Berlin, Germany
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pita pockets, a small menu but everything is delicious. vegan option with extra aubergine or tofu kofta available.
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great neighbourhood bakery with delicious bread and pastries. the vegan banana bread is to die for.
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food court with many different stalls and deli counters.
my favourites are:
Mani in Pasta (pasta, duh)
Bao Goo Club (bao & rice dishes)
Rosa Canina (ice cream)
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sicilian ice cream, many vegan options. the dark chocolate sorbet is my favourite ice cream in the country.
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the entire place is vegetarian, and they offer organic dumplings with many vegan fillings. my favourite filling is the broccoli/shiitake/tofu, and you must try the miso mustard sauce.
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all-vegan restaurant with the most creative and delicious seasonal dishes. the staff is super lovely, too.
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a cute deli and cafe, with exotic groceries and cookbooks. very easy way to spend a lot of money.
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cute cafe in Mitte, serving pastries, buns, bread and (allegedly) great coffee. the cardamom bun is so good.
Lake District, UK
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two idyllic villages, located at lake Windermere. many hikes starting or ending here, perfect for a day trip.
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located near Keswick, this Hotel and Restaurant offers a beautiful restaurant, garden and view over lake Derwentwater. vegan options available, and a farm shop selling local produce and products (highly recommend getting the tomato & chili relish).
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putting a grocery store on a travel guide might seem off-putting, but i’m a foodie at heart and Booths sells mainly local produce and products, many of which cannot be found in other supermarkets.
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a hike up here is quite long and demanding, but so worth it. parking, starting and ending in Ambleside.
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a long, but not super challenging hike starting near Keswick, this one’s perfect for a half-day activity.
London, England
food spots:
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you know it’s good when there’s only one thing on the menu. at pockets, that’s a falafel pita, filled with freshly fried falafel, pickled and raw veggies, potato fritter, lots of tahini and chilis (if you want). i have yet to eat a better pita.
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a casual bakery offering scandinavian-inspired breads and pastries. nice vibe.
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two words: cardamom bun. straight-out-the-oven perfection. the saffron bun is also great.
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a few locations around the city, with handmade pasta and fresh sauces. only few vegan options, but they are delish.
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i am OBSESSED with everything they do. there’s a few restaurants around the city, each focusing on a different niche. i’ve been to the “daily” branch and the deli, and both have had excellent food. many vegan options. there’s also a food store to get some nice middle-eastern goodies to take home.
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10/10 pain au chocolat, 10/10 sourdough. a cute bakery in a little side street, worth a few minutes of walking.
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serving pastries, sandwiches and fresh flatbreads. they won best croissant in the UK 23 and 24 and I can see why. best croissant of my life, even better than the ones I had in paris (oops). the vanilla scroll is also great.
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neapolitan pizza with a vegan cheese option, which I always appreciate. friendly staff and great serving sizes.
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everyone and their mum has heard about this bakery, but it’s seriously good. I got the pain au chocolat warm from the oven, so I might be biased.
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a chain restaurant focused on build-your-own-bowls, great for when you want some vitamins in your body after eating nothing but pastries and pasta for 3 days. many vegan options.
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a cute wine bar right next to hyde park. we stumbled upon this place on the way back to the hotel. mainly locals which makes the atmosphere super cozy. a small food menu, but mainly drink and snack focused.
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a small italian spot. one vegan pasta dish, but it’s gooood. changing seasonal menu.
to-do’s:
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one of the best museums i’ve ever been to. most of the exhibitions are free.
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such a nice area to spend an afternoon. many small shops and streets, and the atmosphere is so nice! if I ever moved to london (which I will most likely not), i’d move in this part of town.
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a book lovers dream. 5 floors filled with every genre you can think of.
Paris, France
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to be honest, I was going to gatekeep this place. it’s a small restaurant using fresh ingredients straight from Italy, homemade pasta and sauces prepared right in front of your eyes (at least if you sit at the bar). the staff is friendly and service quick.
