Welsh pub is named the best vegan restaurant in Europe
A Welsh pub has scooped the title of the best-ranked vegan restaurant in Europe.
The Queen Inn in Cwmbran became fully plant based two years ago when it removed animal products from its menu for Veganuary 2022. Two years later, it has been named the fourth best plant-based restaurant in the world and the best in Europe by vegan guide, Happy Cow.
Menu items include gourmet versions of pub classics like f*sh and ch*ps and ch*cken and b*con pie.
The Queen Inn, established in the 1800s, is a family-owned business in the Welsh town and owner Ryan Edwards said they were “over the moon” to have reached the top spot on the list.
Describing itself as the “world’s first plant-based steakhouse,” The Queen Inn’s aim is to push plant-based dining in new directions.
The pub serves hyper-realistic plant-based meat cuts, including Redefine Meat flank and Juicy Marbles filet. This ‘meaty’ formula has helped attract vegans and non-vegans alike.
“Most of our customers are animal-eaters who want a cruelty free way of eating their favourite pub meals,” Edwards told Plant Based News.
“We also get big parties with just a few vegans, who would usually go to non-vegan places where the token vegan will have a disappointing meal.”
For those who prefer vegetable-based food, The Queen Inn serves dishes like Cauliflower steak, Fable shiitake mushroom pie, and Chana masala.
“We always find that animal-eaters are pleasantly surprised at the quality of the meals,” said Edwards. “They realize that plant-based dishes don’t always taste like cardboard.”
Since being named the number one restaurant on Happy Cow, The Queen Inn has seen “a huge surge in bookings” and according to Edwards, “every Saturday in January is now fully booked.”
This is just one fo the many glowing customer reviews on Trip Advisor: “Blew my mind. Went for a birthday meal with my family and spend ages trying to decide what to have because it all looked incredible. I will be returning very soon to try the rest of the menu!! Highly, highly recommend!”
Find out more about The Queen Inn HERE
So popular has the restaurant become they also have their own range of merchandise!
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I’ve never got the ‘it has to look like meat’ thing…
While it’s good for them, you do don’t need fake meat products to be vegan. Vegetables will do thanks. But as siaradwr Cymraeg, I automatically wince at the introduction of the expression “plant based”. Get it?
Ha Ha Ha…jelly babies…
You are correct about not needing fake meat products.
Even though you wince, there is a difference between following a “plant based” diet and being a vegan. I am guessing you are vegan (as am I) and would know what the difference is.
Yes. I shudder at the thought of the food containing children (“plant” in Cymraeg).
Congratulations. Always good to see a business doing well
I’m sorry it just seems like they’re forcing it on people because their food used to be lovely but now I won’t go there because its all vegan its wrong they should proper meat too
That makes you really very narrow-minded. What exactly do you think vegan food will do to you? It certainly won’t change you from the idiot you obviously are already but it might grant you a longer life as an idiot.
Let’s face it, that is some accolade, I hope the pub brings in gastro vegans from all over the world to Cymru…
Nicola, be brave, give it a go…