Vegetarian Travel with Kids: 9 Places Where It's Easy (and Where It Isn't)

Our Story: Travelling as a Mostly Vegetarian Family

Food is one of the best parts of travel. For vegetarians, it’s also where things get complicated first.

Our family is a mix, like a lot of families. I’m vegetarian and often choose plant-based, and Louie and I skip dairy, so almond milk is always on our shopping list. Louie eats fish now and then, but mostly sticks to vegetables. That’s his choice, not a family rule.

Marty eats meat when we’re out, but at home we all eat vegetarian together. Leo is still breastfeeding and happily eats vegetables, fruit, bread and cheese. 🥦

On our two-year trip around the world, before Louie and Leo, Marty and I learnt fast that some countries make vegetarian eating effortless. Others turn every meal into a negotiation. In Spain, I’d ask for something vegetarian and be offered fish. In China, we found one Tibetan restaurant and kept going back.

Now we travel with a nine-year-old and a toddler, and the stakes feel higher. A hungry Leo doesn’t wait while we translate a menu. 😅

This guide covers 9 places where eating vegetarian with kids is genuinely easy, the catch in each one, and the places that were harder than we expected. We’ve marked which ones we know first-hand and which are researched.

What Makes a Country Easy for Vegetarians?

Trendy vegan cafés are nice, but they’re not what makes daily life easy. After years of travelling, these are the things that matter most for our family:

• A meat-free food tradition. Buddhist cooking in Vietnam and Thailand, Orthodox fasting food in Greece and vegetarian households in India mean meat-free food exists well beyond the tourist areas.
• Markets and supermarkets you can cook from. On a slow travel budget, cooking at home keeps costs and fussy eaters under control.
• Easy phrases or clear labels. One sentence that locals understand saves a lot of guesswork.
• Dairy-free options. For Louie and me, plant milk and dairy-free snacks make daily life much easier. They’re easy to find in Australia, Germany and big Asian cities, but harder in smaller towns.
• Kid-friendly basics. Rice, noodles, bread and fresh fruit get you through the hungry moments.

Vegetarian, dairy-free and vegan are different challenges. Eggs and dairy are easy to find in most places. Dairy-free and vegan families have more to check, especially butter, ghee, cheese and stock.

🇻🇳 Vietnam: Buddhist Food Everywhere

📍 We’re here now, as a family of four

We’re living in Vietnam right now, and it’s been one of the easiest places we’ve travelled as vegetarians. During our month in Da Nang, we built up a handful of reliable spots, which matters a lot with a toddler. The full rundown is in our Da Nang guide.

The secret is chay (pronounced “chai”), the Buddhist vegetarian cooking tradition. Most Vietnamese cities have chay restaurants, and many get busier on the 1st and 15th of each lunar month, when many Buddhists eat meat-free. Marty and I still talk about a chay feast we had in Ho Chi Minh City years ago.

What to try: tofu phở, fresh spring rolls (gỏi cuốn), vegetarian bánh mì and bánh xèo (crispy filled pancakes). Fresh soy milk (sữa đậu nành) is sold almost everywhere, which makes dairy-free easy.

Handy phrases: Tôi ăn chay (I eat vegetarian) and không nước mắm (no fish sauce).

The catch: fish sauce goes into a lot of everyday food at regular stalls, and a “vegetarian” noodle soup can still come with a meat broth. Chay restaurants are the safe bet.

🇦🇺 Australia: Brunch, Produce and Roadhouse Pies

📍 Where I grew up

Australia is home for me, and the thing I miss most is the brunch culture. Café menus blend cuisines in a very modern way, and healthy, veggie-forward dishes are normal rather than a special request. Not everywhere, but in most cities and bigger towns.

Supermarkets and markets are full of fresh produce. I still can’t get over the size of the avocados. 🥑 Our Australia guide has the story of our Christmas in Brisbane with the boys.

What to try: smashed avocado on sourdough, big brunch plates, and the Vietnamese, Thai, Indian and Lebanese food you’ll find in every city.

