Travel
Plant-Based Paradise: The Top 20 Cities For Vegetarians And Vegans
Slide Nr 1There’s no denying that plant-based food is more than a way of eating – it’s a way of life, and it’s here to stay. From New York to New Zealand, we asked travel bloggers, cookbook authors and plant-based influencers in twenty of the world’s most veggie-forward cities to share the eats and eateries they love. From biriyani to boboties and sushi to sorbet, they give us the inside scoop, in the hope that their tips will inspire you to take that special trip and discover a few veggie favourites of your own.
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Plant-Based Paradise: The Top 20 Cities For Vegetarians And Vegans.
Slide Nr 2Lisbon: If you thought this culinary paradise was mostly about meat and seafood, you’re in for a surprise! Traveller and foodie Wendy Werneth of The Nomadic Vegan says: “In cosmopolitan Lisbon, you’ll find vegan dishes from almost any cuisine imaginable, including some African cuisines you’ve never tried before. Taste a variety of dishes at Plant Base, a vegan collective space shared by several chefs. For the best Italian food, head to Horácio in the atmospheric Alfama neighbourhood. Legumi Sushi makes some of the most beautiful and creative vegan sushi for take-away. Of course, you’ll also want to try local specialties such as ‘pastel de nata’ tarts, and the place for that is Vegan Nata. At Lisbon Cooking Academy, you can even learn to bake this mouth-watering treat for yourself!” Follow Wendy on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.
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Plant-Based Paradise: The Top 20 Cities For Vegetarians And Vegans.
Slide Nr 3Edinburgh: “Vegan-friendly may not be the first descriptor that comes to mind for the haggis-loving city of Edinburgh, but in fact, vegans and vegetarians will have no problem finding restaurants within easy walking distance of the city centre,” says vegan travel advocate and Edinburgh insider Alysa Tarrant of Voyaging Herbivore. Her top picks: “For a classy night out, David Bann’s rotating and relatively affordable menu will never disappoint. If you want to experience the nightlife and also want to carb up before you hit the town, head to Paradise Palms, where the all-vegan or veggie-loaded fries, BBQ platters and burgers – as well as the fun vibe – will make you fall in love with Edinburgh’s food scene.” Look up Alysa on Instagram, TikTok and Pinterest.
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Plant-Based Paradise: The Top 20 Cities For Vegetarians And Vegans.
Slide Nr 4Amsterdam: The City of Canals is brimming with restaurants and cafés serving all kinds of veggie fare, in line with its long-term goals of health and sustainability for all. According to food and travel blogger Anne de Graaf of Anne Travel Foodie: “On one street you can find Soil that sells vegan burgers and bowls, as well as Meatless District that’s not only meat-free but completely plant-based, too. But if you’re looking for some ‘unhealthy’ vegan food, Vegan Junk Food Bar is the place for you! The restaurant has several locations in Amsterdam, and all serve delicious vegan fast food that even carnivores will love”. Follow Anne on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. [Photo courtesy: Anne de Graaf]
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Plant-Based Paradise: The Top 20 Cities For Vegetarians And Vegans.
Slide Nr 5London: It goes without saying that Londoners have developed a special fondness for vegan food, with so many meatless eateries sprouting up everywhere in recent years. Alina, vegan traveller behind World of Lina, recommends: “Of the many vegan restaurants in London, plant-based foodies can choose from any of the locations of the restaurant chain Mildreds. Here, you’ll find internationally inspired dishes, desserts and cocktails. For those paying attention to the ecological aspect, 222 Vegan Cuisine is the place to go. They use organic, local ingredients where possible and avoid anything genetically modified. And if you have a very sweet tooth, head to Cookies and Scream to enjoy some of the best sweet treats in London!” Visit Alina on Pinterest and Facebook.
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Plant-Based Paradise: The Top 20 Cities For Vegetarians And Vegans.
Slide Nr 6Brighton: Veggie lovers will feel perfectly at home and even spoiled for choice in this hip seaside city. Travel blogger and author Ellie Seymour of Ellie & Co confirms: “Brighton is scattered with unique vegan and veggie restaurants. Terre à Terre near the seafront is one of the oldest, having opened in 1993. Their food is moreish, playfully described and creatively presented. Botanique in Hove is an elegant vegan restaurant in a former home design shop and serves beautiful small-plate dishes to share. Alternately, canteen-style Ideya in a historic city centre street and Tilt Kitchen in Fiveways neighbourhood make good lunch options.” Look up Ellie on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
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Plant-Based Paradise: The Top 20 Cities For Vegetarians And Vegans.
