The Best Vegan-Friendly Cities In The World
Nowadays we can get tasty vegan meals almost anywhere, but which cities around the world are the most vegan-friendly cities? So, lets found out now.
1. Tel Aviv, Israel
Tel Aviv, Israel is the World’s Vegan Food Capital. Globally, Israel has the highest percentage of vegans with an estimated 5 to 8 % of the entire vegan population. The majority of vegans live in Tel Aviv. Most of the 25 fully-vegan restaurants in Tel Aviv serve a combination of Israeli/Middle Eastern/Mediterranean cuisine with some western influence. The first vegan cafe in Tel Aviv is Anastasia, which is best known for its amazing breakfasts. Zakaim – Vegan Boutique is a fine dining restaurant which is considered one of the top vegan places to eat in the city, featuring a menu with Persian and other Middle Eastern dishes. The city has the only fully vegan Georgian cuisine restaurant in the world (Nanuchka), which contains a lively bar that stays open until the wee hours in the morning.
Tel Aviv also boasts one of the world’s few authentic vegan Ethiopian restaurants (Tenat), with a terrific ethnic atmosphere and chef-approved meals. If you are seeking vegan Sushi, try The Green Roll, and if you’re in the mood for gourmet raw food, check out Neroli Organic Juice Bar and Rawfood Diner. Hatool HaYarok has some of the city’s best vegan pizza, topped with house-made cashew cheese. If you’re after a quick bite, HaShwarma HaTivonit is a popular veggie fast food restaurant, and the owners created a diner-style restaurant called Goodness. The city also has a vegan grocery store, Taam L’Chaim – Taste For Life and if you love sweets, Seeds is a fantastic all-vegan bakery in the center of town with an amazing variety of baked goods that vegans can’t always find like vegan cheesecake.
Why is Tel Aviv number 1 vegan-friendly city?
Due to the density of the vegan population, the restaurants, and city’s vegan mentality, Tel Aviv has a reputation as one of the world’s vegan capitals. The Israeli Defense Force even provides vegan meals and leather-free boots and helmets to vegan soldiers. Israel has the most vegans per capita and the vegan food options in Tel Aviv are incredible.
2. Taipei, Taiwan
Taiwan has a majority-Buddhist population, so cruelty-free dining is commonplace. Taipei is particularly has a wide verity of vegan dining possibilities. Vegan restaurants and supermarkets are easy to come by as are vegetarian spots offering plenty of vegan options. Tofu crops up regularly in street food, and a local specialty is the ‘Taiwanese Burrito’. It consists of vegetables in a peanut sauce, wrapped up burrito-style. Raw vegan desserts are worth visiting Ooh Cha Cha for and About Animals is a cozy, relaxed bar, its signature dish is kimchi burgers. Taipei is so geared up toward vegetarians and vegans that many of its hotels offer vegan breakfast and dinner options.
3. Ghent, Belgium
The city has wholeheartedly embraced the meat-free concept, to the extent that ‘Veggie Thursday’ sees school children and public service workers offered entirely meat-free meals once a week. Local cafes and restaurants also offer extra vegetarian options on Thursdays. Ghent local businesses have provided a huge number of organic markets, vegetarian cafes and a largely vegetarian organic supermarket. Although many of the spots are vegetarian rather than fully vegan, there are always plenty of dairy and egg-free options. Also, there is a good range of vegan beers at the small (population 250,000) city’s bars. Long-standing favorites include organic lunch joint Avalon and a vegan buffet at Komkommertijd. The city places a big emphasis on organic, locally-sourced produce too.
4. Warsaw
Warsaw has rapidly grown into one of the most unexpectedly vegan-friendly cities on the planet. There are more than 38 fully-vegan restaurants, almost all within one easily walkable square mile of the city. Vegan burger joint Krowarzywa‘s two locations sell what was voted twice as the “Best Burger in Warsaw,” beating out all competing meat burgers.
The city has been blessed with two spectacular vegan sushi restaurants Edamame and Youmiko Vegan Sushi, a fine vegan Italian restaurant (Leonardo Verde). Here you will found a number of other superb restaurants including Vege Miasto, Lokal Vegan Bistro and Vege Bistro, all showcasing vegan versions of traditional Polish dishes such as pierogi (dumplings), golabki (cabbage rolls) and Schabowy (meat cutlets made vegan).
There are also a number of excellent middle eastern/falafel restaurants including Tel Aviv and Falafel Beirut. Vegestacja offers spectacular vegan ice cream, Lokal Dela Krem serves gorgeous cakes and other baked goods, and Physalis confectionery creates superb to-order cakes, pies, pastries, and macaroons. Warsaw has two vegan grocery stores Evergreen and TerraVege, and a vegan and organic certified wine shop (Solvino Bio).
