The best thing about going abroad? Food has got to be up there. A proper treat-yourself trip is all about tasting the local faves – Greek feta, French steak, Spanish chorizo. But imagine opening the menu and all you can eat is either green salad or chips… Welcome to veganism abroad. Plant-based food has a place in every culture, although some serve up more than others and it can be a little trickier to find. Even if you’re not a self-professed vegan – we see you, flexis and pescis – most of us understand the importance of dabbling in some more-sustainable scran these days. So, why should this stop on holiday? Skip the boring side dishes and check out these top travel picks for vegans…
Thailand
You’ll hit the vegan jackpot in Thailand. Did you know veganism is deeply linked to the practise of Buddhism? This means it’s super easy to find vegan-friendly food here – win. The base of most dishes consists of rice, noodles, coconut milk and veggies – you won’t find any cheese or butter in Thai recipes. Take your pick from vegetable spring rolls, tom yum mushroom soup, salads, pad Thai and fried tofu. Meat is only a small part of Thai meals, too, so it can easily be removed without taking away the flavour. Some noodle dishes have egg, but most places are happy to leave it out if you ask.
They’ve got it all figured out over here. No more hunting online and delving into niche guidebooks… When you’re looking for places to eat, just look out for a red-and-yellow sign that looks like the number 17 – it’s the national symbol for veganism. You’ll see it outside restaurants, on street stalls and even on the food packaging in supermarkets.
In Bangkok you’ve got staples like May Veggie Home for classic Thai dishes gone vegan, Broccoli Revolution for healthy bowls, and Veganerie for desserts. Down in Phuket, The Vegan Table and Soul Phuket both dish up creative, fully plant-based menus, while Pure Vegan Heaven is great when you’re craving comfort food. Krabi keeps things laidback with farm-to-table vibes at Cooper’s Farm2Plate, smoothie bowls at Tan Tribe Café, and simple local eats at Buddhist veggie spots like Somkid Vegetarian.
Morocco
Morocco might not be the first place that pops into your head for vegan travel, but it’s kinda perfect. Naturally plant-based dishes make up a large part of the cuisine here. Smoky zaalouk (eggplant and tomato dip), peppery taktouka (roasted peppers and tomatoes), hearty bissara (fava bean soup) and chickpea-packed harira are staples you’ll find almost anywhere. Veggie tagines and fluffy couscous dishes are easy wins, plus fresh fruit, olives and salads are everywhere, so there are plenty of sides to fill out your plate.
On the budget end, street stalls and hole-in-the-wall cafés will serve you steaming bowls of lentils or veg tagine for just a few dirhams. In Marrakech, Earth Café is a fave with travellers for its creative all-veg menu, then the World Storytelling Café serves up plant-based twists on Moroccan classics in a cosy medina setting. If you’re splashing out, many riads and boutique hotels happily cater for vegans with beautiful, spice-rich spreads that feel like a feast. Wherever you go, just let them know you’re vegan so it’s super clear you don’t want any butter, meat stock or honey involved.
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka’s one of those spots where most things are basically vegan without you knowing it – the cuisine leans heavily on staple ingredients like coconut milk, spices, lentils and veggies. Typical meals feature things like parippu (red lentil curry), polos (young jackfruit curry that’s so meaty you’ll be double-checking it’s vegan), fresh mallum (sautéed greens with coconut) and fiery sides like pol sambol (grated coconut with chili and lime). Add hoppers, dosas or string hoppers on the side and you’ve basically got a dream plant-based meal.
Eating vegan here is super affordable, too. Local rice-and-curry buffets are everywhere and usually cost next to nothing, giving you a colourful plateful of curries to mix and match. In Colombo – the capital – there are specifically vegan restaurants like The Vegan Kitchen by Sulo or Ranbath Organic. But anywhere you go here, there are plenty of small cafés and veggie spots that are vegan-friendly – just double check about ghee or Maldive fish in sambols.
Berlin, Germany
Berlin has a rep as the best vegan city break in Europe and, honestly, it lives up to the hype. Unlike other major cities, veganism is pretty mainstream in the German capital, with around 80,000 of the population making the lifestyle switch. Thanks to them, there are over 100 vegan-only restaurants here, as well as dedicated supermarkets likes Veganz, and plant milk is the default option in lots of cafés.
For something cheap and cheerful, start with a legendary vegan döner from Vöner (greasy, satisfying and perfect after a night out), or grab a currywurst at Witty’s, where they’ve got a plant-based twist on the Berlin classic. Brammibal’s Donuts are trending for their fully vegan and dangerously addictive treats (be prepared to queue). If you want a cosy sit-down sitch that sticks to your budget, 1990 Vegan Living serves incredible Vietnamese small plates, all plant-based and perfect for sharing. And if you’re in the mood to splash out, Kopps is the move – a chic fine-dining spot with a tasting menu so good you forget it’s vegan at all.
Feeling peckish yet? Check out our Foodie holidays.
Looking for more articles? You’ll find them on the Inspire homepage.
Author: Daisy Colley (she/her)
Last updated: 02/10/2025
You may also like
Foodie finds
)
)
)
)
)