My Top Ten Favourite Vegan Restaurants in the World
If I could eat anywhere right now
As a keen traveller and a total vegan foodie, a big part of planning any trip for me revolves around finding food. When travelling, I often have a “must-eat” list that’s longer than the list of sights to see. So, to document some of the most memorable meals I’ve enjoyed around the globe, I’ve taken on the tough task of ranking my favourite plant-based food spots worldwide.
Criteria: I’m only judging fully vegan restaurants, and I am NOT including dessert, breakfast, or smoothie bowl places (stay tuned for upcoming posts on those). This is lunch and dinner spots only. Also, it has to still currently be open. Anything that’s closed down is off the list (sorry).
Runner-up: Hortelã, Portimão, Portugal
It had been a long day. It was late. We were tired. David was hangry (lord give me strength when he is hangry). Nowhere had vegan food that wasn’t falafel and David doesn't like falafel. Then, out of nowhere, came Hortelã, a tiny, cosy, stunning little gem of a place where the owners make all the food from plant-based ingredients they grow themselves. The atmosphere was magical. The views from the rooftop terrace were stunning. The brownie, sweetened with bananas only, was heavenly. Our moods were instantly lifted.
The only reason Hortelã is a mere runner-up is because it appears to have closed down - I am not sure it has, but it is a possibility. Had I had definite confirmation that this place is still open, it would have been much higher on the list.
This place was on my “must-eat” list before visiting LA. I’d dreamed of this place for ages before setting food in this creative high-end eatery. And I was not disappointed. My husband was, though - he still claims his pizza was too small. He’s not wrong - fantastic as my ravioli was, the dish only had maybe five pieces. Nowhere near enough - not even in the vicinity of enough. To make up for it, the ice-cream sundae I got for dessert was enormous.
Must-try dish: the truffle summer corn ravioli. One of the top five dishes of my life.
Now, this place is something special. I went here while getting over a stomach bug - my hunger was just coming back, and despite being fully aware that eating a burger with fries and an Oreo shake with whipped cream would probably bring me back to square one, I still went for it. I paid my price, and spent the flight home nauseated, sipping on coconut water and knocking back Pepto-Bismol.
And I have absolutely zero regrets.
The burger at Comet 984 is the best burger I’ve ever had in my life, and the fries are A Work Of Art. Good fries are crunchy, not soggy, and this place got it exactly right. The 50s vibe is also delicious - it truly feels like a vintage American diner. Would still go back, even with the worst stomach bug in the world.
Must-try dish: That Oreo milkshake still haunts my hungriest dreams.
One thing you need to know about me: I still get hungry when it’s warm.
You know those people who are all like: “it’s soo hot today, so I only had melon for lunch!” good for you Susan, I’m making tagliatelle. My hunger sees no difference between Sweden in December and, well, Las Vegas in August. So when I found myself in sweltering 44-degree heat in Nevada, I hightailed it straight to The Modern Vegan for a sandwich that was bigger than my head, accompanied by the most amazing, perfect fries ever. God only knows why I had no dessert. The more I look at the menu, the more I want to book a flight, heat be damned.
Must-try dish: if I remember correctly, I had the TMV Club. For someone who is never full on “just” a sandwich, I could barely move after this meal. It’s a must.
This cosy and delicious little place was really memorable - but I cannot remember the name of the dish I had! It was some kind of ravioli. Or was it tortelloni? Some sort of filled pasta - and it was spectacular. There were non-vegans in our party and they absolutely raved about the place too. Also, have no photos of this one.
Must-try dish: It’s quite tricky to advise on dishes to try when the menu varies on a daily basis. Have the ravioli (or tortelloni) if you come across them!
I do love a buffet, and I love it even more when it’s all vegan. This high-end all-you-can eat is located in a shopping mall in central Stockholm, and the decor is as appealing as the food. Swedish chef and food blogger Gustav Johansson, creator of the website Jävligt Gott (which means “damn good”) has developed a to-die-for menu that no one died for, making it a true must-visit spot for any vegan in Stockholm. It’s pricey, but worth at least one visit.
Must-try dish: everything on the buffet. And do go back for a second round!
Purezza is the UK’s first vegan pizzeria, and I’ve been going there since it opened. Brighton is an exceptionally good place for pizza - I dare say that the pizza here is better than some parts of Italy (and my husband, Milan born and raised, seconds this). But among all the great pizza places in my adopted home town, Purezza is still my number-one favourite. Their pizza dough is perfectly made - and anyone who truly loves pizza knows that the dough is the most important part - and the toppings are refreshingly creative. Only negative: for some reason they removed the fantastic carbonara pizza from the menu. Bring it back now!
Must-try dish: the Parmigiana Party pizza. It’s won the National Pizza of the Year Award, so technically it’s been chosen as the best pizza in the UK. That’s not just best vegan pizza, but best pizza overall.
Sicily’s vegan scene has highs and lows. If you’re in a small, rural part of the region, you’d better hope that there’s a supermarket nearby, as restaurants will have you on a steady pasta-and-tomato-sauce diet. But if you’re in a city like Siracusa, you might just be lucky enough to find a gem - and that’s exactly what MOON is. From a fantastic artisanal vegan cheeseboard to the first and best cannolo of my life (yes, the singular is cannolo, not cannoli), this is one spot you won't want to miss if you’re vegan in Sicily.
Must-try dish: the carbonara. Absolute perfection.
Mildred’s holds a special place in my heart - after my book launch party, we all went for dinner here. The burger I had then was among the best dishes I’d ever had, but little did I know that Mildred’s would have even more in store. Over the years, I’ve had amazing noodles, rice, cocktails and desserts here. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, and the flavours are really unique. If I want to impress someone, I take them here.
Must-try dish: the burger and the tiramisú, but whatever you have, it will be perfection
You know what I don’t like? Small plates.
Seriously, this is a food trend that I’ll never get on board with. I’m a Large Plates girl and having to fork out loads of cash for a tiny dish with one single macaroni and cheese on it is not my idea of a good time.
Unless, of course, I’m at Bonsai. This Asian-fusion restaurant specialises in small plates and unbelievable flavours. Their menu is alive with unique touches: every detail is considered, no dish is trite or boring. The cocktails are pure art, and so are the desserts. This is one restaurant that deserves all the mountains of hype it’s been getting. Eating there is always an experience.
Must-try dish: well, the gyoza was incredible, but it appears they no longer do it.
If I absolutely had to choose a favourite restaurant in the world, Hermans would probably be it.
From the location - overlooking the water at Slussen, with gorgeous views of the city - to the marvellous, rich and varied all-you-can eat vegan buffet, this eatery in my hometown wins my heart every time I go. Which is pretty much every time I go back to Stockholm. Is it the cheapest place in town? Definitely not. But you’ll find that it’s worth every penny.
Must-try dish: I’ve celebrated my birthday at Hermans a number of times (they know me by now!) and every time I celebrate, I get the Belgian chocolate cake with vegan whipped cream. Be aware that desserts are charged extra, but if anything is worth it, it’s this cake. My husband is by his own admission “not a dessert person”, but even he still reminisces about this cake.
I’m sure I forgot some restaurants - and I’m sure this list will need an update in a few years. But for now, these are my most memorable meals.
All photos by me except those of me. Those are by David Camilli.
I don't think I have been to any of these, but it does make me wonder what would be on my global list...
Thanks for sharing this