23 Most Popular Vegan-Friendly Cities In The World
23 Most Popular Vegan-Friendly Cities In The World
Exploring vegan-friendly cities worldwide has never been more exciting, with plant-based dining options flourishing across the globe.
From innovative gourmet restaurants to bustling street food scenes, these cities cater to every vegan taste and budget.
Whether you’re travelling for new flavours or looking for eco-conscious spots, these destinations stand out for their commitment to vegan living.
Here’s a guide to some of the world’s top cities for vegan travellers.
1. Glasgow, UK
PETA named Glasgow the most vegan-friendly city in the UK a few years ago. It is considered one of the most significant locations to live as a vegan and is home to several vegan bars and pubs.
Vegan bars Mono and Stereo serve a pint and vegan fare, while Soy Division serves a full-cooked breakfast or lunch. Saramago Café serves vegan haggis fritters with chips, pea and mint puree, and tartare sauce.
The Blythswood Square Hotel is one of the most environmentally friendly hotels in the UK. It uses rainwater, solar roof panels, and geothermal heating.
It provides a comfortable stay in a historical environment (the 1823 structure was built in 1823). Glasgow is the most popular vegan-friendly city in the world.
2. Taipei, Taiwan
In Taiwan, cruelty-free dining is prevalent, and the capital city, Taipei, offers an extensive range of vegan dining options. Vegan restaurants and groceries are plentiful in Taipei, as are vegetarian eateries with a wide range of vegan options. Taipei's reputation is well-known; in 2016, PETA called it “Asia's most vegan-friendly metropolis.”
Tofu is commonly found in street cuisine, and a local delicacy is the Taiwanese Burrito, which consists of vegetables coated in a peanut sauce and served burrito-style.
Ooh Cha Cha is a great place to go for raw vegan treats. Many hotels in Taipei provide vegan breakfast and dinner options, indicating that the city is geared toward vegetarians and vegans.
3. Portland, Oregon
Portland's forward-thinking, healthy-living, earth-protecting citizens had transformed the state's largest city into the nation's granola capital, similar to San Francisco before all the techies took over. Visitors who do not consume animal products will feel at home in Portland's all-natural, cruelty-free environment.
Simple vegans who continue to eat dairy and eggs are likely to feel out of touch. For the first time, vegans can enjoy the notion of gastronomic variety at restaurants and food stores that offer vegan BBQ and cashew cheeses, coconut bacon, and milk-free soft serve in the world's first all-vegan mini-mall (1217 SE Stark).
4. Ghent, Belgium
The city of Ghent has fully embraced the meat-free notion. On “Thursday Veggie Day,” the city encourages residents to eat vegetarian for one day per week. On Thursdays, several local cafés and eateries provide additional vegetarian selections.
Ghent offers a plethora of organic markets and vegetarian cafes, and the city's tourism bureau has compiled a comprehensive list of vegetarian eateries.
Although many establishments are vegetarian rather than entirely vegan, the city's pubs always have plenty of dairy and egg-free selections and a good selection of vegan beers.
Avalon, an organic lunch spot, and Komkommertijd's vegan buffet are two long-time favourites. The city also highly values organic, locally sourced produce.
5. Edinburgh, Scotland
Edinburgh, which PETA named the UK's most vegan-friendly city in 2015, features an extensive range of vegan options, cafes, bars, and restaurants offering a fine selection of meat—and dairy-free options. Popular food trucks offer baked potatoes topped with everything from chickpea curry to vegan bolognese.
The Auld Hoose is a famous pub known for its extensive vegetarian menu, which includes nachos cooked with vegan cheese.
Try David Bann vegan restaurant in Edinburgh for elegant vegan dining. It offers excellent meals at surprisingly affordable costs. The menu is not entirely vegan, but plenty of vegan options are on offer.
6. London, United Kingdom
London is a global leader in vegan cuisine. It offers abundant plant-based dining options that showcase the city's multicultural influences and innovative chefs.
Its restaurants range from fusion concepts like The Gate, which blends Indo-Euro-Mediterranean dishes, to a wide variety of vegan-friendly spots such as vegetarian pizzerias, sushi bars, gastropubs, and junk food joints.
