Many travellers these days have dietary requirements that can be hard to accommodate when wandering the globe.
From vegan to vegetarian and pescatarian, diets have shifted focus in recent years as we all struggle to be more health-conscious and listen to what our bodies are telling us.
Here are seven cities around the world where a great vegetarian meal is always on the menu:
London:
Forget what you think about British fare – it’s not just chip buttys, butter chicken and fish pies. London is home to some of the best restaurants on the planet – whether you are looking for Michelin-starred cuisine from a Celebrity Chef, or takeaway food from the paper bag.
The local markets such as Borough Market are a treasure trove of vegetarian goodies and food from around the world; don’t go past Mallow Borough Market – an eco-friendly bohemian eatery serving plant-based global dishes made from locally sourced ingredients.
Seoul:
Many travellers assume that South Korea is a meat and fish-centric destination that vegetarians are nervous to visit. However, since ancient times Koreans have been extremely versatile at using non-meat ingredients such as grains, greens, herbs, roots, spices, berries, mushrooms and seaweed.
The country also boasts a long tradition of Buddhist temple food, which is vegan and eschews the five pungent vegetables of garlic, scallions, leeks, onions and chives. Perhaps head to the Vegan Kitchen in Jung District and delve into the likes of signature dishes like griddled soft tofu with rice.
New York City:
The Big Apple has the best of the best of everything…so why not vegetarian? Whether you want fine dining or a casual dinner, there’s something tasty for every vegetarian or vegan. In fact, the city that never sleeps is home to the only three Michelin-starred vegan restaurant in the world – Eleven Madison Park.
It doesn’t come cheap - $US 365 per person for the tasting menu – however, it has been met with praise from vegetarians, vegans and meat-eaters alike with David and Victoria Beckham recently raving about their visit to the eatery on Instagram.
Bangkok:
Bangkok has more of a reputation as a destination for sinful nightlife and lots of backpackers, however its historic sites and vibrant culture make it a fascinating place to visit. There is also a vibrant and diverse vegetarian scene with many dedicated vegetarian and vegan-friendly restaurants.
Some of the top-rated and well-known regard options include Rain Tree Café – known for its delicious and unique dishes – and Khum Hom, which features Thai vegetarian cuisine in a unique and beautiful setting.
Prague:
With Bohemian charm and a rich cultural landscape, Prague is more famous for its beer than its food. If you visited a decade ago as a vegetarian, you might have had a few funny looks in local restaurants. However, these days Prague has a new generation of Chefs embracing the world of vegetarian fare that will surprise and delight.
One of the top picks is Strecha, located in the New Town area. This place is not just vegetarian, it is also 100% vegan, featuring versions of traditional Czech dishes such as Budvar goulash, ‘no duck’ or dumplings on red cabbage, along with syr smazeny (fried cheese).
Jaipur:
This colourful and captivating Indian city is well-known for its chaotic streets, historical and modern influences. You will also find a wide selection of delicious places to eat as India is generally a super vegetarian-friendly destination – you certainly won’t go hungry!
Located in a serene and tranquil environment, Govindam Retreat is where to head for the best vegetarian fare in town – think dishes like the famous Rajasthani delicacy dal bati churma, which are wheat rolls, lentils and powdered sweetened cereal. Pizza lovers won’t g past paneer tikka with a perfect fusion os smoky paneer tikka and cheesy goodness.
Vancouver:
More than 45% of Vancouver residents are actually foreign which makes this an incredibly cosmopolitan city with remarkable restaurants such as Asian, African, European and South American offering ample vegetarian choices.
The Acorn Restaurant is considered Vancouver’s premier plant-based dining destination, Michelin recommended and award-winning. Offering a unique and innovational experience celebrating the art of vegetarian and vegan cuisine – maybe sample the vegan puttanesca with foraged sea asparagus, seaside arrowgrass and sea plantain with leek ash orecchiette pasta.
