As a travel journalist who’s been vegetarian for more than 20 years, I’ve spent decades exploring destinations through a lens many guidebooks overlook: how easy—and enjoyable—they are for travelers who don’t eat meat. I’ve eaten my way through busy food markets, family-run restaurants, luxury hotels, and street-food stalls across the globe. While I’ve always found something to eat (sad salad, some fries, or a just granola bar and some cases), some places are far more welcoming to vegetarians than others.
Not every destination earns a spot on my list of the best vegetarian-friendly destinations. The places I recommend are those where veg travelers can confidently wander into restaurants, browse street-food stalls, and explore local cuisine without constantly wondering if there will be anything for them to eat. And to be completely honest, the list is shorter than I would like, though the global dining scene has become a lot more accommodating since I became vegetarian as a teenager.
Here are some of the best vegetarian-friendly destinations where travelers can spend less time studying menus and more time savoring the journey.
India
India is arguably the best country to visit if you’re a vegetarian.
(Harsh Nautiyal via Getty Images)
No country in the world gets vegetarianism quite like India. Since many followers of Hinduism, the country’s dominant religion, abstain from eating meat, you’ll rarely come across a restaurant that doesn’t have at least a few vegetarian options, if not an entire menu devoted to vegetarian dishes. I spent six months living in India, and by the end, there were still so many vegetarian dishes I had yet to try. It’s that abundant.
Indian cuisine varies significantly depending on the region you’re visiting. In North India, you’ll find rich vegetable curries, lentils, and chickpeas swimming in spicy sauces, along with fried street foods and comforting breads, like poori and naan. Lighter (yet no less tasty!) vegetarian food abounds in South India, as well. There, travelers can tuck into perfectly crisp dosas stuffed with turmeric potatoes and idli sambar (spongey rice cakes with spicy onion and lentil soup). The biggest challenge for vegetarian travelers in India is leaving enough room to try everything.
Italy
Cacio e pepe in Rome is one of the many reasons Italy remains one of my favorite destinations for vegetarian travel.
(Joni Sweet)
Like many travelers, I visited Italy for primarily one reason: the food. And it did not disappoint.
In fact, Italy remains one of my favorite destinations as a vegetarian because so many of the country’s most iconic dishes celebrate produce, cheese, olive oil, and simple ingredients rather than meat.
Fresh produce plays a starring role on menus throughout Italy. Ripe, juicy tomatoes top crispy pizzas. Aromatic truffles infuse savory flavor into meat-free risotto. Big, silky basil leaves add a splash of green to caprese salads. Roasted squash and peppers, along with glistening olives, create rainbow-colored antipasti—best washed down with a glass of bold Tuscan wine.
Then there’s Italy’s famous pasta. Bucatini blanketed with grana padano and black pepper, spaghetti tossed with olive oil, garlic, and chili flakes, and humble bowls of gnocchi soaking in tomato sauce prove that some of the country’s most satisfying dishes don’t need meat at all.
Jordan
The variety of mezze in Jordan makes it one of the best countries for vegetarians.
(Joni Sweet)
When I visited Jordan several years ago, I was pleasantly surprised by just how easy it was to eat well as a vegetarian. As long as you enjoy mezze, you’ll have no trouble finding memorable meals throughout the country. Crispy, bronze-hued falafel can be found just about everywhere, often paired with puffy pita, sliced tomato, and fresh mint. And when it comes to hummus, Jordan is a true master. Expect whipped chickpea spreads doused in olive oil, sprinkled with herbs, and brightened with a squeeze of lemon juice.
Hummus is just the beginning of the meat-free mezze you’ll find in this vegetarian-friendly destination. Other highlights include tabouleh (a finely chopped salad packed with parsley and bulgur), fattoush (an herbaceous salad with sumac and crispy pieces of bread), mujadara (a comforting combination of rice, lentils, and caramelized onions), and moutabel (a smoky eggplant and tahini dip). Before long, your table will be covered in colorful small plates, turning every meal into a feast for both the palate and the eyes.
Mexico
Mexico’s growing plant-based dining scene shines at House of AïA, where vegan chilaquiles put a meat-free spin on a beloved breakfast classic.
(Joni Sweet)
I’ve traveled to Mexico more than a dozen times, and each visit reinforces my belief that it’s one of the world’s most underrated destinations for vegetarian travelers. While the country’s cuisine is often associated with tacos al pastor, carnitas, and other meat-centric dishes, I’ve found an incredible variety of vegetarian options everywhere I’ve traveled throughout the country.
Many of Mexico’s most beloved foods are naturally meat-free or easily adapted for vegetarians. Chilaquiles topped with eggs, elote slathered in crema and cheese, hearty bean dishes, tamales filled with vegetables, and tacos stuffed with mushrooms, squash blossoms, potatoes, or cactus all showcase the bold flavors that make Mexican cuisine so memorable—even for those who don’t eat meat.
Vegetarian travelers are increasingly well-served by Mexico’s growing plant-based dining scene, too. During a stay at House of AïA, a wellness-focused vegan resort on the Riviera Maya that completely changed my opinion of all-inclusives, I experienced firsthand how creative and luxurious plant-based cuisine can be in Mexico. I’m still dreaming of the matcha waffles I had for breakfast on the last day of my stay.
But you don’t need to stay at a vegan resort to eat well here. Across the country, rich culinary traditions, abundant produce, and a growing appreciation for plant-based cooking make it surprisingly easy to eat well as a vegetarian visitor to the country.
Iceland
I tried several vegetarian steaks in Reykjavík, including this one made from tempeh and topped with veggies.
(Joni Sweet)
A country known for seafood and lamb might seem like an unlikely choice for vegetarian travelers. But after two trips to Iceland, I’ve found it to be one of the easiest places to eat meat-free.
Little green “V” symbols dot menus throughout the country—a welcome sight after a day of hiking glaciers, exploring volcanoes, or chasing waterfalls. In Reykjavík, vegetarian travelers can choose from a growing number of plant-based restaurants serving everything from vegan tacos and hearty soups to grain bowls and creative takes on Icelandic comfort food.
The good news extends far beyond the capital. Throughout Iceland’s most popular tourist regions, restaurants, cafés, and visitor centers typically offer plenty of vegetarian options. During my travels around the Ring Road, I found meat-free soups, sandwiches, and baked goods surprisingly easy to come by. Even many gas stations and roadside stops stock vegetarian sandwiches and snacks, making Iceland one of the few destinations where a road trip can be remarkably stress-free for vegetarian travelers.
Poland
A bowl of tempeh and veggies at a vegan restaurant in Kraków.
(Joni Sweet)
Poland was one of the biggest surprises I’ve encountered as a vegetarian traveler. During a trip to Kraków, I expected to spend most of my time admiring the city’s medieval architecture and history. Instead, I found myself equally impressed by the food scene.
Of course, there’s no escaping Poland’s famous pierogi (not that I’d want to, though!). While I was already familiar with the classic potato-and-cheese version, I loved sampling pierogi with other fillings, like sauerkraut and mushroom, spinach and cheese, lentils, and even sweet varieties with berries. Beyond the dumplings, Kraków’s bakeries tempted me with an endless array of pastries, breads, and sweet treats.
What surprised me most, however, was the sheer number of vegan restaurants. There were far more than I could possibly visit during my short stay, reflecting a thriving plant-based dining culture that feels far more advanced than many travelers might expect. For vegetarians seeking a European destination with comforting food and plenty of meat-free options, Poland deserves a spot on the list.
Dining and Cooking