Vapianos, London
NOTICE: After recently speaking to the team at Vapiano’s via Instagram, they have said that the only cheese option they have is made from non-Halal Animal Rennet. Therefore, if this is something you do not eat, remember to opt for your meal to be made without cheese. I’ve shown below the conversation.
I know there is a difference of opinion whether or not such cheese is suitable for a Halal diet, so I am just putting this here to allow diners to make their own mind up after being informed.
Note: The pictures in the post below were taken in August 2017, before we were made aware of the ingredients of the cheese.
The chicken used in ALL UK Stores remains Halal.
(Update to post made on 24/12/2018)
Post below from 2017:
So it begins. I’ve got 10 days from today to give you guys 10 places where you can have a good meal for £10 or under. I predict myself to be 10x heavier by the end of this, and to lose 10 friends along the way as they accuse me of becoming stingy – but at least I know the damage to my bank account will be limited to £100!
#DAY1 – @vapianosuk
#10MEALSUNDERATENNER
I thought everyone knew about Vapianos being Halal, but from the amount of DM’s I got asking whether the meat is Halal when I put some pictures up on my Instagram – seems like this may be news to some!
Based in 5 locations around London including London Bridge, Wardour Street and Great Portland Street – Vapiano’s serves up a serious bowl of pasta, and also offers pizza!
As per their staff confirmation and website – both Chicken and Beef is Halal here!
See website link
Came here with £10, left with a full stomach and 25p to spare!
For those who haven’t visited before, Vapianos isn’t the usual sit-at-your-table-and-order-your-food style restaurant, instead you have to queue up if you’re having pasta, and wait as the chef makes your food in front of you. (For Pizza it’s a similar system, but you queue up and then get a buzzer which signals when you can come up and collect your food.)
It’s a cool concept for sure – so for example, if you’re a real wimp like me you can control exactly how much chilli goes into your food! Or you can ask to swap ingredients which they’re always happy to do – e.g. My sister’s a vegetarian and she gets a Seafood dish and swaps the prawns for other veg!
Definitely a different experience from the usual, but if you’re visiting at a busy time then you can expect to be standing and queuing for 20+ minutes, while the person 8 spaces in front of you can’t decide which type of Pasta will look better for Instagram.
I must also warn you that you have to find your own seats – which can be hard during busy hours! So basically you need to get in, grab a card from the guys at the front, somehow save yourself a seat, queue up, order your food ALL while watching your seat to make sure no ones steals it… it’s all a bit of a crazy experience – it’s what I imagine being married and having kids to be like.
I (as always) went for the Chicken Alfredo – a real no-brainer for me… I don’t think I’ve ever tried anything else on the menu as this is my all time fav! With Chicken, Egg, Garlic and Chilli – it’s a really creamy, but filling dish!!
Free side bread for all, just ask the chef cooking your meal!
Unfortunately the £10 limit didn’t permit me to have a drink, but of course I stayed loyal to the £10 restriction and water did the job for me!
ALSO… this card business is probably something I should elaborate on a bit more! When you get in, you get given a card which you use when ordering your food. Be sure to keep hold of that card as you’ll need it to pay. Every single time I visit, I lose my card and sometimes they can be really difficult and make you go and find it. So don’t lose it!!!
