Top Vegan-Friendly Cities Across the Globe

World Vegan Day, celebrated on November 1, is a global event that highlights the plant-based lifestyle, offering vegans a moment to celebrate and inviting non-vegans to explore the benefits of veganism.

Veganism isn’t just a modern trend—it's a way of life with deep historical roots.

Long before today’s plant-based movements, ancient thinkers like Plato in Greece were advocating for plant-only diets, putting him, along with figures like Buddha, Gandhi, and Einstein, among the pioneers of plant-based eating.

Despite its ancient origins, the vegan lifestyle is experiencing an impressive resurgence today, with a growing number of vegan-friendly eateries, bakeries, and bars emerging around the world. Here are our top cities with the best plant-based offerings.

Portland, Oregon

Portland was ranked as the #1 Vegan-Friendly City in the U.S. by PETA in 2016, a title that many vegans worldwide would proudly support.

"Portland, Oregon is without a doubt the best vegan city in the country," says Kristin Lajeunesse, creator of Will Travel For Vegan Food. "From upscale dining and bars to a vegan grocery store, tattoo parlor, and even vegan strip clubs, this city has it all."

Demetrius Bagley, a producer of vegan-focused films and events, also endorses Portland’s status as a top vegan destination.

"I loved the vibe and cocktails at Sweet Hereafter and the indulgent, comfort food at Homegrown Smoker," he shares. "It’s still rare to find a bar that serves such creative and delicious vegan options elsewhere."

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Berlin

Berlin is Europe's undisputed Vegan Capital, with more entirely vegan restaurants than any other city on the continent, according to the popular vegetarian/vegan platform HappyCow.com. Prague and Warsaw follow closely behind in second and third place.

"In Berlin, you never feel like your dietary needs are a hassle," says local vegan Sandra Espenhain. "The best part? Vegan food is surprisingly affordable here due to the city’s generally low cost of living."

For those seeking a more refined dining experience, upscale options like Kopps offer exquisite five-course meals at the city’s first high-end vegan restaurant, which opened its doors in 2011.

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New York City

New York City is, unsurprisingly, home to the widest variety of vegan dining options in the U.S.

"New York City is the epicenter of vegan culture on the East Coast," says Carmen Surana, Catering Manager for The Cinnamon Snail vegan food truck. "In recent years, fast-casual vegan spots and food trucks have completely transformed the way people view vegan cuisine."

NYC is home to some of the most fashionable vegan and vegan-friendly spots in the world.

Notable new additions include the trendy pizza restaurant 00 + Co. in East Village and Chalk Point Kitchen, a favorite among celebrities and savvy locals, according to New York insider Chetna Sabnani.

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Los Angeles

With a population nearing four million – making it the second-largest city in the U.S. – this West Coast hub was always destined to offer a wide range of dining options for those with alternative diets.

In fact, some vegans, like Bryan Prewitt from Atlanta, argue that Los Angeles actually outshines New York City when it comes to plant-based options.

"Both cities offer great vegan food, but L.A. surpasses NYC," he says. "While NYC has some excellent spots, they are often more expensive, less accessible, and less diverse. L.A., on the other hand, has a much wider range of options, from budget-friendly choices to unique spots like Gracias Madre, which serves the best vegan Mexican food in the world in a laid-back, trendy setting."

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Tel Aviv

Israel’s vibrant coastal city is home to the world’s largest vegan festival, Vegan-Fest Tel Aviv, and was recently named the top destination for vegan travelers by The Daily Meal.

"Veganism is a way of life here," says Keren Brown, a Tel Aviv resident and dining scene writer. "Dairy has fallen out of favor in many circles, and the Mediterranean diet—focused on seasonal fruits, vegetables, lentils, chickpeas, and other legumes—makes plant-based living even more popular."

One of the trendiest spots is Miss Kaplan, a former pop-up turned permanent restaurant, known for its signature “carrot dog”—a smoked carrot marinated in Jack Daniels and served in a soft steamed bun.

Honolulu, Hawaii

In the Aloha State, Honolulu is taking full advantage of its abundant tropical produce and is rapidly becoming a vegan hotspot in the Pacific.

Sandra Ritchie, who embraced the vegan lifestyle during her time as a university student in Honolulu, highly recommends the trendy Downbeat Diner.

"With live performances by local artists, a décor that feels like it’s straight out of Manhattan’s Lower East Side, and vegan-friendly options for nearly every dish, it’s a must-visit spot during all my trips to the island," she shares.

Vegans also flock to Greens & Vines, an elegant all-vegan restaurant that also offers its products at various farmers’ markets throughout the week.

Taipei

Thanks to Taiwan's strong Buddhist influence, Taiwan and its largest city are dedicated to cruelty-free eating, rooted in a deep cultural respect for animals.

Approximately 13% of Taiwan's population, or about 1.7 million people, are non-meat eaters, and Taipei is home to the majority of the island’s vegan-friendly restaurants and markets.

"Taipei’s chefs are reimagining traditional Taiwanese dishes by incorporating fresh, local ingredients with international influences," says Yalun Ho, a native of Taiwan now based in Los Angeles.

For example, vegans and vegetarians with hearty appetites rave about Fruitful Food, a high-end buffet offering an array of international cuisines, from sushi and Italian pastas to Indian curries—all completely meat-free.

Detroit, Michigan

Perhaps the most unexpected city on this list, Detroit is experiencing a remarkable renaissance in both its economy and vegan dining scene.

Leading the charge in this culinary revival is Detroit Vegan Soul, the city's first 100% vegan soul food café, founded by Kirsten Ussery-Boyd and Erika Boyd.

"We’re thrilled to see Detroit’s vegan scene thrive," says Ussery-Boyd. "When we started, we weren’t sure how people would respond to vegan soul food, but three years in, we’re expanding to a second location."

Other vegan-friendly spots include the popular restaurant and wine bar Seva and the laid-back dive bar PJ’s Lager House, both known for their plant-based offerings.

Toronto, Canada

Veganism is gaining momentum in Canada’s largest city, with a noticeable rise in plant-based restaurants and shops opening across the urban landscape.

Toronto’s innovative offerings for cruelty-free dining include the vegan gastropub Porter House and YamChops, a unique meatless butcher shop serving items like Beet Burgers and No-Crab Crab Cakes.

"One place you definitely need to check out is Tori’s Bakeshop," says Lauren Yakiwchuk, a local vegan travel blogger behind JustinPlusLauren. "This bakery and café transforms into Canada’s first vegan wine bar in the evenings."

Toronto also hosts a variety of vegetarian and vegan festivals, including the two-week Veggielicious and the Veg Food Fest, one of North America’s largest vegan events.

Chennai, India

In a country where approximately half of the population follows a meat-free diet, finding vegan options is certainly not a challenge.

The four-million-strong city of Chennai stands as India's leader in plant-based dining, thanks in part to its location in South India, a region known for using fewer dairy products and meats in its traditional cuisine.

In Chennai, vegan food enthusiasts can enjoy some of India’s top-rated restaurants, including The Royal Vega, one of the nation’s pioneering fine-dining vegetarian and vegan-friendly establishments, located within the luxurious ITC Grand Chola Hotel.

•An earlier version of this article mistakenly referred to Toronto’s Raw/Vegan Festival as North America’s largest, rather than the correct title, Vegan Food Fest.