Summary

• Italian cuisine is all about fresh, veggie-packed dishes, with savory classics like Minestra and Ciambotta.
• Spices shine in Indian cuisine, offering veg-friendly dishes like Chana Masala and Palak Paneer.
• Enjoy vegetarian delights in Thailand, from coconut soups to colorful curries like the Thai Golden Spring Vegetable.

The top countries for foodies are endless: from mouthwatering desserts to fiery curries. Countries around the world feature tasty food, whether tourists are looking for savory street food, unique cuisines, or traditional local specialties. For a lot of people, one of the best pleasures of traveling is trying the local cuisine.

Ultimately, the food of a country or an area may reveal a great deal about its culture, nurturing a closer bond between tourists and locals. A vacation will not be complete if tourists do not sample local cuisine that nevertheless adheres to their dietary restrictions.

There are plenty of foodie cities out there that are perfect for vegetarians and an increasing number of fast-food restaurants are embracing the vegan movement. But which international cuisines are the most veggie-friendly? Keep reading to find out the best cuisines for vegetarians.

UPDATE: 2024/03/30 16:18 EST BY MARIA BOU INK

These Are The World’s Most Vegetarian-Friendly Cuisines

Who said being a vegetarian will restrict foodies from enjoying food or will be an obstacle to their upcoming trip? Wherever tourists travel around the world, they can find cuisines with vegetarian options. This article was updated to include additional choice of the most vegetarian-friendly cuisines.

Authentic Italian Cuisine Is Vegetarian

Main ingredients: Olive oil, tomato, cheese, basil, pasta...

The meals served in most Americanized Italian restaurants are heavy on meat and dairy, yet true Italian cuisine is very different. Furthermore, there is a great deal of variation in Italian cuisine throughout different regions. Go south for vegan-friendly cuisine.

These straightforward classics are heavy on vegetables and sometimes entirely plant-based. Tonight, make this easy vegan wine and ciambotta, and serve it with a big slice of crusty bread.

• Italian vegetarian dishes: Minestra, Ciambotta, Pasta e Fagioli

Indian Cuisine Is A Celebration Of Vegetables

Main ingredients: Rice, tomatoes, potatoes, lentils, chickpeas, onions...

Although Indian restaurants across the United States serve a multitude of meat dishes, traditional Indian cuisine is still one of the most vegetarian-friendly cuisines in the world and is the best place for vegans. Some regions of India are strictly vegetarian due to religious beliefs; those of the Hindu faith avoid meat sourced from the cow altogether.

One of the best Indian foods you need to try also happens to be vegetarian is the dosa, which is an Indian crêpe that is sometimes stuffed with vegetables. Many curries in India are made solely with ingredients such as chickpeas, potatoes, spinach, and paneer cheese rather than meat.

• Indian vegetarian food: Indian butternut squash curry, Palak Paneer, Chana Masala

India is one of the lowest meat-consuming countries in the world; other countries that consume little meat per capita include Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mali, and a handful of other African and East Asian countries.

Thailand Offers A Range Of Vegetarian Options

Main ingredients: Rice, coconut milk, curry paste, vegetables...

Good news if you’re a vegetarian traveling to Thailand! This Asian cuisine offers many vegetarian options, with many curries, rice, and noodle dishes making use of vegetables or tofu in the place of meat.

In addition to using a minimal amount of meat, Thai food typically steers clear from multitudes of dairy, using coconut milk instead of cream as a base for curries or soups that are creamy.

Eating as a vegan in Thailand might be a little trickier because many dishes are flavored with fish sauce. But there are still plenty of vegan dishes on offer if you know what to ask for. Some classics include northern-style Thai coconut soup and Thai red curry with tofu and eggplant.

• Thai vegetarian food: Thai coconut soup, Golden Spring Vegetable Thai Curry, Thai Mango Sticky Rice Summer Rolls

Ethiopian Cuisine Is Vegetarian And Vegan-Friendly

Main ingredients: Fenugreek, berbere, cardamom, chili pepper...

One of the world's best cuisines for vegetarians is Ethiopian cuisine, making it ideal for most vegetarians as well. Most dishes in Ethiopia are accompanied by the spongy flatbread known as injera, which is made from wheat and is used as a utensil as well as a side dish. But many of the main dishes are also vegan or vegetarian.

Some veggie-centric dishes that you’ll find in Ethiopia include the red lentil stew known as misir wot and kik alicha, which is split pea stew. Although meat is available in Ethiopia, many families follow a mostly vegetarian diet due to the fact that meat can be harder to come by than vegetables.

• Ethiopian vegetarian food: Injera, Key Sir Alicha, Gomen Wat

Traditional Mexican Cuisine Relies On Beans And Veggies

Main ingredients: Avocado, beans, tomato, cheese, corn...

Although Mexican establishments in the United States commonly serve a plethora of dishes that feature meat, authentic Mexican cuisine tends to rely more on beans and veggies. Meat is still served in Mexico but the food is so flavorsome that it’s easy to substitute the meat with vegetables and not sacrifice the taste of the dish.

There are a range of bean dishes to try that are either served as accompaniments or on their own, as well as soups that can be made meat-free and plenty of rice dishes. It’s super easy to steer clear of meat while eating Mexican food!

• Mexican vegetarian food: Guacamole, Chili-Lime Mushroom Tacos, Black Bean Tortilla Pie, Cheese Enchiladas

100 pesos goes far when it comes to Mexican food; tacos are so cheap (especially meat-free ones) that it's easy to fill your plate — and your belly.

Israeli Kosher Laws Make It Easy To Distinguish Meat

Main ingredients: Olives, wheat, chickpeas, dairy products, fish, vegetables...

Israel is one of the countries with vegetarian-friendly cuisine, with plenty of authentic dishes resembling vegetable salads.

• Israeli vegetarian food: The eggplant-based dip baba ghanoush is served with pita bread, falafel, and a pita stuffed with eggplant, hummus, and hard-boiled egg known as sabich.

Those observing kosher laws in Israel do not eat pork and shellfish at all, which has resulted in a higher number of veggie-friendly alternatives. The other benefit for vegetarians eating in Israel is that kosher laws require meat and dairy to be separated, which means it’s easier to distinguish meat and avoid it.