For many vegetarians, travel can be a frustrating experience. But times are changing and vegetarian food is becoming popular with an increasing number of chefs and restaurants.
Today's vegetarian restaurants are run by top chefs, are resourceful and trendy in design, and have impressive offerings.
Here are the top 10 cities to make vegetarian travel less lonely.
10. Turin
If Mayor Chiara Appendino began to get his way, then Turin, the center of the Piedmont region, would officially become Italy's first vegetarian city. This is a bold move for a region famous for dishes such as carne crudo (chopped raw beef) and bollito misto (beef, veal and chicken stew). The Mayor of Appendino is committed to protecting the environment and plans to raise awareness by teaching children healthy eating to do so.
With over 30 restaurants, cafes and shops offering vegetarian food, opportunities for Turin vegans are growing, and Turin Tourism is publishing a list to help vegetarians navigate the culinary world.
9. Berlin
Closer to Portland is the new capital of vegetarianism - Berlin. The German capital is quickly gaining a reputation as a vegetarian city, with roughly 80,000 vegans and around 50 exclusively vegetarian restaurants and cafes. But the vegetarian movement here isn't just about food. Severe vegetarians can also find special clothing, beer and wine for themselves. The annual August Veganes Sommerfest Berlin (with music, games and fashion shows) attracts around 60,000 visitors.
Of course, kebabs are very popular in Germany. However, vegans don't miss out on kebabs with Voner, the first restaurant in Berlin to serve doner kebabs. Kopps is considered one of the best vegetarian restaurants in the world. For dessert, the Kontor Eismanufaktur restaurant is suitable, where they prepare an exclusive vegetable-based ice cream, which can also be supplemented with dyes, flavors, various additives, vegetable fat and emulsifiers.
8. Helsinki
In Finland, you can try the "oat extract". Nyhtokaura is a meat substitute made from Scandinavian oats and beans. It may soon become the most popular export product from Finland.
While purely vegetarian restaurants are still a rarity in Helsinki, there are many chefs who favor vegetarianism and restaurants that support plant-based cuisine. Many cafes use oat milk as a pleasant substitute for soy. The weekly Helsinki This Week offers a list of vegetarian-friendly restaurants.
7. Tel Aviv
Vegetarianism in Israel has been on the rise for some time, but the situation peaked in December 2014 when protesters from Israeli soldiers threatened mutiny if the army did not include vegetarian options on the menu. Israel, on a per capita basis, is considered the largest vegetarian nation in the world, with approximately 5% of Israelis abstaining from meat, dairy products and eggs.
Multicultural Tel Aviv, home to over 400 vegetarian establishments, has become such a popular destination that even Domino serves plant-based pizza. It also hosts the country's first vegetarian culinary school called Vegan experience. Every September, the city hosts a Vegetarian Fest, one of the world's largest vegetarian festivals.
Zakaim makes some pretty good Persian food. At Nanuchka, you will enjoy a fresh take on Western European cuisine, which often uses meat. Of course, you can find vegetarian falafel almost everywhere, but only at Veg Shawarma you can taste shawarma, knowing that you have not harmed any animal.
6. Chennai, India
It is estimated that about 50% of the Indian population is vegetarian. While vegetarianism is a new concept in the West, it has been firmly rooted in India for millennia. South Indian cuisine mainly uses rice, fiber and coconut milk, and in restaurants you can find an abundance of vegetarian options. For a culinary experience in India, visit Royal Vega at ITC Grand Chola Hotel. According to the website, "the cuisine is Indian in character and uses a combination of spices, vegetables and lentils."
5. Melbourne
Australia's second city has long been considered an advanced city, but lately, the vegetarian movement has been traveling along it like a train that has lost its brakes. Try pizza at the stylish Red Sparrow Pizza, indulge in a sweet treat at the new Girls and Boys vegetarian bar serving desserts, or enjoy a more sophisticated dinner at Transformer.
4. San Francisco
San Francisco is home to some of the finest and most innovative vegetarian and unprocessed foods, thanks to its healthy hippie style. Nothing beats a Mexican vegetarian meal that should be a main course and not a side dish. For fine Mexican cuisine, head to the Gracias Madre, located in the Mission area. You don't have to give up your love of sushi just because you are vegan. Nearby Shizen offers innovative and delicious vegetarian rolls, onigiri and noodles. A gourmet gourmet dinner can be found at the award-winning Millenium on the Auckland Bridge.
3. Austin, Texas
Texas? It can't be, you might think. Maybe. If you're into food trucks, be sure to stop at Guac N'Roll, a vegetarian cafe on wheels. Next up is Sweet Ritual, which serves vegetarian ice cream.
2. Vancouver
Vancouver is gaining recognition on the global stage as a city for vegans. Satisfy both your interest and your love of aesthetics with the award-winning Café The Acorn's serving gourmet snacks, and buy bags, belts, wallets and even chocolates from Nice Shoes.
1. London
Vegetarianism is now flourishing in London. PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) once selected it as the most vegetarian city in the world, not only because of the large number of vegetarian restaurants, but also because of the amazing variety of the national cuisine, which does not use meat. In addition, Fifth Dimension Tattoo, a vegetarian tattoo parlor, is located in London.
Gourmets will find many places here to satisfy the fastidious palate. Visit Manna, a café beloved for the Primrose Hill set, whose all-vegetarian dishes are inspired by world cuisine. Fast food lovers will delight in Deptford veggie and The waiting room, which serves vegetarian BBQ ribs, hot dogs and burgers. In January, the Temple of Hackney, a fried chicken store owned by a vegan, former KFC employee, opened.
An overview of the seven most vegetarian countries in the world:
