• CLOSED: Food For Thought

  • (41)
    24

    Closed

  • White Vegetarian
Vegan-friendly
Organic
Take-out
British

Features a changing veggie menu of baked goods, soups, bread, and more. Crowded at lunchtimes. PER ITS FB LAST DAY IN JUN 2015.


Venue map for Food For Thought
© OpenStreetMap contributors

41 Reviews

First Review by sparkly_ruth

Naturally

Points +75

Vegetarian
22 Jun 2015

Long time vegetarian restaurant

The days when vegetarian isn't as hip, cool and people were not so aware of the tremendous health benefits of vegetarian food, these guys have been here making heart warming and reliable vegetarian food. It was a go to place for me, a vegetarian for more than 20 years, to relax and not have to explain what I don't eat. Their quiche, stew, and salads we such a stable. The place is small, and perhaps there are lots more vegetarian friendly places out there. But I gave me a home feeling, always going there at lunch time for a good meal.

They might have fewer choices each day, but their menu change pretty much daily. So I don't see that as a problem.

For those who don't like its basement, or small premises (don't forget, if it isn't so good, and vegetarian in higher demands, it won't be so packed!), I suggest you get take away (the counter is upstairs) for a speedy service. Go sit in nearly lincoln's Inn field, or around seven dials round about.

I would always go either very early or after the lunch rush hour has past. It will always be a place I have fond memories of.

Pros: Tasty Vegetarian dishes, Soup, Dessert

Cons: Limited seating areas, Could have more vegan choices, Close early

JesseWaugh

Points +415

Fruitarian
30 May 2015

Not that great

I used to like this place. It's still the same it's always been, but I don't really go here any more because it's so dairy heavy - scant vegan options - and the food is uninspired muck for the most part - that is undercooked and lacking in taste. They need to update their chefs. Very "naughties" bland bulky vegetarian if you catch my meaning.

Pros: location, established

Cons: bland, bulky muck, heavy on dairy - very few vegan options ever

Herbiv4

Points +1795

Vegan
08 May 2015

Lovely Spot

The reviews were correct when they say that this place is cozy. The line gets fairly long, too. I had the spinach and lentil masala - delicious! No need for salt and pepper because it was full of flavor! I got the lowdown from a local who's table I crashed...this place has been open, in the exact same location, since like the 70's. However, due to the changes in the neighborhood it has gotten too pricey for the establishment to stay. Unfortunately, they are supposed to be closing their doors permanently in June. Please don't miss your opportunity to eat some really good food and show your support for a place that has been opening minds for decades.

Pros: tasty food, friendly staff, easily located and not far from Covenant Garden me

Cons: very cozy, closing soon

thisplaceisheaven

Points +154

Vegan
30 Apr 2015

Pretty good

Small and cosy place (a little bit too cosy) offering healthy and tasty food. I had mushroom&spinach quiche with salads for £8,50 and the portion was huge.

The menu is not huge but versatile so it's enough.
The stuff was very friendly and helpful.

The only thing I didn't like was the interior, it's a bit small and can be overcrowded. Definitely more for a quick lunch than a long sitting meal.
Old fashioned toliet needs imporvements too.

Pros: amazing stuff, tasty & healthy food, big portions

Cons: small, crowded, ugly interior, old fashioned toilet

Flyingbroom

Points +18

Vegetarian
11 Feb 2015

Great restaurant

A bit too small, gets packed easily. But the food is well worth the waiting!

Pros: Food quality, Nice staff, Location

Cons: Often hard to get a table, Closes too early

missmanda

Points +119

Vegan
18 Dec 2014

Adorable Little Veggie Lunch Spot

Food for thought was a quiet and tiny basement cafe with a limited menu of warm and hearty vegetarian food. Be sure to make it there early as they tend to run out of options during lunch-time. I had a tasty tomato soup and a filling bowl of stir fried veggies with brown rice. Not as many vegan options as preferable but still a great place.

Pros: intimate and and quiet armosphere, delicious seasonal foods

Cons: limited menu, not a lot of vegan options

thetofutravellers

Points +4426

Vegan
22 Aug 2014

Lovely little place and very cheap meals!

Being perfectly located in Covent Garden, this is a lovely little place to have lunch. I was there slightly after peak time, so it wasn't as crowded as I had expected it to be after reading the reviews here on HappyCow.
Service was super friendly and my meal, a veggie stew, quite tasty albeit of the very homemade, simple style. And you can't beat the price - £5,50 for lunch in this location, and water for free!

Pros: Very cheap meals, Friendly service, Fantastic location

Cons: Meal could be more exciting, Very small

Elisabeth_Vienne

Points +123

Vegan
15 May 2014

Organic, indian-based yummy food

During my one week stay in London I've been there three times together with my mom because the food was just sooooo damn good!!! :) It's a very small eatery and does not look so nice but the staff is very friendly and they cook really good organic, nutritious, satiable indian-based food to fair prices! I would recommend this to all people who like indian kitchen with lots of vegetables, legumes etc. It was so delicious!

