Moving to Germany is exciting, but grocery shopping can feel surprisingly overwhelming when you're vegan. Every supermarket seems to carry plant-based products, yet the selection, prices, and availability vary much more than many newcomers expect.
One store might have an entire refrigerated section filled with vegan cheeses and ready meals, while another focuses on affordable pantry staples with only a handful of specialty products. Understanding these differences makes shopping easier, saves money, and helps you build a reliable weekly routine.
If you're searching for the best supermarket for vegan food Germany offers, the answer depends on what matters most to you. Some stores excel in variety. Others win on price. A few strike an excellent balance between both.
This guide compares Germany's biggest supermarket chains—including REWE, Edeka, Aldi, Lidl, and Penny—to help expats make informed choices without wasting time or money.
Quick Comparison: Which German Supermarket Is Best for Vegans?
| Supermarket | Variety | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| REWE | Excellent | Medium | Largest vegan selection |
| Edeka | Excellent | Medium to High | Premium plant-based products |
| Aldi | Good | Very Low | Budget-friendly basics |
| Lidl | Very Good | Low | Affordable branded alternatives |
| Penny | Moderate | Very Low | Everyday essentials |
For most shoppers, REWE offers the best balance of variety, convenience, and availability, while Aldi and Lidl provide outstanding value for everyday staples.
What Makes a Supermarket Good for Vegan Shopping?
Choosing the right grocery store isn't just about how many vegan products are on the shelves.
A great supermarket should consistently offer:
- Clearly labeled vegan products
- Affordable plant-based proteins
- Dairy alternatives
- Vegan frozen meals
- Fresh produce
- Meat substitutes
- Plant-based yogurts and desserts
- Vegan snacks
- Organic options
- Reliable stock throughout the year
Consistency matters even more than variety. Expats quickly appreciate knowing they can buy their favorite oat milk or tofu every week without visiting multiple stores.
REWE: The Most Reliable Choice for Vegan Shoppers
When people ask about REWE vegan products, they're usually referring to one thing: selection.
REWE has invested heavily in plant-based foods over the past several years. Most medium and large locations dedicate entire refrigerated sections to vegan products.
You'll commonly find:
- Vegan cheeses
- Tofu
- Tempeh
- Seitan
- Plant-based burgers
- Vegan sausages
- Oat milk
- Soy milk
- Almond milk
- Coconut yogurt
- Vegan ice cream
- Ready-made meals
- Vegan pizza
- Dairy-free butter
- Vegan chocolate
REWE also carries products from major international brands alongside its own private-label vegan options, giving shoppers choices across different price points.
Pros
- Excellent selection
- Reliable inventory
- Strong organic section
- Plenty of refrigerated products
- Easy-to-read vegan labels
Cons
- Higher prices than discount supermarkets
- Smaller city-center stores may carry fewer specialty items
REWE is often the easiest supermarket for new expats because product organization is straightforward and vegan sections are usually well marked.
Edeka: Premium Variety with Regional Differences
If REWE focuses on consistency, Edeka plant-based selections emphasize variety and premium brands.
One important thing to know is that Edeka stores operate somewhat independently. That means two locations can have noticeably different inventories.
Large urban Edeka stores frequently stock:
- Premium vegan cheeses
- International vegan products
- Fresh tofu
- Organic meat alternatives
- Specialty sauces
- Plant-based desserts
- Vegan baking ingredients
- Meat-free convenience meals
Smaller stores may offer a much narrower range.
Pros
- High-quality products
- Excellent produce
- Wide selection in larger locations
- Strong organic offerings
Cons
- Can be expensive
- Product availability varies between stores
If you live in Berlin, Hamburg, Munich, or Cologne, your local Edeka is likely to have one of the country's strongest vegan selections.
Aldi Germany Vegan Selection: Better Than Many Expect
For years, Aldi had a reputation for limited choice. That's changing quickly.
Today's Aldi Germany vegan selection includes many everyday essentials at remarkably low prices.
Typical finds include:
- Oat milk
- Soy yogurt
- Vegan burgers
- Plant-based nuggets
- Tofu
- Frozen vegetables
- Lentils
- Beans
- Pasta
- Rice
- Nut butters
- Vegan protein bars
Seasonal promotions often introduce entirely new vegan product lines, especially around January and autumn.
These special releases sometimes include:
- Vegan cheese
- Plant-based desserts
- Meat alternatives
- Frozen meals
- Bakery products
Because seasonal products rotate, it's worth checking Aldi regularly.
Pros
- Lowest prices
- Good quality
- Excellent value
- Growing vegan range
Cons
- Smaller overall selection
- Seasonal products disappear quickly
For budget-conscious expats, Aldi is difficult to beat.
Lidl: One of Germany's Best Budget Vegan Stores
Lidl competes directly with Aldi but has expanded its vegan offerings even faster.
Many shoppers now consider Lidl the strongest discount chain for plant-based foods.
Popular items include:
- Plant-based milk
- Vegan yogurt
- Tofu
- Falafel
- Frozen meals
- Vegan pizza
- Meat substitutes
- Protein-rich snacks
- Vegan spreads
- Fresh vegetables
Lidl frequently introduces affordable versions of products that cost significantly more elsewhere.
