Vegan travel in Asia
Asia is something of a haven for vegan travellers, with hundreds of spots to choose from in most cities. However, that doesn’t mean you can expect to find something on every street. Some of our best advice for any vegan holiday in the East includes:
Immerse yourself in the culture
Being vegan is a way of life for some in Asia. Visiting areas like temples and spiritual communities when you travel gives you the chance to experience the local vegan lifestyle a little differently.
Have a back-up plan
It would be overly optimistic to assume everywhere you go will cater to your dietary requirements. Always have a back-up plan, in case you get unlucky and can’t find anything.
Budget
Asia also has the reputation of rightly or wrongly being cheaper than a lot of other destinations. While that means you can save a bit of cash, it’s foolhardy to assume you can experience the whole holiday without focusing at least a little on what you’re spending. Set a budget before you go.
Best spots for vegan food in Asia
Chiang Mai
THAILAND
This area has a wealth of all-you-can-eat vegan buffets, plus a variety of restaurants which take traditional Thai dishes and give them a vegan twist. You can even find dairy-free cheesecake and vegan brownies at the Free Bird Cafe.
Chennai
INDIA
Dario’s in Chennai gives you the chance to try Italian-style vegan pizza or pasta. Elsewhere, the Cream Centre is the perfect spot to sample traditional vegan Indian food. In truth, anywhere in the south of India is a great option.
Taipei
TAIWAN
You can find a whopping 600 vegan restaurants in this area – where as many as 14% of people in the country don’t eat meat. There are 57 vegan restaurants in Taipei alone, where you’ll even be able to find vegan hot dogs and burgers.
Bali
INDONESIA
Given this city is the birthplace of the meat-friendly alternative tempeh, it’s no surprise there are a wealth of options available. A popular favourite is the Seas of Life Cafe, where you’ll find a real mix of dishes.
Vegan travel in Africa
Most parts of Africa make it somewhat easy to find vegan food. Once again, it’s important to have a plan of action before you head to any country on the continent.
Don’t be put off by chains
While the likes of McDonalds might seem like an obvious place to avoid for most British vegans, the ingredients are slightly different in Africa. Their chips aren’t cooked in any kind of beef fat, while the veggie burger (without mayo) is completely vegan.
Try a vegan safari
Talk to your tour operator to see if there are any vegan options available while out on safari. You can even find specialist operators who have a vegan-specific theme.
Ask what the food is cooked in
While the food itself might be vegan, it isn’t guaranteed that it’s being cooked in vegan-friendly ingredients. Check with the chef to see how they prepare the food.
Best spots for vegan food in Africa
Okavango Delta
BOTSWANA
This fantastic region of Botswana provides travellers with some of the most unique sights and sounds on Earth. There are hundreds of vegan options here, with many people adopting the lifestyle.
Marrakesh
MOROCCO
Anyone travelling to the Moroccan capital would be remiss to not try something from a falafel stand. This popular treat is a favourite amongst vegans, and can trace its heritage back to this part of the world.
Island Hopping
CAPE VERDE
Jumping between islands is the way to go. You can find the traditional dish of capucha here – a slow-cooked stew of corn, with beans, sweet potato and other delicious ingredients added.
Vegan travel in South America
South America has a very meat-heavy diet, making it a slightly more troubling location for staunch vegans to travel to. But don’t worry. There are still plenty of places you can check out, as well as a few simple steps to follow in order to make the most of your time away.
Know the foods to look for
With fewer options available to you here than in other parts of the world, it’s vital to know where and what to look for. Recipes based around quinoa, avocados and beans are the way to go in South America.
Rely on apps
We’ve already seen just how important the likes of Happy Cow can be for vegans struggling to find anywhere to cater to them. These apps can be your best friend at a time when you really have no idea where to eat.
Consider going raw
While it might not be your first choice, sometimes it’s easier to avoid anything which has been cooked. You’ll have the guarantee that what you’re eating is vegan, while also cutting down on the calories.
Best spots for vegan food in South America
Buenos Aires
ARGENTINA
While it might be the steak capital of the world, that doesn’t mean you can’t also find a variety of delicious, vegan-friendly options. In fact, there are as many as 322 places where you’ll be able to find at least one vegan option.
São Paulo
BRAZIL
Likewise, this affluent Brazilian city provides visitors with a wide variety of options. At Gran Vegano, you’ll find a delicious burger which is designed to look like the real deal. It’s very convincing.
Medellín
COLOMBIA
Anyone looking for a taste of traditional Colombia would do well to head to the fantastic restaurants in the city of Medellín. Justo, Kai and Dharma are all must-visit spots.
Vegan travel in North America
North America has been at the forefront of the vegan revolution since it began. As they speak English, it’s pretty easy to navigate your way around the region. That said, you can still benefit from following some simple basics.
Look for spots on social media
Channels like Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest are a great way of finding vegan cafes and restaurants to try. Look for restaurants using relevant hashtags, or even by just typing in key terms like “vegan food”. Don’t forget to read the reviews.