Slide Nr 7Prague: In this city of architecture and culture, the trend towards meatless eating is developing slowly but surely. Giulia Mulè, food and travel writer behind Mondo Mulia advises: “Prague’s Old Town is the best place to get a taste of authentic Czech cuisine. Meat-free staples to try: smažený sýr (breaded fried cheese), koprovka (dill and potato soup with poached egg), and chlebicky (bread with a variety of toppings). Maitrea is a popular vegetarian restaurant with Eastern influences near the Old Town square. For more vegetarian bites, head over to Karlín district. My favourite is Eska, a bakery/deli/bistro with a strong focus on vegetables, fermented food and open grills. Prague is also one of the best cities in which to try genuine Vietnamese home-cooked food; at Nam Viet restaurant you’ll find many vegan options.” See Giulia on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
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Plant-Based Paradise: The Top 20 Cities For Vegetarians And Vegans.
Slide Nr 8Berlin: As the hipster mecca of Germany and a vibrant melting pot of culture, it’s no surprise that Berlin boasts a buzzing veggie food scene. “There are 50+ vegan restaurants throughout the city, and many offer vegetarian options, too,” says vegan foodie and photographer Marie Dorfschmidt of therawberry. “I love Zeit für Brot’s huge vegan cinnamon buns. Fendricks_Coffee is a great spot to sit and enjoy your vegan bagel or banana bread along with some delicious coffee and plant-based milk. For something special and savoury, try La Stella Nera – a fully vegan pizzeria with an incredible selection. Their vegan tiramisu is simply amazing! And Brammibal’s Donuts is one of the best places to get vegan donuts of your dreams!” View Marie’s Berlin food guide and follow her on Instagram and YouTube. [Photos courtesy: Marie Dorfschmidt]
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Plant-Based Paradise: The Top 20 Cities For Vegetarians And Vegans.
Slide Nr 9Rome: Generally speaking, bread, pasta and tomatoes make the bulk of Italian cuisine – so it isn’t hard to request dairy-free food at regular restaurants. But if you’re scouting for wholly vegan eateries, vegan traveller Haley Gallerani of The Vegan Abroad offers: “For a city centre option, head over to Buddy for a selection of vegan Italian dishes. Although not a fully vegan restaurant, any vegan will be in heaven at Rifugio Romano near the Termini station. The vegan carbonara is the best I’ve had in Italy, and you can finish it off with a delicious vegan tiramisu. You can’t have a trip to Rome without gelato, and for that there’s Grezzo Raw Chocolate, which claims to be the first raw vegan patisserie in the world.” Visit Haley on Instagram, TikTok and Facebook.
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Plant-Based Paradise: The Top 20 Cities For Vegetarians And Vegans.
Slide Nr 10Tel Aviv: Discerning foodies, welcome to plant food paradise! “Tel Aviv is by far one of the most vegan-friendly cities in the world, with veggie-forward restaurants, menus and meal options almost anywhere, especially in the city centre,” informs Olga Tuksher, founder of the blog Markiv Sodi. According to her, “A large part of Middle Eastern cuisine and street food, such as hummus, falafel or eggless sabih, is plant-based by definition. Anastasia is my favourite for vegan breakfast and lunch, while OPA, 416 and Bana serve creative vegan cuisine in a chic atmosphere. Try Green Butcher or Rainbow for a perfect burger meal, Green Roll for the best sushi, The Green Cat for pizza, and Tamara for ice-cream, frozen yoghurt or sorbet.” Visit Olga on Instagram and Facebook.
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Plant-Based Paradise: The Top 20 Cities For Vegetarians And Vegans.
Slide Nr 11Miami: You can’t deny the Cuban influence on Miami’s culture and food scene, but if you ask Geoffrey Anderson and Diane Rubin of food blog Miami Food Pug, they’ll tell you: “There’s more to Miami than just Cuban food – just look at the city’s blossoming vegetarian scene. Foodies looking for the best plant-based versions of comfort classics should head to Thatch in the Design District, where 100% vegan versions of cheeseburgers, nachos, quesadillas and pad Thai can be found. Since this is Miami, you can’t not visit the beach, so make sure you stop at PLANTA South Beach, too: the upscale eatery is home to must-try vegan sushi and other plant-forward delights.” Follow Geoffrey and Diane on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.
