It used to be almost impossible to maintain a vegan diet when travelling overseas. Thankfully the days of carrying emergency snacks and gazing longingly into restaurant windows behind us, but not all destinations are made equal for the vegan traveller. Here are 17 travel destinations where indulging in delicious vegan food has never been easier.
Brighton, England
Brighton and Hove have been crowned the vegan capital of the world in a poll with more than 240 vegan-friendly restaurants and lots of vegan delis. You’ll find traditional plant-based food, fake fast food, and fine-dining options aplenty. The menus are pretty creative too so you’ll be certain to find something you’ve never tried before. Every single supermarket in the UK now has large vegan selections so if you’re self-catering you’ll be able to fully stock up.
Where to go:
- The Roundhill, an exclusively 100% plant-based gastro pub, 100 Ditchling Rd, Brighton, BN1 4SG
- Happy Maki, 8 Pool Valley, BN1 1NJ, for Asian fayre
- Purezza, 12 St James’s St, Kemptown, BN2 1RE, for pizza
- Smorl’s Kitchen, Unit 33-34, Open Market, Marshall’s Row, BN1 4JU
Tel Aviv, Israel
Tel Aviv also caters brilliantly to the vegan traveller. Hundreds of vegan restaurants, along with delicious local food that’s naturally vegan, put this city firmly at the top of the list for any vegan foodie. Tel Aviv has earned its reputation as one of the coolest cities in the world for many reasons, but with 5% of Tel Aviv’s population estimated to follow a strict vegan diet, the food alone is worth the journey. Most Tel Aviv food spots offer raw, organic, vegan, and gluten-free options, all before you even start to consider the speciality restaurants, meaning you can dine alongside the most voracious of carnivores and never struggle to sate your appetite.
Where to go:
- The Green Cat, Levontin St 7, offers vegan pizza with cashew cheese
- Anastasia, Frishman St 54, for sandwiches and sweet treats
- 416 TLV, HaHashmonaim St 94, for plant-based shared plates & salads
Sydney, Australia
With beautiful coastlines, lush green mountains, the outback and incredible wildlife, Australia attracts nature enthusiasts from all over the world. And being a vegan guest is fortunately pretty easy thanks to the abundance of eateries and shops that are popping up all of the time in Sydney. You’ll find fast food and fine dining options in this thriving city, trying to reduce its carbon footprint.
- Icebergs Dining Room, 1 Notts Ave, Bondi Beach, for sea views
- Bohdi, 2 – 4 College Street, for creative concoctions for those who miss meat
- Yellow, 57 Macleay Street, Potts Point, to enjoy something more formal
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
They say anything goes in Rio, so vegans are definitely well looked after. While many of the country’s famous dishes are meat based, it’s easily cooked and enjoyed without. The rice, and corn beans are mixed up with tasty spices and they even sometimes add fruit like banana or pineapple to their main meals to jazz things up!
Where to go:
- Teva, Av. Henrique Dumont, 110 – Loja B – Ipanema, for creative and organic dishes
- Prana Cozinha Vegetariano, R. Lopes Quintas, 37 Jardim Botânico, 2246, for exciting began options
- Hare Burger, R. José Higino, 115 – Tijuca, 20510-430, is hidden downtown but well worth a visit
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Faro, Algarve, Portugal
In 2017 Portugal became the first country in the world to declare it illegal not to offer a vegan option in a public place, such as a restaurant, school, or hospital. So naturally, the restaurants have had to be more experimental with their menus which is good news all round. Try slow-cooked lupini beans or a delicious soup that the country is famed for with some crunchy garlic bread. Combined with the beautiful Algarve views and atmosphere, it’s hard to beat.
Where to go:
- Outro Lado, Tv. da Madalena 6, 8000-461 for Portuguese vegan dishes
- Mel & Limão Vegan Cafe & Bistro, Largo do Pé da Cruz, 8000-154
- Papaya, R. 1 de Maio 9, 8000-079, where you can ask for almost any dish to be adapted
Mykonos town, Greece
Greek cuisine is easy to navigate for vegans! Traditionally a lot of the food is suitable without any moderations. Think fresh salads and vegetables, olives, wraps, rustic bread, and dips. Delicious. Indulge is a sweet dessert overlooking the iconic white domed buildings overlooking the beautiful blue sea.
