Veganism isn’t a fringe lifestyle confined to a handful of trendy neighbourhoods anymore. In 2026, the best vegan cities are those where plant-based food has become part of everyday urban life, shaping restaurant culture, travel choices, and the future of sustainable food systems.
According to HappyCow’s newly released Vegan City Index -which ranks the best vegan cities using a weighted ‘City Score’ that combines venue numbers with community engagement and user satisfaction – five cities now stand decisively above the rest. These are places where plant-based dining is not an afterthought, but an established part of everyday life.
HappyCow’s Vegan City Index draws on data from its global platform, which lists hundreds of thousands of vegan and vegan-friendly venues worldwide. The City Score highlights where vegan food is accessible and is actively used by locals and visitors alike. It’s measured through reviews, ratings, and community interaction reflecting where vegan dining actually works in practice, not just where it exists on paper.
1. London, England
London remains the undisputed global capital of vegan dining. With more than 214 dedicated vegan venues and the highest engagement score worldwide, the city offers a depth and diversity that no other destination currently matches.
What sets London apart is not just quantity, but integration. Vegan food spans neighbourhood cafés, street food, bakeries, pubs, and fine dining, making it part of the city’s everyday rhythm rather than a niche pursuit. For residents, eating plant-based food rarely requires planning; for visitors, it is one of the easiest cities in the world to navigate and find a fabulous plant-based hangout.
2. Paris, France
Paris’s second-place finish signals how much the city has changed its relationship with plant-based food. Once perceived as resistant to dietary change, the French capital has thoroughly embraced veganism by reinterpretation rather than rejecting tradition. From vegan patisseries to modern plant-based bistros, Paris is now excelling at translating classic flavours into vegan-friendly dishes. Its strength lies in quality and culinary credibility, attracting diners who might not identify as vegan but increasingly look for sustainable options.
3. Berlin, Germany
Berlin’s long-standing alternative food culture continues to underpin its strong showing in the rankings. With one of the highest numbers of vegan venues in Europe and exceptionally active user engagement, the city offers consistency across price points and neighbourhoods. What distinguishes Berlin is accessibility. Vegan dining is not confined to central districts or trend-led spaces; it’s spread across residential areas, making it part of daily life rather than a destination experience. This grassroots strength keeps Berlin firmly on the list of the world’s best vegan cities.
4. Barcelona, Spain
Barcelona’s position reflects the power of engagement and infrastructure. While it has fewer venues than London or Berlin, it records some of the highest interaction levels in the index. Tourism plays a role, but the city’s local vegan community is equally influential, driving demand, reviews, and repeat visits. The result is a scene that feels active and visible, with plant-based food firmly embedded in Barcelona’s wider food and travel identity.
5. Tokyo, Japan
Tokyo’s entry into the global top five best vegan cities marks a significant shift. Vegan dining in the city has moved beyond specialist offerings, particularly in areas catering to both locals and international travellers. Rather than replicating Western formats, Tokyo’s strength lies in adapting plant-based menus that respect Japanese culinary traditions while responding to growing demand for sustainable and health-conscious choices. Its ranking signals Asia’s rising influence, even as Europe continues to lead overall.
The Bigger Picture: Growth Beyond the Top Five
Beyond the leaders, the Vegan index reveals important regional trends. In North America, New York City remains the clear standout of the continent’s best vegan cities, ranking just outside the top five globally and leading the region in volume. Its vegan scene is defined by scale and diversity, but the data also highlights strong per-capita performance in cities such as Portland and Seattle, where quality and community engagement run particularly high.
In Asia, momentum is accelerating. Alongside Tokyo, cities such as Kyoto, Bangkok, Seoul, and Osaka are climbing the rankings, driven by growing demand from both residents and travellers. However, overall density and consistency still lag behind Europe, where vegan infrastructure is more mature and evenly distributed.
Europe, meanwhile, continues to dominate the upper tiers of the index, with multiple cities offering choice and reliability. Veganism here is no longer an alternative lifestyle; it’s part of the mainstream dining landscape.
While the Vegan City Index is framed around food, its implications are broader. The best vegan cities that score highly tend to be those most willing to adapt to changing consumer values, integrate sustainability into everyday experiences, and support diverse dietary needs.
As plant-based eating continues to move from niche to norm, the best vegan cities in 2025 offer a glimpse of what urban food culture may soon look like everywhere else.
Top 10 Vegan Cities Worldwide (2025)
- London, England (City Score: 1.4247)
- Paris, France (City Score: 1.3496)
- Berlin, Germany (City Score: 1.3396)
- Barcelona, Spain (City Score: 1.3338)
- Tokyo, Japan (City Score: 1.2955)
- New York City, USA (City Score: 1.2826)
- Kyoto, Japan (City Score: 1.1937)
- Amsterdam, Netherlands (City Score: 1.1850)
- Vienna, Austria (City Score: 1.1814)
- Madrid, Spain (City Score: 1.1687)
