Travel - Plant Based News https://plantbasednews.org/category/lifestyle/travel/ Changing the conversation Fri, 02 May 2025 13:47:48 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.5.4 https://plantbasednews.org/app/uploads/2020/10/cropped-pbnlogo-150x150.png Travel - Plant Based News https://plantbasednews.org/category/lifestyle/travel/ 32 32 NYC Crowned Best US City For Vegans In 2025 https://plantbasednews.org/lifestyle/travel/nyc-crowned-best-city-for-vegans/ https://plantbasednews.org/lifestyle/travel/nyc-crowned-best-city-for-vegans/#respond Mon, 05 May 2025 14:00:00 +0000 https://plantbasednews.org/?p=354704 New York City has nearly 2.5 thousand vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free restaurants

This article was written by Liam Pritchett on the PBN Website.

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New research has ranked the top 10 US cities for vegans and vegetarians in 2025 based on the total number of meat-free restaurants.

New York City (NYC) took the top spot with at least 2,420 vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free restaurants, which works out to just over 30 per 100,000 people. NYC notably had around 1,500 more vegan-friendly restaurants than Chicago’s 926 and Los Angeles’s 885.

The rest of the top ten were San Francisco, Las Vegas, Houston, San Diego, Seattle, Washington, and Boston, which had between 500 and 815 vegan-friendly restaurants each.

The research was carried out by Betway, a British gambling company, and primarily cross-referenced information from sites like Tripadvisor and World Population Review. The vegan data was analyzed as part of a wider search to find the “coolest” North American city.

Read more: Over 50 NYC Bodegas Add Plant-Based Eggs To Breakfast Sandwiches

New York City’s abundant vegan options

Photo shows someone's hand as they hold up a vegan gyro in front of a pink sign for Vegan On The Fly
Vegan On The Fly Vegan On The Fly is one of the many vegan New York eateries catering to meat-free diners

As noted by Betway, NYC is home to a huge number of popular vegan restaurants, including local favorites like Vegan On The Fly, Ras Plant Based, Spring Cafe, Planta Queen, Orchard Grocer, Cadence, the Michelin-starred Eleven Madison Park, and many more.

Research from 2022 found that around 70 percent of the wider US population consumes plant-based foods, in addition to the roughly six percent who follow strict vegan diets. According to a Google data-based map by Newsweek, people from New York search for vegan-related terms more than all other US states, apart from Hawaii and Oregon.

Last year, Happy Cow included NYC on its list of the top 10 most vegan-friendly cities in the world, while WalletHub’s most recent analysis of the top US cities for vegans and vegetarians placed NYC at number 11. In addition to the number of vegan-friendly eateries, WalletHub also analyzed factors such as affordability in restaurants and at grocery stores.

“While vegetarians and vegans are still a relatively small share of the population, businesses are recognizing their impact on their market,” said WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo at the time.

Read more: ‘I Dined At The World’s Only Michelin 3-Star Vegan Restaurant – Here’s What It Was Like’

This article was written by Liam Pritchett on the PBN Website.

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2 Weeks of Vegan Eats In Los Angeles and Las Vegas https://plantbasednews.org/lifestyle/travel/vegan-eats-los-angeles-las-vegas/ https://plantbasednews.org/lifestyle/travel/vegan-eats-los-angeles-las-vegas/#respond Thu, 01 May 2025 21:00:00 +0000 https://plantbasednews.org/?p=354299 YouTuber Liv B recently shared some of her top vegan-friendly eateries in LA and Las Vegas

This article was written by Editorial Team on the PBN Website.

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Olivia Biermann, known for running the Liv B YouTube channel, recently shared a video showcasing her family’s two weeks of vegan food and fun in Los Angeles and Las Vegas.

The video captures a mix of plant-based meals, exciting food spots, and lively activities, offering plenty of inspiration for vegan travelers or anyone local to the area. Throughout the vlog, Biermann documents everything from casual poolside meals to visits to iconic restaurants, showing how accessible vegan food can be on the road.

Biermann is a Canadian content creator known for her easy-to-follow vegan recipes, lifestyle tips, and travel adventures. Her YouTube channel has attracted a wide audience for its approachable take on plant-based living, showing that cooking and eating vegan can be simple, affordable, and fun. In her latest travel vlog, Biermann blends her signature relatable style with a behind-the-scenes look at family time, outdoor adventures, and, of course, lots of vegan eats across California and Nevada.

Vegan pizza night at Paisano’s, Hermosa Beach

A vegan pizza from Paisanos, Hermosa Beach, in a still from a vegan guide to LA and Las Vegas video
YouTube/Liv B Liv B praised the dairy-free cheese at Paisanos

A cozy night in Hermosa Beach was made even better with vegan pizza from a local spot called Paisanos. After a long beach day and sunset walk, Biermann and her family ordered pizzas with dairy-free cheese options.

Read more: Vegan Tokyo Guide: Where To Eat Plant-Based In Japan This Year

Vegan tacos at TacoLicious, Manhattan Beach

Another standout dining experience came from TacoLicious in Manhattan Beach, where Biermann sampled vegan taco options. What surprised her most, however, was the accompanying salsa. She notes: “It was the best salsa I’ve ever had in my life – it had mint in it which was so random.”

Upscale vegan dining at Crossroads Kitchen, Las Vegas

Once arriving in Las Vegas, Biermann and her family celebrated with a dinner at Crossroads Kitchen, a high-end restaurant which offers plant-based dishes.

Fine dining restaurants like Crossroads often highlight whole foods and creative plant-based spins on traditional comfort dishes, helping to show that vegan meals can be gourmet without animal products.

Read more: ‘I Dined At The World’s Only Michelin 3-Star Vegan Restaurant – Here’s What It Was Like’

Breakfast at Urth Caffé, Las Vegas

Another Las Vegas highlight was a trip to Urth Caffé, where Biermann tried the famous pistachio latte. She describes it as “the best pistachio latte in the world.”

Urth Caffé focuses on organic, health-conscious offerings, making it popular with travelers wanting wholesome, plant-based meals that are both energizing and indulgent.

You can find more plant-based travel videos on the Liv B YouTube channel.

Read more: ‘I Spent 7 Days On A Vegan Cruise – Here’s What It Was Like’

This article was written by Editorial Team on the PBN Website.

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Vegan Tokyo Guide: Where To Eat Plant-Based In Japan This Year https://plantbasednews.org/lifestyle/travel/vegan-tokyo-guide/ https://plantbasednews.org/lifestyle/travel/vegan-tokyo-guide/#respond Mon, 28 Apr 2025 10:59:00 +0000 https://plantbasednews.org/?p=354114 If you're planning a trip to Japan and need some vegan restaurant tips, you've come to the right place

This article was written by Editorial Team on the PBN Website.

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Shizuka Anderson, a Canadian-Japanese actor and host of the popular YouTube channel Japan by Food, recently released a video titled Where to Eat as a Vegan in Tokyo? Best Vegan Options for Traveling to Japan in 2024!. In this guide, she explores Tokyo’s vibrant plant-based dining scene, showcasing innovative eateries that cater to vegans and the health-conscious alike. Whether you’re a dedicated vegan or just curious about Japan’s evolving food culture, her vegan guide to Tokyo offers a delicious roadmap through Tokyo’s culinary landscape.

Born in Edmonton, Canada, Anderson moved to Tokyo at 18 to study at Sophia University and pursue a career in entertainment. Anderson has appeared in Japanese TV shows like Piponza ABC! and The Benza, and has hosted programs on NHK World, including J-Flicks and Journeys in Japan. In 2020, she was a finalist in the Miss World Japan pageant, earning the “Japan Traditional Culture” award. Fluent in English, Japanese, and French, she continues to explore and share Japan‘s culinary culture through her work on Japan by Food.

In her recent video, Anderson embarks on a flavorful journey through Tokyo, highlighting some of the city’s most innovative vegan eateries. One notable stop is Izakaya Masaka in Shibuya, where traditional Japanese pub fare receives a plant-based makeover.

