Zizzi launches vegan pizza and dessert menu

It is the latest chain to extend its free-from range, joining Pho,​ Cote and Bodean's.

The Italian restaurant group claims to be the first UK chain to serve pizza with the mozzarella substitute mozzarisella.

The 'fake' cheese is made from germinated, Italian whole rice and is free from milk, soya, gluten and lactose - which is mainly found in dairy products.

For those with a sweet tooth Zizzi has also introduced a vegan-friendly coconut and mango swirl gelato, alongside a number of vegan wines.

Jo Fawcett, marketing director of Zizzi, said: “We know that dining out can be tricky if someone in your group can’t eat certain foods, so we’ve worked hard to ensure that the new menu really does cater for everyone, no matter what their requirements may be, ensuring everyone has a great time when they dine with us.”

Plant-based power​

JD Wetherspoon's also launched a separate vegan and vegetarian menu at each of its 900+ sites this month.

Vegetarian dishes account for 30 per cent of all new restaurant menu items and leading pub chains now have 19 per cent of their menus targeted at meat-free consumers, according to MCA research.

A third of diners have reduced the amount of meat they eat in the last year,​ while one in ten are considering cutting it out completely.

The Vegan Society estimates that there are around 150,000 vegans in the UK.