For travelers with specific diets, experiencing new cuisines can come with challenges. Vegan travelers are certainly no strangers to this experience.
At Remitly, we’re committed to helping travelers who are looking for new experiences and immigrants who are building new lives all over the world. In this article, we’ll highlight some top worldwide destinations for vegans, so you can enjoy mealtimes abroad without compromising your diet.
How to explore the world as a confident vegan
Whether you’re looking to move abroad for a change of scenery or travel to expand your horizons, making sure that you’re able to follow your plant-based diet while in a new country will take a weight off your shoulders. Here are a few tricks to keep in mind to help you adjust to the local food scene smoothly and confidently.
Why vegan travel takes a bit more effort
Whether you’ve been vegan for some time or you’re just starting out, traveling as a vegan can be incredibly fulfilling. That said, navigating menus and mealtime conversations can sometimes feel like extra mental work.
Challenges are common, especially in regions where plant-based diets aren’t yet widespread. Unfamiliar ingredients, different cultural norms, and language barriers often make it difficult to communicate your needs. Luckily, there are amazing and enriching destinations that not only are familiar with the vegan diet, but embrace it.
Where preparation meets peace of mind
When eating vegan abroad, a bit of extra planning can go a long way. With tools and research at the ready, you’ll have fewer awkward interactions with servers who don’t quite understand your needs—and more confidence that what you’re eating aligns with your needs or values.
This planning might involve scoping out restaurants in advance, researching which regional dishes may contain hidden animal ingredients, and equipping yourself with apps like HappyCow and Google Translate, which can be lifesavers. There are plenty of resources online—and a growing global community—to help you out.
What makes a country vegan-friendly?
When traveling or moving to a new country, there are a few things to keep in mind when you’re looking to eat well and get a true taste of the local cuisine.
Are vegan menus the norm or the exception?
When looking at different options for your next trips, consider starting with your preferred maps app to locate different restaurants and read reviews that mention vegan options. This can give you an idea of how common vegan restaurants are, as well as parts of the city or region where they’re most prevalent. Apps like HappyCow are specifically designed for this and will be great resources.
You can also take some time to research the cuisine and common ingredients in the region. There may be foods that appear vegan but actually include animal products. In Spain, for example, travelers may be surprised that polvorones, an almond-based Christmas treat, contain lard. Desserts like the spotted dick in England can also contain “suet” or beef fat. In other places, vegetable soups may use animal-based stocks.
Also, keep in mind that not all “vegan options” are created equal. In some places, they may be limited, which can quickly become repetitive and nutritionally lacking. When enjoying your new destination, the last thing you will want to do is repeat the same basic salads or fried starches for the duration of your trip. Look for cities where the vegan food scene reflects the creativity and diversity of the local cuisine.
Cultural acceptance of plant-based lifestyles
Many countries are seeing more and more of their citizens—and tourists—go vegetarian or vegan. However, destinations vary greatly in how quickly the restaurant and service industry have adapted to these changes. Ideally, vegan-friendly menu items will be clearly marked and you’ll have a relatively easy time identifying suitable options.
Larger cities tend to have more options than rural areas, both in terms of quantity of restaurants and creativity of cuisine. Take advantage of this and ask the staff in vegan-friendly spots about options to look out for in your upcoming destinations. Though they may not be able to recommend specific restaurants, they might suggest local dishes that are typically safe bets.
Top vegan destinations around the world
With all of this in mind, here are a few of Remitly’s top picks for vegan-friendly destinations—one of these might just be perfect for your next trip!
Chiang Mai: northern Thailand’s vibrant vegan scene
The verdant jungles of northern Thailand are home to Chiang Mai, a vegan paradise in Asia. It is considered one of the most attractive cities for plant-based cuisine in Thailand. The city boasts more than 20 entirely plant-based restaurants—many of which thrive thanks to the region’s Buddhist roots and the influx of health-conscious travelers and digital nomads.
Local Jay cuisine, rooted in Buddhist vegetarian principles, avoids many animal products and provides a natural foundation for plant-based dining. Combine that with Chiang Mai’s affordability, wellness community, and stunning scenery, and you have a top-tier vegan destination.
Taiwan: excelling in vegan-friendly cities
Taiwan also offers a wide variety of vegan restaurants, again thanks to the vegetarian-leaning practices of the local Buddhist faith. Taipei features 141 vegan-only results on HappyCow, and the island as a whole boasts over 1,000 choices!
Following a vegan diet doesn’t mean you can’t take advantage of the wonderful street food in Taiwan. Make sure you try some of the vegan dumplings, sesame noodles, and vegetable-based soups. A word of caution, though: some sweets may contain gelatin. Additionally, fake meats in Taiwan may contain eggs or whey, so keep your translator app handy to double-check before ordering.
India: a historic and rich plant-based culture
India already has a well-known reputation for its rich variety of vegetarian food. Though its people are estimated to be only 20% vegetarian, there are still many flavorful and desirable vegetable-based dishes in India which are sure to tantalize the palate of any visitor. Keep an eye out for many dishes featuring lentils and rice and copious spices.
While vegetarian dishes are plentiful in India, vegans will still need to be careful of dairy products like ghee (clarified butter), yogurt (or “curd”), and paneer. These are found more frequently in northern cuisines, so vegan travelers may find themselves drawn to the foods of the South more than those of the North.
Dishes like idli and dosa will get your day off to a strong start. Southern sambars and northern rajmas are lentil-based meals that are sure to satisfy. If you need a pick-me-up or your sweet tooth starts calling, pani puri, samosas, and kaju katli are all great vegan options.
Sri Lanka: a “non-vegan” paradise for vegans
You read that correctly—the island nation to the east of India’s southern tip might be one of the most quietly vegan-friendly places on this list. Home to people of Muslim, Buddhist, and Hindu faiths, chefs and kitchen staff are well aware of a variety of dietary restrictions and will be willing to accommodate your needs. Also, while you’re not likely to see many items listed as “vegan” on local menus, many local meals are vegan anyway.
Like in India, you’ll need to look out for ghee, as well as ingredients like shrimp paste or powdered milk. When in doubt, ask. Many people in Sri Lanka speak English, and travelers report positive experiences with explaining their dietary restrictions. Keep an eye out for places frequented by locals, where you can try dishes like masala dhosa, jackfruit curry, or a rice pudding made with coconut milk, called “kiribath.”
Berlin: Europe’s fastest-growing vegan community
If Europe is more your speed, look no further than Berlin. The German capital is well-known for its quirks and eccentricities, but it’s also a vegan haven in Europe. These days, most major cities in Europe have at least a smattering of vegan restaurants to please their populace, but few have numbers like Berlin. There are 114 vegan-only locations shown on HappyCow, with vegan options found on the menu in over 1,000 locations.
In such a large and international city, there are options aplenty for those looking for a plant-based bite. Vegan versions of traditional German fare like the bratwurst have found their way onto menus in the city, and plant-based recreations of everything from pizza to pork belly to Peking duck regularly wow visitors and locals alike.
Tips for traveling as a vegan
All of that said, there are a lot more than five countries in the world, and a vegan diet doesn’t have to hold you back from seeing all there is to see. Here are a few additional tips to thrive as a vegan traveler.
How to handle non-vegan countries
If you find yourself drawn to visit other countries that may not be as vegan-friendly as the ones we listed, here are some tips to help you feel comfortable, no matter where your journey takes you.
- Do your research: As mentioned, HappyCow is a great resource for this. You may also be able to find local vegan communities online that you can reach out to in advance.
- When in doubt, ask: Speak with restaurant staff directly to advocate for your needs. You might learn a few key phrases ahead of time, rely on your favorite translation app, or you could even write up a phrase card in the local language that you can read or show to the restaurant staff. Just have a trusted native speaker check your card before putting it to use!
- Start cooking: do what you can to book accommodation that has a kitchen. Relying on restaurants for each meal will add substantially to your travel costs. Being able to whip up a decent meal with ingredients that you’ve chosen yourself can give you some peace of mind and help you stay nourished.
- Go back to basics: If you’re still having trouble finding enough options, fresh produce and bread are easily available in most places and will get you through until you can find more variety in your next destination.
Meeting nutritional needs when abroad
To make sure all of your vitamins and nutrients are covered, don’t hesitate to bring trusted food like snacks, granola bars, or supplements from home—these can save you in a pinch! Also, do what you can to learn about the foods in the local markets and shops. With a bit of courage and some help from Google Translate, you just might find a new favorite snack!
FAQs
Which country is #1 for vegans?
It’s hard to choose only one, as each person’s taste in food will be different. However, Germany, India, and Scandinavian countries are commonly recommended destinations for vegan travelers.
How to be vegan while traveling?
Do your research ahead of time to learn which dishes you can and cannot eat and to find places that serve appropriate food. You can also speak with locals who can give you extra advice—and it never hurts to bring some trusted snacks from home!
What culture is most vegan?
The top two countries with the highest rate of vegans are India and Mexico, with 9% of their populations identifying as vegan.
What is the most vegetarian-friendly country?
For vegetarians, India is commonly rated as one of the most hospitable countries. Taiwan, Sri Lanka, Australia, and Italy are also often considered highly vegetarian-friendly.