What would Italy be without pizza? Mexico without tacos? France without buttery croissants? 

Food is such an important part of culture, and I would argue that you can learn as much about a country from its national cuisine as you would in any historical museum. Wandering around food markets, sampling local restaurants, and learning to cook traditional dishes are some of the most enriching parts of discovering a new location. 

As a vegan traveler, however, it can be difficult to reconcile your values with the lifestyles of the places you visit. It can also feel impossible to know what you can and can’t eat, especially if you don’t know the language. Despite the difficulties that come with dietary restrictions, I think it is more than possible to discover a destination’s food scene while sticking to your vegan diet. Here are some of the best places to travel as a vegan and some tips for staying vegan abroad: 

Vegan-Friendly Destinations

While I truly believe that you can be vegan in most parts of the world, certain destinations make it easier than others. Whether a place has a traditionally vegan-friendly diet or is making an effort to open more plant-based restaurants, some cities and countries are particularly great for vegan travelers. Here are just a few: 

The United Kingdom

When one thinks of British food, images of sausage, fried fish, and roast dinners are likely to come to mind. Nevertheless, the UK consistently ranks among the top vegan countries in the world. Countless vegan restaurants are popping up in the big cities and an increasing range of meat alternatives are sweeping British supermarkets. The UK is also the birthplace of “Veganuary”, a charity challenging Brits to eat vegan every January and educating the population on the benefits of a plant-based diet. If you want to try British classics, dishes like the Full English Breakfast and Fish and Chips are being “veganized” all over the country. 

Berlin

Germany is another country known for its meat-heavy diet, but the capital city is a dream for vegan foodies. Berlin has been deemed the European capital of veganism and one of the best vegan cities worldwide. With abundant plant-based restaurants, supermarkets, cafes, clothing stores, and hotels, Berlin is the perfect place to embrace a completely vegan lifestyle. If you visit over the summer, they have an annual Vegan Summer Festival with tons of vegan goodies and insightful performances. 

India

India has the highest percentage of vegetarians in the world, making up a whopping 40% of their population. While you’ll definitely find dishes that contain animal products, much of traditional Indian food is plant-based. Some of the best vegan Indian dishes include chana masala, aloo gobi, aloo matar, and lentil dal. If you’re craving street food, look out for veggie samosas, pani puri, dosa, and momos. Pro tip- many dishes in India are made with a butter called ghee, so always double check to make sure you’re not given dairy! 

Mexico

While veganism is still a pretty foreign concept in Mexico, their food actually lends itself well to a vegan diet. This is because the country ate mostly plant-based foods before the Spanish conquest. Think guacamole, rice and beans, nopales, and tortillas, all of which are staples of the Mexican diet and are naturally vegan. Some of the more touristy parts of the country (Tulum, Cancun, Sayulita, Playa Del Carmen, etc…) are beginning to open various vegan restaurants. However, you can eat vegan food almost anywhere. Some popular menu items you’ll find throughout Mexico include veggie tacos, veggie fajitas, enchiladas, vegetable soup and of course, guacamole. 

Tel Aviv

While vegan food is widely accessible all over Israel, Tel Aviv is truly one of a kind when it comes to its vegan offerings. With over 400 vegan/vegan-friendly restaurants and 40,000 vegan inhabitants, a plant-based connoisseur will feel right at home. You can get your fill of hummus, falafel, and babaganoush, but you’ll also find vegan sushi, burgers, baked goods, pizza, and tapas. Any food you can think of, Tel Aviv can make it vegan. Be sure to scour the famous Carmel Market and try one of their famous fresh juices. 

Thailand

Since vegetables are the base of many traditional Thai dishes, Thailand is a relatively easy country to visit as a vegan traveler. However, as with all destinations, the further you stray from the tourist hotspots the more difficult it becomes to find plant-based food. Chiang Mai, Bangkok, and Phuket are all teeming with vegan restaurants, street food, and fine dining experiences. When dining at non-vegan restaurants, look out for fish sauce, egg noodles, and chicken broth. Don’t forget to check out some of the local markets and fruit stands as Thailand is lauded for its amazing produce.

The United States

The United States has a number of vegan hubs. New York City, Los Angeles, Portland, Austin, San Francisco, Seattle, the list goes on… You’re spoiled for choice when it comes to restaurants in any of these cities. There are vegan events constantly taking place throughout the country, from vegan night markets in NYC to vegan street fairs in LA. While it can still be difficult to follow a plant-based diet in certain parts of the country, you’re bound to find an abundance of options in any urban area. With specialty supermarkets, mainstream vegan brands, and even vegan fast food items, American veganism is growing every day.

Bali

Bali is a yogi-surfer-wellness-lover’s paradise, and unsurprisingly also a haven for vegan travelers. From açaí bowls to juices to traditional Balinese food, there is no shortage of vegan and health-conscious fare available on this Indonesian island.  Some of the best parts of Bali to find plant-based cafes and restaurants include Ubud, Canggu, Seminyak, Kuta, and Uluwatu. Beyond food, you’ll find vegan nail salons, shoe stores, resorts, and even tattoo parlors. If you wanna further indulge in the Bali vegan scene, you can go to a vegan retreat, enroll in a vegan cooking class, or attend a vegan food festival. 

Tips For Vegan Travelers

1. Learn the Language

Sure, most travelers head to their destination with a couple of weeks of Duolingo under their belt and a vague idea of how to ask where the bathroom is. But adding some food vocabulary to your repertoire will be a game-changer if you’re trying to eat vegan. Knowing how to say words like “meat”, “cheese”, “milk”, “dairy”, “eggs”, and “animal products” will be super useful when eating at a restaurant. You’d be surprised how many people still don’t know what being vegan means, and it’s much easier to explain what you can’t eat. 

2. Always Carry Snacks

I never travel ANYWHERE without a full stock of trail mix and peanut butter. It’s always a possibility that you’re gonna end up in a place where you really can’t eat anywhere, especially if you leave the big cities and tourist towns. Carrying protein-rich snacks like nuts, seeds, and protein bars will be a lifesaver if you find yourself in this kind of situation and can’t stand the thought of eating french fries for every meal.

3. Use Happy Cow

Happy Cow is an amazing resource for vegan travelers. Just put your destination into their search tool and they will return a list of vegan/vegan-friendly restaurants, cafes, chains, stores, and businesses. They also have a variety of filters so you can find exactly what you’re looking for. They’ve done the work to figure out where you can eat so you don’t have to!

4. Choose Accommodation With a Kitchen

Finally, choosing to stay in hostels or Airbnbs with kitchens will remove a lot of the stress of traveling as a vegan. I can almost guarantee that any supermarket will have grains, beans, and some fresh produce. Plus, shopping in a local store is a great way to get to know a place better and feel like less of a tourist. You can even try to make some local dishes with a vegan twist!

Bon Appetit!

As you can see, there’s no reason to give up your diet and lifestyle during your travels. With a little bit of effort, you’ll be able to enjoy your overseas culinary escapades just as much as your non-vegan companions. 

I won’t lie, traveling as a vegan does come with a lot of puzzled stares and incessant questions, but it also shows you how kind and accommodating most people are. I can’t even count how many times a chef has made me something off the menu or scrambled to find something I could eat in their kitchen. 

Also, remember not to be too hard on yourself if you do mess up at some point. You’re trying the best you can, and it’s all too easy to misread an ingredient or lose things in translation. 

Best of luck on your travels and bon appetit!