5. Edinburgh, Scotland
Named by PETA as the UK’s most vegan-friendly city in 2015, Edinburgh swiped the title from its neighbor Glasgow. Edinburgh offers over 20 vegan venues along with a good selection of meat-and-dairy-free options at most other cafes, bars, and restaurants. Vegans can even try vegan haggis, which is a headliner at Henderson’s — a trail-blazing vegetarian restaurant that has been in business for more than 50 years.
Popular food trucks offer baked potatoes topped with everything from chickpea curry to vegan bolognese. The Auld Hoose is a popular pub famous for its extensive range of veggie-friendly options, including mammoth portions of nachos made with vegan cheese. For upscale vegan dining, try David Bann, where sophisticated dishes such as ravioli stuffed with hazelnuts, red cabbage and thyme come at surprisingly accessible prices. It’s vegetarian rather than all-vegan, but there are loads of vegan options on the menu.
6. Chennai, India
Almost half the population of India is vegetarian. While regions in the north often use clarified butter in cooking, the south is more vegan-friendly. Chennai, in particular, has become a destination city for vegan foodies. It is mainly for the diversity of vegan curries, dosas, thalis, sambhar, and chutneys. Chaat — a catch-all term for Southern Indian street food — is very often good to go for vegans. For those spending a decent amount of time here, Chennai Vegan Drinks is a meet-up group for vegans in town.
7. Brighton, UK
Brighton is home to numerous cruelty-free eating and shopping establishments. There are several dedicated vegetarian and vegan bed and breakfasts. VegFest a major vegan food festival takes place each March. Brighton’s vegan drinking-and-dining scene ranges from cute artsy cafes — many of which are located in the backstreets that make up the Laines — with Lydia’s Vegetarian Cafe being a longstanding favorite and from the same owners, Rootcandi is the UK’s first plant-based tapas restaurant. Brighton even has the UK’s only plant-based vegan Pizzaria — Purezza.
8. London, UK
When in London, you are never more than a tube stop away from anything vegan you might desire. You can choose 79 vegan restaurants and an abundance of vegan-friendly stalls, bakeries, cafes, and smoothie bars. Whether it’s a jackfruit burger at the Vegan Hippo (pick up Kizzy’s vegan cookies for dessert), PickyWops vegan pizzeria, the acclaimed 222, or a superb vegan dinner at Italian favorite Fed By Water, London has you covered. The world’s first vegan chicken shop, The Temple of Hackney, opened recently in the city and has been a huge hit. Ethnic favorites include Itadaki Zen Japanese Macrobiotic restaurant, Zionly Manna for delicious Caribbean / African food, Andu Caffe on the east side for Ethiopian, or if you have a big appetite, try the Dou Dou – Qing vegan Asian fusion buffet.
If you crave something sweet, Ms. Cupcake or Vida Bakery will hook you up with their gourmet vegan cupcakes. Vegan food shopping is a breeze in London, as there are loads of health food stores with vegan products, plus several completely vegan grocery stores including Organic For the People, with their superb vegan deli, and GreenBay in west London. For those interested in raw foodsTanya’s Superfoods has what you are looking for. Vegan apparel can be found at The Third Estate, and London is even home to a fully vegan hair salon (The Rabbit Hole Vegan Hair Parlour).
The “How Many Vegans?” survey conducted May 2016 by the Vegan Society found that there are about 542,000 following a vegan diet in Great Britain. Аround 120,000 live in London. This is a major increase since the last estimate of 150,000 in 2006. This research shows that veganism one of the UK’s fastest growing lifestyle movements.
9. Chiang Mai, Thailand
Chiang Mai has carved itself a reputation as one of the country’s top destinations for cruelty-free dining. In addition to the vegan buffets that can be found in Thailand, Chiang Mai has an ever-increasing number of upscale eateries, salad bars, organic-farm-to-table restaurants and macrobiotic spots. Highlights include Pun Pun — which has two restaurants and a vegan store in the city, all specializing in inventive, organic, locally-sourced food, coffees and smoothies. The mushroom-based version of the ubiquitous fermented Thai sausage is a thing of real joy. A standout among the buffets is Khunchurn, which also provides a home delivery lunch service.
10. Los Angeles
Los Angeles is home to a number of notable vegan celebrities such as Joaquin Phoenix, Alicia Silverstone, and Casey Affleck. There are more than 72 fully-vegan and 243 veg-friendly restaurants. Despite LA’s sprawling urban layout, you won’t have any trouble finding delicious healthy (or less-than-healthy) options throughout this large city. LA is known for its wide variety of international vegan cuisines, including 18 vegan Thai restaurants (we recommend Arraya’s Place and Satdha), two vegan Ethiopian restaurants (Rahel Ethiopian Vegan Cuisine and Azla Vegan), a mouth-watering vegan cheese restaurant (Vromage), an upscale gourmet vegan Japanese restaurant with 2 locations (Shojin), the second location of vegan Vietnamese favorite Au Lac, and the world’s first and only Cuban vegan restaurant (Equelecua Cuban Café).
