The Coven

For Wigan, a vegetarian/​vegan restaurant willing and able to cater for pretty much any special diet you can imagine has to be something of a rarity. But there The Coven is, handily situated between Wigan’s train and bus stations in Wigan’s funky Victorian Quarter. (Plus, I’ve just read on their website that free parking is available right outside the restaurant after 6.30pm — very handy!)
Indoors, it is pretty small with eighteen covers. In warmer weather, however, the surprisingly idyllic and secluded slabbed kitchen garden out the back provides another twenty or more covers.
As for the décor and ambience, shabby chic with a distinct community feel is what it is all about here. If you are the right sort of family, I can’t imagine anywhere more family-​friendly! The Coven is run by a lovely couple — he runs the front of house while she provides the considerable culinary firepower.
As Victoria R mentions, their teas are worth a special mention (see photo) and I can vouch for the quality of both the mint and berry options.
Foodwise, the specials board on my visit featured both house specials such as ‘The Coven Stack’, plus Mediterranean and Asian dishes. I went for Chinese Fritters which came with rice noodles (see photo). This was a good plateful, with chunky cuts of pepper, mushroom and onions in a wheat-​free batter which made the whole thing pleasantly lighter. I’m not a huge fan of mushrooms or onions, so this dish didn’t quite hit the spot for me. However, with such an accommodating team and so much being cooked to order, I am totally confident of them being able to handle any special request. Plus, I must admit to being a bit wary of your average Chinese restaurant cuisine so it was such a nice change to be able to enjoy some interesting, authentic textures and flavours without having to worry about any hidden ‘rogue’ ingredients!
Being right up-​to-​date and highly informative, their website is well worth a read as including descriptions of their dinner party catering service and specialist cookery courses.
The Coven is not the biggest restaurant in town, but definitely is a contender for best restaurant in Wigan, and currently ranked #1 of 71 restaurants in Wigan on another review site. Which I think makes it worth at least a couple of visits for any discerning foodie in the area, vegetarian or not.

I’ve been here so many times, I just love the food!
My favourite is the mushroom burger.
As a meat eater, you don’t even notice it’s vegetarian and the portion sizes are great :)
Very friendly staff too. I can’t wait to go to their Thursday night restaurant night.
Also, the teas are excellent.

What a delightful time I have had today, at this fabulous venue, with my husband. The Coven was recommended by a young lady and her mum to my husband for us to try as I am vegan. I had also seen the café on the internet and intended trying it out.
Situation on a lovely victorian cobbled street, which is quaint and pretty, The Coven sits awaiting your company. The outside looks inviting and is clean and well maintained and has character which appeals to me. Inside it oozes wonderful character with the décor and wooden furnishings. There are approximately 5 tables seating up to 5 people.
The welcome from Colin and Marie is incredible such warm and friendly people who cannot do enough to make your experience special right down to sitting down with you and helping you to make a selection of food and beverages! Both Colin and Marie chatted to us throughout our meal and other diners where so friendly too a lovely surprise was meeting the two ladies who recommended the café to my husband they came into the café just as we were ordering our scrummy deserts.
The choice of food was varied and there was a vegetarian menu and a vegan menu! Really impressive. I had mushroom burger which was delicious and came on a fresh bagel with a gorgeous seasoned side salad a lot of thought went into the dish and presentation and there was plenty of it! Hubby opted for a veggie lasagne and he loved it he said it was perfectly seasoned too. I had a soya mild rosehip shake and hubby had the dairy equivalent and these too were delicious! I had fruit and cinnamon muffin gently warmed and hubby had a lemon drizzle muffin with custard (they even offered to make me some vegan custard!). Prices were reasonable and to be honest the meal was worth every penny.
They are to host special themed dining nights on Thursday’s starting in September needless to say we will be booking. You will need to pre book as the places are sought after and limited.
I can heartily recommend this fine establishment for veggies, vegans and all as the food is superb!
Gets 5 gold stars from me!