By There is an all-new movement of ‘veganism’ growing in India. While there is no exact data on the growth of this movement, with the popups of vegan-friendly cafes ad stores around cities, we can assume that veganism is growing at a fast pace in India.
This is where India’s diversity comes into play, as the language and food change every ten kilometers throughout the country. Similarly, the flavor of the land varies dramatically as you travel from north to south! With the number of vegetarians in India, it is not surprising that many Indians are opting for a vegan diet. Vegan food is no exception in India, where it possesses a similar diverse nature. Thus, promoting the vegan community in India and giving rise to many vegan cities in India.
Here are 5 of the most vegan-friendly regions in India!
Chennai
Organizations such as Vegans of Chennai and the Tamil Vegan Movement are leading the movement. Chennai is host to several vegan restaurants. Further, the most unique one is Vegetagold, a vegan butcher that creates soy and mushroom-based plant-based meat. Ashvita Nirvana, Pumpkin Tales, Soul Garden Bistro, The Brew Room, and Asian Station are among the city’s top vegan-friendly restaurants. Aside from restaurants and cafes, Chennai is home to a number of vegan fashion brands, including Monkstory, a shoe manufacturer that creates trendy, durable, and environmentally responsible vegan leather footwear.
Bangalore
Bangalore, India’s IT capital, also stands out as a vegan hotspot. Vegan pizzas, chocolate, chia pudding, vegetable lasagna, and more are available at JustBe Cafe. Vegan Heat, Sampoorna Ahara, and Squash Foods are among the best cloud kitchens in Bangalore, as is Goodmylk, India’s most popular plant-based dairy brand. In fact, there are also many restaurants that offer vegan and vegetarian options as well!
Indian Cities for Foodies to Explore!
Goa
Despite its many seafood attractions, Goa has been named India’s most vegan-friendly place by PETA in 2020. Over time, the state has developed into a hub for vegan eateries, which attract a large number of foreign and Indian travelers. Zest, Blue Planet Cafe, Soul Booster Bar, Cafe Tato’s, and Chia Lounge are some of Goa’s most popular vegan restaurants. While some of these are both vegetarian and vegan options in India, they all offer a tantalizing array of vegan dishes. Bean Me Up, located in Vagator on the Ozran coastline, serves delicious vegan food, fresh juices, and specialty beverages, as well as having a bed and breakfast, yoga area, and ‘consciousness’ boutique.
Hyderabad
Most people are shocked to learn that Hyderabad, which is well renowned for its non-vegetarian cuisine, also has some of the best vegan meals. Additionally, making it is one of the most vegan-friendly regions in India. Pizza, burgers, smoothies, and sandwiches are available at the Terrassen Cafe—Poets & Oats, a 100% vegan restaurant, cafe, and bakery. If you’re in the mood for something sweet, check out The Lush Gaze, a gourmet dessert home bakery that specializes in bespoke cakes, cupcakes, cake pops, chocolates, dips, and more! Alt Mart and Plantarium, which are two vegan stores, aim to make veganism accessible and cheap, are two wonderful options for people who like to make their own meals.
Pune
One of the most vegan-friendly regions in India, Pune. It has a lot of diversity to offer in terms of vegan food. One O Eight Lifestyle Cafe, Granny’s Bowl, and Back to the Basics. Along with Yogi Tree, Bell Peppers, Paashh, CraveLok, Cafe Pondi, and Santé Spa Cuisine are among the city’s many vegan-friendly cafes. Cloud kitchens like Ekta’s Kind Kitchen and The Real Green Kitchen are popular with Pune residents for takeout.
Lastly, India has long been recognized as one of the world’s top culinary destinations. Its cuisine is also known for its usage of dairy products including paneer, lassis, milk-based ghee-laden curries, curd, and other dairy products. Moreover, just as it is easy to find vegetarian food, it is as easy to find vegan foods. Veganizing many non-vegan dishes in India is often as simple as removing the dairy. And most restaurants are happy to use substitutes upon requesting them to do so!
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