This Was The Best Vegan Restaurant In The World In 2025, According To HappyCow

From plantbasednews.org

HappyCow ranked 81 vegan restaurants around the world based on millions of glowing user reviews 

                                                   What was the best vegan restaurant of 2025 for you? - Media Credit: HappyCow

HappyCow has named the best vegan restaurant in the world for 2025.

The plant-based app announced that Asante, a cafe in Barcelona, Spain, has taken the top spot on its first annual Top Global Vegan Restaurants List.

The ranking system is based on millions of HappyCow reviews and analysed overall rating as well as the quality, quantity, and recency of feedback before naming Asante as the number one vegan restaurant in the world for 2025.

Asanta is a fully vegan eatery located in Barcelona’s Sants-Montjuïc district. It serves a range of classic dishes, including: an olive, truffle, shiitake, and mozzarella focaccia; a mozzarella, tomato, olive, and roasted red pepper focaccia; shakshouka,  a tomato-poached egg dish from the Greater Maghreb; and “classic” eggs Benedict.

The vegan cafe also serves sweet treats such as brownies, brioche, cinnamon rolls, and cheesecakes, along with coffee, tea, smoothies, and other drinks.

Plant-based eggs and ‘vegan hotspots’

HappyCow / Asante                                           Customers complimented all of Asante’s dishes, but the vegan eggs, in particular, stood out

The majority of the top reviews on HappyCow highlight the eggs, in particular, as the standout option at Asante, with some calling them “insanely realistic” and “incredible,” though several also praise the “fantastic” cheesecakes, focaccia, and cinnamon rolls.

HappyCow’s full ranking includes a total of 81 restaurants. The company noted that the results show a “decentralisation of vegan excellence,” where people can increasingly find top-rated eateries outside of major cities, such as London, England.

For example, two different Welsh restaurants appeared in the top 10 for 2025: Penrhyndeudraeth’s The Eating Gorilla and Cwmbran’s The Queen Inn. Furthermore, Happy Cow also named Vegan Beat as the most popular overall thanks to rave reviews, and its home of Athens, Greece, as a notable “vegan hotspot” due to the high density of well-rated restaurants. Kyoto, Japan, was also listed as a notable hotspot.

‘Our community plays an essential role’

HappyCow was founded in 1999 as a pre-smartphone directory of vegan and vegetarian-friendly restaurants. For decades, the web platform (now an app) has been a go-to for people looking for food while visiting new cities and traveling.

In October, longtime vegan, HappyCow user, and business consultant Claudia Torres acquired the company and became CEO. According to HappyCow, the new restaurant ranking marks the first major initiative under her leadership. “Authentic reviews are crucial as they provide genuine insights,” said Torres.

“Our thoughtful approach to ranking not only ensures that emerging favourite spots receive the recognition they deserve but also that well-loved establishments continue to shine for their consistent quality,” she added. “Our community plays an essential role in this process. Every review they share not only helps fantastic restaurants stand out, but also contributes to the growth of the vegan community worldwide.”

HappyCow is also reportedly undergoing a full tech rebuild behind the scenes, which will modernise the platform’s design, improve search, and expand beyond food.

https://plantbasednews.org/lifestyle/food/best-vegan-restaurant-in-the-world/

HappyCow’s 2025 List Names Asante as the World’s Best Vegan Restaurant

From vegconomist.com

© Juan LaTorre | ASANTE, Barcelona

Barcelona’s Asante has been named the world’s top vegan restaurant in HappyCow’s 2025 Global Vegan Restaurant rankings. The list, which evaluates 81 vegan restaurants worldwide, is based on a detailed analysis of millions of user reviews. Asante, which holds the highest reliability score in the rankings, topped the list for its consistency and quality across a wide volume of feedback. 

Decentralization in vegan dining

The rankings reflect a broader trend of decentralization in the global vegan dining scene, with top-rated establishments appearing increasingly outside major cities. This shift is evident in cities such as Cardiff and Bristol in the UK, and Kyoto in Japan, where high-quality vegan restaurants are thriving in smaller communities. Athens, Greece, also emerged as a key player, hosting the highest concentration of top-rated vegan restaurants, further underscoring its growing reputation as a vegan hotspot.

Claudia Torres, the new owner of HappyCow, noted the importance of authentic user reviews in maintaining the platform’s credibility. “Authentic reviews are crucial as they provide genuine insights and confirm that vegan options are truly available. Our community plays an essential role in ensuring that these venues continue to meet high standards,” Torres stated.

© Vegan Beat

The 2025 rankings were determined using a unique algorithm that takes into account the volume and consistency of reviews, as well as their recency. This method helps ensure that the list highlights not just newly popular spots but also those with long-term, reliable quality.

Athens rises as a vegan capital

The emergence of vegan dining hotspots in cities like Athens, which houses the most-reviewed restaurant on the list—Vegan Beat—indicates the growing global influence of plant-based cuisine. Vegan Beat, with over 1,000 reviews, exemplifies the city’s vibrant vegan scene. In total, Athens placed three restaurants in the top 81, solidifying its status as a centre of vegan excellence.

In terms of regional representation, the United States leads the list with 19 restaurants, followed by the UK with 11. However, a notable trend in the UK is the dominance of small towns like Cwmbran, Shrewsbury, and Wakefield, where high-quality vegan eateries are making an impact.

© Saido

Restaurants in the list span a range of dining styles, from high-end Japanese vegan cuisine at Saido in Tokyo to casual street food at places like Hoi Banh My Chay in Vietnam. This diversity reflects the broadening appeal of vegan food, which is no longer confined to fine dining but increasingly seen in casual and fast-casual formats as well.

Expanding beyond restaurant listings

This year’s rankings are the first major announcement since HappyCow was acquired by Claudia Torres a few months ago. Under her leadership, the platform is undergoing a technological overhaul, with plans to expand its offerings beyond restaurant listings to include eco-hotels, organic stores, and other plant-based lifestyle resources.

The 2025 list also reveals the continuing global spread of vegan cuisine, with high-ranking venues in diverse countries, including Vietnam, Mexico, and Portugal. The growing prominence of vegan dining in unexpected locations suggests that the vegan movement is becoming more deeply integrated into the global culinary landscape.

https://vegconomist.com/gastronomy-food-service/food-service/happycows-2025-list-names-asante-worlds-best-vegan-restaurant/