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a few locations across the city, they sell sandwiches (vegan option) at lunchtime and all of the classic, delicious pastries.
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fully vegan restaurant, serving creative vegetable-focused dishes. quite expensive, but worth it as a special treat.
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cute bakery, very good croissants.
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all-vegan bakery, selling all of the french classics and a few other savoury creations including sandwiches and “quiche”. the babka roll is to die for.
Zurich, Switzerland
food spots:
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bakery chain with a few locations in the city. great bread and pastries. go early as they sell out quickly.
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a huge pizza after a long day of hiking always tastes good, but the sourdough makes it extra special. no specific vegan options, but no cheese possible. side salads can be made vegan.
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the oldest vegetarian restaurant in the world! choose between a buffet or serviced dining. many, many vegan options. this one’s a must-visit.
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health-food focused chain restaurant, serving large portions of balanced meals. a great place for a quick lunch.
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pizza restaurant serving long pizzas which are re-heated to order. good quality ingredients and 3 vegan options. great before or on the train ride, as it’s right next to the station.
to-do’s:
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an easy hike from zurich, many shorter or longer routes available. you can also take the train up, but that’s only half the fun. a nice viewpoint and some restaurants at the top.
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quite a few swimming options like seebad enge or utoquai, with sunbathing and a bar included.
a bike ride around the lake on a sunny day is nice if you’re into that, the shortest route being around 70km.
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east of the city, this mountain doesn't get nearly as much attention as the uetliberg on the other side. hiking up you pass the dolder grand (most expensive hotel in town). the quiet and stillness make this one super special.
Amsterdam, the Netherlands
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great bread, pastries and a nice atmosphere. the miso chocolate chip hazelnut cookies are the best cookies I have ever eaten.
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a great cafe & bakery located in bos en lommer. seating available with views into the bakery. the raisin & fennel bun is incredible.
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pastry shop and bakery with great brioche, the staff is super welcoming and friendly.
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best hummus in amsterdam, fresh falafel and oven-warm pita. so many plant-based options.
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specialised on focaccia sandwiches. plant-based options are limited, but the roasted veggies and greens in a fresh focaccia are not to be missed.
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a small-ish restaurant serving creative dishes. 2-3 vegan options, but they’re all delicious.
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a rather small place, offering many vegan options. take-away available to eat in the sun (if it’s shining…)
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all-vegan bakery and deli (across the street). selling pastries, sandwiches, and everything your heart desires.
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a cafe with lots of outdoor seating right in the vondelpark. many vegan options, great for a summer lunch surrounded by greenery.
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neapolitan pizza and wine in a lovely atmosphere, plant-based option available
Düsseldorf, Germany
food spots:
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a small organic bakery with a 2 main locations, which serves sourdough bread, pastries and burgers from 12:00. vegan options.
the Bulle bistro in Flingern is a great place to hang out in the summer.
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my favourite pizzeria of all time, serving neapolitan pizza with high-quality ingredients.
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serving middle eastern dishes, with many vegan options. we love to order here for our sunday night family dinner.
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an italian restaurant with 2 locations. a separate vegan menu, offering pizza and pasta with vegan cheese if desired.
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near the university, offering pita pockets and falafel bowls, some vegan options. this is my go-to place when I forgot to pack my lunch.
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an indian restaurant with many vegan options. probably my dad's favourite place in town, he suggests to order here whenever we have dinner at my apartment.
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an independent stall on the Carlsplatz, offering handmade pasta and sauces. the owner is super friendly and will recognise you the second time you come here.
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an amazing organic bakery offering sourdough breads, pastries, sandwiches and drinks. quite expensive, but worth the money.
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another pizzeria I like, but not as good as Aurora & Vitos. nice interiors.
to-do’s:
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changing exhibitions, many of them are great.
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my favourite park in town. close to the city centre, but no noise and not crowded (usually).
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art museum with changing exhibitions.
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located a little outside the city, a walk or picnic here is a nice activity on a sunny day.