LIVEKINDLY COUNTDOWNS. Today we'll be exploring the nine most vegan-friendly
cities in the world. Kicking it off at
#9 Chennai India.
The capital of Tamil Nadu, Chennai is the most vegan friendly city in India.
Approximately half of India's population is vegetarian.
"My favorite type of dish you've got the best of all worlds."
And Chennai's vegan scene is growing at a rapid rate,
as the trend towards veganism is taking hold. The city hosts a variety of vegan
businesses such as Vegetagold, a vegan
butcher,
and Monk Story, a shoe brands that makes vegan leather footwear.
Chennai is also home to the German International School,
which recently announced that it
will serve 100% vegan food to its students.
"In 2009, I co-founded German International School Chennai
to advocate an orientation towards love.
Emphasizing the awareness, respect and love for life as the purpose of education.
And vegan dining? The city's
food hotspots are vegan too.
#8 Tai Pei, Taiwan.
Touted as the most popular
Asian destination for vegan travelers,
Taipei has deep roots in Buddhist
culture. Perhaps one of the factors that
influenced the rise of veganism in the
city.
Though there is no rule in Buddhism about avoiding meat,
many choose a more compassionate approach to food consumption.
The city hosts over 50 plant-based restaurants that feature
local foods and international cuisine. 
From vegan street food to a full-fledged
vegan supermarket, Taipei has a lot to
offer.
Up next at #7 Los Angeles, California.
L.A. boasts over 150 vegan and vegan friendly restaurants
With a West Coast focus on fresh and
healthy foods, it's no surprise that a
staggering amount of vegan celebrities
call LA home.
"Most of what's in my fridge is to feed my son,
but it's also to feed me."
Moby's vegan restaurant Little Pine
calls Los Angeles home too.
"And some of the things on the menu that I love personally,
we have these Farracia glazed Brussels sprouts and thing is
I don't like Brussels sprouts and I love these."
The growing number of vegan companies has created many jobs for people in the city,
with vegan hospitality groups, restaurants, and catering businesses
"I'm in raw vegan heaven, like actual raw vegan heaven right now."
The city's love for vegan eats is punctuated by it's vegan
festivals
"The country fried steak is the bread.
Inside we've got our bacon, our
tofu egg, and our sausage country greens."
"About 30,000 last year they
expected 40,000 this year so it's gonna be packed."
Taking the #6 spot Berlin, Germany
Berling gets major credit for embodying the vegan lifestyle.
Despite Germany's long history of
consuming cured meats, a culture shift is
taking place in the capital city.
Lovingly dubbed vegan Berlin,
the city offers vegan clothing stores that focus
on sustainable and Fairtrade fashion,
several vegan grocery stores.
"The bulk section: nuts, seeds, legumes, and even
granola and chocolates. One thing I like
is that they have paper bags instead of
plastic bags and that's better for our
environment."
And close to 500 vegan and veg-friendly restaurants.
"The best thing that I think
I've seen so far is a store called Réger Burger
and they do lot of burger options.
There's even a vegan donut shop!
#5 Tel Aviv, Israel
Tel Aviv is home to more
vegans per capita than any other city in
the world, as 5% of Israel's
total population has ditched animal products.
"In this city, 200,000 people are? Vegan, vegan, vegan!"
As you'd expect it's vegan
scene is thriving with over 400 vegan
and veg-friendly restaurants.
"Vegans in Israel are blessed with local gems that
are vegan by design like: hummus,
falafel but beyond those there are
unique vegan dishes that will make even
carnivores drool like this amazing vegan
burger from
In almost every restaurant in the heart of the city,
vegan options abound. From Middle
Eastern and Mediterranean food, to Persian inspired dishes.
"I would say this is the best hummus I have had."
The city is also home to Israel's first vegan supermarket,
making veganism more accessible with
compassionate Fairtrade products.
Up next at #4 London, England.
London's vegan scene has been expanding
as a result of Britain's vegan boom. From
a hundred and fifty thousand vegans in
London in 2008 to over 500 thousand
today.
"I think he's vegan!"
Meat-eaters love London's vegan food too.
The city offers unique vegan fare like
fish and chips made from fried banana blossom.
"People want vegan fish and chips, I'll supply. And it's nice."
And delicious grub from the country's first fried chicken joint.
Camden Market, a popular spot
now hosts a variety of
vegan vendors as well.
The largest vegan festival, VEVOLUTION,
also takes place in London, aiming to inspire future vegan leaders around the world.
"You're giving other vegans and veggie curious people, inspiration.
I'm planting seeds of ideas that hopefully will grow
into big green vegan trees."
#3 Edinburgh, Scotland
Step aside haggis, Scotland's capital has
the largest number of the vegan-friendly
restaurants in the country.
"Wow Edinburgh,Scotland. What a beautiful place."
A grand total of a 160 of them.
Edinburgh is home to some of the world's
finest vegan breakfasts, and offers many
choices when it comes to vegan friendly
afternoon tea.
#2 Portland, Oregon
Portland's long standing veggie scene
can be traced back a hundred years.
"The only problem there's so many options here for the plant powered patron
I don't know where to begin!"
It's home to a unique chickpea ice cream shop.
"Oh wow, that's really good."
"I'm vegan and I love you. That's the best."
And a vegan mini-mall.
"It's not just about stopping in and finding some cool vegan snacks. You will be amazed
at all exists. it's an online store too."
Portland even has a vegan strip club.
"As far as regarding dancers and what they wear
it's the same as basically our food - it's all vegan."
Veganism is pervasive in Portland -
everyone knows a vegan.
There's an entire community of vegan doctors, chefs, and advocates who frequently host special events.
And reigning champion at #1
Bristol, England
Bristol ranks number one with its incredible range of
independent plant-based cafes and restaurants.
Residents can choose between
a wide variety of vegan fares - like Ooowee Diner
that features vegan versions of
meaty junk food. There's also VX Bristol.
"The excitement is real we are at VX Bristol
which is amazing vegan junk food.
Look at what I', about to dive into, the Monster Shake. I don't even know how to..."
Bun fiction, and Cafe Fino there's
also a vegan co-working space, and
monthly vegan events.
"I organize the Bristol vegan drinks event it's a
monthly event that's up this on the
first Friday of every month.
An environment forward city,
3 out of 4 MPs have declared themselves vegan or veggie.
Community website vegan Bristol shares a collection of vegan vegetarian and veg
friendly business listings by
neighborhood including restaurants
breweries, natural health practitioners,
and a vending machine service that
provides chilled vegan food.
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