Every vegetarian traveller has experienced the same struggle of desperately searching through menus hoping to find something suitable, let alone flavourful, to eat. If you are tired of compromising on your holidays, then this list is for you. From the up-and-coming to the well-established, here is Skratch’s 10 picks of international destinations that are just as thrilling as they are diet-friendly.
Colombia
Colombia may be known for its meaty cuisine, but that does not mean vegetarian travellers should rule it out.
As a tropical country, Colombia has some of the best fruits and vegetables that money can buy. Avocados and bananas are taken to the next level, whilst unique flavours like mamey and pitaya add excitement to any plate. Ingredients you might expect to find in a Colombian dish are corn, potato and cassava, as well as rice and legumes. Cheese and eggs are also popular additions to a dish, making it all the more filling.
Where to eat:
You should have no trouble eating a vegetarian diet in any of Colombia’s main cities, particularly in Bogotá and Cartagena.
Check out Bogotá’s foodie hotspot district of Usaquén and have the brunch of your life at Abasto, where you will find hearty meals at a reasonable price.
As one of Colombia’s greatest tourism spots, Cartagena is well-adapted to catering for different travellers’ preferences. Visit Restaurante Kokaú for something more upscale, and Ely for pizzas and poke bowls.
Jamaica
Vegetarian travellers keen on visiting Jamaica don’t need to worry about a thing. Whilst only a small percentage of the population identify as Rastafarianism, the plant-based Ital diet has become well-integrated into Jamaican cuisine.
Keep an eye out for ingredients like fried plantain and callaloo: a popular Caribbean vegetable dish resembling spinach. You will also want to try Jamaican rice and peas, a simple yet spicy side dish consisting of just (as you might guess) coconut rice and red beans!
Where to eat:
If you’re planning a visit to the white-sand beaches of Negril, then you will want to stop by a long-term favourite amongst vegetarian travellers: Just Natural. Offering a great variety of plant-based breakfasts and lunches at affordable prices, it is impossible not to be charmed by this cosy dining experience.
Kingston also offers a few eateries that may pique your interest. Ever heard of a raw vegan pizza? Mi Hungry’s emphasis on natural ingredients may seem unconventional, but these colourful platters are just as filling as they are photogenic. If you have simpler taste, then stop by the elegant Eleni’s French Bakery for the best croissants and quiches in Kingston.
Mauritius
A romantic dinner for two vegetarians has never been easier than in Mauritius: where you will find plant-based dishes almost anywhere you go.
Not only is Mauritius ideal for a honeymoon retreat, but this eye-catching island is every veggie’s dream come true. Food-conscious travellers can do more than just get by here, as curry dishes are the base of Mauritian cuisine. Its national dish is Dholl Puri, a thin flatbread stuffed with yellow split peas and chutney. This street-food staple’s simple but delicious taste will have you longing for more.
Where to eat:
Where to begin? If you are looking to eat exclusively plant-based, then eateries like Pure Veg will meet these needs.
But if you are longing to try something new every night, then check out some of Mauritius’ international restaurants. Indian food is especially favourable here, so add the Sitar Indian Restaurant to the top of your list! Outside of this, Mauritius is home to a few Cajun & Creole restaurants, including Le Fangourin Restaurant — considered to be one of the country’s greatest restaurants.
Morocco
Couscous, shakshuka, and tagine: Morocco’s sweet and savoury flavour profile is addictive. Whether you crave salads filled with chickpeas or tomatoes, or freshly baked Khobz (Moroccan flatbread), the side dishes are just as exemplary as the mains.
Main dishes can be slightly more challenging for vegetarian travellers, but never impossible — particularly within the cities. Though if you are planning to visit more rural areas, keep in mind that meat is synonymous with wealth in Morocco; and so turning this down may be culturally misunderstood.
Where to eat:
You are going to find vegetarian options in most of the major cities, but seek out Marrakech for the biggest variety in restaurants. Eat charitably at Amal, a non-profit organisation dedicating to supporting disadvantaged women in the local community.
If you are planning a trip to the Instagram hotspot Chefchaouen, then check out the accommodating eatery Bilmos. Those blue walls are not the only thing worth snapping a picture of.
India
When it comes to vegetarian food that tastes out of this world, India takes the crown. In a country whose population is 39% vegetarian, delicious food can be more than just an afterthought. In fact, it can be the whole experience!
Indian cuisine features all kinds of flavours and spices, but the holy trinity of ingredients tends to be garlic, ginger, and green chilli peppers. From sumptuous main dishes to delectable sides, you will almost have too many choices when deciding what to eat.
Where to eat:
You will have luck finding vegetarian food almost anywhere in India, and so our city choices reflect where first-time visitors should go.
Soak up the sun in mesmerising Udaipur, widely agreed to be India’s most romantic destination. Life moves a little slower here, and the foodie scene is no exception to this. Enjoy dinner at one of the cities’ several rooftop restaurants, including health-haven Yummy Yoga.
