Traveling as a vegan used to be tricky — but not anymore!
The world is becoming more compassionate and eco-aware, with many countries embracing plant-based lifestyles like never before. Whether you’re a vegan foodie, an animal lover, or simply health-conscious, you’ll be amazed by how many destinations now cater to your preferences.
In this article, we’ll take you on a journey through the 7 most vegan-friendly countries that will make your travel experiences both delicious and guilt-free.
Why Vegan Travel is on the Rise
Veganism isn’t just a diet — it’s a lifestyle built around compassion, sustainability, and wellness. As people grow more conscious of their environmental footprint and animal welfare, the global vegan community has exploded.
Restaurants, cafes, and even airlines are offering plant-based options. From vegan cruises to eco-resorts, the travel world is finally catching up to this beautiful lifestyle.
Also Check: Vegetarianism by country
7 Most Vegan-Friendly Countries
1. India – A Vegan Heaven with Deep Cultural Roots
India is among the top three vegan-friendly countries in the world. With its strong religious and cultural influence, India naturally leans toward vegetarianism. Nearly 40% of the population follows a meat-free diet. A large part of the population, mostly those who follow the principle of ahimsa (non-violence), either goes for vegetarian or vegan diets. For Indian People there a brand which name is Vezlay Foods who provide Vegan products that give similar taste of non-veg vegan products like Vezlay Veg Meat, Vezlay Veg Chicken, Vezlay Shami Kabab and so more products.
2. Thailand – Tropical Flavors with a Vegan Twist
Thailand is a heaven for vegans seeking exotic and bold flavors. The majority of the recipes include fish sauce, but already some local cooks are modifying their culinary styles for the ease of the vegan tourist.
3. Germany – Europe’s Vegan Capital
Germany might come as a surprise, but it is now one of the most vegan-friendly and progressive countries in Europe. The city of Berlin has particularly been named the “Vegan Capital of the World.”
4. Australia – A Plant-Based Trendsetter
Australia’s metropolitan areas are at the forefront of a plant-based revolution. From smoothie bowls to vegan BBQs, Australians are discovering more and more ways of enjoying eco-friendly and animal-free food.
5. Israel – The Vegan Innovation Hub
Israel is famous for its inventive approach to vegan foods. Its capital city, Tel Aviv, is said to be the main driver of this trend, and the country is often called the “Vegan Capital in the Middle East.”
6. United Kingdom – The New Age Vegan Movement
The UK has experienced overwhelming growth in veganism over the past ten years. Vegan choices have become a norm across restaurants, supermarkets, even pubs.
London is a melting pot of global vegan cuisine. You’ll find everything from vegan fish & chips to plant-based afternoon teas. Restaurants like Mildreds and Farmacy are favorites among locals and tourists alike.
7. Japan – The Rising Sun of Veganism
The traditional Japanese diet included fish and seafood; however, there is a new vegan movement that is quickly taking over the whole country. Historical Buddhist cuisine (Shojin Ryori) and modern fusion are both very successful in this scenario.
Which city in India is a pure vegetarian?
India is well-known for its diverse vegetarian culture, but there is one city that is entirely meat-free—Palitana in the Bhavnagar district of Gujarat. It proudly boasts of being the very first pure vegetarian city in the world.
The Jain community, who adhere to the principles of ahimsa — non-violence towards all living beings, consider Palitana a holy city. The city code was amended to prohibit the sale and consumption of meat, fish, and eggs after Jain monks protested against slaughtering animals in 2014. Palitana has since transformed into a beacon of mercy and non-violent cohabitation.
The landscape comprises the Shatrunjaya Hills, which is a remarkable site of over 900 aesthetic Jain temples. The visitors can have plain vegetarian meals consisting of lentils, vegetables, and grains — cooked without onion or garlic.
Additionally, Rishikesh, Ahmedabad, and Jaipur are some of the other vegetarian-friendly Indian cities where one can conveniently find vegetarian food.
Palitana imparts a noble lesson: it is possible to adopt a non-violent lifestyle by eating non-killing food. For peace, spirituality, and plant-based living lovers it is an indispensable place to visit.
What is the world's only vegetarian city?
Palitana, the only vegetarian city in the world, is situated in the Bhavnagar district of Gujarat, India. The Jain community, which practices the principle of ahimsa (non-violence) very strictly, regards the city as holy. Palitana was proclaimed a fully vegetarian city in 2014, which included a total ban on the sale and consumption of meat, fish, and eggs. Having more than 900 Jain temples on the Shatrunjaya Hills, the city preaches and practices a lifestyle of peace, compassion, and reverence for all living beings. Hence, through its resolve to vegetarianism, Palitana is a global beacon of kindness and cruelty-free living.
Which city banned non-veg?
The city that banned non-vegetarian food is Palitana, located in the Bhavnagar district of Gujarat, India.
The Gujarat government declared Palitana a pure vegetarian city in 2014, after the peaceful protests of the Jain monks. This meant that no more meat, fish, and eggs would be sold or consumed in the city area. The decision was made to respect the Jain principle of ahimsa — refusing violence to all living beings, hence the ban on killing them for food.
Palitana is a major destination for Jain pilgrims and boasts over 900 temples on the Shatrunjaya Hills that embody a lifestyle of mercy and tolerance to all living creatures.
Which state is most non-vegetarian?
West Bengal is the state of India with the highest consumption of non-vegetarian food.
More than 98% of the population of West Bengal, according to national food surveys, eat meat, fish, or eggs on a regular basis. The state is renowned for its delicious and varied fish and meat-based dishes, especially macher jhol (fish curry) and kosha mangsho (spicy mutton curry).
Other states that are non-vegetarian, but not to the same extent as West Bengal, include Kerala, Odisha, Assam, Goa—places where fish and meat are largely consumed and considered a part of the daily diet.
On the flip side, the regions of Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Haryana are home to the largest vegetarian populations, owing to the strong cultural and religious traditions that support the consumption of plant-based foods.
Is Ahmedabad a vegetarian city?
Yes, Ahmedabad — the largest city in Gujarat — is widely known as a vegetarian-friendly city.
Though it has not been officially declared a pure vegetarian city like Palitana, a great part of the people living in Ahmedabad consume vegetarian food because of the very strong Jain and Hindu cultural influences. Most of the local restaurants, cafés, and even street food vendors offer only vegetarian food.
You can have typical Gujarati thalis, dhokla, thepla, and khichdi at almost every restaurant. Global fast-food chains in Ahmedabad also provide exclusively vegetarian outlets.
So, while meat is not banned, Ahmedabad is one of India’s most vegetarian-dominant cities, where plant-based food is the norm and non-veg options are very limited.