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Plant-Based Paradise: The Top 20 Cities For Vegetarians And Vegans.
Slide Nr 12San Francisco: Travel blogger and influencer Andi Fisher of Misadventures with Andi asserts: “San Francisco is a haven for vegetarians and vegans – in fact, it was named the most vegan-friendly city in the United States by animal rights organisation PETA! For that reason, you can find fantastic foodie options throughout the city, from vegetarian dim sum at Yank Sing in the Embarcadero to vegan Japanese at Cha-Ya in the Mission District. You don’t have to subsist on veggie burgers alone, although the city has some amazing burgers such as the one from The Plant Café (multiple locations across the city). Finish off your meal with a vegetarian or vegan treat; from baked goodies to gelato (try Holy Gelato! in Inner Sunset), you can always find something to satisfy your sweet tooth!” Follow Andi on Instagram, Pinterest and Twitter.
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Plant-Based Paradise: The Top 20 Cities For Vegetarians And Vegans.
Slide Nr 13New York City: With plant-centric restaurants popping up everywhere and many eateries offering meat-free menus, it looks like the Big Apple is demanding its pound of veggies. According to vegan blogger Keirsten Morris of A Blog About Stuff: “It’s not surprising to hear that NYC ranks among the top vegan-friendly cities worldwide. It has something for every palate and price. If you’re hankering for Michelin stars, check out Eleven Madison Park and Kajitsu. However if you want an immersive vegan Korean experience, go to Hangawi. But if good old greasy New York-style pizza is what you’re after, then definitely hit up Screamers!” Follow Keirsten on Instagram and Twitter.
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Plant-Based Paradise: The Top 20 Cities For Vegetarians And Vegans.
Slide Nr 14Vancouver: This outdoorsy city has always lured nature lovers and adventure seekers alike, and now it’s going green with a variety of options, courting the attention of the health-conscious as well. Anna Pippus, bestselling author of The Vegan Family Cookbook, says: “Vancouver is an ethnically diverse city, so it’s only fitting that vegan food offerings reflect that. Enjoy a family-style Chinese dinner at Po Kong, try a plant-based Mediterranean comfort meal at Chickpea, and go South Indian at House of Dosas. Trendy Mount Pleasant is home to an incredible array of vegan restaurants, from burgers to juices. For something a little more upscale, check out award-winning The Acorn or new-kid-on-the-block Nightshade in Yaletown.” Follow Anna on Instagram and visit her blog, Easy Animal Free. [Photo: Nightshade via Facebook]
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Plant-Based Paradise: The Top 20 Cities For Vegetarians And Vegans.
Slide Nr 15Portland: The City of Roses is cooler and quirkier than you think, with vegan eat outs in abundance offering diverse and innovative fare. Vegan voyagers Hayden and Aaron Hall share their favourite haunts from brunch to bar: “Portland is the ultimate vegan destination. Here, you’ll find vegan grocery stores, bars, tattoo parlours, clothing stores and even strip clubs! Start with brunch at Off the Griddle for the best vegan biscuits and gravy. For a unique dining experience, try the handmade dim sum at Jade Rabbit. The siu mai dumplings with vegan roe will blow your socks off. End your night at a vegan hipster bar, The Bye and Bye, and indulge in their signature drink.” Visit Hayden and Aaron on Instagram and YouTube.
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Plant-Based Paradise: The Top 20 Cities For Vegetarians And Vegans.
Slide Nr 16Chiang Mai: “Chiang Mai is a haven for vegetarians,” says Katie Diedrichs of Two Wandering Soles. “Try Khao Soi, a northern Thai dish comprising yellow curry spices, coconut milk, shallots and fried egg noodles. It’s typically served with lime, pickled vegetables and a chicken leg, but Aum Vegetarian Restaurant and Pun Pun offer excellent vegetarian versions. Look up Anchan (also serves non-veg fare) in the Nimman neighbourhood for curries bursting with veggies and flavour, as well as Free Bird Café for an eclectic menu featuring a combination of Thai favourites, Burmese dishes, and Western fare. Regardless of where you eat, ask for your food to be made ‘jey’(Thai for vegetarian cuisine prepared according to strict standards, including with cookware that’s specifically not used for meat).” See Katie and Ben on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.
