Showing posts with label Vienna. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Vienna. Show all posts

Tuesday, March 3, 2026

These Are The Best Vegan Cities In The UK

From plantbasednews.org

A study has ranked the top vegan-friendly cities in the UK based on the number of searchers, restaurants, and positive reviews 

A new market research study has ranked the best vegan cities in the UK.

SIXT, a mobility service provider, reviewed data on tourist search volume for vegan options and the number of vegetarian restaurants, the number with five-star reviews, and other criteria to determine which UK city is the best place for vegans.

According to SIXT, the top 20 vegan cities are London, Bristol, Edinburgh, Manchester, Bradford, Salford, Birmingham, Brighton, Wolverhampton, Newcastle upon Tyne, Sheffield, Glasgow, Coventry, Leeds, Liverpool, Nottingham, Cambridge, Wakefield, Cardiff, and Sunderland. While London topped the list, SIXT noted that the UK’s vegan food scene is “flourishing far beyond the capital.”

Bristol was officially the best spot for vegans outside of London, with at least 50 restaurants scoring 4.5 stars or higher on Google. Edinburgh was found to be the best Scottish city for vegans, while Manchester was named the best northern city. SIXT also praised Salford, Cambridge, and Wakefield, all of which have a good ratio of vegan restaurants to residents and plenty of positive restaurant reviews.

“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,” wrote SIXT. “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.”

The best vegan cities in the world

SIXT also looked at the best vegan cities in the world. London once again topped the list, followed by New York City in the US, Berlin in Germany, Singapore in Singapore, Vienna in Austria, Amsterdam in the Netherlands, Paris in France, Seoul in South Korea, Zurich in Switzerland, and Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam.

Barcelona, Spain, took 11th place, and is the home of Asanta, a cafe that Happy Cow crowned the single best vegan restaurant in the world for 2025.

Asanta is a fully vegan eatery located in the Sants-Montjuïc district. Its menu includes a range of classic dishes, such as 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 the cafe’s “classic” eggs Benedict.

https://plantbasednews.org/lifestyle/travel/these-are-the-best-vegan-cities/

Friday, May 16, 2025

These are the most vegan-friendly cities in the world

From cntraveller.in

London holds steady, Amsterdam slips, and Ho Chi Minh City rockets up the rankings in HappyCow’s latest list of vegan-friendly cities

Something about cardboard burgers or undressed salads, and you have yourself a perfectly serviceable vegan joke. But for plant-based eaters, travelling truly does come in tow with all those things, turning what was supposed to be a stress-free vacation into a tedious hunt for something (anything) to eat. In 1999, HappyCow began as a public service platform to assist vegans and vegetarians in finding real food on the road and now, with 25 years and 210 countries' worth of plant-based intel under its belt, it just released its annual list of the 25 most vegan-friendly cities.

The ranking goes beyond restaurants to include food trucks, cafés, bakeries, grocery shops, and B&Bs. Each city is evaluated for the number of these vegan establishments, their density per capita, the growth of listings since last year. These numbers go hand in hand with a qualitative assessment to consider how easy it is to eat vegan and how well it is understood locally. At a quick glance, though it is clear that the vegan restaurant count has dipped in some places, the broader picture shows a sharp uptick in cities offering vegan options that are far from the sad plate of lettuce that typically comes to mind.

London remains at the top of the list, smug as ever, with 154 fully vegan restaurants in the city centre alone, not to mention 3,620 total vegan-friendly listings across its sprawl. That’s more than enough to support an entire lifestyle of alt cheese and cashew aioli, plus a few vegan B&Bs for good measure. Veganism here is no longer subculture, it’s just lunch.

Further down in the top 10s, Lisbon, Barcelona, and Portland continue to hold their ground, even as some former favourites (Paris and Amsterdam among them) slid down the ranks. Amsterdam lost 21 vegan restaurants but remains in the conversation at 4th place unlike Paris which dropped out of the top 10 entirely. On the rise: Los Angeles clawed its way back into the top 3, shoring up its wellness-world credibility with 2515 vegan venues, while New York City and Mexico City broke into the top 10 this year, the latter for the first time ever.

