Top Vegan Travel Destinations

Top Vegan

Travel Destinations

Paris, France

Pack your suitcase! We’ve compiled the best vegan-friendly travel destinations in the world

BY EMILY MEYER IMPACT assistant editor, fitness and travel enthusiast in Calgary, AB.

EMILY.MEYER.TRAVELTALES EMILY MEYER

Travel is back, and we know you are itching to get out there to explore the world’s cuisines. But how do you choose where to go? We’ve got you covered—we enlisted the help of some of your favourite vegan travel bloggers and vegan foodie experts to uncover the best vegan-friendly cities, and spoiler alert, New York and London are not your only hot spots!

Get your passports ready as we take you for a delicious, plantbased trip around the world.

1 UBUD, INDONESIA

Amanda Persi, The Getaway Co., founder of one of the world’s first vegan holiday experience companies. Spent 15 years in the music industry in Toronto, now in Zürich, Switzerland.

THEGETAWAYCO | WWW.THEGETAWAYCO.COM

Yoga retreats and hip vegan eateries, Buddhist temples surrounded by lush rainforests, if the town of Ubud on the island of Bali isn’t on your list of places to visit, it should be. Just ask Amanda Persi.

Persi, who takes people from across the globe on vegan holiday experiences, considers the Balinese town her favourite vegan-friendly destination.

“There are just so many amazing vegan restaurant options with every type of food, vibe and views imaginable,” said Persi.

The food scene in Ubud is about more than just flavours on your palate. The atmosphere and views are incomparable, which is why Persi recommends the restaurant Moksa. “The restaurant is right in the middle of a rice field, has low lighting and is one of those places in Bali that when you’re sitting there, you feel like there’s magic in the air.”

2 BERLIN, GERMANY

Amélie Gagné, Mostly Amélie, vegan travel blogger, yoga enthusiast, based in Berlin, Germany.

MOSTLYAMELIE | WWW.MOSTLYAMELIE.COM

Originally from Montreal, Amélie Gagné is now living as an expat in Berlin, which also happens to be her favourite vegan-friendly city.

Berlin is a fascinating place that truly has something for everyone. The German city has unique architecture, a thriving nightlife, museums, and a rich history. It’s also the vegan capital of Europe.

“You’ll find everything under the sun in a veganized version,” says Gagné. “It’s a quirky and free-spirited city, and this is reflected in the vegan scene.”

With such a vibrant vegan atmosphere, it’s hard to have just one favourite restaurant, since new vegan restaurants are popping up all the time. However, Gangé’s go-to for vegan eats in Berlin has to be li.ke, a fully-vegan Thai street food restaurant. You’ll find all the Thai classics in vegan form, including fried eggs. ➝

3 CUSCO, PERU

Sarah Mackenzie, My Veggie Travels, blogger and digital marketing professional based in Edinburgh, Scotland.

SARAHSCOTLAND | WWW.MYVEGGIETRAVELS.COM

Deep within the Andes Mountain range, this high-altitude locale is the oldest continually inhabited city in the Americas. Famous for being the main access point for Machu Picchu, Cusco is a great place to visit if you’re looking for adventure and vegan cuisine.

“Before heading to Peru, I was slightly pessimistic about what I’d find in the way of vegan eats in Cusco, but I couldn’t have been more wrong,” says Sarah Mackenzie. “For being a relatively small place way up in the middle of the mountains, there was loads to choose from with a heavy focus on veganized Peruvian and (oddly enough) Italian dishes.”

Mackenzie’s favourite restaurant in Peru? Chia Vegan Restaurant. Although, she also fondly remembers a local woman who made vegan dishes out of the back of her house, advertising her cooking with a cardboard sign.

4 EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND

Alysa Tarrant, Voyaging Herbivore, plant-based travel blogger moved to the U.K. from the U.S., based in Edinburgh, Scotland.

VOYAGINGHERBIVORE KENNY LAM | WWW.VOYAGINGHERBIVORE.COM

Edinburgh is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, with a mix of medieval buildings, Georgian architecture and plentiful gardens. Hike to the top of Arthur’s Seat and admire the views of this 12th century city.

With such a rich history and incredible atmosphere, Alysa Tarrant is happy to not only call Edinburgh home but also one of her favourite vegan-friendly cities.

“Edinburgh is easily one of the best cities in the world for vegan options,” says Tarrant. “From quick to-go meals at grocery stores to five-star restaurants and every type of cuisine you can think of (even vegan haggis!), there really is something for everyone.”

Tarrant suggests a visit to David Bann, a highly-rated, popular, high-end restaurant with a great selection of vegan dishes.

5 LAS VEGAS, UNITED STATES

Lauren Toyota, Hot for Food, one of IMPACT Magazine’s Top Vegan influencers, content producer and author based in Los Angeles, CA.

HOTFORFOOD | WWW.HOTFORFOODBLOG.COM

Las Vegas is known for its flashy lights, grand casinos and unparalleled entertainment. Take a ride on the world’s largest observation wheel, float down a canal on a Venetian gondola, and revel in the excitement of Fremont Street. But Vegas is more than an adult playground. It also happens to be Lauren Toyota’s favourite vegan-friendly city.

“It’s unexpected, but in a place that’s so abundant and extra, of course it can be a vegan’s paradise,” says Toyota.

