Imagine a world where eating without meat isn’t just tolerated, it’s celebrated. Where restaurants don’t offer one sad vegetarian option tucked at the bottom of the menu, but entire menus devoted to plants. Where grabbing a dairy-free latte or vegan burger is as easy as breathing.
That world already exists in some corners of the globe. The plant-based revolution isn’t coming; it’s here. Yet not all countries are embracing it equally.
From the bustling night markets of Asia to the sleek cafés of Northern Europe, some nations are racing ahead with innovative dairy alternatives, while others are clinging stubbornly to tradition. So let’s dive in and explore where plant-based eaters can truly thrive.
10. Mexico – The Unexpected Contender with Traditional Roots
As of July 2023, 19% of Mexico’s population identifies as vegetarian, making it the second country with the highest percentage of vegetarians in the world. When you think of Mexican food, images of carnitas and carne asada might come to mind first. Yet the truth is, the foundation of this cuisine has always been deeply plant-based.
Mexican cuisine is based on vegetarian ingredients, including beans, squash, chocolate, corn, cactus, peanuts, chiles, chia, and amaranth. Walking through Mexico City or Guadalajara, you’ll find street vendors selling tacos de nopales and tlacoyos bursting with beans. The country’s indigenous roots offer a treasure trove of plant-centric dishes that predate the Spanish conquest.
Mexico’s high vegetarian population is due to the rise in popularity of indigenous foods, and people are concerned with environmental issues or the cause of animal suffering. 20% of Mexican consumers have reduced or eliminated their consumption of meat or animal products. Still, navigating as a strict vegan in rural areas can be challenging when lard sneaks into refried beans or cheese appears unexpectedly.
9. Australia – The Surprising Plant-Based Market Powerhouse
About 2.5 million Australians, or 12.1% of the population, eat all or almost all vegetarian food. In addition, 6% of the population identifies as vegan. Known for its love of barbecues and meat pies, Australia has undergone a radical transformation. Australia is known for its love for meat, but has surprisingly become the world’s third fastest-growing plant-based market.
The shift is happening in supermarkets and restaurants across Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. Major chains now stock plant-based meat from local brands, and vegan cafés dot the coastline from Bondi to Byron Bay. It’s hard to say for sure, but the health-conscious beach culture seems to mesh perfectly with plant-forward eating.
What makes Australia stand out is the accessibility. Nearly every café offers multiple milk alternatives, and mainstream fast-food chains compete to launch the latest plant-based burger. The momentum shows no signs of slowing.
8. Austria – Europe’s Fast-Growing Vegetarian Hub
Nearly 10% of the population are either vegetarian or vegan. This Alpine nation might be famous for schnitzel and sausages, yet it’s quietly leading Europe in plant-based innovation. According to a 2023 study, the vegan population in Austria has risen from 3% to 5% since 2021, with 7% of Gen Z respondents claiming to eat a purely plant-based diet. Austria has also seen a 50% increase in sales of plant-based food in the last two years.
Vienna’s supermarkets surprise first-time visitors with their extensive organic sections. You’ll find oat milk yogurts, cashew cheeses, and ready-made vegan schnitzels sitting comfortably alongside traditional products. The country’s strong organic food movement has created the perfect environment for plant-based products to flourish.
According to the European Union (Europa.eu), sales of plant-based meat and seafood substitutes have increased dramatically in Europe over the last two years, with Germany leading the way with a 226% increase, trailed by Austria with an 82% increase. The younger generation is driving much of this change, choosing sustainability and health over convention.
7. United States – The Land of Contradictions and Innovation
A survey recently run in 2023 concluded about 3% of US citizens follow a vegan diet, with 5% being vegetarians. Let’s be real, the United States is massive and wildly inconsistent. Portland, Oregon boasts more vegan restaurants per capita than almost anywhere on Earth, while rural Alabama might offer nothing beyond iceberg lettuce.
