Many would-be travelers tell me that they hesitate visiting particular locations, in fear of not finding enough suitable meal options for a vegan. My response is always emphatically “Don’t worry! I have found INCREDIBLE vegan dining in countries where you would not expect it”! Honestly, there is no good reason these days to avoid any destination because of the dining scene you expect to find there.

I have compiled a list of ten tips to consider, in planning your next overseas holiday. These tips, based on my travel experiences, illustrate just how “first time” vegan travel is easier than you may think.

1. Don’t Be Afraid To Travel Because Of Diet Restrictions – In many regions of the world, all kinds of vegan food options are available. Tourist-centric cities and towns across the globe have vegetarian or vegan restaurants that offer standard international fare, such as veggie burgers, salads, vegan pizza, and so forth. Many vegetarian restaurants also offer vegan entrees. Even non-veg restaurants may offer a couple of vegan-suitable menu items. At the very least, many restaurants are willing to create and prepare a vegan-suitable entree upon request. That holds true internationally, as well. One vacation that comes to mind was in the Guadalajara, Mexico region. I was eager to dine one evening at a restaurant that was very popular among tourists due its fanfare, colorful decorations, and local ambiance. The chef prepared a vegan meal for me, due to my request upon arrival. No problem whatsoever.

You can typically find basic staples such as rice and veggies dishes at restaurants in most countries. I dined on this huge plate of brown rice and flavorful veggies in Norway.

Countries that you wouldn’t expect to have vegan food(eg. Iceland, Brazil, Argentina, South Africa) did indeed offer plenty of great vegan dining. Yes, even the barbecue capitals of the world: Rio, Brazil and the Patagonia region of Argentina, can proudly boast of some delicious vegan fare. Iceland and South Africa really impressed me with their variety and bounty of vegan-friendly restaurants. I found some wonderful vegan meals in each of these countries.
This pumpkin tofu cake with potatoes was one of my many delightful meals in Iceland!

2. Savor The Vegan Version Of Local Cuisine – Wherever I travel across the globe, I research in advance for any authentic local cuisine that may be offered in a vegan-friendly restaurant. In Peru, cerviche and lomo saltado are quite popular dishes. I was able to find the veganized version at a restaurant in Cusco. Brazil’s national dish is feijoada. Again, I was able to find a restaurant that served a vegan version. A vegan bakery in Copenhagen, Denmark offers the traditional Danish pastries. This local ethnic cuisine is what I crave most during my world travels.

My vegan tapas in Spain were awesome!

The vegetable tagines on which I feasted in Morocco were delicious!

Why one can even find authentic local desserts abroad , as well! My sfenj donut in Marrakech was simply yummy!

3. Seek Out Vegan Markets – Whether your travels take you across the USA or Europe or any other continent, you can find vegan markets are becoming all the rage. During my visit to Istanbul last summer, I spent some time in an all-vegan market that offers snacks, faux meats, vegan cheeses, and even skincare products. Germany is home to the all-vegan supermarket “Veganz”. Whether its vegan chocolate, vegan cheeses, mock meats, or vegan ice cream, this market has got everything a vegan may need while abroad. Customers can visit these markets to find vegan travel snacks for their lengthy bus tours. Sometimes a day tour is quite lengthy and by the time you are dropped off at your hotel, all of the vegan-friendly restaurants in town have closed for the evening. Stocking up in advance with food from a vegan market will solve this dilemma. For example, Vegan Dukkan is a well-stocked vegan market shop that I visited in Istanbul last summer.

4. Try The Local Fruits, Juices, and Teas – One of my favorite food experiences during my travels, is finding fruit that is indigenous to a particular country or region. Many countries do not export all of their fruit varieties. South America and the Caribbean are prime examples of this. I enjoy indulging in the sumptuous exotic fruit found around the world! South Africa offers the aloe ferox plant juice at various dining establishments. I consumed it as part of my breakfast meal. Unique teas can be found anywhere we travel in the world. Argentina has its mate tea. South Africa is know for its rooibos. Egypt offers hibiscus tea. Moroccans appreciate their mint tea. All are vegan.
Fresh local oranges in Morocco:

Coconut juice in Trinidad & Tobago:

Mint tea in Morocco:

Aloe Ferox juice in South Africa:

