Unity Diner

A vegan eatery using the power of plants to improve animal welfare.

4,6

1948 reviews

Closed

Sunday: Closed
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 12:00 PM; -; 10:00 PM
Wednesday: 12:00 PM; -; 10:00 PM
Thursday: 12:00 PM; -; 10:00 PM
Friday: 12:00 PM; -; 11:00 PM
Saturday: 12:00 PM; -; 11:00 PM

Visit

Unity Diner

Go to

Previous Next

A strong mission

Unity Diner was set up in September 2018 when a group of friends including vegan activist and educator Ed Winters – otherwise known as Earthling Ed – had the idea to build a vegan restaurant that could change public perceptions of meat-free food. At the same time, they wanted to use their platform to bring about positive change for animals and, ultimately, the planet. This saw the group establish Unity Diner as a not-for-profit organisation, with the money made going to support animal rights campaigners such as Surge. This plan helped to create the Surge Sanctuary – a safe haven for abused and unwanted animals.

From small beginnings

The first Unity Diner restaurant was opened in Hoxton, London. A modest establishment, it nonetheless allowed Ed and his team to build their brand and craft a winning menu of delectable plant-based fare. Then, in 2019, they got a huge boost as a new venue became available in Old Spitalfields. The location was not only a former rib restaurant, making it the perfect place to start a vegan eatery, it was also massive, allowing Unity to significantly increase its following and cater to many more customers. As a result, they can now claim to be the largest vegan diner and cocktail bar in London.

Sustainability

The ethical ethos of the team at Unity Diner runs through the whole operation, with sustainability a key aspect of everything they do. All of their straws and containers are made from biodegradable materials, and even their uniforms are made with vegan-friendly ink. They have also managed to find a use for their food waste as it goes to feeding rescued animals.

Ethical food with award-winning credentials

Unity Diner is Vegan Founded certified, meaning that it is a 100% vegan organisation. This is clear from their menu, which is stacked with plant-based comfort food such as succulent burgers and loaded fries alongside delicious desserts like eton mess and black forest cake. They often put on generous promotions like free kids meals during the summer and a free second meal for non-vegans who come with their vegan friends during veganuary – an inventive way to introduce people to plant-based food.

3D steak

One of the most remarkable offerings at Unity Diner is Redefine Meat. This revolutionary 3D printed meat can only be sampled at a select number of London restaurants and is said to have a texture and taste very close to that of real meat. It even has a whopping 39 grams of protein in just a 5 ounce portion.

A full-service cocktail bar

After moving to their larger location in Old Spitalfields, the team at Unity Diner decided to create a full-service bar from which to serve their signature cocktails and mocktails. All are made with vegan ingredients and include imaginatively named options such as the vegan propaganda and piers morgan’s tears. Alongside this, they have a selection of classic cocktails, craft beers and wines, so there’s something to suit every taste.

A welcoming atmosphere

Unity Diner has been designed to be as warm and welcoming as possible, from the friendly, attentive staff to the relaxed atmosphere. It is dog-friendly as well, with vegan dog treats available for customers’ furry friends to enjoy. This attitude makes the restaurant an alluring place for people of all backgrounds, and their compassionate mission means that vegans and non-vegans alike can contribute towards a better world for animals.

Category Restaurants
City London
Cuisine Fast food
Type Lunch / Dinner
Price range $$
Location

Reviews 1.948

4,6

Laura Amy

Tue, 12 Mar 2024 16:58

Everything about our experience was brilliant from the moment we walked in the door. Staff were friendly and attentive throughout, our burgers were delicious (I had the gluten-free bun) and the loaded cheesy fries were honestly the DREAMIEST! I've been longing for more of them ever since we left ..! Kudos to the incredible chefs. We had the 'I love Ewe' cocktail and the 'Piers Morgan's tears' cocktail (a must!). Both were great! They even brought out a birthday brownie for my friend's 40th birthday weekend... such a lovely touch! On top of everything the vibe of the restaurant is effortlessly cool and just a lovely place to be. Anyone will love it here... vegan or not! Special thanks to all the hard-working staff there! Also thanks to the legend that is Ed Winters.
Linda Sun

Sat, 9 Mar 2024 19:45

I had lovely dinner here. As a vegan who watched earthling ed’s videos in the beginning to educate myself about animal rights (and still do), I felt kind of emotional being here. It’s like coming home! The menu was extensive. So many options to choose from. Started off with a rose kombucha. I got the garlic greens which had a nice charred taste. Gotta have the iconic tofish and chip. The tofish was unreal; haven’t had something like this since going vegan. Although I was stuffed, had to try a dessert so I got the brownie with coconut ice cream. The brownie was nice and warm, and the ice cream was superb. All the staff were really nice (except for one, sorry 🙁). The decor was hip and modern. It’s nice knowing that the profits support the animal sanctuary ❤️ Will need to come back when I come to London again!
Mariana Pereira

Sun, 4 Feb 2024 22:25

We made a reservation in advance to make sure it would be possible to visit this restaurant. It was a must for us, and we planned to include this in our trip, specially after reading the amazing reviews. By curiosity, we asked for a 3D steak with mushroom sauce and it was an amazing experience! The texture is good and the taste also good, but not too complex as I expected. We also tried the Fish 'n Chips and it was my favorite one. The service was a little bit slow, but the house was full. The passion fruit lemonade was amazing! I recommend it, totally worth a try! 🌱
Giles CG

Wed, 13 Dec 2023 12:08

Absolutely delicious and we're still stuffed now! We shared the tofish bites and then a plate of the dirty loaded fries. It was so, so good and at a reasonable price for such a good portion. The service was great and the staff shared their recommendations. It was a top meal and we'd definitely come back!
David George Williams

Sat, 9 Mar 2024 17:01

A Feast for the Senses and the Soul at Unity Diner In the heart of London's bustling streets lies a vegan haven that transcends the culinary norm—Unity Diner. My visits to this enchanting place are always marked by a symphony of flavors that dance delightfully on the palate. It's not just food; it's a narrative of the compassionate ethos of veganism, artfully woven into every dish. Each dish, from the chimichurri-kissed new potatoes to the zesty gochujang wings, is a testament to the diner's commitment to taste and sustainability. The pan-seared 'cod' fillet, with its perfect texture, pays homage to the sea's bounty without ever disturbing its peace. The 5oz 'flank steak' is another masterpiece—succulent and satisfyingly hearty, paired beautifully with golden, crisp-edged potatoes. Desserts here aren't just sweet endings but epic finales; the salted caramel brownie and the coconut & vanilla panna cotta are creations of sheer indulgence that leave you in a state of blissful nirvana. The creativity extends beyond the menu, with the walls adorned in vibrant artwork and the atmosphere alive with the spirit of unity and compassion. A heartfelt shoutout to Paco and the staff, whose warmth and attentiveness add layers of joy to the experience. Their care makes each visit feel like a joyous leap over the lunar surface, leaving one floating in culinary euphoria. And for a dash of humor, the Piers Morgan's tears shot glass, while filled with jest, adds a spark of cheeky British wit to the ambiance. To Unity Diner, I raise my glass (of sparkling water) to your excellence—see you soon for another chapter of this delightful gastronomic journey!