The catch: outside the cities, eating vegetarian in Australia is a different story. On our campervan trip down the Queensland coast, roadhouse menus were mostly meat pies and deep-fried everything. On a good day, you might get an egg sandwich. Eating out is also expensive, so self-catering helps a lot.

🇹🇭 Thailand: Follow the Yellow Flags

📍 As a couple, 12 years ago. Chiang Mai with the boys this Christmas.

Marty and I travelled through Thailand on our two-year trip, and we’re heading to Chiang Mai with Louie and Leo this Christmas. We’ll update this section once we’ve eaten our way around it as a family.

Look for jay food. Stalls and restaurants flying yellow flags with red lettering serve vegan Thai food, usually cooked without garlic or onion too.

The biggest celebration of it is Phuket’s Vegetarian Festival, a Taoist festival held in the ninth lunar month. In 2026, it runs from 10 to 18 October, and many stalls go fully meat-free. The street processions include face piercings and very loud firecrackers, so think about whether they suit your kids.

What to try: green curry with tofu, stir-fried morning glory, mango sticky rice and fresh fruit shakes.

Handy phrases: gin jay (I eat vegan) and mai sai nam pla (no fish sauce).

The catch: fish sauce and shrimp paste turn up in a lot of everyday dishes, including som tam (papaya salad). Without the right phrases, they’re easy to miss.

🇬🇷 Greece: Fasting Food That Happens to Be Vegan

📍 As a couple

We found Greece easy as vegetarians. Greek salads, wraps and falafel kept us happy, and there was always something on the menu.

The reason runs deeper than salads. During Greek Orthodox fasting periods, many people skip meat, dairy and eggs, so lots of traditional dishes are vegan by design. Look for nistisima (fasting food) on menus, especially around Lent and Easter.

We were in Athens for Easter, although Marty’s choice of midnight soup was very much not vegetarian. More of our Athens memories are in our Greece guide.

What to try: gemista (stuffed tomatoes and peppers), fava (yellow split pea purée), gigantes (baked giant beans) and ladera (vegetables slow-cooked in olive oil).

The catch: Greek salad comes with feta, and many pies and dips contain cheese or yoghurt. Easy for vegetarians, but dairy-free and vegan eaters need to check.

🇮🇹 Italy: Simple, Seasonal and Mostly Meat-Free

📍 Tuscany, with Louie at about three

When Louie was about three, we went glamping in Tuscany. We bought tomatoes from a nearby farm and cooked a fresh sauce with local olive oil, and it’s still one of our favourite food memories. There’s more about that trip in our Italy guide.

Italian cooking is built on seasonal vegetables, beans and good olive oil, so vegetarians rarely struggle. Kids are well looked after too, with plain pasta and pizza never far away.

What to try: pasta al pomodoro, pizza marinara (no cheese, so it’s vegan), ribollita (Tuscan bread and bean soup) and caponata (sweet and sour aubergine).

The catch: fresh pasta often contains egg, and Parmigiano is made with animal rennet, so strict vegetarians should check. Pesto usually contains cheese too.

🇩🇪 Germany: Berlin Leads the Way

📍 As a couple, plus Louie’s train trips to Berlin

Berlin is a dream for vegetarians. It’s one of those places where I felt instantly understood, like I fit right in. Louie has taken the train there with us more than once, and it’s become one of his favourite trips.

The city has one of Europe’s biggest vegan scenes, with fully vegan cafés, bakeries and plenty of vegan döner. German supermarkets also stock a wide range of plant-based products, often under their own brands.

What to try: vegan döner, plant-based currywurst, pretzels and white asparagus in spring.

The catch: traditional German food leans heavily on meat, and small towns and country inns offer much less choice. Berlin, Hamburg and Leipzig are far easier than rural areas. More in our Germany guide.

🇰🇷 South Korea: More Than Barbecue

📍 A quick stopover in Seoul, with Louie as a baby

Korea has a reputation for barbecue, so I didn’t expect much. Then, on a stopover in Seoul with baby Louie, I found a buffet full of vegetarian options sitting right alongside the grilled meat. It was a lovely surprise.