Toyota is a huge fan of the Wynn Encore because all of its restaurants have vegan menus. However, it’s not just the Wynn Encore that has a fantastic selection of vegan options. Whether elsewhere on the strip or in old Las Vegas, Toyota says there are plenty of options and restaurants dedicated to vegan food including VegeNation, Crossroads Kitchen, Chef Kenny’s and Tacotarian.

6 MONTREAL, CANADA

Nina Bolders, Fly Me to the Vegan Buffet, vegan blogger and food photographer, flight attendant for 15 years, in Berlin, Germany.

FLYMETOTHEVEGANBUFFET | WWW.FLYMETOTHEVEGANBUFFET.COM

Canadians rejoice! The vegan food scene continues to expand in major cities across Canada, and Montreal is on the list of Nina Bolders’ favourite vegan-friendly cities.

As a flight attendant Bolders has travelled the world, getting familiar with some of the best vegan food available.

When Bolders first started visiting Montreal years ago, it was difficult for her to find vegan food. Nowadays, the options are endless. “I am by far not done. There are so many places I still have on my bucket list [to try],” she says.

Sophie Sucrée, LOV, and Leaves House are among Bolders’ favourite vegan restaurants in Montreal. However, she is excited to return and explore the vegan sushi restaurants that are getting such rave reviews. ➝

7 PARIS, FRANCE

Kristin Lajeunesse, Will Travel for Vegan Food, an award-winning website. Published author, travelled full-time for eight consecutive years, from Troy, NY.

WTFVEGANFOOD | WWW.WTFVEGANFOOD.COM

Ah, the city of love. Paris finds its way onto many people’s bucket lists thanks to the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Louvre Museum, romantic vibes, charming cafés and patisseries. But it should be on your list for the scrumptious vegan eats available.

“Often underrated and overlooked when it comes to vegan fare, Paris is currently home to more than 85 fully-vegan restaurants,” says Kristin Lajeunesse, who calls Paris one of her favourite vegan-friendly cities. “In Paris, you’ll find vegan cuisine ranging from traditionally inspired Parisian dishes and baked goods (I’m looking at you, croissants) to fully-vegan coffee shops, upscale dining experiences, comfort food, and ‘yoga hotels’ with vegan restaurants located on-site.”

You’ve already booked your ticket, haven’t you? Well, before you go, you should know where to eat. Find your way to brEAThe Restaurant for Japanese/Asian fusion foods and a fine dining experience you won’t soon forget, says Lajeunesse.

8 PORTLAND, UNITED STATES

Carolyn Scott-Hamilton, Healthy Voyager, billingual TV host and media spokesperson, holistic nutritionist, vegan chef, cookbook author, and speaker in Los Angeles, CA.

HEALTHYVOYAGER | WWW.HEALTHYVOYAGER.COM

Portland has been a dream destination for vegans for years. In 2007, the world’s first vegan mini-mall opened, hosting shops such as a bakery, a tattoo parlour and a vegan grocery store. And the mall was just the beginning. Today, you’ll find vegan food trucks, vegan food stalls, and countless vegan restaurants everywhere you go, which is why Portland is one of Carolyn Scott-Hamilton’s favourite vegan-friendly cities.

However, with such a vegan-friendly city comes an array of choices for where to eat. And with such an array of choices, it’s nearly impossible to have a favourite. “[There are] so many great places; it’s like asking a parent to choose a favorite child,” says Scott-Hamilton.

9 PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO

Lauren Yakiwchuk, Justin Plus Lauren, full-time vegan travel blogger, from Toronto, ON.

JUSTINPLUSLAUREN | WWW.JUSTINPLUSLAUREN.COM

As if we needed another reason to go to Mexico. But it’s not just the beautiful beaches, hot sun, palm trees and laid-back vibes that we have to love about the country. Our go-to southern getaway is becoming more popular with veganism, and vegans are noticing, which is why Puerto Vallarta is on Lauren Yakiwchuk’s list of favourite vegan-friendly cities.

If you find yourself in Puerto Vallarta, you can’t miss 100% Vegana Taqueria, says Yakiwchuk. “While the restaurant’s decor doesn’t have too many frills (the restaurant itself looks to be inside a little garage!), the food is outstanding.”

The highly-rated restaurant is authentic Mexican gone vegan, with tacos, salsas, sauces and traditional favourites made from beans and veggies.

“Everything was so fresh and delicious, so we couldn’t help but order seconds,” says Yakiwchuk.

10 TAIPEI, TAIWAN

Caitlin Galer-Unti, The Vegan Word, vegan travel blogger and author, based in Barcelona, Spain.

THEVEGANWORD | WWW.THEVEGANWORD.COM

Taipei is the bustling capital of Taiwan. It’s a spectacular city home to impressive modern architecture and breathtaking temples, and it’s certainly a vegan’s wonderland.

“It’s one of the few cities I didn’t even have to use an app to locate vegan-friendly restaurants,” says Caitlin Galer-Unti. “I just wandered down the street spotting the restaurants.”

Due to its large population of Buddhists, many of whom choose to follow a plant-based diet, Taiwan has long been accommodating to veggie-lovers.

Although Galer-Unti says she had such an easy time finding vegan eats, it was the high-end restaurant Yu Shan Ge that tops her list of favourites. Yu Shan Ge serves delectable vegan and vegetarian Asian dishes. And although the restaurant is in the Michelin Guide, prices are very affordable compared to similar Canadian offerings. 

Travelling soon and your destination isn’t on the list? Visit impactmagazine.ca to see more of our travel bloggers’ favourite vegan-friendly cities.