So, you like to travel, but you are also a vegan. You probably already know how difficult it can be, with few places in the world able to cater to your particular dietary needs. But the good news is that there are some spots that tend to be much more vegan-friendly than most, including these.
Credit: annainaustinAustin, TexasAustin, Texas
Austin, Texas (hotel prices and photos)
Texas is probably the last place you'd think to be vegan-friendly, but in the city of Austin you'll find plenty of great options. In fact, in 2013, PETA named the city the most vegan-friendly in the entire nation. It may not have the most vegan restaurants or the highest concentration of vegan restaurants, but it has the momentum and the people to keep it going. There is a dedicated and creative group of people who go the extra mile to make it happen. In less than five years, Austin went from having only one vegan restaurant, Casa de Luz, to an explosion of vegan restaurants - about five open every year since. Today you can enjoy tasty chalupas with soy chorizo at Guero's Taco Bar and the famous Freeto Burrito at Yacht Vegan, along with a multitude of other options - not to mention the chance to experience the city's legendary music scene and unique culture.
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Glasgow, Scotland (prices and hotel photos)
Glasgow has also been acclaimed for its vegan food scene, in fact, it was voted the most welcoming place for vegan travellers in the UK. This destination is not all that surprising, considering the city has a history of radical politics, innovative live music and bar-based socialising, veganism fits right in. Mono, in the Merchant City area, has a light and modern menu with vegan dishes that take on international favourites, including Vietnamese salad and porcini risotto, bean burritos and nasi gorging. The bar brews craft beer and also has a large, airy space where you can listen to great musicians while you enjoy your meal. At the Flying Duck you will find a good variety of vegan pubs, as well as many tasty meatless options in most other pubs in the city today.
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Singapore (prices and hotel photos)
Singapore is renowned for its vast vegan and vegetarian dishes that can be found in high-end restaurants as well as traditional street markets. Both Malaysian and Singaporean cuisines tend to use a lot of tofu. The Bugis area is home to two popular temples for tourists, a Hindu temple and a Chinese temple. Next to the Hindu temple, you will find a popular vegetarian mall offering a wide variety of tasty dishes, including vegan options. With a rather large South Indian population, you will also find a multitude of vegetarian and vegan Indian restaurants. If you get tired of Asian food, head to Original Sin in Holland Village, which specialises in Mediterranean cuisine. A wish for the Taiwanese? Savour banquet-style dishes at Lotus on Balestier Road. If you still need more options, visit the Vegetarian Society's website at vegetarian-society.org for a full list of places to eat.
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Credit: CityTree ×¢×¥×ער Tel Aviv, IsraelTel Aviv, Israel
Tel Aviv, Israel (prices and hotel photos)
Tel Aviv's vegan craze seems to have taken off after being noticed by Table Magazine in 2012, although it has almost always had many delicious options. Nearly one in 20 residents call themselves vegan, according to an article in British Airways in-flight magazine. In fact, you can even get a vegan pizza at Domino's. Staples like falafel can be found almost everywhere, and you can get a particularly tasty vegetarian shawarma in Veg Shawarma. At City Tree, an 'ecological project' in Tel Aviv that teaches city dwellers how to live a sustainable, green lifestyle in the heart of the city, you can enjoy a place to spend the night and chat with other vegans. The owner also hosts workshops on vegan nutrition and permaculture.
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Credit: JenniferTaipei, TaiwanTaipei, Taiwan
Taipei, Taiwan (hotel prices and photos)
While some travellers are alarmed when they spot reverse swastika signs in Tapei restaurants, the symbol actually represents Taoist or Buddhist vegetarian food. You will also see the Chinese character 'su'. There are literally hundreds of options here, and you will be able to find them more easily by knowing how to identify certain characters and learn some local terms, although most without milk The fare makes it quite easy to understand the vegan options. There are quite a few tasty items to be found among the street food at the Shilin Night Market, and the Loving Hut is a chain of outlets started by followers of living Supreme Master Ching Hai. The vegetarian Easy House, located in Xinyi, is known for its beautifully presented, mostly vegan cuisine.
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Credit: wikimedia.orgBlossom, NYCBlossom, NYC
New York City, New York (hotel prices and photos)
There is virtually no end of diversity when it comes to dining options in the Big Apple. Renowned as one of the food capitals of the world, it doesn't just offer something for everyone, it offers plenty of different things for everyone. Vegans will find everything from raw restaurants like Pure Food & Wine to Cande Café to Dirt Candy's incredibly imaginative dishes like jalapeno hush puppies.While you'll have to wait for a reservation as the intimate venue only has nine tables, it's worth it for the complex and thoughtful dishes that emphasise one ingredient in each. Brooklyn's Vinnie's offers decadent, unhealthy but delicious dishes like mac and cheese pizza, and you can indulge in vegan and gluten-free cupcakes at Baby Cakes. And if you're looking for a quick bite, Chloe's has multiple locations in the city to grab a vegan burger and sweet potato fries.