5. Fall Back To Old Standbys For International Cuisine – As we all know, certain cuisines are popular no matter where you travel. Mexican, Italian, Indian, and Thai food have all earned global recognition for their tastiness. Restaurants offering these cuisines can be found in virtually any touristy region in the world. Fortunately, these cuisines have much to offer the vegan traveler. If you are vacationing in a city or country that does not offer much in terms of vegan food, a meal at an Indian restaurant is always a good option.
New Zealand is home to many wonderful Indian restaurants:

I ate dinner at a fantastic Ethiopian restaurant in Norway:

6. Stay At Hostels or Vegan Bed and Breakfasts – My accommodations of choice are typically hostels. Not only are they inexpensive, but travelers are not tied to a meal plan. Organized group tours usually include set meals at set restaurants, as well as hotel dining. None of it is guaranteed to be vegan (although my tour guides have requested in advance for restaurants to prepare something vegan for me). The cost to us is less if we are not required to dine at a particular restaurant, as with a hotel or an organized tour. Hostels offer their shared kitchen for guests to prepare their own meals. You can cook up those vegan food products that you may have purchased at a vegan market!

Vegan bed and breakfast inns exist around the world. Domestically and internationally, the vegan traveler can find an oasis of eco-friendly atmosphere and vegan dining.

I recently relished a stay at a vegan bed and breakfast in the Catskills of New York. They prepared a delicious breakfast of homemade vegan pancakes with soy yogurt and fruit:

7. Visit A Vegan Shop – Everywhere that I travel across the globe, I am finding more and more vegan shops. Some are dedicated to carrying vegan shoes and vegan handbags, wallets, and other accessories. Some shops and markets sell various vegan skincare products. Its always a treat to pick up a vegan purse or try a new vegan skincare product that you find during your travels.

8. Appreciate the local wildlife – Vegans truly appreciate all sentient beings. For those who are venturing out of their comfort zone to embark on exotic travels for the first time, nothing feels more exciting than visiting an animal sanctuary or seeing wildlife frolicking about in their natural habitat. Precious penguins at Boulder’s Beach, South Africa and adorable baboons in the Moroccan forests will leave a lasting impression on a vegan tourist’s heart!

9. Check Airline Meal Plans Online In Advance – Many airlines these days offer meal options for vegans. However, each airline uses its own terminology, not all of which is standard in the industry. VGML, Western Vegetarian, Vegetarian non-dairy are just a few of terms used by some of airlines. Travelers can request vegan-friendly meals online or call their airline in advance. Beware of condiments, breads, and desserts. They are typically not vegan. A few airlines, however, do indeed serve vegan buttery spread, vegan salad dressing, and snacks.

Air France offered this fabulous vegan meal during one of my overseas flights. Even the buttery spread was labeled as “vegan”! Very impressive that they go all out to cater to vegans.

10. Bring Some Vegan Packaged Meals And Snacks Just In Case – While many major tourist towns offer alot for vegan fare, one can not expect as much in remote or rural destinations. It is wise to pack several vegan foods in your luggage. A Well-prepared traveler always has options. Vegan snacks, dried pre-cooked oatmeal cups, and packaged meals that just need hot water are essentials to bring with you from home, in case of dining emergencies abroad. Freeze-dried camping meals come in a variety of tasty options and several brands offer vegan options. I have frequently made good use of my compact bowl and spork on a flight, in remote and rural destinations, or at my destination during the rare times when I couldn’t find suitable dining. In some locations, vegan restaurants close early in the evening which leaves you seeking a decent meal upon returning from a lengthy bus tour. Packing a few vegan staples is the essential!
Oatmeal for the flight:

vegan travel snacks for munching during day trips:

Packaged meals(or freeze-dried camping meals), in case you find yourself at any remotely rural location without any vegan dining:

Bonus Tip!: More frequently than not, vegan-friendly restaurants are located far from the city center. It is wise to familiarize yourself with the modes of transportation at your destination. Bring a printout of vegan-friendly restaurants and shops from happycow.net or vegdining.com. Ask the front desk at your accommodations for the best mode of transportation and route to get there. They are usually very helpful and will indeed take the time to give you detailed information and draw the route on the local map.

My experiences have shown me that these ten tips can most definitely make any vacation “worry-free” in terms of vegan dining. When you put these tips into practice, I am confident that your holidays as a first time vegan traveler will be hassle-free as well!