For those seeking a more casual experience, London's Broadway Vegan Market, held every Saturday near London Fields, offers a vibrant atmosphere with street food booths and live music.
Additionally, the monthly vegan night market in East London draws hip crowds with food stalls and DJs, making the city a true vegan paradise.
7. Tel Aviv, Israel
More vegans are found in Israel than in any other country. Many appear to reside in Tel Aviv, where farm-to-table dining and a Mediterranean diet were standard far before they were fashionable elsewhere. In this young seaside city, herbivorous travellers who love falafel will never go hungry.
However, you do not have to exclude cuisines from beyond the region. HappyCow, an online vegan guide, lists sushi (The Green Roll, Montefiore St. 30), authentic Ethiopian (Tenat, Chlenov St. 27), and a restaurant named Nanuchka (Lilienblum St. 30) that claims to have the world's “only entirely vegan Georgian” cuisine. (Note that this is the Eurasian country of Georgia, not the southeastern US state.)
8. Chennai, India
Chennai is a thriving destination for vegan travellers, offering various plant-based options. Local favourites like vegan curries, dosas, thalis, sambhar, and chutneys provide a flavourful introduction to South Indian cuisine.
The city’s street food culture is equally inviting, with chaat, a popular potato-based snack often served in vegan-friendly varieties such as spicy corn and aloo.
In 2018, Chennai was named PETA’s most vegan-friendly city in India, thanks to its growing number of vegan restaurants, businesses, and ethical fashion options. With its delicious food and supportive community, Chennai is ideal for vegan tourists.
9. New York City, United States
New York City is a top destination for vegetarians, offering many plant-based options. In 2017, WalletHub named it the best U.S. city for vegans and vegetarians due to its diverse, high-quality, and accessible meat-free meals.
From upscale restaurants like Avant Garden in the East Village to trendy food trucks, New York caters to all tastes. International cuisines abound, with spots like Délice & Sarrasin in the West Village serving vegan crepes and mushroom “escargot,” and Hangawi offering a vegetarian twist on Korean dishes.
Whether in fine dining or casual eateries, New York City ensures excellent options for plant-based eaters.
10. Brighton, UK
Brighton is a vibrant hub for vegan and cruelty-free dining and shopping, offering abundant options for plant-based living.
The city's dining scene includes cozy, artsy cafés and upscale restaurants, many of which are tucked away in the charming Lanes area.
Brighton is also home to Purezza, the UK's first plant-based vegan pizzeria, where pizza lovers can enjoy creative, plant-powered dishes.
In addition to restaurants, the city boasts several dedicated vegetarian and vegan bed and breakfasts, making it a perfect destination for travellers seeking cruelty-free accommodations. Whether dining or shopping, Brighton has become a hotspot for vegan enthusiasts.
11. Berlin, Germany
Germany may be known for its sausage and schnitzel, but its capital is a vegetarian haven. According to HappyCow, the meatless eater's answer to Yelp, Berlin is the world's most vegan-friendly metropolis.”
A search for Berlin on HappyCow's website yields almost 500 results. Kopps (Linienstrasse 94) is the standard-bearer among those restaurants, with its exquisite atmosphere and five-course tasting menu.
For a far more laid-back option, go to a Veganz grocery store and pick up the fixings for a picnic in the Tiergarten.
Along a single stretch of Schivelbeiner Strasse, often known as “vegan avenue,” in the trendy Prenzlauer Berg area in the northeast, you'll find more than a dozen restaurants, markets, apparel boutiques, and bars selling animal-free goods.
12. Chiang Mai, Thailand
Chiang Mai is a top destination for meat-free dining, offering various options for vegan and vegetarian food lovers.
Beyond the usual vegan buffets, Chiang Mai features a growing number of premium eateries, organic farm-to-table restaurants, salad bars, and macrobiotic spots that emphasize whole grains and vegetables.
One standout is Pun, a local favorite with two restaurants and a vegan store known for its innovative, organic, locally sourced meals, coffees, and smoothies.