Where to go:
- NOA Greek, Mykonos Town, 846 00
- Roca Sunset, Old Port, next to Archaeological Museum, Mykonos, Cyclades, 846 00, for Greek and Italian food
- D’Angelo, Axioti, 846 00, for Italian grub
Glasgow, Scotland
This Scottish city is fast making a name for itself as a vegan mecca. With a wide range of vegan and vegan-friendly restaurants and cafes, the plant-based scene is constantly growing and evolving and there are far more food offerings than you could get through in a long weekend (or a week for that matter). With everything from fine dining to street food, there’s something for everyone, but the must not miss experience is a visit to a vegan pub, followed by a Scottish breakfast in the morning!
Where to go:
- The Glasvegan, 50 St Enoch Square, Glasgow, G1 4DH, United Kingdom (Pop in to this fast foody spot for a classic full Scottish breakfast, vegan style!)
- Soul Food Kitchen, The Argyll Hotel, 973 Sauchiehall Street
- Suissi Vegan Kitchen, 494 Dumbarton Rd, Partick, for Asian
Berlin, Germany
Willkommen, vegan travellers! Berlin is the European capital of veganism. A melting pot of culture and attitude, Berlin awaits vegans with more animal-byproduct-free options than any other city on the ‘Old Continent.’ Besides the many restaurants which now offer excellent vegan dishes, you can find many 100% vegan restaurants as well.
Where to go:
- The Bowl, Warschauer Str. 33, 10243 Berlin (located above the Veganz Store – a supermarket with vegan and often locally sourced food)
- Kopps, Linienstraße 94, 10115 , for elegant surroundings and cocktails
- Quy Nguyen, Oranienburger Str. 7, 10178, for Vietnamese dishes
Prague, Czech Republic
One of the most beautiful cities in the world, Prague is a must-visit destination for anyone. The fact that it is ever more vegan-friendly year by year is a great bonus and makes it an excellent choice for a romantic getaway where access to vegan-friendly food options is important.
Where to go:
- Vegan’s Prague, 36, Nerudova 221, Malá Strana, 118 00 Praha 1, Czechia. Specialises in traditional Czech dishes like goulash but with a vegan twist.
- Maitrea, Týnská ulička 1064/6, 110 00 Staré Město
- Pastva, Smíchov CZ, Nádražní 54/102, Anděl, 150 00 Praha 5, for pasta
Palma Majorca, Majorca, Spain
The beauty of tapas, Spain’s superb national cuisine, is that there is usually loads of choice, and also that you can order small portions of exactly what you want. Majorca offers plenty of plant-based dishes such as patatas bravas, fried vegan cheese, vegan empanada, croquettes, and tortilla de patatas, in its stunning island surroundings.
Where to go:
- Ca n’Ela Vegan Restaurant, Carrer de la Mar, 16, 07012 Palma, Illes Balears
- Sabores de Sandra VEGAN Restaurant, Carrer Batle Emili Darder, 43, 07013 Palma, Illes Balears
- Avocado Mallorca, Avinguda de Joan Miró, 279, L2, 07015 Palma, Illes Balears
New York, USA
The Big Apple is a meeting point for vegan cultures from all around the world, and for vegan travellers, the choices seem never-ending. Besides the multitude of vegan restaurants and bars in New York City, tap into the buzzing vegan community and meet like-minded foodies via numerous events and meet-ups.
Where to go:
- Avant Garden, 130 E. 7th St. Manhattan, NY 10009. Expect haute vegan cuisine at this rather pricey-but-worth-every-cent East Village café.
- Le Botaniste, 833 Lexington Ave, NY 10065, for amazing vegan bowls and natural wines
- Spicy Moon, 328 E 6th St, New York, NY 10003, for Chinese Szechuan plates
Warsaw, Poland
The rocket-like boom of vegan restaurants in the Polish capital has ultimately gone beyond just a trend and seems to be here to stay. This young and lively city is dotted with vegan restaurants, markets selling fresh produce, and festivals offering vegan street food. While visiting Warsaw, take the opportunity to sample typical Polish cuisine; traditionally meat-based, that you can now find 100% animal-free.
