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Finding proper vegetarian pub food near Heathrow used to mean a jacket potato if you were lucky. Things have changed, most decent pubs now have genuinely good meat-free options, and a few go well beyond the bare minimum. But there is still a wide gap between a pub that has reluctantly added a veggie burger to the menu and one that actually puts thought into its plant-based dishes.
If you are vegetarian, vegan, or just eating less meat and looking for somewhere near Heathrow that does not treat you as an afterthought, here is what is worth knowing.
Fast answer: The Anchor has vegetarian and vegan pub food seven minutes from Heathrow Terminal 5, including pizza, burgers, sides and a fully vegan Wellington on the Sunday roast menu. Check the live food menu, the vegetarian menu page, or the vegan menu page before you travel.
What The Anchor Offers for Vegetarians and Vegans
The Anchor in Stanwell Moor, about seven minutes from Heathrow Terminal 5, takes its meat-free options seriously. This is not a vegetarian restaurant, but the kitchen has built out a proper selection rather than just ticking a box.
Vegetarian Highlights
- Beetroot and butternut squash wellington, available as part of the Sunday roast menu. Fully vegan as it comes. Ask if you'd like buttered cabbage or a Yorkshire pudding added, both of which make the plate no longer vegan.
- Margherita pizza, stone-baked, 12-inch and hand-stretched.
- Veggie Classic pizza, stone-baked on the same hand-stretched base.
- Garden Veg Burger, a Bangkok Bad Boy vegetable patty in a soft floured bap with butterhead salad and tomato, served with your choice of chips.
Vegan Options
- Beetroot and butternut squash wellington, on Sundays. Fully vegan as it comes. Ask if you'd like buttered cabbage or a Yorkshire pudding added, both of which make the plate no longer vegan.
- Chips, chunky chips, sweet potato fries and onion rings are all vegan.
- For anything else, ask at the bar which dishes can be made vegan on the day.
Good to Know
- NGCI options are available on several dishes. NGCI means No Gluten Containing Ingredients. These dishes are made without gluten-containing ingredients, but everything is prepared in one kitchen, so we can't guarantee there's no cross-contamination. If you are coeliac or have a serious intolerance, let the team know when booking and they will talk you through what works.
- Allergies and dietary needs: Tell us about any allergies or dietary needs when you book and we'll do our best. Everything is prepared in one kitchen, so we can't guarantee there's no cross-contamination.
- Stone-baked pizzas are available in vegetarian options.
- Sunday roast: Roasts are carved fresh every Sunday from 1pm to 6pm. There's nothing to order in advance, so walk in whenever suits you. Last seating is 5:30pm. Book online if you're coming as a group. Groups of 15 or more: a £10 per person deposit, fully deducted from your bill.
- Free parking and dog-friendly throughout the pub. The beer garden is a bonus in warmer months, with planes overhead for a bit of Heathrow theatre.
Other Vegetarian and Vegan Options Near Heathrow
The Anchor is not the only option, of course. Here is a quick survey of what else is available in the area.
Chain Restaurants
The restaurant chains in the nearby towns usually publish their vegetarian and vegan dishes online. Check each one's own menu before you go, because menus change.
Hotel Restaurants
If you're staying at one of the Heathrow hotels, ask to see the restaurant menu before you sit down, so you know what the meat-free choices are.
Independent Restaurants
Staines and Hounslow both have Indian restaurants, which often have a wide choice of vegetarian and vegan dishes. South Indian cooking in particular has plenty of dishes that are meat-free to begin with.
Tips for Vegetarian and Vegan Diners
A few practical things worth knowing if you are eating out meat-free near Heathrow:
- Call ahead for vegan-specific requirements. Most pubs and restaurants can accommodate vegetarians without notice, but vegan dishes, especially involving cheese substitutes or specific allergen considerations, sometimes need a heads-up.
- Ask about cooking methods, not just ingredients. Chips fried in the same oil as battered fish, bread rolls with butter glazes, soup made with chicken stock, these are the things that catch people out. A good kitchen will know the answer immediately.
- Pub gardens are your friend. If you are travelling with a mix of meat-eaters and vegetarians, a pub like The Anchor works well: the vegan Wellington sits on the same roast menu as the beef.
- Check menus online before you go. Most places near Heathrow have their menus on their website. It saves the awkward moment of sitting down and finding there is nothing you want to eat. The Anchor's full menu is here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any fully vegetarian restaurants near Heathrow?
We can't speak for every restaurant in the area. Indian restaurants in Staines or Hounslow often have a wide choice of meat-free dishes. The Anchor isn't a vegetarian restaurant, but it has vegetarian mains and pizzas, vegan sides and a vegan wellington on Sundays.
Can I get a vegan Sunday roast near Heathrow?
Yes. The Anchor's beetroot and butternut squash Wellington is on the Sunday roast menu. Fully vegan as it comes. Ask if you'd like buttered cabbage or a Yorkshire pudding added, both of which make the plate no longer vegan. Walk in or book ahead, there's nothing to pre-order.
Does The Anchor offer vegetarian pizzas?
Yes, our stone-baked pizza menu includes vegetarian options such as the Margherita and the Veggie Classic. You'll find the prices on our food menu.
Does The Anchor cater for gluten-free diets as well?
Several dishes are NGCI, made without gluten-containing ingredients, but everything is prepared in one kitchen, so we can't guarantee there's no cross-contamination. If you have coeliac disease or a serious intolerance, mention it when booking and the kitchen team will walk you through the options. Cross-contamination is always worth discussing for severe allergies.