Possible with preparation. Hard without it.
Veganism is not widely understood and dedicated options are scarce outside major cities. Self-catering is often necessary. Mistakes are easy without careful checking at every meal.
Ranked by criteria. Not by guesswork.
Rankings are built on a weighted set of criteria. The three that matter most: does the destination understand veganism, how deeply are animal products embedded in the food culture, and can a prepared traveller find their way around it.
Lithuania
Vilnius options improving; rural areas remain meat-heavy; EU retail helps
Vilnius has a small but genuine vegan scene in the Old Town — Maxima and Rimi supermarkets stock EU imports. Traditional cuisine relies on sour cream (grietinė) and pork fat — ask "be pieno produktų, be mėsos" (without dairy, without meat).
El Salvador
Cheese default on pupusas; ask for "sin queso"; bean dishes help
San Salvador's Zona Rosa has the most options. Super Selectos and La Despensa stock basics. Pupusas contain cheese by default — ask for "pupusas de frijol sin queso" (bean pupusas without cheese). "Vegetariano" doesn't exclude cheese here; say "vegano, sin lácteos".
Guadeloupe
Major French Caribbean destination; island logistics, resort geography, seafood-forward dining. French retail reduces self-catering anxiety.
French supermarkets (Carrefour, Leader Price) stock familiar EU-labelled products — self-catering is your safety net. Creole cuisine relies heavily on fish stock and butter; ask "sans poisson, sans beurre" but expect confusion outside resort restaurants.
Kenya
Nairobi has options; safari lodges generally accommodate dietary needs
Nairobi's Westlands district has the strongest vegan scene. Carrefour and Naivas supermarkets stock decent imports. Safari lodges generally accommodate dietary requests with advance notice. Ugali (maize porridge) and sukuma wiki (collard greens) are often naturally vegan.
Latvia
Riga has options; pork/fish staples dominate traditional cuisine
Rīga's central market is excellent for fresh produce, and the city has a growing vegan scene. Rimi and Maxima supermarkets stock EU products. Traditional dishes hide sour cream (skābais krējums) and lard — ask "bez piena, bez gaļas".
Barbados
Resorts accommodate well; imports expensive; seafood-heavy local cuisine
Bridgetown and the south coast have the most options. Massy Stores stocks US and UK imports. Resorts handle vegan requests well with advance notice. Cou-cou (polenta with okra) can be vegan, but flying fish is the national dish — seafood is everywhere.
Egypt
Ful medames often vegan; animal fats common elsewhere; tourist hotels accommodate
Cairo's Zamalek and Maadi districts have the most options. Ful medames (fava beans) and koshari are often naturally vegan — but street food versions vary. Carrefour and Seoudi stock imports. "Ana nabati" means vegetarian; add "bidun lahem, bidun laban" for vegan.
Sardinia
Major European summer destination. Self-catering solid, dining out varies hard outside Cagliari and Olbia areas.
Cagliari and Alghero have the most options. Conad and Coop supermarkets stock mainland Italian products. Pecorino appears in almost everything — even bread (pane frattau) contains egg. Ask "senza formaggio, senza uova" and stick to simple grilled vegetables.
Martinique
Similar to Guadeloupe: cruise traffic, resorts, distinct tourist circuit. French supermarkets help, restaurant friction still real.
Same French retail advantage as Guadeloupe — Carrefour and Casino supermarkets stock mainland products. Fort-de-France has the most options. Traditional accras (fritters) contain salt cod, and colombo dishes often hide chicken stock.
French Guiana
French overseas department; EU labelling; highest HappyCow density of all 20 new destinations; Creole and Bushinengue traditions intensely meat-based outside Cayenne
EU Reg 1169/2011 allergen labelling applies in full. Cayenne has an unexpectedly strong HappyCow presence for a territory this size, concentrated entirely in the capital. Carrefour and Leader Price stock familiar French ranges for self-catering. Outside Cayenne the picture changes completely: Creole, Bushinengue, and Amerindian food traditions are built around smoked meats, fish bouillon, and lard, and French is the only working language. Say "Je suis vegan, sans viande, sans poisson, sans produits laitiers, sans oeuf" and be prepared to explain from scratch.
Antigua and Barbuda
Resort-centric tourism; limited local retail options
St. John's and resort areas have basic options. Epicurean and First Choice supermarkets stock US imports. Fungie (cornmeal) can be vegan, but local cuisine is heavily seafood-based. Specify dietary needs when booking resorts — verbal requests get lost.
Saint Lucia
Resorts significantly better than local towns for vegan options
Rodney Bay and Soufrière have the most options — local towns are much harder. Massy Stores stocks regional imports. Resorts accommodate dietary requests significantly better than local restaurants. Green fig and saltfish is the national dish — fish is everywhere.