Ho Chi Minh City, most notably, has arrived. The Vietnamese city made its first-ever appearance, landing in the top ten with the kind of numbers that suggest this isn’t a fluke: a 33% increase in fully vegan restaurants, and a 41% rise in vegan businesses overall. This makes it the fastest-growing vegan city of the moment, and the only Asian city to crack the top 10. However, others are not too far behind: Tokyo came in at 12, Bangkok at 14, Taipei at 18, and Singapore at 19, each with steadily growing options, even if the shift toward dedicated vegan venues is more incremental.

The most vegan-friendly cities, based on HappyCow’s data.

  1. London, UK
  2. Berlin, Germany
  3. Los Angeles, USA
  4. Portland, USA
  5. Lisbon, Portugal
  6. Barcelona, Spain
  7. Amsterdam, The Netherlands
  8. Mexico City, Mexico
  9. New York City, USA
  10. Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
  11. Warsaw, Poland
  12. Tokyo, Japan
  13. Porto, Portugal
  14. Bangkok, Thailand
  15. Prague, Czech Republic
  16. Paris, France
  17. San Francisco, USA
  18. Taipei, Taiwan
  19. Singapore, Singapore
  20. Copenhagen, Denmark
  21. Hamburg, Germany
  22. Madrid, Spain
  23. Vienna, Austria
  24. Sao Paulo, Brazil
  25. Munich, Germany

Thursday, November 21, 2024

The ultimate vegan guide to Vienna: The best places to find vegan food in the Austrian capital

From veganfoodandliving.com

Discover the vibrant vegan side of Austria’s capital city with our ultimate vegan guide to Vienna and find the best plant-based dining experiences, vegan-friendly hotel stays, and must-try vegan twists on iconic Viennese street food


Austrian cuisine stands as a testament to its position at the crossroads of Europe, weaving together diverse culinary traditions from neighbouring regions and historical connections. 

The Austro-Hungarian Empire brought Hungarian influences like goulash and paprika-spiced dishes, while Italian impacts are evident in Austria’s coffee culture and pasta dishes.

German traditions contributed significantly to Austria’s bread, sausage, and beer culture. Slavic influences appear in dishes like knödel and strudel, while Jewish and French communities shaped the local pastry tradition with treats like kipferl. 

Turkish and Middle Eastern influences, stemming from Ottoman interactions, introduced baklava and influenced Vienna’s renowned coffee culture, like Italy. 

With such a diverse underbelly to begin with, it’s no wonder Vienna has emerged as one of Europe’s most vegan-friendly destinations. As of November 2024, the city boasts 36 dedicated vegan restaurants, alongside hundreds of establishments offering plant-based options.

From traditional Austrian cuisine reimagined for vegans to innovative international flavours, Vienna’s iconic Schnitzel is no longer a meal vegans need to pass on. The vegan scene caters to every palate and preference, and believe me, it’s not just sausages. 

Vegan restaurants in Vienna

Fine dining

Nestled in Vienna’s textile district, Jola opened its doors in March 2022, bringing a fresh approach to casual fine dining.

The restaurant exclusively offers a carte blanche menu, with their signature “Dinner – An Evening Full of Food” presenting an elaborate ten-course journey through contemporary vegan cuisine. 

Casual dining

Gaia Kitchen stands out for its innovative all-vegan Levantine fusion cuisine, creating plant-based versions of Middle Eastern classics. Their menu spans from savoury vegan kebabs and falafel to warming shakshuka, complemented by a thoughtful children’s menu and decadent vegan desserts

Vevi brings the vibrant flavours of Vietnam to Vienna’s vegan scene, offering an extensive selection of noodle and rice dishes. Their diverse menu features various traditional rolls, and they’ve thoughtfully included vegan nuggets for younger diners. 

Located in Vienna’s 8th district, Tisch opened in February 2022, focusing on organic ingredients and traditional Austrian plates, but vegan. The restaurant creates an intimate dining atmosphere and is known for its authentic Viennese flavours. 

