14 Best Vegan Travel Destinations in the World… and the worst!

Fortunately, many destinations are becoming increasingly awesome for vegan travellers!

I actually turned fully vegan in Chiang Mai, which has dozens of vegan restaurants, before finding it easy to continue my journey with veganism in Auckland, New Zealand. My favourite vegan food destinations so far are probably Sri Lanka, Singapore and Malaysia, with Indonesia, Japan and Lisbon as close runners-up.

Elsewhere, finding vegan food has never been a problem when living in big cities such as London, Sydney and Melbourne. Though if you don’t get to choose where to eat, it can get quite samey!

Vegan pancakes on Koh Lanta in Thailand, 40p vegan meals in Chiang Mai, vegan pastel de nata in Lisbon and finally, delicious vegan tasting plates in Tokyo:

But enough about me!

To give a more well-rounded perspective, I’ve asked other travel bloggers to give their take on the best (and worst) vegan destinations worldwide! Bear in mind these are personal opinions, and circumstances may change depending on the season you visit and how willing you are to pre-plan your meals.

That said, many of the below options I hear are recommended again and again by vegan travellers! And indeed, the ‘worst’ destinations for vegans often come up a lot too. If you have any more great vegan travel recommendations (or warnings!), be sure to leave a comment below.

What is also great about Amsterdam is that almost every restaurant has at least one vegan or vegetarian option, meaning you can branch out and almost always find an option for you! If you are looking for an amazing vegan brunch, you need to go to Mr. Stacks, for the best vegan lunch go to Vegan Junk Food Bar, and for a delicious and classy vegan dinner visit Meatless District. If you are looking to indulge in some of the world’s most unique and tasty vegan dishes, Amsterdam is the place for you!

Unlike in other countries, pizza in Italy does not always come with cheese. In fact, the original pizza invented in Naples — the pizza marinara — is entirely vegan! So don’t worry about the waiter giving you a strange look when you order your pizza “senza formaggio”. Of course, you’ll also be able to try many traditional local specialities that are already vegan by default, without any modification.

Italian cuisine is so incredibly diverse that it’s difficult to recommend specific vegan Italian dishes. There are literally hundreds of them, but which ones are available will depend on which region of the country you’re in. Generally speaking, the further south you go, the more plant-based the local cuisine becomes. Puglia, which is located in the heel of the Italian boot, has perhaps the most vegan-friendly cuisine of all Italian regions.

I sometimes had a hard time explaining my strange request to locals. One restaurant owner didn’t believe making a pizza without cheese was possible. He downright refused, saying he “didn’t have that kind of expertise”. Luckily, boxed soy meat is a staple there because it’s cheaper than animal meat and doesn’t have to be refrigerated. So my husband and I self-catered and made a delicious spaghetti bolognese.

Especially around Ubud, there are some fantastic vegan cafes. Siboghana Warung is a lovely vegan restaurant set around a local family garden with shrines and small waterfalls. Here you can take a vegan cooking class, try the kare noodle soup with veggies, or the mushroom satay skewers. Another place to eat is 9 Angels, a vegan serve-yourself buffet where you pay in an honesty box when you leave. The highlights are the tempeh skewers, jackfruit curry and sweet potato mash, plus the hipster coffee shop in the garden serving various coffees with plant milk.

Warung Sopa also serves excellent plant-based meals on banana leaves. You can mix and match dishes like aubergine curry, falafel, samosas and coconut curry. Finally, wash everything down with vegan coffee and cake at Sawobali Cake & Coffee Shop (or visit for dinner when you can enjoy the generous vegan buffet for £3). Don’t miss the vegan matcha cake or the chocolate mud cake!

Worst – SOUTH KOREA

Continued by Rose

In contrast, one of the worst places to travel for veggies (in my opinion) is South Korea. The cuisine in restaurants is traditionally meaty, there are very few supermarkets, and the local market vendors have a habit of overcharging tourists. One day the only fruit I managed to find was a sad banana wrapped in plastic at the 7/11 for £1. Dismal! I just had to eat carbs and wait until I left to get my veggie fix.

Best – BUDAPEST, Hungary

by Nina from Lemons & Luggage

Budapest is undoubtedly one of the best destinations for vegan travellers in the world. Not only are there plenty of restaurants offering vegan food in Budapest, but quite a few of them actually come up with veganized Hungarian dishes! Sometimes as vegans, we miss out on some aspects of the local cuisine, but this is not an issue in Budapest. From vegan goulash, csusza, and stew to vegan Hungarian cakes, you can find everything a non-vegan can!

