Vegan Guide to Harry Potter Studio Tour London

Vegan food at theme parks can be so hit or miss. I lose count of the amount of times where I’ve just had a coke and fries for lunch because I couldn’t get anything else, even when I was vegetarian. But over the last few years as the vegan movement has become more mainstream, theme parks have started to change. They are finding themselves not just having to move with the times but are happy to do so. And the Harry Potter Studios is definitely one of those places! Here’s your vegan guide to Harry Potter Studio Tour London (it even includes butterbeer!).  

The Food Hall

Let’s start from the beginning, The Food Hall! Situated in the Studio Tour Hub, The Food Hall serves breakfast, hot and cold dishes and sandwiches. They also have a wide selection of drinks and a full bakery.  

It’s a great way to start your day as you can grab food here before your tour begins. It also wets your appetite (sorry – shameless food pun!) for the Harry Potter mania that will ensue. It’s laid out just like the Grand Hall in Hogwarts with refectory style benches and candles dangling from the ceiling. Just think of it as more of a ‘down-to-earth’ muggle version though 😉    

Vegan options at The Food Hall include: 

• Vegan Breakfast  
• Your choice of muffin  
• Smashed Avocado with chopped tomato, lemon, mint and chilli  
• Korean pulled oats  
• Vegan ‘fish and chips’ with tartare sauce  -Vegan Beetroot and Falafel Burger served with lettuce, tomato, onion, gherkin, tomato relish and chips 
• Stone Bake Pizza with roasted vegan mozzarella and rocket 
• Extra sides include: peas and carrots and garden salad with fresh herb dressing 

As you can see, there are loads of vegan food options to choose from! There are even a few theme park classics such as fish and chips and pizza.  

I opted for the Vegan Breakfast as it was the closest thing I’d seen to a proper fry up in forever! I had vegan bacon (a first – and it was amazing!), scrambled tofu (another first – tasty and the exact texture of eggs), tomato, mushroom and fried potatoes. It really set me up for the day having a proper hearty breakfast. It also ensured that I wasn’t hungry at an awkward part in the tour where I’d have to wait until lunch to get something.  

The Food Hall menu is served from the opening of the tour until 8pm so is also a great option if you want to get dinner before your journey home. 

The Chocolate Frog Café  

Also located in the Studio Tour Hub we have The Chocolate Frog Café. Inspired by the iconic chocolate frog boxes in the Harry Potter series (of course!), The Chocolate Frog Café serves hot chocolate, ice cream and a range of cakes. Unfortunately, despite how delicious and instagrammable they look, nothing in the café is vegan. 

I know, I know: “Mel what’s the point in mentioning it then?” The reason is simply so you don’t get your hopes up. Note to the studio: vegans love dessert too!  

The Backlot Café

Next up we have The Backlot Café. It’s located about halfway through the tour so is the perfect place for a spot of lunch to recharge your batteries.

You can enjoy a hot meal, sandwich or snack with seating areas both indoors and outdoors. The coolest thing about The Backlot Café is that is comes with views of all the popular exterior sets and props from the Harry Potter movies such as the Knight Bus, Privet Drive and the Hogwarts Bridge.  

They have plenty of vegan options on their menu including:   

• Spiced Chickpea Burger (made vegan on request)  
• Seasonal Soup  
• Vegan ‘Chicken’ Wrap 
• Sweet Potato, Hummus, Falafel and Beetroot Wrap  
• Indian Superfood Wrap  
• Fruit Pots 
• Crudite and Hummus Pots 

You can also order vegetable ‘chicken’ strips with crunchy lettuce, tomato and salsa in a soft tortilla. This is off the kids’ menu but I can’t see anyone demanding to see your imaginary child in order to request it! Bear in mind the portion size is a lot smaller with it being intended for kids so you’ll need to order something else with it.  

I opted for the Spice Chickpea Burger with chips and it was really good. Obviously, the excitement of the day amplified my hunger like the big kid I am so I was starving by midday! It’s a chickpea burger on a bed of lettuce, tomato and red onion in a brioche bun. Delish! 

Is butterbeer vegan?

As well as having a tasty vegan chickpea burger at The Backlot Café you can also get yourself a butterbeer. For those that aren’t Harry Potter fans (I presume you are as you’re reading this post – but just in case!) butterbeer is a butterscotch flavoured non-alcoholic drink that Harry and friends drink in their local at Hogwarts. A kid-friendly version of actual beers if you will…and they are delicious! 

If you have a big sweet tooth like me, you’ll love butterbeers. And the great news for vegans is, without the cream butterbeers are vegan! They’re not as nice without the cream but as a vegan you take what you can get, right guys? They’re still really good though and at least you can join in on the fun just like you’re in The Three Broomsticks with the HP gang.  

Sweets and chocolate

Sorry to say guys I couldn’t find a thing in the confectionery section of the gift shop that was vegan. I checked the Bertie Bott’s Every Flavour Beans…Beeswax. I checked the Chocolate Frogs (wishful thinking)…dairy. I checked the Sherbet Lemons…beeswax again. Honeydukes you have failed us.

But despite not finding any vegan sweets or chocolate to take home it didn’t effect the day. I got some cute artwork to hang up in my flat instead.

Last thoughts

In one word: Fantastic! There are clearly marked vegan options in every eatery at the Harry Potter Studio London. They are also varied and tasty too which is a refreshing change for a theme park.  

I really enjoyed my time on the tour and had an awesome day geeking out at all the sets, stories and effects. The fact that you don’t have to settle for fries and a coke at lunchtime will make your day so much more enjoyable!

The only downside is that desserts are not only lacking but non-existent at the Harry Potter Studio London. Despite this, it’s hands down the most catered for I have felt visiting a theme park. I would highly recommend it to other vegan Harry Potter super fans who are preparing to pack a lunch. Don’t worry, you don’t have to!   

I hope you enjoyed this Vegan Guide to the Harry Potter Studio Tour London. Now go get your house scarf and wand and I’ll see you on the backlot with a butterbeer.

If you’d like to find out more about vegan travel check out more posts here.