Planning a trip to the city that is proudly know as the home of the tank? You'll need some tasty food to fuel your body so you can explorer everything Lincoln has to offer. If you're looking for vegetarian or vegan restaurants in Lincoln, here are the best places to find vegan food in Lincoln...
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Lincoln is best known for its Cathedral, castle and steep hill and is also known as the home of the tank.
But what does this city offer vegans? Katy Schofield gives us her insider knowledge…
1. The Angel Coffee House
Angel Coffee House is a quaint coffee shop situated within Old Vestry Hall, with a luscious mini garden in the front. They have a small menu, but what they do offer packs a punch, with plenty of vegan options both sweet and savoury.
Everything is freshly prepared each morning and they use local bakeries, which is wonderful to see; small supporting small, locally.
The menu is ever-evolving, based on what local bakeries can bring in, but they offer breakfast and lunch bagels, cakes, cookies, biscuits and sandwiches, to name a few.
They also have a wide coffee range, both hot and cold (one may or may not have lashings of Biscoff in).
The service is always friendly and the setting is incredible, a wonderful mix of old and new.
Open: Mon-Sun – check times; facebook.com/theangelcoffeehouse
2. Carholme Chippy
Carholme is a popular hotspot for fish and chips. This is not the best vegan fish and chips I’ve ever had, but the variety for vegans is by far the best.
Owner Nick Avraam is always pushing the boundaries to ensure an equal balance of meat to vegan offerings.
They make the vegan products fresh to order, so be prepared to either order ahead of time or wait – warning, there is no seating, and parking is difficult around the area.
They store and cook the vegan products completely separately and keep everything separate. If you do order meat or vegetarian options, they bag them separately as well.
This is a fantastic attention to detail – as we all know sometimes establishments don’t think about the small details.
I recommend the battered sausage or battered tofu for sure with chips – if you’re feeling naughty, you could also decide to add some vegan fried dessert.
This isn’t the smartest looking establishment, but don’t be put off by the appearance as they are super friendly and authentic, offering an amazing range of vegan products, which can only be welcomed.
I have personally found the sausage and tofu the best out of the options, but please feel free to try different options and give feedback, they are always happy to know how they could do better.
Open: Mon-Sun – check times; facebook.com/CarholmeChippy
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3. Café Shanti
Café Shanti has been based in Lincoln since 2016 and in 2019 decided to go fully vegan, from where it has grown from strength to strength and become a popular hotspot for vegan/vegetarians in and around Lincoln.
Most of the team are also vegan, so are well placed to help you order. The café is small, but that only adds to its charm and tranquillity, it’s honestly somewhere you go to relax and feel positive, with great food and friendly service. A must visit in the city.
I recommend the banana curry or nachos, but the vish (fish) sandwich is also lovely.
The banana curry is to die for and the portion size to price ratio is outstanding. They give you plenty of rice and bread, but if I’m honest you’ll still lick the plate! Luckily there is limited seating and you will be amongst fellow vegans/vegetarians, so the shame is not felt.
The nachos are equally delectable and wholesome in portion. The staff are extremely friendly and helpful when ordering and are always happy to accommodate any allergies or mix of menu you wish.
Seating is limited, so do book a table or get there nice and early. The Nepalese theme is lovely and there’s the chance to buy Nepalese jewellery and bric-a-brac to support communities over there.
Open: Wed-Sat – check times; facebook.com/cafeshantilincoln
4. The Birdcage
The Birdcage is owned by Chris and Rachael Brooke, who bought The Crown Inn in 2015 and started renovating, opening in May 2016 as The Birdcage, which they have been known as ever since.
They continue to innovate with drinks and food, much to the delight of all those that know this is the place to eat and drink in pure bliss, and there’s excellent banter from the staff.
I recommend the seitan shwarma and the Korean seitan starter. They are huge portions, but don’t worry, you won’t want to share.
These are everything you didn’t know you needed. They also come with a good salad.
Open: Mon-Sun – check times; thebirdcagelincoln.co.uk
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5. Kine
Kine is owned by Jason Lord-Castle, a former documentary film-maker who decided to start his own burger joint in the city centre, where it has gone from strength to strength, even offering take-out during lockdowns to huge success.
He has built an incredible team who are fun, friendly, and innovative. I recommend the vegan fried chicken with fried beans and rosemary chips, which is the best combination – and I have tried a few.
The burgers are lovely, especially as they are always mixing up flavours. The atmosphere is cool and calm – very London hipster, but without trying too hard. A must if in Lincoln.
Open: Thurs-Sun – check times; www.wearekine.co.uk
Top six places to visit in Lincoln
Castle
The castle was built by William the Conqueror in 1068 and is host to an original copy of the Magna Carta, an old Victorian prison, a beautiful wall walk and Lincoln Crown Court.
The Wall Walk costs £10 for adults and £5.50 for a child, but check the website for news: lincolncastle.com.
Steep Hill
This steep cobbled street offers a 16.12º gradient glute workout. Brace your legs and lungs and keep your head up to capture the architecture and history around you.
Up or down, it’s just as difficult. At either end are pubs, cafés, restaurants and shops to make the achievement worth it.
Lincoln Cathedral
The Cathedral takes centre stage, sitting atop the steep hill and lit up at night. Construction began in 1072 and in 1311 the 160m tall spire was built – the tallest building in the world for the next 238 years!
Open daily for private prayer: Monday to Saturday 10am-3pm, Sunday 11.30am-3pm.
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Hartsholme
An incredible country park with lovely woodland, lake views and nature walks all in one. On your visit, you’ll find plenty of picnic spots, dog walking, wildlife spotting, children’s playground and benches.
It also has a café, free car park and toilets, so you can while away the hours in tranquillity.
Museum of Lincolnshire Life
This is quite a find that takes you through the history of Lincoln through the ages. It houses nearly 250,000 objects, including an authentic WWI tank. You can meander through the exhibits for free, but please buy something from the shop in order to support the museum.
Reasonably priced parking is nearby in Westgate (LN1 3BG), which gives access to the castle and Bailgate area.
Lincolnshire Showground
Lincolnshire Show is hosted here annually, since 1869, usually during a weekend in June. The show promotes food, farming and countryside, with food and clothing stalls, displays from the Red Arrows, whose home is nearby, and displays from public services.
The show is an extravaganza in country life with the fun day out atmosphere you expect from a northern country show.
Where to stay in Lincoln
- At Last B&B – atlastbandbhorncastle.co.uk
- Castle Hotel and Apartments – luxury hotel in Lincoln city centre – with free parking! castlehotel.net
- DoubleTree by Hilton Lincoln Hotel which is centrally located – hilton.com/en/hotels/huylndi-doubletree-lincoln
How to travel to Lincoln
Driving N, S, E, W instructions
- From the North Via the A15 (Hull) or the A46 (Grimsby).
- If you’re coming from the South, go via the A46 (Leicester, Nottingham, Newark) or the A1 and A15 (London, East Anglia).
- From the East Via the A158 (Skegness). From the West Via the A1 and A57 (Leeds, Worksop, Sheffield).
Train Lincoln City is centrally located and direct connections are provided by LNER, East Midlands and Northern Rail.
Bus The Park & Ride runs Monday-Saturday (no service on Bank Holidays) from Waitrose on Searby Road, Lincoln LN2 4DS, with a bus provided every 15 minutes from 6:48am (7:48am on Saturday).
The last return bus departs at 6:20pm (services at peak times early and late in the day may vary). Parking at Waitrose is free. Return tickets are available on the bus at a cost of £2.60 for adults.
If you enjoyed this vegan Lincoln guide, take a virtual tour to discover the best vegan restaurants in Bristol.