And even if you’re not looking to dine on Hungarian food exclusively, there are many other options to choose from, such as pizza, pasta, and burgers. In fact, there are so many fully vegan restaurants and cafés in Budapest that you might not even be able to eat at all of them on a city break!

What’s more, is that Budapest is actually so vegan-friendly that the city even has an entirely vegan bakery! Who would have thought that it would be so easy to be vegan in Hungary’s capital?

Whether you have breakfast at Great Bistroa, try Hungarian food at Napfenyes Restaurant, or opt for fresh pasta at Madal Food, there is something for everyone in this vegan paradise. And before you leave, try to grab at least one burger from Las Vegan’s.

Worst – TIRANA, Albania

Continued by Nina

There are still cities that cannot fully accommodate vegan travellers yet. As wonderful as Tirana is as a city, it is perhaps one of the world’s worst destinations for vegan travellers. The city doesn’t have a single vegan restaurant as of July 2020 and only one vegetarian place.

If you explain that you’re vegan at regular restaurants and list the ingredients you don’t eat, people will admit that it will be very difficult to find vegan food in Tirana. Because Albanians are extremely friendly people, they will try to find a solution by veganizing simple Italian pasta dishes. But the best option is to self-cater so you can be sure that your food is vegan.

Best – PENANG, Malaysia

By Marco from Penang Insider

I  think that one of the best vegetarian-friendly destinations in Penang Island in northwest Malaysia. The place is famous for its street art and hipster cafe scene, but that’s just for starters and those who don’t really know how to scratch the surface of anywhere they visit.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Penang is a potpourri of cultures, cuisines, and religions, and it has a very strong Buddhist community reflected in Kek Lok Si Temple, one of Southeast Asia’s most significant. That’s why vegetarians will find plenty of opportunities to eat at the many vegetarian shops offering a meat-free variety of local economy rice — a bed of rice to garnish with whatever choice you want on offer in dozens of metal trays—not forgetting the majority of South Indian restaurants, such as Woodlands in George Town’s Little India, a local staple for flavoursome vegetarian food, and typical banana leaf thalis.

For something a bit more upper-end, vegetarians may enjoy the choice at Wholey Wonder Vegan Cafe’ and Yoga Studio, set in front of the famous Hin Bus Depot, or at Pinxin in Lebuh Tye Sin.

Worst – MONGOLIA

Continued by Marco

Mongolia is one of my favourite countries, but an absolute nightmare for vegetarians. Meat is so ingrained in Mongolian culture that by even trying to ask for something “meatless” you’d be met by compassionate stares. In Ulaanbaatar is possible to get away with some Western food or pizza, but if you really travel into the countryside, you MUST consider bringing along enough vegetables from the city.

Also, consider that Mongolians cook almost everything using sheep fat, so that smell and taste of mutton won’t ever leave you even if you order a bowl of noodle soup with, well, JUST NOODLES. 

Best – NEW ZEALAND

by Nadine from Le Long Weekend

The vegan food scene in New Zealand has exploded in recent years, with more and more cafes, restaurants & takeaway shops offering vegan options or even entirely vegan menus. In larger cities like Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington, Christchurch, and to a lesser extent, Dunedin, it’s not unusual to find multiple entirely vegan eateries either.

Smaller towns (especially in rural areas) have a little way to go to catch up, but at the very least, you’ll be able to find a vegan pie (the savoury kind that kiwis love!) at the service station and vegan ice creams, cheeses and meats in the supermarket. Most mainstream fast-food joints also have vegan staples on their menu now too, such as vegan burgers, pizzas, sushi, Thai, Vietnamese or Indian takeaway.

Another great thing about eating out in New Zealand is the diversity of cuisines on offer! Vegetarian options abound, too, so you can usually ‘vegan-ise’ those quite easily if you find yourself in a bind…

Worst – FRANCE

Continued by Nadine

Eating out as a vegan in France can be incredibly frustrating at times. There’s a lot of misunderstanding and ignorance about veganism, although attitudes are very slowly starting to shift. In the larger cities, you can usually track down a couple of places that advertise vegan options, but in smaller towns & villages, you’ll end up with salad and fries or a pizza ‘sans fromage’ at best. After too many disappointments, I rarely eat out in France anymore – and instead stock up on veggie treats at the bio store or online vegan shop.

