Trying Veganuary this year? Or is ‘Meatless Monday’ your New Year’s resolution? Newbury has you covered.
Last year, over 400,000 of us turned our noses up at halloumi fries (in all their bubbly-battered glory), said no thank you to a bacon butty and yes please to a ‘fakey-bacon’ – facon- BLT (with the added bonus of not feeling guilty when ‘Babe’ crops up on channel 5).
Whether you’re a carnivore, vegetarian, or flexitarian; many of us are choosing to cut down on our meat in-take for health reasons, to cut costs, and to help save our planet.
Veganuary launched for exactly that, and with growing participant figures year-on-year since its launch back in 2014, the campaign is evidently here to stay.
With this in mind, the food industry has experienced an increased opportunity to meet the dietary needs of those dipping their toes into vegan-waters. Most noticeably, the fast-food chain Greggs, launched their first ever vegan product- the vegan sausage roll. The introduction of further soya-stuffed pastries has only evidenced the demand for more vegan-friendly products.
There’s no question that restaurants and take-aways in Newbury have also picked-up on the need to accommodate for this growing market, and when better to do so than in Veganuary!?
Below we have collated a list of foodie-finds in Newbury town centre that are catering to your vegan needs this January (and beyond)…Thai Golden Horse
Offering one of the more extensive lists on their vegan menu, Thai Golden Horse caters to vegans as it does anybody else wishing to try their menu.
To experience a true taste of Thai, we’d begin with the mixed veg starter, as it offers a generous helping of everything from traditional Thai spring rolls, crispy tofu, corn fritters, vegetable tempura and vegetable satay. Next, is a toss between a Massaman (a peanutty curry from southern Thailand with potatoes and spices), Pad Kaprow (a Chilli and Basil Stir-Fry, commonly eaten across the streets of Thailand), or a Pad Thai (you can’t go wrong!) with added Tofu. If you’re still hungry, you’re spoiled for choice with five fully-vegan side dishes. See their menu for yourself!
Available for collection and delivery, Monday-Saturday 12:00 – 15:00 and 18:00 – 22:00.The Catherine Wheel
There is never, we repeat, NEVER an excuse to turn down a pie on a cold winter’s day.
With Veganuary slap-bang in the height of winter, budding vegans can rest assured. Thanks to the prince of pies (definitely the king of pies too, but prince of pies has a nice ring to it), you can still experience that same comfort-food feeling you expect with a deep-filled, meaty pie.
Choose between the Vegan Roast, stuffed with vegan ‘turkey’ and the classic cranberry, port and thyme, or -and we love the name of this one- The Mooless Moo, consisting of jackfruit ‘steak’, craft ale and a black pepper sauce.
Either pie can be served as, what the Catherine Wheel like to call, ‘The Vegan Mothership’. We’re talking vegan mash, crispy shallots, vegan cheese and gravy… the lot.
If you’re feeling particularly ravenous, we recommend a side of vegan smoky beans, too. Delicious.
Available to order from Deliveroo, under the name Pieminister, Wednesday – Saturday between 16:00 – 21:00 and Sunday – 13:00 – 19:00.Mr. Moo Juice
Mr. Moo Juice, perfect for shakes, smoothies or coffee- and that goes for vegan options, too!
Many of their existing shakes and smoothies can be tailored to suit vegan requirements. With over thirty delightful thirst-wrenching drinks on offer, it really is impossible to choose which one is best.
We think there’s a smoothie or milkshake that’s right for just about every occasion.
Need something protein-packed to refuel after your daily exercise? We pick the Natural Muscle Moo; Coconut milk, banana, honey, hemp powder, spirulina, flax oil, blueberries, and peanut butter.
Have a sweet-tooth craving that needs fulfilled? We’re talking creamy vegan ice-cream, chocolate, vanilla ice-cream, soya milk and soy ice-cream. Did we mention it comes with ice-cream?
Forgot breakfast? Try a Kick Start, made of fresh espresso, banana, almonds, honey, vegan yoghurt, and milk.
Kids doing your head in? Just do yourself a favour and order a Mr. Moo Juice.
Available to order on Deliveroo or Ubereats on Saturday 10:00 – 17:30 and Sunday, 11:00 – 17:00.Sushi Maki
Ah, Sushi Maki- the food of dreams! Albeit, not normally vegan dreams.
Traditionally made using raw fish (also known as sashimi, for the sushi-fans among us), Sushi Maki have almost re-written sushi rules with their variety of vegan sushi rolls and Japanese food on offer.
And if you’re going to go for it, go all out. Oh yes, you guessed right- a vegan platter!
The 16-piece platter gives you a real taste for Japan minus the sashmi (and 12-hour travel). Featuring hosomaki with a variety of vegan fillings, salted edame beans, dragon rolls, nigiri and, not to forgot the Yasai Roll, which will have you saying YAS for sure when you bite into its flavoursome concoction of mixed paprika, cucumber, tomato and sesame seeds.
No one said sharing was compulsory.
Available for collection or delivery with Deliveroo, everyday between 12:00 – 15:00 and 17:00 – 21:00.Pizza Express
Who knew plant-powered pizza was a thing- and a yummy thing at that!
Pizza Express are really throwing out all the stops to keep their vegan friends by introducing three new vegan pizzas this Veganuary, adding to their already impressive list of 14 vegan pizzas.
The new ‘Mezze’ flavour topping really is something special. How does smoked chilli, chargrilled aubergine, sundried tomato harissa, jalapeno and Roquito peppers, finished with rocket and topped off with thick and creamy humous, sound to you?
Or what about an older vegan classic, the Giardiniera, with Artichoke, mushrooms, red onion and black olives, with tomato, vegan mozzarella, garlic oil and parsley.
Must we go on? We’re getting hungry!
Available to order for collection or via Deliveroo everyday between 11:30 – 21:30.Pret A Manger
Pret A Manger make their views on vegan food pretty clear; vegan means variety!
Year-on-year their exclusive Veganuary menu comes back with an even stronger game, with plenty new vegan wraps and cookies to keep you going.
Furthermore, Pret knows better than most that breakfast should never be overlooked, and being vegan is no exception. Their vegan breakfast baguette is brimming with creamy smashed avocado, roasted mushrooms, roasted tomatoes and fresh basil leaves.
Don’t miss out on trying their Veganuary special, as they will be replacing their usual meat-filled meatball wrap with vegan meatballs, encouraging everyone to give it a go this year.
Available for delivery or collection everyday 08:00 – 16:00.7Bone Burger Co.
Dirty. Pretty. Vegans.
That’s how 7Bone Burger Co. refer to them (vegan burgers, by the way, not people- that would be rude).
Our favourite vegan burger is, quite simply, marvellous.
It’s called the ‘p no bj’ and while we don’t quite know exactly what that means, (we’ll leave that up to your imagination), we sure do like how it tastes.
Consisting of a vegan patty, miso peanut butter, crispy fried onion, facon lardons and chilli jam, we’re pretty sure this burger is bigger than my head. But, we didn’t care. I don’t care. We kept on with our burgers until there was no more facon left at the vegan farm.
On another note, we love their vegan options for dirty fries. In particular, Kung Fu Fries, which means sriracha mayo, gochujang, sesame seeds, crispy and spring onions. Again, we don’t know what half of it means, but it sure tastes good.
Available for click and collect or Deliveroo Monday – Thursday between 16:00 – 22:00 and Friday – Sunday between 12:00 – 22:00.
