for everyone! She isn’t vegan but often eats out with groups of friends who are so has contributed to. this guide.
Are you doing Veganuary? What places would you recommend for vegan eats in Milton Keynes?
You might also like these guides to eating out in Milton Keynes:
- Best Brunches in Milton Keynes
- Best independent coffee shops in Milton Keynes
- Best restaurants for date night in Milton Keynes
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This is a very good list.
But I can’t believe you left Vegan platest out of it 🙁
They have very tasty vegan junk food: https://www.veganplatesmk.co.uk/
Thanks Jan, unfortunately, it’s a franchise so I haven’t featured it. I only feature indies in MK!
https://poshburgersnpies.co.uk/
Posh Burgers n Pies has a RIDICULOUSLY LARGE range of options for veggies AND VEGANS!
They operate rather weird hours but the quality is totally worth it 🙂
They’re on my list to try!
Thanks for this list, I’m temporarily in MK and used your post to find a great vegan restaurant for my girlfriend’s birthday. Keep up the great work!
Hey Tom! Thanks for this – that is so great to hear! I’d love to know which one you went to?
I’d highly recommend the The African Vegan based in Queens Court, centremk, and local order / collect / deliveries, plus evenings hosted at the Old School House in Wolverton. Yaw Asiyama and his team create wonderful vegan meals.
Thanks, it’s on my list to try! They are currently closed until April 2022 I believe as they are maintaining the space 🙂