When I first found out I was going to have the opportunity to spend a semester in Europe, I was thrilled. I love to travel and being in Europe makes traveling much easier. I was a bit worried however, to be a vegan in Italy. Many see Italy as offering nothing but cheeses and meats. Italians would hate me for being vegan and I would starve, is essentially what my family told me. However, they were wrong.
Italy is food paradise, no matter your dietary preference. In my apartment I have a full functioning kitchen, so I shop and cook for myself most of the time, just as I would at home. However, the initial problem arose with eating out, and traveling. Aside from the fact that Milan (where I am living) has a plethora of vegan/veggie restaurants, I can walk into any trattoria or osteria, or any other restaurant and find something to eat.
Trattoria Lione, Florence
Let’s start with breakfast. Italy, along with many other European countries do not have a very heavy breakfast. Typically, coffee and a pasty of some kind. If you do not enjoy the strong brewed taste of a solo espresso, or if like me, two or three, then most places offer a Cappuccino di Soia or another coffee and nut milk drink. Most places also offer a bakery item that is vegan as well, if not labeled, all you have to do is ask – “è qualcosa vegan”
For a light lunch or mid-day snack there are many options. Many panificateria’s have breads (focaccia) either plan or with vegetables like onion, olives, or my personal favorite, sun-dried tomatoes. You can also stop by a fruttivendolo and grab some fresh fruit! The smaller specialty stores, in my opinion, have the freshest and best selection, often cheaper than a supermarket.
Dinner is the “big” meal of the day, happening after 8 or 9 pm here. What most people do not know is that only “fresh” pasta contains egg. So if the restaurant does not make the pasta themselves, or buys packaged pasta, it is vegan friendly. Pizza dough is a similar story, often it does not contain animal based products, so pizza senza formaggi is typically fine. If that doesn’t sound very appealing to you, there are always side orders of roasted or grilled veggies or potatoes, or even something else that might catch your eye.
Flower burger, Milano
Burrito loco, Prague
As far as gelato goes, the fruit flavors and often some kind of dark chocolate are vegan as well. I know a chain called Chocolat, has many gelato flavor options, cones, as well as a literal chocolate faucet (yes for real) that is all vegan friendly. My favorite gelato place in Milano is called “gelataria Gecko” they have a banana flavor; it is VERY good. Other sweets are not super easy to find vegan, but we have made do just fine. If you are really craving something, you can always make it at home as well!
When it comes to traveling, some might think it can be difficult. My humble advice is to look at happycow before you go anywhere to see what vegan locations there are. However, most of the time, I have had the best luck going somewhere and finding something that works for me. In a small town called Vezzano Ligure, there is a restaurant called Osteria della Pietre. Even though it is not a fully vegan place, it was by far the best food I have consumed in my entire life. I think about it often.
Osteria della Pietre, vezzano ligure
Do not be afraid to ask for things to be modified if you would like, do not be afraid to ask how something is made. If you are nice about asking for a vegan meal, the restaurant will accommodate. In fact, sometimes they really enjoy it. While in Munich, I went to a traditional German restaurant, they gave me a hard time about being vegan, but it was lighthearted. They had no problem just giving me a huge, and delicious, place of vegetables, seasons and cooked perfectly. It was not on the menu, but all I did was ask, “Hey I am vegan, do you have anything like a side of veggies, or a dish that I could modify?” While our waitress had fun with me for being vegan where people consume more sausage than anything else, she was super nice (I also had fun).
Berlin burrito company food truck, Berlin
Being vegan is Europe is easy. Nothing to be afraid of. You will eat amazing food. People will be very nice to you. Abroad has been the most incredible experience of my life, and I am thankful every day that I had this opportunity.
Tofu stand, Freiburg