If you’re living the veggie lifestyle, you know pretty much every dish has a vegetarian version that is awesome. Contrary to what some may believe, it’s not all about salads all the time — although those are definitely an important part of any nutritious diet. Unfortunately, it can sometimes be a struggle to find something to eat when you’re dining out or if you’re heading to a friend’s house for dinner. If you’re traveling, figuring out where to get vegetarian-friendly food can be even more of a challenge, especially if you’re hoping to eat healthy. Luckily, there are many destinations where finding meat-free options is a total cinch. Keep reading for our fave veggie-loving locales.
1. Portland, Oregon: There are so many vegetarian and vegan restaurants in Portland that it’s hard to choose just a couple, making it an obvious must-visit. The Pacific Northwest, in general, is really veggie-friendly, but Portland is regarded as its vegetarian hub. For starters, visit Farmspirit — buy tickets ahead of time and be treated to a tasting menu, or Harlow, where there are always delish daily specials.
2. Dublin, Ireland: Dublin is hot right now. With lots of new businesses and a booming tech scene (Google and Airbnb both have offices there!), the city is really a completely international community. With people from various backgrounds comes a plethora of food options, including lots of veggie ones. If you find yourself in this beautiful historic city, check out The Happy Pear, where you can find a whole host of meat-free and also vegan dishes.
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3. Sydney, Australia: Health is a pretty big deal in Australia. After all, the city sits on the beach, so swimwear is always top of mind. Because of the health-conscious vibe, different styles of eating are fully accepted and catered to there. There are plenty of vegetarian establishments to visit, but Bread & Circus, with its garden vibe, is a must. Also worth a try is Pilgrims, where you can find general vegetarian food during the day and a completely Mexican menu at night. Yum!
4. Los Angeles, California: LA is one of the few places you can go and no one will bat an eye when you ask for a vegetarian option. Home of the iconic Cafe Gratitude, the veggie resources are plentiful. Visit Plant Food and Wine for their gorgeous outdoor space and equally awesome variety of menu choices.
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5. Mumbai, India: India is probably the ultimate vegetarian-friendly country, since much of the population does not eat meat for religious reasons. No matter what city you visit, it’s pretty much 100 percent likely that you’ll find many dishes to choose from. Packaged food in the country clearly states whether or not it’s vegetarian, so you won’t have any trouble figuring out if you can eat that snack food or not. In terms of eating out, there’s a lot of incredible street food to choose from, and pretty much any restaurant you walk into will have something you can try.
6. Italy: Surprisingly, Italy is a great place to travel if you’re vegetarian. Sure, there are lots of meat dishes, but there are also tons of pasta plates that revolve mainly around carbs and cheese. It might not be healthy, but it’s definitely vegetarian. And vacation is for indulging, right? It’s basically impossible to choose just one city in the country to visit, but rest assured, no matter where you go you’ll find something amazing to eat. If you find yourself in Rome, check out Restaurant Roscioli, where there are plenty of choices that don’t involve meat or fish. In Florence or Venice, the very fancy but very worth it Caffe Florian is a classic.
7. Singapore: Many parts of Asia are super limited in terms of vegetarian options, but Singapore is absolutely a standout. The country is a food haven in general, and the vegetarian cuisine here is no exception. You’ll find everything from completely raw restaurants like Afterglow to vegan burger joints like VeganBurg, which was a catering partner on one of Taylor Swift’s tours. If they’re T-Swift approved, that’s good enough for us!
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8. London, UK: Another crazy-international city, there’s no kind of food that you’ll have a hard time finding in London. From Japanese to Indian to New American and every cuisine in between, there’s a vegetarian restaurant for everyone here. Mildreds in Soho is a go-to spot for vegetarians, vegans and carnivores alike, and The Gate is worth a visit too, especially if you’re looking for a full, hearty meal.
What’s your favorite vegetarian-friendly destination? Let us know @BritandCo!
(Featured photos via @breadcircus and Getty)
Getting the word out about your brand takes time, drive, and ingenuity. And it doesn't come easy for many entrepreneurs. As part of our collaboration with Office Depot, we're chatting with Selfmade alum Taylor Morgan McPherson, founder of Sustainable Sparkle Bar, about ways in which she scored press as a solo startup brand and what she learned from Selfmade to take her brand marketing up a notch.
B + C: How did you know Sustainable Sparkle Bar was your business to start?
Glitter has always been my thing, so when I started my event company I decided to make it my niche. I started telling people I threw glitter-themed parties where people would get sparkled with glitter body art and makeup. Six months after that I applied to my first festival and to work with SUR restaurant in West Hollywood.
B + C: What's one strategy that's helped you start your business?
I honestly can't say that I've had a specific strategy that I've followed when it comes to getting my business off the ground. I have a PR background so I was just constantly pitching new business and posting on social media.
B + C: What's the biggest challenge you face as a small business owner?
I would say creating a stable income and revenue stream. With a seasonal, event-based business it can be very up and down.
B + C: What was your most valuable takeaway from Selfmade?
The relationships I made and the push to start an email database.
B + C: How do you stay motivated?
I love what I do and I believe in myself 100%. Staying motivated isn't the hard part. Pushing myself to do the work and staying accountable is the hard part.
B + C: What's your best organizational tip? Do you use any apps that help you manage your business?
I keep multiple to-do lists, hand-written and digital. I also tell clients and partners that I will have something to them by a certain time or day so I have to stick to it.
B + C: What's one piece of advice you would give to female entrepreneurs on the brink of starting?
Just do it, take the leap. And don't worry about what anyone else says to thinks.
B + C: Who inspires you in the entrepreneurial space?
Issa Rae, I'm so inspired by everything that she's created being a creative and a black woman. It's my dream to have my own show one day based on my life and where I give advice and talk about the world. She's doing it and making people laugh and giving people joy. And it's based in LA. Watching Insecure only further cemented my dreams of wanting to live in LA.
B + C: How did you hear about the Office Depot scholarship?
One of my friends that I met through Camp No Counselors saw an IG ad for it and nominated me.
B + C: What has receiving the scholarship to Selfmade done to help you start/grow your business?
It's completely helped me level up and take my business to another level. Selfmade helped me host my first virtual event and taught me how to set up my website to sell tickets to events and get RSVPs.
B + C: How have Office Depot services or products helped you accomplish more in your business?
I got new cards to send in all of my orders with my discount code on them. I also bought a really cool 4K camera that I now use for my social media.
Thanks Taylor! You really know how to sparkle. We love her colorful, creative vibe. You can follow Sustainable Sparkle Bar on Instagram @sustainablesparklebar.
Let Office Depot OfficeMax help you stand out in the crowd. From signs, posters & banners to promote your business, to marketing materials to keep your customers informed, Office Depot OfficeMax offers a full suite of business services & solutions to help you & your business get noticed.
Head to Office Depot's Selfmade page to check out even more amazing business resources (and discounts!) to help you accomplish more on your entrepreneurial journey. These offers are available for a limited time only, so be sure to take advantage of all this goodness while supplies last. Want to join the next Selfmade cohort this summer? Check out all of the scholarship details right here.