Read more: ‘I Spent 7 Days On A Vegan Cruise – Here’s What It Was Like’

Izakaya Masaka (Shibuya): a vegan twist on Japanese pub fare

Located in the basement of Shibuya PARCO, Izakaya Masaka offers a fully vegan take on the traditional Japanese izakaya experience. The menu features plant-based versions of classic dishes like karaage (fried “chicken”) and mapo tofu, all served in a cozy, authentic setting. Anderson notes, “If you want a great Japanese food that’s vegan, you got to come here.” The karaage, made from soy protein, is praised for its juicy texture and convincing flavor. Pair your meal with a certified vegan Fuji Beer for a complete experience.

2foods (Shibuya & Ginza): healthy junk food reimagined

2foods is a vibrant café chain with locations in Shibuya and Ginza, known for its “healthy junk food” concept. The menu includes innovative plant-based dishes like spicy burgers, omurice with demi-glace sauce, and a variety of colorful donuts. Anderson is impressed by the creativity, stating: “The sauce is so good… a slightly sweeter version of the classic beefy demi-glace.” Notably, their vegan “egg” is crafted from white kidney beans and carrots, offering a unique twist on traditional flavors.

Savor the taste of innovation with 2foods’ signature vegan burger—where health meets indulgence.

Natural Lawson: convenience store with a health-conscious edge

Natural Lawson, a sub-brand of the Lawson convenience store chain, caters to health-conscious consumers with a range of vegan-friendly products. Anderson highlights options like vegan protein drinks, soy-based lattes, and cashew-based cheesecakes. She remarks, “That sauce is really good and the asparagus… the mushrooms are so juicy like you bite into it all of the juices come oozing out.” These stores provide accessible plant-based options for travelers on the go.  

Read more: Want To Live To 100? Here’s What The Blue Zones Are Doing Right

Vegan Gyoza Yu (Uguisudani): Colorful Dumplings with Diverse Flavors

Situated near Ueno Park, Vegan Gyoza Yu specializes in handmade, colorful dumplings, each with distinct flavors like ginger miso and shiitake soy meat. Anderson compares the experience to enjoying a box of chocolates, noting the fun in trying each variety. The vibrant presentation and diverse taste profiles make it a standout destination for vegan cuisine enthusiasts.

Through her exploration, Shizuka Anderson showcases Tokyo’s expanding vegan scene, highlighting how traditional Japanese dishes are being reimagined with plant-based ingredients. Her journey offers valuable insights for anyone seeking delicious and health-conscious dining options in Japan.

You can find more Japan food videos on the Japan by Food YouTube channel.

Read more: ‘I Dined At The World’s Only Michelin 3-Star Vegan Restaurant – Here’s What It Was Like’

This article was written by Editorial Team on the PBN Website.

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‘I Spent 7 Days On A Vegan Cruise – Here’s What It Was Like’ https://plantbasednews.org/lifestyle/travel/vegan-cruise/ https://plantbasednews.org/lifestyle/travel/vegan-cruise/#respond Sun, 27 Apr 2025 20:00:00 +0000 https://plantbasednews.org/?p=354077 Ever wanted to go on a vegan cruise? Find out more here

This article was written by Editorial Team on the PBN Website.

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With demand growing for plant-based travel, some wellness seekers are choosing to set sail. One of the better-known options is the Holistic Holiday at Sea, a fully vegan cruise that offers not just food but programming around nutrition, cooking, fitness, and relaxation.

Jenné Claiborne, the content creator behind the SweetPotatoSoul YouTube channel, recently spent a week on board with her mother and daughter. Though technically working, she hosted cooking classes and a book signing for her latest release Vegan Vibes. Claiborne says the trip left her “relaxed, rejuvenated, clearheaded.”

The video she shares documents what that experience looks like day-to-day: the meals, the stops, the people, and the activities. The cruise visited Jamaica, Grand Cayman, Cozumel, and a private island in the Bahamas, all while hosting fully plant-based meals and wellness events on board.

Here’s what the cruise offered and how Claiborne spent her time on board.

Read more: ‘I Dined At The World’s Only Michelin 3-Star Vegan Restaurant – Here’s What It Was Like’

A dedicated vegan buffet for breakfast

a plant based breakfast from a buffet to eat on a vegan cruise
YouTube/SweetPotatoSoul Claiborne enjoyed a high protein vegan breakfast every day of her cruise

Each morning, guests in the Holistic Holiday group had access to their own vegan buffet. Claiborne describes a mix of sweet and savory offerings: tofu scramble, sautéed mushrooms, vegan sausage, pancakes, and French toast.

“I always got the tofu scramble and mushrooms and usually sausage,” she says, “and of course something sweet.”

Most mornings, they took their meals out onto the ship’s deck to eat in the Caribbean sun.

Exploring a private island in the Bahamas

One stop on the cruise was a private island owned by the cruise company, open only to guests. “This place is stunning,” Claiborne says. The family spent the day swimming, relaxing, and playing in the sand.

She points out the ease of the experience: cruise guests can use their onboard cards at the island’s bars and snack shacks, and there’s no need to return to the ship for meals.

Lunch on land and at sea

On the island, Claiborne and her family visited a general buffet that served the entire cruise, not just the vegan group. Options were more limited here but included fries, bean salad, roasted vegetables, and fruit.

“The vegan options were not great,” she says, “but the convenience of free food right on the island is hard to beat.”

Back on the ship, the Holistic Holiday guests had their own lunch buffet, with rotating options like curry, beans and rice, large salads, and a variety of vegan desserts. “My favorite was the walnut brownies,” she says. “I could eat these every day.”

When docked in Cozumel, Claiborne found a fully vegan Mexican restaurant called Vegan Bario, where she ordered enfrijoladas, cauliflower tacos, and quesadillas. She recommends it for anyone passing through the port, calling the food “amazing” and the staff “so friendly.”

Read more: UK Airports See Soaring Demand For Vegan Food

Take a look at the cruise

Cooking classes and book signings on board

Part of Claiborne’s role on the cruise was to teach cooking. She led three classes, two demos and one hands-on session, using recipes from Vegan Vibes.

Many people who attended the cruise had seen her previous video and joined this year as a result. “It was so much fun to meet so many of the SweetPotatoSoul community,” she says.

She also held a book signing, joined by her daughter, who appears in the new cookbook. “She’s basically a celebrity now,” Claiborne jokes.

Family-friendly relaxation and celebration

Back on the beach, the family spent time swimming, playing in the sand, and enjoying the last hours of sun. Claiborne did what she calls her “obligatory sand scrub,” exfoliating her skin with beach sand and rinsing off in the ocean – a ritual she says makes her feel smooth and refreshed.

Later that night, they rushed to make dinner reservations back on the ship. Every evening, the Holistic Holiday guests dined at a dedicated vegan restaurant with a five-course set menu. Claiborne says the food was healthy, balanced, and always included a dessert – her favorite part.

Nightly shows and a sunset send-off

Most nights ended with a live performance in the ship’s main theater. Her daughter insisted they attended, and Claiborne says she’s glad they did. Each night featured different acts like dancers, singers and acrobats, and the entertainment never repeated.

On the final night, they also caught a sunset from the ship’s deck. “What a beautiful ending to a fantastic journey,” Claiborne says.

You can find more of Jenné Claiborne’s videos and recipes on the Sweet Potato Soul YouTube channel.

Read more: South Korea Launches Nine Day Vegan Food Tour

This article was written by Editorial Team on the PBN Website.

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‘I Dined At The World’s Only Michelin 3-Star Vegan Restaurant – Here’s What It Was Like’ https://plantbasednews.org/lifestyle/food/michelin-vegan-restaurany/ https://plantbasednews.org/lifestyle/food/michelin-vegan-restaurany/#respond Tue, 22 Apr 2025 21:00:00 +0000 https://plantbasednews.org/?p=353097 This plant-based Michelin-starred restaurant is a hugely popular fixture on the NYC food scene

This article was written by Editorial Team on the PBN Website.

