Europe’s Top 10 vegan-friendly cities

Whether for ethical reasons or simply as a way to eat more healthily, many people are choosing to eliminate foods of animal origin from their diets, and even from their day-to-day lives. This trend has also emerged in restaurant kitchens, with an increasing number of eateries adapting their menus and embracing vegan cuisine. We have concocted a Top 10 list of the most vegan-friendly cities – because, of course, every successful trip ought to (perhaps even must 😉) include the culinary highlights!

1 | London, Great-Britain

London

We begin, of course, with London, which has been named the “most vegan-friendly” city by the vegan restaurant guide HappyCow. The British capital now has more than 280 restaurants offering vegetarian options as a minimum: ranging from cupcakes to tacos, from Indian cuisine to ice-cream... culinary delights that are sure to tantalise your taste buds!

  • 222 Vegan Cuisine
  • Opened in 2004, 222 Vegan Cuisine is one of the city’s first vegan restaurants.

    Address: 222 North End Rd, Hammersmith, London W14 9NU

  • Manna
  • This restaurant is one of the most acclaimed in the British capital thanks to its international cuisine based on fresh, organic produce.

    Address: 4 Erskine Rd, Primrose Hill, London NW3 3AJ


2 | Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Edinburgh

Scotland’s vegan dining scene is thriving. And its capital, Edinburgh, is every bit the match of Glasgow in this respect. The range of vegetarian options on offer is enough to make your mouth water... Not only will you find vegan cafés and restaurants, but also markets and shops brimming with local produce, and even vegan accommodation options.

  • David Bann Restaurant
  • Located in Edinburgh’s Old Town, the restaurant David Bann is the perfect place for those looking to sample innovative vegetarian dishes.

    Address: 56-58 St Mary's St, Edinburgh EH1 1SX

  • Beetroot Sauvage
  • Located in the city’s West End area, the café Beetroot Sauvage also serves as a yoga and wellness studio.

    Address: 33 - 41 Ratcliffe Terrace, Edinburgh EH9 1SX


3 | Berlin, Germany

Berlin

In all likelihood, you will not have enough meals to sample all of Berlin’s excellent vegan dining options. From casual eateries to stylish restaurants, you won’t find a single animal ingredient on their menus. As further proof of the city’s vegan credentials, you will even find a ‘vegan avenue’, Schivelbeiner Straße, where a supermarket, restaurants and shops offer products of non-animal origin.

  • Kopps
  • Located in Berlin’s Mitte district, Kopps’s offering includes a delicious vegan brunch featuring sweet and savoury options.

    Address: Linienstraße 94, 10115 Berlin

  • La Stella Nera
  • This collectively-run vegan pizzeria is located in the district of Neukölln. Here you will find antipasti, pasta and pizza to die for! Among the culinary highlights is the vegan ricotta – as creamy as can be.

    Address: Leykestraße 18, 12053 Berlin

4 | Ghent, Belgium

Ghent

In 2009, Ghent launched ‘Thursday Veggie Day’: one day a week when the city’s inhabitants forego meat and fish, and a day observed by numerous eateries, including school canteens. Since its launch, many restaurants in the city – and elsewhere – have grown accustomed to offering vegetarian alternatives on their menus. Some even call this the vegetarian capital of Europe...

  • Mme Bakster
  • If you want to try tasty tarts and other 100% vegan delights, including a hazelnut cappuccino, then this is the place for you. Ideal for a guilt-free, cruelty-free afternoon treat.

    Address: 142 Brabantdam, 9000 Ghent

  • Le Botaniste
  • Housed in a former pharmacy, Le Botaniste serves 100% vegan cuisine based on local organic produce. You can also enjoy a selection of natural wines from the restaurant’s wine bar. We recommend sampling several dishes so that you have the chance to try everything on offer.

    Address: 13 Hoornstraat, 9000 Ghent


5 | Paris, France

Paris

Famous for its not-so-vegan patisserie, Paris is embracing vegan cuisine with more than 45 vegan restaurants spread throughout the city. With many restaurants taking root in the heart of the 10th arrondissement (leading to it being renamed “Veggietown”), Paris is now among Europe’s top vegan-friendly cities.

  • Le Potager du Marais
  • The challenge? To reimagine traditional French cuisine using all-vegan ingredients. Here you will find ‘beef’ bourguignon and ‘crème’ brûlée served up in a rustic and authentic setting.

