Mildreds

Mildreds is the reliable all-rounder of London vegan dining: a landmark institution running from its original Soho site since 1988, with an entire menu that is now 100% vegan. It has the widest coverage of any pick here - restaurants in Soho, Covent Garden, King's Cross, Victoria, Camden and Dalston - and low booking friction, with online booking for parties under eight and walk-ins welcome. The menu is broad and globally inspired (a Korean fried chick'n burger, mushroom-and-ale pot pie, tan tan), with indicative mains from around £16.50 and a roughly £38-per-person spend for two courses. That versatility is exactly why it beats the fine-dining picks when the real need is a spontaneous, affordable, group- or family-friendly meal rather than a set-piece occasion. The trade-off is that it doesn't offer a special-occasion tasting menu or the deep single-cuisine authenticity of a specialist. Details and menus vary by branch, and prices are indicative.