5 vegan travel destinations that don't require researching every restaurant in advance

I used to spend more time planning meals for a five-day trip than I did planning the actual itinerary. Spreadsheets of restaurant addresses, backup options, phrases translated into local languages just in case.

My finance brain loved the organization, but somewhere between cross-referencing Google Maps and HappyCow reviews, I'd lose the spontaneity that makes travel magical.

Then I discovered that some cities simply don't require that level of preparation. Places where veganism is woven into the culture, where you can wander into almost any neighborhood and find something delicious without a backup plan.

These five destinations changed how I travel, and they might change how you travel too.

1. Berlin, Germany

Berlin ruined me for other European capitals. The first time Marcus and I visited, we abandoned our carefully curated restaurant list by day two because we kept stumbling into incredible plant-based spots by accident.

A döner kebab shop with seitan options. A corner bakery with vegan croissants. A late-night currywurst stand that didn't require any explanation or special requests.

The city has one of the highest concentrations of vegan restaurants per capita in the world, but what makes it truly effortless is how normalized plant-based eating has become in mainstream establishments.

Even traditional German restaurants often have dedicated vegan sections on their menus. The Kreuzberg and Friedrichshain neighborhoods are particularly abundant, but honestly, you could throw a dart at a Berlin map and land somewhere with options.

2. Tel Aviv, Israel

There's something about a city where roughly five percent of the population identifies as vegan that shifts the entire dining landscape. Tel Aviv doesn't treat plant-based eating as alternative or niche. It's simply how many people eat.

The Mediterranean climate means fresh vegetables are exceptional year-round, and traditional Middle Eastern cuisine already centers legumes, grains, and produce.

Hummus, falafel, sabich, shakshuka made with tofu instead of eggs.You'll find yourself eating incredibly well without ever seeking out specifically vegan restaurants. Street food vendors, market stalls, beachside cafes: they all speak the language.

Have you ever traveled somewhere and felt like your dietary choices were celebrated rather than accommodated? That's Tel Aviv.

3. Chiang Mai, Thailand

Northern Thai cuisine has a long tradition of plant-based eating, influenced by Buddhist practices and the region's agricultural abundance. Chiang Mai takes this foundation and adds a thriving community of health-conscious expats and digital nomads who've helped vegan options flourish.

What surprised me most was how affordable and casual the experience felt. Night markets with dedicated vegetarian stalls. Tiny family-run restaurants where pointing at vegetables and saying "jay" (the Thai word for vegan) gets you a feast. Smoothie bowls and raw food cafes for when you want something lighter.

The Old City area is particularly dense with options, but even wandering into less touristy neighborhoods, I never struggled. The warmth of Thai hospitality extends to making sure you're well-fed, whatever your preferences.

4. Portland, Oregon

Sometimes the best vegan travel doesn't require a passport. Portland has built its reputation as a plant-based paradise through decades of counterculture food innovation, and the city delivers on that promise block by block.

Food carts are the secret weapon here. Clusters of them occupy parking lots throughout the city, and vegan options aren't relegated to one lonely cart in the corner.

They're everywhere, serving everything from Korean tacos to mac and cheese to wood-fired pizza. The grocery stores stock local vegan products you won't find elsewhere. The coffee shops assume you want oat milk.

Even the dive bars have surprisingly good plant-based pub food. Portland feels like a glimpse into a future where this is just how cities operate.

5. Taipei, Taiwan

Taiwan's Buddhist vegetarian tradition runs deep, and Taipei has transformed that heritage into one of the most exciting vegan food scenes in Asia. The city is home to thousands of vegetarian restaurants, many of which are entirely plant-based, and they're not hidden away in specialty districts.

Night markets deserve special attention. Shilin, Raohe, Ningxia: each offers multiple stalls serving vegetarian versions of Taiwanese classics. Gua bao with braised mushrooms. Scallion pancakes. Bubble tea made with oat milk.

The convenience stores, which are practically a food group unto themselves in Taiwan, stock clearly labeled vegetarian options including hot foods, bento boxes, and snacks. I've never felt more confident grabbing random items and knowing I'd be fine.

Final thoughts

The older I get, the more I value travel that allows for presence rather than constant planning. These cities gave me permission to put away my phone, follow my curiosity down unfamiliar streets, and trust that nourishment would find me.

What would it feel like to arrive somewhere new without anxiety about your next meal? To let hunger guide you into a random restaurant and know you'll be taken care of? That freedom is worth seeking out. It transforms travel from a logistics exercise into actual exploration.

And isn't exploration the whole point?