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Do you want to travel to the US but are not sure which cities are the most suitable to visit as a vegan traveler? There has been some research on the topic already, comparing cities on different criteria like cost of fruit and vegetables, the number of restaurants serving vegan food per capita, and affordability of groceries for vegans. But numbers can’t tell you if a city really feels good to travel to as a vegan, what atmosphere the restaurants have and if you can easily encounter other vegan travelers while visiting the city. That’s why we compiled a list of the 8 best vegan cities in the US according to travel bloggers. Instead of just numbers, they will tell you where to go to get the best in each city!
Tampa is a great city in the US for vegan travelers
According to the World Animal Foundation, around 15,5 million Americans in the US are following a plant-based diet. While veganism has been growing in popularity in recent years, especially after Covid-19, a lot of cities don’t quite manage yet to cater to vegans and vegetarians.
That’s why we asked a bunch of travel bloggers about which city they think vegan travelers should visit to find the best decent vegan food. Some bloggers live in these cities themselves as vegans, others have visited these cities on their travels and were blown away by the vegan options they encountered. They don’t only highlights the amazing vegan food that is on offer but also where you can buy vegan clothing, great markets in the city and hotels to stay that are accommodating to vegans.
Without further ado, let’s dive into this list about the best vegan cities in the US according to travel bloggers!
Best vegan cities in the US: New York
“New York City is an amazing, vegan-friendly city for travelers in the US to visit. Not only are there a ton of vegan markets for you to enjoy, like May Wah with Lily’s Vegan Pantry on Hester Street, but there are a ton of great vegan clothing stores in the city too!
So, stop by MooShoes to purchase some cruelty-free footwear near the Tenement Museum before checking out a wide selection of vegan luxury handbags at Expressions NYC (right near the Empire State Building). Afterward, head to Habit in Park Slope for a wide selection of reasonably priced, 100% vegan clothing items.
Then, refuel at ABC Kitchen V. It’s a totally plant-based branch of the famed ABC Kitchen Restaurant and is easily one of the best vegan restaurants in NYC. It is also run by Michelin-starred chef Jean-Georges and is known for serving delicious, modern American fare that is made using organic, locally sourced ingredients.
Try the dosa and pair it with a refreshing, housemate, rosewater lemonade. It’s not too sweet and incredibly refreshing.
Finally, unwind for the night at the Archer Hotel in Midtown. It’s a luxurious hotel in the Garment District that even features chilled, plant-based milk inside your in-room fridge.”
By Kelly Duhigg of Girl with the Passport
Best vegan cities in the US: Los Angeles
When considering the best vegan cities across the U.S., Los Angeles tends to wind up rather high on the list – and rightly so! Commonly referred to as “the vegan capital of the world”, LA has somewhat of a reputation as an absolute vegan mecca.
Boasting over 150+ fully vegan and/or vegan-friendly restaurants city-wide, there’s certainly no shortage of options here that are healthy, environmentally conscious, and delicious. From vegan bakeries (a visit to Erin Makenna’s is a must next time you’re in the area!) to burger joints, microbreweries, or international vegan cuisine, there’s something for everyone and for every occasion.
Fortunately, the vegan craze doesn’t just end with LA’s impressive array of eateries. Several times a year you’ll find vegan festivals bringing together various vegan organizations or vendors at events such as the renowned Vegan Street Fair, Vegfest, and Eat, Drink, Vegan.
In addition to its numerous vegan festivals, LA also boasts an extensive network of vegan shops. Consider a stop at the notorious Vegan Fashion Library where sustainable brands and ethically-sourced products are openly showcased and celebrated. So, if you’re planning a west coast adventure, rest assured that there are a myriad of vegan and vegan-friendly businesses here in LA; each just waiting to welcome you!
by Natasha Karcz from Planes, Trains and Karcz
China town, San Francisco.
San Francisco is a great city to explore as a vegan and more plant-based restaurants and shops are appearing all over the city. You can either try popular vega chains like Vegan Burg or Loving Hut or go on the hunt for little independent cafes and restaurants that offer vegan options.
San Francisco is a very young city with lots of cultural events and a diverse population. This attracts a wide variety of travelers and residents and makes it the perfect vegan destination. One of the best tips for those visiting the city as a vegan is to look for Asian food places like Indochine Vegan. A lot of Asian food is vegan, to begin with, and San Francisco has a great variety of restaurants to choose from.
