Vegan in Germany: Tips for Travelers and Musicians! (Best German Vegan Guide)
When thinking of Germany, one image that clearly comes to mind is MEAT- Bratwurst, Schnitzel, and all those traditional hearty meals to build strength. So it might be surprising to learn that Germany is cited as being THE BEST country in the EU for vegans!
Are you traveling soon to Germany and worried how you are going to find food? Fear not! It’s surprisingly simple! The German word for vegan is….drumroll… “vegan” (pronounced VE-GAHN) and the EU has a little insignia on items in the grocery store to indicate they are vegan or vegetarian (vegetarisch).
Finding Vegan Options: Fast Food, Restaurants, and More:
If you’re used to searching long and hard for that one place that has a vegan option or shelling out half your paycheck at the designated vegan joint in town, you’ll be considering a change in passport when you arrive in Germany! You’ll find vegan options anywhere from the train station to fast food chains common in the United States- Germany’s Dunkin’ Donuts has a vegan Boston cream donut and McDonald’s has multiple options like the McPlant burger and nuggets and the Vegan McFlurry. Or if you’re in the mood for a more authentic experience, try Frittenwerk, a German french fry restaurant. All the fast food joints are going to have vegan options.
The Supermarket Motherload: German Grocery Stores for Vegans:
I have had vegan food all over the world and I must say, Germany by far has the best vegan meat alternatives. If you are staying in a place where you can cook, definitely ogle the vegan section in the supermarket. Mainstream stores like Rewe, EDEKA, and Kaufland have large designated vegan sections, and even budget chains like Aldi, Lidl, and Penny have sections of plant-based products. BUT if you want the motherload of vegan options, seek out a Biomarkt, Bio (bee-oh) meaning organic. This is your natural food store that supplies a plethora of mouthwatering vegan options. At any of these stores, you will find a lot of vegan würst (with soya or gluten bases plus the most delicious spices), vegan curry meat slices, cheeses or “käse,” and they even have a vegan Nutella called Bionella (I downed a whole jar on my last visit myself)! In big cities like Munich, you’ll even find an all vegan meat deli- Die Vegane Fleisherei München!
Essential Tips for Eating Out in Germany:
Be careful if it’s your first time in Germany, you might not know that German supermarkets and shops are closed on Sundays! If you need food on Sunday, usually the food stand in the central train station (Hauptbahnhof) will be open and would have a vegan sandwich or two to choose from. Europe, in general, has a lot less all- vegan restaurants but most restaurants or even food stalls will have a vegan option. Some Christmas market stalls in December, for example, often serve cooked mushrooms with a vegan garlic sauce (geBrandete Champignons mit veganer Knoblauchsauce).
Pro Tip: In a restaurant, always tell your server you’re vegan because some traditional dishes, even if all vegetable, have hidden animal products. For example, fried potatoes (Bratkartoffeln) are sometimes cooked in pork fat.
Here are some key German phrases you can use at a restaurant:
🥨 “Ist das vegan?” – Is that vegan?
🥨 “Gibt es das auch vegan?” – Is that also available vegan?
🥨 “Ich bin Vegan.” I am vegan
🥨 “Ohne Milch und Eier, bitte.” Without milk and eggs, please.
🥨 “Ohne Fleisch, bitte.” Without meat, please.
Berlin: Germany’s Vegan Haven
HOWEVER, if you prefer to feast at vegan only establishments, Berlin is your go-to city. Musicians and music lovers listen up- Berlin has long been a haven for alternative culture, live music, and experimental arts. In recent years, the vegan scene has also become deeply intertwined with the cultural/music scene: more venues, cafés & bars are offering vegan food, hosting vegan events, or are entirely vegan. If you’re looking for a place where you can enjoy both good music and plant‑based vibes, check out 19:77 Berlin also known as The Ramones Museum. This cafe bar/venue boasts mouthwatering vegan eats and over 1000 pieces of memorabilia from the Ramones.
Don’t Forget the Turkish Influence: Vegan Currywurst and More!
Because of the Turkish influence in German cuisine from Germany’s history of guest workers arriving after the war, there are a lot of Turkish options like couscous or one of my personal favorites, beet hummus. German cuisine doesn’t use a lot of beans, which if you’re my kind of vegan, is a staple for protein. My tip for finding beans is to check out the local Turkish or international grocer- it was here where I stocked up on my necessary chickpeas. These international stores are also more likely to stay open on a Sunday!
The Turkish influence brings lots of curry flavoured items, including the famed currywürst, which of course many places have a vegan version! Currywürst, is one of my personal favorite German foods that I seek out every visit; it is like cut up hot dogs with a curry ketchup- so good! Berlin is famed for being the origin for currywürst, so you can find several vegan options all around the city. But if Berlin is not on the agenda, don’t fret- you can find a vegan currywurst in most cities and even on the German rail Deutsche Bahn ICE trains. In Heidelberg, Stuttgart, and Ludwigsburg check out the chain Mycurrywürst.
Vegan-Friendly Accommodations:
If you stay in a traditional hotel or youth hostel (jugendherberge) that serves breakfast, you may be surprised to find that breakfast feels more like an American lunch with cold cuts, cheeses, and cucumbers. Most hotels will have vegan options, but be sure to call ahead and ask- especially if you plan to stay in Bavaria. Many accommodations have vegan options on request if ordered ahead of time.
Cat Cafes: The Best Vegan Tip!
FINALLY, I’ve saved the best tip for last- cat cafes. Yep, my vegan cat lovers, prepare yourselves. Germany has a vegan cat café called Katzen Tempel– with 20 locations around the country, you’ll have ample opportunities to snuggle a furry friend while you chow down. I ventured to Munich’s Katzen Tempel, gorged myself on a sandwich, salad, fries, and a matcha latte, all while snuggling a beautiful sleeping Siamese.
About the Author:
Lydia Snyder, a 3rd generation German-American, is a multi-discipline artist, ethnomusicologist, and travel advisor with a passion for global arts, vegan food, and culture. She is a Program Curator, Sales Developer, and Tour Support for Musical Getaways LLC, where she is currently developing tours in Japan, Germany, Portugal, and Ireland. She is faculty in the music department at Kent State University, teaching musicology and ethnomusicology courses.