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Through My Lens, a travel-focused YouTube channel, recently shared a video titled What It’s Like to Dine at the World’s Only 3-Star Vegan Restaurant. The video takes viewers inside Eleven Madison Park in New York City – the only fully vegan restaurant in the world to hold three Michelin stars.

Josh McNair, the creator of the channel, films and narrates every video based on real experiences. His content aims to highlight unique places, from hiking trails to restaurants, through a lens of curiosity and storytelling. This particular visit documents a full tasting menu at Eleven Madison Park – a three-hour plant-based experience that redefines what vegan fine dining can look and feel like. While Eleven Madison Park doesn’t come cheap (it costs USD $365 per person for the tasting menu), it has been met with praise from vegans and non-vegans alike (David and Victoria Beckham recently raved about their visit to the eatery on Instagram). McNair visited the restaurant with his mom late last year, and both had nothing but praise for the restaurant.

A strong first impression

A plant-based dish at Eleven Madison Park, a vegan Michelin 3-star restaurant
YouTube/Through My Lens Eleven Madison Park features a number of innovative plant-based dishes on its menu

The meal opens with a trio of dishes based on celtuce, a Chinese vegetable, including a green apple and cucumber cocktail that previews the flavor profile of the evening. Another was corn masa with crushed sesame and pumpkin seeds and charred lettuce along with the celtuce. Early on, McNair – who is not vegan – shares: “I had no idea what to expect but on the very first bite I’m very impressed.”

Read more: Too Lazy To Cook? These 5 Vegan Food Hacks Are A Game-Changer

One dish worth coming back for

A standout moment for McNair comes in the form of warm bread and morel mushroom butter. Though simple, it becomes one of the most memorable parts of the night. McNair is so taken by it that he returns just to share it with someone else:
“I had Amy come back a few nights later just to have a drink at the bar so she could experience the bread and butter,” he says.

Hospitality at another level

The video states that the service at Eleven Madison Park is seamless and deeply considered – from tailored drinks to surprise extras. Throughout the meal, they are offered extra bread and even given granola to take home the next day.

Flavor meets theater

Toward the end of the meal, a smoky asparagus dish is presented using a “volcano” – a vessel that serves as a smoking chamber. The dish is assembled and brushed tableside with coriander vinaigrette. “Not only was it a great dish, it was just cool to see the entire process take place,” McNair says.

A special moment in the kitchen

Both McNair and his mother have significant praise for the restaurant, with both commenting on its excellent food and service

“The way that they’re using plant-based food and creating these creamy sauces and incredibly delicious dishes, that was a very cool experience to have in the city,” McNair says, with his mother adding: “I don’t think I could ever top this experience, it was amazing.”

Visit the Through My Lens YouTube channel for more videos.

Read more: Eating Enough As A Vegan: A Guide For Plant-Based Newbies

This article was written by Editorial Team on the PBN Website.

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Where To Find Vegan Dubai Chocolate Bars https://plantbasednews.org/lifestyle/food/vegan-dubai-chocolate-bars/ https://plantbasednews.org/lifestyle/food/vegan-dubai-chocolate-bars/#respond Sun, 06 Apr 2025 14:00:00 +0000 https://plantbasednews.org/?p=352284 Some people and companies are making their own versions of the viral Dubai Chocolate

This article was written by Liam Pritchett on the PBN Website.

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Dubai Chocolate is the latest sweet treat to go viral on social media, prompting countless DIY recipes, copycat products, and a growing number of private label options from major supermarkets. Here’s what you need to know, including where to find vegan Dubai Chocolate.

Dubai Chocolate traditionally combines milk chocolate, tahini paste, pistachio paste, and knafeh, a spun pastry dough popular throughout the Middle East. The pistachio and knafeh filling is flaky with a vibrant green color, and the chocolate shell often includes distinctive green marbling.

The recipe was originally created by Dubai’s FIX Dessert Chocolatier. Speaking to the New York Times earlier this year, founder Sarah Hamouda explained that a pregnancy craving for knafeh, a dessert from her childhood, inspired both the business and the “Can’t Get Knafeh Of It” bar.

In 2023, TikTok user Maria Vehera posted an ASMR-style video (now with over 122 million views) of her sampling different FIX confections, including Can’t Get Knafeh Of It. Many commenters asked after the green filling, and the product became known as Dubai Chocolate.

As of April 2025, the #DubaiChocolate hashtag has 265 thousand posts on Instagram and more than 355 thousand posts on TikTok. According to Yahoo News, luxury British travel agent Destination2 reported a recent 38 percent “jump” in Dubai bookings amid the current Dubai Chocolate “shopping frenzy” that is sweeping the UK and beyond.

Lindt has relaunched a previously limited edition version of its own Dubai Chocolate, and supermarket Waitrose introduced a two-bar limit to prevent customers from bulk-buying. Meanwhile, shoppers queued outside Lidl to purchase the new “Dubai-Style Chocolate” that just launched, and Aldi Ireland has promptly introduced a “Dubai Chocolate-style” ice cream.

Read more: Company Raises $30 Million To Scale Up Cocoa-Free Chocolate

Is Dubai chocolate vegan?

Photo shows someone holding a pistachio-filled "Dubai Chocolate" bar
Adobe Stock The original Dubai Chocolate may not be suitable for vegans, but some versions are

With a growing number of alternative options and imitations now available, there has been a flurry of interest in vegan Dubai Chocolate in the new year. Internet users have been asking for tips on Reddit and Googling questions such as “Is there vegan Dubai Chocolate?”

Authentic Dubai Chocolate from FIX Dessert Chocolatier is not suitable for vegans as it features dairy milk chocolate. Furthermore, knafeh can include a wide range of regional, traditional, and non-traditional ingredient variations, such as dairy cheese and honey.

In the UK, the most widely available Dubai Chocolate bars – including Lindt, Lidl, and many of the options sold on Etsy, Ebay, and other platforms – all contain dairy. (In fact, Lindt makes its bar using three different types of milk powder, milk fat, and dairy-derived lactose.)

There are, however, several vegan recipes available. Some creators are sticking as close as possible to a veganized version of the original ingredients list, while others are customizing.

The Little Blog Of Vegan, for example, combines shredded kataifi pastry with white and dark chocolate for a marbling effect. It also includes pistachio butter, but no tahini. The All Natural Vegan, meanwhile, adds raw pistachios and coconut-sweetened cacao nibs for extra body.

Read more: Catherine’s Originals Launches ‘UK’s Largest’ Vegan Easter Egg

Where to find vegan Dubai Chocolate bars

It can be tricky to find an authentic, vegan version of the classic Dubai Chocolate bar, but there are a few options available to folks in the UK and US. (Including Easter eggs.)

Kind Hearted Chocs

Photo shows a vegan Dubai Chocolate bar from the UK's Kind Hearted Chocs
Kind Hearted Chocs The Pistachio Kunafa Chocolate Bar comes from the UK’s Kind Hearted Chocs

The newly founded Kind Hearted Chocs makes a Pistachio Kunafa Chocolate Bar, which the small company describes as the “UK’s first” of its kind. Kind Hearted Chocs makes pistachio paste from scratch. It blends this with vegan white chocolate and crunchy, toasted kataifi, and gives the chocolate coating a rippling texture and green and gold marbling pattern.

Kind Hearted Chocs says that the business is “committed to supporting charities that help women, support the LGBTQIA+ community, fight racism and advocate for animal rights.” Throughout March, 2.5 percent of every sale was donated to Women’s Aid via Work For Good.

Find out more here.

The Organic House

Photo shows the Organic House Dubai Chocolate bars, available from online shopping platform Basquet
The Organic House / Basquet In addition to a vegan Dubai Chocolate bar, The Organic House also makes an Easter egg version topped with raspberry drizzle

Canada’s The Organic House makes a vegan and gluten-free version of Dubai Chocolate. This product is currently available exclusively via the specialty shopping platform Basquet, which caters primarily to North American customers looking for allergen-free products.

