by Christine Pesta
Have you ever longed to visit a city, or maybe even live in a city, where it may be rich in culture and history, have lots of tourist attractions, but isn’t very vegan-friendly?
There are lots of vegans who run into the problem of wanting to travel, yet not being able to find much to eat when they get there. You might also find things to eat, but have to put a lot of work into making sure the ingredients and preparation do not include anything about it that’s non-vegan.
As veganism grows throughout the world, many cities have added vegan restaurants to their landscape. While many vegans may not mind, and perhaps even prefer, making their own meals, every now and then, it’s just nice to get out of the house.
If you live in a big city, you may have more options than someone who does not. If you’re traveling to another city, and don’t know it all that well, you may not even be aware of the vegan options available there.
If you like to travel, and wonder if you’ll have to risk starving to death for the sake of expanding your horizons, below are some of the top cities around the world where veganism is popular. You’re chances of finding vegan fare in these cities are pretty good as there are many vegan restaurants, as well as other conveniences and accommodations available.
The list below is in no particular order. It does provide, for many of the entries, the availability of vegan dining, accommodations, and attractions that not only make it a destination that you might want to visit, but one that you can feel comfortable in if you do travel there.
Prague
The city of Prague, in the Czech Republic, is a city rich in history and beautiful architecture. Countless tourists visit each year – including vegans. Veganism has caught fire throughout Europe, and Prague has been no exception. Living or visiting as a vegan is not a problem here. There are restaurants and cafes to choose from, and it is one of Europe’s top destinations for those living the vegan lifestyle. Check out Prague Castle, Old Town Square and the Astronomical Clock in the Old Town Hall, and if you’re a music fan, the Lennon Wall..
Brighton
Always wanted to visit the UK and have the experience of grab some fish and chips along with your friends at a local pub except for one problem – it’s not vegan? You can relax if your in Brighton. Brighton is a very vegan-friendly town! From vegan fish and chips to vegan ice cream, and just about anything else, this city has got you covered. There are not just eateries that have vegan options, there are loads of completely vegan restaurants, cafes, and even pizza parlors at which to dine. Be sure to check out The Lanes, Palace Pier, Brighton Museum and Art Gallery, Royal Pavilion, and North Laine.
Paris
Paris is a city known for many things. It’s incredible history, art and architecture, fashion, and of course, it’s cuisine. However, while French food has always received high marks in the culinary world, it hasn’t in the vegan world. Much of French cooking, many may describe as rich, flavorful, and satisfying, but to a vegan, it’s definitely not an option. At least not traditional French fare. These days, the French are slowly embracing veganism and places for vegans visiting the “City of Lights” to eat are beginning to pop up here and there across the city.
New York City
One of the more obvious entries on this list. New York City’s five boroughs has a fair share of places to eat if you’re vegan. As what some may argue to be the capital city of the world, there are so many cultures and cuisines that have made a home in New York, that a visiting vegan needn’t worry about finding a place to eat that is vegan or has a variety of vegan options. As the “city that never sleeps” you’re also likely to find a bite to eat any time of the day or night. Of course, there is also a never-ending number of activities and attractions to keep you busy for your entire stay.
Phuket
A traveler may believe a place like Thailand may be easy for vegans, or it may not. Some may be afraid that they may find a great vegetable soup, for instance, but come to find it was prepared in a fish broth. While there may be establishments serving such dishes, vegans will be happy to know that there are many all-vegan restaurants, cafes, and even street food that you can grab on-the-go. The beautiful surroundings, the amazing culture and art, and the flavorful vegan food, will make this a destination for any vegan’s travel list.
Portland
Okay, this shouldn’t surprise anyone who knows anything about Portland, Oregon. If you are a foodie (or if you love beer), then Portland is the place for you. With their love of good food in this city, and their wanting to share that good food with everyone, including vegans, just about every place you go has at the very least vegan options. However, you will find tons of places to eat that are 100% vegan. It doesn’t stop there. In Portland, aside from restaurants, delis, and bakeries, you can find vegan clothing shops, grocery stores, and you can even get a tattoo at a vegan tattoo parlor if you are so-inclined. The surrounding areas boast gorgeous hiking and biking trails, as well as a million photo opportunities as you explore and enjoy the city, it’s scenery, and friendly people.
Tel Aviv
One of the leading vegan-friendly countries on the planet is Israel. Veganism has soared in popularity within the country, and Tel Aviv is no exception. A vegan visiting Tel Aviv can literally find hundreds of places to eat that are vegan, or offer many vegan options. There are lots of opportunities to experience many dishes of the region that are prepared completely vegan, so that you can enjoy your trip, along with everyone else, without having to do too much work. There are even vegan-friendly hotels in the city to accommodate you.