Portland, Oregon has the highest density of vegan establishments per capita of any city in the world. Major cities like Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco are vegan paradises with cutting-edge plant-based restaurants and thriving food tech startups. The US has the highest number of companies in this sector, with 538 plant-based firms and 77 cultivated or blended meat players.
Yet the nation also consumes staggering amounts of meat. The challenge lies in the geography. Traveling through the South or Midwest as a vegan requires serious planning and patience. Still, the rapid growth of chains offering Impossible Burgers and Beyond Meat shows mainstream America is slowly waking up to plant-based possibilities.
6. Israel – Where Plant-Based Is a Cultural Movement
Nearly 5% of Israelis identify as vegan (and even more are vegetarian), which is among the highest proportions on Earth. What started as an ethical movement among animal rights activists has exploded into a nationwide phenomenon. Tel Aviv has been dubbed the vegan capital of the world, and honestly, it’s hard to argue.
Walk down Rothschild Boulevard and you’ll pass vegan shawarma stands, dairy-free ice cream shops, and restaurants offering innovative takes on traditional Middle Eastern dishes. This widespread cultural acceptance means vegan food isn’t niche here – it’s woven into daily life. Even the Israeli Defense Forces provide vegan meals and leather-free boots for vegan soldiers.
When it comes to the share of consumers following a vegan diet in selected countries worldwide, India tops the list followed by Israel. 11 percent of consumers from India as well as 6 percent from Israel state that they follow this diet. The combination of religious dietary laws, ethical awakening, and government support has created an ecosystem where plant-based eating thrives effortlessly.
5. United Kingdom – The Nation That Transformed Its Plate
Data published by Statista in March 2024 indicated that 7% of the UK population are vegetarians, 4% are pescetarians, and 4% are vegans. Britain was once known for meat pies and fish and chips. Now? London tops HappyCow’s 2025 league table with 160 fully vegan venues.
The transformation is remarkable. Supermarket chains like Tesco and Sainsbury’s dedicate entire aisles to plant-based products. If convenience and variety rule your itinerary, the UK is still king. Greggs, the nation’s beloved bakery chain, caused national headlines when it launched its vegan sausage roll, which became a cultural moment.
In 2024 it was reported that 6.4% of UK adults planned to follow a vegan diet in 2025 (an estimated 3.4 million people). This includes 4.3% (an estimated 2.3 million Britons) who were not vegan at the end of 2024 but planned to start following a vegan diet in 2025. Even rural areas and heritage sites now offer plant-based options. What’s driving this shift isn’t just personal health, it’s a complete cultural transformation embracing sustainability and compassion.
4. Germany – The Plant-Based Innovation Powerhouse
According to the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Regional Identity’s 2024 Nutrition Report, 8% of survey respondents said they are vegetarian, and 2% vegan. These figures were unchanged from 2023. Germany might be known for bratwurst, yet Berlin has become a global vegan hotspot. Berlin – Germany’s capital – has been holding steady as the #2 vegan-friendly city in the world (just after London) in HappyCow’s rankings.
The country’s commitment goes beyond restaurants. In a significant move towards sustainable agriculture, the German government has earmarked €38 million in its 2024 budget for promoting plant-based, precision-fermented, and cell-cultivated proteins. Walking through any German supermarket, you’ll encounter brands like Rügenwalder Mühle and Vegetarian Butcher offering plant-based versions of traditional favorites.
Germany also stands out, with nearly 10% of residents opting for vegetarian meals, making it a hotspot for those interested in innovative and diverse dishes. From kebab shops selling vegan döner to Michelin-starred restaurants crafting intricate plant-based tasting menus, Germany has fully embraced the movement without abandoning its culinary heritage.
3. Netherlands – Where Policy Meets Plant-Based Progress
The Netherlands has topped an international ranking for having the most balanced dietary guidelines, suggesting strong support in the country for sustainable healthy food choices and nutrition information that covers plant-based diets. What sets the Netherlands apart isn’t just consumer enthusiasm, it’s government backing.
