Best vegan-friendly cities around the world to visit
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TravelBest vegan-friendly cities around the world to visit
Remember how difficult it used to be for people with vegan or vegetarian lifestyles to travel around the world? Meat-free or plant-based diets were unheard of not so long ago! But, we're far from that stage now. The vegan movement has truly had an impact on the way we consume food now and has created more inclusivity by including plant-based dishes in every way possible.
And some cities have gone the extra mile to adopt veganism, making them the most vegan-friendly cities in the world! So, the next time you're planning a trip to one of these cities, we've got your back! We've compiled a list of vegan-friendly restaurants in each of these cities to make your trip really special. So pack your bags and get going!
#1 London
London tops the list as the world's most vegan-friendly city for the 4th time in a row, according to HappyCow - a platform for vegan restaurants. HappyCow was established in 1999 to offer assistance to vegetarian and vegan tourists whilst traveling abroad! It combines criteria such as a number of fully vegan restaurants within 10 km radius from each city center, number of vegan restaurants and the growth & density of vegan businesses to rank top vegan friendly cities in the world.
So if you're planning a trip, hunting for restaurants that fit your vegan diet is going to be fuss-free in the English capital! With more than 400 fully vegan-established and vegan-friendly restaurants, your options seem unlimited! Don't worry, we're going to make it a tad bit easier by giving you some recommendations.
Tendril: Drawing inspiration from Asian and Middle-Eastern cuisine, Tendril offers a fine dining experience with a special curation of small-plated food!
A must-try dish has to be Grilled Mushroom Parfait with chipotle sauce, chilli and fresh farm sourdough!
Club Mexicana: Club Mexicana, as the name suggests, is famous for its delicious vegan Mexican cuisine. They give classic Mexican dishes a plant-based twist!
Some of the highly recommended dishes are BBQ-pulled jackfruit burritos and tofu tacos!
222 Vegan Cuisine: This vegan restaurant has a wide range of international cuisines to pick from! You have to try out the curry dishes, vegan 'fish' and chips, and Caribbean platter!
#2 New York City
Well, the Big Apple isn’t going to be far behind when it’s about catching up with inclusivity in the food space. From fast food trucks to swanky restaurants, you're going to find vegan-friendly food everywhere. And of course, being a hotspot for diverse cultures, you can get your hands on some lip-smacking food from different cuisines right from plant-based burgers to special Pondicherry dosa and tofu bowls. Can't get better than this, right?
Here are some recommendations from our side for you to check out!
Superiority Burger: A vegetarian and vegan fast-casual restaurant offering delicious plant-based burgers and sandwiches! You can't miss the 'Sloppy Dave' burger and 'Mega Mouth' sandwich over here.
Bodhi Kosher (Previously Buddha Bodai) : Serving vegan and vegetarian Asian cuisine, often with a focus on Chinese and Buddhist-inspired dishes, some highly popular dishes here are Dim Sum, Buddhist-style mock meat dishes, vegetable dumplings and various noodles!
The Organic Grill: The Organic Grill is known for offering organic and vegan options, with a menu that includes a variety of dishes such as vegan burgers, salads, wraps, and entrees made from organic and plant-based ingredients. With that being said, you have to try the Tofu Omelette, Rich Roll Lentil Tzatziki Burger and Kung Pao Cauliflower Pops!
#3 Berlin
Berlin is considered to be the vegan capital of Europe. Well, you could credit this to its significant involvement in the organic movement. Previously, plenty of tourists had difficulty finding meat-free food in Europe. But with a full-on food revolution that has taken over, your food worries are sorted for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks! The city has full-vegan establishments and vegan-friendly restaurants to cater to food choices.
Here are some vegan restaurant recommendations to help you plan your Berlin trip!
1990 Vegan Living: This is a vegan restaurant specializing in Asian cuisine, with dishes inspired by various Asian cultures. Some of the most loved dishes on the menu include - Yin Yang Bowl, Bun Bao Tcao, Dim Sum and Shaolin Pockets.