Pros: Very friendly staff, cheap prices, extremely good food

Cons: small eatery, little space

juliet_garland

Points +13

Non Veg
20 Apr 2014

I died and went to foodie heaven!

I went to Food for Thought on a holiday in London, and I LOVED LOVED LOVED the food!!!! One of the best dining experiences I have ever had!!! Although it is cramped, and a little hard to get a seat, this totally went out of my mind when I was eating my meal! Quick service too! I esoically loved the crumble dessert! I am DEFINATLY going again, and I am planning to get their cook book!

Pros: Great food, Fast service, Good vibe

Cons: Cramped and busy

anianadia

Points +52

Vegan
10 Apr 2014

it's ok but not amazing

This place is OK if you're in the area and there is nothing else but I wouldn't go there deliberately. It's very crowded, few vegan options, and if you are with your children it's hard bc so little space, if you have a push chair with you better go somewhere else bc you need to go down a narrow staircase to get to the counter where you order the food.

Cons: few vegan options, too crowded

wyrd

Points +3261

Vegan
06 Apr 2014

Nice 70s' touch

I went there last Sunday at lunchtime and it was full of people, but we managed to find a table after a few minutes. Got the hot dish + salad at 8.20 pounds, it was nice and spicy (with a lot of coriander as well).

The place is nice, even though for the main part it's a basement with no windows (there are only a couple of tables at the ground floor close to the kitchen). However, it's full of wood and colourful!

It was nice to find out that the place has been open for decades!
Updated from previous review on Saturday May 25, 2013

Pros: 70s' atmosphere, Fair prices

Cons: Crowded!

rosie

Points +482

Vegan
17 Mar 2014

old school veggie haunt

Food for thought has been here for decades. It's a great little spot - it is tiny though and seating is cramped, it's often quite a squeeze. Food is often currys, pasta bakes etc, filling, tasty but quite 1970s era veggie cooking. I had a spinach and chick pea curry last time I was there. They do a range of meal deals - main with salad, main with pudding etc, which offer good value. Do watch out, if you ask for just the main on its own, you often get just that (ie veggie curry, but no rice for instance). Pudding is generally fruit crumble, which is vegan, but they never do any vegan cream or custard. Why FFF? last time my curry was a bit on the tepid side and my crumble volcanically hot, so some vegan ice cream would have been nice.. but nice little spot if you're in town, you're small and you aren't carrying bags.

Pros: friendly, very central location , fairly reasonable considering where is

Cons: it's tiny , vegan crumble, but no vegan cream!

aner1kind17

Points +1165

Vegetarian
15 Jan 2014

My favorite restaurant in the entire world!

This is true, I have been happily eating at Happy Cow restaurants in about 32 countries now and I have yet to find a restaurant as delicious as Food for Thought. They change their menu every day, has a very local feel, everything tastes fresh and organic and the dessert is incredible. It's very busy and their hours are a bit hard to manage, but a must eat for any vegetarian in London!

Pros: Food, Local, Fresh

Cons: Busy, Cash only, Weird hours

Mojie101

Points +60

Vegan
13 Dec 2013

Good nutritious food

Absolutely love this place, have been going here for years and years.

The menu changes daily, with a special at night, and there is always a vegan option. They also have cakes, soups, salads, teas etc

You can choose to eat in the restaurant, or to get take away.

Can pretty much guarantee a good meal when I come here.

Pros: Great food, Friendly atmosphere, Good size portions

Cons: Small space, not many tables

gen6

Points +95

Vegan
19 Sep 2013

Delicious and filling!

This place is great after a day around Covent Garden or the West End served with a large plate full of fresh veggie dinner in a cosy basement. Very delicious!

henj

Points +37

Vegetarian
18 Sep 2013

very nice place

we ordered some buisness place I don't exactly rememeber the name of, but it included 3 salads and main hot dish. it was very good and the price was fair.

Pros: fast self service, good food, fair prices

etka

Points +73

Vegetarian
08 Sep 2013

Good food, wonderful service

We (a family of 5)ate at this lovely little restaurant on a late Sunday afternoon (they are open until 5:30 p.m. on Sunday but you should get there about an hour beforehand). The portions were generous, the prices reasonable. We enjoyed the vegetarian stew and both the quiche and the cheese scone were a big hit with the kids. The waiters or rather servers at the counter were very pleasant and patient in explaning what each dish contained (for our fussy kids). Since we came late there was no problem finding a place to sit. The restaurant is very conveniently located - a few minutes walk from the Covent Garden tube station. Definitely a good place to come back to.

Pros: excellent food, friendly staff, large portions

Miwa

Points +26

Vegetarian
13 Jul 2013

Full of plate.

Not too salted meal was good for my lunch and very healthy. Quiet place. I could eat slowly. I love it^^

Shauna333

Points +637

Vegan
28 Apr 2013

Yummy and convenient

I have worked quite near here before, and it's always a good option for lunch. Everything is vegetarian, with only a couple of vegan options. The stir fry veg is one of the vegan choices and is always on the menu. I must say, it is delicious- packed with vegetables and tofu and a flavoursome sauce. I also love the vegetarian quiche, which changes each day. They include a cheesy topping and some cress on top too. the pastry is delicious also. The salad selection is always different, and I love it when there are salads filled with dill, my favourite herb, which they clearly love too.

