The Most Vegan Friendly Cities Around the World
Food is a central activity of mankind and one of the single most significant trademarks of a culture. – Mark Kurlansky
The notion that vegans are deprived of exciting food choices is, perhaps, one of the largest misconceptions surrounding veganism. As a matter of fact, many who choose veganism do not view their lifestyle choice as restrictive, rather, as an interesting niche that is exciting to explore. Traveling as a vegan may take a little bit more preparation, but it tends to make exploring local cuisines and food options much more interesting. There are also various cities around the world that have really embraced the rise of veganism and have created a plethora of options for those who enjoy trying new vegan foods. If you’re interested in traveling to vegan-friendly cities, check out the cities below.
1. BERLIN, GERMANY
While Germany may not necessarily conjure up images of vegan food, Berlin is actually well-known among the vegan community as being a hub for vegan food options — it is even referred to as Europe’s vegan food capital. According to HappyCow (an amazing app that allows you to explore vegan restaurant options wherever you are in the world), Berlin has over 500 restaurants with vegan options! If you’d rather cook for yourself, you can always check out Veganz — the largest completely vegan grocery store chain in the world (which was founded in Berlin).
2. TORONTO, CANADA
Home to VegFest, the largest vegan food festival in North America, Toronto is a wonderful destination for vegan travelers. If you can’t make it out for the annual VegFest don’t worry, you can always head to Vegandale — a completely vegan block in Toronto (a stretch of Queen Street between Dufferin and Brock) that exclusively houses vegan foods and goods. You can also check out the 413 restaurants around the city that HappyCow lists has having vegan offerings.
3. LOS ANGELES, UNITED STATES
Compared to other cities in the United States, Los Angeles has the largest amount of vegan restaurants. According to HappyCow, there are over 800 restaurants with vegan food options. Due to the immense diversity that is found within Los Angeles, chances are you will find veganized versions of your favorite cuisines. Los Angeles also hosts the annual Los Angeles VegFest and the biannual Vegan Street Fair.
4. TEL AVIV, ISRAEL
Known as being one of the vegan capitals of the world, Tel Aviv is home to over 300 restaurants with vegan options (according to HappyCow). In 2016, Tel Aviv hosted Vegan Fest, the largest vegan food festival in the world. Tel Aviv has so many incredible vegan options because Israel has the highest percentage of vegans in the world, many of whom reside in Tel Aviv. For those who are interested in the more intellectual dimension of veganism, Tel Aviv is also home to the Vegan Congress — an annual event in which individuals from various professions come together to host lectures on the significance of veganism.
