We are living in a time where plant-based dining has never been more accessible. Gone are the days when vegans had to sacrifice their food choices when traveling the world; however, this global pandemic resulted in the closure of many vegan restaurants worldwide. The good news is, despite the closures, plenty of plant-based restaurants are now opening to cater to vacationing vegans from all over the world.
Here's a list of the top 5 vegan-friendly cities in the world:
1. Bangkok, Thailand
Due to its predominantly Buddhist environment, tropical fruit stands and fresh markets are prevalent in this city.
Most restaurants have incorporated vegan options on their menu, but the number of purely vegan restaurants called "jay" restaurants in Bangkok has grown substantially over the years.
If you are into casual restaurants with high ceilings and spacious places, Broccoli Revolution is for you. They serve a wide variety of vegan alternatives to international dishes such as quinoa-broccoli burgers, pasta, and cakes. They also serve vegan cheese, smoothies, and cold-pressed juices.
If you feel like ordering vegan food to your hotel, their Vegan Crush Food Delivery service is there to save you. They serve vegan meals made from whole, unprocessed ingredients and offer different menus every week.
And to top it all off, Bangkok has two vegan grocery stores called Jondee and Veggie J that are open from Mondays to Sundays.
You haven't had the legit Thai vegan food experience until you have eaten in this city. The increasing number of vegan-friendly restaurants and food options in this city has made it an incredible city for vegans.
2. Singapore
Earning the number two spot on PETA's list of Top 10 vegan-friendly cities in Asia is The Lion City, Singapore.
VeganBurg is one of its most famous vegan restaurants, featuring an impressive variety of meaty yet plant-based versions of American burgers with dairy-free mayonnaise. Loving Hut restaurant also offers meat-free versions of Southeast Asian cuisines such as Nyonya laksa, mee pok, and orh nee.
Brownice Italian Vegan Ice Cream & Kitchen offers vegan waffles, brownies, and ice creams if you are into desserts. And since you are already trying out vegan foods in Singapore, you can't miss out on the vegan durian cake at HotCakes.
This city is a mixed pot of different religions and races, which means a wide range of diners can cater to different lifestyles. Since Buddhism is also the main religion practiced in this city, most restaurants try to cater to the vegan lifestyle, so if you are a wandering vegan, this city is heaven on earth.
3. Warsaw, Poland
Warsaw city is one of the top vegan-friendly cities in the world by HappyCow, the leading international guide for vegan eateries, and its district of Śródmieście Południowe (Southern Downtown) has become the epicenter of plant-based dining.
The density of vegan restaurants in this city makes it convenient to walk from one restaurant to another, as you can find one within a five-mile radius in the city center.
Having been voted as the best burger in Warsaw, Krowarzywa's vegan burger is a must-try when visiting the city. They serve heavenly-tasty vegan burgers, kebabs, wraps, desserts, and smoothies.
The city also has two vegan sushi restaurants, Edamame and Youmiko Vegan Sushi. They are not your typical cucumber and avocado type of sushi—you get tomato-based salmon, cashew-based foie gras, smoked aubergine-based eel, and so on.
4. Kyoto, Japan
The Land of the Rising Sun's seafood sushi, yakitori chicken, wagyu beef, and pork-bone ramen does not exactly scream vegan, but it is also the Land of the Rising vegan scene, as it is the home to an ever-growing plant-based community.
Once the capital of Japan, Kyoto is famous for its classical Buddhist temples, which explain the array of meat-free meals in the area.
Experience a traditional dining style of Buddhist monks called shojin ryori. Its main principle is to create satisfying and nourishing means from vegetables and herbs while depriving no animals of life. The most famous restaurant is called Shigetsu, located in the UNESCO World Heritage Site Tenryuji Temple.
Shigetsu offers the most special vegan dining experience. You get to experience shojin ryori in a large temple-styled restaurant surrounded by the natural beauty of Tenryuji's world heritage gardens. You can enjoy scrumptiously made veggies and tofu preparations, presented most delicately that only the Japanese can perfect.
Another famous beverage in Shigetsu is matcha green tea. Over the years, Japanese Zen Buddhist monks have evidently used green tea benefits to relax and meditate.
5. New York, US
Thinking about NYC, what tends to be in mind are the famous hot dog stands, burgers and shakes at some diners, and pizzas from a local joint. But thankfully, that is not all there is to it. The Big Apple has more than 140 vegetarian restaurants, some of which are all-vegan, making it the most vegan-friendly city in the US.
No one should visit NYC without grabbing a vegan pizza slice of Screamer's Pizzeria. And suppose you are looking for a vegan alternative to satisfy your sweet tooth, Van Leeuwen offers ten flavors of vegan ice cream—beautifully recreating and surpassing the taste and texture of traditional ice creams.
Plant-based eating has gained popularity all over the world. As more people discover its benefits—how it helps the earth, benefits our health, and saves animal lives—more vegan restaurants are opening. Some restaurants are even updating their menus with animal-free options, which shows that you can get scrumptious vegan meals almost everywhere these days.
Post written by: Aussy Aportadera