Vegans are a growing group of travelers. In fact, according to a survey, the number of vegans in the United States has roughly doubled since 2014.
I myself am vegan (though I’m not sure it’s wise to call myself a “vegan traveler” just yet), and as such I have found that many people are interested in learning about vegan-friendly destinations around the world.
Veganism is becoming more mainstream, so there’s no need to feel like you’re missing out on anything when traveling abroad especially when you consider how easy it can be to find delicious food everywhere from Bali (not just mung bean patties) to Buenos Aires (not just empanadas).
Here are some top places where you can enjoy great meals without compromising your beliefs:
| Takeaways |
|---|
| The top vegan-friendly countries to visit are becoming more popular among travelers looking for plant-based cuisine and ethical experiences. |
| Germany, Israel, Taiwan, and the UK are just some of the many destinations around the world where vegans can find a variety of culinary delights. |
| Traveling as a vegan can be a rewarding and enjoyable experience with the right planning and research. |
| To make vegan travel easier, there are various resources available, such as Happy Cow and Vegan Passport, that can help find vegan-friendly restaurants and accommodations. |
| Vegan travelers should also be aware of common challenges such as language barriers and cultural differences, but with the right preparation, it’s possible to maintain a vegan diet while traveling and enjoy unique experiences around the world. |
Austria
Austria is a great place to visit if you are vegan. As of 2019, Austria has more than 150 vegan restaurants and nearly 50 vegan festivals throughout the country.
Vienna is known for its large number of vegan-friendly restaurants and shops, but smaller cities like Salzburg and Graz have plenty as well. In fact, Vienna was named one of Europe’s top 10 most vegan-friendly cities by PETA!
Vegan products are available at many grocery stores around Austria. If you’re on vacation with limited transportation options or want an easy way to stock up on some essentials while traveling abroad, this is a great option for you!
Exploring the world without compromising your vegan lifestyle is now easier than ever. Check out our guide to the best vegan-friendly cities in the world for some amazing destinations that will cater to all your vegan needs.
Taiwan
Taiwan is one of the best countries in Asia to visit if you’re vegan or just looking for a place with a strong vegan movement.
In fact, Taiwan has several events celebrating veganism and featuring delicious plant-based food. The annual Vegan Festival in Taipei attracts more than 15,000 attendees each year and offers seminars on how to be more environmentally friendly through eating less meat (and other animal products).
A few weeks after that festival ends, another event called VegFestTaiwan will take place in Taichung City. This festival offers an even bigger selection of vegan food menus as well as workshops teaching visitors how to cook vegetarian recipes at home!
There are also many great restaurants throughout the country serving up 100% vegan fare – some even provide English menus so you don’t have any trouble ordering from them!
Are you struggling with eating out while following a vegan lifestyle? Our comprehensive guide to dining out as a vegan provides tips and tricks to help you navigate menus and enjoy delicious meals.
India
India is a very large country, with a huge variety of cultures and cuisines. Indian cuisine is very diverse, with many vegetarian options available.
The food is healthy and delicious, with lots of vegetables prepared in different ways to make sure they are not boring.
There are also plenty of spices used in Indian cooking, which add flavor without adding oil or fat (this can be helpful for those trying to lose weight).
| City | Vegetarian Restaurants | Vegan-Friendly Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Mumbai | 1,500+ | Nature’s Basket, Farmer’s Market by Karen Anand, Godrej Nature’s Basket |
| Delhi | 1,000+ | Foodhall, Modern Bazaar, Big Bazaar |
| Bangalore | 700+ | Foodhall, Nilgiris, Namdhari’s Fresh |
| Chennai | 500+ | Amma Naana, Spencer’s Retail, Nilgiris |
| Kolkata | 400+ | More, Quest Mall, Big Bazaar |
India is known for its rich vegetarian cuisine, making it a great destination for travelers looking for delicious vegetarian options. With thousands of vegetarian restaurants available across the country, visitors can enjoy a variety of dishes from different regions of India.
In Mumbai alone, there are over 1,500 vegetarian restaurants, including popular chains like Nature’s Basket and Farmer’s Market by Karen Anand.
Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, and Kolkata also have a good selection of vegetarian restaurants available, as well as vegan-friendly markets such as Nature’s Basket and Foodhall. With so many options available, India’s diverse culinary landscape is definitely worth exploring.
Israel
Israel is a vegan paradise. With more than 300 restaurants, it has the highest number of vegan restaurants per capita in the world.
You won’t find any shortage of options when visiting Israel, whether you’re looking for street food or sit-down dining.
Even non-vegan restaurants will offer vegan options, like hummus or falafel without tahini, which can be found on almost every menu. The people are friendly and helpful, too!
Finding vegan-friendly restaurants and accommodation while traveling can sometimes be challenging. Check out our guide on how to find vegan-friendly restaurants and accommodation on your next trip for some helpful tips to make your travel experience stress-free.
Italy
Italian cuisine is well known for its use of fresh, seasonal ingredients. Italian food is known for being simple and rustic.
That’s why you’ll find the local cuisine at homey family-run trattorias and small cafés more than in fancy restaurants.
The fact that Italians eat together as a family (and with their friends) often means that they’re cooking their own food instead of eating out (so there are plenty of vegan options).
Italian restaurants are considered some of the best in the world, which is great news for vegans because many have added plant-based options to their menus.
For example, Le Lucciole restaurant in Rome has “vegan” written on its menu next to dishes such as risotto with mixed mushrooms or spinach fettuccine with artichokes and sun-dried tomatoes (though it does serve meat). It’s also possible to order a few vegetable side dishes to go with your pasta dish—just ask!
