Learn where to eat around the world on a vegan diet.
Planning a trip can be stressful. This can be especially true when it comes to navigating around food restrictions as someone who identifies as vegan or vegetarian. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to curate a plant-based vacation that still delivers on the cultural sightseeing front.
First, consider looking for a network that connects you with local experts, like Indagare, an Equinox Circle partner and boutique members-only, trip-planning company that provides itineraries and resources to help you organize your dream getaway for destinations worldwide. "We have experts on the ground everywhere we plan trips," says Annabel Bailey, a resident vegan travel expert at Indagare. "We can always help provide a very customized and individualized itinerary for someone [with food restrictions]."
When considering different destinations, you may need to conduct extra research before traveling to more remote locations, as it may be difficult to find eateries with a variety of food options. "I would say sticking to big cities is usually your best bet," says Bailey. In Europe, places like London and Berlin boast impressive vegan and vegetarian restaurant scenes, allowing for more spontaneity when it comes to making lunch and dinner plans. Non-plant-based eateries are also open to customizing entrees based on dietary preferences.
In some countries, meat, dairy, or seafood is deeply embedded in the country's food culture. This means traveling to specific cities, like Paris, can still prove to be tricky if your goal is to indulge in local foods.
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"I think French cuisine, in general, can be quite difficult," says Bailey. The same applies to cities like Tokyo, where much of the local cuisine is centered around seafood. "There's a lot of fish and fish flakes, and they may not be open to customizing dishes as much," explains Bailey.
Another planning tip is to look at the local culture. For travelers looking to try traditional cuisine, aim for countries with larger populations of vegans and vegetarians. In the case of Asia, India, China, and Thailand have large segments of people who practice a vegetarian lifestyle — which gives travelers more opportunities to explore the local cuisine. Mexico, which sees hundreds of thousands of visitors flock to havens like Los Cabos and Tulum every year, has a rapidly growing vegan and vegetarian population, and is creating a wave of new restaurants to cater to them. Costa Rica is another popular tourist destination with more plant-based options, as most restaurants only utilize local ingredients.
In Jamaica, travelers can get a meal at Ital restaurants that are influenced by Rastafarian culture and centered around plant-based meals. The island also features plenty of Indian restaurants serving vegetarian and vegan options. Other popular destinations in the Caribbean, like Trinidad and Tobago and Grenada, also have higher populations that lean more towards a vegetarian lifestyle and have more plant-based options. For those looking to travel to Africa, popular tourist spots like Marrakech in Morocco host a number of restaurants that provide plant-based options. Cities like Johannesburg and Cape Town have also seen an influx of vegan and vegetarian restaurants. There are even companies that offer vegan safaris in different parts of the country, including Botswana and Rwanda.
As previously stated, the global vegan food scene has seen impressive growth and interest, from both established and curious vegans and vegetarians. While vegan cuisine is not easily available worldwide, travelers now have more opportunities than ever to satisfy their cravings during their adventures. And it'll only get better from here.
Through Equinox Circle, Equinox members have insider access to Indagare’s curated journeys, a 30-day complimentary trial of Self Planner membership, and $100 off annual subscription, plus access to VIP benefits including upgrades, complimentary breakfast, spa credit, and more.