With a rise in the number of people choosing to make more ethical food decisions and follow a vegetarian or vegan diet, many travellers have found themselves on the lookout for cities to visit, that offer more choice for vegan diets.
In fact, in September 2022, the Guardian estimated a global total of 79 million people has a vegan or plant-based diet. Research by Ipsos found that 48% of British adults use plant milk and 58% use at least one plant-based meat alternative in their diet. So, it’s no surprise that some people struggle to find suitable restaurants both in the UK and abroad.
With that in mind, we’ve found the 5 top cities, restaurants and hotels that offer something for just about any type of traveller.
London
London is one of the most vegan friendly cities in the world and boasts over 400 vegan-friendly shops, 200 of them being restaurants and the other half being sustainable stores selling beauty products, clothing and accessories. According to The Vegan Society, there are over 600,000 vegans in the UK and businesses are rapidly changing to incorporate more options to accommodate for this. London has a wide variety of options when it comes to eating out. With fine dining and causal vegan restaurants, vegan street food and vegan fast food, there really is something for everyone. London is also home to many chain restaurants, and with most now offering vegan options, you’re pretty much guaranteed to be spoilt for choice. Some of the most popular vegan restaurants in London include:
Top vegan restaurants in London:
(Price range and ratings are sourced from Trip Advisor)
Restaurant
Location
Price Range
Rating
Tendril
Mayfair
££-£££
4.7/5 Stars
Purezza
Camden
££-££
4.5/5 Stars
Black Cat
Hackney
£
4.5/5 Stars
Holy Carrot
Knightsbridge
££-£££
4.5/5 Stars
Floozie
Covent Garden
£-££
4/5 Stars
Tendril is a vegan and vegetarian restaurant in Mayfair with a mission to showcase what’s possible in plant-first food. The menus are seasonal and tweaked daily to ensure they meet their produce sustainability goals. Their ‘veganuary’ dinner menu starts from £33 per person for their early bird menu or £42 from 6pm onwards (prices correct as of 12/01/2023).
Purezza is the UK’s first vegan pizzeria located in Camden offering a range of sourdough pizza, salad, raw dishes, pasta and desserts.
Black Cat is an ethical vegan-only café and bookshop in Hackney London with a bohemian vibe. They offer delicious vegan snacks and comfort foods such as sausage rolls, samosas, cakes and pastries.
The Holy Carrot is a plant based, ethically sourced restaurant with inventive, plant-based recipes presented in a sophisticated, airy restaurant. They have a globally inspired menu and offer Sunday brunch, afternoon tea and deserts. Afternoon tea prices start from £40 per person served with a pot of tea of your choice.
Floozie Cookies is an 100% vegan and handmade vegan stuffed cookies company in Convent Garden. Prices are 1 cookie for £3.50, 3 for £10 or 6 for £17.50. As well as cookies they also sell vegan milkshakes made from oat milk.
If you’re planning on visiting London there are plenty of vegan friendly hotels to choose from too.
Vegan-friendly hotels in London include:
(Price range and ratings are sourced from Trip Advisor)
Hotel
Location
Price Range
Rating
La Suite West
Hyde Park
££
3.5/5 Stars
The Hilton
London Bridge
££
4.5/5 Stars
La Suite West is a 4-star vegan friendly hotel situated near Hyde Park in central London. This accommodation is perfect for those who plan to visit oxford street shops during their stay. Their continental and buffet style breakfast menu offers pastries, Mediterranean, halal and vegetarian and vegan options.
The Hilton London Bankside Vegan Suite is the first luxury vegan hotel suite located near London Bridge and Borough Market. They have considered everything from carpets, duvets, pillows, mini bars and toiletries, giving guests a luxury but authentic vegan experience. A stay in their King Deluxe Room starts from £274.55 and includes complimentary WIFI, HDTV, mini fridge and king-sized Hilton Serenity bed (prices correct as of 12/01/2023).
Even when it comes down to finding ethical fashion, London has a wide variety of independent boutiques and outlets. For example, the ‘Third Estate’ in Kentish Town is an independent clothing and footwear shop with all shoes being suitable for vegans. Chain stores such as Sole Trader, Marks & Spencer and New Look also offer a range of ethically sourced clothing and accessories. So, if you’re looking for a vegan-friendly retreat, then London may well be the place for you.
