Vegan Travel Guide 2026: Best Destinations & Tips

Vegan travel in 2026 is easier than ever. And in some countries still challenging. The world is unequal. Berlin has 2,000 vegan restaurants. In rural parts of Japan, every dish contains fish broth. That sounds frustrating but it is solvable if you know how.

This guide covers the best vegan travel destinations, the most important apps and strategies for anyone who refuses to compromise on the road.

Which cities and countries are best for vegan travelers?

Berlin: Europe’s vegan capital. No exaggeration: more vegan restaurants per capita than any other major city on the continent. Veganz supermarket, vegan döner shops, vegan sushi bars, vegan burger chains. Walk through Prenzlauer Berg or Mitte and you find something on every other block.

London: Strong vegan scene, especially in Shoreditch, Hackney and Camden. A UK tip that has held for years: the supermarket chains (Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Marks & Spencer) have excellent ready-made vegan options, perfect for eating on the go.

Tel Aviv: Surprisingly ahead of the game. Israel has one of the highest vegan rates per capita in the world. Tel Aviv has hundreds of vegan and veg-friendly restaurants. Hummus and falafel are naturally vegan, but the city goes far beyond that.

Portland (Oregon, USA): North America’s vegan stronghold. Tiny food halls, vegan Tex-Mex, vegan doughnuts (Voodoo Doughnut!), weekly vegan street markets. Exceptional by American standards.

Chiang Mai (Thailand): The Asian mecca for vegan backpackers. Many guesthouses cater to plant-based diets, the Saturday and Sunday markets have vegan stalls, and “Jai” (vegan/veggie Thai food) is widespread.

Hamburg, Munich, Vienna: German-speaking cities all have solid vegan infrastructure. Vienna was the first major city to have a vegan fast food chain in its main train station.

How do you find vegan restaurants anywhere?

HappyCow: The most important app for vegan travelers. Over 400,000 restaurants worldwide, filtered by vegan/vegetarian/vegan-friendly, with reviews and photos. The app costs around €4 as a one-time purchase and is absolutely worth it.

Google Maps: “vegan near me” or “vegan restaurants [city name]” works surprisingly well, especially in Western Europe and North America. Filter by “vegan-friendly” under Google Maps options.

Instagram: For cities with small vegan scenes often more current than HappyCow. Hashtag “[city name] vegan” shows active restaurants that might not yet be on HappyCow.

What are language cards and why do I need them?

Language cards explain your dietary needs in the local language. Especially important in countries where English is not widely spoken.

Explaining my vegan diet in Japanese, Vietnamese, Thai: The website VeggieTravel offers free language cards to print or show on your phone. The card explains “I do not eat meat, fish, dairy or eggs” in the local language.

Tip: Save the card as a screenshot on your phone. Works without internet too.

For Japan in particular: Dashi (fish broth) appears in seemingly every dish. Even “vegetarian” restaurants sometimes use it. The language card should specifically mention dashi.

How do I order vegan meals on a plane?

Almost all major airlines offer vegan meals (“VGML” is the official code). But they must be ordered in advance, not at check-in or on the plane.

Booking and confirmation: when booking or at least 48 hours before the flight via the airline website. Enter code: VGML (vegan meal). Some airlines distinguish between VGML (vegan) and VLML (lacto-vegetarian) or AVML (Asian vegetarian).

72 hours before the flight, confirm the order by phone or chat. Special meals rarely go missing but it does happen.

Which countries make vegan travel harder?

Japan: Animal products are hidden in broths, sauces and side dishes. Restaurants often without English, clear labels frequently missing. Solution: language card, vegan restaurants in major cities via HappyCow, Kombini convenience stores (FamilyMart, 7-Eleven) always have fruit, nuts and some onigiri (rice wraps, some vegan).

Argentina: Asado culture, meat is the main event. But Buenos Aires is surprisingly vegan-friendly and vegan empanadas exist. Small towns are harder, supermarkets as fallback.

Mongolia: The most challenging destination for vegans. Nomadic cuisine is based on meat and dairy. Self-catering, carry your own staples, tourist restaurants in Ulaanbaatar.

Plan your vegan travel route with Zercy and keep all your restaurant recommendations in the Zercy Logbook.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Asian country is easiest for vegans?

Thailand leads in Asia for vegan travelers: “Jay” restaurants (Thai for vegan food) are recognizable by a yellow sign, fruit is everywhere and cheap, and the international tourism density in Chiang Mai, Bangkok and Koh Samui means a good vegan offering. Taiwan is also very strong (Buddhist vegan tradition).

What do I do when I am in a country with few vegan options?

Supermarkets and local markets are your best friend. Fruit, vegetables, legumes, bread, nuts: all universally available. Book a cooking class: you learn vegan ingredients in the local cuisine. Use guesthouse kitchens when available. As a last resort: eat vegetarian and add “no egg, no milk.”

How do I explain a vegan diet in countries without the concept?

In some languages there is no direct word for “vegan.” Write it out as “I eat no animal products: no meat, no fish, no seafood, no milk, no eggs, no butter” in the local language. Language cards from VeggieTravel.com help. Or: the phrase “Buddhist food” works as a rough approximation in parts of Asia.

Which supermarket chains have the best vegan options in Europe?

Germany: Rewe, Edeka (“ja! vegan” own brand), dm (vegan own brands). UK: Marks & Spencer, Sainsbury’s “Plant Pioneers,” Tesco “Wicked Kitchen.” Netherlands: Albert Heijn has excellent vegan ready meals. France: Carrefour and Monoprix.

Vegan Travel Guide: The Best Destinations and How It Works Everywhere