Brighton and Hove is not only the place to be - but it tastes good too.

The city has been named Best UK Destination for Vegetarians in the Vegetarian Society awards 2004.

And, to put the icing on the (vegetarian) cake, two city restaurants were runners-up in the category awards.

Terre a Terre was one of six to top the best gourmet category while Wai Kika Moo Kau was one of the top four in the country in the fast food category.

Brighton fought off stiff competition from Edinburgh, Manchester and Glastonbury to win the accolade, voted for by members of the public.

The organisers said Brighton offered "a fantastic selection of vegetarian cafes and restaurants, vegetarian-friendly accommodation and even vegetarian shoe shops."

Susie Smith, spokeswoman for the judging panel, said: "Brighton came out on top because it offers vegetarians so much choice.

"Whatever your budget and whatever your taste, Brighton not only caters for it but also makes the information easy to find."

Amanda Powley, co-owner of Terre a Terre with Philip Taylor said: "We have been going for 13 years.

"Since then many other places have sprung up and now there is a huge choice.

"We are made up that Brighton is on the map and we are a very small part of that.

"It's really the city and its people have carried us on the crest of a wave.

"We are quite unique and Brighton and Hove's population is too in that it embraces diversity.

"They have taken on board what we have tried to do and it is their spirit that has helped us raise the profile of meat-free cooking.

"Hopefully they don't think of us as a vegetarian restaurant but just as a very good restaurant, even if we do have a mission."

Lel Daniels, manageress of Wai Kika Moo Kau, which has two premises in Kensington Gardens and Meeting House Lane, said the staff were "chuffed to bits" to have been recognised nationally.

"We've been going seven years and this year particularly everyone has worked really hard to pull everything together.

"Our head chef Dan Somek has played a huge role in the new menu which now offers more than 40 dishes plus specials.

"And on the floor we have the assistant manager Jessica Cormack and lots of good people who work hard."

Lel said when Wai Kika Moo Kau opened local traders predicted it would never last.

"We have proved them wrong. Our core group is not vegetarians but people who want to eat good, healthy food.

"We find lots of meat eaters coming in, realising we are veggie but staying because the food tastes just as good."

Adam Bates, head of tourism for Brighton and Hove City Council, and Roger Marlowe, president of Brighton and Hove Hoteliers' Association, received the award at the Magic Circle in London last night.