Most vegan-friendly cities in the world

For years, “vegan” was tossed around like a trendy buzzword—something you’d hear in wellness circles or see printed on a pricey café menu. But today it has evolved into a full-blown lifestyle, backed by health benefits, environmental perks, and a growing global community. However, while the number of people embracing plant-based living is on the rise, finding truly vegan food while traveling can feel like a full-blown hunt.

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Enter HappyCow. Launched in 1999 as a grassroots platform to help vegans and vegetarians find decent meals on the road, it has grown into the ultimate vegan travel guide. With 25 years of plant-based intel from 210 countries, HappyCow now releases an annual list of the 25 most vegan-friendly cities in the world. The ranking isn’t just about trendy vegan restaurants either. It includes: food trucks, cafés, bakeries, grocery stores, and vegan-friendly B&Bs.
So, let’s look at the cities that should be next on your travel list, especially if you’re a vegan.

London still tops the list. With 154 fully vegan restaurants just in the city centre and over 3,600 vegan-friendly listings across its massive sprawl, the British capital makes plant-based living feel easy.

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Back in the top three, LA is doing what LA does best: making wellness look effortless. With over 2,500 vegan listings and an ever-growing scene of juice bars, avocado everything, and upscale vegan dining, it’s no wonder the City of Angels is a hotspot for plant-based travelers.

Berlin continues to be Europe’s alternative capital—and that includes how it eats. The city offers everything from vegan döner kebabs to upscale plant-based foods.

Despite slipping slightly in the rankings—thanks to a surprising 21-restaurant loss—Amsterdam still holds strong in 4th place. The Dutch capital continues to charm with cozy cafés, canal-side vegan brunches, and a commitment to ethical dining. It's still one of the most reliably plant-based cities on the map, even if it’s no longer rising.

Long known for its quirky, crunchy culture, this Oregon city has woven veganism into its very fabric. From vegan doughnuts to food carts with tofu everything, Portland is proof that weird and wonderful go well with plant-based.

Lisbon has held strong in the top 10 thanks to a growing network of vegan-friendly spots and a warm embrace of modern food culture. It’s the perfect blend of old-world charm and new-world eating.

Barcelona is another Mediterranean city that is turning up the vegan heat. Everything from tapas to churros is getting the plant-based treatment. It’s sunny, stylish, and surprisingly easy to eat meat-free—even in jamón(ham) country.

A new entry into the top 10, Mexico City is making enough noise to be impactful. Long known for its rich, meat-heavy cuisine, the city is now home to an impressive—and fast-growing—vegan scene. Tacos, tortas, tamales… all available sans carne(meat) and full of flavor.

The Big Apple made its return to the top 10. NYC has always had the goods—whether it’s a Michelin-starred vegan tasting menu or a $2 veggie slice at 2 a.m. What’s changed is the density and growth. With hundreds of new listings, plant-based in the city feels less like a trend and more like a lifestyle.

According to HappyCow, Ho Chi Minh City is now the fastest-growing vegan spot in the world, with a 33% rise in fully vegan restaurants and a 41% increase in all vegan-friendly places. It’s the only Asian city in the top 10. Plus, Vietnamese food already suits plant-based diets well.