Which cities are best suited for a vegetarian diet?
The vegetarian diet, along with veganism, appeals to a considerable number of people worldwide. Whether or not it’s the right personal choice, it certainly offers an “alternative” way to experience food. While many restaurants in Italy and abroad are now equipped to serve vegetarian dishes, some cities stand out for their culinary culture or lifestyle, making them especially welcoming for vegetarians.
- Which cities are best suited for a vegetarian diet?
- 1 Melbourne – Australia
- 2 Chiang Mai – Thailand
- 3 Ho Chi Minh City – Vietnam
- 4 Seattle – Washington State – USA
- 5 Ithaca – New York State – USA
- 6 Grand Rapids – Michigan – USA
- 7 Nashville – Tennessee – USA
- 8 Vancouver – Canada
- 9 Delhi – India
- 10 Buenos Aires – Argentina
This ranking, compiled by FullTravel travel magazine and featuring 10 cities worldwide, is based on suggestions from Viaggigiovani.it. The top ten vegetarian cities and restaurants is not the result of scientific research, and we welcome your tips and recommendations in the comments at the end of this article.
1 Melbourne – Australia
Vegetarians in Melbourne will find their go-to spot at the Moroccan Soup Bar. There’s no written menu here—guests choose after hearing a rundown of the day’s fresh dishes from the owner. Trust their advice; their recently published cookbook has become a bestseller! Other must-tries include The Vegie Bar, embodying its philosophy in its name; Lentil As Anything, where lentils star in most dishes; and Enlightened Cuisine, celebrated for its light and healthy meals.
2 Chiang Mai – Thailand
Thailand is renowned for what’s often called fusion food in the West. With rice and vegetables forming the base of countless typical dishes, Chiang Mai is a must for foodies. Try Pun Pun, an authentic organic farm just outside the city, offering fresh, traditional fare in a serene garden setting. To sample Mediterranean-Thai fusion pizza, head to Italics & Rise, while adventurous eaters shouldn’t miss Anchan Vegetarian, where the creative menu changes every week.
3 Ho Chi Minh City – Vietnam
With about half of Ho Chi Minh City’s population of Buddhist origin, a vegetarian lifestyle—or chay—is the norm here. Vietnamese chefs have mastered tofu, creating deliciously inventive dishes. The combination of seitan and lemongrass makes for tasty, chicken-like skewers, and there’s even vegan shrimp and a variety of irresistible veggie patties. Don’t miss Thuyen Vien, one of the best veggie spots in town.
4 Seattle – Washington State – USA
In Seattle, one of the USA’s most cutting-edge cities and birthplace of grunge and countless trends, several venues serve exclusively vegetarian dishes, like Plum Vegan Bistro in Capitol Hill and Silence-Heart-Nest in Fremont. Still, you’ll find veggie options on virtually every menu in town—even steakhouses offer plant-based or seitan burgers. Ethnic restaurants also feature a great vegetarian variety, and the city’s farmers’ markets are perfect for fresh, local produce.
5 Ithaca – New York State – USA
In Ithaca, the Moosewood Restaurant is famous as the home of a popular American cooking show series. One of its signature dishes is the Mediterranean Chickpea Basil Burger, a mouthwatering chickpea and basil burger. Ithaca also boasts one of the area’s historic farmers’ markets, in operation since 1973 and open four days a week, providing top-quality local products.
6 Grand Rapids – Michigan – USA
In the heart of meat-loving America, Grand Rapids surprises with its vegetarian scene. Stella’s serves up some of the best buffalo-style wings—completely meat-free, of course. Vitale’s Pizza is known for bold flavors, featuring goat cheese and artichoke pizza. Bartertown Diner offers one of the top veggie breakfasts around. But the star is Little Africa Ethiopian Restaurant, serving delicious mango juice and traditional bread with a variety of vegetable dishes.
7 Nashville – Tennessee – USA
Now to the American South—Nashville might not be the first city that comes to mind for vegetarians, but it holds some amazing green gourmet spots. At Dream of Weenie, you’ll find tofu-based hot dogs; at Wild Cow (despite the name!), try their delicious peanut tacos; and at Mitchell Deli, enjoy Asian tofu barbecue sandwiches. Every restaurant offers vegetarian options, so eating out is easy.
8 Vancouver – Canada
Vancouver takes vegetarianism seriously. Don’t miss The Foundation, a stylish venue with great background music and outstanding salads and vegetarian nachos. Another institution is The Naam, open 24 hours since 1968—a must-visit.
9 Delhi – India
This is guaranteed territory for vegetarians—being vegetarian is woven into Indian culture, making Delhi a dream for plant-based eaters. Here you’ll find India’s best restaurants and international cuisine, and even street food is top quality. Lajpat Nagar Central Market is a prime stop. You’ll be amazed by the range of choices, and there’s no need for a special menu. Try Parathewali Galli in Old Delhi for its famous stuffed, fried bread, and don’t miss daulat-ki-chaat, a sweet treat from nearby street vendors—plus, curries with buttered bread, spicy doughnuts, and Tibetan-style dumplings.
10 Buenos Aires – Argentina
It may sound odd to mention vegetarianism in the land of gauchos and asado, where meat is king, but Buenos Aires boasts some impressive veggie dining! Hierbabuena restaurant in San Telmo offers vegan options alongside daily specials and a vegetarian menu. At Green Life restaurant, an all-vegetarian buffet lets you choose whatever you like—even meat-lovers will be happy here.
