Solo travel has seen remarkable growth in recent years, as more individuals prioritise personal interests, flexibility and self-discovery over traditional group trips. Grand View Research estimates the global solo travel market at USD 482.34 billion in 2024, with projections indicating it will grow to USD 1.07 trillion by 2030!
This rise reflects a shift in traveller preferences, with many seeking experiences that cater to their individual lifestyles, including ethical dietary choices.
For vegan travellers, exploring a city alone can be liberating and also exciting, as it requires navigating unfamiliar dining options while maintaining ethical commitments in a completely new place. From hidden vegan cafés to plant-based fine dining, solo travellers can easily discover the best culinary spots with careful planning! This guide helps make vegan eating accessible, enjoyable, and safe while travelling solo.
Modern technology has transformed how solo vegan travellers explore new cities:
Dedicated apps like HappyCow, abillion and Vanilla Bean can help locate vegan and vegan-friendly restaurants worldwide (with reviews, photos and filters for meal types and budgets), while recipe apps such as Food Monster and Forks Over Knives support cooking on the go!
Additionally, diet trackers like Dr. Greger’s Daily Dozen and 21-Day Vegan Kickstart help maintain nutritional goals (many apps also allow offline access, making them useful even without internet connectivity).
General platforms like Google Maps and Yelp let users search for “vegan” or “plant-based” options, often including reviews about non-vegan restaurants. Translation apps (e.g. the offline version of Google Translate) are invaluable in foreign countries for communicating dietary restrictions and reading menus. Food delivery apps with vegan filters provide a convenient overview of local plant-based options.
Social media, particularly Instagram and Facebook, helps travellers discover trendy vegan spots through hashtags, location tags and dedicated groups or pages (make sure to check Facebook groups, for example 'vegans in xyz city' or the Meetup app!). Another great app to find local vegans is 'Veggly' - although mostly used for vegan and vegetarian dating, we've also found many friends on here over the years.
A rewarding strategy for solo vegan travellers is seeking out authentic (read: traditional) 'accidentally' plant-based local dishes rather than only specialised restaurants (often offering dishes and meals that are foreign to the area). The good news is: cuisines worldwide offer abundant 'accidentally vegan' foods - we've never been to any place that didn't have anything traditional that was also completely plant (and fungi) based. For example, Indian dishes like dhal, Middle Eastern options such as hummus and falafel or Ethiopian vegetables served with injera are naturally plant-based.
How to be vegan in any city
For vegan travellers, exploring a city alone can be liberating and also exciting, as it requires navigating unfamiliar dining options while maintaining ethical commitments in a completely new place. From hidden vegan cafés to plant-based fine dining, solo travellers can easily discover the best culinary spots with careful planning! This guide helps make vegan eating accessible, enjoyable, and safe while travelling solo.
Leverage Technology and Apps for Vegan Discovery
Modern technology has transformed how solo vegan travellers explore new cities:
Vegan apps for finding restaurants and shops, markets
Dedicated apps like HappyCow, abillion and Vanilla Bean can help locate vegan and vegan-friendly restaurants worldwide (with reviews, photos and filters for meal types and budgets), while recipe apps such as Food Monster and Forks Over Knives support cooking on the go!
Vegan diet tracker apps
Additionally, diet trackers like Dr. Greger’s Daily Dozen and 21-Day Vegan Kickstart help maintain nutritional goals (many apps also allow offline access, making them useful even without internet connectivity).
General apps for reviews and food delivery
General platforms like Google Maps and Yelp let users search for “vegan” or “plant-based” options, often including reviews about non-vegan restaurants. Translation apps (e.g. the offline version of Google Translate) are invaluable in foreign countries for communicating dietary restrictions and reading menus. Food delivery apps with vegan filters provide a convenient overview of local plant-based options.
Social media for finding a local vegan community
Social media, particularly Instagram and Facebook, helps travellers discover trendy vegan spots through hashtags, location tags and dedicated groups or pages (make sure to check Facebook groups, for example 'vegans in xyz city' or the Meetup app!). Another great app to find local vegans is 'Veggly' - although mostly used for vegan and vegetarian dating, we've also found many friends on here over the years.
