The Most Overrated ‘Vegan-Friendly’ Cities (That Let Me Down)
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Let’s be real: not every city with a Whole Foods and a juice bar deserves to call itself a vegan paradise. I’ve traveled a lot. And while I’ve had some amazing plant-based meals, I’ve also had more than a few letdowns in places that get hyped as the spots for vegans.
So here it is—my honest take on 5 cities that looked amazing on paper but left my vegan heart (and stomach) disappointed.
1. Paris, France
Yes, it’s the city of love. But unless you’re in love with butter and cheese, Paris can be tough for vegans. Sure, you’ll find a few trendy vegan bakeries and a decent spot or two if you dig deep.
But for a city so big, the options are surprisingly limited outside those niche places. And don’t get me started on servers rolling their eyes when you say “sans produits animaux.”
2. Tokyo, Japan
Tokyo gets a lot of credit for being health-conscious and creative with food. But traditional Japanese cuisine is seriously fish-heavy. Dashi (fish broth) is in almost everything. I had to double-check ingredients constantly, and even then, I wasn’t always confident.
There are some fantastic vegan gems here, but they’re hard to find without research or a local guide.
3. Buenos Aires, Argentina
This one’s on me for being too optimistic. I had heard Buenos Aires was starting to open up to plant-based eating.
But when I visited, it was still very much the land of steak. Most restaurants thought “vegetarian” meant pasta with cream. Vegan? Forget it. I lived off bread, fruit, and a few emergency snacks I packed.
4. Barcelona, Spain
I wanted to love Barcelona. And yes, they have some solid vegan restaurants. But outside of those few, the default still leans heavily toward meat and cheese. I found myself walking past countless jamón shops and tapas bars with zero plant-based options. Unless you’re okay eating a lot of patatas bravas, it gets old fast.
5. New York City, USA
Okay, hear me out. NYC has tons of vegan spots, yes. But it’s also incredibly expensive, and the best places are scattered. Unless you have a guidebook or a local vegan friend, you might spend more time Googling than enjoying.
For a place that claims to be ahead of the curve, I expected a little more accessibility and a little less $25 salad.
What I Learned
- Vegan-friendly doesn’t always mean easy.
- Trendy doesn’t equal practical.
- Always pack backup snacks. Always.
Next time you see a city’s name on a “Top Vegan Destinations” list, take it with a grain of salt. Or better yet, read a few real reviews from people who’ve actually been there.
What’s the worst place you’ve traveled as a vegan?
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