Manna London

Manna is in a nice area of Primrose Hill and a short walk from either Chalk Farm or Camden Town stations - closest is definitely Chalk Farm.

I'm vegan and went here with a mixed group of diets - one vegetarian and two omnivores. The omnivores seemed a little apprehensive at the idea of the place being entirely vegan but that's more to do with my choice of dining companions than anything!

Service was quick and friendly. Our waitress was very tolerant of all of our different combos for the 'build your own meal' option - this was what I chose and what I remember most clearly so I will write about my meal primarily.

The main course options looked great but I opted for the following 4 in the combo: the grain of the day (quinoa), the greens of the day (garlic kale), olives and the Manna crispy tofu. I also ordered what must have been a coconut milkshake - I had strawberry syrup in mine (there are a couple of options) and to be honest it was enough to make me want to revisit Manna again and again.

The food came out promptly and was all lovely. The quinoa I think had been seasoned to bring out its natural nuttiness, their trademark tofu was crispy, hot and savoury, and the greens were garlicky and delicious. I would say that the food was all very simple, but I did not choose one of the mains so I have yet to see what they are like - however if the combo meal was anything to go by I don't doubt they're delicious!

For dessert I had the petit fours, which were varied and delicious. The harder biscuits were a little dry but probably would have gone well with a hot drink. There were some lovely squishy cakes which had a rich chocolatey flavour though so overall I really enjoyed the dessert.

Manna is a little costly but again they use organic ingredients and generally seasonal produce too. It is a 100% vegan enterprise, and was one of the first restaurants to do so in London, so for that I will still support them as vegan restaurants - or even just vegan OPTIONS - are still relatively rare in the UK.

Manna is vegetarian/vegan restaurant that’s been around for while. Located on a quiet side street off of Prince Regent Street in Primrose Hill, it’s a great place to go if you’re vegetarian or if you have any dietary restrictions or allergies. Even as some one eats meat, I was quite satisfied and content at the end of my meal.

Food: 4/5
Service: 3/5
Ambiance: 4/5

Bit expensive but food was good. It was 100% vegan and that was a big plus point for me. Worth a visit again sometime, I think.

By Maria Derevianko

Having just been on holiday by myself for the first time in my life, it didn’t seem such a big deal going to try out an eatery next to my work place by myself. I’ve got dining on my own, even without a mobile phone down to a T.

Manna Restaurant has always been on my list as it is local to my work and I’d heard great things about it from my fellow veggies so I booked myself a table for dinner, which starts at 6.30pm. Taking a casual stroll through Primrose Hill after work and watching the sunset I still managed to get there too early so I ended up waiting patiently with another couple who seemed just as hungry as I was.

The restaurant is tucked away off a quiet residential road with beautiful Victorian houses and high ceiling’s and big windows which you can’t help looking into to see how people live and what interior design inspiration you might get!

They opened their doors at 6.30pm and I noticed they had a ‘reservation’ sign on a tiny small table half way in and half way out of their small but cozy restaurant, which I assumed was for me as I was probably the only loner who actually reserves a table at a restaurant… for one. Without even giving them the chance to tell me that in fact that table was reserved for me, I chose a table right at the end which was fairly discreet to get on with my reviewing mission.

The restaurant is decorated in an inoffensive cream and brown pallet with wooden tables and chairs, which gives the whole place a little rustic feel with warm, soothing lights everywhere. As locals in their comfy clothes flood the restaurant I peruse the menu which varies from dishes that are £3-£22 and decide to go for comfort food, as to be honest it’d been a pretty cold and miserable day for me, as it was my first day back to work when only yesterday I was sunbathing in hot, sunny Cyprus.

A well mannered waiter took my order which was their special Fresh Mint Tea with citrus fruit and honey to warm my bones and some hummus with warm home-made bread for starters and for main I decided to go for bangers and mash, with the hope that there will still be space for one of their desserts.

My tea and starter came promptly and as I was so hungry, it went down really quickly but I do remember that the bread was a couple of brown and white slices of bread and were so warm and soft but didn’t last long as I viciously dipped into the tiny hummus pot. Although the hummus lacked something for me, possibly salt and garlic, I successfully scrapped the little pot it came in, but that had more to do with the fact that I was so hungry than it being delicious.

