Eating vegan when in Europe can be a challenge, but every year it’s easier to find delicious vegan food. We read somewhere that the UK has the largest number of vegans proportionate to their population compared to any other country in the world. France is a bit more tricky, as their love for dairy and meat is legendary. Italy has some hidden gems, and being vegan in Spain is easier than ever. We tried a few popular places in each of these countries, so that you can enjoy delicious plant based meals while visiting. One thing to note is that if you’re coming from the US, you’ll soon notice how in general, food in Europe is less seasoned. Let’s tuck in then!
England
Purezza
75-77 High St, Manchester M4 1FS, United Kingdom
This is a very cool vegan pizza joint located in the city center, very close to many charming shops. The restaurant is very spacious, with plenty of seating. The vibe is rustic chic, with brick walls, nature-inspired decor, and lots of natural light coming from their big windows. All pizzas are made to order, with fresh ingredients and their own homemade vegan cheese. The crust is a delicious, fluffy, thin sourdough. We tried the four seasons pizza, which was very tasty; the combination of beetroot, artichokes, mushrooms and black olives was well balanced, and even though the cheese was a bit more gooey than expected, the excellence of the crust, the toppings, and the tomato sauce turned into one of the best vegan pizzas we’ve ever had. They also offer lunch specials if you feel like stretching your money. Service was very good.
The Egg vegetarian cafe
16-18 Newington (Top Floor), Liverpool L1 4ED, United Kingdom
What a cutie this place is! First off, it was a bit hard to find because it’s in a small building on a quiet street, and you have to go up the stairs to the top floor. Look for signs near the front door at street level. This is a very bohemian cafe, with wooden floors and chunky roof beams, plants all around and artwork lining the walls. You order from the counter; they offer a modest selection of homely, hearty comfort food at reasonable prices. The food is very fresh and prepared to order. We recommend the falafel platter; the falafel was very crispy, topped with creamy tahini and paprika, and served with a pasta salad for extra freshness and carbs.
Hardware Coffee + Kitchen
40B Renshaw St, Liverpool L1 4EF, United Kingdom
This place is what Starbucks aspires to be. A super cool, modern cafe, great for breakfast and brunch, conveniently located on a main street near popular Liverpool attractions. Like the tardis, it’s much bigger than it looks like from the outside. Although it’s not a fully vegan place, it has a few vegan options. We stopped by because we couldn’t leave the UK without trying the traditional English breakfast, so if you are looking for the same, order the “Hardy’s vegan toolbox.” It’s a generous and colorful plate of food: it comes with a chunky slice of bread that is topped with a tofu scramble, sided with a big dollop of creamy avocados, a roasted mushroom cap, roasted cherry tomatoes, 2 vegan sausages, roasted potatoes and a tasty mildly spiced red dipping sauce. If you want the full english breakfast experience, order a side of baked beans. Another solid option we tried was the Hardy’s toasted veg sandwich: delicious bread filled with roasted veggies and a tasty pesto spread for more depth of flavor. Request it with no cheese, or vegan cheese.
Itsu
This is the place to be if you want to GET THRIFTY. Lord knows London is expensive, so Itsu is a true gem for a quick and delish meal that will be kind to your wallet. It’s a fast food asian chain where you order from a screen and can pick out your own food, as they have a lot of ready-made dishes for you to grab and go. Extra thrifty tip: you can save extra money if you order to go. They offer plenty of vegan options, all very tasty and fresh. Think rice, noodles, veggie sushi and salads. We love that each menu item comes with nutritional info, so you can keep track of your calorie intake if that’s your thing.
Mildreds
This is a fully plant-based restaurant offering incredible dishes from different cuisines of the world. It’s a restaurant with table service, nice colorful decor, and a very lively vibe. We visited the Soho location, which was in a very busy part of town. Service is attentive but a bit pushy (in our experience), but the food was excellent. We tried the “Salt & pepper tofu bokkeumbap” which was a treat; it was sweet and salty and the tofu was sooo good, soft on the inside but crunchy on the outside and covered with a delicious sticky sauce. We also tried the “Kiri hodi” which was really good but very spicy because it comes with dried red chili chunks; the curry was rich, creamy and perfectly seasoned, and the pickles it comes with help tone down the heat of the dish.
France
Land & Monkeys
This is a small pastry and sandwich chain with limited seating, perfect for a quick bite or drink. Their entire menu is vegan, so order at leisure. Their style is clean, modern, and very charming, and their selection of pastries and baked goods is large. They offer savory foods such as sandwiches and quiches, but we highly recommend you try french staples like croissants and petit gateaux. The food is very good and the prices are affordable.
VG Pâtisserie
123 Boulevard Voltaire, 75011 Paris, France
If you want to experience the legendary french pastry, there is no better place. Their quality and taste is outstanding, full of flavor and super fresh. They have a very large selection of beautiful pastries, and also, the vegan macarons are a MUST. For real, the food does not only look stunning (true to French style), but it’s also delicious.
Positive Deli
Halles du Marché, Carré à la Marée, Rue de la Pourvoierie, 78000 Versailles, France
When in Versailles, visit the Notre Dame market and you will find this lovely little deli, in a corner inside one of the halls of the market. Just make sure to check their hours because they don’t open every day, and note that lunch is served from 11am to 2pm when the kitchen opens. They are a flexitarian deli, with vegan options. We really enjoyed their falafel wrap (you can also get it as a bowl), and although the menu is small, their food is fresh and delicious.
Italy
La Tecia Vegana
Calle dei Secchi, 2104, 30123 Venezia VE, Italy
A hidden gem in Venice, La Tecia Vegana serves authentic regional cuisine. They require reservations, so plan ahead. One thing to keep in mind is that they are located far from the touristic areas (closer to Piazza Romana), so you might want to eat here first before exploring the city, as it’s quite a walk from the most popular areas. The neighborhood is as charming as the rest of the city, and the best thing is that since it’s so far away, you get a nice break from the crazy crowds. Their menu is very traditional, small, simple and honest. They make everything in house, including their fresh pasta. We could not resist ordering a lasagna, but we also tried a very comforting pasta dish that is a regional specialty (“no fish” on the menu), where they use seaweed to give it that oceanic taste.
Nirvana
Via il Prato 4/B, Firenze (FI), Italy
This restaurant is a bit far from the main attractions, but it’s still in the city center, and the walk there is very pleasant. They have plenty of seating (including outdoors for when the weather is nice). The service is very friendly, and they serve traditional Italian fare. We recommend the gnocchi with red pesto, which is delicious, creamy and generous. Another great option is the classic spaghetti carbonara, where they sub the traditional pork with chunky bits of soy.
Spain
Six Board Game Cafe
Avenida Ciudad de Barcelona, 180. 28007 Madrid
This is a very casual restaurant that caters to board game lovers, so it’s perfect for going with family and friends. Just note that tables are usually reserved for groups who will play, so if you go only for the food, they might be able to seat you as long as there’s a free table and you don’t plan on staying long. The food is simple but tasty and filling - we recommend the Veggie burger and any of their fruit juices.
Veggie Garden
14 C/ dels Àngels. Barcelona, Catalonia
Located in a quiet street in the lively Raval neighborhood, this delightful vegan restaurant specializes in Nepalese food. Expect plenty of hearty curries, varied and delicious, and many other options that are made to order and are crowd pleasers (sandwiches, bowls, etc). Their lunch specials are a steal, such a great price for the amount of food you get - you can choose from a set number of dishes and you get an entree, main, a dessert and a drink.