    Address: 24 rue Rambuteau, 75003 Paris

  • La Palanche d'Âulac
  • The all-vegan, Vietnamese-inspired menu is prepared by Trai, a passionate vegan who is happy to share his passion with customers. Diners will love the authentic ambience.

    Address: 13 rue Rodier, 75009 Paris


6 | Groningen, The Netherlands

Groningen

Groningen has around 50 vegetarian and vegan restaurants (at least) according to the site HappyCow. This student city is an absolute must for gourmets in search of a fully vegetarian dining experience.

  • De Herbivoor
  • The clue is in the name! Needless to say the cuisine served here is 100% plant-based, with a menu that changes virtually every day, offering salads, soups and burgers using local, organic and seasonal ingredients. Try the three-course menu available on Thursday evenings.

    Address: Gedempte Zuiderdiep 59, 9711 HC Groningen

  • Restaurant BLA BLA
  • You won’t find anything blah-blah about BLA BLA... 😉 Nor will you find any fish or meat on the menu at this vegetarian restaurant offering vegan options. Embark on a culinary journey through oriental and Mediterranean-inspired cuisine...

    Address: Nieuwe Boteringestraat 9, 9712 PE Groningen


7 | Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Amsterdam

A cosmopolitan city and bastion of vegan culture, Amsterdam has dozens of vegetarian and vegan-friendly restaurants offering breakfast, lunch, dinner, and even brunch. And the icing on the cake? These restaurants are also decorated in style!

  • The Vegan Junk Food Bar

    As its name suggests, this restaurant offers a wide variety of vegan junk food: from garlic bread, to burgers, onion rings, hot dogs, fries and more. In short, you won’t find any light bites on the menu – but it is all wickedly good! And the experience alone is worth it.

  • Fento
  • In contrast to the fast food described above, there’s Fento. Here you can enjoy a healthy, Mexican-inspired menu featuring burrito bowls, quesadillas, nachos, and more.

    Address: Bellamyplein 51, 1051 AT Amsterdam

8 | Strasbourg, France

Strasbourg

The vegan scene in the Alsatian capital is booming, and this doesn’t even include the region’s traditional sauerkraut or tartes flambées... Strasbourg has more than 35 restaurants offering at least one vegetarian option, six of which are vegan, with cuisine ranging from burgers, to food trucks, gluten-free dishes, bowls, and more.

  • Vélicious
  • Homemade, 100% plant-based, and using predominantly local, organic ingredients: this is Vélicious cuisine in a nutshell.

    Address: 43 Rue Geiler, 67000 Strasbourg

  • Harmonie Bowl & Juice
  • This café-restaurant takes you on a culinary journey with a range of healthy, sophisticated bowls and ingenious flavour combinations inspired by naturopathic healing. The menu is 100% vegan, gluten-free and organic, and aims to create dishes that are unique.

    Address: 5, rue Saint Etienne, 67000 Strasbourg


9 | Glasgow, United Kingdom

Glasgow

The vegan scene is particularly varied and delicious in Glasgow. The city, which hosts Vegfest (Europe’s prime vegan festival), has risen to become one of Europe’s top vegan-friendly cities.

  • Stereo
  • Their “mac’n’cheese” is said to be out of this world! You can also choose from numerous tapas-style small plates, ideal for sharing...

    Address: 20-28 Renfield Lane, Glasgow, G2 5AR

  • The 78
  • A typical cosy pub... and, most importantly, one that serves vegan cuisine, where you can drink a beer or sip a cocktail alongside a delicious meal and a warm fire.

    Address: 10-14 Kelvinhaugh St, Finnieston, Glasgow G3 8NU


10 | Geneva, Switzerland

Geneva

The vegan wave has also reached French-speaking Switzerland. Geneva has seen a dramatic increase in recent years in the number of vegan dining options on offer.

  • EnVie
  • This all-vegan café is ideal for a tasty afternoon treat: the cakes, pastries and doughnuts are as beautiful as they are delicious. For lunch, you can also try hot dogs, burgers and mixed plates.

    Address: Rue des voisins 16, 1205 Genève

  • Ou bien encore
  • Everything here is vegan: what’s more, the dishes are homemade, the juices fresh, and the cheesecake unforgettable.

    Address: Rue des Bains 61, 1205 Genève