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The best vegetarian lunch ideas to buy on the high street

Meat-free never looked so good

vegetarian lunch options
Fiona Ward
Acting Fashion and Beauty Editor
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veggie lunches

It's getting much easier to eat meat-free on the British high street, as our lunch break favourites respond to the demand for vegetarian grub. And as more and more of us are tentatively trying out a plant-based diet (be it full-time vegan, flexitarian or veggie), it's only fair that we expect more than lacklustre salad or an unfulfilling soup.

Happily, the UK's top lunch hour spots are more than catering to today's meat-less demand. Whether you're a veggie or not, these grab-and-go dishes are just as delicious as their meaty counterparts - we dare even the most die-hard of carnivores to give them a try. There's wraps, hot pots, sushi (minus the seafood) and far-from-boring soups to add to your lunch list - who said being vegetarian had to be dull…

pret avocado herb wrap

Avocado and herb salad wrap, Pret A Manger

We challenge you not to devour this creamy, herby tortilla-wrapped morsel, which is so full of flavour you would never miss the addition of grilled chicken. With spinach, basil, sliced avocado, tomato and a delicious Greek yoghurt dressing, it's really filling, too - a good job really, as it would be hard not to return for more. 

eat thai butternut squash soup

Thai Butternut Squash Soup, Eat

Opt for a different kind of liquid lunch with one of Eat's flavourful soups - the Thai Butternut Squash option is vegan, too. Blended with creamy coconut milk and a little heat from the red chilli, it's comfortingly warming, especially with some chunky seeded bread for dipping. 

wasabi yasai box

Yasai Roll Set, Wasabi

Don't forget vegetarian sushi! It's full of flavour and great if you love Asian flavours - this box from Wasabi has two succulent inari (pockets of tofu filled with rice) as well as avocado, carrot and red pepper sushi rolls and an edamame bean salad. It's made with brown rice, too, so will keep you fuller for longer.

starbucks halloumi couscous

Courgetti, Broccoli & Halloumi Cous Cous, Starbucks

Starbucks has a variety of great lunch options that amount to more than a double-shot latte - try this delicious multi-grain box, which is served hot with halloumi, courgetti and tenderstem broccoli. Tossed in a smokey tomato sauce, it's super tasty, and filling with its mix of giant cous cous, quinoa and barley.  

leon falafel hotbox

Sweet Potato Falafel Hot Box, Leon

If you're lucky enough to have a Leon nearby, their meat-free offers plenty to get hungry about. The falafel hot box, made with Middle Eastern ingredients like chickpeas and spices, is topped with roasted red peppers, garlic aioli and parsley, and served with rice. Yum. 

itsu veggie rice

Thai Coconut Veggie Rice, Itsu

New to the Itsu menu is this vegetarian hot pot, with silky tofu, seasonal greens and pumpkin seeds served in a spiced coconut broth with brown and red rice. It's vegan and gluten-free too, and just as full of Far East flavour as the Japanese restaurant chain's meat-based options. 

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