When the opportunity arose to taste a vegan menu at an iconic London rock 'n' roll  restaurant even my carniverous taste buds were piqued.

Hard Rock Cafe is taking part in Veganuary, the annual campaign intended to encourage people to make more sustainable choices with the food they eat.

For me the rock 'n' rolled-themed restaurant, with memorabilia like The Doors frontman Jim Morrison's leather jacket lining the walls, is synonymous with rib eye steaks, chicken wings and an old favourite, fajitas.

But this month Hard Rock Cafe has joined forces with plant-based pioneers Moving Mountains, with a bespoke menu including bruschettas, burgers and wings - only different.

With it also being the month for Dry January, we decided to try the mocktails.

The cucumber mint lime press was sweet but also had a certain effervescence and tang while the strawberry basil lemonade was a perfect pairing and "thirst quenching", my companion said.

We started with the courgette and guacamole bruschetta which, he declared, "sounds rank".

The actual dishes didn't look it though, folds of green nestled on toasted bread with small rivulets of balsamic vinegar.

The garlic toast had a satisfying crunch and the avocado and grilled courgette was subtle, but not totally overpowered by the balsamic glaze.

They were delicious, light, and we polished off the lot.

I was intrigued by the Moving Mountains tacos, with chilli sin carne, salsa, avocado, jalapenos and lime vegan yoghurt, but I have mushroom sensitivities, which Hard Rock staff were immediately onto and advised against.

Ham & High: Quinoa Mexicana Salad at the Hard Rock Cafe throughout VeganuaryQuinoa Mexicana Salad at the Hard Rock Cafe throughout Veganuary (Image: Moving Mountains)

Instead I had the quinoa Mexicana salad, which would be perfect on a hot summer's day, not a freezing January night when you've just had a cold starter.

That said, the salad, accompanied by garlic bread, is a "celebration of Latin flavours" which includes quinoa (of course), fresh tomatores, onions, sweetcorn, avocado, black bean chilli and lime.

Each mouthful was refreshing and also had a warmth running through it, and was hugely satisfying.

Ham & High: A Moving Mountains BBQ Stack Burger available at Hard Rock Cafe throughout VeganuaryA Moving Mountains BBQ Stack Burger available at Hard Rock Cafe throughout Veganuary (Image: Moving Mountains)

My companion went for the Moving Mountains BBQ stack burger but didn't finish it. He said it was "90% BBQ sauce, 10% patty".

That said, it tasted like pulled pork, which he does like, and there were a lot of crunchy pickles. "Everyone likes a pickle," he added.

He held on to the chips, which were tossed in a 'love all spice blend'.

Other meals on the menu include cauliflower wings, a Quorn 'Tenders' salad - think chicken - and mushroom primavera pasta.

Ham & High: Sticky toffee yumminess with vegan vanilla icecream available at Hard Rock Cafe throughout VeganuarySticky toffee yumminess with vegan vanilla icecream available at Hard Rock Cafe throughout Veganuary (Image: Nathalie Raffray)

For dessert we had the sticky toffee pudding with vegan vanilla ice cream and it was huge, it was divine, and it was unbelievable that it tasted just like the real thing but contained no eggs.

The Hard Rock restaurants have a party vibe, great service, and we had a really enjoyable evening at the Mayfair branch. On the night we went there was live music.

So should you be tempted away from Hard Rock Cafe's popular year-round favourites? The vegan dishes I had were light and full of flavour but arguably more suited for summer months.

For me, the Veganuary menu is worth exploring but possibly better in June.