Understand Local Cuisines and Naturally Vegan Dishes
A rewarding strategy for solo vegan travellers is seeking out authentic (read: traditional) 'accidentally' plant-based local dishes rather than only specialised restaurants (often offering dishes and meals that are foreign to the area). The good news is: cuisines worldwide offer abundant 'accidentally vegan' foods - we've never been to any place that didn't have anything traditional that was also completely plant (and fungi) based. For example, Indian dishes like dhal, Middle Eastern options such as hummus and falafel or Ethiopian vegetables served with injera are naturally plant-based.
Besides these traditional accidentally vegan dishes (that have always been present), accessing local vegan options is becoming increasingly convenient globally. HappyCow’s 2025 rankings highlight this trend, with London and Berlin leading the way, offering over 3,600 and 1,700 listings, respectively. Notably, Mexico City and Ho Chi Minh City appear for the first time, signalling growing plant-based dining demand beyond Western regions - awesome, isn't it? And remember: learning a few local phrases ensures you can enjoy authentic, delicious and safe meals.
For solo vegan travellers, self-catering offers flexibility and economy. Using kitchen access in accommodations allows you to prepare familiar meals - providing a vital backup when restaurants are scarce! (Because that does happen sometimes, depending on where you are - more so in the countryside rather than capital cities). Local markets and farmers' markets are excellent cultural experiences where you can buy fresh, naturally vegan items like produce, nuts and juices. Simultaneously, grocery shopping is becoming easier globally.
Even in the U.S., VegOut highlights chains with the broadest in-store selection of dairy-free staples, vegan meats and ready-to-eat meals. You can usually find essential basics like rice, beans, lentils and pasta in conventional supermarkets worldwide. This self-sufficiency, whether cooking a full meal or just stocking up on portable snacks, ensures you can maintain a plant-based diet and your ethical consumption choices comfortably.
Solo travellers, especially vegans, can discover amazing dining spots everywhere, from tiny cafes to lively local restaurants and eateries. To find those true hidden gems, look for places off the main tourist paths (meaning: look for places where the locals eat). Don't be afraid to wander a few blocks away from the famous landmarks! Checking local vegan blogs or social media groups for the city can also point you toward small, authentic spots. To soak up the local culture and feel comfortable, explore neighbourhoods on foot during the day. When going out after dark, always choose safer transportation. This means using hotel-arranged taxis or rideshare services that you have thoroughly checked.
However, as a female traveller, I have to warn you: be aware of the serious risks in the rideshare industry. For instance, thousands of assault lawsuits have been filed against Uber, alleging the company failed to put proper safety measures in place to prevent driver assaults. If you ever become a victim, you may need to speak with an Uber assault lawyer to learn about your legal rights and options. So (with some mindful planning a caution), you can safely uncover these unique, plant-based hidden gems and fully enjoy the adventure of solo exploration.
Solo travel is enhanced by connecting with local and travelling communities for dining and safety tips! Platforms like Meetup and Facebook often host local vegan groups and social dining events, offering insider recommendations and companionship! The advice of digital influencers is also becoming increasingly valuable.
According to Springer Nature, the credibility of these influencers, who often have a wide digital reach, significantly impacts consumer intention - their influence can extend even to non-vegan followers, encouraging them to try vegan products! Spreading the popularity of initiatives like Veganuary is really important in this regard. This reach makes them powerful guides for travellers seeking genuine recommendations. Beyond influencers, staying in hostels, joining vegan-friendly food tours or using online travel communities can help you safely discover the best meals.
New York is often considered the easiest city to be vegan in. As one of the most populated cities, it offers an impressive variety of cuisines from all around the world. Numerous vegan options are frequently available within a single city block, making it convenient to find diverse plant-based meals anywhere in the Big Apple.
Wyoming is considered the least vegan-friendly state in the USA, followed by Arkansas. Wyoming scored poorly across all four categories used to assess vegan interest, including low Google search activity for vegan-related terms (limited dining options and lower awareness probably contribute a lot to the challenges for vegans in these states).
Ideally, you should maintain your vegan values, but flexibility can be practical in rare situations where no plant-based options exist (you might choose the least animal-derived item or bring your own food). Remember, the definition of veganism includes 'as much as doable and possible' which changes from situation to situation, from person to person. Personally, I've done things like pick the meat out of a free sandwich, ate the sandwich and fed the meat to street dogs. I've also lived off of plain rice, chips and fruit for several days. So ultimately it depends on you, where you are and what you're doing. Planning, like researching restaurants, packing snacks or using apps helps avoid compromising your principles while travelling or attending events.