Dessert is a crumble or a scrunch - a fruity, biscuity cream which is delicious and both always contain seasonal fruits. Water is free and available on each table, just pick up a glass.

They do great bread and scones, which I always get as they're so delicious and change each day. You can get a takeout upstairs, which doesn't usually have a queue.

It is tiny, and you often have to queue up the stairs and try and find a seat. I've never not found a seat, but if you're in a group it may be tricky.

The staff can be friendly, but not always! Also, the toilets are right next to the tables under the stairs, which isn't great if people queue up outside them (only 1 ladies toilet). Also, there's not been any soap in the ladies toilets on a couple of occasions and staff have been too busy to assist.

All in all, it is one of the yummiest places to eat in Covent Garden, is in a great location and the food is reliably good. I think it is expensive for what it is, and cash only (good luck finding a cashpoint nearby!)

Pros: Good food

Cons: Tiny restaurant, Expensive, Staff not always happy to help

SunniD

Points +186

Vegan
02 Jan 2013

good food, always busy!!!

Great food, they make on the day (not off a menu, so you choose what's there each day). Its always busy, (often hard to get a seat!), but great in the heart of convent garden area.

Pros: tasty food

Cons: very busy, hard to get a seat!

imoimoimo

Points +66

Vegan
26 Oct 2012

awesome!!

Small and busy but fantastic food. Plenty of vegan options! The soup was honest warming and tasty and the salads were delish :D
Great atmosphere

chicintelligente

Points +95

Vegan
06 Aug 2012

Nice Little Restaurant

This is a nice little restaurant conveniently located near Covent Garden, which serves classic, no-fuss dishes that are healthy and taste great. There are a good number of vegan choices, and I liked everything that I ordered (soup, main, and dessert). The warm fruit cobbler for dessert was especially commendable. The portion sizes are also generous, and I find this to be a great place to go to in the winter, when one seeks hearty servings of comfort food.

It's also a good option when you are out and about shopping or visiting near Covent Garden, and want food which is served very quickly (all of the dishes are prepared in the morning and ready-to-eat when you get there).

One thing about this place though, is that is TINY and usually PACKED, so if you go, make sure to have an open mind about the possibility of sharing tables and sitting close to strangers!

Pros: Nice Food, Inexpensive , Good Location

Cons: Very Small Space

gin_and_tonic

Points +92

Vegetarian
27 Apr 2012

Compact and busy

This seems to be a popular lunchtime haunt for people in Covent Garden. The queue was out of the door when I first passed. There is a take away and an eat in section downstairs.

I had a polenta and mozzarella bean stew, with black olives, which was pretty good. I would have had more, (they do some awesome looking salads and cakes), but they only take cash.

Seating is limited; sharing a table adds to the atmosphere.

There are menus, and black boards, but if you've not got your glasses on they can be a bit hard to read.

Pros: Good food, Average London prices £5 is for a main, Popular

Cons: Limited seating, Menues could be clearer., Popular

watermeloun

Points +97

Vegetarian
07 Dec 2011

Cosy & crowded :)

Most of the time crowded but it's a good thing to wait!
Food is delicious and the athmosphere is very cosy. When you've found your sit, you don't want to leave anymore.

The good thing is that they don't waste food. If you're the lucky last customer, you'll have the privilege to have the last scone.
Isn't that amazing?

Pros: friendly, healthy cuisine, generous

Cons: small

bovinelover

Points +61

Vegetarian
30 May 2011

It's crowded because it's great..

We have been coming here for years and it has hardly changed.... including the signs on the loo doors.. and, generally, having the one vegan option in cakes... the scones... but it is friendly, reliable and reasonably cheap. A great, and traditional, place to meet friends.

Pros: Friendly

Cons: Closes early

sglcklch

Points +2815

Vegan
19 Mar 2010

Tasty and reasonably priced food

Decent vegetarian cafe in Covent Garden which makes a nice place to rejuvenate yourself after or in between all that shopping. Food portions were OK, not particularly small or big. Prices were reasonable for central London. Some tables were too close and it might feel a little cramped. Will definitely go back when I visit London again.

Pros: good value

Cons: bit cramped

veganlondon

Points +389

Vegan
16 Jan 2010

One of the oldest vegetarian restaurants in London

Went there one evening last week before going to theatre.
The place hasn't changed much in 30+ years, still busy and the food is really nice and inexpensive.
Vegan items clearly marked on the menu.
Vegan choice of main course was limited the day I went.The stir fry - and they always have stir fry on the menu - tasted really nice.They'd ran out of the other vegan main course.
For dessert I had a vegan strawberry scone (I don't know any other place in London that does vegan scones).
The other optioin for vegan dessert was fruit crumble with vegan custard.

Pros: vegan items listed, tasty food, popular

Cons: small, limited choice




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