The Organic House itself is an award-winning, vegan chocolate-maker, and a “Viral Dubai Knafeh Pistachio EGG with Raspberry Drizzle” is also currently available for pre-order. 

Find out more here.

Qoqoa Chocolate

Photo shows Qoqoa Chocolate's dark chocolate version of the viral pistachio-based treat Dubai Chocolate
Qoqoa Chocolate This vegan, dark chocolate version of the Dubai Chocolate bar comes from Northampton’s Qoqoa Chocolate

Qoqoa Chocolate is based in Northampton, England, and the family-run business makes and sells both a vegan and a non-vegan version of the Dubai Chocolate bar. The vegan version includes “crispy knafeh and a generous layer of premium Zeina pistachio cream, all encased in a luxurious coating of Belgian dark chocolate.” According to Qoqoa, using vegan dark chocolate in place of milk gives the bar a “smooth richness” to balance the nutty center.

Find out more here.

Considerit

Photo shows Considerit's vegan Easter egg version of Dubai Chocolate
Considerit This Easter egg version of Dubai Chocolate includes a “crunchy” pistachio filling

Considerit is based in Edinburgh, Scotland, and makes sweet treats like donuts, milkshakes, ice cream, and chocolate, all handmade with vegan ingredients. The small company is currently taking pre-orders for a “Dubai Pistachio Egg,” which Considerit says is the first of its kind in the UK. The egg includes the company’s “Own unique crunchy pistachio filling encased in perfectly tempered m*lk chocolate,” says Considerit in a description of the chocolate egg.

Find out more here.

Ombar

Photo shows a computer-generated version of Ombar's pistachio cream chocolate bar
Ombar The Pistachio Cream bars are available in 70g and 42g varieties

Ombar was founded nearly 20 years ago, but its presence in the UK’s plant-based market has grown significantly since 2021, when it launched a quartet of oat milk bars at Waitrose. The company is notable for its use of unroasted cacao, organic pistachios, and ethical suppliers.

While not technically a Dubai Chocolate bar, Ombar’s “Pistachio Cream” range might just be the most widely available option for vegan customers in the UK looking for a plant-based taste of pistachio-and-chocolate. A 70g version of the bar is currently available from Ocado, and a smaller 42g version is also available from Waitrose. The range combines organic dark chocolate with a pistachio paste center for a “creamy” and “delicate” flavor combination.

Find out more here.

Read more: 10 Dairy-Free Chocolate Easter Bunnies

This article was written by Liam Pritchett on the PBN Website.

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Emirates Launches Huge New Vegan Menu https://plantbasednews.org/lifestyle/travel/emirates-vegan-menu/ https://plantbasednews.org/lifestyle/travel/emirates-vegan-menu/#respond Wed, 22 Jan 2025 11:51:14 +0000 https://plantbasednews.org/?p=345794 Vegan travelers can choose from a wide range of dishes onboard Emirates flights

This article was written by Polly Foreman on the PBN Website.

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Emirates has announced that it’s expanded its vegan menu across all cabins and lounges.

Airline chefs collaborated in the Emirates Flight Catering Concept Development Kitchen to test the new plant-based meals. Among the dishes trialed were a spicy shakshuka using a legume-based solid egg substitute and vegan cannelloni made with a premade pastry sheet.

The airline sources ingredients from a number of international suppliers, including the USA’s Beyond Meat, Japan’s Qian Ye pressed tofu, and France’s Linnolat organic dark chocolate. 

Read more: The Top 10 European Destinations For Vegans

Vegan menus on board

A close up of a new vegan dish from an Emirates flight
Emirates The chef-made meals are available onboard now

Emirates invested millions of dollars in its vegan options back in 2022. It now serves over 400,000 plant-based meals annually, with 300 menu options available. The dishes are available across Economy, Premium Economy, Business, and First Class cabins. In Economy, passengers can choose dishes like crêpes filled with sautéed vegetables and chocolate mousse cake. Premium Economy offerings include braised mushrooms with five-spice soy sauce and desserts like chocolate tart with apricot compote.

Read more: The Top 10 Most Vegan-Friendly Cities In The World

Business Class menus feature options such as Thai red curry tofu with steamed jasmine rice. First Class passengers can enjoy creamy polenta cake with thyme mushroom ragout and aubergine curry with charred rice.

Emirates has also introduced vegan meals for children. These include dishes like vegetable fajitas and vegan chocolate pudding. Lounges at Dubai International Airport also provide a wide selection of plant-based options, including Baharat-spiced kofta in coconut gravy and the Emirates Green Burger, made with soya and flaxseed.

Vegan meals can be pre-ordered across all Emirates flights up to 24 hours before departure. On high-demand routes, plant-based dishes are included in the main menu. 

Read more: Schiphol Airport In Amsterdam Will Be 60 Percent Plant-Based By 2030

This article was written by Polly Foreman on the PBN Website.

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‘Culturally Plant-Based’: New Docuseries Explores Thailand’s Meat-Free Street Food https://plantbasednews.org/culture/media/culturally-plant-based-thailand-street-food/ https://plantbasednews.org/culture/media/culturally-plant-based-thailand-street-food/#respond Fri, 10 Jan 2025 12:05:02 +0000 https://plantbasednews.org/?p=344688 Much of Thailand's traditional food is completely plant-based

This article was written by Liam Pritchett on the PBN Website.

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A new documentary series titled Culturally Plant-Based explores vegan and vegetarian culinary traditions around the world and will focus on Thailand for its first season.

Street food vlogger Mark Wiens and several Thai celebrity chefs will guide viewers through “an array of culinary and cultural experiences,” including ancient breakfast traditions in the capital city of Bangkok and spiritual vegetarian festivals like Phuket’s annual celebration.

“This isn’t just a food documentary. This series highlights how traditional foods can guide us towards a more sustainable future.” said Culturally Plant-Based director Max Hellier.

“We wanted to diversify the conversation about sustainable food by showcasing ancient plant-based street foods and how they have been quietly thriving in Thailand for generations,” he added. “Especially now as we recognize the importance of sustainable food choices, we believe this fresh perspective is vital.”

According to Climate Cats Studios, which produced the project, Culturally Plant-Based focuses on the human stories behind the food, including street vendors, generational cooks, and community members who keep Thailand’s plant-based culinary traditions alive.

In the trailer for Culturally Plant-Based, Climate Cats producer Joanna Hellier notes that “foods that are now being seen by the rest of the world as these new, sustainable innovations, were actually pioneered in Asia thousands of years ago.”

Culturally Plant-Based will premiere in Bangkok in 2025, with streaming details to come.

Read more: Impossible Foods Founder Explores Turning Cattle Ranches Into Forests In New Documentary

Thailand to expand production and export of vegan foods

Photo shows the poster for upcoming docuseries "Culturally Plant-Based," which will focus on Thailand for its first season
The new show will premiere in Thailand followed by a wider streaming release

In 2019, around eight percent of the total population of Thailand did not eat meat. At the time, this amount was forecast to increase to around 15 percent by 2025.

While last June saw Thailand’s FDA propose a ban on meat and dairy labels for vegetarian alternatives, a few months later the Ministry of Commerce’s Trade Policy and Strategy Office (TPSO) published a roadmap to transform the country into a plant-based hub.

This roadmap included plans for research and technology, investment and marketing, and enhanced production, processing, and expansion. The TPSO also suggested a review of laws and regulations around plant-based products, including the proposed label ban.

TPSO director general Poonpong Naiyanapakorn told The Nation that the roadmap would create domestic and international business opportunities in the coming years.

Read more: Portugal’s ‘Groundbreaking’ Climate Plan Includes Plant-Based Protein Strategy

This article was written by Liam Pritchett on the PBN Website.

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The Top 10 European Destinations For Vegans https://plantbasednews.org/lifestyle/travel/top-european-vegans/ https://plantbasednews.org/lifestyle/travel/top-european-vegans/#respond Fri, 27 Dec 2024 09:00:00 +0000 https://plantbasednews.org/?p=342870 You'll never go hungry as a vegan in these cities

This article was written by Claire Hamlett on the PBN Website.