Jaipur’s restaurants match the city’s dynamic feel. Dine in extravagant restaurants like The Rajput Room to celebrate special occasions, or book a candle-lit table at the Topaz Restaurant for wallet-friendly romance.
Singapore
The melting pot of Asia, extraordinary Singapore makes for the ultimate city break. Its foodie scene is the talk of the town, and vegetarian travellers will find themselves well-accommodated for.
Dig in to Pan-Asian street-food at the Hawker Centres, or splurge at the Lion City’s most luxurious restaurants. Singapore may be one of the more expensive destinations on this list, but the plus-side is that vegetarian travellers get plenty of bang for their buck.
Where to eat:
Most vegetarian food at the Hawker Centres will be clearly labelled, but the Chinese and Indian stalls are where you will want to be spending most of your time — as they offer the biggest variety! There are also handful of exclusively vegetarian Hawker stalls too. If you are open to eating meat substitutes, then add 33 Vegetarian Food to the top of your list for an all-vegan take on Hainanese chicken rice.
The Buddha Tooth Relic Temple may be one of the city’s most iconic sights, but its sumptuous vegetarian food court is unbeknownst to many.
Splash some cash at one of Singapore’s several vegetarian-friendly Michelin Star restaurants. Corner House will catch the eye of keen foodies, as its fresh and mindful menu exemplifies just how fun eating meat-free can be.
Germany
A common misconception is that Germany is a vegetarian’s worst nightmare, with all the bratwurst and wiener schnitzel going around. On the contrary, Germany is one of the most diet-friendly destinations you will find — with around 8 million of its people being vegetarians. Art havens like Berlin and Leipzig are your best bet for finding a variety of veggie-friendly restaurants, but you will have success outside of this too.
Fill up on freshly baked bread, as no one makes it quite like Germany. Add root vegetables, healthy greens, and starchy ingredients into the mix; and you have yourself a satisfying meal!
Where to eat:
The whimsical town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber is the perfect destination to become acquainted with local food in an ethereal setting. There are plenty of pubs to pick from, but the Der Reichsküchenmeister Restaurant is an ideal spot for unwinding in the evening.
A more commercial pick is the city of Frankfurt, where you can find cuisine from everywhere. African Queen is in the lead as the city’s best Ethiopian restaurant, both in flavour and in price. Or even take a detour to Southeast Asia and enjoy a bowl of phở at Goc Pho Vietnamese Street Food.
Greece
The Mediterranean Diet is considered to be one of the healthiest habits all around, and so a trip to Greece only seems natural for the quintessential vegetarian traveller.
Munch away on colourful salads filled with feta and olives, or dip freshly toasted flatbread into insanely good hummus. When it comes to main dishes, a vegetable moussaka or bowl of spanakorizo (spinach and rice) is your best bet. And if in doubt, halloumi will hit the spot.
Where to eat:
Party-goers in Paros can drink responsibly by enjoying a stunning meal first. Live out your Mamma Mia fantasies at laidback Mana Mana, where you can order everything from Greek to Thai.
The underrated island of Symi also has everything you need. Once you have visited The Secret Garden, you will keep on coming back for more — if not for the food, then for the shaded scenery.
Italy
This list would feel incomplete without mentioning the Italian All-Star. Pizza, pasta, you name it; Italy offers it with and without meat.
Tomatoes and mozzarella seem to be the base of most meals here, but there are a few dishes that feature aubergines, such as Parmigiana di melanzane (aubergine parmesan). Grilled vegetables are extra flavourful in Italy, whether you enjoy this on its own or with something equally divine.
Where to eat:
Each corner of Italy has a slightly different charm, but those longing for a taste of tradition should visit Puglia: widely considered to be the ‘Florence of the South’. Coastal capital Bari has tons of traditional restaurants, but booking a table at the boutique Origini — Evento in Purezza is recommended for something slightly outside the box. You will also want to try local hotspot Spizzipizza. These pizzas are not only cheap and out-of-this-world delicious, but are often shaped as hearts. Che bello!
United Kingdom
Last on our list is the United Kingdom, where you can find vegetarian food almost anywhere you go. Aside from 10% of its population eating this type of diet, the UK is home to a real variety of restaurants, with Indian food being especially prevalent.
If you can handle a full plate, then try a vegetarian ‘Full English’ for breakfast or a nut roast dinner for a traditional lunch or dinner (just not back to back!). British food may get a bad rep, but one bite of a golden brown Yorkshire pudding will bust this old myth.
Where to eat:
London is where foodies can have the time of their lives, as the city’s international status lends itself to innovation in the restaurant scene.
For the best Sunday roast and afternoon tea of your life, book a table at the Borough Market’s most iconic restaurant, Roast: where the food rotates with the seasons. Hop onto the Hallyu wave and visit Bibimbap Soho, where you can pick from an exciting and wide range of vegetarian-friendly dishes. But if the only thing you’re craving after reading this article is a veggie burger and fries, no one does it quite like Honest Burgers.
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