Berlin
Berlin is a great city for those who embrace a vegan lifestyle. The city has over 50 vegan restaurants and 300 friendly establishments such as cafes, bars, beauty stores and cruelty free clothing shops. Some of the most modern food options in Berlin include vegan sushi made from silken tofu, rice and Tempura, tacos made with sweet potatoes and black beans, doughnuts and more. Most popular restaurants offer plant- based options, but in Berlin, finding a vegan alternative to your favourite meal has never been easier as there is a wide variety of vegan-only restaurants.
Some of the most vegan-friendly restaurants in Berlin include:
(Price range and ratings are sourced from Trip Advisor)
ratings are sourced from Trip Advisor)
Restaurant
Location
Price Range
Rating
Voner Vegan Kebab
Boxhagener Street
£
4.5/5 Stars
La Stella Nera
Leykestraße Street
££-£££
4.5/5 Stars
Brammibals
Maybachufer Road
£
4.5/5 Stars
Veganz
Warschauer Street
£-£££
5/5 Stars
Voner Vegan Kebab is a snack bar/diner located on Boxhagener Street serving vegetarian and vegan kebabs and freshly baked cakes and doughnuts. Food is prepared fresh every day from wheat protein, various vegetables, legumes and soybeans. Kebabs are served in flatbread with fries, fresh salad and homemade sauces.
La Stella Nera is a hip, eco-conscious wood-fired vegan pizza parlour selling original Neapolitan pizza, homemade pasta, fresh salads and Italian deserts. Ingredients used are hand selected from organic farms. Prices range from £7.50 for a plain Marinara pizza to £14 for pizzas with spinach, homemade vegan cheese, mushrooms and toasted walnuts.
Brammibals is a completely vegan bakery specialising in handmade vegan doughnuts. Prices start from £3.90 for one, £19 for a box of 6 and £36 for a box of 12. They are a company certified as climate neutral and always use sustainable organic ingredients where possible.
Veganz is a vegan grocery store with an innovative, sustainable variety of products. Veganz was founded as the first vegan supermarket chain in Europe and now offer over 165 products in 26 countries, as well as online stores.
Vegan-friendly hotels in Berlin include:
(Price range and ratings are sourced from Trip Advisor)
Hotel
Location
Price Range
Rating
Almodovar Hotel
Friedrichshain
£
4/5 Stars
Arcotel Berlin
Hausvogteiplatz
£
4.5/5 Stars
Michelberger
Warschauer U-Bahn
£
4.5/5 Stars
Almodovar Hotel is a vegan and vegetarian hotel in Berlin’s trendy Friedrichshain town. It is a modern hotel with ethical values of sustainability and ecology. They are located a 13-minute walk from Berlin Osteuz station and four kilometres from Arena Berlin. Almodovar hotel is vegan friendly due to their extensive breakfast with vegan options such as an organic breakfast buffet, vegan croissants, pretzels and more. In addition to this they also use electricity from renewable energy sources making it the perfect accommodation for those looking to travel more sustainably.
Arcotel Berlin is a 4-star hotel with a mix of modern architecture and traditional comfort located in Berlins central district and a 4-minute walk from Hausvogteiplatz U-Bahn station. Their breakfast buffet offers locally sources specialities and vegan alternatives on request.
Michelberger is an independent hotel with character and attitude. Located across the street from Warschauer U-Bahn station with links to central Berlin and a 10-minute walk from the East Side Gallery. Their trendy café serves vegetarian and vegan dishes making it another great option.
New York City
New York City is home to a huge vegan scene. With restaurants, cafes, supermarkets and more, it is the place to be for a hassle-free vegan adventure. According to The Ultimate Vegan Travel Guide by Veggies abroad, it is estimated that there are over 1,000 restaurants in New York with vegan options to choose from. Due to the sheer amount of choice when it comes to eating out in vegan-friendly restaurants, it may be beneficial to make a list of the restaurants and shops you’d like to visit during your trip – as with so much choice on offer, you may run out of time to visit them all.
Some of the top vegan restaurants in New York include:
(Price range and ratings are sourced from Trip Advisor)
Restaurant
Location
Price Range
Rating
Riverdel
Essex Market
£-££
4.5/5 Stars
Beyond Sushi
W 56th Street
££-£££
4.5/5 Stars
Ladybird
East Village
££-£££
4.5/5 Stars
Little Chocolate Apothecary
Brooklyn
££-£££
4.5/5 Stars
Riverdel is located in Essex Market and deemed as the ‘original vegan cheese monger’ Riverdel offers a vast selection of artisanal vegan cheeses including housemade cashew and oat cheese which is cut to order and sold by weight for a very traditional cheese shop experience.