The Dutch government openly backs sustainable eating habits and has invested in promoting plant-based diets. Wander into any Dutch supermarket and you’ll see why – I was blown away by the presence of local vegan brands like Vegetarian Butcher and Vivera right alongside the Gouda and herring. The country leads Europe in cultivated meat research and has committed millions to developing cellular agriculture.
The retail market across five plant-based categories in the Netherlands was worth €288 million in 2024 – down 5.9% from 2023. Nevertheless, in 2024, the Netherlands had the second-highest per capita spend on plant-based foods out of the six countries, at €15.78 per person per year. Amsterdam, Utrecht, and Rotterdam all boast thriving vegan scenes with everything from Indonesian rijsttafel to Dutch stamppot, all plant-based. The future of food is being shaped here.
2. Singapore – The Compact Nation with Massive Plant-Based Punch
By the latest counts, Singapore boasts nearly 1,000 vegan-friendly restaurants and stalls, including 89 fully vegan eateries – staggering numbers for a place you can drive across in an hour. This tiny island nation punches far above its weight. From hawker centers to high-end restaurants, plant-based options are everywhere.
When it comes to alternative protein businesses per capita, Singapore leads the way with 7.44 plant-based and 2.37 cultivated or blended meat companies for every million people. This is closely followed by Israel (6.66 vegan and 2.36 cultivated and blended protein firms). The government actively supports food innovation, positioning Singapore as the global hub for alternative proteins.
Walk through any food court and you’ll find Chinese Buddhist vegetarian stalls next to Indian pure-veg counters, alongside modern plant-based burger joints. The city’s famous open-air food courts now have dedicated vegan stalls – I once queued behind construction workers and office execs alike for a bowl of cruelty-free laksa (so spicy and coconutty that I still dream about it). The multicultural food scene combined with cutting-edge innovation creates an unmatched environment for plant-based eating.
1. India – The Undisputed Plant-Based Champion
India houses the highest share of meat-free eaters globally, with 14% saying they’re vegan and another 26% vegetarian. When it comes to plant-based eating, India isn’t just leading, it’s in a category of its own. According to the World Atlas, India has the highest rate of vegetarians in the world, with 38% of its population identifying as vegetarians.
This isn’t a modern trend fueled by sustainability hashtags. Vegetarianism has been woven into the cultural and religious fabric of India for thousands of years. Jainism, Hinduism, and Buddhism all promote non-violence toward living beings, creating generations of families who’ve never tasted meat.
A green dot signals vegetarian food on packaging, and a new purple “V+” symbol flags 100% vegan, handy in chaotic bazaars. Specify “no ghee, no paneer” and feast on lentil thalis for less than a dollar. From street food stalls selling samosas and dosas to elaborate thalis bursting with dal, sabzi, and roti, the variety is staggering. Every region offers distinct plant-based specialties.
The world’s most populous nation has a more favourable attitude towards meat-free eating than any other country, with 76% of respondents reporting positive feelings towards vegans and vegetarians. While dairy remains deeply integrated into Indian cuisine, the sheer infrastructure supporting vegetarianism is unmatched globally. India doesn’t just accommodate plant-based eaters, it was built by them.
Conclusion
From the ancient traditions of India to the high-tech labs of Singapore, the plant-based movement is reshaping how the world eats. Some countries arrived here through religious devotion, others through environmental urgency, and still others through sheer culinary innovation.
The journey isn’t uniform. Progress looks different in Mexico City than in Melbourne, in Berlin than in Tel Aviv. Yet one thing is clear: plant-based eating is no longer fringe. It’s mainstream, it’s growing, and it’s here to stay.
What’s your take on this ranking? Would you have placed any country differently?
<p>The post The 10 Countries With the Best Plant-Based Eating, Ranked Worst to Best first appeared on Travelbinger.</p>