Sicily
Huge standalone tourism market. Italian self-catering easy, but seafood-heavy menus outside main hubs require planning.
Italian supermarkets (Conad, Lidl, Carrefour) make self-catering easy. Palermo and Catania have the most dedicated options. Caponata and pasta with tomato sauce are naturally vegan, but anchovies hide in many "vegetable" dishes. Ask "senza pesce, senza formaggio".
Tanzania
Safari tourism drives accommodation standards; mainland stocks often hidden
Safari lodges accommodate dietary requests well if notified in advance — use booking forms, not verbal requests. Dar es Salaam has limited but improving options. Shoprite and Game supermarkets stock South African imports. Pilau rice often contains meat stock.
New Caledonia
French alignment gives EU labelling; Noumea has a small adaptable dining scene; Kanak bougna culture intensely animal-based; almost all food imported; limited English
French collectivity with EU-aligned allergen labelling. Almost all food is imported, predominantly from France, which makes Carrefour and Casino in Noumea the most reliable self-catering option. Noumea's restaurants will adapt with clear communication, but proactive advance notice works better than table-side requests. Outside Noumea, Kanak bougna (meat and fish slow-cooked in coconut milk in banana leaves) defines the food culture and veganism is not a concept that travels. Very limited English beyond tourist hotels. Say "sans viande, sans poisson, sans produits laitiers, sans oeuf" and check for chicken stock in any sauce.
Turks and Caicos
Resort infrastructure; expensive; seafood-heavy local dining
Providenciales (Provo) has the most infrastructure. IGA and Graceway Gourmet stock US imports at high prices. Conch is the local specialty — seafood dominates. Resorts handle dietary requests well; local restaurants rarely understand "vegan". Self-catering is expensive but reliable.
Serbia
Orthodox Lent offsets strong meat culture; Belgrade improving
Belgrade's Vračar and Dorćol districts have the strongest vegan presence. Orthodox fasting ("posno") creates seasonal options but permits seafood and honey. Maxi and Idea supermarkets stock EU imports. Ćevapi and pljeskavica are meat by default.
Oman
Muscat improving; imports available; Indian influence helps
Muscat's Al Qurum and MQ areas have the most options. LuLu Hypermarket stocks excellent international imports. Indian restaurants are your safest bet — ask for "bina ghee" (without ghee). Traditional Omani cuisine uses animal fats liberally.
Saint Barthelemy
French collectivity, EU labelling; luxury chefs adapt on request; no dedicated vegan venue; French cuisine deeply butter and cream embedded; tiny island, very few absolute options
French overseas collectivity, EU Reg 1169/2011 allergen labelling applies. No dedicated vegan venue exists. The island's high-end restaurant culture will accommodate with advance notice -- this is St Barts, and the guest's needs are taken seriously. Contact ahead, not at the table. Marche U in Lorient is the main self-catering option, stocking French-imported products with full EU labelling. French cuisine is built on butter and cream at every price point; say "Je suis vegan strict, sans aucun produit animal" when booking and follow up on arrival. Limited English beyond hotel staff.
Bahamas
Tourist infrastructure helps; seafood-heavy local cuisine
Nassau and Paradise Island have tourist infrastructure. Super Value and Solomon's stock US imports. Conch and seafood dominate local cuisine. Peas 'n' rice is often made with bacon — ask specifically. Resorts accommodate dietary requests better than local restaurants.
Nicaragua
Rice-and-beans base helps; cheese/lard default; limited vegan awareness; political instability affects supply
Managua and Granada have limited options. La Colonia and Pali supermarkets stock basics. Gallo pinto (rice and beans) is often cooked in lard — ask "sin manteca" (without lard). Political instability affects import availability. Markets have fresh produce but limited packaged vegan products.
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Sarajevo has some options; meat culture strong; vegetable dishes exist
Sarajevo's Baščaršija district has the most options. Somun bread is vegan, but ćevapi fillings are meat. Vegetable pies (zeljanica) contain cheese by default. Bingo and Konzum supermarkets stock regional imports. Ask "bez mesa, bez mliječnih proizvoda".
Corsica
French region, EU labelling; cuisine built around charcuterie, brocciu and seafood; HappyCow density among the lowest of any ranked destination; bio stores in Ajaccio and Bastia only
EU Reg 1169/2011 allergen labelling applies in full. Corsican culinary identity is constructed around charcuterie (lonzu, figatellu, coppa), brocciu (fresh ewes-milk cheese), and lagoon seafood -- these appear in virtually every traditional preparation. Bio stores in Ajaccio and Bastia carry vegan staples; Carrefour and Geant are the main supermarket fallback. Outside the two cities, options thin sharply and dedicated vegan infrastructure is close to zero. Dishes described as "vegetarian" frequently contain brocciu -- say "sans viande, sans charcuterie, sans fromage, sans poisson, sans oeuf" and be prepared to self-cater for most evening meals.