Imagine breakfast at grandma’s house, if your grandmother was a hip Viennese baker with a flair for vegan cuisine. At Vollpension, real Austrian grandmothers transform a charming brick-lined café into a homey haven, where vintage furnishings set the scene for their legendary cakes and plant-based breakfast spreads. Fair warning: this local gem fills up faster than grandma’s cookie jar.

                                Enjoy a taste of traditional Viennese cuisine vegan-style at Vollpension. Photo © Lana Katsorus

Craving a plant-based twist on Vienna’s classic schnitzel? Landia‘s vintage-styled dining room serves up homestyle Austrian comfort food that would make your Oma proud,  if she cooked vegetarian. Their vegan schnitzel and cordon bleu cooking steal the show, proving that traditional Viennese cuisine doesn’t need meat to shine. It’s no frills, just honest-to-goodness flavour.

Velani proves Austrian comfort food can be just as hearty without the meat. This cosy spot serves up generous portions of plant-based takes on Vienna’s greatest hits – from crispy schnitzels to soul-warming cheese dumpling soup. The warm welcome from the staff matches the home-style cooking, making this spot feel homey.

Follow the dinosaur symbols on the Propeller menu to discover their vegan offerings. This charming café turns the ordinary into something a little more special. Their sunflower seed hummus might just make you forget about chickpeas altogether. Every bite of their vegan toast tells a different, unexpected flavour story.

Tucked away in Vienna’s maze of cafés, Die Erbsenzählerei feels like stumbling into a friend’s kitchen who happens to be a whiz at organic, plant-based cooking. Place your order at the counter where genuinely friendly staff serve up fresh, wholesome dishes that prove healthy eating can be deliciously uncomplicated. 

Cafes & coffee shops

Part thoughtfully curated boutique, part vegan café haven, OTOTO Store & Coffee masters the art of conscious consumption in every sense.

While browsing independent brands with purpose, pause for exceptional coffee paired with their tempting array of plant-based treats – both sweet and savoury. It’s retail therapy and café culture, beautifully reimagined.

In the heart of Vienna’s evolving culinary scene, Das Vivet stands out for its refined approach to contemporary dining. The elegantly designed space sets the perfect stage for their exceptional breakfast and brunch offerings.

Their thoughtfully crafted menu features clearly marked vegan options that rival their traditional counterparts. Early reservations are recommended.

Apato pairs artisanal coffee with carefully selected ceramics and jewellery in an intimate, zen-like space, creating a unique stop where a perfect fusion of café and gallery culture collide.

Looking for a place to get a vegan brunch in Vienna? Elegantly designed Das Vivet is the place to go for great coffee and light bites. Photo © Lana Katsorus

Quick service & takeaway

Maran Vegan Bistro operates as a convenient takeaway counter within an epic fully vegan supermarket. Their commitment to organic ingredients makes it a reliable stop for health-conscious diners seeking quick, nurturing meals. 

Tucked away in plain sight on Vienna’s high street, Motto Brot quietly serves up an impressive selection of vegan baked goods. From perfectly crafted croissant sandwiches to delicate sweet treats. This wonderfully uncomplicated bread shop is perfect for takeaway. 

Superfood Deli has established itself at two prominent locations – Maria Theresien and Mariahilfer. The deli emphasizes organic ingredients across their menu, featuring contemporary favorites like açaí bowls, smoothie bowls, and avocado toast. Their rotating selection of warm dishes ensures regular customers always find something new to try.

Lin’s Veggie Dumplin’ specialises in Asian comfort food, crafting delicate dumplings alongside steamed baos and satisfying rice bowls. This pet-friendly establishment operates on a split schedule, serving lunch and dinner Tuesday through Saturday with extended evening hours on weekends.

Don’t get fooled at Wiener Döner as you watch in awe as seitan spins on the traditional rotisserie. That’s not a lamb leg, that’s their plant-based option, which is delicious. 

In a bright, airy space, Tolstoy crafts an entirely vegan menu that makes plant-based dining effortlessly appealing. Whether you’re grabbing a quick sandwich, settling in with a warm bowl, or taking home one of their pizzas, comfort food gets a fresh spin.