Where to go:
- Vegemiasto, Aleja Solidarności 60 A, Warsaw (12.00-21.00 hrs; offers soups, pasta, tortillas, local specialities)
- Holy Ravioli, Dymińska 4, 01-519
- FALLA Warschau, Oboźna 9, 00-332 Warszawa for burgers and shakshouka
London, England
With a whopping 600+ vegan and vegetarian-friendly restaurants, London regularly tops the charts for the best vegan city in the world, and it’s hard to beat in terms of diversity and quality of food offerings. If you want to step out and explore without having to plan in advance, London is a great place to be, with vegan offerings within easy reach no matter where you are!
Where to go:
- Mildreds Soho, 45 Lexington St, Carnaby, London W1F 9AN, United Kingdom. Serving since 1988, the time has not dulled the creativity, ingenuity, or colour of their dishes!
- Mallow, 1 Cathedral St, for eco-friendly global dishes
- 2-4 Hans Crescent, SW1X 0LH, for inventive fayre and delicious cocktails!
Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India
Good food is everywhere in India, and when 60% of the local population is vegetarian, you can be guaranteed to find a herbivorous meal on almost any street corner. Although many traditional dishes include ghee, cream, or paneer, places like Ahmedabad are becoming easier and easier for vegans visitors. Gujarat is one of the most vegetarian states in India, and home to a growing vegan scene, so you can sample all of the culinary delights without too much hassle!
Where to go:
- Agashiye – The House of MG, Bhadra Rd, Opp. Sidi, Old City, Gheekanta, Lal Darwaja, Gujarat 380001. The setting and decor on the terrace of Agashiye are hard to beat.
- La Maison, Alliance Francaise d’Ahmedabad Himali Tower Lane, Manekbaug, 380015
- Roopalben’s Kitchen, 2, Suvas Flat AshokNagar, Paldi, Ahmedabad, Gujarat 380007
Chiang Mai, Thailand
Asian countries are often the perfect travel destination for the food-minded, and the choice of vegetarian and dairy-free dishes is huge. It starts to get a bit tricky when you consider how often eggs and fish sauce are used, but you can avoid any awkwardness by learning the words in the local language before taking off. One of the best vegan destinations in Thailand is Chiang Mai, often referred to as Thailand’s vegan paradise. This city, in the north of Thailand, comes with an extensive range of vegetarian and vegan restaurants.
Where to go:
- Happy Green, 4/3 Moo 3, Pa Daet, Mueang Chiang Mai District, 50100. Generally it is buffet style, but you can also order from a menu.
- Asa Vegan Kitchen and Studio, 217 Tha Phae Road, Tambon Chang Moi, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chang Wat 50100
- Pun Pun Vegetarian Raw Food, On the ground floor of “IBooking Trams Square” Hotel, 80 137, Amphoe Muang, 50300
Portland, USA
Portland has long been synonymous with progressive politics, activism, and the food cultures that go with them. Not only does it have a vibrant restaurant scene, but there are also a growing number of places to buy vegan produce to cook or prepare at home. Pop by the all-vegan mini-mall for everything you need for a seriously tasty spread for a picnic or meal.
Where to go:
- Homegrown Smoker, 8638 N Lombard St, OR 97203,. Only in Portland could you find top-quality vegan barbecue!
- Plant Based Papi, 614 SW 11th Ave, OR 97205, for traditional American dishes
- Epif, 404 NE 28th Ave, OR 97232, for South American food and pisco sours
Cancun, Mexico
Famous for fiery fajitas, tacos, nachos, and quesadillas, Mexican food is easily adaptable for the vegan palate. Delicious with veggies alone or perhaps with the addition of jackfruit, you can substitute the cheese for a vegan option. You’ll find most of the vegan restaurants in downtown Cancun but a few others are a short taxi ride away. Combine with a Margarita and finish off with vegan polorvones – a Mexican dessert – and you’ll be a happy traveller.
Where to go:
- Sirena Morena, one of Cancun’s most iconic vegan restaurants, Av Carlos Nader 66, 77500 Cancún
- BaoVegan, Local D del Hotel Coral, Av Sunyaxchen No. 30, 77509 Cancún
- Gopals, Av Coba 81-26, 77505 Cancún, for Indian-Mexican cuisine
Originally published 09 2016, updated 10 2022.
