🥦 Vegetarian & Vegan Food Travel in India
India is a paradise for vegetarians and increasingly welcoming for vegan travelers, thanks to its deep-rooted cultural and religious practices that celebrate plant-based diets.
In this topic, discover:
-
🥘 Popular vegetarian dishes across regions — like Rajma Chawal, Masoor Dal, Baingan Bharta, Dhokla, and Idli-Sambar
-
🌱 How to find vegan options in cities and small towns
-
🏷️ Tips for reading menus and asking for dairy-free food in local languages
-
📱 Useful apps and platforms for finding veg/vegan-friendly restaurants
-
🌍 Jain food, sattvic diets, and other spiritual eating traditions
-
🧳 Travel tips for carrying vegan essentials like plant milk, snacks, or protein
Whether you're a strict vegan or a curious flexitarian, this thread helps you navigate India’s rich, diverse, and delicious vegetarian culture with confidence.
🥗 Vegetarian & Vegan Food Travel in New Delhi, India 🇮🇳
New Delhi is a paradise for vegetarian and vegan travelers, offering a vibrant food culture rooted in India’s rich culinary traditions and spiritual heritage. Whether you’re a street food lover or a fine-dining enthusiast, the capital city caters to every plant-based palate.
🌱 Why New Delhi is Vegetarian & Vegan Friendly
-
Cultural Roots: Many communities in Delhi, especially Hindus, Jains, and Sikhs, follow vegetarian diets, making meat-free food widely available.
-
Ingredient Diversity: From lentils, legumes, and seasonal veggies to spices and plant-based oils, Indian cuisine naturally supports a vegan lifestyle.
-
Jain & Satvik Options: Jain-friendly meals (no onion, garlic, or root veggies) are common and often overlap with vegan preferences.
🍛 Must-Try Vegetarian Dishes
-
Chole Bhature – Spicy chickpeas served with deep-fried bread.
-
Rajma Chawal – Kidney beans in tomato gravy with rice.
-
Paneer Tikka – Marinated cottage cheese grilled in a tandoor (ask for tofu substitute for vegan version).
-
Dosas & Idlis – South Indian rice-lentil crepes & steamed cakes (usually vegan).
🥦 Vegan Delights to Look For
-
Baingan Bharta – Roasted mashed eggplant with spices.
-
Aloo Gobi – Potato-cauliflower stir-fry.
-
Tandoori Broccoli/Mushrooms – Often vegan if made without cream or yogurt.
-
Vegan Thali – A complete meal with rice, dal, sabzi, roti, and salad (check for ghee-free prep).
🌍 Top Vegan & Vegetarian Restaurants in Delhi
| Restaurant | Area | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Greenr Café | Shahpur Jat, Vasant Vihar | Plant-based, sustainable, Western-Indian fusion |
| Burma Burma | Select Citywalk, Saket | Vegan Burmese food (no meat, no eggs) |
| Sattvik | Select Citywalk, Saket | Satvik cuisine, peaceful ambience |
| Naivedyam | Hauz Khas, Connaught Place | Pure vegetarian South Indian thali |
| Carnatic Café | GK 2, New Friends Colony | Authentic Karnataka veg food |
| Veg Gulati | Pandara Road | Legendary North Indian vegetarian dishes |
🌮 Street Food Tips for Vegans
-
Gol Gappe/Pani Puri – Ask for no yogurt or tamarind chutney if unsure.
-
Aloo Tikki Chaat – Request without curd or butter.
-
Parathas at Moolchand or Paranthe Wali Gali – Many are vegan if made with oil, not ghee.
🛒 Vegan Products & Stores
-
Nature’s Soul, Defence Colony
-
Vegan Dukan (Online delivery across Delhi NCR)
-
Le Marche & Foodhall – Stock almond/oat milk, vegan snacks, and mock meats.
🚨 Travel Tips
-
Ask Clearly: Use phrases like “no ghee, no butter, no milk” in Hindi – “Bina ghee, bina makkhan, bina doodh.”
-
Use Apps: HappyCow, Zomato filters, and Google Maps reviews are helpful.
-
Stay Areas: South Delhi, Connaught Place, and Hauz Khas have the most vegan-friendly options.