Beyond that stopover, this section is researched. Korean temple food is a Buddhist tradition cooked without meat and without pungent vegetables like garlic and onion. Bibimbap (rice with mixed vegetables) and banchan, the small vegetable side dishes served with most meals, are good starting points.

What to try: bibimbap without meat, japchae (glass noodles with vegetables) and tofu dishes.

The catch: kimchi and many soups are made with fish sauce, salted shrimp or anchovy stock. Temple food restaurants are the easiest option for strict vegetarians. Our South Korea guide covers family life there.

🇮🇳 India: Where Vegetarian Is Normal

🔎 Researched, not visited yet

India is the country on this list we most want to visit for the food. Vegetarian eating isn’t a niche here, it’s everyday life for a large part of the population. Menus are often split into “veg” and “non-veg”, and fully vegetarian restaurants are common.

Food changes hugely from region to region. The south is known for dosas, idli and coconut-based curries, while northern Indian cooking leans on breads, dal and paneer.

What to try: masala dosa, idli with sambar, dal, chana masala and thali (a platter of small dishes).

The catch: dairy is everywhere, from ghee, butter, curd and cream to paneer and the milk in chai. If you’re dairy-free like Louie and me, ask before you order. Stomach upsets are also common for visitors, so ease kids in gently. Our India guide covers the rest.

🇮🇩 Bali: Tempeh, Tofu and Café Culture

🔎 Researched, not visited yet

We looked seriously at Bali before choosing Chiang Mai, and the vegetarian scene was one of its big draws. Ubud in particular is known for plant-based cafés. Our Chiang Mai vs Bali comparison explains why we went elsewhere.

Everyday Indonesian food helps too. Tempeh, a fermented soybean cake that originated in Java, is cheap and widely available, and so is tofu.

What to try: nasi campur (rice with mixed small dishes) with vegetable sides, gado-gado (vegetables with peanut sauce) and tempeh satay.

The catch: shrimp paste (terasi) goes into many sambals and sauces. Café hubs like Canggu and Ubud can also cost much more than local warungs (small family-run eateries).

Harder Than You’d Expect

Food is such a big part of travelling. When you’re not catered for, it can change the whole feel of a place. These are the countries where we had to work harder, and what helped.

🇪🇸 Spain

In many parts of Spain, saying “vegetarian” got me an offer of fish. Traditional menus also hide ham in more dishes than you’d think. Big cities are easier, and after small-town La Línea, Málaga felt like a feast. Markets and self-catering are your friends.

🇲🇦 Morocco

There’s usually a vegetable tagine on the menu, and it’s good. Every day, though, it gets old fast. Markets and a kitchen help with variety. Our Morocco guide has more on food with kids.

🇨🇳 China

China has been the hardest for us, twice. When I visited Guangzhou about 12 years ago, not long after Marty and I got married, we found a Tibetan restaurant and went back again and again. Even a pastry that looked safe had pork floss (dried, shredded pork) on top. A friend who lived there spotted it just in time.

It wasn’t much easier this January. On an overnight stopover as a family, we couldn’t find anything suitable and ended up at McDonald’s. Louie had a Filet-O-Fish. Not our proudest travel moment. 😅

The lesson: if you can’t read the language, ask someone who can, and pack snacks for stopovers.

🇳🇱 The Netherlands: A Country That Changed

When I first arrived in the Netherlands, you couldn’t buy a pumpkin at a normal supermarket. I had to go to the Turkish market. Over my 13 years there, that changed a lot. Utrecht still has room to grow, but Amsterdam is much more international. More in our Netherlands guide.

How We Eat Well on the Road

Learn one phrase before you land. “I eat vegetarian” and “no fish sauce” do more than any app.

Know the hidden ingredients. Fish sauce, shrimp paste, anchovy stock, lard, chicken stock and toppings like pork floss catch out vegetarians everywhere. If in doubt, ask, or pick a fully vegetarian restaurant.

Book somewhere with a kitchen. Cooking most meals keeps the budget down, keeps fussy eaters fed and makes local markets part of the routine.

Find two or three reliable spots in week one. With a toddler, having go-to places matters more than finding the best restaurant in town.