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If you’re considering a European city break this winter, you might be wondering where is best to visit as a vegan.

Read more: Welsh Pub Named Best Vegan Restaurant In Europe

Online booking travel platform Omio, has revealed the European travel destinations with the most food choices for vegans. Omio analyzed restaurants featured on Trip Advisor to uncover its list of the top 10 most vegan-friendly cities.

In the number one spot is London. The English capital is undeniably the biggest vegan haven with nearly 5,000 eateries providing vegan options. Though not all the restaurants in each city are fully vegan, London has some extremely popular 100 percent vegan places to eat too. Last year, Uber Eats announced that three vegan eateries made its top 10 finalists for its annual restaurant of the year awards in London.

London
s4svisuals – stock.adobe.com London has way more places for vegans to eat than cities on the continent

The full list

The full list of most vegan-friendly European cities is below:

  1. London (4,908 vegan options)
  2. Rome (2.306 vegan options)
  3. Paris (1,751 vegan options)
  4. Barcelona (1,685 vegan options)
  5. Berlin (1,357 vegan options)
  6. Madrid (1,296 vegan options)
  7. Milan (1,195 vegan options)
  8. Amsterdam (974 vegan options)
  9. Vienna (777 vegan options)
  10. Lisbon (766 vegan options)

Across the Channel, Rome is the best place for vegan travelers with 2,306 places to eat. Paris is third on the list after London and Rome. You needn’t even miss out on famous French pastries like croissants, as there is a fully vegan patisserie, VG pâtisserie Vegan Paris, within walking distance of many of the city’s popular sights.

Read more: European Court Strikes Down Bans On Meat Names For Vegan Food

Barcelona and Berlin make up the remaining of the top five. Lisbon comes in at the bottom of the ranking, with a solid 766 places offering vegan options. Overall, Italy and Spain proved to be great destinations for vegans, as each country has two cities in the top 10.

Read more: More Than Half Of Europeans Are Cutting Down Meat, Study Finds

This article was written by Claire Hamlett on the PBN Website.

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Top 12 Unusual Fruits To Try In Costa Rica https://plantbasednews.org/lifestyle/travel/unusual-fruits-costa-rica/ https://plantbasednews.org/lifestyle/travel/unusual-fruits-costa-rica/#respond Tue, 17 Dec 2024 13:10:53 +0000 https://plantbasednews.org/?p=342189 There's much more to the world of fruit than apples and bananas

This article was written by Claire Hamlett on the PBN Website.

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Planning a visit to Costa Rica? Here’s a holiday activity that will take you off the beaten track – sampling the best and most unique fruits this Central American country has to offer.

Read more: Why Is This Fruit Going Viral On TikTok?

Simon Beun, one half of the popular vegan Instagram account @fitshortie, has taste-tested a variety of fascinating fruits from around the world. Alongside his partner, Tina Stoklosa, he has been traveling to different countries, trying the planet’s most incredible fruits and documenting their experiences on Instagram. Here are his top 12 picks from Costa Rica.

1. Soursop

Also known as graviola, soursop smells like pineapple and is both sour and sweet. With a spiky green exterior, the flesh inside is white and creamy in texture. Soursop is also low in calories and rich in fiber and vitamin C.

2. Cupuaçu

Cupuacu
Andre ojr – stock.adobe.com The Cupuaçu has large segments that contains pulp and seeds

This fruit is actually the national fruit of Brazil, which is the world’s biggest producer of Cupuaçu. “Can you imagine a slimy pineapple, sour, a little bit sweet, and very refreshing,” Simon describes it in the Instagram post. It’s often used in desserts or pressed into a juice. Its seeds contain a nutrient-rich fat that is turned into cooking oil and used for beauty treatments.

3. Chocolate Sapote

chocolate sapote
Adobe Stock The chocolate sapote is one of many exciting fruits to try in Costa Rica

Chocolate sapote, also called black sapote, is like a low-sugar brownie in fruit form. It has a dark chocolate coloring and a creamy texture. Chocolate sapote is rich in vitmains and potassium, too.

4. Rollinia

This spiky yellow fruit is a native to Brazil but popular throughout Central and South America. Simon describes it as like eating a thick apple sauce, with lemon-infused apple sauce taste. Indeed, it is known for its exceptional taste, often likened to lemon meringue pie, and slimy texture.

Read more: The 9 Healthiest Fruits, According To Nutritionists

5. Cacao

Cacao
kaiskynet – stock.adobe.com This is what chocolate is made from

You wouldn’t guess just by looking at it, but this is the fruit that chocolate is made from. Shaped a bit like a rugby ball, the tough skin is red or yellow in color. Inside the flesh is whitish and has a sweet, slightly sour fruity taste. The seeds are what become chocolate, but they can also be eaten raw if you like the intensity and bitterness of very dark chocolate.

6. Banana Passionfruit

This passionfruit gets its name from being long and yellow on the outside. The pulp within is orange in color and, according to Simon, it tastes like tropical punch. The seeds can be eaten but are bitter in flavor.

7. Mocambo

Mocambo is also known as white cacao as its a cousin on the cacao fruit. The hard, craggy shell of the mocambo contains a huge amount of fruit which forms in segments. Inside the segments are seeds surrounded by pulp. These seeds are edible and packed with protein.

8. Pink banana

There are more than 1,000 varieties of bananas, but most of us only eat one type, the yellow Cavendish banana. This pink variety has a starchier texture and contains many larger seeds than what you would be used to.

9. Safou

safou
Benoit Vandangeon – stock.adobe.com Safou fruit has a buttery texture

This small fruit looks like an elongated plum and is also known as butter pear. This is because of its fatty, buttery flesh. Native to Africa, it has ben cultivated in other parts of the world with suitably tropical climates. Simon describes it as having the consistency of mashed potatoes with a slightly sour flavor.

10. Cassabanana

This large fruit resembles a marrow, and is in fact a gourd, though its skin is red. The flesh is orange and very juicy and peppered with black seeds. It has the taste of a melon and is very sweet.

11. Sapote Colombia

Sapote Colombia is another kind of sapote fruit. It’s brown skin contains orange flesh with a large core of pulp. Its flavor is like a melon with a hint of orange.

12. Borojo

This round fruit can be pulled apart, revealing a very sticky brown flesh. According to Simon, it is hard to eat because of its gluey texture and inedible hard seeds. He says it has a strong smell similar to tamarind and tastes how burnt plastic smells. So, this may be one to avoid…

Read more: Eating More Fruit And Veg ‘Equivalent To Walking 4,000 Extra Steps A Day’

This article was written by Claire Hamlett on the PBN Website.

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Travellers Struggle To Find Healthy Food In US Airports, Survey Finds https://plantbasednews.org/lifestyle/travel/travellers-struggle-find-healthy-food-airports/ https://plantbasednews.org/lifestyle/travel/travellers-struggle-find-healthy-food-airports/#respond Wed, 11 Dec 2024 13:00:00 +0000 https://plantbasednews.org/?p=341863 Airport food tends to be heavy on meat and dairy products

This article was written by Polly Foreman on the PBN Website.

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More than half of US adults struggle to find healthy and nutritious food in some of the country’s busiest airports, a new survey has found. 

Read more: Slutty Vegan To Open In Busiest US Airport

The research – which was conducted by the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine – also found that 71 percent of frequent flyers would be interested in buying plant-based food if it were easily accessible. 

The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine is a nonprofit that promotes preventative lifestyle medicine. It was founded by Dr Neal Barnard, a renowned plant-based physician. In response to the findings, dietitians from the organization reviewed the plant-based options at some of the busiest airports in the US. Meals rich in protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals were prioritized. It found that Los Angeles International (LAX) was the most vegan-friendly airport, being described as a “haven” for plant-based options. It also named Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International (ATL) as among those “leading the change” in meat-free airport dining.

