The Gate St John's Wood

The owners of this small vegetarian chain have served plant-based, vegetarian cuisine to hungry Londoners for almost 30 years. The Gate's menu offers veggie takes on global dishes ranging from Mexican tortillas via truffled mushroom risotto to Thai green curry. Intense flavours abound: citrusy ponzu offsets the richness of the miso-glazed aubergine, while smoky paprika sauce (spooned straight from the pan) adds some zest to shakshuka. The dining rooms blend sharp, minimalist design with lots of light and a bustling, open feel, service is “excellent” throughout, and the wine list includes a host of competitively priced biodynamic and organic bottles. Even hardened carnivores are impressed by The Gate’s all-round appeal: it offers “vegetarian food that will please the most discerning meat lovers”, says one fan.