Veganism is gaining traction globally as more people choose to remove animal products from their diets. Whether for health or humanitarian reasons, there is a growing demand for vegan–friendly restaurants in popular travel destinations. Apps like HappyCow are designed to help vegans find restaurants near them that meet their dietary needs. An analysis from The Vegan Word looked at the number of vegan restaurants listed on HappyCow compared to the population of various cities worldwide. These are the top 10 cities for vegans to visit based on this data and the number of vegan restaurants per 100,000 people.
10 Vancouver, BC, Canada
Ranking 10th on the list of the best cities for vegans in 2022 is the biggest city on Canada’s West Coast, Vancouver. Located in beautiful British Columbia, Vancouver is a vibrant city with plenty of delicious dining options to suit every traveler’s taste. In the downtown core, there are lots of vegan restaurants to choose from, including MeeT on Main, Lotus Seed Vegan, The Naam, and Vegan Cave Café.
9 Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Atlanta, Georgia, is a great destination for vegan travelers exploring the United States. It might surprise travelers to find out how many dining options they have when searching for vegan restaurants in Atlanta. Café Sunflower Buckhead and Herban Fix are among the top-rated vegan establishments in the city on Google. SluttyVegan ATL is a must-visit spot for vegan junk food while Tassili’s Raw Reality Café caters to vegans who are looking for a nutritious, wholesome meal.
8 Portland, Oregon, USA
Another US city catering to vegans is Portland, Oregon. Not only do most of the restaurants in the city have a hearty vegan menu, but Portland is home to the first-ever vegan mall. The Vegan Mini Strip Mall is a dream come true for vegan travelers who want to explore a shopping mall where all the clothing stores and food options are 100% vegan. Shop at The Herbivore Clothing Company before heading to Cultured Kindness Vegan Cheese Shop or grabbing lunch at Blossoming Lotus. For dinner, try Plant Based Papi or Epif, an eatery serving vegan South American cuisine.
7 Amsterdam, Netherlands
The Netherlands has a reputation for being a socially progressive country, and their stance on veganism is no exception. The capital city, Amsterdam, is a haven for vegan foodies. For Japanese and Caribbean-style vegan food, travelers can try TerraZen Centre. Vegan Junk Food Bar and Mooksha Vegan Soul Food are great choices for relaxed, casual dining. Hearth, Deer Mama, and SOIL Vegan Café – WEST are also highly rated spots for vegan food in the city center.
6 Brighton, UK
Brighton, UK, is often overlooked as a travel destination in favor of London, but for vegans, it’s a great city to visit and enjoy the many restaurants with vegan-friendly options. The gorgeous coastal city boasts a beautiful beach and popular restaurants like Terre à Terre and Food for Friends, both serving creative global vegetarian cuisine. For casual bar dining and vegan food, try Beelzebab, The Vurger Co Brighton, or Oowee Vegan.
5 Lisbon, Portugal
Lisbon is a dreamy travel destination in Western Europe, and vegans can rejoice knowing they won’t have to compromise on dining options while visiting. Legumi Sushi Vegan is a great spot for vegan sushi, and Jardim das Cerejas is a delicious spot for a buffet-style meal. For quirky meals and cocktails, travelers can try Kong – Food Made With Compassion.
4 Tel Aviv, Israel
Israel is a beautiful country with lots for travelers to explore. It’s a fun destination for foodies, and luckily, in Tel Aviv, even vegans can enjoy the local restaurants. Hummus-based dishes are a staple of the national cuisine, so many vegan establishments serve local dishes. Travelers can try Anastasia, 416, and Meshek Barzilay.
3 Phuket, Thailand
In the top three spots, the analysis revealed three cities in Asia offer the best ratio of vegan restaurants to people. Phuket, Thailand, is a bucket-list island destination for backpackers, and the food there is often vegan-friendly. Vegan Phuket, The Vegan Table, and Reach are all restaurants serving fresh vegan dishes. There are also several vegetarian restaurants in Phuket, including Loukthor Vegetarian Restaurant, Dok Bua Vegetarian Restaurant, and Hesan Vegetarian.
2 Ubud, Bali, Indonesia
Bali, Indonesia, is an island paradise where digital nomads and honeymooning couples alike find a peaceful place to unwind. Part of the appeal of Bali, for many travelers, is the holistic lifestyle on the island. There are plenty of yoga studios, massage practitioners, and healthy restaurants to enjoy. Many of the restaurants in the town of Ubud cater to vegans. The Seeds of Life is a raw food restaurant, while Sayuri Healing Food is a vegan establishment serving mains and desserts. To try authentic Indonesian food with a vegan twist, travelers can visit Wulan Vegetarian Warung.
1 Chiang Mai, Thailand
Thailand proves to be the ideal destination for vegan travelers, with yet another one of its cities rounding out the top three spots. Chiang Mai, in the north of the country, is a budget-friendly city known for its picturesque temples and ethical elephant sanctuary. Vegan foodies will love Chiang Mai and can try restaurants like Goodsouls Kitchen, Vegan Heaven, and Alchemy Vegan Café. For authentic Thai cuisine that is vegetarian, try Aum Vegetarian Restaurant or Anchan Vegetarian Restaurant.