Londonist: Time Machine • 539 implied HN points • 01 May 24
- London had its first vegetarian restaurant as early as 1879, way before the trend of vegetarianism became popular in the 1960s.
- The Alpha Food Reform Restaurant reflected eccentric health beliefs of its founders, Dr. Thomas Low Nichols and Mary Sargeant Gove Nichols, who also promoted questionable health practices like using water baths for curing diseases.
- The success of London's first vegetarian restaurant led to the rise of many more vegetarian restaurants across the city, marking the start of a sustained movement that continues today with a growing number of vegan and vegetarian eateries.