Isabella Feraca
From plant-based spins on traditional dishes to trendy culinary innovations, these cities will excite any fans of vegan cuisine.
Taipei night market selling tofu-based dishes. Uwe. Aranas. CC by 3.0
Those aligning themselves with sustainable travel might be interested in catering their adventures with conscious lifestyle choices, like veganism. Unfortunately, the scope of possible destinations can be limited by this choice, leaving travellers to settle for food options that are less exciting or accommodating. Still, various cities around the world have embraced the possibilities of vegan cuisine, offering varied and innovative options. Here is a list of some of the best cities to enjoy vegan food around the world.
1. Amsterdam, Netherlands
Traditional pannenkoeken. Ash. CC by 1.0
Amsterdam offers the perfect mix of history and modernism, blending traditional architecture with rich nightlife and trendy attractions. Its innovation extends to its vegan scene as well, where you will find creative takes on local dishes alongside modern global cuisine. Amsterdam also proudly values sustainability, meaning that plant-based lifestyles fit easily into the city.
The Netherlands is famous for its Dutch pancakes, or pannenkoeken, and many places in the city offer a vegan option that is true to the original. The famous PANCAKES chain located around the city, for example, has recently introduced vegan pancakes in their restaurant, with an aim to still deliver an authentic experience. They even have vegan recipe information on their website for visitors to take back with them.
To experience the full scope of the city’s vegan scene, it is also important to tap into its abundance of modern global eateries. For example, Vegan Sushi Bar, which has two locations around the city, offers a refreshing and flavorful twist on traditionally fish-heavy cuisine, with a large selection of signature rolls, maki and even ramen. Their prices range from around $16-19. For an innovative blend of Caribbean and Japanese food, try Terrazen, which features fully vegan dishes ranging from around $7-11. The lust vegan plate is a favorite for visitors, which consists of stir-fried veggies, rice and crispy, vegan chicken.
2. Berlin, Germany
Green Market Berlin. A. Savin. CC by 2.0
Berlin has long stood as a haven for counterculture, and that spirit has resulted in one of the most vibrant and all-encompassing vegan food scenes. The city has fully embraced plant-based living, not only with its many restaurants but also through year-round vegan events like the Green Market Berlin, which takes place every Sunday. It features plant-based products, like produce and clothing, prepared meals and even live music. Berlin is also home to groups dedicated to bringing plant-based eating fans together for various events and meet-ups. Berlin Vegan Social is one such group, and they host frequent gatherings for socialization and exploring the city’s vegan sector.
As such, there is no shortage of dining options throughout the city, with a variety of styles and atmospheres. Try Forsters, for example, for a plant-based take on traditional German food, like sausages and schnitzel. Main dishes range in cost from around $12-23. For vegan thin-crust pizza, go to La Stella Nera. They are known for their vegan salami topping, and even their beer selection features explicitly vegan labels.
3. Bali, Indonesia
Indonesian Gado Gado. Bynnasim. CC by 2.0
Given the large Hindu presence in the region, much of Bali’s cuisine is naturally vegan, relying on fruits and vegetables to form its base. As such, this destination is one of the few places where eating vegan feels natural and rooted in local culture and history. The island’s wellness culture, which attracts thousands of visitors for yoga, fitness and holistic retreats, makes the vegan lifestyle here even more accessible and rewarding.
Gado gado is one traditional dish to try. It’s a cold salad packed with vegetables, covered in peanut sauce and sometimes including tofu. It is also naturally vegan. For something sweet, try dadar gulung, a sweet pancake packed with coconut and golden palm sugar.
While you can find such dishes around the island, a notable restaurant to check out is I am Vegan Babe, which serves casual eats like burgers and salads as well as brunch. Prices are very affordable, ranging from $4-7. Also, try Warung Local for an affordable, modern take on a warung, a traditional, family-run eatery almost like a diner. They serve traditional dishes like nasi campur for just around $3-6.
4. Taipei, Taiwan
Frying stinky tofu at a night market. CC by 2.0
Taipei is a truly underrated destination for vegan food, stemming from the region’s Buddhist traditions that have long favored plant-based eating. Many local dishes are either naturally vegan or can be adapted easily, and the city has embraced this with an array of options in restaurants, markets and even a fully vegan supermarket.
The city is a particularly good choice for tofu lovers; they have an entire street dedicated to it. Walk down Shenkeng Tofu Street to try out local street food like stinky tofu, which is one of the region’s signature dishes, or even tofu ice cream.
A popular chain in the city is Vege Creek. These locations offer fully vegan luwei, a traditional Taiwanese dish consisting of ingredients braised in a flavorful, soy-based broth. What’s even better is that you can essentially build your own meal by choosing your ingredients. Prices hover around $6-11, depending on your choices. For a dairy-free spin on bubble tea, which originated in Taiwan and is now a global favorite, head to NUTTEA. Their Nut Mylk forms the base of their teas as opposed to dairy milk. A regular-sized mylk tea is just $3. ]
5. Mexico City, Mexico
Vegan-style Mexican street food. Jeremy Weate. CC by 2.0
Although Mexican cuisine is usually associated with meats and cheese, Mexico City has undergone a culinary evolution, fueled by younger chefs eager to both adopt global cuisine and reinterpret their culinary heritage through a sustainable, plant-based lens. After all, much of Mexican cuisine is already built on plant-based staples like beans, avocado, corn and peppers, making it an ideal style of food for such adaptations. As a result, the city harbors a vibrant vegan scene to explore.
Veguisima in the neighborhood of Condesa, for example, offers a large selection of traditional dishes that are all vegan while remaining authentic. Their three-piece vegan style enchiladas are a popular choice for just $7. Similarly, to experience plant-based versions of authentic Mexican sweets, like concha, try the Miga Vegana bakery in Roma Sur. Most options on the menu there stay under $10. For a spin on the classic taqueria, try Gracias Madre Taqueria Vegana. They specialize in traditional Mexican street food that is 100% vegan. They are known for their volcan, which is a Northern Mexican dish set on an open, crispy tortilla. They have many styles to choose from, each for $4.
Isabella Feraca
Isabella is a junior at Carnegie Mellon University studying professional writing and music technology. In her free time, she can be found reading, making music, and playing shows with her band around Pittsburgh.