On 30th December 2024, much-loved vegan restaurant Unity Diner announced they were closing on 1st February 2025, causing dismay among vegans in London and beyond. Having long been touted (at least since it opened in 2018) as one of the best vegan eateries in the capital (including in our Best Vegan Restaurants in London article), Unity Diner built a reputation for great food and vegan cocktails, but also a strong ethical ethos: their profits were donated to animal welfare charities including Surge Sanctuary. But there’s good news… Unity Diner is already set to reopen!
Making the announcement on their Instagram page, Unity Diner said that after “successful negotiations with our landlords and the overwhelming support, love, and good wishes from our community,” they are going to re-open the restaurant on Friday 4th April 2025. And what’s more, they are bringing a brand new, 100% vegan carvery to London from Sunday 20th April!
What’s on the Menu at Unity Diner?
It’s fair to say the food Unity Diner serves its customers is unlikely to win the restaurant a Michelin star (unlike fellow London vegan restaurant, Plates London). But that’s not to say it isn’t very tasty. Their ever-popular Tofish and Chips always goes down well, while their Mooli and Smoky Bacon (braised daikon steak wrapped in plant-based bacon) is also a big hit.
They also have some sumptuous vegan desserts, including their plant-based version of the classics, Crème Brûlée and Tiramisu. You can check out the full menu on the Unity Diner website, which – at the time of writing – hasn’t got the details of their carvery, but we’re confident it will satisfy any vegan’s appetite for a hearty Sunday roast.
The Ethical Side of Unity Diner
Unity Diner was set up in 2018 by a group of like-minded friends, including Ed Winters – more commonly known by his activist mantel, Earthling Ed. They wanted to not only provide great quality vegan food, but they decided to donate their profits to animal charities, notably Surge Sanctuary.
Based in Nottinghamshire, the sanctuary takes in rescued or abandoned animals of all kinds, and they currently have sheep, goats, pigs, rabbits, turkeys and chickens. They are heavily reliant on donations, so when Unity Diner shut down, there was fear that the sanctuary could also be in trouble. Thankfully, Unity’s re-emergence should help to safeguard the future of Surge Sanctuary and the many animals who call it home.
Who Is Earthling Ed?
You might well have encountered Earthling Ed on YouTube or other social media platforms. The well-mannered but determined activist can often be found talking about veganism and animal rights with meat-eaters. He often appears to convince quite a few vegan sceptics of the virtues of plant-based living, too!
He has published two books – This Is Vegan Propaganda: (And Other Lies the Meat Industry Tells You) and How to Argue With a Meat Eater (And Win Every Time) – that have sold well for what is still a rather niche subject. The second of those might be of particular interest to any vegans out there who are regularly accosted by ill-informed or just rather boring meat-eaters!