As with most good things, I discovered Holy Carrot through word of mouth from a friend of a friend who heard it from another friend. It was exciting back then, their pop-up used to be at the Urban Retreat wellness space not far from Knightsbridge station. You’d enter the dining room through a split staircase into a cute space decorated with blue and white patterned plates…
Founded by former Ukrainian Vogue fashion producer, Irina Linovich, the original pop-up served only vegan dishes using mostly organic and sustainable produce. The menu was inventive, inspiring, and made me an instant fan. But when we visited, we didn’t realise it was actually their final month. It wouldn’t be until a couple of years later, in 2024, that we finally got to try Holy Carrot again at their new permanent spot on Portobello Road in Notting Hill.
Unfortunately, that visit left me feeling a little disappointed; it just seemed to be missing the spark of excitement and inventiveness of the original pop-up. My friend who had originally recommended them had an even worse experience, finding the food subpar and the service outright rude. While my own experience wasn’t quite that extreme—I figured they were probably just trying to find their feet again—there was definitely room for improvement.
So, you can imagine my excitement when I was recently walking past Spitalfields Market and saw that Holy Carrot Bistro was opening. I immediately subscribed to their newsletter to ensure I’d get an early reservation the moment bookings opened.
In the end, our first visit was a completely spur-of-the-moment decision during the recent heatwave, and we were incredibly lucky to snag a walk-in table. They seated us outside, comfortably out of the glaring sun. But stepping inside for a moment, you can’t help but notice the space—the overall interior design, including the striking hand-painted murals, is by British artist and designer Faye Toogood, giving the bistro a very deliberate, earthy texture. The atmosphere was wonderful; the staff were exceptionally friendly, highly knowledgeable about the menu, and perfectly attentive without being intrusive.
We didn’t order any drinks this time, though I had initially planned to. I remembered that when we went to the Holy Carrot in Notting Hill, their pre-mixed cocktail menu was curated by A Bar with Shapes for a Name (written as 🔶🟥🔵). I happened to visit A Bar with Shapes for a Name on Kingsland Road one night catching up with an old friend and remembered their cocktails were exceptional and ending up quite tipsy. I just found out, however, that they no longer make the drinks for Holy Carrot, and the newer menu here shifts the cocktail program entirely in-house.
Onto the food.
The kitchen is now led by executive chef Daniel Watkins (ex-Acme Fire Cult), and the menu is wonderfully creative. The presentation of each dish is beautiful.
We started with some lighter dishes to share:
- New Season Radishes, Whipped Tahini: A wonderfully simple but vibrant and fresh starter. The radishes arrived crisp with their green tops still on, served alongside a smooth, rich swirl of whipped tahini dusted with black chilli flakes that balanced the peppery crunch beautifully.
- New Season Tomato – Pangrattato, Green Goddess dressing and nasturtium: A stunning, colorful dish. Sweet, juicy tomato chunks were drizzled with a bright Green Goddess dressing, topped with a crunchy texture of toasted pangrattato, and finished with fresh nasturtium leaves and a gorgeous edible flower. It tasted just as fresh and summery as it looked.
For the mains, we ordered a mix of dishes, including two absolute standouts:
- Coal-roasted Leeks – pepper romesco sauce and almonds: This was easily my absolute favourite dish of the meal. The leeks were perfectly tender with a subtle, smoky char, but the pepper romesco sauce was the real star—rich, incredibly smooth, and packed with flavour, topped with a cluster of crunchy roasted almonds. I wanted to scrape every last bit of that sauce off the plate.
- Khachapuri – fermented koji-dough pizzetta: Served warm, pillowy, and incredibly comforting. Breaking into the centre to mix the baked egg and molten cheese with the cracked black pepper was pure heaven. It’s the ultimate comfort food.
- Charred Artichoke – carrot and fennel braise, aioli: A lovely, delicate dish featuring beautifully charred artichoke hearts resting on a sweet, braised carrot and fennel base, garnished with fresh dill and carrot slices meticulously cut into little flower shapes.
- Celeriac Schnitzel – grilled pickles and herb and caper sauce: A golden-brown celeriac schnitzel with a satisfying crispy bite, topped with a generous dollop of zesty herb and caper sauce, and served with a slice of grilled pickle and a wedge of lemon. This dish, although cooked perfectly, leans a bit too heavy on the sharpness of the vinegar rather then on complex depth.
While a few of the simpler dishes felt slightly expensive for what they were, you can easily tell that they are sourcing exceptional, high-quality ingredients.
Would I go again?
Absolutely. The creative menu, beautiful new interior, and fantastic service made this feel like a true return to the imaginative spirit of the original pop-up. If you’re looking for exciting plant-based dining in East London, this is definitely one to add to your list.
Holy Carrot Bistro is in Spitalfield, East London.
Closest tube station: Liverpool Street and Shoreditch High Street Station.
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