Vegan cheese pizza can be ordered at numerous restaurants throughout the city, or you can choose to stick with entirely plant-based Cruzers Pizza. LA is also home to iconic vegan musician Moby’s Little Pine vegan bistro, serving upscale Italian/Mediterranean fusion dishes; and also to celebrity chef Tal Ronen’s wildly successful Mediterranean fusion restaurant, Crossroads. Some superb vegan bakeries include Donut Farm, Erin McKenna’s Bakery LA, or Pomegranate and nearby is Moo Shoes for vegan shoes and accessories.
11. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Rio’s dedicated vegan joints such as Leblon institution Vegetariano Social Clube and downtown lunch stalwarts Green, VegeCoop and Tempeh have seen their plant-based ranks swelled by a host of newcomers such as Prana and Vegan Vegan, while the juice bars on virtually every street corner have been offering veg concoctions since way before juicing was a thing. Many of the salad bars in Rio pay by weight and are a joy — olives, hearts of palm, fish-free sushi and colorful bean salads.
Furthermore, Rio’s best churrascarias (all-you-can-eat meat grills) are in fact dream dinner spots for vegans. Diners can make unlimited visits to buffets groaning under the weight of meat-free sides, salads, and sushi. Some steakhouses, such as Fogo de Chao, offer discounted prices for those who won’t be partaking of the meaty main attraction. Don’t forget to try Acai on the beach — just listen out for vendors yelling ‘ah-sigh-eeee!’.
12. Berlin, Germany
It seems like a host of Berlin’s creativity has been poured into the vegan dining scene. Even the most hardened of carnivores may be away from their schnitzel and currywurst. The city has hosted Europe’s largest vegan-vegetarian festival each summer since 2008; the world’s first vegan supermarket chain — Veganz — was founded here in 2011. It homes more strictly-vegan eateries. Lucky Leek, in the trendy Prenzlauer Berg district, is worth a visit offering five-course taster menus paired with vegan wines. There are similarly sophisticated venues dotted around town, along with countless vegan and vegetarian cafes and food trucks.
13. Portland, Oregon
In Portland veggie legend the Bye and Bye is a bar with an all-vegan menu, offering everything from edamame bowls and hummus to barbecued tofu and veggie platters. Furthermore, cashew cheese and salad baguettes, and spaghetti with vegan meatballs and almond parmesan. But you don’t need to go to an all-vegan eatery to chow down on cruelty-free delights in Pdx. Most restaurants, coffee shops, and bars offer a good range of labeled vegan options to go with the fair-trade coffees. The city even launched its own Vegan Beer and Food festival in 2015, and there are scores of stores selling vegan clothes and accessories. Portland can even lay claim to having the world’s only vegan strip bar — Casa Diablo — should you be so inclined.
14. Vancouver, British Columbia
Vancouver is home to vegan shoe stores, bakeries, food trucks, brunch joints, raw food bars and supper clubs. The Acorn is rated among the best restaurants in Canada and, though it’s vegetarian rather than vegan, there are plenty of options here for strict vegos, and the slick decor makes it a good option for a special occasion meal. There’s finer vegan dining at Graze, which also does a fine line in vegan desserts, while Heirloom is a long-standing favorite on the meat-free scene, with some good vegan wines as well as hearty brunches. Tacos, veggie burgers and Asian-accented ‘chicken’ burgers are among the highlights of Vancouver’s famously veggie-friendly food truck scene.
15. Singapore
Singapore is one of the most vegan-friendly cities. Around 590 veg-friendly listings (40 of which are fully-vegan restaurants) are packed onto this tiny island. Even Singapore Changi Airport has more vegan options than some major cities in the world. Locally popular Fortune Centre is a haven for vegetarians. Almost all the eateries (restaurants and cafés) in this 4-level building offer vegetarian food. Few of them are vegan. The majority of vegan restaurants in Singapore, including the famed Genesis restaurant, are Asian-fusion influenced. But you can also find western-influenced burger restaurants such as Singaporean favorites NomVnom and Veganburg. Also, there are many vegan options for any budget in this city/country island.
With two locations, highly popular vegan ice cream parlor Brownice serves creamy, delicious vegan ice cream, brownies, fluffy waffles… Here you can also try a vegan pizza and other Italian favorites. The owners recently opened a new ice cream parlor called Smoocht. At Loving Hut, vegan versions of traditional dishes such as Mee Pok, Orh Nee, and Nonya Laksa are available. VegCafe also serves vegan versions of local favorites such as Char Kway Teow, Laksa, and mutton curry rice. You are never far from veg options in this clean, beautiful city.
Other vegan-friendly cities around the world:
- Richmond, Virginia;
- Seattle, Washington;
- Austin, Texas;
- Honolulu;
- San Diego;
- Nashville, Tennessee;
- Detroit, Michigan;
- New York City.
Think your home should have been on this list of vegan-friendly cities?
source: bloomfit.net