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Vegetarian Food Guide

Discover the best destinations and dishes for Vegetarian travelers.

About Vegetarian Cuisine

Vegetarian cuisine excludes meat and seafood but may include dairy products and eggs. It is rich in fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds.

Vegetarian eating has become common in Australia, and plenty of restaurants run dedicated vegetarian menus or clearly marked options. Every major city has vegetarian and vegetarian-friendly venues alongside health food stores, and supermarkets carry meat substitutes, plant-based milks and similar products. Smaller towns tend to have fewer choices, but you can usually still find something. Cafes are a reliable bet for vegetarian sandwiches, salads and pasta, especially the ones built around fresh local produce.

Benefits of Vegetarian Eating

Lower risk of heart disease

Reduced risk of certain cancers

Lower blood pressure

Decreased risk of type 2 diabetes

Lower BMI and reduced risk of obesity

Travel Tips for Vegetarian Travelers

  1. 1

    Research vegetarian-friendly restaurants before your trip

  2. 2

    Learn local phrases to explain your dietary needs

  3. 3

    Consider booking accommodations with kitchen access

  4. 4

    Pack vegetarian snacks for long travel days

  5. 5

    Use apps like HappyCow to find vegetarian options

Must-Try Vegetarian Foods

Pavlova - Vegetarian dish from Australia
AU
Australia

Pavlova

Pavlova is a dessert Australia claims as its own, named after the Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova. It has a crisp meringue shell over a soft, marshmallow-like centre, topped with whipped cream and seasonal fruit, usually passion fruit, strawberries, kiwi and mango. It's most popular in summer and over the holidays, especially Christmas, when it tends to be the dessert on the table. The mix of sweet meringue, cream and tart fruit is what makes it work.

Allergens: Eggs, Dairy

Tim Tam - Vegetarian dish from Australia
AU
Australia

Tim Tam

Australia's best-known chocolate biscuit: two malted biscuits with a chocolate cream filling, coated in chocolate. The Tim Tam Slam is the trick of biting off opposite corners and sucking a hot drink through it. More than 45 million packets sell each year.

Allergens: Wheat, Dairy, Soy

Vegemite - Vegetarian dish from Australia
AU
Australia

Vegemite

A dark brown savoury spread made from leftover brewers' yeast extract, vegetables and added spices. It's high in B vitamins and has been an Australian breakfast staple since 1922. The trick is to spread it thinly on hot buttered toast, never eat it by the spoonful. It's a national icon and very much an acquired taste.

Allergens: Yeast

Fairy Bread - Vegetarian dish from Australia
AU
Australia

Fairy Bread

A children's party staple: white bread spread with butter and covered in rainbow sprinkles (hundreds and thousands). It has been turning up at Australian birthday parties for generations, and there's nothing fancy about it.

Allergens: Wheat, Dairy

Lamingtons - Vegetarian dish from Australia
AU
Australia

Lamingtons

Sponge cake squares dipped in chocolate icing and rolled in desiccated coconut, sometimes filled with jam or cream. They're named after Lord Lamington, Queensland's governor from 1896 to 1901. Often called Australia's national cake, you'll find them at any bakery and most fundraising stalls.

Allergens: Wheat, Dairy, Eggs

Matcha Desserts - Vegetarian dish from Japan
JA
Japan

Matcha Desserts

Powdered green tea, ground fine, that pastry chefs lean on hard right now: matcha soft serve, parfaits, tiramisu, and cheesecake. Uji in Kyoto Prefecture grows the best ceremonial-grade matcha. The newer desserts take the flavor of the tea ceremony and run it through modern pastry technique.

Allergens: Dairy, Eggs

Pizza Napoletana - Vegetarian dish from Italy
IT
Italy

Pizza Napoletana

Traditional Neapolitan pizza with a soft, thin base topped with San Marzano tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, fresh basil, and olive oil. UNESCO-protected tradition since 2017.

Allergens: Wheat, Dairy

Risotto alla Milanese - Vegetarian dish from Italy
IT
Italy

Risotto alla Milanese

Creamy rice dish from Milan flavored with saffron, white wine, bone marrow, and Parmesan cheese. Golden color from saffron makes it instantly recognizable.

Allergens: Dairy

Gelato - Vegetarian dish from Italy
IT
Italy

Gelato

Italian-style ice cream with less fat than the American version, which makes it denser and more intensely flavored. Yuzu and bergamot are popular flavors at the moment.