Best – INDIA

by Meenakshi from Polka Junction

India is a haven for vegetarians and vegans. One can pull over at any roadside ‘dhaba’, meaning a road eatery and order a wholesome meal at most times of the day and night. It’s always served fresh and hot. The term ‘Vaishno Dhaba’ is used explicitly for exclusively vegetarian restaurants in northern India and is named after a Himalayan goddess. Do not miss indulging in a lip-smacking ‘Thali’, an assortment of all the regional delicacies in small bowls.

A plethora of options is available even in the street food range too. From the lip-smacking Indian gol gappas (small fried roundels filled with spicy water) to idly (steamed rice cakes) and from pizzas to burgers, every popular dish from around the world is given a vegetarian twist across India!

If you are in Delhi, you may want to go on a vegetarian food tour in Chandni Chowk, and if visiting Indore, do not miss India’s only night street food market called the Sarafa Bazar.

Thankfully, we had packed in some ready-to-eat meals and vegetarian snacks for the three days of our stay. Also, my handy travel kit of groceries came in handy to cook food on our own at the Airbnb. However, the people went out of their way to help us!

Among some of my favourites are Zenith Brunch and Cocktails, which offers perfect brunch options before you start your day of sightseeing. It’s a great alternative to a breakfast buffet or just a regular breakfast at your hotel. However, make sure to arrive early: This is a popular location, and it’s not uncommon to have to stand in line before you can get inside.

Another great vegan restaurant in Lisbon is called Veganapati, an Indian-influenced restaurant that also offers Western-type dishes such as vegan burgers. Other popular vegan restaurants in Lisbon are Las Vegan, Vegan Eats and Organi Chiado.

With so many Israelis being vegan, there is an incredible choice of vegan restaurants in Tel Aviv and beyond, as well as health food stores where you can buy all sorts of vegan foods. Besides, many local dishes such as hummus, falafel or baba ganouj are actually naturally vegan.

The best way to get acquainted with vegan food in Israel is to join a vegan food tour. There are several throughout the country, but the best are in Tel Aviv. The tour will introduce you to the vegan food culture of the city and take you to some of the best vegan cafés in town, where you can try a great selection of dishes. And if you want a fabulous vegan brunch, head straight to Mi Casa in Herzliya.

Namibia is mostly a desert, and with so little land available for agriculture, traditional food is all about meat (and a bit of fish on the coast, in places such as Swakopmund or Luderitz) and virtually no vegetables. Vegan options are scarce even in the capital, Windhoek. Just keep your expectations low!

One important thing to know before traveling to Sri Lanka as a vegan is that you shouldn’t expect the food to be labelled vegan. The term itself is not widely known, it’s just that Sri Lankan food is delicious and often vegan.

You just need to double-check whether they have used the following hidden non-vegan ingredients: ghee, shrimp paste, dried fish, and milk powder. But Sri Lankans are known for their friendliness, so all you have to do is ask, and you will be served a yummy vegan meal in no time!

However, if you do your own grocery shopping, you will be able to prepare yourself a decent vegan meal without too much trouble!

Mofongo is one of the most iconic Puerto Rican dishes. It is made from fried plantain and often stuffed. While meat is a popular choice for stuffing, you can order a version that is loaded with mixed vegetables. It is delicious! Tostones are another great option. They are, again, plantains, but they are deep fried, sprinkled with salt, and served like french fries.

Another classic Puerto Rican dish is rice and beans. This dish is often served as a stew with vegetables, potatoes, squash, and peppers. Again, this is also often served with meat, so be sure to tell the waiter/waitress you want a meat-free version. One of the best vegetarian dish options is the vegetable quesadilla, which can be found at the Carabali Rainforest Park.

There are also plenty of fresh tropical fruit options, whether you are looking for a smoothie or fresh fruit on the side. In many areas in Puerto Rico, you will find vendors selling fruit frappes. You must try one, they are very refreshing on a hot day! 

But located around Philadelphia, you can find some vegan-friendly options, and the number is increasing. You can also try one of Philadelphia’s classic treats-the soft pretzel. So, although Philadelphia is well known for its meat dishes, if you do a little digging you can certainly cope with being a vegan/vegetarian in Philadelphia.

Another great thing that you simply must try in Barcelona is the tapas. You’ll find authentic tapas in lots of lovely little bars and cafes, and some vegan options are always available. My favourites include patatas bravas, olives and Padron peppers.

As with any city, finding good vegan options can be hit and miss, but with the help of a vegan app such as Happy Cow, you’ll find that there are hundreds of places to choose from in Barcelona.

