Veganuary 2021 in Colchester: Lockdown Special

Trying out Veganuary this year? It’s a little different this time around, as we’re going to have to enjoy it in our own homes rather than visit restaurants due to the current Covid 19 National Lockdown  – but plenty of Colchester town centre’s finest eateries are delivering plant-based goodies to your door, so you can still try something new, whether you’re vegan curious or a seasoned herbivore.

Here are just a few of our favourites. We’ve included indication next to each one regarding which apps to use for delivery, but some of these businesses also take orders directly too, so do check before you order.

Image: Falafel Sun

• Give falafel a chance! Falafel Sun D/JE/UE to be precise. Or Syrian restaurant Falafel and More on Queen Street (Collection only). If you’re in Wivenhoe, you should try The Olive Branch (Order directly), which also serves delicious Syrian food.

• We’ve heard that the Nourish Co (Order directly) will be moving from their current premises on Crouch Street soon, so best get some of their delicious nourishing goodies delivered ASAP.

• Ready Steady Vegan (Order directly) will deliver frozen vegan ready meals to your home for you to pop in the oven on nights where you don’t feel like cooking.

Image: wagamama

• Big name alert: wagamama D/UE have become vegan heroes recently, and this January they have new dishes in their vegan edit along with old favourites.

• Sushi & Sake JE offer just that, including an exciting and extensive vegan range. Tokyo Sizzle D/UE/JE are another purveyor of vegan sushi, and other Japanese style dishes.

• Full House Chinese Restaurant JE have an excellent range of beancurd based dishes, and North Hill Noodle Bar D/JE have a fantastic reputation for fresh tasty food, and their menu includes a couple of vegan options. A special mention goes out to NoNo Duck D/JE who make tasty meat-free versions of Chinese favourites such as sweet & sour chicken balls & hoisin duck pancakes.

• If you’re in the mood for thai food, Naka Thai D/JE have a variety of plant based dishes, just be sure to ask for your dish to be made without fish sauce.

• Maurition Nutrition D/UE/JE will deliver hot and tasty plant based island style cuisine to your door including dahls, curries & wraps.

• Yak & Yeti D/JE has its own vegan section on the Nepalese inspired menu, and Spice of India D/JE have meat-free chicken tikka, say no more.

Image: Dough & Co

• Pizza! Dough & Co D/JE have a range of delicious stonebaked pizzas. There are also ALL of the usual big name pizza restaurants eg Zizzi & Ask for Italian style pizza, & Dominos, Pizza Hut & Papa John's for American Style.

• Three Wise Monkeys D have a pretty meat heavy menu but their vegan hot dogs, burgers & vegan loaded fries are excellent.

• Vegan chicken – sounds a little nonsensical but if you’re craving junk food, a chickenless burger might just hit the spot. Check out Epic Vegan Chick D, Bird Box D/UE/JE, Turtle Bay D/UE or even KFC will sort you out.

• Need something sweet? Heavenly Desserts D/UE/JE make excellent vegan shakes & sundaes.

Image: Norwegian Bakers

• Norwegian Bakers (Order directly) are a completely vegan bakery making delicious sweet and savoury buns, breads, cakes, cookies and also pizzas.

• Bolivian Pastries (Collection only) have a small shop in Wivenhoe selling vegan breads, cakes and South American inspired street food.

• Colchester is also home to branches of Subway & Greggs who are both becoming more vegan friendly as well as delivering locally.

Colchester is also home to plenty of places to get Vegan friendly groceries...

• An Ethical Life (Order directly) is a zero waste store in the Hythe, it stocks a range of store cupboard ingredients and cleaning products. 

• Natural Health Shop (Collection only) is a well established store in Colchester town centre selling fresh and dried food, cosmetics, cleaning products and natural remedies.

• Have you heard of The Colchester Food Co-op? (Membership required) It’s is a non-profit community run project, giving members access to affordable fair trade and environmentally conscious dried food products, cleaning products and veg bags from it’s base in Colchester Town Centre

• Don’t forget that Holland & Barratt stock a wide range of whole foods & supermarkets have really upped their game, so check out their plant based ranges in store or online.

Did we miss anything? We would love to hear your personal Veganuary recommendations! Let us know in the comments below.