Posted on Monday, 13 January 2020

Seeking a meat-free haven for your next city break? Check out these five vegan-friendly cities, where you can sample some of the most exciting and delicious meat-free food in Europe.

Amsterdam, Netherlands

They may be famed for their Edam, Maasdam and Gouda, but the Dutch have embraced veganism with gusto - or at least they have in Amsterdam. If you like your potatoes baked, head to Jacketz, where you can have all manner of vegan toppings on your tattie; the beetroot salad is one of their most popular. And the Dutch capital hasn't let the avocado revolution pass it by: if you love this fatty green-fleshed wonder, make a bee-line for The Avocado Show, where they've created a dazzling array of beautiful and very tasty dishes.

Turin, Italy

Not least because it now has a pro-veggie mayor, Turin has seen an explosion of vegan restaurants in recent years. And while meat and dairy are key ingredients in traditional Torino cuisine, many of these dishes have been 'veganised', creating some exciting options for the travelling vegan. Opening its doors way back in 1994, Mezzaluna is one of the city's best-known vegan eateries, where every meal is organic as well as vegan. Gørilla offers bites for vegans on-the-go, with tapas-like options such as bruschetta, spicy potatoes and falafel. Yum!

Berlin, Germany

There are few countries that enjoy meat more than Germany, but there's a thriving vegan movement here too - particularly in the edgy capital, Berlin. The many cafes and restaurants of Schivelbeiner Straße serve up vegan and veggie delights, while local clothes shops offer leather- and suede-free garments. Berlin is also home to a branch of Veganz, the first vegan supermarket chain in Europe. For a unique veggie burger, try Réger Burger: their No Girlfriend Burger is a black bean patty with crunchy nachos and creamy vegan cheese. The only slight issue with Réger Burger is that it's mobile; you'll have to hunt your food down first!

Prague, Czech Republic

While the Czech Republic is another meat-loving nation, vegans will find a huge array of meat-free dining options in the capital, Prague. Complimenting this vegan revolution are a host of ethical clothes shops, eco-festivals and vegetarian cafes. For all-day dining, stick a pin in Moment Vegan Bistro and Cafe: the seiten bagel and tofu scramble come highly recommended. Fancy a veganised version of traditional Czech cuisine? Try the Svíčková, a saucy meaty dish with Czech dumplings, but without the meat. For the vegan who likes to "be seen", consider the high-end Pastva, famed for their meat-free foie gras.

Hamburg, Germany

Taking the ham out of hamburg: At one recent count there were 149 vegetarian and vegan restaurants in Hamburg, making the old port city one of the best places in Germany to eat meat- and dairy-free food. One of the most famous vegan dining favourites is Vincent Vegan - which is actually a food truck. Easier to find is Happenpappen, a bricks-and-mortar vegan establishment that has opened its own cookery school!

Get a Quote