A highlight is their mushroom-based version of Thailand's famous fermented sausage, offering a delicious twist on a traditional dish. The city is a must-visit for plant-based food enthusiasts.
13. Mumbai, India
Given that India boasts the world's largest vegetarian population, it's only natural that the country's most populated metropolis, Mumbai, would have infinite vegetarian restaurants and food carts.
It does, though, keep in mind that many Hindus (80% of Indians) are lacto-vegetarians, which means they forego meat, fish, and eggs but eat dairy products.
To put it another way, visiting vegans should be cautious. Masque (Gala 3, Laxmi Woollen Mill), a “wilderness-to-table” foraging restaurant with a vegetarian tasting menu, is a must-visit for trendsetters and setters.
However, exploring the city's numerous small cafés, markets, and food stalls selling chutneys, Parsi-style scrambled eggs, papayas, toasted buns, and flattened bread may be more gratifying.
14. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Vegan restaurants in Rio de Janeiro, such as Vegetariano Social Clube in Leblon and Green and VegeCoop in downtown Rio, have seen a surge in plant-based customers in recent years, not to mention the juice shops on almost every street corner, serving vegetable mixtures long before juicing became fashionable.
Rio's salad bars charge by weight and are a delight to visit, with olives, hearts of palm, fish-free sushi, and vibrant bean salads.
Furthermore, Rio's top churrascarias (all-you-can-eat meat grills) are vegans' dream dining locations. Buffets groaning beneath the weight of meat-free sides, salads, and sushi are open to diners anytime. Some steakhouses offer reduced pricing to guests who will not eat the meaty main course.
15. Los Angeles, United States
Los Angeles earned the top spot in PETA's 2018 survey of the most vegan-friendly US cities thanks to its strong commitment to healthy living and animal activism.
The city has various plant-based dining options, from celebrity-endorsed high-end restaurants to budget-friendly choices.
Many public schools in the area even offer vegan lunch menus, reflecting the city's broad embrace of plant-based living.
While plenty of upscale vegetarian restaurants, such as those frequented by stars like Natalie Portman, more affordable options like Cena Vegan’s Mexican food cart make LA’s vegan scene accessible to everyone, the city’s diverse offerings make it a paradise for plant-based eaters.
16. Vancouver, Canada
Vancouver is a vibrant city for vegan dining, with numerous eateries, food trucks, bakeries, and raw food bars offering plant-based options.
The Acorn, one of Canada’s top restaurants, caters to vegetarians with various delicious choices, making it perfect for a special occasion lunch. Heirloom, a long-standing meat-free favorite, serves fantastic vegan dishes, brunches, and wines.
The city’s food truck scene is equally impressive, with highlights including tacos, vegetable burgers, and Asian-inspired “chicken” burgers.
Vancouver’s commitment to plant-based living extends beyond restaurants. With vegan-friendly shoe stores and cafes, it is a top destination for vegan enthusiasts.
17. Turin, Italy
Mayor Chiara Appendino of Turin has stated that she wants to see her northern Italian city go vegetarian. This may be a difficult order for a population of almost 900,000 people with a long history of eating beef-heavy Piedmontese cuisine.
However, the city has gotten off to a fantastic start. Turin has more than 30 vegan and vegetarian restaurants. Coox and Il Gusto di Carmilla (Via S. Donato 29), for example, serve mushroom pasta and gelato made with rice, soy, or almond milk. One thing is sure: an Italian is the only person who can make pizza taste lovely, even if the cheese isn't real cheese.
18. Orlando, Florida
Orlando has emerged as a surprising hotspot for vegan dining. It ranked third on WalletHub's 2017 list of vegan-friendly U.S. cities, behind New York and Portland. With around 31% of eateries offering vegan options, Orlando surpasses cities like Chicago.
The city’s food scene includes standout spots like Black Rooster Taqueria and Domu, linked to the trendy East End Market.
Even the world-renowned theme parks cater to plant-based eaters, with Walt Disney World's Epcot offering vegetarian choices at each of its 11 World Showcase pavilions. Orlando's diverse range of vegan and vegetarian options makes it a top destination for green-conscious travellers.
