5 underrated European cities that are secretly vegan heaven

Let’s be honest. When we think “vegan-friendly Europe,” our minds drift to Berlin’s currywurst-without-the-wurst scene or London’s plant-based Sunday roasts. Maybe we picture Paris catching up, or Amsterdam stacking oat milk lattes like tulips in spring.

But what if I told you that some of Europe’s lesser-hyped cities are quietly dishing out the most soul-satisfying vegan eats—and doing it with a side of heritage, innovation, and zero tourist fatigue?

These five cities might not be on every vegan traveler’s radar yet—but they should be. I spent time in each, fork in hand and curiosity turned all the way up.

What I found? Hidden food gems, plant-forward chefs rewriting tradition, and communities that treat sustainability like second nature.

Let’s explore.

1. Ghent, Belgium: Where veggie Thursdays turned into everyday magic

Ghent doesn’t shout about its vegan scene—but it could.

This Flemish city was the first in the world to introduce a weekly Donderdag Veggiedag (Thursday Veggie Day), back in 2009. That quiet shift changed everything.

Today, Ghent’s vegan-friendliness feels baked into the city’s DNA. You’ll find plant-based waffles that rival the buttery originals and stoofvlees (a beef stew) reinvented with jackfruit or seitan so rich and spiced, it earns silence at first bite.

Where to eat:

• Le Botaniste: Think apothecary-meets-bistro with build-your-own grain bowls and natural wine on tap.

• Komkommertijd: A pay-by-weight buffet that leans heavy on flavor (and surprisingly light on your wallet).

• Loving Hut: Local version of the international chain—but here, the vegan croquettes steal the show.

The why: Ghent’s city council saw plant-forward eating as both a climate and public health strategy—and the residents leaned in. The result? A community that treats plant-based as the norm, not the niche.

2. Ljubljana, Slovenia: Alpine air, Balkan soul, and next-level vegan comfort

Slovenia’s capital is one of Europe’s greenest cities—literally and philosophically.

Between its car-free old town, refill stations on every corner, and a river so clean locals swim in it, Ljubljana doesn’t just talk sustainability. It lives it.

The vegan food scene is quite comfort-forward and full of surprises. Expect mushroom-stuffed burek, lentil stews with paprika that sing, and cashew cheese spreads with wild herbs you’ve never heard of but will Google immediately.

Where to eat:

• Bazilika Bistro: Think heirloom beans, seasonal veggies, and the creamiest beet hummus you’ve ever met.

• Ajdovo Zrno: Rustic, affordable, and built for locals—don’t miss their nutty vegan žlikrofi (Slovenian dumplings).

• Veganika: Great for smoothies, raw cakes, and an energy-boosting stop between hikes.

The why: Tucked between Italy, Austria, and the Balkans, Slovenia draws culinary influences from all sides—but Ljubljana adds its own eco-conscious twist. Plant-based here isn’t trendy—it’s just how people live.

3. Porto, Portugal: Heritage dishes, reimagined by a new wave of chefs

Porto is old stone streets and riverside wine cellars. But lately, it’s also tofu francesinha sandwiches, almond milk pastéis de nata, and seaweed that somehow captures the soul of bacalhau without the fish.

In a country where meals are long, loud, and meat-heavy, Porto is rewriting tradition with respect and a whole lot of creativity. The new generation of chefs isn’t ditching heritage—they’re translating it.

Where to eat:

• daTerra: A buffet that somehow makes every dish feel plated to order. Vegan feijoada? Yes please.

• Época: Seasonal, slow-food cafe with organic everything and sourdough that deserves its own passport stamp.

• O Oriente no Porto: Macrobiotic, peaceful, and deeply nourishing. A healing stop in a city that tempts indulgence.

The why: Portugal has one of the fastest-growing vegan populations in Europe, and Porto is its quiet culinary lab. Here, plant-based food meets old-world flavor in a way that feels more evolution than rebellion.

4. Tallinn, Estonia: Tech hub meets plant-based pioneer

Tallinn might be better known for its medieval towers and digital-forward governance (they vote online, for real), but in my opinion, its vegan scene should be just as well-known. It's fresh, bold, and wildly photogenic—everything you need to capture both the heart and the senses. 

Estonians have long had a foraging culture—berries, mushrooms, herbs—which blends beautifully with today’s plant-based trends. The result? Forest-to-fork plates that feel as nourishing as they are Instagrammable.

Where to eat:

• Vegan Restoran V: Often booked out for a reason—creative dishes like beet carpaccio with horseradish cream or smoky lentil pâté.

• Toormoor: Raw cakes, sprouted buckwheat, and fermented everything. A haven for the gut-health crowd.

• NOP: Technically omni, but with a heavy veggie lean and an organic store attached. Grab a vegan rhubarb muffin for the road.

The why: Tallinn’s startup culture spills into its food scene—young chefs experiment fearlessly, so the city has become a place where plant-based feels not just accepted, but celebrated.

5. Turin, Italy: The slow food capital that’s also a vegan playground

Turin might be Italy’s best-kept vegan secret. As the birthplace of the Slow Food movement, it champions mindful eating and local ingredients—and that ethos extends to plant-based cuisine.

Yes, it’s still Italy, so you’ll find focaccia with olive oil that tastes like sunshine and espresso so strong it might solve your problems. But you’ll also find vegan vitello tonnato, dairy-free hazelnut gelato, and eggplant lasagna that makes no apologies for being meatless.

Where to eat:

• Mezé: Mediterranean-style vegan food with North African flair. The chickpea tagine hits like a hug.

• Flower Burger: Bright buns, bold sauces, and enough crunch to make every bite count.

• L'Orto già Salsamentario: Translates to “The Vegetable Deli”—an apt name for a menu that reads like a garden party.

The why: In a city already obsessed with quality ingredients and culinary craft, veganism becomes less about substitution and more about spotlighting plants in all their glory.

Final thoughts: Travel with taste, but lead with values

Vegan travel used to mean Googling translations for “no cheese, please” and packing snacks just in case. Not anymore.

Cities like Ghent, Ljubljana, Porto, Tallinn, and Turin aren’t just accommodating plant-based travelers—they’re inspiring them. They’re weaving sustainability into city planning, restaurant menus, and everyday life in ways that feel both ambitious and intimate.

The best part is, these cities aren’t even trying to be trendy. They’re simply responding to what matters—climate, culture, and community.

So go ahead—skip the usual suspects. Book the ticket. Bring your appetite. And let these quiet vegan heavens show you just how delicious sustainable living can be.