With an estimated 2.5 million Brits in the UK now being dedicated full-time vegans (4.7% of the adult population*), veganism is inspiring more people than ever to explore the benefits of a plant-based lifestyle.
It’s no surprise that one in five Brits (19%) plan their entire holiday around food and cuisine*, highlighting just how important quality dining is when travelling. But as any vegan traveller knows, a little advance planning goes a long way. Knowing which destinations have thriving plant-based scenes make finding great vegan food effortless.
That’s why we’ve crunched the numbers to identify the best places in the UK and around the world for vegan eating. We’ve uncovered the up-and-coming cities, where plant-based cuisine is booming, so you can explore these destinations while they’re still under the radar. From fully vegan restaurants to innovative plant-based menus at mainstream spots, these cities deliver quality and choice.
When you know where to go, vegan travel becomes effortless. Whether it’s a multi-stop culinary road trip across the UK or an international adventure to explore local cuisines, having the freedom to roam makes all the difference. With convenient SIXT car hire options across the UK and at airports worldwide, your vegan bucket list is closer than ever.
These are the best cities for vegans in the UK
London leads the plant-based revolution, no surprises there. But the vegan food scene is flourishing far beyond the capital, with cities across the UK embracing innovative plant-based menus, dedicated vegan eateries, and creative meat-free dining. We’ve outlined where to head for the best culinary experiences beyond the capital.
Bristol is the best vegan spot outside of London
Bristol is officially the best city outside of London for vegan food in the UK, achieving an impressive score of 21.65 on the index. Demand for plant-based dining is strong, with 2,900 searches over the past year alone.
Bristol’s vegan and vegetarian scene is thriving, with 50 restaurants scoring 4.5 stars or higher on Google. From the vibrant, independent cafés of Stokes Croft to cutting-edge fine dining in Clifton, the city’s plant-based offerings are bold and absolutely delicious.
Edinburgh is the best Scottish city for plant-based dining
As well as being widely regarded as the best city outside of London for food in the UK, Edinburgh also performs exceptionally well for vegan dining, placing third overall nationwide.
The Leith area has become known as a vegan-friendly quarter, bustling with plant-based options, while Stockbridge Market offers an exciting mix of unique vegan eats and continues to evolve rapidly in response to the growing demand for sustainable food.
Manchester is named the best Northern city for vegans
Manchester has been crowned the Northern capital of vegan food in England, ranking fourth nationwide. Demand for plant-based dining is clearly on the rise, with 5,800 searches for vegan options in the city over the past 12 months alone.
Backed by an impressive 174 vegan-friendly restaurants, Manchester offers plenty of choice for both dedicated vegans and vegetarians. Food lovers can explore mainstream options in the Northern Quarter, discover niche finds in Didsbury, and experiment with innovative plant-based dishes across the city.
The up-and-coming cities for vegan food in the UK
To find the rising star destinations, we analysed the data per capita from vegan-friendly restaurant density, review quality, and Michelin restaurants that offer vegan dishes; some unexpected cities emerged as the UK’s next plant-based hotspots.
These under-the-radar destinations are quietly building world-class vegan scenes and they’re worth adding to your foodie travel list.
Salford is the best up-and-coming food city for vegans in the UK
Salford is the most up-and-coming vegan city in the UK and was found to have 195 restaurants with vegan options (the most in the UK), of which 59 had reviews with 4.5+. In this city, expect global variety, local charm and affordable prices, perfect for vegans to venture in.
Cambridge is a plant-based hot spot
Known for its historical architecture and academic excellence, Cambridge is quietly becoming one of Britain’s best plant-based destinations, ranking second overall from a per capita perspective.
The city has seen a surge in demand for vegan food, with 1,970 searches. It boasts a high proportion (27.5%) of vegan-friendly restaurants rated 4 stars or higher, proving that in Cambridge, plant-based dining is not just plentiful, but also top quality.
North Yorkshire city ranked the third best up-and-coming vegan city in the UK
Wakefield, in North Yorkshire, just outside Leeds, may be a smaller city, but it has made a big impact on this list, ranking as the third best city for vegans per capita.
With 127.88 vegan restaurants per capita, and half of those rated 5 stars or higher, Wakefield is a hidden treasure for plant-based travellers. Sometimes the best food experiences come from the most unexpected places.
Discovering the UK’s plant-based scene with ease
The UK has a well-established vegan scene, and the major cities are well connected, being behind the wheel gives you the freedom to explore at your own pace, from hidden viral hotspots to charming, tucked-away restaurants.
Car hire transforms your journey into an adventure, letting you uncover iconic vegan destinations and discover exciting new gems along the way.
The best places for vegan food travel around the world
If you’re a true foodie at heart and are planning on tailoring your next trip around the best plant-based eateries in the world, this guide has everything you need for a journey full of flavour, fusion and a full belly.
London is the best place in the world for vegan food
London takes the top spot globally for vegans, with an impressive score of 85.7 out of 100.
The city’s booming plant-based scene is widely recognised, and from bustling markets like Camden Market to the vibrant streets of Chinatown, vegan and vegetarian options are plentiful and diverse.
