Rating: ★★★★★ (5 out of 5 stars)
🥦 Vegan? Yes, everything!
🌾 Gluten Free? No, not at the time of writing
Address: 23 Market St, Brighton and Hove, Brighton BN1 1HH
📍 View on Google Maps
TLDR – Oowee Review
- Enjoyable for everyone, not just vegans
- Offers a pay it forward scheme for the community
- Perfect for cheat meals
- Try the gravy
Oowee Vegan, Brighton – is part of a small chain of UK restaurants, started by Charlie Watson. The first of which was in Bristol, where the original 2017 ‘Oowee Diner’ saw a lot of success with plant based menu items. They’ve been on a roll since and now have 4 restaurants across Bristol, London and Brighton.
It’s a junk food spot that needs little introduction. Holding a special place in my heart and stomach, Oowee quickly became one of my favourite spots when I moved to Brighton. So naturally, it was time to share this with you!
I’m no stranger to their home deliveries (understatement), but I must say that I really enjoyed eating-in and would recommend you do the same! It feels a little bit like an American diner, but with a more contemporary and industrial aesthetic, complete with Kermit the Frog wallpaper and a massive neon “Brighton” sign that’s begging for selfies.
Pay it Forward ❤️
I was joined by a good friend and was eager for him to try the food, leading me to ordering a little bit more than usual! Telling myself “It’s for the blog”. We got chatting to the staff and it was great to learn that they’re encouraging a ‘pay it forward’ scheme, where generous customers can purchase an extra meal for someone, and they stick the fully paid order receipt on the door, so that anyone hungry can come in and claim it for free. In fact, we saw someone do just that whilst we were enjoying our own.
We Love Mac and Cheese 🫶
Cheesy, gooey, and packed with a peppery punch. The mac and cheese was a centrepiece at our table. It was a bigger portion than we expected, though we didn’t complain! The cheese is convincing, though has a slight sweetness to it compared to real cheese. The pasta is soft and soaks up the goodness, with crispy onions adding a perfect crunch.
‘The Other Side Chick’, Burger 💃
Next up is this crispy masterpiece featuring garlic mayo, sweet pickled pink onions, and lettuce. Oowee’s homemade fried chick’n is an innovative plant-based burger, with a delicious crispy coating seasoned with their secret blend of 12 herbs and spices (like someone else I know). The chick’n is nestled between soft buns with just the right amount of mayo, decent bacon, and a satisfyingly meaty texture that’ll make you smile.
The Big Bacon Double Smash Burger 🍔
Next up, I was rolling up my sleeves for the Big Bacon Double Smash Burger – two plant-based beef patties, topped with strips of bacon, American cheese, “baconaise”, and gherkins. I knew as soon as I picked it up that this burger means business, with all of its heft, it’s a two handed job. It’s messy in the best way possible, with peppery burger sauce and gherkins adding that classic burger charm, a little bit reminiscent of old school Wimpy!
Sides and Sides and Sides! 🍟
When you select a burger there is an option to make it a meal, where you’ll be able to choose from a range of flavoured or dirty fries – though we opted to get just the burgers on this occasion so that we could tour the menu a little more freely. For fries, personally I prefer just plain old fries as they go well with a burger, as these are already quite rich in flavour. This also keeps the cost a little more reasonable when compared to some of the fancier fries, allowing me to order a little bit more frequently.
That being said, I’d recommend ordering the garlic butter fries or marmite fries at least once, purely for the fun of it – though fair warning, these bad boys can get a bit rich if you’re eating alone. Consider sharing or you can always box the rest up and take them home.
We also ordered a portion of Chilli Cheese Nuggets, these were lots of fun and were highly addictive. They’re oozing with cheesy goodness that I can’t really believe wasn’t real cheese. They have a little kick which cuts through the other flavours on the tray nicely. You can also pick-up sides such as popcorn chicken, chicken strips and corn on the cob!
BBQ Brisket Tater Tots: Limited Edition 🇺🇸
Limited edition but forever in our hearts – Oowee’s BBQ Brisket Tater Tots were one of the big hitters in our meal, in fact my friend prioritised them over his burger. Picture tater tots smothered in cheese sauce, spicy BBQ beef brisket, crispy onions, and spring onions for that fresh zing. Oily in all the right ways, with BBQ flavours hitting that perfect sweet-salty balance and a hint of smokiness that’ll have you coming back for more even when you’re full!
An Innovative, Optimistic and Tasty Experience 🌈
All in all, Oowee Vegan is a blast for anyone who loves a cheat meal now and then. With a tempting array of vegan beef and chicken burgers, irresistible sides like dirty fries and chilli cheese bites, plus a variety of other delicious offerings, they’re reshaping fast food by making plant-based options more accessible, and by that I mean tasty. While the chain is expanding, they remain committed to sustainability and community support. Vegan comfort food may be common these days, but Oowee Vegan are doing it really well. It’s a refreshing find for both vegans and non-vegans alike, where they’re shoving burgers down your throat, not propaganda.
P.S
Something I am yet to try is the milkshakes! Future Mitch Smith will update this blog post when he has something to say. Until then, feel free to let me know if they’re any good by reaching out on Instagram: @BrightonBitesBack Thanks for reading!
Based in Brighton since 2023, Mitch is all about uncovering hidden gem restaurants and supporting independents over chains. With a seasoned palate developed from years of eating out, he’s your go-to for discovering the best local spots.
