14 Best Travel Destinations for Vegetarians

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For many, eating while in a new place is one of the most exciting parts of traveling. This can be trickier for vegetarians, as some destinations don’t cater to their dietary restrictions.

Places like Mongolia, Latvia, and Cuba have very meat-heavy cuisines, making them tough destinations for vegetarians to indulge. Luckily, plenty of captivating locations have inherently vegetarian dishes. These are the best destinations for vegetarian foodies to explore, and many cater to vegans as well.

Delhi, India

It’s undeniable that India is one of the most vegetarian-friendly countries in the world. Many people here don’t eat meat for religious reasons, so it’s easy to find thrilling vegetarian options that don’t feel like an afterthought.

Indian food explodes with flavor, from mango chutneys to cheesy naan to tomato-based curries. Taste the heat of chili-infused paneer or keep things simple with a creamy korma. In Delhi, you won’t feel like you’re missing out on essential Indian dishes as a vegetarian because their best foods are vegetarian!

Bangkok, Thailand

All of Thailand and much of Southeast Asia cater to vegetarians, but Bangkok is an especially wonderful place to indulge. Many dishes are also inherently vegan, so the area is suitable for people with all kinds of dietary restrictions.

In Bangkok, you can taste Thai staples like tom yam soup, massaman curry, tom kha gai soup, and mango sticky rice. The cuisine offers a balance of sweet and savory with occasional pops of spice, delighting your palate without any meat in sight.

Reykjavik, Iceland

Iceland is known for its large fish markets and various lamb dishes, so it doesn’t sound veggie-friendly. Surprisingly, Reykjavik has a wealth of vegan and vegetarian restaurants and dishes. Even the fanciest Reykjavik restaurants offer vegan options.

Aside from a handful of dishes, classic Icelandic foods won’t be for you. Nevertheless, you can enjoy exquisite meat-free meals at innovative restaurants that showcase local ingredients and refreshing flavor combinations.

Honolulu, Hawaii, US

Hawaiians love fish and pork (especially Spam), but much of their food is vegetarian-friendly. The state capital has plenty of vegan and vegetarian restaurants and many make traditional Hawaiian foods without any meat.

Dishes like meatless pho, mango salad, tofu katsu, beet poke, and charred cabbage allow you to try the mouthwatering island flavors without compromising your diet. Plus, there are some fabulous juice bars and froyo shops!

Tel Aviv, Israel

Many Israeli foods are vegetarian, like shakshuka, falafel, and hummus. So, enjoying Tel Aviv’s culinary scene as a vegetarian is easy-peasy. It’s difficult to find a restaurant that doesn’t offer a single vegetarian or vegan dish.

From Israeli staples to creative modern dishes, vegetarians can fully embrace Tel Aviv’s cuisine and explore the fresh and comforting flavors. If anything, carnivores might struggle to indulge here.

Prague, Czech Republic

Prague is a stunning city with an underrated culinary scene and plenty of tasty options for vegetarians and vegans. There are many vegan and vegetarian restaurants with creative menu items that showcase the culinary spirit of the city.

Like Iceland, many traditional Czech foods include meat, but the more modern restaurants and dishes are often naturally meatless. Some of the most enticing vegetarian options include lavish Italian pasta dishes, Indian restaurants, and Mediterranean cuisine.

Florence, Italy

Speaking of yummy Italian dishes, Florence is a sensational place to indulge in pasta, salad, and other vegetarian-friendly meals. Of course, there are countless pizza spots that are happy to cater to vegetarians.

Aside from the exquisite Italian food, Florence also has other cuisines, like Indian and Spanish. You can even find vegan wines made in the Florence and Tuscany area!

Bali, Indonesia

Similar to India, Indonesian cuisine is often inherently vegetarian, making it easy for vegetarians to taste all the local dishes. Many cafes and restaurants serve vegetarian and vegan food with all the best Bali flavors.

Tempeh and tofu are popular here, so it’s also simple to request vegetarian substitutions for dishes usually made with meat. Beyond the flavors, we must commend Bali food for being incredibly beautiful to look at — perfect for your Instagram.

Mexico City, Mexico

Yes, a lot of Mexican dishes have meat in them, but the entire country is more vegetarian-friendly than most people realize. The innovation of the vegetarian tacos alone makes this destination worth the trip.

From fine dining to street food, there’s a wide variety of vegetarian and vegan options. With some of the freshest ingredients in the world, vegetarian Mexican food is a true treat.

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

As mentioned, most countries in Southeast Asia are vegetarian-friendly, and Vietnam is no exception. Ho Chi Minh City is a bustling urban setting with endless restaurant options — many of which are all about the veggies.

Dishes like pho, tofu banh mi, goi cuon, and nom du du showcase the delectable flavors of Vietnam while catering to vegetarians. It’s just as easy to find vegan spots in Vietnam.

Mahe, Seychelles

Mahe Island in the Seychelles is a sensational place for vegetarians to enjoy island flavors. Local food staples include breadfruit, ladob, salad palmis, satini, and spiced lentils, all of which are already meatless.

Aside from the local dishes, the island also has Indian, Creole, Italian, and Mediterranean restaurants with abundant vegetarian options. With so many flavors and fresh ingredients, vegetarians will feel right at home.

Barcelona, Spain

While Barcelona does have numerous vegetarian and vegan restaurants, many of the local dishes don’t include meat anyway. Spanish cuisine uses a vast assortment of ingredients, so veggie-forward dishes are common.

We’d be doing you a disservice to not mention the mouthwatering vegetarian tapas options. Patatas bravas, padron peppers, Spanish tortillas, garbanzos and greens, potato omelets, sauteed mushrooms, and marinated carrots are just a few of the most irresistible veggie tapas.

Portland, Oregon, US

Portland’s up-and-coming food scene has a soft spot for vegetarians and vegans. The contemporary culture means that most restaurants and eateries cater to these common dietary restrictions.

You can find massive salads, nachos, quirky donuts, biscuits and vegetarian gravy, curries, and much more. You won’t have a tough time finding interesting vegetarian options throughout the city that redefine what vegetarian and vegan food looks like.

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Ethiopia is another nation with underrated food, and Addis Ababa is a prime destination for vegetarians. There are many traditional Ethiopian restaurants serving local vegetarian dishes.

From lentil stews to cabbage and potato dishes, many traditional meals only consist of vegetables. You can also find veggie-forward options at Indian, Armenian, and Italian restaurants in the city. Lastly, Addis Ababa also has its fair share of all-vegan or all-vegetarian spots.

Featured Image Credit: Margouillat photo and Shutterstock.