London
As you might expect, London is a Mecca for vegan dining. There are tons of choices everywhere you turn. From burgers to Asian, to pizza, to Indian, and the list goes on. No matter what your favorite type of vegan cuisine, there’s something for almost everyone. Of course, London being one of the biggest tourist destinations on Earth, there’s plenty to do and see, so you’ll have to keep your strength up! Recommended: Temple of Seitan, Ready Burger, Rudy’s Vegan Diner, Eat of Eden, All Nations Vegan House, and Eat Genesis.
Las Vegas
Yes, folks! Believe it or not, Las Vegas, Nevada is a vegan-friendly town! In fact, the Las Vegas-Henderson area of the state has quite a few completely vegan restaurants. There are also many restaurants that offer vegan options these days. You can grab a doughnut and coffee at Ronald’s Doughnuts on Spring Mountain Road, maybe lunch or a smoothie at Violet’s Vegan on Desert Inn Road at Durango, and maybe dinner at Tacotarian or Pancho’s Vegan Taco’s if you’re in the mood for Mexican food (at Pancho’s both the taco plate and the tamales are my favorites!). VegeNation is another recommended eatery with a couple of locations. If you head back to Spring Mountain Road, where the city’s Chinatown is located, there is Veggie House, which boasts some of the best vegan Chinese cuisine in the city. Just a stone’s throw from those restaurants are some of the most spectacular hiking trails in the Red Rock Conservation Area, if you want to experience the vast beauty of the American Southwest. Other points of interest in the area include the Valley of Fire, Hoover Dam, and Death Valley.
Warsaw
As with the last entry, when speaking of vegan cities, Warsaw is another that you would not expect to be vegan-friendly. Poland’s traditional cuisine is more geared toward the meat-eating crowd. I have spent time, now and again, converting a few of those dishes my grandmother used to make into vegan dishes. However, it turns out that Warsaw is a haven for vegan cuisine as of late. With scores of fully vegan restaurants, and many vegan options at others, you can enjoy traditional Polish food meat- and dairy-free. Take a walk down the Royal Way while you’re there (don’t miss the Chopin Benches).
Amsterdam
Another European destination that is chock-full of charm, with much to see and do, including lovely gardens, great museums and shops, and tons of places for a vegan to find a good meal. If you find yourself walking or biking through the city and start to feel a little peckish, rest assured there are a number of places for a quick bite or a full meal that cater to vegans. Visit the Rijksmuseum, go shopping around Dam Square, and, of course, stop at The Anne Frank House while sightseeing.
Los Angeles
No vegan list would be complete without mentioning Los Angeles. As an international tourist destination, it is one of the most popular. As a place for a vegan to grab a bite to eat, it couldn’t be easier. With roughly 5% of the population of the state of California being vegan and vegetarian, you needn’t have to look too hard to find a restaurant, cafe, or food truck that caters to vegans. This is true whether you’re visiting Los Angeles, or two of California’s other big cities – San Diego and San Francisco. (San Diego is a huge vegan haunt if you decide to take a day-trip down there.) There’s so many great places to eat in various neighborhoods throughout Los Angeles, and so many sights to see, that any visiting vegan is bound to fall in love with the place!
Vancouver
British Columbia is a beautiful province in western Canada, and Vancouver is not only one of the biggest cities in the province, it is one of the best cities for visiting vegans. From fast-food to fine dining, this city provides many options for vegans, vegetarians, and plant-based eaters. There’s also lots to do all in the middle of one of the most beautiful regions on the planet.
Melbourne
If you’re heading to Melbourne, Australia you’re in luck! Melbourne is one of the most vegan-friendly cities on the planet! The city is a haven for foodies, as they have embraced the vegan movement with a passion. There are over twenty all-vegan restaurants throughout Melbourne, so make sure you save enough room to try them all! Recommended: Home Vegan Bar, Lentil As Anything, The Merri Clan, Green Burger, Red Sparrow Pizza, and The Origin Tales.
Glasgow
When it comes to Scottish cuisine, one’s mind tends to immediately drift to a notoriously non-vegan dish – haggis. That, and a few other dishes, have left many, far and wide, with the impression that Scotland is anything but vegan-friendly. It would seem that nothing could be further from the truth. There are many vegan restaurants, pubs, and accommodations in Glasgow to make any vegan happy. As one of the biggest vegan cities in the UK, you can even get – you guessed it – vegan haggis.
There are so many things you will want to do and see when traveling, so the last thing you want to stress about is where or how you’re going to eat. It’s always best to check ahead of time if your destination is going to be compatible with your lifestyle. Not every place you go will be vegan-friendly, so it is always a good idea to check ahead of time for places to stay and places to eat. If the location doesn’t cater to vegans, see if the place you are staying has a way to prepare food in your room from a grocery store or market.