Read more: UK Airports See Soaring Demand For Vegan Food

US airports get more plant-based

A pastry and coffee resting on a suitcase in an airport
Adobe Stock Vegan options are becoming easier to find at airports

While healthy plant-based options are still lacking in many airports, there’s no doubt that the situation is improving.

Physicians Committee dietitian Xavier Toledo named CAVA, which offers customizable bowls, and Breeze, which features smoothies and breakfast options, as good examples of healthy vegan-friendly eateries in LAX. 

Offering his tips on finding plant-based food while traveling, Toledo recommends seeking out eateries that allow for customization of meals. These could include sandwich or salad bars. Grab-and-go snacks are also increasingly free from animal products, so it’s always worth checking the labels. Before traveling, Toledo recommends doing your research, as brands like VeggL and HappyCow feature plant-based options at airports.

Read more: AI-Powered Vegan Travel App Launches Crowdfunding Campaign

This article was written by Polly Foreman on the PBN Website.

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The Top 10 Most Vegan-Friendly Cities In The World https://plantbasednews.org/lifestyle/most-vegan-friendly-cities-2025/ https://plantbasednews.org/lifestyle/most-vegan-friendly-cities-2025/#respond Mon, 25 Nov 2024 16:58:07 +0000 https://plantbasednews.org/?p=340111 HappyCow has unveiled its 2025 list of the most vegan-friendly cities on the planet

This article was written by Polly Foreman on the PBN Website.

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London, Berlin, and Los Angeles have all been listed among the most vegan-friendly cities in the world.

Read more: The Top 100 Vegan Restaurants In The USA, According To Yelp

In the 2025 version of its annual list, vegan restaurant app HappyCow ranked the best cities globally for vegans. The study looked at the number of fully vegan and vegan-friendly restaurants and businesses in each city, as well as the density of these per square mile and capita. It also took into account the growth of vegan businesses since the last report, how easy it is to find vegan food, how active the vegan community is, and how well veganism is understood by the population.

London and Berlin have topped the list for the fourth consecutive year. They boast 3,600+ and 1,700+ listings respectively in HappyCow’s database. The list also welcomed new additions, Mexico City and Ho Chi Minh City, which came eighth and ninth respectively. According to the authors of the study, Ho Chi Minh City stood out with a huge increase in the number of fully vegan listings. The city is now regarded as the fastest-growing vegan city in the world.

The Top 10 Most Vegan-Friendly Cities

This year hasn’t been the best time for fully vegan businesses, according to HappyCow, with relatively modest growth and small dips in some areas. “2023 to 2024 were challenging years for vegan businesses, with a significant drop in vegan restaurants in many cities,” said Eric Brent, founder of HappyCow, in a statement. “This decline is partly due to increased vegan options at regular restaurants, leading to more competition. Combined with inflation, higher rents, and a reduced lunch crowd from remote work, these factors have created difficulties for vegan business owners who often operate on low margins and adhere to costly ethical standards.” He added, however, that demand for vegan food and overall traffic “continues to grow strongly.”

Here are the top 10 most vegan-friendly cities in the world.

#1: London

A view of Big Ben and the River Thames in London, which is one of the most vegan-friendly cities in the world
Adobe Stock London has once again topped the list of most vegan-friendly cities

London has once again grabbed the top spot, thanks to its huge selection of vegan and vegan-friendly businesses all over the city. Since HappyCow’s last report, London has seen a 12 percent increase in the number of plant-based restaurants. Central London offers 54 fully vegan restaurants, plus over 285 vegan businesses of various types (including cafés, caterers, bakeries, shops, and more). In total, London has 3,620 vegan-friendly listings.

#2: Berlin

The German capital saw a slight dip in the number of vegan businesses, but it nevertheless remains one of the most vegan-friendly areas in the world. The city has 116 fully vegan businesses and has also seen a seven percent increase in vegan-friendly businesses overall. In total, Berlin has 1,772 vegan-friendly spots.

#3: Los Angeles

LA has long been a vegan-friendly hotspot, and it continues to be a go-to destination. While there has been a 22 percent decline in fully vegan businesses in the city, it still offers 128 of these. LA has a grand total of 2,515 vegan-friendly venues.

Read more: The Top 20 Most Vegan-Friendly Cities In The USA, According To New Report

#4: Portland

Portland is famous for its vegan scene and has the highest density of vegan spots per capita. According to HappyCow, it’s the “vegan hub” of the US. Like some other cities, it has seen a slight dip in fully vegan businesses, and it now has 46 in total. However, the number of vegan-friendly venues has grown by 10 percent, now totaling 631.

#5: Lisbon

Lisbon often flies under the radar for vegans, but it’s an underrated plant-based hotspot in Europe. It has seen a 10 percent increase in fully vegan businesses, totaling 41, as well as an 11 percent rise in vegan-friendly venues, which now amount to 82.

#6: Barcelona

Barcelona has also seen increases across the board, with three and six percent rises in vegan businesses and vegan-friendly businesses, respectively. There are 60 vegan restaurants and 951 vegan-friendly establishments. According to HappyCow, Barcelona is also one of the most accessible vegan cities, with a large number of options per square mile.

#7: Amsterdam

Amsterdam has experienced some “shaky ground” since the last report, with a number of businesses closing. It still offers a solid amount of vegan options, however, with 52 fully vegan restaurants in the city center. There are also a total of 827 vegan-friendly listings.

#8: Mexico City

Angel de la independencia in Mexico City, one of the most vegan cities in the world
Adobe Stock Mexico City is a newcomer to the list

Mexico City is a brand-new addition to the list, thanks to its growing number of fully vegan and vegan-friendly businesses. It has 124 of the former, as well as 493 of the latter. In the report, HappyCow says it’s “excited” to see what’s next for this vegan-friendly newcomer.

#9: New York City

NYC narrowly missed out on the top 10 list last year, but it has now made a comeback. The city offers 122 fully vegan listings as well as 1,165 vegan-friendly businesses across the boroughs. HappyCow points out that New Yorkers, in particular, have a wide understanding of veganism.

#10: Ho Chi Minh City

The second newcomer, Ho Chi Minh City, has seen a sharp rise in vegan food over the last year. Fully vegan restaurants increased by 33 percent, now totaling 210, and there has also been a 41 percent surge in vegan-friendly businesses, reaching 1,214.

Read more: How To Stay At ‘England’s First’ Plant-Based Hotel

This article was written by Polly Foreman on the PBN Website.

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The Top 100 Vegan Restaurants In The USA, According To Yelp https://plantbasednews.org/lifestyle/food/best-vegan-restaurants-usa/ https://plantbasednews.org/lifestyle/food/best-vegan-restaurants-usa/#respond Wed, 30 Oct 2024 11:31:49 +0000 https://plantbasednews.org/?p=337051 The US is seeing skyrocketing demand for vegan food

This article was written by Polly Foreman on the PBN Website.

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Ahead of World Vegan Day this Friday (November 1), review platform Yelp has unveiled its list of the top 100 plant-based restaurants in the USA.

Read more: Corn Dogs and Lion King Nuggets Among Impossible Foods New Releases

A decade ago, vegans may have struggled to find decent food while eating out, but there has been a recent boom in meat-free dining across the country. The Yelp list features the restaurants that the nation has rated highest, and there are options to suit every taste, mood, and preference. 

Grabbing the top spot is California’s lil’ Vegerie, which is known for its vegetable-forward menu. One of its most popular items, the Philly “Cheesesteak” Bowl, uses marinated mushrooms over vegan meat and is topped with cashew cheese. 

A move away from meat substitutes seems to be a running theme in the list. Other top restaurants include The Mediterranean Chickpea in Florida, which offers a whole foods-based menu with plenty of veg and legumes. Vegan Stops in California is another restaurant that doesn’t offer any plant-based meat at all, instead prioritizing vegetables in its place. 

