2026’s Best Vegan Travel Destinations

Traveling the world as a vegan is not without its challenges.

While there are many well-established benefits to plant-based eating —including helping to fight climate change and potentially living a longer, healthier life — it can sometimes be daunting to find vegan food options when exploring a new destination.

The good news is that, just in time for 2026 and Veganuary, The Vegan Society has released a new ranking of the best destinations for vegan travelers.

The ranking is part of a comprehensive new report published by the society titled ‘Veganism Around the World,’ which looks at how plant‑based living is shaping global culture, travel and commerce. The report's release comes at a time when Google Trends show that searches for ‘veganism’ now surpass searches for ‘climate change.'

Google Trends show that searches for ‘veganism’ now surpass ‘climate change’. (Photo Credit: Courtesy AdobeStock)

The surge in search interest and the rapid expansion of vegan dining options and product innovation worldwide are all signs that veganism is moving into the mainstream, says Claire Ogley, head of campaigns, policy and research for The Vegan Society.

"The data show that veganism is no longer a niche movement but is gaining traction cross-culturally with restaurants, businesses and consumers driving its growth globally," Ogley explained. “Even though the world ‘vegan’ was coined only 80 years ago, it is used globally and its meaning widely understood."

At the same time, polling across 10 countries also reveals that while adoption of vegan diets largely remains the exception rather than the rule, flexitarianism is now mainstream in those countries (16 percent to 30 percent follow this dieting approach), indicating a broad shift toward more environmentally friendly eating. 

With all that in mind, here's a closer look at the best destinations around the world for vegan travelers in 2026, along with what each has to offer.

A new report ranks the best destinations in 2026 for vegan travelers. (Photo Credit: Courtesy The Vegan Society)

New Zealand

Ranked the number one destination globally for vegan dining options per capita, there are 344.81 vegan restaurants per million people.

“The plant-based market is expanding to meet demand, though it faces challenges,” says the report. “Accessibility and affordability are increasing, but the sector is still volatile.”

In particular, plant milk sales have doubled in New Zealand, and price parity for vegan food options is being reached in the country. There’s also a thriving vegan cafe scene and a growing range of supermarkets that offer vegan food choices.

Still, with all of that said, only about 2.5 percent of the country’s population identifies as vegan. Additionally, New Zealand remains the world's leading dairy exporter, with dairy products making up over a third of all merchandise exports.

Taiwan

Another world leader, Taiwan is home to scores of fully dedicated vegan restaurants. Travelers will find 14.8 vegan restaurants per million people in Taiwan.

Portugal

The inviting country of Portugal ranks No. 2 for fully vegan restaurants per capita, offering vibrant plant-based dining alongside its rich seafood tradition.

Iceland

The Nordic country of Iceland is the location of Europe’s highest proportion of restaurants with at least one vegan dish

India

A plant-based heritage and authentic regional cuisine make India a must for vegan travelers. The country boasts a very high rate of veganism, with nearly 1 in 10 people reporting that they follow a plant-based diet. Moreover, The Vegan Society's polling suggests a potentially higher adoption of the vegan diet throughout the country, closer to 14 percent.

Singapore

The Southeast Asian island of Singapore was found to have the most vegetarian restaurants per capita globally, with many offering vegan menus influenced by Indian and Chinese flavors.

United States

The U.S. is home to the largest number of vegan restaurants worldwide (A total of 1,717). The country also hosts what the report calls "the largest ecosystem" by total company count, with 615 businesses producing plant-based, cultivated, or blended protein products.

Despite that fact, the U.S. still ranks very low per capita in terms of vegan diet adoption and is seeing cooler domestic demand than other countries.

Vietnam, Malaysia, China, Japan, Mongolia, Indonesia

Each of these countries are known for their rich and lengthy Buddhist traditions, which have shaped a strong and diverse presence of vegan and vegetarian dining experiences.

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