Winner

Cafe Maitreya, Bristol

Even now, in this day and age, there is still a tendency to assume that vegetarian food means nothing but mung beans and lentils. Cafe Maitreya blows that notion completely out of the water, with well-executed dishes such as feta and pecan tortellini and Provençale artichoke, truffle potato and tarragon gratinée or pressed white chocolate and almond brownies. Wine and beers are mostly organic and vegan-friendly, and the prices are great: almost all bottles are under £20, and for food, three courses will set you back a mere £21.50.

· 89 St Mark's Rd, Easton, Bristol (0117 951 0100).

Runner-up

Terre à Terre, Brighton

This Brighton stalwart has gone from strength to strength in the 13 years it's been open. They've now branched out into catering, an online shop and most recently, veggie-friendly afternoon tea.

· 71 East Street, Brighton (01273 729051)

Best of the rest

Scotland

David Bann
56-58 St Mary's Street, Edinburgh (0131 556 5888)

Try shepherdless pie.

Henderson's
94 Hanover Street, Edinburgh (0131 225 2131)

Twelve salads daily, all under £5.

Wales

Vegetarian Food Studio
109 Penarth Road, Cardiff (02920 238222)

Two starters, curry of the day, rice, breads, a poppadom and pud: £5.

N. Ireland

Gipsy Queen
13/17 Amelia Street, Belfast (028 9024 5489)

Great for vegans.

Yorkshire and Humberside

Wild Ginger
5 Station Parade, Harrogate (01423 566122)

Specialities include moussake and vegan cola floats.

North East

The Waiting Room
9 Station Road, Eaglescliffe, Stockton-on-Tees (01642 780465)

Excellent food, and new music acts .

North West

Greens
43 Lapwing Lane, Didsbury (0161 434 4259)

Colourful bistro dishes. Bring-your-own - no corkage.

Zeffirelli's
Compston Road, Ambleside (01539 433845)

A café plus cinema - a Double Feature for £15.95 gets you a meal and cinema ticket.

Midlands

Crocus Cafe
Lenton, Nottingham (0115 950 5080)

This not-for-profit café serves fair-trade food .

East Anglia

Rainbow Cafe
9a King's Parade, Cam-bridge (01223 321551)

Free organic vegan baby food for little ones.

South West

Demuths Restaurant
2 North Parade Passage, Bath (01225 44 60 59)

Elegant world cuisine.

Rolls Royce Wholefood Cafe
St Nicholas Market, Bristol (07791 523014)

Great variety of veggie and vegan rolls.

South East

Food for Friends
17-18 Prince Albert Street, Brighton (01273 202310)

European, Asian, North African and Middle Eastern cuisine.

London

Rasa
55 Stoke Newington Church Street, (020 7249 0344)

Favourite include the mango and green banana curry with lemon rice.