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A recent Vegetarian Resource Group poll estimates roughly 8 million vegans and vegetarians live in the United States. Traveling while following a plant-based diet can still be a challenge if you don’t know which cities or eateries will accommodate your needs. WalletHub analyzed 100 U.S. cities using indicators such as the cost of vegetarian options, the number of plant-based choices and other measures to determine which cities are best for vegetarian food lovers. © Littleny | Dreamstime.com -
Austin, Texas, ranks seventh overall and stands out for affordability. Lower grocery costs for vegetarians are common among several Texas cities—Corpus Christi, San Antonio and Houston perform well in that category. However, smaller Texas towns can offer fewer vegetarian options, as seen in places like Laredo. © Steve Lagreca | Dreamstime.com
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Los Angeles ranks sixth, which is unsurprising given its vibrant vegan and vegetarian scene. The city offers abundant plant-forward restaurants, food trucks and festivals, making it easy for plant-based diners to find varied and creative options. © Samystclair | Dreamstime.com
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San Francisco comes in fifth. The city ranks first for farmers markets and CSA programs per capita and third for salad shops per capita. Still, San Francisco’s high cost of living affects affordability for vegetarian options, lowering its overall ranking in that metric. © Andreykr | Dreamstime.com
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Seattle ranks fourth and excels for the number of farmers markets and CSA programs. The city’s plant-based offerings are broad, from meatless bakeries and vegan burgers to international vegan cuisine and even vegetarian treats for pets. Travelers can usually find familiar favorites in plant-based formats. © Christian Heinz | Dreamstime.com
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Orlando places third thanks to a high percentage of restaurants offering vegan options, which helps both plant-based and omnivorous diners find satisfying choices. The city also ties for first in juice and smoothie bars per capita, alongside New York City, Miami, Las Vegas and Honolulu, and ranks highly for salad shops and vegetable nurseries per capita. © Tony Bosse | Dreamstime.com
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Portland, Oregon, takes second place and is known for inventive plant-based cuisine that goes well beyond basic vegetable plates. Diners can find items like “crab-less cakes,” vegan cheeses and pâtés, tacos and dairy-free ice cream—showcasing the city’s role at the forefront of vegan culinary innovation. © Erica Schroeder | Dreamstime.com
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New York City ranks first for vegetarian friendliness. The city scores highly for the percentage of restaurants offering vegan and vegetarian dishes, the number of farmers markets and CSA programs, juice and smoothie bars, and salad shops. For vegetarians and vegans, New York City offers an exceptionally wide range of choices and easy access to plant-based dining. © Antonio Gravante | Dreamstime.com
