Top 5 Vegan-Friendly Destinations Around the World

Are you a vegan that loves to travel?

You’re not alone! For ethical, environmental, health, personal, cultural, and religious reasons, veganism has become increasingly common. WTVOX, a sustainable fashion magazine, estimates roughly 10% of the world will be vegan by the 2030s.

Think about that.

As a vegan, that should make you less anxious about finding a good meal (and less likely to have to go non-vegan while traveling). Because many popular destinations, including some of the best digital nomad cities, feature delicious vegan eats.

In this guide, we’ll go over the 10 most vegan friendly countries. See which destination catches your eye, and go off on a vegan adventure.

5 of the Most Vegan Countries and Places

Looking for good vegan eats while you trot around the globe? Then book your next trip to one of the 10 destinations below. In addition to having plenty of tasty vegan travel eats, these countries have a wealth of history, culture, scenery, and entertainment.

India

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By far and away, India has the highest percentage of vegans and vegetarians in the world, thanks to various religions and cultures in the country, such as Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism. Debates exist as to how “vegetarian” Indians are. But estimates range from 23% to 37% of the country being vegetarian (most countries are well below 5% of the population). That makes India a great place for vegan travel.

Here are three vegan travel eats to try in India:

• Chana masala: Hailing from north India, this spicy chickpea curry goes great with rice or naan.
• Vegetable biryani: Like fried rice? Then look no further. Lunch is served.
• Kofta: Kofta actually means “meatball”, but the balls are made of potatoes, lentils, and/or mixed vegetables, and served alongside spicy curry or gravy.

Israel

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Israel has become the vegan capital of the world. Each year, Tel Aviv hosts the largest vegan food festival in the world. What has ignited the trend? Judaism has played a role. And for the non-religious, veganism has become a lifestyle choice.

Here are three vegan travel eats to try in Israel:

• Hummus with pita bread: Super nutritious and packed with plant-based protein, hummus is the perfect vegan travel dish if you’re looking for an energy boost!
• Baked falafel: Made from ground chickpeas and/or fava beans, falafels have a delightful crunchiness.
• Stuffed vine leaves: Also known as dolma, vine leaves can be stuffed with tasty veggies like eggplant, tomato, and zucchini.

Italy

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Italy had the fastest-growing vegan population throughout much of the 2010s, according to The Vegan Society, the oldest vegan organization and charity in the world. Italians have gone vegan for a variety of reasons, including a desire for better health and a growing awareness of animal rights and environmental issues.

Here are three vegan travel eats to try in Italy:

• Tomato bruschetta: Marinated tomatoes flavored with olive oil, garlic, basil, and more! And then placed on a baguette. Sounds delicious, right?
• Pizza rossa: Easily the best vegan pizza in the world, this pizza consists of dough topped with a sauce of tomatoes, olive oil, garlic, salt, and herbs. Yummy!
• Pasta aglio e olio: You can’t mention Italian food without talking about pasta. This vegan pasta delights the taste buds with its mix of garlic and spicy red chili flakes.

Taiwan

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13% of Taiwan identifies as vegetarian, according to the World Atlas. The Taipei Times states that veganism has seen a rise in Taiwan because of Buddhism and global trends like environmentalism and healthy living. Praised as having the most dynamic vegan scene in Asia, Taiwan, especially the city of Taipei, is full of restaurants with cutting-edge vegan dishes.

Here are three vegan travel eats to try in Taiwan:

• Barbecue veggie foods: Around Taiwan, you’ll discover delicious street food. Get fresh tofu, eggplant, peppers, green beans, and more right off the grill!
• Sesame noodles: Flavored with toasted sesame oil, soy sauce, garlic, hot chili, and more, a bowl of these noodles is a great way to greet the day.
• Vegan dumplings: Many classic Chinese dishes can be found vegan-style in Taiwan, including dumplings. That’s what makes Taiwan one of the most vegan friendly travel destinations.

United States

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The United States doesn’t make the list because a high portion of the country follows a vegan diet—the country makes the list because of the sheer amount of vegan options available in its major cities. As Vegan Bits, a veganism education site, notes, American cities like Portland, Los Angeles, and Austin have lots of vegan restaurants and dishes. Vegan sushi, tacos, hot dogs, and more are widely available.

Here are three vegan travel eats to try in the United States:

• Black bean burger: A vegan take on an American classic, the black bean burger can be flavored in any number of ways. And it has tons of protein and fiber!
• Smoothies: Walk around any big city in the USA and you’ll run into a smoothie shop. With a smoothie, you can get multiple servings of fruit and veggies along with protein powder, almond milk, and other vitamin-packed additions. It’s the perfect on-the-go vegan meal!
• Vegan ice cream: Dairy-free ice cream can be found in most American towns. They’re made with milk substitutes, such as coconut milk. If you find yourself in the States on a hot summer day, get yourself some vegan ice cream.

Enjoy the Best Vegan Eats as You Travel the World

Whether you’re a full-time digital nomad or a once-a-year traveler, you need to know where to eat if you’re a vegan. The last thing you want is to be very hungry and not have a good vegan option available. Doing your research beforehand will ensure you always know where to go when you need a meal on the road.

Let this list of the most vegan friendly countries as a resource for where to travel to next. As time goes on, we’ll expand the list. Know that, as veganism gets more popular, travel destinations will work to accommodate visitors. That’s good news for you. Because you’ll be able to live your vegan lifestyle—no matter where your adventures take you.

About the Author

Nick Callos has always had a passion for reading, writing, and discovering the new and unknown. Originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, Nick holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English from Boston College. He currently splits his time between his hometown, Chengdu, China, and the open road. A full-time travel writer, Nick hopes his work can inspire others to explore the world more deeply and enjoy the digital nomad lifestyle.

Featured image via Unsplash.