Try something new
While you know you can play it safe in a continent like North America, that doesn’t mean you always should. Use the variety on offer to try something new, or revisit an old favourite dish.
Best spots for vegan food in North America
Seattle
USA
You can find all sorts of fantastic eateries in the northern city of Seattle. Whether it’s a Thai red curry at Araya’s Place, or the faux-chicken “Warlock Sandwich” at the Wayward Vegan Cafe, there’s something for everyone in this forward-thinking metropolis.
Toronto
CANADA
Fans of all vegan culinary styles will be pleasantly surprised with a trip to Canada’s largest city. Try a raw pasta dish at Rawlicious, eggplant in ginger sauce in Commensal or beer-battered tofu at Fressen. Whatever your meal of choice, you’ll be in for a treat.
New York City
USA
One of the most famous cities in the world, NYC has been at the forefront of the vegan revolution since day one. There are countless amazing places to dine, but we’d recommend trying the pumpkin noodles with sauteed vegetables at HanGawi.
Vegan travel in Europe
Europe is another continent boasting a huge variety of vegan options for travellers. And with so many different countries offering unique culture and food, there’s a lot to keep in mind before a trip to any of the major cities.
Check out dedicated restaurants
The beauty of a trip to Europe is the diversity found throughout each individual country and city. There are a plethora of restaurants dedicated to providing solely vegan food for diners, meaning you have a lot more freedom when it comes to tailoring your search.
Budget for at-home meals
Unfortunately, prices in this part of the world tend to be higher than in Africa and Asia. That means you might want to spend some of your journey cooking meals from your accommodation, instead of eating out every night. This not only saves you cash, but also puts the choice of what you want to eat back in your hands.
Explore local markets
There are plenty of dedicated market stalls littered throughout Europe, such as the Budapest Central Market Hall, where you’ll be able to find all sorts of local produce, and the market at Piazza delle Erbe, Verona, where you can snack on locally grown fruit.
Best spots for vegan food in Europe
Berlin
GERMANY
One of the most culturally diverse cities on the continent, Berlin has a staggering 83 vegan restaurants. It’s for this reason a lot of people call the German metropolis “the vegan capital of Europe”. You’ll be able to find vegan shoe shops, donut stores, a kebab shop and even a vegan shopping centre.
Paris
FRANCE
French food is loved the world over, but did you know you can find a vegan option of pretty much any type of food they offer? VG Patisserie is one of the best spots to try out, where you’ll be able to find a variety of sweet treats.
Prague
CZECH REPUBLIC
While it might be a lot smaller than most of the other popular destinations for vegan travellers, there’s still lots of fantastic eateries to check out. Stretcha is one of the best. This cafe only hires previously homeless or rehabilitated prisoners, giving them a second chance in life.
Gothenburg
SWEDEN
It’s an eco-conscious city, with most eateries in Gothenburg boasting one vegan option on the menu at the very least. Raw food vegans will enjoy dining at Open New Doors, while there are plenty of snacks available at Happy Vegan.
Staycations in the UK
Who says you need to leave the UK to have a good time? There are plenty of amazing spots to visit on British shores. What’s more, there are tonnes of places where you can go for delicious vegan food. Some of the best include:
Brighton
This city in the south of the UK has housed at least one vegan restaurant for the last 30 years. Always at the forefront of political awareness, Brighton is a must-visit for anyone looking for delicious food which matches all dietary requirements.
Newcastle
This large North-Eastern city has a strong vegan community, even going as far as to host their own Vegan Festival every year. Junk It Up is a popular option amongst foodies in the area. The restaurant allows you to indulge in plant-based bites like pizzas, nachos and kebabs.
Leicester
There are over 53 incredible vegan spots to choose from in Leicester. The best place to check out is Healthy Louise. It’s a great spot on a budget, because you’ll be able to find everything for under £10.
Bristol
Persian-inspired cuisine is the call of the day in the city of Bristol. You can pop into the Koocha Mezze Bar for a mix of fantastic food and cocktails.
Keep these destinations in mind if you’re thinking about a holiday with a vegan twist. But remember, only travel if restrictions in your area allow it.
04.
Useful links & resources
We’ve covered a lot in this guide, but there might be more you’d like to know about planning a holiday as a vegan. You can learn more by checking out these useful secondary sources.Healthline provide a breakdown of some of the most common mistakes vegans and vegetarians make in their daily diet:https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/vegetarian-and-vegan-mistakesIf you want to safely bond with other like-minded vegans, you can use websites like MeetUp to do it:https://www.meetup.com/topics/vegan/Getting the right amount of nutrients is vital. Read the full guidance given by Nutrition.org:https://www.nutrition.org.uk/nutritionscience/nutrients-food-and-ingredients/nutrient-requirements.htmlNew to the world of vegan? Make sure to check out the Thriving Vegan’s guide for beginners:https://thethrivingvegan.com/tips-for-vegan-beginners/The Vegan Society take a closer look at how to change your diet on a budget:https://www.vegansociety.com/resources/recipes/budget/vegan-budget
See the full, original guide here: https://www.loveholidays.com/holidays/vegan-travel-guide/