Shortly after my beautifully presented bangers and mash came with onion rings piled on top of it. The sausages are made out of organic fennel and pumpkin seeds and come on a bed of parsnip & carrot mash served with steamed kale on a red wine, leek and thyme gravy. I tucked into the sausage as I was curious to see what it would taste like, and it being made with tofu (told by the lovely waiter) and lots of seasoning to my surprises it tasted better than I thought. The mash potato had some fresh dill in it which gave it a lovely herby (that’s herbs, not the car) taste that I love. There’s something about having mash potato that is so comforting on a day when you are feeling some comfort food, maybe it is all the carbs! The mash was mainly smooth with bits of carrot and possible parsnip that I didn’t actually taste, and then there were the onion rings. I am normally not an onion ring fan, “oh here we go again her onion rant” you are thinking but no, I have nothing to complain about here, the onion rings were crunchy and not oniony at all, very delicious and totally indulgent actually so I piled it all on my fork and ran it through the juicy gravy, giving myself a mouthful of delicious, comforting classic bangers and mash but with a much more healthier and lighter option.

I was in and out of the restaurant in less than an hour of entering it, filled to the brim so much that I did not have any space to try one of their lovely desserts. Damn you bread!

I didn’t think the service was particularly outstanding considering they were not that busy and served the couple who came after me, before me, but the food was delicious although it may have lacked salt and there was no salt and pepper to help yourself to but it is a great local healthy restaurant that is obviously loved by the locals and I would recommend it for the food and the value.

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Manna has one of the best vego menus in the city with pub style portions but made for a discerning palate. I've always wanted to eat a main course beyond the Caribbean platter but hardly manage it. Bangers and mash, cashew cheese croquettes and the tortilla platter to share and mezze are all are pretty great too.You can also build your own meal which works for indecisive people (like me).
I've tried a couple of Manna's desserts but with the exception of the cheesecake, Haven't been a massive fan - if I'm eating cake, I want it with all of its 'bad ness' not vegan/ raw/ gluten free!

The Sunday roast was amazing, well sourced fresh produce all delicately seasoned to let the natural flavours do the talking. And so good to have vegan Yorkshire puddings!!! Furthermore Manna show perfect hospitality with a lovely friendly and personal touch.

Absolutely lovely vegan cafe near the Roundhouse Manna is such a lovely place. We went there before a gig at the Roundhouse. The food is super tasty and they were so friendly and accommodating to our needs. The seasonal pumpkin creamy ice cream is outstanding

I took my family there recently and can’t believe how well my kids enjoyed the plant-based dining. They loved the bangers and mash and they commented how the sausages tasted so nice compared to the shop bought vegan ones. We were lucky to eat outside and the service was very attentive. They also welcomed feedback on the dishes too as they were trying out new menu options. I tried the new savoury pancakes which again was very tasty. I love the way the vegetables were not cooked to limp status but still had some crunch in them which means the nutrients are still going to nourish the body. As the dishes were freshly cooked for each of us (again another positive sign they care about the freshness of their ingredients) it can take slightly longer but the patience was worth it. We were also able to try out their vegan cheeses in prep for their cheese and wine evening they are planning to do. It is very rare to find a restaurant business that is plant-based, organic, unprocessed (even the chocolate brownie as raw and tasty), unrefined sugars. They clearly care about their food offerings which means they care about their customers. We will be back to try out their other dishes as well as the Sunday roast.

Have been to Manna several times. Absolutely love the quality of the food. The atmosphere is so nice that I took my partner here for our first date. She absolutely loved the food, so much so that it helped open up her eyes to becoming vegan. I really like the spaghetti 'meatballs'. She really likes the raw lasagna. You also can't go wrong with the 'bangers' and mash. All foods are presented to a professional standard. Kudos to the chef. We will definitely be back the next time we visit primrose.

Tried Sunday Roast :) Staffs are very welcoming and kind. Food was amazing too, recommend Sunday Roast to try traditional but also different style of vegan roast.