6 Vegan-Friendly Cities You Must Visit!

When you think of popular vegan-friendly cities, places such as Portland, Los Angeles, and New Delhi come to mind. And those are all great options for vegan travelers. But, there are other cities that offer a surprising amount of vegan options, and more and more eco-conscious travelers are flocking to these cities when they travel. Maybe you have a business trip abroad and don’t want to get stuck somewhere with only a few vegan-friendly options, or maybe you’ll be invited to a destination wedding where you’ll be unsure about where to eat. Well, we’re here to show you that you can find tons of plant-based options in the places you’d least expect. So read on, because these 6 vegan-friendly cities may just surprise you!

Da Nang, Vietnam

Vietnam has become a hot tourist place over the years, especially for younger people. There’s tons to do, you can usually find great deals on cheap last minute flights, and you’ll have your pick of delicious but inexpensive food options. And that, of course, includes lots of great vegan options. And if you love Vietnamese cuisine, you won’t have to worry that your vegan diet will keep you from missing out. For example, Roots is a plant-based cafe situated atop a beautiful farm, which is where they get all of their fresh produce. The menu includes delicious smoothie bowls, or themed Buddha bowls, such as Japanese nori or Mediterranean falafel. Dishes with Asian-inspired flavors such as turmeric and activated charcoal are included on the menu as well. Vietnam has excellent farm-to-table options as food safety, delicious cuisine, and clean eating are integral to Vietnamese culture. Bao An Vietnam is super healthy and does a lot of great nutrition and environmental education. They have lots of menu options with an Asian flair, including stir-fried bok choy, seaweed rice, pho, and much more.

Atlanta, Georgia

While you may be surprised that A-Town made it to the top of our list, Atlanta actually has one of the most vegan restaurants per capita in the U.S. After all, just because you’re vegan doesn’t mean you should have to forego that delicious Southern fare. Check out Café Sunflower for lunch or dinner, where you can sample some vegan buffalo lollipops (soy chicken drumsticks), nachos, shrimp tacos, and much, much more. Or, if you have a sweet tooth, head on over to Dulce Vegan Café & Bakery, where you can treat yourself to freshly baked goods and hot coffee.

Glasgow, Scotland

Yup, we were surprised too. But, Glasglow was once voted as one of the most vegan-friendly cities in the United Kingdom by PETA. What’s unique about Glasgow is that you’re likely to find vegan items on a menu at a cafe, a bar, or a combo of both! And lucky for us, there are tons of vegan options. If you’re hungry, try some vegan haggis (a traditional Scottish dish usually made with lamb or cow) at The Glasvegan. Or, go to Rose & Grant’s Deli Cafe for a traditional, delicious, and vegan (of course) UK lunch. In the mood for a pint? Do a vegan pub crawl, starting at Stereo — a fully vegan bar conveniently located near the central train station that has a cool vibe and a nice performance space. So while you’re chowing down on your gnocchi or back pudding, you can jam out to music played by local musicians. Or, you can head to Mono, which is essentially the same type of place and owned by the same people, but their restaurant also has a record store! Either way, you can’t go wrong.

Palma de Mallorca, Spain

Palma, the capital of the Spanish island of Mallorca, is known for having tons of resorts. But, did you know they also have a vegan hotel? Yep, you read that right. Villa Vegana is a fully vegan hotel situated in a mini oasis with full views of the scenic Tramuntana Mountains, surrounded by wildlife and lemon trees. The hotel restaurant offers menu options from every type of cuisine, from Mediterranean-style meals to African fare. Not only are the ingredients fresh and delicious, but they’re photo-worthy as well. If you want to venture outside the area, there are plenty of great vegan and vegan-friendly options as well like Temple Natura, which also offers live music and yoga classes along with delicious Colombian cuisine. Or, try La Mujer De Verde, which offers vegan-only dinners with imitation ceviche, cheesecake, and craft beers.

Vancouver, Canada

If you ever find yourself venturing to the Great White North, Vancouver is known for being one of Canada’s most vegan-friendly cities. If you’re in the mood for a big Sunday brunch, dine out at Heirloom, which offers vegan versions of everything on the menu from pancakes to cheeseburger slides. Still hungry? Snack on some Middle-Eastern-inspired dishes like shawarma, falafel, or baba ganoush at Chickpea, which has both a restaurant and a food truck. For dessert, go to Vegan Pudding & Co. for some delicious gluten-free, organic, and vegan custard pudding in fun flavors like earl gray tea and roasted black sesame. Other must-see stops include Eternal Abundance — a vegan grocery store and cafe, The Workshop, which offers vegan and vegetarian Japanese-inspired food, and The Union, a pub with great vegan options.

Chiang Mai, Thailand

Eco-conscious travelers and creatives alike flock to this city to experience the annual Vegetarian Festival, along with several vegan restaurants. Want to try your hand at cooking? Take a vegan cooking class at May Kaidee. The course, which is open to beginners, will teach you how to make raw, vegan, and delicious Thai dishes. If you opt to celebrate at the Festival, you’re in for an amazing and meaningful experience. The Vegetarian Festival coincides with the Nine Emperor Gods Festival, a religious holiday in Thailand. For lunch and dinner, try Goodsouls Kitchen for some plant-based burgers and desserts, or eat at V Secret Vegan.

Do you know of any other surprisingly vegan-friendly cities? Tell us in the comments!