Vegan meats and cheeses are still very much on the menu, however, with eateries like The Rabbit Hole in Florida offering dishes like BBQ ‘Chick’n’ Salad, Loaded Fries, and BBQ Rib Stir Fry.

Read more: Beyond Meat’s New Product Isn’t Trying To Replicate Meat – Here’s Why

The most vegan-friendly areas in the US

The new Yelp list covers a wide range of areas across the US. In the top 10, you’ll find three California restaurants, two from Florida, and one each from Arizona, New Jersey, North Carolina, West Virginia, and Nevada. 

According to a report published last month, Los Angeles (California), Orlando (Florida), and Portland (Oregon), are the three most vegan-friendly cities in the USA. The study, by WalletHub, looked at the cost of groceries, how many restaurants serve vegan-friendly food, and whether cities offer vegan festivals. 

The top 100 vegan restaurants in the US

This list covers the best US vegan restaurants in states all over the country. Whether you’re in the mood for Mexican, Italian, or Mediterranean food, there’s something to suit pretty much everyone. 

Here is the complete list of the top 100 vegan restaurants in the USA: 

  1. lil’ Vegerie, Redondo Beach, California
  2. The Mediterranean Chickpea, Tampa, Florida
  3. Urban Fresh, Tucson, Arizona
  4. Hey, Sunshine Kitchen, Culver City, California
  5. BOOMCHIA, Montclair, New Jersey
  6. The Rabbit Hole, Pompano Beach, Florida
An Impossible Burger with vegan cheese from Florida vegan restaurant The Rabbit Hole
Instagram/The Rabbit Hole Florida’s The Rabbit Hole specializes in vegan comfort food
  1. Vegan Stops, Garden Grove, California
  2. Pure Soul, Durham, North Carolina
  3. Kelley Farm Kitchen, Harpers Ferry, West Virginia
  4. Tarantino’s Vegan, Las Vegas, Nevada
  5. Ras Plant Based, Brooklyn, New York
  6. Pure Kitchen Organic Vegan, Tampa, Florida
  7. Thanh Tinh Chay, San Diego, California
  8. The Uprooted Kitchen, Gilbert, Arizona
  9. Miss Rachel’s Pantry, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
  10. NoButcher, Las Vegas, Nevada
  11. Earth Aloha Eats, Kihei, Hawaii
  12. Urban Vegan, Newark, New Jersey
  13. Francis Burger Joint, Minneapolis, Minnesota
  14. Thuong An Lac, Honolulu, Hawaii
  15. VEGZ, Washington, District of Columbia
  16. BeeWali’s Vegan AF, Los Angeles, California
  17. Florish, Tampa Bay, Florida
  18. Healthy Harvest Urban Farms, Rock Island, Illinois
  19. Tane Vegan Izakaya, Honolulu, Hawaii
  20. The Tin Thistle, North Bend, Oregon
  21. Sweet Rose Cafe, Fall River, Massachusetts
  22. veggie bowl, Oregon City, Oregon
  23. Organically Twisted, Naples, Florida
  24. Sanctuary Bistro, Charlotte, North Carolina
  25. Vegelicious, Nashville, Tennessee
  26. Mission Burger, Austin, Texas
  27. UNiQ Burger, Scottsdale, Arizona
  28. Sweet Soulfood, New Orleans, Louisiana
  29. Chef Tanya’s Kitchen, Palm Springs, California
  30. Dina’s Vegan Deli & Desserts, Riviera Beach, Florida
  31. House of Mexica, Reno, Nevada
  32. Veg & Go Plant-Based Fast Food, Riverside, California
  33. Vegan Shop, Hilo, Hawaii
  34. Buds, Salt Lake City, Utah
  35. WongWayVeg, Denver, Colorado
  36. Chilango PDX, Portland, Oregon
  37. Belmont Vegetarian, Worcester, Massachusetts
  38. Brekkie Bowls, Wailea, Hawaii
  39. Variable Cafe, Los Angeles, California
  40. Vegan & Juice, Miami, Florida
  41. Root, Newport, Rhode Island
  42. Sun Belly Cafe, Greenville, South Carolina
  43. Botanical Fare, Charlottesville, Virginia
  44. Garden Grill, Las Vegas, Nevada
  45. Hijo de su Madre, Los Angeles, California
  46. Koshary Corner, Baltimore, Maryland
  47. Desert Roots Kitchen, Tempe, Arizona
  48. Blondie’s Vegan Cafe Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii
  49. ChagaRoot, Las Vegas, Nevada
  50. Dirty Lettuce, Portland, Oregon
  51. Toasty, Bend, Oregon
  52. Tamam, New York, New York
  53. Hash Vegan Eatery, San Antonio, Texas
  54. Secret Pizza Society, Portland, Oregon
  55. Rawk Star Cafe, Oldsmar, Florida
  56. Belenty’s Love, Fort Worth, Texas
  57. Freshroll, Mashpee, Massachusetts
  58. The Ginger Mule, Houston, Texas
  59. Orchard Grocer, New York, New York
  60. Vegos, Albuquerque, New Mexico
  61. Sundrip, Chicago, Illinois
  62. Norma’s Plant Based Cuisine, Altamonte Springs, Florida
  63. Bombay Food Junkies, Saint Louis, Missouri
  64. Loving Heart, Chicago, Illinois
  65. All Chay, Salt Lake City, Utah
  66. Daikon Vegan Sushi, Las Vegas, Nevada
  67. Hungry Vegan, Savannah, Georgia
  68. Bayside Cafe, Everett, Washington
  69. Vegan Vibrationz, Plano, Texas
  70. Shayna B’s By The Sea, Westbrook, Connecticut
  71. Bistro Vonish, Austin, Texas
  72. Tacotarian, Las Vegas, Nevada
  73. Can’t Believe It’s Vegan, Westerville, Ohio
  74. Honest Pastures, Virginia Beach, Virginia
  75. The Cosmic Kitchen, Haleiwa, Hawaii
  76. Energize, Brighton, Massachusetts
  77. Nissi VegMex Vegan Mexican Cuisine, Austin, Texas
  78. Spring Cafe, New York, New York
  79. Moku Roots, Kula, Hawaii
  80. Cashew, Chattanooga, Tennessee
  81. CLTRE. vgn jnt, Virginia Beach, Virginia
  82. Down 2 Earth Plant-Based Cuisine, Las Vegas, Nevada
  83. Planted PDX, Portland, Oregon
  84. Cafe Red, Seattle, Washington
  85. Green Love Kitchen, Lithonia, Georgia
  86. VeGreen Vegetarian Fusion Restaurant, Duluth, Georgia
  87. Recipe Oak Cliff, Dallas, Texas
  88. Aa Roots Maui, Lahaina, Hawaii
  89. Reverie Cafe + Bar, Minneapolis, Minnesota
  90. Plant, Asheville, North Carolina
  91. Manna Kitchen, Lisle, Illinois
  92. Total Vegan Indian Restaurant, Highlands Ranch, Colorado
  93. La Semilla, Atlanta, Georgia
  94. Wildflower Vegan Café, Millville, New Jersey

Read more: US School Children Get More Access To Healthy Plant-Based Foods Under New Rules

This article was written by Polly Foreman on the PBN Website.

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The Top 20 Most Vegan-Friendly Cities In The USA, According To New Report https://plantbasednews.org/lifestyle/travel/most-vegan-friendly-cities-usa/ https://plantbasednews.org/lifestyle/travel/most-vegan-friendly-cities-usa/#respond Fri, 27 Sep 2024 13:15:47 +0000 https://plantbasednews.org/?p=333464 These cities are the best places in the US for vegan food

This article was written by Liam Pritchett on the PBN Website.

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WalletHub just published its 2024 report on the top 20 vegan-friendly cities in the US, ranking Los Angeles, Orlando, and Portland in the top three spots once again.

Read more: What Are The Best US States For Vegans?

The top three cities have switched places since last year, however, with Los Angeles moving up to number one, Orlando moving up to two, and Portland dropping down to three.