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Short stays workable; limited options; cruise tourism focused
Basseterre has basic provisions. Ram's and TDC supermarkets stock limited imports. Short cruise stays are manageable; extended visits require planning. Stewed saltfish is everywhere — ask for "provisions" (root vegetables) without fish or meat additions.
North Macedonia
Orthodox fasting helps; small market; Skopje and Ohrid manageable
Skopje's Old Bazaar has some options. Orthodox fasting ("posno") helps during fasting periods. Tavče gravče (baked beans) is often vegan — but check for lard. Vero and Tinex supermarkets stock EU imports. Ask "bez meso, bez mleko" (without meat, without milk).
Montenegro
Coastal tourist zones easier; Kotor and Budva have options
Coastal towns (Kotor, Budva) have better tourist infrastructure than the interior. Voli and Idea supermarkets stock EU imports. Njeguški pršut (ham) and cheese dominate traditional menus — stick to grilled vegetables and salads, specifying "bez sira" (without cheese).
Zanzibar
Island tourism improves supply versus mainland Tanzania
Stone Town has more options than the beach resorts. Indian influence helps — daal and vegetable curries are common. Spice farm tours can arrange vegan lunches. Ask in advance as seafood dominates local menus. Coconut-based dishes are your friend.
Uganda
Plant staples common; limited processed options; gorilla lodges accommodate
Kampala's Kololo and Nakasero areas have some options. Shoprite and Capital Shoppers stock South African imports. Gorilla trekking lodges accommodate dietary requests with advance notice. Matooke (steamed banana) and beans are naturally vegan staples.
Grenada
Limited vegan awareness; basics available; spice island produce helps
St. George's has the most options. Real Value and Food Fair stock basic imports. Oil Down (national dish) contains meat by default. Nutmeg and spices make produce flavourful. Callaloo soup can be vegan if you specify "no crab, no salt meat" — but check every time.
Georgia
Tbilisi improving; cheese-heavy traditions; lobio and vegetable dishes help
Tbilisi is improving rapidly, but Georgian cuisine hides cheese everywhere — even "vegetable" dishes often contain matsoni (yogurt). Lobio (bean stew) and badrijani (walnut-stuffed aubergine) are your safest bets. Ask "khortsis da rdzis gareshe" (without meat and dairy).
British Virgin Islands
English-speaking helps; Vegan Haven BVI (fully plant-based) in Road Town; seafood-forward local culture; no meaningful labelling framework; limited retail range; resort accommodation is the safest bet
English-speaking helps significantly. Vegan Haven BVI on Main Street in Road Town, Tortola is fully plant-based and the clearest safe option on the island. Ital food spots (Rastafarian tradition) exist but opening hours are unpredictable. RiteWay supermarket near the Moorings stocks soy milk, some tofu and basics -- workable for yacht charterers provisioning in advance. No meaningful allergen labelling framework applies. Resort restaurants will adapt on request. Outside Tortola, options on Virgin Gorda and the outer islands are extremely limited and require advance planning.
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Basic provisions only; limited imports; yacht tourism focused
Kingstown has basic provisions only. C.K. Greaves and Coreas stock limited imports. Breadfruit and roasted plantains are reliable staples. Yacht charter tourists may have better provisioning options than land-based visitors. Very limited vegan awareness.
Dominica
Limited imports; nature tourism focus; eco-lodges may accommodate
Roseau has very limited options. Whitchurch and Astaphan's stock basics. Eco-lodges may accommodate dietary requests — contact directly before booking. Mountain chicken (actually frog) and crab back are local specialties. Fresh tropical fruit from markets is reliable.
Moldova
Limited imports; polenta and vegetable staples help; small tourism market
Chișinău has limited but improving options. Mămăligă (polenta) is naturally vegan, but traditional dishes rely heavily on sour cream (smântână). Linella and Fidesco supermarkets stock Romanian imports. Ask "fără carne, fără lactate" (without meat, without dairy).
Kosovo
Small market; Balkan meat traditions; Pristina slowly improving
Pristina has a very small vegan scene — mostly international restaurants. Viva Fresh and Maxi supermarkets stock basics. Albanian cuisine relies heavily on dairy and lamb. Fasule (white bean stew) can be vegan — ask "pa mish, pa qumësht" (without meat, without dairy).
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Every destination ranked by how easy it is to travel vegan