Worst – GDANSK, Poland

Continued by Jenni

When I told my Polish friend that I was going to Gdansk he laughed and said, ‘What are you going to eat?’ It turns out that this was a good question because most restaurants in Gdansk have no vegan options at all. I walked around the city hungry for hours and checked almost all of them!

Poles traditionally eat a lot of meat, favouring dishes such as duck blood soup, Polish sausages and meat-stuffed dumplings. Whilst you may find vegan restaurants in big cities such as Warsaw, there aren’t yet any in Gdansk.

The only real options for vegans in Gdansk are to find Chinese or Indian restaurants or to ask for dishes to be modified. Although most waiters and waitresses in Gdansk speak very good English, I found that they often didn’t quite understand what was being asked, even when using the Polish word for vegan: ‘wegański’.

Chiang Mai is one of those places you wish you could stay as a vegan digital nomad. There are so many vegan places it is hard to choose where to eat during your trip! Whether you want traditional Thai cuisine, delicious smoothie bowls, fluffy pancakes, decadent waffles or fresh salads, there is a vegan place for you. Not to mention not just one but several vegan cooking classes you can attend to learn how to cook Thai cuisine!

We particularly fell in love with eating at Goodsouls and went there every day during our stay in Chiang Mai. When we woke up at 5am to catch the Chiang Mai sunrise on Doi Suthep we knew that we would be going to Goodsouls for their insane tofu scramble and mango banana pancakes with coconut cream straight afterwards!

Given the wonderful climate, the abundance of things to do, the welcoming locals, the affordability and the abundance of vegan food, Chiang Mai frequently appears on lists of the best destinations for vegans.

It needs to be pointed out that Mexican cuisine is part of their culture. Although culture is changing and there is more awareness about healthy living, meaning more Mexicans are embracing a vegan lifestyle, the primary culture and beliefs are still strong and alive – and meat is very much part of it. I noticed that I was offered chicken when asking a restaurant waiter if they had anything without meat…

If you are in these remote areas, be mindful when you buy bread because most of the time, it contains animal fats (“Manteca” which is Pork fats).

On the other hand, markets are full of fresh vegetables and tropical fruits, nuts and dried cereals, and lots of spices to cook yourself a fabulous meal. That’s why I always try to stay in apartments versus hotels.

But on the bright side, during my 6 months trip around Mexico, I spent about two weeks in Queretaro, a stunning, historical city in the centre of the Republic, in the homonym state, and I was impressed by how much veganism is popular in the city.

There are many different vegan restaurants in Queretaro. When I ventured to regular restaurants, they were all ready to offer excellent vegan options that go beyond a salad. 

Delicious vegan dishes are made with vegan cheese and vegetables cooked in the most creative ways. Vegan restaurants are indeed special in Mexico, and the owners, who are usually the chefs, put their heart and soul into their restaurant and dishes. They are more than restaurants – they are the present trendsetters for a cleaner future. Let’s hope we’ll have more of them.

Best – BERLIN, Germany

by Casey from Carefree Compass

If you’re looking for an excellent place to eat vegan or vegetarian in Europe, you must come to Berlin. After living here for three years, I feel like I’ve only just started to scratch the surface of all the incredible plant-based eats in town. Nearly every weekend, my partner and I will jump on our bikes in Berlin and pedal to another new restaurant.

We’ve found some absolute gems such as organic vegan dumplings, a Michelin star veggie experience, a completely zero-waste restaurant, and not one but two entirely vegan sushi restaurants. There are so many fully vegan and veggie restaurants that you’ll be spoiled for choices.

Perhaps the best thing about being a vegetarian or vegan in Germany’s capital is that the whole movement is very trendy here. No matter where you go or what type of food you’re looking for (except for super traditional German food), you’ll almost always be able to find at least one vegan option and generally more vegetarian options.

Being vegan in this town is an excellent thing, not an inconvenience or a struggle. Even if you’re not plant-based, you’re definitely missing out if you don’t try some of the awesome vegan and veggie cuisine that Berlin offers!

If you can recommend any more of the best vegan travel destinations, be sure to comment and let us know!

While reaching out for this article, I also heard recommendations for the cities of Taipei (Taiwan), Bristol (England) and Glasgow (Scotland). Victoria, BC, Asheville, NC and Denver were all recommended in the USA. Ethiopia and Cambodia were also noted.

My close, vegan friend says the vegan food in India was her favourite – though she was sometimes offered drinks containing milk from the friendly locals. But said Morocco was the hardest unless you are happy with chickpeas for every single meal forever. Haha!