Thinking of going vegan or vegetarian this year? Or perhaps you’re wanting to reduce your consumption of meat, fish or dairy?
Opting for a meat-free diet is becoming increasingly popular in the UK, and our recent research has discovered that 21% of the nation currently identify as vegan or vegetarian. A further quarter (25%) would say they are flexitarian – meaning they have a primarily vegetarian diet, but occasionally eat meat or fish.
A third (31%) of the nation also claim they’d like to reduce their meat intake, while 7% said they’d consider a vegan diet and 20% would like to go vegetarian – that’s a lot of people looking to cut down on their meat consumption!
Whatever your reasons, we have helped uncover the UK’s most vegan and vegetarian hotspots in the UK to inspire your next staycation.
We’ve analysed several factors, including the number of vegan and vegetarian-friendly restaurants in the UK and the number of restaurants claiming to serve vegan and veggie-friendly dishes, as well as the percentage of people who follow a vegan or vegetarian diet or are looking to in the future.
So, let’s get to the results!
Manchester crowned top vegan hotspot
The top vegan hotspot in the UK is the bustling city of Manchester. The city is filled with culture, events, music - and meat-free options!
There are 72 designated vegan and veggie restaurants in the city, with a further 445 claiming to serve vegan-friendly options.
Nearly a quarter (21%) of Mancunians also claim they are vegetarian or vegan, and a huge 41% of meat eaters say they would like to reduce their consumption in the future. 22% even say they’d love to follow a vegan diet.
So, if it’s a vegan-friendly staycation you’re after, in an action-packed city close to unspoilt landscapes such as the Peak District, consider Manchester.
The runners-up
Whilst Manchester may be the winner, there are plenty of other great options to enjoy a staycation, with lots of delicious vegetarian and vegan dishes to try!
Brighton
Located in East Sussex, the popular seaside resort of Brighton is placed second on our list of the top vegan hotspots.
The city is home to 380 restaurants serving vegan and vegetarian fare, and 61 restaurants wholly dedicated to plant-based options.
24% of residents are vegan or vegetarian, while 27% said they’d love to follow a meat and dairy-free diet in the future. A further 31% say they’d love to reduce their consumption of meat, fish and dairy.
Find out where to eat in Brighton and the surrounding area with our round-up of the best pubs and restaurants in Sussex.
Nottingham
Located in Nottinghamshire – a county filled with natural beauty, legendary forests and ancient castles – the city of Nottingham is also one of the top vegan staycation spots in the UK.
Nottingham is home to a total of 257 restaurants that are either wholly vegan or vegetarian, or serve veg-friendly dishes, and 30% of the city’s residents follow a meat-free diet. 22% of residents say they’d consider a vegan or vegetarian diet, with a further 40% hoping to reduce their consumption.
Edinburgh
One of the UK’s most popular and beautiful cities, Edinburgh attracts thousands of tourists to its unique cobbled streets each year. The city is a fantastic base to explore all of Scotland’s stunning glens, lochs and mountains, and is one of the top vegan areas in the UK too.
There are a total of 691 restaurants that are suitable for vegans and vegetarians, and just under 20% of residents in Edinburgh are either vegan or vegetarian. A further 34% of Edinburgh’s residents would like to go vegan or vegetarian too.
Cardiff
Wales’s capital, the city of Cardiff, is a bustling base to explore the surrounding beauty of Wales, including Bridgend and Porthcawl. Not only is the city home to great nightlife and culture, but it is a great travel destination for vegans and vegetarians too.
The city is home to nearly 300 vegan or vegetarian-friendly restaurants, and nearly a quarter (23%) of residents in the city are already following a meat-free diet.
Bristol
The South West’s biggest city, Bristol, is also ranked as one of the UK’s best destinations for vegans and vegetarians. Bristol is home to the famous Clifton Suspension Bridge, several great places to eat, and closely located to many staycation hotspots, such as beautiful Somerset and the Cotswolds.
Bristol is home to 423 restaurants cooking up plant-based dishes, with nearly a third (28%) of residents saying they’d consider following a vegan or vegetarian diet.
Norwich
In the stunning county of Norfolk, and close to beauty spots such as Cromer and seaside favourites like Great Yarmouth, Norwich ranks in the top ten best vegan and vegetarian hotspots the UK has to offer.
A quarter of those living in Norwich claim to be vegan or vegetarian, with a further 32% saying they’d consider following a plant-based diet. The city is home to nearly 200 vegan or vegetarian restaurants, too. For some great ideas on where to go, check out Norfolk's best places to eat.
Newcastle
In the heart of the North, Newcastle is a popular city destination for nightlife, and now for vegans and vegetarians too!
There are 278 restaurants suitable for vegan or vegetarians in this popular city, and 19% of residents are powered by plants! Of those that do eat meat, 32% said they’d consider giving it up in the future.
Newcastle is also close to beautiful Northumberland, one of the most-loved staycation spots in the UK. On Northumberland’s pretty shoreline lie favourites such as Alnmouth and Amble, just a 45-minute drive from the city.
Oxford
In stunning Oxfordshire, Oxford is one of the UK’s most famous cities, with breathtaking architecture and stunning cobbled streets.
It’s also top drawer for plant-based people too, with 188 restaurants catering for vegan or vegetarians. 26% of residents also claim they’d like to consider a plant-based diet, and 37% would like to reduce their meat consumption.
Plymouth
A historical maritime city in the heart of ever-popular Devon, Plymouth is filled with beautiful scenery and nearby places of interest to enjoy. And it’s one of the best vegan hotspots too!
18% of the city’s residents are vegan or vegetarian, with an additional 24% saying they’d like to consider it. And it’s a good job too, as there are 188 restaurants serving up plant-based dishes. For more inspiration on where to head on your trip to Devon, discover the county's top restaurants.
We have properties in all these beautiful locations listed above, so why not stay with us for your next staycation? All our cottages are self-catered, so you’ll have plenty of opportunity to try out some of the amazing vegan and vegetarian restaurants in these wonderful cities.
Cottages across the UK
Methodology
We used both Happy Cow and Google search to reveal the number of vegan and vegetarian restaurants in each city, as well as the number of restaurants serving vegan and vegetarian friendly options. All information is correct as of 04/01/2022.
The data from each city was ranked, and then we allocated an average ranking for each city across the factors. The lower the overall score, the higher it placed in our rankings.