Vegan Stroud: Where you’re well-placed to go plant-based!

We’re not here to sell you the health benefits of plant-based eating. We’re here to tell you it’s yummy (whether you’re vegan or not)! And, if you want proof, then the town of Stroud is a bit of a vegan hub.
Eat, drink and (we’ve beer, cider, perry and wine options, too) be merry.

Restaurant: Karibu, 23 Nelson St, Stroud GL5 2HH

‘Karibu’ is a Swahili word for ‘welcome’, which pretty much sums up this vegan bar and restaurant. It started as a street-food stall touring UK festivals, fayres, and private parties. A growing cult-following meant that Sandeep Kanabar decided to put down roots – in Stroud (hip hip!). 

He draws on his Kenyan childhood for inspiration: the menu combines international plant-based cuisine (inspired by his travels across Asia and South American) with home-style food cooked from family recipes. Not only that, but the produce is fresh, seasonal, and as locally sourced as possible – as are the alcohol and treats. Just to add the cherry on the vegan cake, the restaurant used reclaimed materials for fixtures, recycles waste, and uses biodegradable packaging where possible. karibu23.co.uk

Stroud Farmers’ Market: Saturdays, 9am-2pm, at the Cornhill Market Square and surrounding streets.

The fame of this gold-standard market has spread far and wide: so much so that it’s led to Stroud being compared to Covent Garden (Jasper Conran); Notting Hill with wellies (Evening Standard), and ‘the artistic equivalent of bookish Hay-on-Wye’ (Daily Telegraph) More than 50 stalls host 90 different producers selling local goodies and produce. (Please note that, although stalls are there on a regular basis, not all appear every week.) Lots are vegan-friendly; some are totally vegan, as below.

Funky Falafel

Yep – exactly what it says on the tin. This is fab vegan street food in the form of falafels (lots of choice, including seasonal; but, if you like spice, we highly recommend the chilli and turmeric), hummus pots, falafel wraps and salads.

Dal Inn

This stall serves delicious plant-based samosas, samosa chaat and other Indian snacks, chai tea, dal, rice and wraps that use traditional Indian spices and flavours and a whole batch of top-quality ingredients. Inspiration comes from a Gujurati heritage, where healthy vegetarian cooking and knock-out flavours define the dishes.

Jack Bakes

The good news is that Jack’s utterly delicious cakes and savouries are vegan (well, of course they are); but they’re gluten-free, too. They’re perfect for a treat, as well as for a ‘cheat tea’ (if you can get away with claiming you made them; we couldn’t!). And, if you want a fave recommendation, then it’s probably the stuffed potato cakes... Or maybe the leek and broccoli tart…!

Coco Caravan

We defy you to find anything better than Coco Caravan’s bean-to-bar vegan chocolate using unique cacao varieties from ethical sources – plus unrefined coconut blossom sugar and nectar. We cannot top their own description: pure chocolate joy. They sell at Stroud Farmer’s Market. You can also buy from their chocolate house – their hot chocolate is a must – in Bedford Street, Stroud: GL5 1AY; well-behaved dogs welcome; or find the full range on the website at cococaravan.co.uk

The Fresh Standard Brew Co

This small brewery thinks big. The philosophy is: Keep things simple. As a result, they only use four ingredients in all the beer: water, malt, hops and yeast. By happy happenstance, that also means all beers are suitable for vegans. You can find their Tap Room (open Friday, Saturday and Sunday;) at Unit 25, Merretts Mill Industrial Estate, Nailsworth GL5 5EX;  thefreshstandard.co.uk

Day’s Cottage Apple Juice

The amazing Day’s Cottage produces its apple juice, cider and perry from traditional orchards: in other words, they not only make fine and healthy drinks, but they also protect the Cotswolds’ heritage and diversity; just wonderful. If you give them a call (01452 813602), you can even arrange to see the magnificent fruit trees at Brookthorpe: GL4 0UT; dayscottage.co.uk

Woodchester Valley Vineyard

This multi-award-winning family-owned boutique vineyard and winery is a jewel in the Cotswold crown. Its white, rosé and sparkling wines (produced on 58 South Cotswold acres) are internationally renowned, and they’re vegan-friendly. You’ll find them once a month at the farmers’ market; you can also pre-book a visit to their Woodchester vineyard; or drop in at their Cellar Door Shop on the Bath Road, Woodchester GL5 5EY. woodchestervalleyvineyard.co.uk

Lots of other stalls provide vegan-friendly goods: and there are some fantastic fruit-and-veg growers there, too. Check out fresh-n-local.co.uk/trader/stroud

Shambles Market, Stroud: Fridays and Saturdays, 8am-3pm, at the top of the High Street, by St Laurence Church 

Vegan Vacanza

Lisa is a whizz at no-bake sweet treats, such as her casheese cakes and fudges. Plus she sells plant-based hot burritos and boxes, and savoury crepes: all gluten- and sugar-free. If you’d like a whole cake for a party, then she’s your port of call. Find her in the Shambles on a Saturday.

shamblesmarketstroud.co.uk

Stroud Vegan Christmas Market: Cornhill Market Square

Cornhill Market Square: If your Cotswold stay happens to coincide with the last Sunday in December, you’re in luck. This dedicated market should fulfil pretty much your every plant-based need.

 

And, ah-hem…We know we said Stroud – and we meant it. But we can’t exclude a little gem just four miles or so down the A46 at Nailsworth.

Baked by Beth café and shop:

Now here’s the dream: plant-powered treats that are full of naturally good ingredients and taste amazing – all wrapped up in a lovely café. Sip a coffee and pick up some great gifts while you’re there. Bespoke cakes are available: ask Beth at the café: 5a Fountain St, Nailsworth GL6 0BL; or visit her online store: bakedbybeth.co.uk