Vegan
Raw
Western
Matthew Kenney gourmet raw food restaurant opened Jul 2017 serving raw meals and salads, cold pressed juice, smoothies, and raw desserts. Food is free from gluten and refined sugar. Reported closed, Dec 2018.
© OpenStreetMap contributors
-
94 Leonard St, East London, England, EC2A 4RH
-
Loading...
-
-
Last update on 09 Dec 2018 by kenvegan
Update business info -
Added by robz on 07 Jul 2017
-
-
22 Reviews
First Review by Bea_lc
OliverSykes
Points +72
Real gooooooood - Edit
Stayed right next to here at the hoxton and went for breakfast pretty much everyday, so tried pretty much everything on the menu and it was all on point.. smoked carrot cream cheese bagel probably me favourite.. all GF too big bonus! Not too expensive for Shoreditch n all
Read morePros: GF , Not too expensive , Very nice food
essence_cuisine
Thanks Oliver! Glad to hear you liked it and hopefully see you again soon next time you're in the area!
Read moreGuest
scarlet_frogfish
Points +48
Best Avocado-Toast and raw Pancakes in my life - Edit
I went to this tiny “Restaurant” for breakfast and loved it. The avocado toast looked like art and the raw pancakes with coconut cream were unbelievable 🙌
Read moreessence_cuisine
That's great to hear! Make sure you try our à la carte menu items next time you visit us
Read moreGuest
Rowse
Points +1019
Exceptional food - Edit
This is high end, conceptual, ludicrously instagrammable fare... but the food is very good. The courgette hummus is absolutely amazing. Not cheap but it’s worth it to experience something very different to your bog-standard veggie cafe or highly-processed vegan junk food stall.
Read morePros: Serious gourmet food
essence_cuisine
Thanks very much Rowse for the kind words - super happy to hear you enjoyed your experience at our restaurant. Hopefully you'll be back to try more soon!
Read moreGuest
JuliaGeorge
Points +28
The best - Edit
Hands down one of the best restaurants I’ve been to in general. Insane options, lovely staff, great atmosphere. The menu options are so creative and delicious I went here twice during my short visit.
Read moreessence_cuisine
Thanks Julia, this is wonderful to hear! Hopefully you're able to pop by next time you're in London again, for a 3rd visit + counting :)
Read moreGuest
MichèleVanessaLavoie
Points +18
Extremely satisfied - Edit
Yes it’s a bit pricey, but worth it! Everything from the appetizer to the deserts was so good! The food looks amazing too, real art with food.
Read moreThe service was excellent too!
Overall it was the best of vegan restaurants I tried so far in London!
Updated from previous review on 2018-07-12
Pros: Really tasty , Amazingly beautiful
Cons: A bit pricey
essence_cuisine
Thank you Michèle, this is exactly what we're hoping for visitors to experience: food art alongside great service! We hope you enjoyed the rest of your stay in London and get to visit us again next time you're in town!
Read moreGuest
yumchadong
Points +5035
Love it! - Edit
Been there already twice as it’s great for nice and healthy lunch! So basically tried everything from menu! It would be even greater if they had like a weekly or monthly specialties, as then there would be always something new to try out and reason to return more often. The raw phad thai is a must try! Some other dishes like the sushi could have a little more flavor (more spicy)! Nevertheless, awesome!
Read morePros: Awesome raw phad thai , Healthy! , Cheap
Cons: Small choice, weekly special dishes would be nice, Tables VERY uncomfortable , Not much of atmosphere for dinner
essence_cuisine
Thank you Laura! I am happy to share that we're indeed looking to do more specials that change on a frequent basis, so make sure to pop back soon again and/or keep an eye on our menu online!
Read moreGuest
mpairain
Points +18
Excellent - Edit
Really impressed by the quality. A must go.
Read moreessence_cuisine
Thanks very much & we hope to see you again very soon!
Read moreGuest
FlorenceA
Points +68
Real gourmet experience - Edit
Beautiful minimalist venue. Very good menu. Every dish we had was sensational especially the sushi. Ingredients are fresh and tasty. Portions are generous. The cheese platter is to be tried. A beautiful treat for foodies. Staff were very friendly.
Read morePros: Interesting and varied menu, Fresh and tasty ingredients, Portion size is just right
Cons: Slightly pricey
essence_cuisine
Thank you Florence - we hope you'll come by to try more dishes soon!
Read moreGuest
p.skillz
Points +328
Great food - Edit
I found this place by chance while working in London for a few days. I went for dinner one evening and the food was excellent. It's mostly raw vegan food, the three dishes I had for dinner were all superb. I had spicy carrot sushi to start, raw pad thai for main & a raw lime vegan cheescake for dessert. It was so good I went back for breakfast the next day and had the garbanzo scramble, which was also really good. The staff were friendly & it was a nice venue also. This will be first on my list of places to eat next time I'm in London.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2018-04-19
Pros: Great food, Friendly staff, Nice venue
Cons: Juice is quite expensive
essence_cuisine
Thanks for this kind and thorough review. We hope you're able to come by soon again to try more of our menu. Very best
Read moreGuest
unaipur@gmail.com
Points +40
must go! - Edit
all is good and looks delicious! great vegan raw food
Read morePros: food, presentation of the food, choice of vegan raw
Cons: the place is not very cosy for diner
essence_cuisine
Thank you! Hopefully see again very soon
Read moreGuest
NicP
Points +131
Best takeaway ever - Edit
Haven’t eaten in yet but had their carrot sushi and ALT sandwich from their Express menu. Very yummy. I will be back soon.
