Pack your bags and get ready to go to some of the world's best vegan travel destinations. Picture this: you've found the perfect place to take that next vacation, flights are booked, hotel is booked and you're ready to go! But there's one catch – you're vegan travelers trying to navigate this culinary landscape, seeking out plant-based options in a world of meat and dairy.
As vegan food lovers, we understand the excitement and occasional apprehension that comes with exploring new destinations while adhering to a plant-based diet. Yet, what we've discovered along our journey is that this isn't a limitation, but an opportunity to discover the diverse flavors of local ingredients, local restaurants, and local dishes. Finding unique cultural experiences through great food with rich history is why we travel!
Jump to:
- Why Does It Matter?
- Los Angeles - West Coast Vegan Haven
- Las Vegas- Vegan Glitz and Glam
- New York - The Big Apple's Vegan Scene
- Savannah - Southern Vegan Charm
- Atlanta - Hot Atlanta New Vegan Paradise
- San Francisco - The City by the Bay
- Chattanooga - The Scenic City
- Tips for Traveling as a Vegan
- Closing
- Let Us Know
- Related Post
- Vegan Airport Snacks
- Vegan Road Snacks
Why Does It Matter?
In recent years, there has been a remarkable surge in the popularity of the vegan lifestyle. But, let's face it: traveling on a vegan diet isn't always a walk in the park. For vegans, the ability to explore and experience new destinations while maintaining their ethical and dietary principles is essential. Vegan-friendly travel isn't just about finding plant-based meals; it's about the opportunity to support local businesses as well as exploring the local culture and being one with the local population.
We've compiled all of our knowledge on vegan travel to create in-depth guides that will help you make the most of plant-based food and experiences anywhere you go. These are some of the best places we have traveled as vegans. Sit back and enjoy some drool worthy food that we really enjoyed and think you will too!
Los Angeles - West Coast Vegan Haven
L.A. isn't just a city; it's a vegan paradise. It’s one of the most vegan-friendly cities in the United States, maybe in the world. LA has solidified its reputation as a haven for plant-based eaters. From chic cafes serving up avocado toast to hole-in-the-wall joints dishing out mouthwatering vegan tacos, the city offers a smorgasbord of options to wow even the most discerning taste buds.
Fellow vegan travelers this is a must-visit destination. We’ve included some of our favorites and some of the most popular vegan restaurants in Southern California. We wish we could but we couldn’t even list every vegan and vegan-friendly restaurant if we wanted.
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Las Vegas- Vegan Glitz and Glam
When thinking of Vegas we're thinking casinos, 24-hour chapels, partying... maybe Adele? What we aren't thinking, is the next vegan vacation. I'm here to tell you, we thought the same! I'm happy to report that the infamous sin city’s vegan scene is on the rise! Away from the main strip and never ending parties, are some great hidden treasures waiting to be discovered by a vegan foodie.
Whether you're just passing through or staying for a few days, be sure to do some research. When I say research I mean check your weather app. This may be my biggest tip, outside of listing all the vegan options this dessert city has to offer. We encountered a heat advisory during our stay so be prepared for indoor activities. As a foodie myself this was just fine with me!
New York - The Big Apple's Vegan Scene
New York City is a popular destination and like all major cities it’s overflowing with a thriving vegan food scene. This is one of our favorite vegan destinations... well I think it may just be one of our favorite destinations, period. NYC offers numerous vegan-friendly restaurants, vegan cafes and bakeries, even vegan pizza! We love our annual visit to the Big Apple!
The Statue of Liberty, Central Park, and the Empire State Building are just a few of the well-known landmarks to see when you visit. NYC is also home to the annual vegan food event; Vegandale Festival, which features vegan street food, vegan-friendly attractions & events. NYC has anything you could want as a plant-based food enthusiast. This ever-growing city has 1500+ vegan establishments as of 2023 making it one of the top vegan travel destinations.
With a plethora of options, our top tip for NYC is hitting the landmarks you want and searching around those areas for breaks and meals. One of our favorite restaurants that we visit every time we are there is Blossom restaurant in Manhattan. It's a block from the center of central park, museums and more!
Savannah - Southern Vegan Charm
Savannah has a rich cultural heritage and natural beauty. Its vibrant culture also has a growing vegan food scene and thriving creative community that call this coastal city and SCAD (Savannah School of Design) home. I'd recommend Savannah for everyone to visit, it's cozy, beaming with history, and has a widely diverse food scene!
Savannah has a big ghost and haunted house scene that you’ll want to check out too. This coastal city is rich in historic landmarks, sprawling with beautiful parks and iconic storefronts.
