Harborough district has a great deal to tempt the tastebuds of plant-based diners – which is only fitting because it was a Leicestershire resident, Donald Watson, who co-founded The Vegan Society in 1944. The late plant-based pioneer would undoubtedly be thrilled to see how his once-novel idea has permeated every corner of his home county.

An excellent place to begin your vegan adventure is at The Eco Village in Market Harborough. Named the UK’s Best Sustainable Business in 2022 by Muddy Stilettos, it’s far more than a food shop. Here, you’ll find not just groceries but a community, from The Bearded Persian and his Kombucha to the charming Village Kitchen Community Café, Market Harborough’s first all-vegan eatery. It offers a delightful and affordable menu that families will love, featuring locally sourced oat milk from Wild & Furrow at Rectory Farm, Marston Trussell.

Don’t miss Louisa’s Place, also in Market Harborough. Once a month, this establishment collaborates with FarrinHeight Foods for a vegan evening. FarrinHeight Foods, another local Harborough business, appears regularly at the town farmers’ market and other local events. They offer the convenience of pre-ordered food for special occasions, or those days you’d rather eat in.

The district is also a hotbed of international vegan flavours. Grounded Kitchen in Market Harborough serves some zingy plant-based Bibimbap bowls, while Avatar Dining in Lutterworth is perfect for those who enjoy a spiced kick, offering vegan favourites like Harabara Sobzi and Mumbai-style potatoes. Market Harborough Everest Lounge’s Vegan Bhuna and Shagorika’s Mixed Veg Platter are must-tries that even non-vegans will find hard to resist.

Craving Italian? Casa Nostra in Market Harborough provides a delectable selection of vegan pizzas and pasta that will give you a taste of Rome at home.

And if a country pub is more your scene, The Red Lion at Great Bowden doesn’t disappoint. They offer hearty vegan options like the Bombay Onion Bhaji Burger, Moroccan Couscous Salad, and various plant-based pizzas.

So, whether you’re vegan or merely vegan-curious, Harborough district offers an abundance of dining choices. It’s a vivid reminder that one person’s idea, much like Donald Watson’s all those years ago, can influence local communities in profoundly delicious ways!