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WORLD VEGETARIAN DAY

VEGETARIAN

Spain’s ten best veggie restaurants

To celebrate World Vegetarian Day, The Local takes a look at some of the best vegetarian restaurants in Spain.

Published: 1 October 2015 10:56 CEST
Updated: 1 October 2015 13:49 CEST
Spain's ten best veggie restaurants
Photo: VivaLaVida

Spain loves meat. Walk into any bar and the likelihood of seeing ham legs swinging from the rafters is high. But the country, especially its big cities, is also home to some incredible vegetarian cuisine, you just need to know where to look.

To celebrate World Vegetarian Day on Thursday, The Local scoured Trip Advisor for vegetarian travellers' best tips on where to eat in Spain. 

Madrid 

Rayen Vegano  
Calle Lope de Vega, 7


Photo: herserrano/RayenVegano

This place, in the centre of Madrid, makes “vegan, homemade, organic and healthy food”. It is renowned for its creativity and its ethos is “who says vegetarians only eat salad?”. It does breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner so you get get your veggie food fix no matter what the time of day. 

“One of the best vegan restaurants in Spain.”

“The incredible food, the creativity, flavour and attention to detail on each dish is what make this place the best vegetarian restaurant in Spain.”

Viva la Vida
Costanilla de San Andres 16 | Plaza de la Paja


Photo: VivaLaVida

The only restaurant in Madrid dedicated entirely to veggie burgers, sometimes only a burger will do, and here, veggies definitely don’t miss out on the fun. The decor is cool and the restaurant is located in the heart of Madrid's tapas district La Latina, on the beautiful Plaza de la Paja. 

“The food is excellent. The fries were incredible and the burgers were delicious and enormous.”

Barcelona

Restaurante Sesamo
Sant Antoni Abat, 52


Photo: Sésamo/Facebook

If you want to experience the best Spanish tapas has to offer, minus the meat, Sesamo is for you. From Spanish classics like tortilla de patatas and pan con tomate to more adventurous dishes, this is a great place to sample Spain's best veggie tapas.

“Delightful food and very friendly staff who took the time to explain what we were eating.”

“Stupendous vegetarian tapas.”

“A hidden gem, great food and great gin!”

Rasoterra
Carrer Palau, 5


Photo: Rasoterra

This trendy “vegetarian bistro” offers veggie tapas, starters and main courses, so is great whether you fancy sharing or keeping a delicious dish all to yourself. 

“Not a vegetarian but I loved it!”

“It’s so good we went back the next night as well!”

Valencia 

Café Infinito
Calle Poeta Mas y Ros nº 35


Photo: TripAdvisor

Café Infinito has a range of vegan and vegetarian tapas, as well as some meat options so is an ideal choice if you’re going out in a group that includes some confirmed carnivores. Specializing in Spanish tapas and Italian wraps and pastas, it is Valencia's most popular veggie restaurant on Trip Advisor. 

“Fantastic food and cocktails at a very good price.” 

“The best spot in Valencia!”

Seville

KÖK tu cocina

This self-styled “gastronomic atelier” is unlike any restaurant you’ll have seen before. Centred around an open kitchen, KÖK stages workshops, business dinners, family celebrations and Sunday brunches all in an open and inclusive atmosphere and including lots of choice for vegetarians. 

“Delicious, original and exceptional service!”

“The best brunch I've had in Spain.” 

Vantana
Cuna 14


Photo: Vantana.es

“Vegetarian and macrobiotic” with a wide-ranging menu, that also has meat and fish options if you are dining with non-vegetarians. 

“Everything we ate was delicious and beautifully presented.”

Bilbao

La Camelia vegan bar
Calle Villarias, 3, 


Photo: La Camelia

This tiny little vegetarian gem in the heart of Bilbao offers vegetarian sushi: a variety of vegetarian makis and dishes to share. 

“Minimalist and delicious.” 

Palma de Mallorca

Bon Lloc
Calle San Feliu, 7


Photo: Bon Lloc

Mallorca’s first veggie restaurant opened back in 1978 and offers snacks, tapas and main dishes including tofu curry, vegetarian burgers and vegetarian bbq. 

“Great vegetarian restaurant.” 

Puerto de la Cruz, Tenerife

El Mana
Calle Mequínez, 21 | La Ranilla


Photo: El Mana

An organic restaurant-cafe in the heart of Puero de la Cruz, El Mana offers a delicious variety of vegetarian and vegan dishes all freshly made. The restaurant is the project of chef Ruth Marrero, who opened its doors in 2011. 

“The food was excellent! Lovely chilled vibe and friendly staff.” 

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ENVIRONMENT

Danish government to serve vegetarian food only twice a week

Denmark's government is to force all government canteens to go vegetarian two days a week in a move to reduce national consumption of meat.

Published: 30 October 2020 07:55 CET
Danish government to serve vegetarian food only twice a week
Could this be the future of Danish government canteens? Photo: Olivier Douliery / AFP
According to Green Procurement for a Green Future, a new government procurement strategy announced on Thursday, all state-run kitchens will be required to serve only vegetarian food for two days a week. 
 
“I hope it will go down well with our employees. This is the government's proposal, it is not something we have agreed with others. And of course that is also something we have to discuss with the other political parties,” Finance Minister Nicolai Wammen told state broadcaster DR. 
 
“Put simply, this is one of the ways in which we can contribute to a smaller climate footprint – by having two days a week, where there is no meat on the menu in the state canteens. The other days you can have meat if you want.” 
 
As well as the two vegetarian days, the government has limited the number of days when beef and lamb can be served to just one a week. 
 
 
The new policy will apply to all the 85,000 people directly employed by the state, and may also apply to the 75,000 people employed in independent government agencies. 
 
The proposal may later be extended to independent institutions such as the train company DSB, schools, kindergartens and universities. 
 
After the announcement, Denmark's agriculture minister Mogens Jensen tweeted that with 800,000 meals served a day in public sector canteens, the decision could make a significant difference. 

 
The proposal has split Denmark, with the populist Danish people's party going so far as to call it “totally un-Danish”, and others complaining that the measure would not apply to canteens in the Danish parliament and ministerial offices, and that the government had not calculated what the impact of the measures would be on public sector emissions. 
 
“I'll eat whatever food's going, but I feel very irritated that someone wants to decide what kind of food that is,” said René Christensen, leader of the Danish parliament's environment and food committee. “It's totally un-Danish that others are going to decide what we eat for lunch.” 
 
 
Morten Messerschmidt, the party's vice chairman said that the proposals would even inspire him to eat more meat. 
 
“It's one thing for people to want to be vegans and vegetarians, and another thing to force people to,” he said. “I really think it's crazy.” 
 
On the other side, Carl Valentin, green spokesman for the Socialist Left party celebrated the decision. 
 
“It's simply so important to have two vegetarian days in state canteens,” he said. “To get our enormous meat use on the agenda has not been easy, but now we're moving.” 
 

 
Sikandar Siddique, leader of the Free Greens, said that the proposal was too unambitious. It whouldn't only be in government canteens, but all public sector ones, including schools and kindergartens.
 
Rita Bundgaard, chairman of HK Stat, which represents 23,000 government employees, complained about the proposal. 
 
“I cannot understand why we should be forced to have Tuesday and Thursday as green days, and then fish on Wednesdays. After all, I end up asking for a steak when I want to have a steak. I think I should have the opportunity to choose and combine what I put on my lunch plate, and I think everyone should be allowed to.” 
 
 
 
 
 
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