In Holborn, Vetomeato will have a TV studio, meeting room as well as a restaurant serving ‘rebellious street food’ and follows a similar pop-up venture in Cambridge.
The venue will host cookalongs, meet-ups, industry events, and product launches to support the plant-based community, with a focus on ‘sustainable and innovative food options’.
Located in The Old Crown pub on New Oxford Street, Vetomeato is the creation of Justin Bone and Natalie Pace, who bonded over a shared belief that ‘food from the earth shouldn’t cost the earth’.
The restaurant will serve familiar dishes such as curries, kebabs, salads and pies, with some vegetable-led and others using meat substitutes.
The menu takes on classic street and comfort foods from around the world with signature dishes including the Asian street bowls and larb. Dishes are also available to click and collect via a QR code on the website.
“We believe the menu is both family and foodie-friendly; you could visit with a group who all have different tastes and dietary preferences and find dishes that tickle the taste buds and satisfy everyone,” says Bone.
“Our menu takes its starting points from well-loved, popular classics and we give them a plant-based twist. We are keen to promote that our meals are healthy, so whilst there are comfort foods on the menu, there are lighter options that are perfect for lunch and those consciously trying to ‘eat well’.”
Vetomeato’s move to central London comes after a run in Cambridge last year that saw Bone and Pace use the same ‘borrowed infrastructure’ model.
The Old Crown’s Ali Southey and Matt Tibbey were the recipient of Camden Council’s Business Pivot Award during lockdown for their launch of Covent Garden Deli and their plans to utilise nearby green spaces for events.
“At The Old Crown and Covent Garden Deli, we are very excited to welcome Vetomeato as we continue to work towards our vision of what a sustainable, central London pub should be,” says Southey.
