5 of the best vegetarian and vegan restaurants in Europe

Europe's plant-based dining scene has transformed into a sophisticated culinary landscape, and five restaurants stand out as exceptional destinations for vegetarian and vegan travelers: Joia in Milan, Madre in Amsterdam, Arpège in Paris, Tian in Vienna, and Gauthier Soho in London. These establishments have elevated vegetables from side dishes to starring roles, proving that meat-free cuisine can rival any traditional fine dining experience.

As a frequent flyer exploring Europe's diverse food culture, discovering outstanding plant-based restaurants enhances your travel experience while maintaining dietary preferences. Whether you're a committed vegan, vegetarian-curious, or simply seeking innovative cuisine, these five restaurants represent the pinnacle of Europe's meat-free dining revolution.

Joia, Milan, Italy: The Michelin-Starred Pioneer

Joia holds the distinction of being Europe's first vegetarian restaurant to earn a Michelin star, an accolade it received in 1996 and maintains to this day. Chef Pietro Leemann opened this groundbreaking establishment in 1989, decades before plant-based dining became fashionable, and his vision has influenced an entire generation of chefs across the continent.

The restaurant's philosophy centers on organic and biodynamic ingredients, with complex plant-based dishes that exclude eggs and minimize gluten and dairy. Leemann's approach treats vegetables with the same reverence traditional haute cuisine reserves for premium proteins, creating intricate flavor profiles that challenge preconceptions about vegetarian food. Each dish reflects both technical mastery and philosophical depth, drawing inspiration from Leemann's studies in traditional Chinese medicine and macrobiotics.

Located in Milan's elegant Via Panfilo Castaldi, Joia offers an intimate dining experience where seasonal produce dictates the menu. The tasting menus change regularly, showcasing Italy's incredible agricultural diversity through preparations that range from delicate to boldly flavored. For travelers accustomed to exceptional dining experiences, Joia proves that vegetarian cuisine deserves its place among Europe's culinary elite.

Madre, Amsterdam, Netherlands: Vibrant Mexican Vegan Cuisine

Madre brings Mexico City's dynamic street food culture to Amsterdam's charming Jordaan district, reimagined entirely through a vegan lens. This modern Mexican restaurant and cocktail bar creates an atmosphere that's worlds away from typical European dining, offering frequent flyers a taste of Latin American energy without crossing the Atlantic.

The menu features creative plant-based interpretations of Mexican classics that satisfy even the most devoted carnivores. Standout dishes include chipotle mole cauliflower wings with layers of complex spice, mushroom picadillo that captures the texture and umami of traditional preparations, and achiote potato tostadas bursting with color and flavor. The yuca fries served with jalapeño aioli have become legendary among Amsterdam locals and visitors alike.

Madre's Taco Tuesdays draw crowds seeking authentic flavors and convivial atmosphere, while weekend brunches pair specialty cocktails with morning-friendly vegan dishes. The bar program deserves special mention, with mixologists crafting drinks using fresh ingredients and house-made syrups. Just as Mexico's inland destinations offer unexpected treasures beyond beach resorts, Madre reveals depths to vegan Mexican cuisine that many travelers haven't experienced.

Arpège, Paris, France: Vegetable-Centric Haute Cuisine

Arpège represents the pinnacle of vegetable-focused fine dining in Europe, ranked No.45 on The World's 50 Best Restaurants 2025 list. Chef Alain Passard made culinary history in 2002 when he planted a 17-acre kitchen garden to supply organic produce for his three-Michelin-starred restaurant, fundamentally shifting his focus from meat to vegetables.

Passard has since eliminated all animal products from his menu except honey from his own beehives, creating dishes that celebrate vegetables with unprecedented sophistication. His gardens in Sarthe, Eure, and near Versailles produce over 400 varieties of vegetables, many heirloom species rarely seen in modern kitchens. This direct connection between soil and plate allows Passard to harvest produce at peak ripeness, sometimes serving vegetables within hours of leaving the ground.

The dining experience at Arpège reflects decades of refinement, with service that matches the exceptional cuisine. Dishes might feature a single vegetable prepared multiple ways, revealing its complete flavor spectrum, or combine unexpected ingredients that create entirely new taste experiences. For frequent flyers who've dined at the world's best restaurants, Arpège offers a perspective on plant-based cuisine that few establishments can match.

Tian, Vienna, Austria: Organic Elegance and Natural Wines

Tian, meaning "heaven" in Chinese, takes its name from multiple sources including a traditional French baked vegetable dish and the Tyrolean word "to act." Chef Paul Ivić leads this Vienna institution with a philosophy centered on organic, ethical vegetarian food that highlights overlooked vegetables, fruits, and grains.

The restaurant's minimalist approach extends from the clean-lined interior to the carefully composed tasting menus. Ivić focuses on ingredients that typically play supporting roles, elevating them through precise technique and thoughtful combinations. His cooking style balances Austrian culinary traditions with modern sensibilities, creating dishes that feel both rooted and innovative.

Tian's natural wine list, curated by sommelier André Drechsel, ranks among Europe's finest. Drechsel selects organic and biodynamic wines that complement the vegetable-forward cuisine without overwhelming delicate flavors. The wine program alone makes Tian worth visiting, offering frequent flyers an education in how natural winemaking parallels the restaurant's commitment to sustainable agriculture. Much like discovering unexpected ski destinations in Japan, Tian reveals dimensions to vegetarian dining that surprise even experienced travelers.

Gauthier Soho, London, UK: French Vegan Gastronomy

Gauthier Soho brings French haute cuisine's elegance to plant-based dining, with Chef Alexis Gauthier proving that vegan food belongs in white-tablecloth settings. The restaurant occupies a Georgian townhouse in London's vibrant Soho district, offering an intimate environment where French culinary traditions meet contemporary vegan innovation.

Gauthier offers two tasting menu options: the multi-course 'Grand Dîner' for those seeking the full experience, and a shorter 'Petit Dîner' for travelers with evening plans. Signature dishes include brioche feuilletée with sunflower and miso butter that rivals any dairy-based version, furikake-crusted tofu that showcases Japanese-French fusion, and chestnut ravioli with autumn's earthy richness.

The wine flights and non-alcoholic pairings demonstrate the same attention to detail as the food, with each beverage selected to enhance specific dishes. Gauthier's transformation from traditional French chef to vegan advocate adds authenticity to the experience—this isn't trend-following but genuine conviction translated into exceptional cuisine. For frequent flyers exploring diverse culinary scenes across continents, from Hawaii's island paradises to European capitals, Gauthier Soho represents how plant-based dining has matured into something truly special.

Tracking Your Culinary Adventures Across Europe

As you explore these exceptional vegetarian and vegan restaurants across Europe, keeping track of your travels enhances the experience. Frequent flyers accumulating miles between Milan, Amsterdam, Paris, Vienna, and London can benefit from organized travel tracking that captures every journey's details.

Borderly AI offers a simple solution for travelers who want to maintain comprehensive records of their culinary adventures. By scanning your boarding passes, the platform automatically tracks your travel miles and history, creating a visual record of your gastronomic journey across Europe. This proves particularly valuable when planning return visits to favorite restaurants or sharing recommendations with fellow food-loving travelers.

Europe's plant-based dining scene continues evolving, with these five restaurants leading the way. Whether you're seeking Michelin-starred sophistication, vibrant street food energy, or innovative fusion cuisine, these establishments prove that vegetarian and vegan dining has claimed its rightful place among Europe's finest culinary experiences. Each restaurant offers frequent flyers something unique, making them worthy destinations rather than dietary compromises during your European adventures.