14 most vegan-friendly destinations in India for travellers

May 25th, 2023

India has emerged as a thriving paradise for vegan travellers in recent years! With its delectable plant-based culinary traditions and the massive growth of vegan and vegan-friendly restaurants, the country offers a wealth of options if you know some handy hacks to glide your way through India as a vegan traveller. 

From bustling metropolitan cities to serene spiritual retreats, this article unveils the 14 most vegan-friendly places in India for vegan travellers. Are you ready to begin your Indian gastronomical adventure? Then, keep reading.  

1. Mumbai: A cosmopolitan city that is home to the country’s biggest celebrities and tycoons, Mumbai offers tons of vegan eateries that serve international cuisines as well as Indian food. From vegan sushi to macarons, pizzas, cakes and oil-free healthy plant-based thalis, there is hardly anything you won’t find in the city.  

Source: Envanto

2. Bangalore: Bangalore also stands among the top in the list of Indian cities with the most number of vegan options. While local dishes like dosa and idli are vegan by default (minus ghee), there are more than 10 vegan and vegan-friendly cafes, including a recently-opened patisserie that serves mouthwatering desserts.

3. Goa: Goa is a popular beach destination that's home to many vegan cafes. You will find everything from raw cheesecakes to gluten-free bakes and Indian thalis. Also look for vegetarian versions of Goan preparations such as Xacuti, Vindaloo and Cafreal that are all coconut-based dishes and don’t contain dairy at most places.

4. Delhi: A bustling city with a vibrant food scene and historic landmarks, Delhi has several plant-based eateries including a swanky new vegan restaurant and quaint cafes that offer an innovative take on dishes from across the world. 

5. Chennai: Chennai is known for its naturally vegan South Indian cuisine, which includes idlis and vadas served with the most delicious coconut chutney. You can also find several vegan-friendly restaurants and street food stalls throughout the city.

6. Hyderabad: With the city’s 7th vegan eatery opening this year, several other restaurants having marked vegan options on their menus and tons of tourist hotspots to check out, Hyderabad is definitely a boon for vegan tourists. Don’t miss the plant-based haleem and biryani served at some of the vegan eateries.  

7. Pondicherry: Pondicherry is a former French colony that's home to many vegan-friendly cafes and restaurants. You can try vegan versions of French delicacies like croissants, lots of delicious cakes as well as artisanal pizzas. Also, the organic, farm-to-plate Indian offerings in the experimental town Auroville are food for the soul.

Source: Envanto 

8. Rishikesh: Rishikesh is a spiritual city located in the foothills of the Himalayas on the banks of the holy river Ganga. It's known for its vegan-friendly ashrams and restaurants that largely serve comfort Indian food.

9. Ahmedabad: Besides vegan and vegan-friendly cafes, Ahmedabad is home to a lot of Gujarati delicacies such as dhokla, khandvi, and thepla that are vegan by default at most places. However, some eateries can include curd in place of lemon juice. So it’s always safer to check before ordering. 

10. Pune: Pune is a student-friendly city with a large vegan population. You can find vegan and vegan-friendly restaurants and bakeries that serve Indian and international cuisine, as well as traditional Maharashtrian dishes like Misal Pav that are vegan by default. However, it’s important to check if the pav is free of milk powder at each place. 

11. Jaipur: This royal city in Rajasthan is known for its plant-based hotspots including a vegan-friendly cafe, which is located right in front of Hawa Mahal and offers a splendid view of the palace. 

You can also customise a few native Rajasthani delicacies like Kair Sangri and Dal Pakwan simply by requesting the restaurant staff not to add ghee. Also, don’t miss street food such as Kachori and Jalebi that are vegan by default if they are fried in oil instead of ghee. 

Source: Envanto

12. Kerala: This state, popularly known as God’s own country, probably offers the maximum number of traditional dishes that are naturally vegan — Appam, Idiyappam and Puttu served with Kadala (chickpea) curry, Kalthappam (a traditional rice flour cake made with coconut oil)  and rice meals that consist of dishes prepared with coconut. The state also has several tourist destinations such as Munnar, Alleppey and Wayanad.

13. Udupi: From Dosa, Neer dosa, Vada and Thatte idli to the traditional vegetarian thalis (barring curd and buttermilk), this coastal town of Karnataka offers several options that are vegan by default. Plus, you’ll find tons of scenic beaches here. 

14. Kolkata: Though Bengali cuisine heavily revolves around non-vegetarian food, it provides a variety of naturally vegan dishes, including mustard-based preparations like Shorshe Potol or Echorer Dalna and Dhokar Dalna, which are popularly known as vegetarian chicken curry, served at special occasions. Kolkata's street food scene also offers vegan choices like Puchka and Jhal muri. The city now also has a vegan restaurant and a bakery besides several restaurants that offer vegan options on their menu.

With so many options to cover, travelling in India as a vegan can be a truly enriching experience. By researching local naturally-vegan dishes, communicating your dietary requirements clearly, and exploring the growing number of plant-based cafes, you can enjoy all that India has to offer while staying true to your vegan lifestyle. 

So pack your bags and get ready to experience the rich cultural and culinary heritage of India as a vegan tourist.

Like this? Read: How to travel in India as a vegan? Best hacks, dos & don’ts, local phrases to know

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