Folkestone: A Vegetarian and Vegan Paradise Tucked Away in the U.K.
Fellow veggie beach lovers, I have found our paradise: Folkestone, England.
Take the train south from London, and in an hour, you can be indulging in vegan cheese cake at a pub quiz, or a full English breakfast with veggie sausage and halloumi instead of meat. Every restaurant has veggie options, and you’ll also find several vegetarian- and vegan-only restaurants, which is incredible considering this is a small town filled with people of ordinary means — we’re not Richie Rich’s, like up in the Big Smoke.
That’s right, I said ‘we.’ I randomly moved to Folkestone a few months ago, and this vegetarian splendor I’ve found myself in is too good not to share with you. Here are some of my favorite places.
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Little Place Next Door
The Little Place Next Door. I pretty much live here. Natalie owns this place, and the sandwich shop next door. While this place isn’t veg-exclusive, you can order a full English breakfast vegetarian- or vegan-style, and there are plenty of other good veg options. This place is the best. They close early, though. Last orders by 3:30 p.m.
Planet Earth Kitchen (PEK)
PEK. Vegan for the animals. Bring on the onion rings, quiche, and cakes!
The Hideaway
The Hideaway. I’ll be honest, when I read “vegan cheesecake” on the menu, I was not expecting much. But OMG. This is the most decadent desert to pass my lips in awhile. I’m still dreaming about it. They are only open for breakfast and lunch, unless they’re having a special event, like a pub quiz. Located on Bouverie Road West, which has several other good restaurants.
Luben’s
Luben’s Pizza. Great lunch special offered in hipster decor. Don’t come trying to do work, though, because they don’t have wifi. Vegan pizza options available.
Marleys
Marleys. A charming restaurant on the Old High Street and owned by the cutest couple in Kent. While I’m mostly vegan these days, I’m still a little obsessed with halloumi burgers. They make one of the best in Folkestone.
Beano’s (UPDATE: Beano’s closed and is now a cafe called ‘nook’
Beano’s. A veggie cafe with free wifi and a welcoming atmosphere. They are open for breakfast but close early around dinner.
The Harbour Inn
The Harbour Inn. A cozy pub under the same ownership as Luben’s, The Pullman, and a few other Folkestone establishments. Like most pubs in Folkestone, you’ll find a veggie option for Sunday roast.
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