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Credit: vlup2us65Portland, OregonPortland, Oregon
Portland, Oregon (hotel prices and photos)
Known as a very green city with a healthy lifestyle, it's only natural that Portland is home to a multitude of vegan, vegetarian, organic and fair trade restaurants and grocery shops. You'll find everything from vegan-friendly B&Bs to the only vegan mall on the planet. Travellers can enjoy an entire 'vegan holiday', which starts at the Cherokee Rose Inn, an all-vegan bed and breakfast. After a hike in the surrounding woods or windsurfing on the majestic Columbia River, you can explore the mall's vast selection of vegan items, such as vegan lifestyle books and vegan cookbooks at Herbivore Clothing. Then, stop for a bite at Sonny Bowl, a vegan food truck with many tasty plant-based options, including delicious bowls, salads and smoothies. Natural Selection, created by Aaron Woo, is a great place for dinner, serving fabulous dishes like chard and mushroom gnocchi and caramelised cauliflower with polenta, using fresh, local fruit and vegetables in a cosy atmosphere with European-style décor. Finally, no visit to Portland is complete without experiencing the famous Voodoo Doughnuts, famous for the sinfully indulgent Voodoo Doll, a raised yeast doughnut filled with raspberry jelly covered in chocolate icing and a pretzel stake, as well as items such as maple bacon bars, also offers a whole menu of vegan delights.
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Credit: wikimedia.orgChennai, IndiaChennai, India
Chennai, India (hotel prices and photos)
South India is considered the ancient cradle of vegetarianism - of the entire population of about 1.2 billion in the country, almost half are vegetarians. North Indian cuisine relies somewhat on clarified butter, but South Indian cuisine generally uses rice, pulses and coconut milk. Many restaurants mark their doors with the label 'pure veg', which means that all food served is both egg-based and meat-free. In Chennai, it is rare to see a menu that does not have a fairly extensive vegetarian section. And you will find that vegetarian thali (a dish with curries, rice dishes and bread) will bring you back less than a Starbucks latte. It is virtually impossible to get bored with the incredibly diverse selection of vegan food in Chennai, including specialities from Andhra, Kerala, Chettinad and more. Don't miss the Chinese-Indian cuisine of mainland China or the thali of Andhra in Ashoka.
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Credit: wikimedia.orgChiang Mai, ThailandChiang Mai, Thailand
Chiang Mai, Thailand (hotel prices and photos)
Chiang Mai is home to over 80 vegetarian restaurants due to its significant Buddhist population. There are vegan restaurants elsewhere in Thailand, but they are typically your standard 'Jay', which is a Buddhist form of veganism, served buffet-style for lunch, and usually not the tastiest choice. In Chiang Mai you will find healthy concepts of charcuterie, organic farm-to-table, Japanese macrobiotics and all kinds of other vegan dishes. Even restaurants that are not specifically vegan offer meatless Thai, tom yum soup, coconut milk curries and salads. At Pun Pun, located in Wat Suan Dok Temple and on Suthep Road near the university, you can enjoy meals made with organic vegetables from the restaurant's farm, with curries served on banana leaves.
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Credit: LoopZillaLondon, EnglandLondon, England
London, England (prices and hotel photos)
Once called PETA, the world's most vegetarian city, London has taken vegan restaurants to a whole new level. The British capital is home to countless vegan restaurants, with so many vegetarian and spicy curry houses that there are pubs serving fish & chips. Between visits to places like the Tower of London or Buckingham Palace, you'll find plenty of ways to satisfy your appetite, with even pubs these days offering plenty of meatless dishes and even raw food options. The Coach & Horses in Leicester square was the first vegetarian and vegan pub in the city, and actually serves incredible vegan fish & chips. Food for Thought in Convent Garden is probably the most famous vegetarian restaurant in London, and still a favourite with its menu full of everything from Indian to Mexican dishes, quiches and cheeses. The Vegetarian's Paradise in Bloomsbury has been around for over a decade and offers a buffet twice a day.
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Credit: Jerk Alert ProductionsSan Francisco, CaliforniaSan Francisco, California
San Francisco, California (hotel prices and photos)
The City by the Bay has a long tradition of healthy living habits, seen in its significant number of vegan, vegetarian and organic restaurants. San Francisco was the first city in the nation to enthusiastically adopt Meatless Mondays and AT & T Park, the home of the MLB's San Francisco Giants, was the first major sports facility to provide concession stand produce and an educational garden for children.On any given day of the week you'll find an open farmers' market somewhere in the city, as well as an abundance of dining options. Greens in Fort Mason was opened by Zen Buddhists over 20 years ago and offers magnificent views of the bay and a delicious selection of vegan dishes. Gracias Madre in the Mission District serves vegan Mexican food focused on fresh ingredients from the owner's farm. Ananda Fuara is another popular vegan/vegetarian restaurant that offers a wide range of Asian-inspired dishes as well as Indian and American fare such as veggie burgers, all perfect to fuel those strenuous treks up the city's steep hills and a walk through the Golden Gate.
