Plant Club, London’s First Italian Vegan, Gluten-Free Restaurant

Plant Club, London’s very first Italian gluten-free, plant-based restaurant and natural wine bar proves that meat-free cuisine can be excellent and exciting. Currently in temporary digs (there are plans for a permanent site very soon) within Nomadis Cafe in Newington Green, North London, the pop-up restaurant features an often changing menu of delicious Italian dishes made with premium, organic ingredients.

Run by Antonio Alderuccio and Daniele Inn Rivolta, Plant Club restaurant seats 45 at colorful, handmade tables in light and plant-filled rooms. But the food is the real draw here. Who knew vegan and gluten free could be so tasty? The owners are on a mission to make Italian favorites accessible to all. Chef Alderuccio just won the prestigious Best Pasta Chef Award at the Uk’s 33rd PAPA (Pizza Pasta and Italian Food Association) Award. He competed against top UK pizza and pasta chefs, judged by Chef Theo Randall, Chef Enzo Oliveri, Chef Carmelo Carnevale and Michael Eyre.

The Italian born chef surprised the jury as he presented a gluten-free and vegan pasta dish, his Paccheri with Courgette, Asparagus and Terragon with Burrella and Limone di Siracusa, finished with fermented asparagus top and toasted breadcrumb, and took home the well-deserved prize. Chef Alderuccio said he was “deeply honored to receive this prestigious prize, as it really proves that delicious Italian food can be vegan and gluten-free.”

The rotating menu of delicious Italian plant-based dishes include a selection of delicious Antipasti, Primi and a selection of gourmet pizzas including the signature Regina with Ruffle sauce, oyster mushroom, buffalo “notzarella”, “parmezan” and truffle oil, or the Bianca Uh? with “cheese” sauce, roasted onion, purple potatoes, “parmezan” and truffle oil. Antipasti such as Parmigiana and the indulgent “cheese” board. The primi course features the classic Pasta Cacio e Pepe with creamy cashew and crushed black pepper sauce, finished with “parmezan” and the Tomato Orecchiette with their super tomato sauce.

The gluten-free, vegan pizzas are astonishingly good with light, chewy bases and a masterful range of toppings. Gourmet pizzas include the signature Regina with truffle sauce, oyster mushroom, buffalo “notzarella”, parmezan and truffle oil, or the Bianca Uh? with cheese sauce, roasted onion, purple potatoes, parmezan and truffle oil. It’s hard to believe these are gluten free and vegan as they’re just as delicious as any regular pizzas. In a blind taste test, I doubt you could tell the difference.

The restaurant offers an impressive selection of natural wines such as Sete Tropicale made from a blend of 70% Ottonese, 20% Trebbiano, 10% Moscato grapes grown in Italy and Putes Feministes, a nice, juicy but super light orange wine bursting with tropical citrus notes. Sober curious can try the ODD Bird, an Italian alcohol-free Spumante, or Kombuchas made locally in Walthamstow.

Future plans are justifiably ambitious. Chef Alderuccio says: “We’re extremely excited to be opened again to the public, serving our delicious gluten free and plant-based dishes to locals and visitors. The feedback has been amazing so far and really shows us how unique our offer is – we’ve big plans for the future and we can’t wait to expand in London and abroad!”

Plant Club is open Thursday and Friday from 5 – 11pm, Saturday from 1- 11 pm and Sunday from 1-8pm, and is located at 49 Green Lanes, N16 9BU