Seven top destinations for vegan and vegetarian travelers

To large swathes of the global population, the concept of eliminating foods from your diet through personal choice is still an unfamiliar concept, so it can be a struggle at times to not only communicate your dietary needs, but also to hone down on the world’s best meat-free experiences. It is often the case that destinations where food avoidance is part of the culture or religion, will have a far better understanding of your requests. Happily, though, a number of places around the world do happen to have veggie-friendly cuisine to begin with, while others are waking up to the rise of meat-free diets and adapting accordingly. All that being said, we recommend a clutch of the best vegan destinations and vegetarian havens to enjoy – read on and start salivating!

Best destinations for vegan and vegetarian travelers

India

If you don’t eat meat but you love spicy food, India will be a revelation. Non-meat diets are common in India, so veggies and vegans will be spoilt for choice. Often the vegetarian dishes are the stars of the show, and you won’t be missing out on flavor by sticking to the plant based options here, either.

Pulses and staple vegetables are elevated to dizzy heights of deliciousness when they are imaginatively cooked with layers of spices, herbs, coconut and so on, for irresistible flavors and aromas. Gujarat and Kerala are two regions where the vegetarian and vegan cuisine is particularly celebrated, but you can find a good selection anywhere. After all, India is home to many millions of lifelong vegetarians, and they have made meat-free cuisine into an artform.

China

China is a vegetarian haven thanks to its Buddhist history and influence. Many restaurants in China cater to Buddhist vegetarians, often avoiding onions and garlic for spiritual reasons. To find plant-based food, you can look for the character 素 (su) on the menu, which indicates that it’s a vegetarian-friendly meal. Be wary that dishes that may at first seem vegetarian, can often be cooked using meat-based stock, so do your research and look out for Buddhist-friendly fare.

Night markets and street stalls in China are a vegetarian’s delight, where you can pick up tasty treats like crispy scallion pancakes, sesame noodles, sizzling tofu skewers, and sticky rice dumplings. Buddhist temples also serve affordable vegetarian meals, making them ideal for budget-conscious travelers.

Read more: A regional guide to China for foodies

Ethiopia

Sub-Saharan Africa can be tricky for vegetarians and vegans, but Ethiopia is an exception to this rule. It may appear at first glance to offer a meat-heavy cuisine, but in fact the strong tradition of fasting and avoiding meat and dairy means Ethiopia is a great option.

Orthodox Christianity is an important part of life for many Ethiopians, and to demonstrate their faith many devotees avoid eating meat and dairy for two days per week, on Wednesdays and Fridays, plus other significant occasions on the Orthodox calendar such as lent. In total, an observant Orthodox Christian in Ethiopia will ‘fast’ – avoid meat and dairy – for more than half the year. Even on non-fast days the selection of veggie and vegan options is great and most are delicious.

Malaysia

Combining the incredible cuisines of India and China together with Malay traditional dishes, the choice of food in Malaysia is staggering. Although nearby countries such as Thailand and Vietnam are catching up fast, Malaysia is streets ahead of many Southeast Asian nations in fully understanding the nature of vegetarianism and veganism.

In Malaysia there are more and more dedicated plant-based restaurants and a better general understanding that avoiding eating animals also means avoiding all derivatives. Kuala Lumpur is full of meat-free dining options, while Georgetown and Malacca also make great veggie or vegan destinations.

Read more: A foodie guide to marvelous Malaysia

Jordan

Like most countries in the Middle East, Jordan is a good bet for vegans and vegetarians as many of the staple foods are plant-based and available everywhere. Hummus and tahini are served with pretty much every dish, and mouthwatering salads are a mainstay. Picture a mezze platter of falafel, hummus, olives, babaganoush, deep green tabbouleh salad, some pickles and a basket of warm flatbread; a textbook Middle Eastern meal and 100% vegan, as well as 100% delicious.

For variety you could swap in some dolma – rice and herb stuffed vine leaves, warm spiced beans such as fuul or msabaha, and choose fattoush salad instead of tabbouleh. Still delicious; still vegan. Sweet treats in Jordan that are suitable for vegans are harder to find – going heavy on dairy is the norm, but fruits and nuts are widely available and make a tasty alternative.

Indonesia

Home of tempeh, a soybean cake a little like tofu, Indonesia has plenty of options for veggies and vegans. You would be hard pushed to find a cafe or restaurant without a dish suitable for vegetarians and vegans simply because a lot of Indonesian recipes are vegan by default.

For the best selection, the classic wellness hub of Ubud on Bali is the destination of choice for non-meat-eaters, because it caters for an international crowd and there are dedicated vegan and vegetarian eateries aplenty. Neighboring Lombok and the Gili Islands are pretty vegan-friendly, too, but the whole of Indonesia has enough plant-based dishes to keep you fed.

Thailand

Thailand’s cuisine is famous for its vibrant flavors and spices, but navigating the food scene can be tricky for vegetarians and vegans. Fish sauce, shrimp paste, and meat-based broths are typical in many traditional dishes, even those that seem plant-based. However, Thailand’s growing vegetarian and vegan movement is making it easier than ever to enjoy meat-free meals.

Popular travel destinations like Bangkok and Chiang Mai now have a wide variety of plant-based dining to choose from, with dedicated vegan cafes, Buddhist vegetarian restaurants, and plant-based versions of Thai classics to choose from. Must-try vegetarian dishes in Thailand include pad Thai (jay), green curry with tofu, and mango sticky rice. Even street food vendors in Thailand often offer meat-free options like grilled corn, fresh spring rolls, and banana roti.

Make it happen

If you are traveling to a destination where scant knowledge of vegetarianism or veganism is the norm, it can be well worth getting a translation of your dietary requirements to show staff at restaurants. This avoids the confusion that can arise when – for example – you explain that you don’t eat fish, yet everything arrives with fish sauce. Check and double-check is the advice, especially in out-of-the-way or rural destinations.

We wouldn’t be surprised if you were now hungry for an adventure where the food can be one of the highlights of your trip. Your taste buds will thank you! To find out more about the best vegan destinations and vegetarian-friendly favorites we’ve highlighted above, get in touch with our local experts today.