We are in Atlanta, so it's just a quick four hour drive away from Savannah. I would label Savannah as a foodie city. We try to visit as often as we can, to check the newest vegan and vegetarian options. The city is embracing the growing need for plant-based options with various restaurants offering creative and flavorful dishes.
Atlanta - Hot Atlanta New Vegan Paradise
Atlanta, widely considered the cultural capital of the South is known for Martin Luther King Jr., the civil rights movement, Southern hospitality and good old fashioned soul food cooking. Traditionally people don't think of vegan food when they hear soul food, but the people of Atlanta are working hard to change minds and plates.
The burgeoning vegan scene is growing every month along side the melting pot of cultures moving to the city. You can get your Lemon pepper wet from Planted Soul Atl or timeless latin cuisine from La Semilla, Asian fusion from Planta and Planta Queen or maybe just a juicy burger with special sauce from Slutty Vegan.
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San Francisco - The City by the Bay
San Francisco is a beautiful city famous for its steep rolling hills, grand-dame Victorians and the Golden Gate Bridge. It's also home to a diverse array of vegan and vegetarian dishes!
The vibrant food scene is a must-try in the Golden-Gate City and for good reason. From coffee shops, to bakeries, to drive-thrus and even sushi! The larger cities are always a great place to go for delicious vegan food. We walked, A LOT. Unfortunately for us, we went when SF was still on a mask mandate. A lot of our food options were only take-out or delivery but the vegan cuisine did not disappoint.
Chattanooga - The Scenic City
Chattanooga gets its well deserved nickname Scenic City because of the beautiful surrounding mountains, ridges, and valleys. A site for the southern United States.
We’re really enjoying discovering new vegan restaurants every visit. Cashew is by far our fave but we look forward to discovering more gems like it.
Tips for Traveling as a Vegan
- Research beforehand. Before traveling to a new destination, research vegan-friendly restaurants, grocery stores, and local dishes. We like to research landmarks, historical sites and any other establishments a destination is known for and align it with the vegan-friendly options we find.
- When eating out at vegan-friendly restaurants, always reconfirm vegan selections with your server as menu and preparation methods can change with or without notice.
- Learn local phrases. If you're traveling to a non-English speaking country my number 1 tip is to learn important phrases in the native language. This is not just for the vegans, this is an important skill to know in case of emergencies. But, it is helpful to be able to ask or tell locals that you are vegan!
- Pack snacks. Always carry vegan snacks with you, especially if you're traveling to a place where vegan options might be limited. Nuts, seeds, dried fruits, energy bars, and crackers are convenient options to keep you fueled on-the-go. We always like to know the closest grocery stores to pack snacks and find new products that may not be sold in our area. Look for big vegan friendly chains like: Whole Foods Market, Sprouts Kroger & Trader Joe’s.
- Check ingredients. Be sure to check ingredients on labels when buying from local markets and grocery stores.
- Stay flexible. While it's essential to stick to your principles, things happen. Being flexible in life allows you to enjoy it more fully. If you're traveling to an area because of the scenery and NOT the vegan cuisine be prepared to be flexible in not having the most divine vegan meal.
- Don't be afraid to connect with the locals! Visit local markets to discover fresh fruits, vegetables, grains, and legumes that are native to the region. Talk and get to know the culture and people. The things you will see and learn are truly irreplaceable.
- Choose vegan friendly accommodations. If possible, book vegan-friendly resorts, hostels or Airbnbs where you can cook for yourself.
- Apps like Instagram, TikTok and Happy Cow are great resources to finding vegan and vegan-friendly restaurants while traveling in different cities.
- Be respectful and patient. Remember that veganism may not be as widely understood or accepted in certain regions. Be open to learning and listening and communicating your views as well.
- Share your experience. Share your experiences with your vegan community! We love to hear about everyone's adventures. Community is a beautiful thing, we'd love to hear from you!
Closing
The demand for vegan-friendly travel destinations is ever-growing! Fortunately, there are many locations worldwide that cater to vegan diets, offering an abundance of delicious and healthy vegan food options. Vegan travelers will no-longer have to pre-pack all their food, with a bit of research and planning (just like the meat-eaters) you'll be off on a stress-free vacation!
Let Us Know
We're always booking our next trip and will be updating this post as we go! If you have any recommendations or you want to share your experiences with these locations, We'd love to hear from you!
Cities Vegan Guides Coming
- Portland, Oregon - Pacific Northwest a vegan paradise
- London, England
- Washington, DC
- Reykjavik, Iceland
- Tokyo, Japan
- Asheville, North Carolina
What are your favorite vegan destinations? Let us know in the comments!
Related Post
Vegan Airport Snacks
TSA approved!
Vegan Road Snacks
Buc-ee's gas station