WalletHub compared the 100 largest US cities against 17 key vegan and vegetarian friendliness indicators. These included the cost of groceries, how many restaurants serve affordable meat-free options, and whether the city hosts a vegan festival.

The finance company published the report earlier this week and noted the significant purchasing power of plant-based consumers. Despite representing just six percent of the adult population, the widespread availability of meat-free foods reflects a burgeoning sector.

“While vegetarians and vegans are still a relatively small share of the population, businesses are recognizing their impact on their market,” said WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo.

Research from 2022 found that approximately 70 percent of the US population consumes plant-based foods, significantly more than just the six percent made up of strict vegetarians. Dairy-free milk and alternative proteins made up the vast majority of flexitarian purchases.

“With meat prices rising significantly faster than vegetable prices, too, we may see a lot more people taking a foray into a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle in the near future,” added Lupo.

Read more: California To Ban Octopus Farming And Sales Of Farmed Octopus

The top 20 vegan-friendly cities in the US

Using the 17 relevant metrics for a vegan-friendly city, WalletHub gave each one a score out of 100 possible points, emphasizing affordability, diversity, accessibility, quality, and lifestyle. The top 15 cities each scored over 50 points, while the top 20 each scored at least 48.

  1. Los Angeles, California
  2. Orlando, Florida
  3. Portland, Oregon
  4. San Diego, California
  5. Seattle, Washington
  6. Austin, Texas
  7. San Francisco, California
  8. Miami, Florida
  9. Phoenix, Arizona
  10. Tampa, Florida
  11. New York City, New York
  12. Washington, DC
  13. Oakland, California
  14. Las Vegas, Nevada
  15. Chicago, Illinois
  16. Atlanta, Georgia
  17. Madison, Wisconsin
  18. Houston, Texas
  19. Sacramento, California
  20. San Antonio, Texas

The winner

Photo shows LA's Grand Central Market, which is home to several vegan eateries
Adobe Stock Los Angeles vegan staple Ramen Hood is located in the iconic Grand Central Market

Los Angeles has been crowned this year’s winner with 61.26 points. WalletHub reported that the city’s residents eat meat-free food 187 percent more often than the national average, and assigned 17 points for the diversity, accessibility, and quality of available foods.

Los Angeles has the second-highest number of affordable restaurants with vegan or veggie options and more than 4.5 stars on Yelp, plenty of farmers markets, organic farms, and community gardens, and a range of vegetarian festivals, meet-ups, and cooking classes.

Vegan highlights in Los Angeles

According to Happy Cow, Los Angeles has at least 408 vegan and vegetarian-friendly restaurants in central locations. However, because Los Angeles has an extensive sprawl (over 500 square miles) there are countless other gems within and outside of the city proper.

Here are just a few of the best-known and most popular vegan highlights in L.A.

Crossroads Kitchen

Crossroads is a high-end Mediterranean restaurant founded by Chef Tal Ronnen over a decade ago. It is a favorite of vegans and non-vegans alike, including prominent celebrities such as Kourtney Kardashian, and even offers a lavish and extensive tasting menu.

Find out more here.

Ramen Hood

Located in the historic Grand Central Market, Ramen Hood serves a completely vegan menu including a rich, creamy base broth and plant-based boiled eggs with poppable yolks. Both are included in its perpetually popular “OG Ramen,” but Ramen Hood serves a variety of other dishes, small plates, and addable extras.

Find out more here.

Lucifers Pizza

Lucifers Pizza doesn’t have an extensive vegan menu, but it was voted “Best Vegan Pizza in LA.” The restaurant serves vegan cheese on a vegan crust, with a range of toppings including pizza staples like mushrooms and bell peppers as well as roasted pumpkin.

Find out more here.

Gracias Madre

This all-vegan Mexican restaurant says its dishes are “rooted in nature.” Gracias Madre followed up its original San Francisco location with this LA branch in early 2014, and the eatery is known for its menu of Mexican staples like esquites, huevos rancheros, quesadillas, tacos, burritos, and gorditas.

“We serve traditional Mexican cuisine made from scratch using organic, non-GMO, plant-based ingredients sourced from local and regenerative farmers,” writes Gracias Madre. “We embrace sustainability, advocate for regeneration, and stand by transparency.”

Find out more here.

Cafe Gratitude

Cafe Gratitude was founded by Chef Seizan Dreux Ellis in 2012 and serves a 100 percent organic, vegan menu. Its many dishes have titles like “I Am Thriving” (the soup of the day) and “I Am Grateful” (a shredded kale and black bean-based “community bowl”).

Find out more here.

Shojin

Shojin is named after the Shinto Buddhist vegan diet and also exclusively serves plant-based and organic foods. It has separate takeout and dining menus, which include vegan sushi, ramen, tasting plates, and desserts. (Try the Tempura Banana & Chocolate Mousse Cake.)

Find out more here.

Pura Vita

Pura Vita is the self-proclaimed first-ever completely plant-based Italian restaurant and wine bar in the US. Its flagship location is in West Hollywood and the restaurant has now opened a dedicated Pura Vita pizzeria next door. Pure Vita’s dinner menu includes antipasti, fried food, salads, sandwiches, and pasta dishes, along with pizza and calzones.

Find out more here.

Read more: The Top 20 Vegan Cities In The World Revealed By HappyCow

This article was written by Liam Pritchett on the PBN Website.

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Schiphol Airport In Amsterdam Will Be 60 Percent Plant-Based By 2030 https://plantbasednews.org/lifestyle/travel/schiphol-airport-amsterdam-plant-based/ https://plantbasednews.org/lifestyle/travel/schiphol-airport-amsterdam-plant-based/#respond Fri, 16 Aug 2024 16:00:00 +0000 https://plantbasednews.org/?p=329071 The airport's plant-based pledge is part of an overall plan for increased sustainability

This article was written by Liam Pritchett on the PBN Website.

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Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport has announced plans to go more plant-based in the name of sustainability.

Read more: AI-Powered Vegan Travel App Launches Crowdfunding Campaign

In a statement, the airport said that it will make 60 percent of food and dairy offerings – based on ingredient volume – plant-based by the end of the decade. Furthermore, it aims to cut CO2e emissions from food products by 50 percent by 2030, compared to 2023.

The airport hopes to achieve a resource loss goal of less than one percent by 2030, which will make it effectively zero-waste. Schiphol has said that its products will be certified deforestation-free by 2025, and all cocoa and coffee will be sourced with FairTrade certification by the same year.

Schiphol Airport is the primary international airport for the Netherlands and the third-largest in Europe. It saw more than 60 million passengers in 2023, up 18 percent from the year before, making its sustainability pledges potentially very impactful.

Read more: Vegan Chicken Brand ‘SHICKEN’ Launches In US Costco Stores

Flyers demand vegan food at airports

Photo shows a worker serving a customer at a cafe in Schiphol Airport
Schiphol Airport Many of Schiphol Airport’s food and beverage partners already offer vegan or vegan adaptable meals

In July, Schiphol Airport announced a “plant-based bonanza” in its dining area thanks to food and beverage partners FEBO, Toko To Go, LEON, STACH, and Burger King. The latter even partnered with the airport for an exclusive meal, the Veggie Crunchie Chicken Deluxe, which features plant-based meat by the Vegetarian Butcher.

You can find Schiphol’s current range of plant-based options on the airport’s website here, which include its “Health Food Wall” vending machines, Pizza Per Tutti!, Up To Do Good, La Place, Kebaya, and Amsterdam Bread Co, most of which offer vegan-adaptable meals.

Airports, in general, have seen a recent surge in demand for vegan and alcohol-free options, including plant milks, meat-free breakfast and brunch items, and healthy smoothies.

Slutty Vegan founder Pinky Cole announced in July that her plant-based fast-food chain would be opening a branch in Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson international airport, one of the busiest in the US. This will be the first all-vegan restaurant at Hartsfield-Jackson.

Read more: Burger King Makes Plant-Based Food Cheaper Than Meat In Germany

This article was written by Liam Pritchett on the PBN Website.

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