Vegetarian & Vegan Travel: Best vegetarian restaurants and destinations

If you’re a veggie or vegan and like to travel, you’ll want to know the best vegetarian restaurants and vegan destinations around the world. Finding vegetarian restaurants and plant-based dishes abroad can be tricky, but we’re here to take the guesswork out of your next foodie adventure! As vegan and vegetarian diets increase in popularity, destinations worldwide have begun to embrace this way of eating. On the other hand, many traditional cuisines are already veggie/vegan friendly. Here’s our pick of the best vegetarian and vegan destinations to travel to on your next trip!

India, Old Delhi’s Vegetarian Delights

India is one of the most veggie-friendly destinations in the world. Home to some of the best vegetarian restaurants and dishing up plant-based curries all over the country, you can’t go wrong with a trip to India if you’re a vegetarian. The street-food markets of Old Delhi offer an array of meat-free delights. Potato-based dishes such as aloo chaat, vegetable samosas, chickpea curries and delicious flatbreads are just some of the mouth-watering highlights. Despite this, vegans should be aware that dairy products are also popular in India.

Israel, Tel-Aviv: the Vegan Capital of the World

Officially the ‘Vegan Capital of the World’, the coastal city of Tel-Aviv is awash with plant-based eateries and home to the best vegetarian restaurants. The residents of Tel-Aviv are making massive strides for animal rights and promoting plant-based eating. Many traditional Israeli dishes are already meat-free (think falafel, hummus and shakshuka), but the vegan scene is flourishing here too. Furthermore, meat-free takes on typical dishes such as kebabs, are all the rage here, swapping meat for alternatives such as tofu or mushrooms. If you travel to Tel-Aviv you’ll find that pretty much every restaurant offers vegetarian or vegan options, making it one of the best destinations to visit as a veggie or vegan eater.

Peru, Cuzco is crazy for quinoa!

Although you might not think of Peru as a vegetarian or vegan destination, you’d be surprised to find that many locals follow a largely plant-based diet. Pillars of everyday Peruvian cuisine include legumes, potatoes, vegetables and grains. In particular, quinoa, the vegan-favourite super-food, is served with almost every meal. This ancient grain is nutritiously dense, delicious and widely available in Peru. In particular, Cuzco stands out as a great destination for vegetarian travellers. According to the latest figures, Cuzco is home to around 10 vegan restaurants and 12 vegetarian restaurants, an impressive selection for a city of its size. Furthermore, healthy raw food and colourful fresh juices are very popular in Peru.

Jamaica: home of the vegan-friendly ital diet

The Caribbean island of Jamaica is the perfect choice for vegans. Jamaica is known for its large number of Rastafarians, who often follow a diet known as ital. This generally means avoiding meat and unhealthy foods, in order to ensure good health. Therefore, Jamaica is home to some of the best vegetarian restaurants and many plant-based dishes. The warm, tropical climate ensures an abundance of delicious fruit and vegetables, notably coconuts, pineapples and mangoes. Fresh juice bars are popping up across the country, even inside large supermarkets, and there’s a huge focus on farm-fresh foods. Indeed, Jamaica is the perfect vegetarian or vegan destination. Even if you’re a meat-eater, you’ll enjoy the fresh, flavourful cuisine of this Caribbean paradise!

Taiwan: a plant-based paradise

Veganism is very popular in Taiwan. This is due to the large number of Taiwanese Buddhists, who actively avoid causing harm to other beings. Therefore, they largely avoid eating meat and animal products. The capital Taipei was voted ‘Asia’s most vegan-friendly city’. Furthermore, even in the famous Taipei street markets, you’ll find an array of meat-free deliciousness. Great vegetarian or vegan options included in traditional Taiwanese cuisine are tofu, dumplings, noodles and vegetable soups. On the other hand, the capital is home to an array of innovative vegan restaurants, serving up vegan versions of popular international foods. Tropical fruits, such as the famous durian are widely available. Tapei’s street vendors sell fresh fruit juices and smoothies on most street corners.

Indonesia, Bali’s health and wellness appeal

Bali is a much-coveted wellness destination. Additionally, it’s also famous for its fantastic array of plant-based eateries and vegetarian restaurants. Vegan cafes, retreats and shops are found across the island, whilst mouth-watering smoothie bowls are available for breakfast pretty much anywhere! Furthermore, even if you venture off the beaten track you can depend on traditional Balinese cuisine to offer a number of veggie and plant-based options too! Think tempeh, rice, noodles and coconut milk curries. The resorts on the island offer a holistic approach to health and wellbeing, so it’s easy to enjoy fresh, healthy cuisine wherever you go in Bali.

So, now you know the top veggie-friendly destinations! Where will you travel for your next foodie adventure? Discover our latest trips.