Beyond Sushi is a ‘veganized’ sushi restaurant located on W 56th Street and founded for its popular vegan sushi rolls. They offer an entirely plant-based menu with sushi made from shiitake and enoki mushrooms, tofu and white rice. Beyond sushi rolls start from £11 and shared plates start from £17.
Ladybird is a globally inspired vegetable tapas and wine bar located in East Village offering a variety of small plates and cocktails. Small plates include steamed bao buns, kale salads and mushroom and onion toast while larger plates include arancini, truffle mac and cheese and potato au gratin.
Little Chocolate Apothecary is a vegan and gluten free crepe parlour in Brooklyn selling sweet and savoury options that use locally sources and organic fair-trade ingredients. Their menu includes burrito style savoury crepes, grain bowls, acai bowls, smoothies and juices, afternoon tea and beer and wine.
New York is also home a wide variety independent boutiques and clothing stores. Some of the most popular include: Moo Shoes – a vegan, cruelty- free and animal-approved shoe shop located in Lower East Side Manhattan selling bright and stylish footwear, bags, t-shirts, wallets, books and other accessories. As well as Stella McCartney, a designer shop located on Greene Street selling a range of luxury vegan handbags and accessories.
Vegan-friendly hotels in New York include:
(Price range and ratings are sourced from Trip Advisor)
Hotel
Location
Price Range
Rating
Arlo Soho
Hudson Square
££
4.5/5 Stars
The Archer Hotel
Manhattan
££
4.5/5 Stars
The Arlo Soho is set 2 blocks from hip boutiques and a 3-minute walk from the nearest subway and The Archer Hotel located in the Garment District are two of the most popular vegan friendly hotels. Both of them offer onsite restaurants with vegan options and provide guests with access to cruelty free toiletries. The Archers’ spy top rooftop bar is also a great place to enjoy a vegan cocktail (or two). Although, you may need book a table in advance of your arrival and give them a heads up regarding your dietary requirements.
Melbourne
Whether you’re looking to try more plant-based options on your next city break or already have a totally vegan diet, Melbourne offers meat-free menus and a wide variety of plant-based foods for travellers to choose from. From cafes, to coffee shops and fast-food joints, to luxury fine dining, Melbourne keeps you spoilt for choice.
In fact, some of the most popular vegan-friendly restaurants in Melbourne include:
(Price range and ratings are sourced from HappyCow)
Restaurant
Location
Price Range
Rating
The Naughty Vegan
Little Bourke St
£
4.5/5 Stars
Home Vegan Bar
Docklands
££
4.7/5 Stars
The Carringbush
Abbotsford
££
4/5 Stars
The Naughty Vegan is a chocolate pop up shop located at Little Bourke Street selling ethically made vegan chocolate. They are committed to bringing the joy of chocolate to everyone with products such as vegan rocky road, peanut brittle, honeycomb, Turkish delight and more.
Home Vegan Bar is a restaurant situated in Two Melbourne Quarter specialising in delicious plant-based foods such as cold press juices, superfood smoothies and vegan breakfasts. Their Bog Vegan Breakfast includes tofu scramble, roasted mushrooms, avocado, greens, ham, sauerkraut and tomato.
The Carringbush is a vegetarian and vegan pub with a dedication to sustainability. They have a rustic brick lane venue with outdoor seating offering plant-based meals plus bar and wine.
Melbourne’s designer hotel Ovolo South Yarra, located in the heart of the city and 8.5km from the beach has 123 rooms with unique interior design and an in-house vegan-friendly restaurant called Lona Misa. The lobby is decorated with a neon fireplace and pop art, giving it a modern but retrofuturism feel. When you book a stay at the Ovolo, you also get a free breakfast at the Lona Misa, as well as 24-hour gym access and a social hour with the first round of drinks completely free!
Brighton
Brighton is one of the most vegan friendly cities in the UK with a wide variety of vegan restaurants, eco-friendly shops and sustainable fashions stores. According to restaurant locator Happy Cow, the city is home to more than 240 vegan and vegetarian eateries.