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Credit: Julie FacineSeoul, South KoreaSeoul, South Korea
Seoul, South Korea (hotel prices and photos)
Vegetarian dishes are common on most Korean menus, although you might want to check with your server if there is meat in the bibimbap - and explain that it includes things like spam or fish, as many do not consider such items to be 'meat'. "Hangwachae is a traditional Korean vegetarian restaurant with ten branches in Seoul alone. It serves delicious fresh, organic vegetables seasoned with delicate spices and homemade condiments such as soya bean paste and chilli paste. Temple food, born from Buddhist beliefs, is a completely vegan cuisine that makes full use of the country's abundant wild vegetables, roots and herbs. And the granddaddy of temple food is Sanchon, a decades-old staple in the Insadong district, renowned as one of the best vegan restaurants in the world. Visitors can also connect with groups such as the Seoul Veggie club and the Seoul Vegan Potluck group to meet other vegans and discover other restaurants that cater to their particular dietary needs.
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Credit: SweetOnVegVancouver, British Columbia Vancouver, British Columbia
Vancouver, British Columbia (hotel prices and photos)
When you're in Vancouver, you won't have to worry about where you'll be to recharge your batteries for the towering mountains that provide a magnificent backdrop, or to cool off in the sparkling waters that surround this beautiful city. Vegetarians, vegans, gluten-free and raw foodies will want a taste of the seasonal menu created with fruits and legumes at Hen of the Woods. The Acorn received a Top Ten Best New Restaurants mention in En Route Magazine, the first vegetarian restaurant ever to win the honour, serving delicious items such as beer halloumi, coconut cashew and kimchi dumplings and raw beetroot ravioli. Indigo Food Café is ideal for raw vegans, and when you're in the mood for something sweet, head to Edible Flours where you can indulge in heavenly cupcakes and other desserts.
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Jordan (hotel prices and photos)
In Jordan, it is easy to find vegetarian and vegan restaurants, with mezze dishes such as falafel, hummus, tabbouleh and gourmet Arabic flatbreads aplenty. While traditional dishes cooked in the country feature a lot of meat, especially lamb, the selection of mezze is particularly healthy, plentiful and delicious. Fresh fruit and vegetables also play an important role in the diet of most Jordanians; you will find many salads with natural dressings such as lemon and olive oil, mostly heavy on the lemon. While there are good options in almost every corner of the country, Beit Sitti, or 'my grandmother's kitchen' in Arabic, located in Amman is highly recommended, as is Feynan, an eco-lodge in the heart of the Dana Biosphere Reserve. Here, guests feast on falafel, hummus, vegetarian stews and flatbreads baked by Bedouins.
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Credit: Gavin AndersonKuala Lumpur, MalaysiaKuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (prices and hotel photos)
Kuala Lumpur is not only a melting pot of cultures from India to China, it is home to almost 100 vegetarian or vegan restaurants offering everything from hummus and falafel sandwiches to aloo ghobi, chana masala and meat mock variations of all traditional Chinese dishes. The city is also home to a number of Boost Juice outlets serving mainly tasty vegan options such as dairy-free biscuits and 'cream' made from vegan Oreos. The vegetarian restaurant Gopala offers a wide range of cultural dishes from Indian to Thai, and you will also find numerous vegetarian street vendor stalls throughout Kuala Lumpur.
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Credit: facebook.com/culinarymisfitsBerlin, GermanyBerlin, Germany
Berlin, Germany (prices and hotel photos)
In a city known for its beer and Bratwurst, it's hard to imagine finding much in the way of healthy food options, but Berlin actually goes above and beyond when it comes to embracing the vegan lifestyle. Culinary Misfits, serving only 'ugly' vegetables, is one of the most popular restaurants in the German capital. With a third of every harvest rejected just because the crop does not meet the beauty standards for produce, those strange-looking double-legged carrots and oddly shaped potatoes never reach the supermarkets - Culinary Misfits works against 'produce-look-ism', providing a good use for vegetarian 'freaks'. You can also get a great veggie burger at Sun Day Burger and enjoy fine dining at Lucky Leek, among many outstanding vegan restaurant options in Berlin.
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Credit: BinaryApeMumbai, IndiaMumbai, India
Mumbai, India (hotel prices and photos)
Mumbai is home to the largest vegetarian population in the world. As such, it is quite easy to find all kinds of vegetarian options in almost every food stall and restaurant here.You will have to be careful with dairy products, as Indian vegetarians are mostly lacto-vegetarians, i.e. they do not eat meat, eggs or fish, but consume dairy products. Nonetheless, you certainly won't go hungry here with the multitude of vegan dishes to be found at places like the Birdsong Café with mushroom risotto and particularly tasty rice or the roasted courgette bruschetta and grilled corn and jalapeno quesadilla at Under the Banyan Tree. For dessert, you can enjoy a wide range of dairy-free sorbets at Amore Gourmet's Italian-style Gelato or decadent treats like Dark Truffle chocolates at C4 Chocolates.
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