As a carnivore, feeling like we’re 95% ham in the post-festive period is simply a given. Veins run with melted cheese and profuse meat sweats become a daily occurrence.
It need not continue like this. As January arrives, so do the resolutions to clean up our acts a bit following the holiday excesses. So ‘Veganuary’, as it has become known, could be just the ticket, or even perhaps the beginning of something more permanent.
Here are some of the best spots in the city to begin your vegan journey…
Banh Vi
Nestled in the corner of New Century’s food hall, Banh Vi is an oasis of clean, vibrant Vietnamese flavours, from restorative soups to rich coconut curries, and that’s without mentioning the namesake banh mi sandwich - a crisp baguette stuffed with absolute delights. And not a scrap of meat to be found.
https://www.instagram.com/banh.vi/
Bundobust
Bundobust’s peerless Gujarati street food menu is mostly vegan, and all vegetarian, so if you’re wavering on going the full Veganuary and thinking vegetarian might be enough (after all, cheese), then you’re all good. Either the Piccadilly branch or the Oxford Road brewery will provide you with some spectacular feasting.
Read more: The 15 best restaurants in Manchester
Wholesome Junkies
If it’s your first time trying Veganuary and you’re concerned about maintaining your levels of deep fried goodness, Wholesome Junkies is likely the best place in town for such matters. Once of the Arndale Market parish, it now resides under the arches of Victoria, with its vegan take on dogs, burgers and wings. What’s the vegan answer to the meat sweats?
https://www.wholesomejunkies.co.uk/
Biff’s
Nationwide vegan ‘comfort food’ peddlers Biff’s (yeah, we know what that means) deliver their stacked burgers, jackfruit wings and loaded fries across the city now, as well as having their gear stocked in spots like Brewdog, All Star Lanes and even Sainsburys.
The Vurger Co
If you’re missing the towering nature of Five Guys or Honest, then The Vurger Co, just on the edge of the Northern Quarter, could be the thing to see you through those Veganuary burger cravings. Along with vegan takes on pulled pork and fried chicken, they also do a host of solid sides, from faux mozzarella sticks to tater tots, not to mention a mean line in shakes.
Ice Shack
Withington’s vegan dessert spot Ice Shack is a Veganuary must-visit, frankly, and perhaps the only place of its kind in the north. It has everything from waffles, sundaes, cakes, cookies and homemade truffles to artisan sorbets and ice creams in a dazzling array of varieties. It also sells its vegan ice creams to restaurants across the city, from Greens to The Deaf Institute.
Purezza
Vegan pizza in the Neapolitan style is Purezza’s thing, so you needn’t be afraid of missing out on the odd pie over the Veganuary period either. This handsome place in the Northern Quarter also does a whole load of small plates too, from smoked vegan meatballs to a very decent burger.
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