Explore Markets, Grocery Stores, and Self-Catering
For solo vegan travellers, self-catering offers flexibility and economy. Using kitchen access in accommodations allows you to prepare familiar meals - providing a vital backup when restaurants are scarce! (Because that does happen sometimes, depending on where you are - more so in the countryside rather than capital cities). Local markets and farmers' markets are excellent cultural experiences where you can buy fresh, naturally vegan items like produce, nuts and juices. Simultaneously, grocery shopping is becoming easier globally.
Even in the U.S., VegOut highlights chains with the broadest in-store selection of dairy-free staples, vegan meats and ready-to-eat meals. You can usually find essential basics like rice, beans, lentils and pasta in conventional supermarkets worldwide. This self-sufficiency, whether cooking a full meal or just stocking up on portable snacks, ensures you can maintain a plant-based diet and your ethical consumption choices comfortably.
Be Ready to Explore Hidden Gems
Solo travellers, especially vegans, can discover amazing dining spots everywhere, from tiny cafes to lively local restaurants and eateries. To find those true hidden gems, look for places off the main tourist paths (meaning: look for places where the locals eat). Don't be afraid to wander a few blocks away from the famous landmarks! Checking local vegan blogs or social media groups for the city can also point you toward small, authentic spots. To soak up the local culture and feel comfortable, explore neighbourhoods on foot during the day. When going out after dark, always choose safer transportation. This means using hotel-arranged taxis or rideshare services that you have thoroughly checked.
However, as a female traveller, I have to warn you: be aware of the serious risks in the rideshare industry. For instance, thousands of assault lawsuits have been filed against Uber, alleging the company failed to put proper safety measures in place to prevent driver assaults. If you ever become a victim, you may need to speak with an Uber assault lawyer to learn about your legal rights and options. So (with some mindful planning a caution), you can safely uncover these unique, plant-based hidden gems and fully enjoy the adventure of solo exploration.
Build Community and Get Local Recommendations
Solo travel is enhanced by connecting with local and travelling communities for dining and safety tips! Platforms like Meetup and Facebook often host local vegan groups and social dining events, offering insider recommendations and companionship! The advice of digital influencers is also becoming increasingly valuable.
According to Springer Nature, the credibility of these influencers, who often have a wide digital reach, significantly impacts consumer intention - their influence can extend even to non-vegan followers, encouraging them to try vegan products! Spreading the popularity of initiatives like Veganuary is really important in this regard. This reach makes them powerful guides for travellers seeking genuine recommendations. Beyond influencers, staying in hostels, joining vegan-friendly food tours or using online travel communities can help you safely discover the best meals.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the easiest city in the USA to be vegan in?
New York is often considered the easiest city to be vegan in. As one of the most populated cities, it offers an impressive variety of cuisines from all around the world. Numerous vegan options are frequently available within a single city block, making it convenient to find diverse plant-based meals anywhere in the Big Apple.
Which is the least vegan-friendly state in the USA?
Wyoming is considered the least vegan-friendly state in the USA, followed by Arkansas. Wyoming scored poorly across all four categories used to assess vegan interest, including low Google search activity for vegan-related terms (limited dining options and lower awareness probably contribute a lot to the challenges for vegans in these states).
Should I compromise my vegan values if no vegan options are available?
Ideally, you should maintain your vegan values, but flexibility can be practical in rare situations where no plant-based options exist (you might choose the least animal-derived item or bring your own food). Remember, the definition of veganism includes 'as much as doable and possible' which changes from situation to situation, from person to person. Personally, I've done things like pick the meat out of a free sandwich, ate the sandwich and fed the meat to street dogs. I've also lived off of plain rice, chips and fruit for several days. So ultimately it depends on you, where you are and what you're doing. Planning, like researching restaurants, packing snacks or using apps helps avoid compromising your principles while travelling or attending events.
Solo vegan travel is increasingly accessible thanks to apps, local knowledge and community connections. Exploring markets, restaurants and cultural cuisines ensures both authentic experiences and dietary adherence. With planning, flexibility and the right resources, vegans can confidently enjoy diverse meals while travelling anywhere in the world! (Photo source: Pexels and Unsplash)