19. Toronto, Canada
Toronto is a growing vegan hotspot known for hosting one of North America's largest vegetarian festivals. The city's vegan scene continues to expand, with establishments like Bloomers, a local favourite offering delicious meals and award-winning donuts, recently adding brunch to its menu.
Copper Branch, a Canadian vegan fast-food chain, is making waves in the fast-food industry with multiple locations in Toronto.
Their Shitake Teriyaki Burger and Sandwich are standout options. Globally Local, a vegan restaurant with a strong following, has opened its third location in Toronto.
It serves tasty items like the Maple Breakfast sandwich and strawberry milkshakes. Toronto’s vegan offerings are diverse and constantly evolving.
20. Warsaw, Poland
Warsaw has seen a significant rise in vegan dining options. There are 50 vegan restaurants within a five-mile radius, many located within a one-mile span. This abundance makes exploring the city's plant-based offerings on foot easy.
Krowarzywa, Warsaw’s popular vegan burger joint, has expanded to five locations. It has twice earned the title of “Best Burger in Warsaw” and now serves the famous Beyond Burger, a trend followed by several other local eateries.
Additionally, Warzywiarnia, a new vegan burger spot, is quickly gaining popularity among locals and visitors. Warsaw’s vibrant and growing vegan scene makes it an exciting destination for plant-based food lovers.
21. Portland, United States
Veganism and plant-based eating are ingrained in Portland's social fabric. The city's terrain is peppered with various excellent vegan meals, like Vtopia Cheese Shop & Deli's 20 types of vegan gourmet cheese.
The new and widely popular Ichiza Kitchen and Teahouse, a teahouse specializing in shojin ryori-style food, is located in the same building.
Aviv, a top-rated Israeli restaurant, delivers delectable Israeli cuisine, and Virtuous Pie, a gourmet, artisanal pizza joint, is a must-visit.
Canteen and Happy Day Juice offers healthy smoothies, bowls, and fresh salads. The Fermenter is a new vegan restaurant that focuses on fermentation.
They have a bowl with various sauces to choose from, and they create all of their drinks in-house, including kombucha, kefir, and other fermented beverages.
22. Wellington, New Zealand
Wellington is another popular vegan-friendly city in the world. For the first time, a city from New Zealand appears on the list! According to Vegconomist, New Zealand placed sixth in the world in terms of vegan searches on Google in 2020.
Wellington, rather than Auckland, is the only city in New Zealand to make the list. While Wellington has twice as many restaurants (16 vs. 8) as Auckland, the capital's population size means Wellington comes out on top. Wellington has 3.7 vegan eateries per 1,000 people, while Auckland only has 1.1.
For comfort food and cakes, go to the all-vegan eatery Sweet Release or luxury food hall Aroha for a lunchtime meal.
23. Prague, Czechia
With a population of approximately 1.26 million people, Prague ranks in the top five cities worldwide for the number of vegan eateries per capita.
Although HappyCow lists 53 vegan restaurants within a five-mile radius of Prague, most of these establishments are within a two-mile radius.
Only a few years ago, most vegan restaurants in Prague were the seven Loving Huts scattered throughout the city. Still, the vegan scene in Prague has exploded in recent years, as has the range of vegan eateries.
Bistro Stecha (“roof” in English), which serves great and economical vegan, mostly Czech cuisine and is operated by a worker cooperative where those who work there can vote, is one of the city's highlights.
Former inmates and the homeless are among those who benefit from this socially aware cooperative, which provides jobs to poor people who are having problems obtaining work.
Conclusion
As plant-based living gains momentum, cities worldwide embrace veganism with diverse, accessible, and delicious options.
From traditional dishes reimagined to innovative new flavours, these vegan-friendly cities showcase the power of conscious dining for locals and travellers alike.
Whether you're a seasoned vegan or simply curious, these destinations offer a warm welcome and unforgettable meals that make exploring each city a delight. Embrace the journey, savour the flavours, and discover the best vegan travel!
I trust you enjoyed this article about the 23 Most Popular Vegan-Friendly Cities In The World. Please stay tuned for more blog posts soon. Take care!
JeannetteZ
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