Plan for the hungry moments. Bread, fruit and crackers travel well and are easy to find almost anywhere. With a toddler, a snack in the bag can buy you time to find a proper meal.

Remember allergies. Plant-based food often relies on nuts, soy, sesame and gluten. If your kids have allergies, learn to explain them in the local language too.

If you’re fully vegan, plan nutrition. Talk to your GP or a dietitian before a long trip, especially about vitamin B12 for kids.

Useful Apps and Resources

• HappyCow: vegetarian and vegan restaurants worldwide, with user reviews. Coverage is best in big cities. More in our travel apps guide.
• Google Translate: point the camera at a menu or label to check the ingredients.
• Local expat and family Facebook groups: often the best source of tips in smaller towns, where apps have fewer listings.

FAQs

Which country is easiest for vegetarian families?

For us, Vietnam has been the easiest so far, thanks to its Buddhist chay restaurants and low prices. From our research, India is likely even easier for vegetarians, although dairy is in almost everything.

Is it harder to travel as a vegan than a vegetarian?

Usually, yes. Eggs and dairy are easy to find almost everywhere. Vegans need to watch for fish sauce, ghee, butter and stock, which turn up in a lot of everyday food.

What’s the easiest way to say “I’m vegetarian” abroad?

Learn the local phrase before you go, plus “no fish sauce” in Southeast Asia. In Vietnam, it’s Tôi ăn chay. In Thailand, gin jay means “I eat vegan”.

Is vegetarian travel cheaper?

Often, yes. Vegetable dishes usually cost less than meat dishes, and cooking at home saves even more. In expensive countries like Australia, self-catering makes the biggest difference.

How do you find vegetarian food in small towns?

Markets and supermarkets are the most reliable option, and accommodation with a kitchen gives you a backup. In some places, like Australian roadhouses, you may have to settle for an egg sandwich.

Which hidden ingredients should vegetarians watch for?

Fish sauce, shrimp paste, anchovy stock, lard, chicken or meat stock, and toppings like pork floss. Some vegetarians also avoid cheese made with animal rennet, such as Parmigiano.

Do you make your kids eat vegetarian?

No. At home we cook vegetarian together, and when we eat out, everyone chooses for themselves. Marty eats meat, Louie eats fish now and then, and Leo doesn’t eat meat yet. Louie mostly chooses vegetables on his own, and we don’t enforce it.

Can kids eat well on a vegetarian diet while travelling?

In our experience, yes, with a little planning. Rice, noodles, bread, beans, tofu, eggs and fresh fruit are easy to find in most places. If your family is vegan or dairy-free, talk to your GP or a dietitian before a long trip.

Do babies need meat when they start solids?

I was surprised how quickly I was advised to start Leo on meat, at around six months. I’m not an expert, and our boys have been fine without it.

The usual reason is iron. Australia’s infant feeding guidelines recommend iron-rich foods as first foods from around six months. Meat is one option, but iron-fortified infant cereal, eggs, legumes and tofu provide iron too, and foods rich in vitamin C help the body absorb it. Pregnancy, Birth and Baby, a government-funded health service, has a helpful vegetarian and vegan feeding guide for babies. If you’re raising a vegetarian baby, talk to your GP or child health nurse.

What about the Middle East?

Some of our best vegetarian meals were falafel and salads in Jordan and Israel, when Marty and I crossed the border from Jordan years ago. Right now, Smartraveller advises Australians not to travel to Israel, so check the current advice first. Our Middle East guide covers the region for families.

Our Takeaways

After years of travelling as vegetarians, here’s what we’ve learnt: the food can make or break how a place feels. It’s the difference between relaxing into a new city and feeling like you’re always hunting for your next meal.

The easiest places have meat-free food woven into everyday life, from chay restaurants in Vietnam to fasting food in Greece. The harder ones aren’t off limits. They just need more planning, a kitchen and a few good phrases.

And sometimes, a place surprises you. A buffet in Seoul. A Tibetan restaurant in Guangzhou. A pumpkin you finally track down at the Turkish market. 🎃

For the culture side of food travel, see our 13 destinations for families who love food and culture.

Which country would your family try first?