Popular vegan eateries that you can visit include:
(Price range and ratings are sourced from HappyCow)
Restaurant
Location
Price Range
Rating
Restaurant
Location
Price Range
Rating
Smorl’s Kitchen
Brighton’s Open Market
££
5/5 Stars
Green Kitchen
Preston Circus
££
5/5 Stars
The Vurger Co.
2 minutes from The Royal Pavilion
£
4.5/5 Stars
The Gardener
North Lanes
£
5/5 Stars
Beelzebab Vegan Junk Food
The Hope & Ruin
££
4.5/5 Stars
Smorl’s Kitchen is a vegan kitchen in Brighton’s Open Market dedicated to all thing’s chickpea. From humus to falafel pittas and salad boxes every dish is handcrafted and uses their famous vegan and gluten free recipes.
Green Kitchen is a little café located near Preston Circus known for their signature homemade “bacon”. They also offer classic breakfasts, lunch and teas and coffees.
The Vurger Co. is a vegan burger restaurant located 2 minuets from The Royal Pavilion providing a selection of ‘chicken’ soya burgers, beyond burgers and boozy shakes made using plant milks, vegan cream, flavour syrups and a variety of different alcohol options.
The Gardener is a café in Brighton’s North Lanes selling breakfast, coffee, cakes and tea with vegan and vegetarian options. The shop is run solely from volunteered staff and has a mission to intercept food waste destined for landfills.
Beelzebab Vegan ‘Junk Food’ is a vegan fast-food restaurant located at The Hope & Ruin offering vegan doner kebabs, hot dogs and loaded fries.
When it comes to vegan-friendly shopping, Brighton certainly doesn’t disappoint. The Lanes, shopping centres and beach front shops offer something for everyone. If you want to shop sustainably and some great choices are:
Vegetarian shoes – A cruelty free shoe shop in the heart of North Lanes area of central Brighton selling boots, trainers and more using synthetic, plant-based materials.
The Bluebird Tea Co. – A loose tea shop in North Lanes selling eco-friendly and sustainably sourced teas.
The Captain Pig – The 1st vegan grocery shop in Brighton’s North lanes.
Green Living – A vegetarian shoes shop located in the heart of the lanes, offering cruelty free footwear.
There is also great number of places to stay while in Brighton, some of these include:
(Price range and ratings are sourced from Trip Advisor)
Hotel
Location
Price Range
Rating
Blanch House
Kemptown
£
5/5 Stars
Number 14
Kemptown
£
5/5 Stars
Blanch House is an original Boutique hotel offering a full vegan breakfast. They are a 11-minute walk from the Royal Pavilion.
Vegetarian Zen Den is a two-bed room flat available for short stays and located close to the sea front and city centre. They provide vegan breakfasts when requested in advance.
Number 14 is a bed & breakfast in Kemptown that offers vegan breakfast options and comfortable accommodation in a family home. They are a short 13-minute walk from the panoramic views of the Brighton Wheel.
The Benefits of Veganism
Eliminating meat and animal products can lead to a higher daily intake of beneficial nutrients. Studies have reported that vegan diets provide more antioxidants, fibre and magnesium. They also appear to be higher in iron but lower in B12, which means most vegans substitute eating meat for nutrients for taking B12 supplements. It is essential to closely monitor that you are getting all the key nutrients you need on a vegan diet and to consult your doctor if necessary. With any type of lifestyle, it is essential to have a balanced diet. These top vegan hotels and cities mean more accessibility for those who want to reduce meat consumption and travel more sustainably while also enjoying your favourite treats.
In addition to health benefits a vegan diet it also has a high potential for reducing carbon footprints. According to The Vegan Charity it could save up to 8 million lives by 2050, reduce greenhouse gas emissions by two thirds and avoid climate damages of 41.5 trillion. Studies have also shown that by going vegan for only a month could save 913 square feet of forest and 33,481 gallons of water.
Preventing the suffering of animals is one of the main reasons that most people become vegan. Peta have stated that 29 million cows suffer and die in the meat and dairy industry every yea. 9 billion chickens are killed for flesh each year and tens of billions of fish and shellfish are slaughtered annually. The vegan diet is one of the best things you can do to prevent animal cruelty. The organisations and cities mentioned are helping to make vegan options more accessible and therefore help to reduce suffering, prevent climate change and lower our carbon footprint.
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