Whether you’re doing the whole month, just cutting back a bit after Christmas, or you’re simply curious about what plant-based pub food tastes like these days, one thing is clear: Wetherspoon and plenty of other UK pub chains are taking Veganuary seriously.
And honestly? It makes sense. January is already a time when people want comfort food and a fresh start. Add in cost-of-living pressures, healthier intentions, and a growing interest in plant-based eating, and pubs have spotted a golden opportunity to offer something new that still feels familiar.
Why Veganuary Has Become a Pub Event (Not Just a Personal Challenge)
Once upon a time, going vegan in January meant surviving on soup, salad, and smugness.
Now? You can walk into a pub, order at the bar (or on an app), and choose from dedicated vegan options that don’t feel like an afterthought.
Veganuary has become popular because it’s:
Low-pressure (it’s only January, not forever)
Easy to try when restaurants and pubs actually provide decent choices
A conversation starter (you’ll always find someone at the table who’s “trying it out”)
More normal than ever thanks to supermarkets, takeaways, and chain restaurants supporting it
And pubs, being pubs, have adapted to what people want: comfort food with a plant-based twist.
Wetherspoon and Veganuary: A Sign of the Times
Wetherspoon has a reputation for being dependable, affordable, and surprisingly broad in menu choice. So when Wetherspoon adds or promotes Veganuary menu items, it’s a strong signal that plant-based eating is no longer “alternative”.
It’s mainstream.
And what makes Wetherspoon especially relevant for Veganuary is that it’s not just a city-centre trend. Wetherspoon pubs are everywhere, so vegan options become accessible even in smaller towns where independent plant-based eateries aren’t always around.
That’s important because Veganuary only works when it’s convenient.
No one wants a lifestyle challenge that requires a 40-minute drive and a £14 bowl of quinoa.
Every chain does it slightly differently, but the trend is clear: they’re leaning into pub classics.
Expect to see vegan-friendly options like:
1. Burgers and “Pub Grub” Classics
The plant-based burger has basically become the gateway meal. You still get the satisfaction of chips, sauces, and fillings, without feeling like you’re missing out.
2. Vegan Curries and Rice Bowls
Curries, chilli-style dishes, and warming bowls are ideal for winter pub menus because they feel hearty and filling.
3. Meat-Free Versions of Traditional Comfort Foods
Think vegan “chicken” styles, meat-free sausages, or plant-based fillets designed to mimic familiar flavours.
4. Lighter Bits and Sides
Not everyone wants a full burger. Some people just want a few vegan sides, chips, salad options, or smaller plates while the rest of the group does their normal thing.
It’s Not Just Wetherspoon – The Whole Pub Scene Has Joined In
Wetherspoon might be the big headline because of scale and price, but they’re far from alone.
Across the UK, many pub chains (and even independents) now create limited-time vegan menus during January. It’s become a seasonal event in the same way that:
Christmas brings festive specials
Summer brings grills, salads and “lighter options”
January brings plant-based comfort food
And this shift is important because it means vegan food is being treated as a normal choice, rather than a niche request that makes the chef sigh.
Why Pub Veganuary Menus Are Actually a Big Deal
It might seem like a small thing, a new burger option, a vegan wrap, a meat-free curry.
But culturally? It’s huge.
When major pub chains offer Veganuary options, it helps:
Make vegan eating more approachable
Support people who want to reduce meat without going “all-in”
Keep groups together (no one wants the vegan friend to have one sad side salad)
Encourage better menu labelling for allergies and preferences
Prove demand is real, which makes menus improve year after year
The more customers order vegan options, the more pubs will invest in better recipes — and that benefits everyone.
The Best Way to Enjoy Veganuary in a Pub (Without Feeling Like You’re Missing Out)
If you’re trying Veganuary, the easiest way to keep it enjoyable is to treat it like an experiment, not a punishment.
A few tips:
Go for dishes that suit vegan food naturally.
Curries, chilli-style meals, veggie-loaded plates, and spicy dishes tend to be more satisfying than something trying too hard to mimic meat.
Don’t be shy about sauces and sides.
A good vegan meal isn’t just the main item — it’s the extras that make it feel “pub-worthy”.
Try something you’d normally order.
If you always get a burger, try the plant-based one. If you usually go for comfort food, choose the vegan version of a classic rather than forcing yourself into a salad.
Pair it properly.
Vegan pub food can be amazing with the right drink choice — a crisp lager, a cider, a soft drink, or even a warming hot drink if you’re doing a daytime pub stop.
Why This Matters Beyond January
Veganuary is great, but the bigger win is what happens after January.
The real progress is when:
Vegan items stay on menus year-round
Meat-free options improve in quality
More pubs offer choices that feel genuinely satisfying
People stop viewing vegan food as “weird” or “extreme”
Even if you only try one or two vegan meals this month, you’re part of that shift. And if Wetherspoon and other UK pub chains keep pushing these options forward, plant-based eating becomes less of a challenge and more of a standard choice.
Final Thoughts: Veganuary Is Getting More Fun (And More Pub-Friendly)
If you’d told someone ten years ago that you could walk into Wetherspoon in January and pick from promoted vegan-friendly menu items, they’d probably have laughed.
Now it’s just… normal.
And that’s the best thing about this whole trend. Veganuary doesn’t have to feel like deprivation anymore. It can feel like what it should be:
A simple, affordable, comforting way to try something different — with chips on the side.
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