Top Destinations for Plant-Based Travelers
Traveling as a vegetarian or vegan can sometimes be challenging, depending on your destination. However, imagine experiencing a culture where plant-based eating is not just doable but delicious and integrated into the everyday culinary landscape.
That’s the reality for many plant-based eaters in these vibrant destinations:
Indonesia
Woman’s hand holding fresh fruit smoothie bowl on background of turquoise water in swimming pool
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“As a plant-based traveler, I found Bali to be a paradise for vegetarians and vegans alike,” says James Emerson, founder of Gel Fury. “During my stay in Ubud, I had an incredible meal at a local restaurant called Clear Café. I ordered their signature Bali Bowl, which was a colorful mix of fresh vegetables, quinoa, and a delicious peanut sauce. Bali offers not just amazing food but also a rich cultural experience that complements its culinary delights. I highly recommend it for any plant-based traveler.”
Bhutan
Taktshang Goemba or Tiger Nest Monastery was blessed and sanctified as one of the most sacred religious sites in Bhutan.
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“All food in Bhutan is basically vegetarian. Yes, they do meat there but it’s the food of celebrations — think turkey at Thanksgiving in the US,” explains Ted Wright. “What the Bhutanese are great at, every day at every meal, is vegetarian cuisine because that is what has been readily available for generations.”
Vietnam
Banh Xeo, a popular vietnamese dish that is also called sizzling pancakes
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“Vietnam stands out as a haven for vegetarian travelers. Its cuisine is inherently plant-based, emphasizing fresh vegetables and herbs. A memorable meal I enjoyed was in Hoi An, where I had a plate of Bánh Xèo – sizzling pancakes stuffed with tofu and mushrooms, flavored with turmeric and wrapped in rice paper with mint and lettuce,” says Firdaus Syazwani, founder of Dollar Bureau. “The dish was not only delicious but also highlighted the regional diversity, as it varies significantly from North to Central to South Vietnam.”
Colombia
City view of beautiful Medellin Colombia
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< “I stayed in Colombia for two months in 2023 and I've been vegetarian for nearly 30 years, and vegan for about a decade. In Medellin, there are a ton of tourist haunts, but my favorite dish I've ever eaten was slightly off the beaten path at a small vegan restaurant with a rotating menu. The restaurant I'm referring to, El Vegano Andante, serves up vegan Mondongo soup twice a week and it is exquisite,” explained Ruby Katz. “Traditionally made from tripe, oyster mushrooms serve as the perfect replacement and the flavors are hitting on all the spots (rich, sour, sweet, spicy, tangy, etc). It's hearty and the entree of the main, but I could easily just eat two bowls of that soup as it's so good.”
Thailand
Bangkok, Thailand: People walking along the busy streets of Khao San Road in Bangkok, Thailand.
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“Bangkok, Thailand stands out as my absolute favorite veggie paradise,” says Jasmine Charbonier, founder of Your Tampa Bestie. “The flavors hit you like a beautiful explosion of sweet, sour, and spicy and I couldn’t believe how the street vendors transformed simple tofu into magic. The night markets (especially around Sukhumvit) were packed with plant-based options and each dish seemed to have this perfect balance of fresh herbs and spices.”
India
Traditional thali wirh rice, curd, dal in Goa restaurant.
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“I’ve visited about 50 countries and all 50 states since I became vegetarian at age 16. My favorite food destination is India. We traveled through South India in 2020, and I was amazed to discover that even tiny villages with just a few hundred residents would have at least one all-vegetarian restaurant that had plenty of vegan choices,” says Shel Horowitz, founder of The Transformpreneur. “ I was even more astounded in our last moments in India, waiting to board a plane home from Bangalore, to see a Subway sandwich franchise with two counters (and if I remember correctly, separate food prep areas) for veg and meat. (We didn’t try the Subway, preferring one more local meal.)”
“One especially memorable meal there was in a restaurant that catered to locals. We only found it because our driver (also a vegetarian, as are huge numbers of people in South India) took us there,” adds Horowitz. “ He was used to clients that would have one local meal and then seek US chain restaurants and was thrilled to have clients who loved the local food. They served us a buffet of many unfamiliar savory dishes that we ate sitting on the floor, much of it served in hand-made pottery. I don’t even think we had forks for that lunch.”
Looking for a delicious and rewarding plant-based adventure? Start planning your trip to one of these incredible destinations today!
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