The Flying Falafel is another good spot and its Middle Eastern menu is absolutely delicious and a must-try for plant-based visitors. For a more luxurious experience or a special occasion head to Gracias Madre, a more upscale Mexican restaurant with delicious tacos and other options on the menu. This is an established place and has been a part of San Francisco for many years so make sure to book in advance if you want to reserve a table.
By Victoria Heinz of Guide your Travel
Eastern Market, Detroit, Michigan.
It shouldn’t surprise you that the city of chrome wheels and Motown is also a hot spot for vegan food—even PETA and VegNews have highlighted its culinary accomplishments! Whether you’re looking to carb up for a day of sightseeing with a vegan brunch fit for a Queen, savor veganized soul food, or sink your sweet tooth into something sinful, you’ll find it in Detroit!
If you only have one day, make sure you don’t miss the vegan version of a Detroiter favorite—Coney Dogs! These aren’t your average hot dogs, they are smothered in house-made chili, and topped with cheese, mustard, and onion! The best spot to experience this comfort classic is Chili Mustard Onions.
After you’ve had your Coney fill, head just a few blocks over to Cold Truth for the most epic vegan soft serve in town. This isn’t your basic vanilla twist, think creative flavors like lavender, lemon curd, and Mexican chocolate topped with a house-made dark chocolate magic shell, toasted marshmallows, blue moon drizzle, blueberry basil compote and so much more.
After you’re fully stuffed, you’ll want to stretch your legs with a little shopping! Downtown Detroit has an eclectic mix of little boutiques and markets with vegan and cruelty-free products. Don’t miss The Lip Bar for vegan and cruelty-free makeup, handmade soaps, and candles from City Bird, and you can’t leave without grabbing vegan chocolates from Bon Bon Bon—these handmade chocolates are a sweet way to end your Motor City adventure!
By Rebecca Gade Sawicki from Veggies Abroad
Best cities for vegans in the US: San Diego.
San Diego, California is one of the best vegan cities in the US. Nowadays, in metropolitan areas across the States, most restaurant menus have some kind of vegan options. But San Diego goes above and beyond that concept to offer numerous restaurants, bakeries, stores, and even a brewery that are vegan-only.
In addition to standard vegan fare, in San Diego, you have sweet vegan options for ice cream and cookies, as well as, ethnic eateries for vegan Italian, Mexican, and Thai. Looking for a vegan burger joint? There’s Burger Botanical in La Jolla whose chef transitioned to a plant-based diet during COVID, and then developed a restaurant around his favorite recipes.
Likewise, one of the partners at Modern Times Brewery is a longtime vegan and has committed to no animal products in their beers or restaurants. Even the University of California, San Diego has the vegan restaurant, Roots.
The hip Hillcrest area seems to be the “in” place for vegan bakeries with Starry Lane, and Hazel and Jade. Hillcrest also happens to be where PlanetX launched their U.S flagship vegan grocery store, XMarket. This 4,500-square-foot vegan haven also houses a sandwich shop and cafe, vegan, of course. XMarket also makes an effort to sell some of the vegan products made by local San Diego companies like Tracy’s Real Food, San Diego Tempeh, and Kula Ice Cream.
If you’re looking for something vegan and can’t find it in San Diego, it probably doesn’t exist.
By Denise of Chef Denise (Pinterest)
Palm Springs is located a two-hour car ride north of Los Angeles in California, USA. This beautiful city is well known for its natural hot springs making it very popular among both local and international tourists. Furthermore, Palm Spring is a great destination for foodies with lots of vegan-friendly cafes and restaurants.
Heirloom Craft Kitchen in the Indio area is a great restaurant with an elaborate vegan menu. Another great option is Native Foods, a restaurant chain with different locations in the US. This restaurant offers a versatile and 100% plant-based menu and is a favorite among locals making it somewhat of a secret tip. If you are looking for a great dinner restaurant, you should check out Cork & Fork which has an entire vegan menu.
If you happen to be visiting Palm Springs on a Saturday, you shouldn’t miss out on the Farmers Market which is suitable for both vegans and non-plant-based individuals alike. Every Saturday from 8:30 am to 1:30 pm, the market takes place either indoors or outdoors, depending on the season. Here you will find lots of local farmers selling their organic products including fruits, veggies as well as homemade specialties.
