Germany For Vegans

Let’s face it… German food has a reputation for being rich and meaty. Vegetarian and vegan travelers headed for Germany groan and moan to their companions and post whiny remarks on travel forums. But what’s the real situation on the ground?

There are actually plenty of vegetarian and vegan options available to travelers in Germany. Admittedly, if you go to a traditional German restaurant and look for traditional fare, you will likely be offered a lot of meat dishes. Look beyond the stereotypical stuff, however, and you’ll find a lot of very good food.

In the summer, you will want to eat potato and asparagus, a popular combination plate due to Germany’s status as a leading producer of asparagus. Onion or mushroom stews in winter and crisp spring and fall salads are also on the menu at most restaurants. Going to specialty restaurants focusing on vegan and natural foods will give you an even broader variety.

Don’t be afraid to ask for advice from your hotel, guide or new friends. Just explain that you are vegetarisch (vegetarian) and most people will be able to direct you to a restaurant, even in the smaller towns. In a pinch, go for falafel or to a pizza house.

If you prefer to buy a few things on your own, you should look for a Reformhaus or a Bio Markt. “Bio” is applied to all things organic. Strict vegans should note that it doesn’t always mean purely natural, just that it meet EU organic standards. (Yup, we’re at it again… politics; one of the most beloved hobbies if we trust the TV news and various talkshows.)

Select Top Restaurants In Germany For Vegans

Here are few restaurants you can note down, but remember that there are many, many more! Happy Cow has 253 listings for vegetarian restaurants in Germany. So these are just a few that stand out for quality…

• Berlin: Hans Wurst Vegan Cafe (Dunckerstraße 2a, 10437), Veni Vidi Vegi (Pücklerstraße 32, 10997) and Yellow Sunshine (Wiener Straße 19, 10999)
• Munich: Prinz Myskin (Hackenstraße 2) and Zay Vegetarisch (Occamstraße 13)
• Frankfurt: Naturbar (Oeder Weg 26)

Also, if you read good German, you can visit the discussion boards at www.vegan.de for even more tips.

—Marcus