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Plant-Based Paradise: The Top 20 Cities For Vegetarians And Vegans.
Slide Nr 17Da Nang: In their Vegan and Vegetarian Guide to Vietnam, Arijana and Matej, the journalist and software engineer duo behind Shipped Away, highlight the ease of going veggie in Vietnam – and in Da Nang, it’s no different, they tell us: “An Thuong in the My An area is the place to go to dig into the veggie food scene. Loving Vegan’s versions of known dishes, like cheesy Philly sub and mac ‘n’ cheese, and their gloriously tasty Vietnamese dishes like ‘banh xeo’, will leave you wanting more. Heaven awaits lovers of smoothies and Buddha bowls at iVegan as well as at Roots Plant-based Café. Lastly, don’t skip ‘che’ – the delicious classic ice-based dessert of this part of the world. Definitely try the durian-based one at Chè Thái Sầu Riêng.” Visit Arijana and Matej on Instagram, YouTube and TikTok. [Photo courtesy: Arijana Matej]
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Plant-Based Paradise: The Top 20 Cities For Vegetarians And Vegans.
Slide Nr 18Melbourne: From veggie brunches to lunches and casual bites, Australia’s foodie city has you covered. Liz Douglas, podcast host and creator of Vegan Diaries, says: “The trendy inner-city suburb of Fitzroy is the No.1 destination for vegan eats. Vegie Bar is an institution and makes for a great casual dining hall experience. For meals on the go or decadent desserts, stop by Girls & Boys. If you love mock meats, Madame K’s, Green Burger and Red Sparrow Pizza in neighbouring suburbs are well worth the trip. For late-night cravings, Lord of the Fries is the ultimate comfort food, serving up American-style burgers. For brunch, try Sable, Serotonin Eatery and Smith & Deli to power you through your day!” See Liz on Instagram and TikTok and tune into her podcast on Spotify.
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Plant-Based Paradise: The Top 20 Cities For Vegetarians And Vegans.
Slide Nr 19Wellington: The Kiwi capital has more to offer than just perfectly brewed, velvety coffee. Vegan lifestyle influencer Tess Eden of Eden Vegan says: “Wellington has a range of vegan eateries for all occasions. Head to the CBD to check out Belen, my favourite vegan bakery serving delicious cinnamon scrolls and classic Kiwi baked goods. Wander up Cuba Street to visit Aunty Mena Vegetarian Café, a Wellington institution, for a vegan laksa. Taste homemade vegan cheese pizza at Nolita, New Zealand’s first 100% plant-based Italian restaurant. And definitely, make time for a stop at Mockingbird vegan junk food bar for drinks and loaded fries!” Visit Tess on Instagram and TikTok.
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Plant-Based Paradise: The Top 20 Cities For Vegetarians And Vegans.
Slide Nr 20Chennai: In India, vegetarian food is not at all hard to find, and “Chennai does vegetarian extraordinarily, albeit quietly, like everything else!”, declares foodie blogger Dr Wasim Mohideen of Grub Waz. “Feeling fancy? Head to the luxurious and fully vegetarian Royal Vega, ITC Grand Chola, for a thali with brilliant jackfruit biryani. Stuck with meat eaters? The Ramassery idli at Kappa Chakka Kandhari or the Green Burger at Gossip Bistro on ECR are carefully crafted for you, while serving non-vegetarian food for others. Vegan? Café 28 at RA Puram, India’s first vegan café has the Fabulous Lyfe, as well as the quirky Eat with Lily. Looking for healthy options? Get the millet dosas at Prems Grama Bhojan in Adyar.” Visit Doc Waz on Twitter and Instagram.
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Plant-Based Paradise: The Top 20 Cities For Vegetarians And Vegans.
Slide Nr 21Cape Town: When it comes to cruelty-free living, innovation and sustainability, the Mother City is ahead of the curve. Lauren Duvel of Wishlists and Wanderings clues us in: “The vegan scene is blossoming in Cape Town, especially around the City Bowl (the town centre cocooned by Table Mountain and the sea). The OZCF Market is a popular weekend hangout with locally made products and traders with artisan treats. For brunch, try Nourish’d, a calming plant-filled café on trendy Kloof Street, or test out the healthy and delicious menu at Scheckter’s Raw. Hudsons will fuel your adventures with six different vegan burgers, while Plant has veganised South African favourites including bobotie and milk tart.” Follow Lauren on Instagram.
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