If all you can think of when you hear ‘vegetarian buffet’ are boring , unseasoned salads and boiled eggs, then think again.
Just minutes from London’s busy Regent Street, vegetarian bar and restaurant tibits offers the ultimate Slow Life dining experience with its delicious, pay-by-kilo vegetarian cuisine.
The restaurant is centred around a well-stocked food buffet where you can help yourself to an astonishing range of starters, hot & cold main courses and desserts, all sourced as fresh and locally as possible.
tibits co-founder, Reto Frei explains: “The idea was born in 1998 of an own personal need as my two brothers and myself are vegetarians. We wanted to create a place we could eat tasty vegetarian food in a relaxed and modern ambiance, just a good restaurant without the lentil & hemp groove.
“After winning two prices for the idea at a business plan competition, we partnered with the Hiltl family, owner of Europe’s oldest vegetarian restaurant, and made our dream true.”
The restaurant has a serene and relaxed atmosphere as you can eat at your own pace and help yourself bit by bit to as much food and delicious drinks (do try the homemade fruit juices, they are incredible) as you like.
“At tibits, we want to offer a maximum of flexibility,” adds Reto. “With the ever increasing demand of self-determination and individuality, exactly chosing the kind of food you like and exactly getting the amount of food you need, is a fun and modern way of eating.
“And it is relaxed too, you can stay for a drink, have some nibbles or enjoy a five course meal. It is entirely up to you. Last but not least, people with food intolerances can easily pick ‘their’ dishes as everything is clearly labelled.”
The vegetarian food on offer has been inspired by various international cuisines, so you can tuck into Italian-style antipasti, Middle Eastern mezze, North African tangines, French quiches, green Thai curries, noodle dishes, grilled vegetables and – for dessert – Austrian-style apple strudel.
Food quality is at the very heart of the restaurant’s philosophy. Reto explains: “Taste is always number one at tibits. Every product we create first has to satisfy our own demanding criteria in terms of freshness and flavour.
The salads and sandwiches served in our restaurant are freshly prepared
several times a day, as are the fruit juices.
“Our overriding aim is continuous improvement, and we use only the very best raw materials in our quest for absolute perfection and freshness. A large part of our range is based on seasonal ingredients, which means we can buy in our raw materials at the peak of ripeness from domestic and European
producers. Wherever possible, we avoid products from overseas if these
can be substituted with equally good European products.”
As the restaurant also offers a huge range of alcoholic drinks, tibits really is a great all-round place, whether you are coming in for tea and cake, a few cocktails after work or a dinner with friends – you are guaranteed to relax and slow down here and enjoy a bite (or two).