Its promotional weeks are especially popular among vegan shoppers because entirely new product ranges often appear at competitive prices.
Pros
- Excellent value
- Growing vegan selection
- Frequent new releases
- Competitive pricing
Cons
- Inventory changes often
- Specialty products may sell out quickly
If saving money is your priority, Lidl deserves a place in your weekly shopping routine.
Penny: Affordable Basics with Improving Options
Penny isn't usually the first recommendation for vegan shopping, but it has improved steadily.
Most stores stock:
- Plant milks
- Tofu
- Frozen vegetables
- Meat alternatives
- Pasta
- Rice
- Beans
- Bread
- Fresh fruit
- Basic vegan snacks
The selection isn't as extensive as REWE or Edeka, but prices remain attractive.
Penny works well for topping up essentials between larger grocery trips.
Which Store Has the Cheapest Vegan Food?
For shoppers focused on value, the ranking generally looks like this:
- Aldi
- Lidl
- Penny
- REWE
- Edeka
The biggest savings come from buying staples such as:
- Rice
- Pasta
- Lentils
- Chickpeas
- Frozen vegetables
- Oats
- Beans
- Potatoes
These foods remain inexpensive across nearly every German supermarket.
Premium meat substitutes and vegan cheeses show the biggest price differences.
Which Store Has the Largest Vegan Selection?
If variety matters more than price, here's how the supermarkets compare:
- REWE
- Edeka
- Lidl
- Aldi
- Penny
REWE consistently offers the broadest selection across refrigerated, frozen, pantry, and fresh categories.
Grocery Shopping Tips for Germany Expats
Shopping in Germany becomes much easier once you understand a few local habits.
Learn Common Vegan Labels
Products often display the word:
- Vegan
- Pflanzlich (plant-based)
Many items also carry a recognizable vegan certification logo.
Bring Your Own Shopping Bags
Most supermarkets charge for bags.
Keeping reusable bags with you quickly becomes second nature.
Shop Early for Specialty Products
Limited-edition vegan releases often sell out during the first few days.
This is especially true at Aldi and Lidl.
Visit More Than One Store
Many experienced expats split their shopping between supermarkets.
For example:
- Aldi for pantry basics
- Lidl for weekly specials
- REWE for specialty products
This approach offers the best balance between cost and variety.
Is Shopping Vegan in Germany Expensive?
Compared with many countries, Germany offers surprisingly affordable plant-based groceries.
Staples remain inexpensive, and increasing competition has lowered prices on meat alternatives and dairy substitutes.
Buying mostly whole foods keeps grocery costs manageable, while specialty products naturally increase the weekly bill.
Many expats discover that eating vegan in Germany costs little more—and sometimes less—than maintaining an omnivorous diet.
Best Supermarkets in Berlin for Plant-Based Shopping
When searching for a plant-based supermarket Berlin residents recommend, the answer usually depends on neighborhood.
Fortunately, Berlin's larger REWE and Edeka locations typically offer extensive vegan sections, while Aldi and Lidl stores provide excellent budget options throughout the city.
Many Berlin shoppers combine supermarkets rather than relying on just one.
This strategy provides access to both premium specialty foods and inexpensive everyday staples.
Sample Weekly Vegan Shopping Strategy
A practical routine might look like this:
Aldi or Lidl
- Oat milk
- Rice
- Pasta
- Beans
- Lentils
- Frozen vegetables
- Fruit
- Potatoes
REWE
- Vegan cheese
- Plant-based yogurt
- Specialty sauces
- Meat alternatives
- Ready meals
- Desserts
Edeka
- Premium products
- Organic foods
- Hard-to-find ingredients
- Fresh specialty items
This approach keeps grocery costs reasonable without sacrificing variety.
Beyond Groceries: Celebrating a Plant-Based Lifestyle
For many expats, veganism becomes more than a grocery list. It's part of building a new life centered around compassion, sustainability, and mindful choices.
If you're looking for apparel that reflects those values, browse The Dharma Store. Their collection of organic cotton vegan-themed shirts celebrates plant-based living with designs inspired by kindness, mindfulness, and ethical living.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best supermarket for vegan food Germany offers?
REWE generally provides the most complete vegan selection, combining everyday essentials with specialty products, refrigerated foods, frozen meals, and plant-based dairy alternatives.
Is Aldi Germany good for vegan groceries?
Yes. Aldi offers excellent value for staples, plant milks, tofu, frozen vegetables, and an expanding range of meat alternatives. Seasonal vegan promotions add even more variety throughout the year.
Does Edeka have more vegan products than REWE?
Large Edeka stores sometimes stock premium products that REWE doesn't carry, but REWE is usually more consistent across locations and easier for regular weekly shopping.
Which German supermarket is cheapest for vegans?
Aldi and Lidl are generally the most affordable supermarkets for vegan groceries, especially for pantry staples and private-label products.
Is grocery shopping easy for vegan expats in Germany?
Yes. Germany is one of Europe's most vegan-friendly countries, with mainstream supermarkets offering extensive plant-based options in nearly every major city.
The information in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional regarding dietary or health concerns.