The world’s best countries for vegetarians

In search of the best countries for vegetarians? You’ll know that travelling as a vegetarian can be tough, with many restaurants offering just a few options. Even across the Channel in France, vegetarians represent a very small percentage of society, and the only guaranteed choice in cafes and bistros is omelette avec salade. Elsewhere in the world, you may be greeted with blank faces or the reassurance you’ll be served something vegetarian only to find your dish is laced with flakes of beef or noodles cooked in fish sauce.

However, there are vegetarian-friendly countries in the world that naturally excel in meat-free cuisine, such as India, Japan and Australia. Some places have a national palate that naturally tends towards veggie options. Other destinations have responded well to the stratospheric rise in lifestyle veggies and vegans over the past ten years, with imaginative street fare and restaurant options that cater to a full range of appetites.

The best countries for vegetarians

To help vegetarian travellers, travel blog, Oliver’s Travels, put together a Global Vegetarian Index to mark World Vegetarian Awareness month. Their in-depth survey ranked countries around the world based on their number of vegetarian restaurants, how it compares to population size and meat consumption per capita. The question on everyone’s lips was, of course, who’s the champion? Drum roll please…

1. The Seychelles

The Seychelles was officially named the new go-to destination for vegetarians. The seductive Indian Ocean archipelago – a favourite with honeymooners – is home to an intoxicating fusion of African, French, Chinese, Indian and English cuisine, all cooked with an abundance of fresh local ingredients, from chilli, aubergines, mangoes, palm hearts and banana. Coconut milk is used in many dishes, alongside cassava manioc, rice and sweet potatoes. Popular meals also use tamarind chutney and shredded green papaya salad.

“The Seychelles’ top score is driven by its high number of vegetarian-friendly restaurants in relation to its small population, alongside its low annual meat consumption,” says Oliver’s Travels. “In the Seychelles, only 35.6kg of meat per capita is consumed annually. To put that into context, the USA consumes a massive 120.2kg of meat per capita over the same period.”

2. Thailand

Thailand was named the world’s second most vegetarian-friendly country, with a Global Vegetarian Index score of 326, only two points shy of first place.

And rightly so. Vegetarianism is a practice followed by a large number of the sizeable Buddhist population, meaning there are plenty of options from food stalls to malls to restaurants. Use the Happy Cow app to easily find eateries in cities like Bangkok, Chang Mai (a vegan hotspot) and Phuket, and on the islands, such as Koh Samui, Koh Phi Phi and Koh Tao. You’ll find a large variety of colours and flavours in the food too, perfect to tickle the tastebuds: try rainbow vegetarian pad Thai, sweet and sour tofu, and pad pak boong (a vegetable stir-fry with water spinach). 

Do be warned that lots of restaurants will use fish sauce or other animal byproducts in the preparation of their dishes so make sure you check the food is free of it before ordering. To be completely safe, say “gin jay” (I’m vegan) or “mai ow nam plaa” (no fish sauce).

3. Peru

The beautiful South American nation of Peru boasts a plethora of veggie-friendly favourites, making it one of the best countries for vegetarian food. Papa a la huancaina (boiled potato with creamy yellow sauce) is found everywhere, deriving its punchy flavour and colour from the yellow aji pepper. La causa is a kind of casserole that layers together potato and aubergines – two vegetables available in droves at any Peruvian market you happen to chance across. Choclo (Peruvian corn) is a staple ingredient, and can be found in anything from chupes (thick Andean soups) to boiled versions that are served with queso serrano (Andean cheese) or chilli pepper sauce.

4. Cambodia

While many traditional dishes in Cambodia derive from beef, pork or fish sauce, the country has seen a boom in vegetarian restaurants in recent years, particularly in the capital, Phnom Penh. Popular rice and noodle mains can also be served sans meat. Dishes, such as green mango salad with shallots, onions and picked cucumber are enticing, while guitiyo (Khmer noodle soup topped with coriander, bean sprouts and lettuce) is a local favourite.

The 20 most vegetarian friendly countries in the world

Trying to decide where to travel to next? There’s plenty of veggie delights to choose from, you just have to know where to go. For more travel inspiration, take a look at the 20 most vegetarian-friendly countries below.

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