Swing Kitchen: This restaurant offers fast-food-style vegan burgers, sandwiches, and plant-based comfort food! So if you want to grab a casual and hearty meal, try their Cheeseburger, Vegan bacon burger, Kitchen wrap and Garden salad!
La Stella Nera: La Stella Nera offers vegan Italian cuisine like vegan pizzas, pasta dishes, and other Italian-inspired vegan options. You can try out a variety of Pizza Rossa and Pizza Bianca! The most recommended dish on their menu is Panuozzo, which is a type of pizza sandwich.
#4 Los Angeles
If you're someone who watches vlogs by YouTube creators and influencers based in L.A, you would have noticed that plenty of them consume vegan-friendly food! That's your cue to understand that Los Angeles is a hub for vegan restaurants. With 5 main beaches in the vicinity, the city has plenty of casual restaurants for vegan bites and fancy restaurants. Take your pick!
Here are a few recommendations on the best vegan and vegan-friendly restaurants in Los Angeles -
Plant Food + Wine : If you're looking for a Plant a high-end vegan dining experience in L.A., Plant Food + Wine should be your pick! They focus on organic and plant-based dishes. Their popular dishes included - Ricotta Toast, the Heirloom Tomato Salad, and the Sweet Potato Gnocchi.
Hot Tongue Pizza: A vegan pizza place that offers a variety of plant-based pizzas - Highly recommended pizzas include the classics like Margherita, BBQ Chicken, and any custom creations you'd like!
Electric Karma: Electric Karma is an Indian restaurant known for offering vegan and vegetarian Indian dishes. Popular choices you must try out include their Vegetable Biryani, Chana Masala, and various naan bread options.
#5 Madrid
The Spaniards do love their meat! So, the idea of vegan food in Spain may seem far-fetched. But, guess what? The vegan industry in Madrid is growing incredibly well and there are so many vegan-friendly restaurants for people to eat at! Plant-based dishes are available in traditional Spanish food as well. We're not kidding when we say you have to try out plant-based paella and tapas!
Here are some of the vegan-friendly restaurants in Madrid!
Hakuna Matata Veggie: Serving vegan and vegetarian dishes, often with a focus on international and fusion cuisine, some of the most popular dishes include different burgers, wraps, and international-inspired entrees!
Indian Aroma: An Indian restaurant that offers vegan and vegetarian Indian dishes in Madrid! Some of the favourites include vegetable curries, biryanis, and Indian bread like roti and naan.
La Encomienda: La Encomienda is known for serving vegan and vegetarian dishes, often with a Mediterranean and Spanish influence. What's a visit to Madrid without some delicious Spanish food?
Here are some popular vegan dishes you must try - vegan paella, tapas, and plant-based Spanish specialities.
#6 Barcelona
As we previously mentioned, Spain used to be a tough nut to crack to cater to vegetarian and vegan food! Thankfully, that's not the case anymore. Tucked between two beautiful plazas in Barcelona, you can find vegan and vegan-friendly restaurants bringing delicious food to the table! Some of the top picks on vegan restaurants are-
Pastan: Pastan is your go-to restaurant for vegan pasta and Italian cuisine. The popular hits amongst customers include vegan pasta options, such as their vegan lasagna or plant-based carbonara!
Cremat 11: A vegan restaurant that offers a diverse menu of plant-based dishes like vegan bowls, wraps, and unique appetizers! Located right next to a museum, it serves to be a perfect restaurant once you're done with exploring!
Billy Brunch: Billy Brunch is a perfect brunch spot known for offering vegan and vegetarian breakfast and brunch options like - vegan pancakes and tofu scrambles to name a few.
#7 Lisbon
If you're under the impression that a salad will be your only vegan option in Lisbon, you're wrong! In the past few years, Lisbon has had an overhaul of dishes making immense space for plant-friendly options. It could be a cauliflower-based juicy cheeseburger or feijão (bean stew)!
