Fancy dining in a Routemaster bus and eating vegan food? Head to Vegan Routes in the middle of Soho.

The Venue
A double decker bus is not a new sight in London but a 1967 Routemaster-turned-restaurant parked in the middle of Soho is definitely a crowd stopper. Although it’s not a new idea (there’s RootMaster off Brick Lane), Vegan Routes is nevertheless a welcome addition to this part of town. The bus has been converted so that there is a kitchen on the ground floor and a dining area on the first floor. Here the decor is simple and organic and well suited to a venue serving only healthy vegan food. Lots of wooden tables and chairs and even a comfy booth with pillows have been cleverly squeezed into the available space. In good weather or when the upstairs is full you can also sit outdoors as the bus has a little garden with a pretty wooden fence. Here you can sit on one of the wooden benches and people-watch whilst sipping your smoothie.

The Atmosphere
The service is quick and attentive. You can order both from your table upstairs or from a window on the side of the bus for takeaway. The crowd is often made up of people intrigued by the bewildering experience of eating on a bus but many people are also drawn in by the vegan food and green ethos. Plates, cups and cutlery are made of wood or recycled organic material - corn for the cup lids, bent bamboo for the plates and birch wood for forks and spoons. The only drawback is eating from disposable plates even when you dine in, although you can forgive them as it’s an eco-friendly option.

The Food
For the uninitiated, vegan food sounds like a boring, exceedingly healthy, bland choice but, depending on the restaurant, you can gorge on junk, opt for raw food or pick a tasty middle ground. Vegan Routes provides exactly that, a welcome balance of healthy ingredients and full flavours.

The leeks cooked in coconut (£6.80) are indulgently creamy and come served with farinata, an Italian dish kind of like an omelette, only without the eggs – it’s naturally a bit rubbery and made of chickpea flour. Slightly lacking salt (it keeps things healthier), the farinata is an innovative and pleasant accompaniment to the smooth, creamy leeks. The curried chickpeas (£6.80), although slightly undercooked, are nicely coated with spices and are well matched with quinoa. The salad mixes raw ingredients like rocket, sprouted sunflower and red cabbage seeds, carrot shavings, beetroot and more, creating a crunchy, fresh and tasty side to all the dishes. Soups (£3.20) are also available.

To finish things off, you can also order a slice of vegan cake, with choices including ginger and chocolate cake, cherry muffins and more. All the ingredients are organic, gluten free and they are also locally sourced and fair trade whenever possible.

The Drink
Opting for a smoothie seems the best idea (£2.80) as Vegan Routes blends rich, flavourful concoctions like apple, banana, kiwi, cashew nuts and sunflower seeds. And you can add super ingredients (80p) as well, like vegan protein powder, spirulina and others. Alternatively, you can choose from one of the many herbal teas (£1.80) available.

The Last Word
Vegan Routes deserves a try for the novelty value of eating in a Routemaster bus but it’s worth returning to for the food. A meal here provides for an interesting, healthy and delicious experience.

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