Specialty & health-focused

Pepper & Ginny elevates the vegan delicatessen experience, showcasing fine products from around the world. Their carefully curated selection includes artisanal vegan cheeses, truffle caviar, and innovative carrot lox.

Visitors can enjoy prepared specialties like blini topped with truffle caviar or their signature faux gras with truffle. The shop’s collection of Austrian wines and French champagnes perfectly complements their gourmet offerings.

Since May 2020, Bröselei has been serving creative world cuisine with a steadfast commitment to organic, gluten-free ingredients. Beyond their daily lunch service, they host special gourmet evenings and cooking classes.

Their dessert selection, featuring both raw and baked options, has become a destination in itself for Vienna’s vegan community.

Sattva Vegan brings Ayurvedic principles to contemporary plant-based dining. Their daily changing lunch menus thoughtfully balance proteins, vegetables, and carbohydrates, with 99% organic and seasonal ingredients. The restaurant provides a peaceful weekday lunch destination, operating Monday through Friday.

        Pepper & Ginny deli boasts a delightful array of vegan products from around the world. Photo © Lana Katsorus

Vegan-friendly hotels in Vienna

Hotel Gilbert‘s award-winning restaurant, helmed by Gault Millau’s “Newcomer of the Year” Parvin Razavi, champions plant-based dining with three coveted toques. The restaurant’s “From Root to Leaf” philosophy emphasises organic, regional ingredients.

Hotel Altstadt Wien serves what many consider Vienna’s finest hotel breakfast, featuring a carefully curated selection of local organic delights. Their spread ensures vegan guests experience exceptional quality with options from Öfferl’s artisanal bread to Verival’s specialty muesli.

Babula Hotel in the 2nd district offers standout vegan breakfast options including blueberry peanut butter porridge with caramelised bananas and innovative breakfast tacos filled with red beet hummus, avocado, and roasted tofu.

Boutique Hotel Stadthalle offers an extensive breakfast buffet with numerous vegan options in their open-air courtyard. Their zero-waste initiative welcomes both hotel guests and visitors.

The Hotel Bristol Vienna‘s Art Déco-styled Bristol Lounge integrates vegan dishes throughout their menu, from breakfast through dinner, combining international cuisine with traditional Austrian dishes.

Vegan würstelstands: Plant-based takes on a Viennese tradition

Vienna’s iconic sausage stands (Würstelstands) have embraced the plant-based movement, offering creative vegan interpretations of classic Austrian street food. Leading this revolution is Eh Wurst in Neustiftgasse, Vienna’s first completely vegan sausage bar, serving plant-based versions of traditional favourites like Bosna, bratwurst, hot dogs, currywurst, and liver cheese.

The Wiener Würstelstand at Pfeilgasse offers vegan Bosna made from oyster mushrooms, with a second location near Spittelau. In the 7th district, Hermanns Würstelstand on Siebensterngasse offers vegan bratwursts, while nearby Pantry at Urban Loritz Platz and A class Hasse on Lerchenfelder Str. add to the district’s vegan options.

Alles Wurscht at Börseplatz serves vegan Bosna and vegetable “Gustl” liver cheese, while ExtraWürstel on Taborstraße features a vegan Kimchidog. Salettl on campus (Alser Straße) offers vegan currywurst, and Pippo’s Kitchen at BOKU provides vegan sausage options for students.

The Prater’s K&K City Imbiss serves vegan corndogs, while sausage stand Leo at Döblinger Gürtel features Beyond sausage hot dogs. Rounding out the scene, Eh scho wuascht near the central cemetery on Simmeringer Hauptstraße serves seitan-based sausages.

This guide merely scratches the surface of Vienna’s flourishing vegan landscape. From street food to fine dining, casual cafés to luxury hotels, the city has masterfully adapted its renowned culinary heritage for plant-based dining.

Whether you’re craving a traditional Würstelstand experience or seeking Michelin-worthy gastronomy, Vienna proves that embracing vegan cuisine doesn’t mean sacrificing authentic local flavours when you travel.

https://www.veganfoodandliving.com/vegan-lifestyle/vegan-guide-to-vienna/