CHRISTMAS may be a time of indulgence, but January is all about new beginnings.

Many of us are giving up chocolate, alcohol and even meat this month.

Veganuary is here and thousands of people will be avoiding animal products and adopting a plant-based diet for 31 days.

If you’re taking part or even just want to cut down on the amount of meat you consume, here are the top five vegan and vegan-friendly restaurants in Bournemouth according to Tripadvisor.

Twelve Eatery 

Tripadvisor rating 5.0 

This popular restaurant located in The Triangle was named the fifth best vegan restaurant in the world in 2021.

Specialising in “organic, plant-based cuisine”, Twelve Eatery offers all-day, lunch and Sunday roast menus.

Visitors can tuck into cured ‘salmon’, ‘rib-eye’ steak and the B-Twelve Burger.

One person said on TripAdvisor: "What a find! Amazing flavours and lovely setting. Service was attentive yet relaxed. A little understated gem of a restaurant. We'll be back and neither of us is vegan."

Another said: "It’s hard to imagine a better dining experience. The service, the menu, the food itself, the cocktails were all magnificent.

"You don’t have to be a vegan to eat here."

Open 12pm to 3pm and 5pm to 9pm Tuesday to Thursday, 12pm to 3pm and 5pm to 9.30pm on Friday, 11am to 9.30pm on Saturday and 11am to 3.30pm on Sunday. 

El Murrino

Tripadvisor rating 5.0

This Italian restaurant in Old Christchurch Road comes second on TripAdvisor for its vegan-friendly offerings.

The pizza restaurant and takeaway specialises in hand-stretched pizzas using slow rising dough with many of its ingrediants sourced from Italy. 

Pizzas can be made with vegan cheese with a range of pizzas available. 

One review on TripAdvisor read: "We visited on a Saturday lunchtime, and the food was great. Pizzas were delicious, and I was even able to substitute to vegan cheese."

Another added: "Ordered pizza apprehensively as a vegan but was presently surprised. I would 100% recommend as a vegan such a good selection!"

Open 11.30am to 11pm Friday and Saturday, 11.30am to 10pm on Sunday and 11.30am to 10.30pm Monday to Thursday.

Mighty Wieners

Tripadvisor rating 5.0

Mighty Wieners on Poole Hill serves up "indulgent comfort food and drink that happens to be vegan".

Launched in 2018, diners can tuck into hearty burgers, hot dogs and loaded fries.

Dishes include the Mighty Tower not CHKN which is a southern fried chick'n patty with chilli jam, lettuce, veganaise, hash brown and cheddar slice.

There's also a brunch menu featuring muffins, pancakes, cooked breakfasts and burritos. 

One review on TripAdvisor said: "Always wonderful service and awesome food! Everyone's always so lovely and makes us feel so welcome. Thank you for the best food ever."

Another added: "Very friendly and helpful staff, warm atmosphere. Large portions of tasty and filling food. Thoroughly enjoyable evening for everyone."

Open 11.30am to 8.30pm Wednesdays, 10am to 8.30pm Thursdays, 10am to 9pm Fridays and Saturdays, 10am to 4pm Sundays and closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Mad Cucumber

Tripadvisor rating 4.5

Mad Cucumber was established in 2013 and has been attracting the crowds ever since.

The food is 100 per cent vegan and made from scratch using mainly local, seasonal and organic ingredients. 

Breakfast offerings include an acai bowl, pancakes, porridge and a vegan take on the classic English fry up.

Lunch includes burgers, beetroot linguine, katsu curry, mac 'n' cheese and a falafel bowl with a roast available on Sundays. 

Diners with a sweet tooth can also take their pick from a variety of delicious cakes including peanut butter bar, chocolate brownie and berry cheesecake. 

One reviewer said: "This place is brilliant whether you are vegan or not. Tasty, and great value for money. Great coffee. Fry up was huge and tasty."

Another said: "Lovely vegan place, good quality vegan food, great service and atmosphere. We had a fantastic breakfast with very healthy green smoothie."

Open 9am to 4pm Monday to Sunday. 

Forno Pizza

Tripadvisor rating 5.0

Forno Sourdough Pizza Bar in Wimborne Road is ranked the fifth best vegan restaurant in Bournemouth on Tripadvisor.

The Legalise Marinara vegan option features tomato, oregano, fresh garlic, basil and olive oil with vegan cheese optional. 

Or there's the South of Heaven which is a margherita pizza topped with aubergine, oregano, olives and salsa verde.

And extra hungry pizza fans can even choose the 18 inch sharing pizza which is billed as 'Bournemouth's biggest pizza'.

One Tripadvisor reviewer said: "The sourdough base is so flavourful with a nice amount of char. Super tasty, sweet tomato sauce. But please add more basil on the vegan legalise marinara pizza. This is better than pizzas I've had in Italy."

Another said: "Tried Forno for the first time last night, and totally impressed. I had the marinara pizza with vegan cheese. So tasty. The owners were really friendly and welcoming. It's great to have this pizza bar on the high street. Will definitely be going back for more."

Open for lunch between 12pm and 3pm for dinner from 5pm to 10pm.