London is home to the highest number (678) of vegan-friendly restaurants and also has 6 dedicated vegan Michelin-star restaurants, cementing it as one of the most inclusive food capitals in the world.
NYC is the best U.S. city for vegans and second in the world
NYC is not only the best U.S. city for food as a whole, but is also the best for vegan eats. Despite its West Coast counterpart, Los Angeles, paving the way in mindful and sustainable eating, NYC has beaten them out of the park with a score of 79.7 out of 100, with LA in 25th place.
Demand is high, with 4,420 tourist queries for vegan food in the past year alone, and the city boasts more Michelin-starred vegan restaurants than London. Whether you’re seeking luxury dining or quick bites, plant-based options can be found on virtually every corner.
Berlin ranks in the top 3 best cities for vegans
A city famous for currywurst and other meat delicacies, something unexpected has taken root: Berlin ranks third globally for vegan dining and second in Europe, trailing only London. With 629 vegan restaurants boasting 5+ reviews, it’s the second-highest count worldwide, surpassing even NYC and Singapore for plant-based options.
Friedrichshain has become one of Berlin’s most vegan-dense neighbourhoods, while Kreuzberg’s Markthalle Neun draws crowds every Thursday for Vegan Street Food Night. Vegan food lovers will find plenty to explore.
The best up-and-coming places around the world for vegan food travel
These hidden gems are the globally most exciting up-and-coming plant-based destinations, based on data per capita. By ranking the quality and availability of vegan-friendly options relative to population size, we’ve uncovered the worldwide cities that are truly embracing plant-based dining.
Venice is the up-and-coming vegan food capital of the world
Venice is known globally as the city of romance and love, from gondolas on the rivers to the legendary association with the ancient goddess Venus.
Of course, many visitors arrive expecting indulgent classic Italian fare, rich creams, hearty meats and decadent dairy dishes. Yet in a delightful twist, the floating city has emerged as the up-and-coming plant-based capital of the world, scoring 86.65 out of 100, thanks to a high rate of vegan-friendly restaurants rated above 4.5+.
Fresh vegetables, aromatic herbs, quality olive oil, and perfectly al dente pasta have been beautifully translated to vegan interpretations. Venice is rewriting its culinary story, one plant-based cicchetti at a time.
U.S. Capital is an up-and-coming vegan hotspot
Washington, D.C., has been crowned the best up-and-coming city in the U.S. for vegan food, and the second-best in the world, outperforming the next-highest-ranked American city, San Francisco, which places fifth.
Already a popular tourist destination thanks to its rich history and iconic sightseeing, D.C. offers an even greater visit for vegan travellers, boasting the highest number (30.07) of vegan restaurants with 5+ reviews.
The U.S. capital’s booming food scene is one you won’t want to miss, so be sure to secure your reservations early to make the most of the incredible plant-based eateries on offer.
Amsterdam is set to be a hub for vegan food in Europe
When it comes to Europe, veganism has been soaring in popularity. Amsterdam has one of the most iconic vegan food scenes in the world, placing 3rd, with a score of 70.49 out of 100, and it’s not all mini pancakes (Poffertjes) and waffles (Stroopwafels), with innovative fine dining, the city is proving that Dutch cuisine’s future is decidedly green.
The momentum is undeniable: 4,560 tourist searches for vegan food signal rapidly growing international interest. Amsterdam’s progressive culture, bicycle-friendly streets, and concentration of creative plant-based eateries have created the perfect ecosystem for vegan dining to thrive.
Let car hire pave the way to exploring plant-based cities
The beauty of knowing where the best vegan food is, means you can focus on the fun part – actually getting there and eating it.
Flexible car hire options gives you the flexibility to explore plant-based hotspots entirely on your terms, multiple cities at your own pace, with total freedom. And if your adventure takes you further afield, we’ll be ready at arrivals with SIXT locations in over 105 countries, making it simple to get your journey started.
Methodology
- *Number of UK holidaygoers who base travel on food – Jet2holidays
Vegan Index Ranking
We ranked each global city based on the following metrics:
- Tourist Search Volume for “vegan food [city]” & “vegan restaurants [city]” in both English and the city’s native language, calculated by subtracting the number of searches in the city from the global number of searches
- The total number of vegetarian restaurants with 5+ reviews listed on HappyCow (listings with less than 5 reviews and/or outside a 15km radius were excluded)
- The total number of vegetarian restaurants with 5+ reviews and a 4.0+ rating listed on HappyCow
- The total number of vegetarian restaurants with 5+ reviews and a 4.5+ rating listed on HappyCow
- The total number of Michelin star vegan restaurants
- The total number of 2* and 3* Michelin star vegan restaurants
We ranked each UK city based on the following metrics:
- Tourist Search Volume for “vegan food [city]” & “vegan restaurants [city]”, calculated by subtracting the number of searches in the city from the global number of searches
- The total number of vegetarian restaurants with 5+ reviews listed on HappyCow (listings with less than 5 reviews and/or outside a 15km radius were excluded)
- The total number of vegetarian restaurants with 5+ reviews and a 4.0+ rating listed on HappyCow
- The total number of vegetarian restaurants with 5+ reviews and a 4.5+ rating listed on HappyCow
- The total number of Michelin star vegan restaurants