Italian food itself is very healthy too—you know all those olive oil bottles people have in their pantries? Well they’re not just there to look pretty; they actually make great salad dressings!
Traveling as a vegan can be a rewarding and exciting experience. Take a look at our article on 15 reasons why you should travel as a vegan to discover the many benefits of vegan travel and why it’s a great way to explore new cultures.
Germany
If you want to visit a country with a good range of vegan restaurants, cafes and food markets then Germany is the place for you.
The capital city of Berlin has long been a haven for vegetarian and vegan cuisine. There are numerous vegan restaurants in Berlin such as Turtle Burger, Vöner Restaurant and Veganz as well as many more across Germany.
If you don’t like eating out then there are also many places where you can buy takeaway meals from supermarkets such as Reval BioFachmarkt or Planet Organic.
If you’re not interested in eating out or buying prepared foods but prefer cooking at home then there’s still plenty on offer with over 80% of German products being labelled containing no animal ingredients according to Datablog1 (2019).
| City | Vegan Restaurants/Cafes | Vegan Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Berlin | 100+ | Veganz, Bio Company, LPG Biomarkt |
| Hamburg | 50+ | Vegilicious, Alnatura, Bio Company |
| Munich | 60+ | Basic Bio, Tushita Teehaus, Vegelangelo |
| Cologne | 40+ | Veganes Sommerfest, Veganz, Denn’s Biomarkt |
| Frankfurt | 30+ | My Zeil, Vegane Bäckerei, Veggie House |
Germany is a great destination for vegan travelers, with a variety of cities offering a range of vegan restaurants, cafes, and food markets. Berlin is especially known for its vegan scene, with over 100 vegan places to choose from, including popular brands such as Veganz and Bio Company. Hamburg and Munich also have a great selection of vegan options, with 50+ and 60+ restaurants and cafes, respectively.
Even smaller cities like Cologne and Frankfurt offer options, with over 30 vegan restaurants and markets available. Whether you’re a local or just visiting, Germany is definitely a vegan-friendly destination worth exploring.
United States
If you want to explore one of the most vegan-friendly countries in the world, look no further than the United States.
This country has become synonymous with fast food, meat and dairy products but it also offers a wealth of opportunities for vegans to enjoy delicious foods that are cruelty-free and environmentally friendly.
From New York City to San Francisco and everywhere in between, here are some of our favorite spots on this side of the border:
- NYC Vegan Deli (New York City)
- PETA People’s Choice Award winner Veggie Grill (Los Angeles)
- Downtown Bakery & Creameria (Seattle)
The best cities for vegans in America? It’s hard to say since there are so many great options! But if we had to pick just one city for vegans, it would be New York City because there are so many restaurants serving delicious vegan dishes from around the world and they’re all within walking distance from each other!
We love everything about NYC but especially their culture when it comes down to treating animals humanely which is why we created our own Vegan Guidebook featuring over 100 places where you can get delicious food without ever having any guilt about eating its contents knowing how well cared for they’ve been treated beforehand.”
Looking to explore unconventional vegan travel destinations? Check out our guide to the 10 surprising vegan travel destinations you need to visit and discover unique places around the world that are perfect for vegan travelers.
Aruba
Aruba is a popular destination for vegans. This Caribbean island is home to many vegan friendly restaurants and hotels, making it the perfect vacation spot for anyone who wants to travel as a vegan.
Aruba is an island in the southern Caribbean that’s part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. It’s known for its white sand beaches, which are great for swimming and snorkeling, as well as its beautiful plant life.
There are more than 100 species of birds that can be seen on Aruba’s shores; there are also several trees native to this area including lignum vitae trees (which grow up to 35 feet tall) and mangroves (which grow in brackish water).
Conclusion
We hope this list will help you plan your next vegan-friendly vacation, and maybe even inspire some new places to visit! If you have any suggestions for other countries that we missed (or if you’re just looking for more foodie inspiration), please let us know in the comments below.
Further reading
Here are some additional resources you can check out for more information on vegan-friendly travel and destinations:
Best countries to visit if you’re vegan or vegetarian: An article that highlights the best countries to visit for vegan and vegetarian travelers looking for diverse food options and cultural experiences.
13 Best countries for vegan and vegetarian-friendly travel: This comprehensive guide provides useful information on 13 countries that offer a range of vegan-friendly experiences, from food to accommodations and attractions.
Best vegan food countries around the world: Discover the best destinations for vegan foodie experiences with this article that highlights some of the tastiest vegan cuisines from around the world.
FAQs
What countries are best for vegan travelers?
Some of the best countries for vegan travelers include the UK, Germany, Thailand, Israel, and India.
How can I find vegan-friendly restaurants while traveling?
You can use various resources, such as Happy Cow, Vegan Food Quest, and TripAdvisor, to find vegan-friendly restaurants in different destinations.
What are some common challenges for vegan travelers?
Some common challenges for vegan travelers include language barriers, cultural differences, finding suitable accommodation, and navigating unfamiliar menus.
Is it difficult to maintain a vegan diet while traveling?
While it can be challenging, with the right preparation and mindset, it’s entirely possible to maintain a vegan diet while traveling.
How do I deal with social situations as a vegan traveler?
It’s essential to communicate your dietary needs and preferences clearly to those around you, and to be open to trying new foods and experiences while respecting your boundaries.
Hi! My name is Hellen James, and I’m a vegan lifestyle enthusiast. I’ve been living the vegan lifestyle for over 10 years now, and it’s been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. The food is amazing, the community is incredible, and there’s no way I could go back after experiencing all this firsthand.