Read moreessence_cuisine
Thank you Nic - this headline of your review makes us VERY happy!
Read moreGuest
markianova
Points +32
PURE BEAUTY - Edit
Felt in love! No words needed , one of the best place I ve ever been 👌🏻
Read moreessence_cuisine
That's super great to hear, thank you Markia
Read moreGuest
VeganAnnaS
Points +2780
Great raw cheeseboard - Edit
Three different nut cheeses, raw crackers, pickles radishes, apple chutney - all tasty. Not the cheapest place to eat but inventive raw food.
Read more(Visited in August)
Pros: Inventive raw food
Cons: Pricey
essence_cuisine
Thanks Anna!
Read moreGuest
Vegfix
Points +6404
Wonderful food in a cafe environment - Edit
The food is absolutely amazing. We had the 3 course tasting menu, a little bit pricey, but well worth it once we tasted the dishes, the flavours were punchy and fresh. The wine was great! I will definitely go back, but probably for take out. Unfortunately I couldn't give it 5 stars as I found the seating very uncomfortable. The interior looks extremely clean, modern, and contemporary, but the tables are so small we didn't have enough room for our food, wine and water. The staff were cheerful and welcoming.
Read moreessence_cuisine
Thanks for the feedback!
Read moreGuest
rosie
Points +490
Beautiful looking and tasty food - Edit
Friendly staff and beautifully prepared food. It is a bit pricey (it is Shoreditch), my salad was beautiful and tasty, but not a huge amount of food for the cost. Raw lime cheesecake was really nice though.
Read morePros: Friendly staff , Beautiful food , Great cheesecake
Cons: Pricey , Small portions
essence_cuisine
Thanks for the feedback Rosie!
Read moreGuest
Marketa
Points +59
Great raw food - Edit
It was a coincidence, that I found the Essence Cuisine, because it wasn´t on my list. And I am so glad. I got a raw lasagne and chocolate brownie and both were so delicious. The staff was also nice and friendly.
Read morePros: Great healthy food, Nice staff
essence_cuisine
Thank you Marketa for the lovely review - happy to hear that you stumbled by and enjoyed your visit. We hope to see you again soon!
Read moreGuest
hairbypaco
Points +79
Delicious! - Edit
My wife and I are visiting London for the first time and had our list of vegan spots all picked out. Essence was not on this list, because they had not yet opened when we were planning.
Read moreLast night We decided to check out Happy Cow one more time for the area we are staying in and I am so glad we found this spot. It is absolutely delicious. The staff are incredibly friendly and helpful and it has a great atmosphere.
I got the avocado toast and loved it. We are from Southern California where they put avocado on everything and everywhere has a version of avocado toast. This is one of the best I've had. Light, but filling. I don't need a nap after eating this, but found it to be the perfect portion.
My wife got the coconut parfait and loved that as well. I stole a couple of bites and can confirm it was awesome.
I was also super excited that they have a vegan version of bulletproof coffee. Definitely feeling energized to start our day of exploring.
I cannot recommend this place enough. Just wish we had it back home.
Don't miss this spot whether you are lucky enough to live nearby or just visiting. It is a must do.
Pros: delicious, friendly, delicious
Cons: none at all
Guest
Sassyvegan
Points +1595
Incredible food - Edit
This may be the best gourmet raw food I've ever had. Incredible food, great service and not too expensive either. I will be back!
Read moreGuest
CharlieCoupland
Points +15
Incredible - Edit
A modern and trendy interior, friendly staff and AMAZING food. I had the avocado on toast breakfast option and a zesty green smoothie. It was artfully presented and delicious. Highly recommended.
Read moreGuest
ElliottGold
Points +34
wow wow wow wow - Edit
Raw Vegan Heaven -
Read moreJust had Pad Thai and Cheesecake ... amazing!!
Pros: vegan , amazing flavour , lovely front of house ... Hannah
Cons: N/A
Guest
Richard Ross
Points +936
Delicious food - Edit
I had the Green Curry and, for dessert, Lime Green Cheesecake. Both were delicious and well presented. The staff were welcoming and helpful and it is great to be in a completely vegan restaurant. The restaurant is long and narrow and seating is side by side, apart from one large table.
Read morePros: Good choice of vegan food, Imaginative, flavoursome, dishes, Friendly atmosphere
Guest
Bea_lc
Points +573
Delicious and classy healthy food - Edit
Essence Cuisine opened its doors last Friday. This is the first restaurant that internationally renowned raw chef Matthew Kenny is opening in London. I could not wait more than 2 days to try it!
Read moreThe food did not disappoint. I had a refreshing dragonfruit smoothie and their Heirloom tomato and macadamia ricotta cheese lasagna, so delicious!
I was also recommended the raw pancakes so I will need to return soon for that. This is for sure my favourite restaurant in East London.
Everything is raw, the breakfast menu is served all day, They have 3 açai bowl options, 4 mains options, house mylks and juices, delicious coffee, take away fridge and desserts!
Pros: healthy and delicious, great location, creative menu (short but diverse)
Cons: not the most comfortable seating system
Guest
For Members
Why was my review removed? Guidelines for writing a review View our privacy policyFor Business Owners
Claim this business
See inaccurate information? Submit an update here Link to this page from your site See an unfair review? View full terms & conditionsThis page has been viewed 5298 times.