Stop by Nature’s Health Food Cafe for some excellent food and check out their shop with plenty of vegan and organic products available for sale. Fruit Wonders offers the best refreshments during your sightseeing trip through Palm Springs in case you need a break on a hot day. Here, you can find a large selection of freshly made juices, acai bowls as well as smoothies at affordable prices; all plant-based of course.
By Maria Silko from Lifestyle Traveler
Best vegan cities in the US: St. Pete, Florida.
Saint Petersburg, Florida is known for its white-sand beaches and boho culture but in past decades it was thought of as a sleepy city. In the last 10 years, downtown St. Pete has come alive. Tourism growth is hitting record numbers and its population has increased by 10% in the past 12 years. This has created a higher demand for more restaurants and businesses.
The vegan scene in St. Pete has become very reminiscent of major cities like L.A. and New York. Not only do most restaurants have vegan options on the menu but there are several places that are completely vegan. Love Food Central is one of the most popular vegan and gluten-free cafes on the west side of downtown. They have creative sandwiches, salads, sides, and baked goods. They make their own cheez sauce in-house.
A 5-minute walk away is Valhalla Bakery. Never mind it being completely vegan, they make some of the best baked goods in St. Pete. I tried the cookie butter blondie. The blondie was crisp on the outside and chewy on the inside. The fluffy frosting on the top made all the textures come together perfectly. The portion was pretty large so I broke it into two servings.
A notable place to shop for groceries is Black Radish Grocer. They just became the first completely vegan grocery store to open in the city with a diverse selection of products. The Saturday Morning Market is another great opportunity to explore many different vegan vendors. They are open every Saturday from 9 am -2 pm right downtown by the waterfront.
By Rachel Beland from Rachel’s Findings
Most people head to Tampa to take part in a myriad of outdoor activities and soak up the sun on the countless surrounding beaches, but vegan food? Oh, yes, there is plenty of that to enjoy too! Tampa’s vegan scene is on the rise—whether you’re looking for soul-filling Italian comfort food or healthy raw eats, you will find it there!
If your time is limited, be sure to head to Farmacy Vegan Kitchen to start your day with a sweet acai bowl filled with seasonal berries, granola, coconut, and more! If you need something a little sweeter, don’t worry they also carry Gaia donuts—is there anything better than a vegan donut?
Afterward, you can’t miss the hip public market—Armature Works. This reinvented space is full of food, little shops, outdoor games, and it’s home to another vegan spot you can’t miss—Dharma Southern Kitchen. Get ready to sink your teeth into veganized southern comfort classics like Nashville Hawt Chick’n, mac-n-cheese, and more!
After all that tasty goodness, you’ll need to stretch your legs, and a great place to do that is with a shopping adventure in downtown St. Pete. Just across the Skyway Bridge, you’ll be greeted with more vegan eats and miles of cute boutiques—this is the best spot to find a souvenir to take home. In between shops, make sure you stop at Plant Love Ice Cream for a cup or cone of creamy coconut-based ice cream—the sweetest way to end your Tampa vegan adventure!
By Rebecca Gade Sawicki from Veggies Abroad
These were the best vegan cities in the US according to travel bloggers in 2022! As you can see, California seems to be a great state to visit as a vegan as there are four cities in this state that are recommended by experienced travelers.
Florida also seems a great state to visit as a vegan with some amazing vegan options in St. Petersburg and Tampa. And last but not least, Detroit and New York seem to be great options if you are planning the visit the North-West of the US.
If you know any other great vegan city in the US that is not mentioned here be sure to let us know in the comments below!
ENJOY!
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Hi! I am Annelies and this is Travelers & Dreamers, a blog about conscious travel which means traveling in a more mindful way, with a positive impact on the world and yourself!
On this website, I cover different topics like slow travel, plant-based food guides, responsible travel, sustainable packing, eco-travel, and more!
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Spencer Asher
So glad to see that three of these major vegan cities are in California! Another great vegan spot in San Diego is Plant Powered Fast Food in Encinitas. Also check out Cozy Plum Bistro, Branch Line, Little Saint, and Slice of Life if you ever visit Sonoma County!
annelies_degelas
Hey Spencer,
Yep, according to travel bloggers California is the place to be for vegan in the US! 🙂 Thanks for the tip in San Diego and also for the places to visit in Sonoma county! <3