Allergens: Dairy, Eggs (some flavors), Nuts (some flavors)

Tiramisu - Vegetarian dish from Italy
IT
Italy

Tiramisu

Coffee-flavored dessert made with ladyfingers soaked in coffee, layered with mascarpone cheese mixture, and dusted with cocoa. Originated in Veneto region.

Allergens: Wheat, Eggs, Dairy

More Vegetarian Dishes to Try

Paneer Tikka

Indian Cuisine

Marinated and grilled Indian cottage cheese with spices

Caprese Salad

Italian Cuisine

Fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil with olive oil

Vegetable Paella

Spanish Cuisine

Rice dish with saffron and seasonal vegetables

Falafel

Middle Eastern Cuisine

Deep-fried patties made from ground chickpeas

Margherita Pizza

Italian Cuisine

Classic pizza with tomato sauce, mozzarella, and basil

All Countries with Vegetarian Options

AU

Australia

Oceania

Capital: Canberra

Must-Try Foods:

BarramundiChicken Parmigiana (Parma)Meat Pie

Dietary Options:

vegetarianvegangluten-free
JA

Japan

Asia

Capital: Tokyo

Must-Try Foods:

SushiRamenTempura

Dietary Options:

vegetarianvegangluten-free
IT

Italy

Europe

Capital: Rome

Must-Try Foods:

Pizza NapoletanaPasta CarbonaraRisotto alla Milanese

Dietary Options:

vegetarianvegangluten-free
FR

France

Europe

Capital: Paris

Must-Try Foods:

CroissantBoeuf BourguignonCoq au Vin

Dietary Options:

vegetarianvegangluten-free
EG

Egypt

Africa

Capital: Cairo

Must-Try Foods:

KoshariFul MedamesMolokhia

Dietary Options:

vegetarianveganhalal
GR

Greece

Europe

Capital: Athens

Must-Try Foods:

MoussakaSouvlakiGreek Salad (Horiatiki)

Dietary Options:

vegetarianvegangluten-free
SP

Spain

Europe

Capital: Madrid

Must-Try Foods:

Paella ValencianaJamón IbéricoTortilla Española

Dietary Options:

vegetarianvegangluten-free
GE

Germany

Europe

Capital: Berlin

Must-Try Foods:

BratwurstSauerkrautSchnitzel

Dietary Options:

vegetarianvegangluten-free
MO

Morocco

Africa

Capital: Rabat

Must-Try Foods:

TagineCouscousPastilla

Dietary Options:

vegetarianveganhalal
VI

Vietnam

Asia

Capital: Hanoi

Must-Try Foods:

PhởBánh MìGỏi Cuốn

Dietary Options:

vegetarianvegangluten-free
TU

Turkey

Asia

Capital: Ankara

Must-Try Foods:

KebabBaklavaManti

Dietary Options:

vegetarianveganhalal
CA

Canada

Americas

Capital: Ottawa

Must-Try Foods:

PoutineMaple SyrupButter Tarts

Dietary Options:

vegetarianvegangluten-free
AR

Argentina

Americas

Capital: Buenos Aires

Must-Try Foods:

Asado (Argentine Barbecue)EmpanadasLocro

Dietary Options:

vegetarianvegangluten-free
UN

United States

Americas

Capital: Washington D.C.

Must-Try Foods:

HamburgerBBQ RibsApple Pie

Dietary Options:

vegetarianvegangluten-free
BR

Brazil

Americas

Capital: Brasília

Must-Try Foods:

Feijoada (Feijoada)Moqueca (Moqueca)Churrasco (Churrasco)

Dietary Options:

vegetarianvegangluten-free
CH

China

Asia

Capital: Beijing

Must-Try Foods:

北京烤鸭 (Běijīng Kǎoyā) - Peking Duck麻辣火锅 (Málà Huǒguō) - Spicy Hot Pot小笼包 (Xiǎolóngbāo) - Soup Dumplings

Dietary Options:

vegetarianvegangluten-free
IN

India

Asia

Capital: New Delhi

Must-Try Foods:

Butter Chicken (Murgh Makhani)Masala DosaBiryani

Dietary Options:

vegetarianvegangluten-free
TH

Thailand

Asia

Capital: Bangkok

Must-Try Foods:

Pad ThaiTom Yum GoongGreen Curry (Gaeng Keow Wan)

Dietary Options:

vegetarianvegangluten-free
ME

Mexico

Americas

Capital: Mexico City

Must-Try Foods:

Tacos al PastorMole PoblanoChiles en Nogada

Dietary Options:

vegetarianvegangluten-free
SO

South Africa

Africa

Capital: Pretoria

Must-Try Foods:

BobotieBiltongBraai

Dietary Options:

vegetarianvegangluten-free
PO

Portugal

Europe

Capital: Lisbon

Must-Try Foods:

Pastéis de NataBacalhau à BrásFrancesinha

Dietary Options:

vegetarianvegangluten-free
SW

Sweden

Europe

Capital: Stockholm

Must-Try Foods:

KöttbullarKanelbullarSurströmming

Dietary Options:

vegetarianvegangluten-free
SI

Singapore

Asia

Capital: Singapore

Must-Try Foods:

Hainanese Chicken RiceChili CrabLaksa

Dietary Options:

vegetarianvegangluten-free
PE

Peru

Americas

Capital: Lima

Must-Try Foods:

CevicheLomo SaltadoAjí de Gallina

Dietary Options:

vegetarianvegangluten-free
SO

South Korea

Asia

Capital: Seoul

Must-Try Foods:

김치 (Kimchi)비빔밥 (Bibimbap)불고기 (Bulgogi)

Dietary Options:

vegetarianvegangluten-free
LE

Lebanon

Asia

Capital: Beirut

Must-Try Foods:

MezzeKibbehShawarma

Dietary Options:

vegetarianvegangluten-free
NE

New Zealand

Oceania

Capital: Wellington

Must-Try Foods:

HangiLambGreen-Lipped Mussels

Dietary Options:

vegetarianvegangluten-free
CO

Colombia

Americas

Capital: Bogotá

Must-Try Foods:

Bandeja PaisaArepasAjiaco

Dietary Options:

vegetarianvegangluten-free
KE

Kenya

Africa

Capital: Nairobi

Must-Try Foods:

Ugali (Cornmeal Porridge)Nyama Choma (Grilled Meat)Sukuma Wiki (Collard Greens)

Dietary Options:

vegetarianvegangluten-free
RU

Russia

Europe

Capital: Moscow

Must-Try Foods:

BorschtPelmeniBlini

Dietary Options:

vegetarianvegangluten-free
PH

Philippines

Asia

Capital: Manila

Must-Try Foods:

AdoboLechonSinigang

Dietary Options:

vegetarianvegangluten-free
IR

Ireland

Europe

Capital: Dublin

Must-Try Foods:

Irish StewColcannonIrish Soda Bread

Dietary Options:

vegetarianvegangluten-free
NE

Netherlands

Europe

Capital: Amsterdam

Must-Try Foods:

StroopwafelBitterballenRaw Herring (Hollandse Nieuwe)

Dietary Options:

vegetarianvegangluten-free
PO

Poland

Europe

Capital: Warsaw

Must-Try Foods:

PierogiBigosŻurek

Dietary Options:

vegetarianvegangluten-free
HU

Hungary

Europe

Capital: Budapest

Must-Try Foods:

GulyásLángosChicken Paprikash (Paprikás Csirke)

Dietary Options:

vegetarianvegangluten-free
AU

Austria

Europe

Capital: Vienna

Must-Try Foods:

Wiener SchnitzelSachertorteTafelspitz

Dietary Options:

vegetarianvegangluten-free
NO

Norway

Europe

Capital: Oslo

Must-Try Foods:

Brunost (Brown Cheese)GravlaksFårikål

Dietary Options:

vegetarianvegangluten-free
ET

Ethiopia

Africa

Capital: Addis Ababa

Must-Try Foods:

Injera with WotDoro Wot (Spicy Chicken Stew)Kitfo (Minced Raw Beef)

Dietary Options:

vegetarianvegangluten-free
SA

Saudi Arabia

Asia

Capital: Riyadh

Must-Try Foods:

Kabsa (كبسة)Jareesh (جريش)Saleeg (سليق)

Dietary Options:

vegetarianveganhalal
JO

Jordan

Asia

Capital: Amman

Must-Try Foods:

MansafFalafelKnafeh

Dietary Options:

vegetarianvegangluten-free
GH

Ghana

Africa

Capital: Accra

Must-Try Foods:

Jollof RiceFufu and Light SoupBanku and Tilapia

Dietary Options:

vegetarianvegangluten-free
IN

Indonesia

Asia

Capital: Jakarta

Must-Try Foods:

Nasi GorengRendangSatay (Sate)

Dietary Options:

vegetarianvegangluten-free
RW

Rwanda

Africa

Capital: Kigali

Must-Try Foods:

Ugali (Ubugali)BrochettesIsombe

Dietary Options:

vegetarianvegangluten-free
JA

Jamaica

Americas

Capital: Kingston

Must-Try Foods:

Jerk ChickenAckee and SaltfishRice and Peas

Dietary Options:

vegetarianvegangluten-free