Here are some of the best vegan restaurants in Lisbon -
O Botanista: O Botanista is known for its vegan and vegetarian cuisine, often with a focus on fresh and locally sourced ingredients, which include popular dishes like - vegan burgers, plant-based bowls, and fusion salads!
Alfarobba: Alfarobba offers vegan and vegetarian cuisine with a focus on Mediterranean and Portuguese flavours! You have to try their vegan versions of traditional Portuguese dishes - vegan pastéis de nata or vegan bifana sandwiches.
Organi Chiado: Organi Chiado specializes in organic and plant-based dishes to make healthy food options available. Keep an eye out for their vegan bowls, salads, and smoothies.
#8 Bangkok
Bangkok's influx of tourists from all over the world has made it possible for the city to provide diverse food preferences! Local restaurants are producing delicious plant-based dishes in Thai and international cuisines to meet the growing demands. Here are some of the best vegan restaurants in Bangkok for you to visit!
May Kaidee: May Kaidee is a Thai vegan restaurant known for its authentic and traditional Thai dishes! The favourites amongst customers include their green curry, pad Thai, and vegan spring rolls.
Carrots - The Vegan Bistro: Carrots is a vegan bistro offering a diverse menu of plant-based dishes, including international and fusion flavours! Most popular dishes include their Sloppy Joe burger, Bombaat Tofu wrap, and creative plant-based entrees.
Munch Box by Nidhi: Munch Box by Nidhi offers vegan and vegetarian Indian cuisine with popular hits being - Vegan Lamb Curry, Fiesta Fajita Quesadillas and Dosa Burgers.
#9 Amsterdam
Amsterdam is one of the top European cities to consistently rank as vegan-friendly! Street food, casual restaurants, cafes and fine dining - it has it all. Whether you're cycling your way through the pretty streets of Amsterdam or taking a canal cruise, you have several vegan restaurant options to choose from!
Trevi's: Trevi's in Amsterdam specializes in Mediterranean and Italian-inspired vegan dishes. Some popular dishes for you to try out include vegan pizza, pasta dishes, and vegan tiramisu.
Vegan Sushi Bar - Kinkerstraat: Vegan Sushi Bar offers plant-based sushi and Japanese-inspired vegan dishes. Highly recommended dishes include vegan sushi rolls, tempura, and miso soup!
Men Impossible: Men Impossible is a vegan restaurant known for its plant-based burgers and fast-casual vegan comfort food! You've got to try the vegan burgers, loaded fries, and vegan milkshakes!
#10 Rome
Cheese, eggs and meat! What is Italian cuisine without this? Or so we thought! In the past few years, several restaurant owners started rolling out vegan-friendly dishes in their existing menus and some established 100% vegan restaurants. So when you're hopping from one tourist attraction to another, check out these vegan restaurants to cater to your
preferences!
Col Cavolo: Col Cavolo is a vegan restaurant in Rome that offers a variety of Italian plant-based dishes! Italian dishes without cheese aren't impossible anymore with popular dishes like vegan pasta, vegan cheese, and other traditional Italian-inspired dishes to try.
Status Quo: Status Quo is known for offering a variety of plant-based dishes with a fusion twist! The most sought-after dishes include - Lasagne Bolognais, Cheeseburger and Carbonara Di Zucchine.
Origano Campo de'fiori : Origano Campo de'Fiori offers vegan and vegetarian Italian cuisine! Their most popular dishes include a variety of plant-based pizzas, vegan Pasta, vegan Risotto, Antipasti, Tiramisu and vegan Calzones.
A connoisseur of food - I love cooking, checking out different recipes, and of course, food photography! With so many cuisines out there, I think you can learn a lot about a country and its culture, just based on its dishes! Add travel to the mix and voila, it's the best of both worlds for me.
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