Food
Here's a list of my favorite restaurants, grouped per country/city. All of these restaurants are vegan and vegetarian friendly.
Belgium
Vegans: In the city centers, it's pretty easy to stick to your diet. Though I recommend looking up nearby vegan-friendly restaurants on HappyCow. The more traditional restaurants are not eager to cater customers with dietary preferences.
Antwerp
Clo
Fully vegan lunchbar/restaurant. I want to try more dishes but in the end always end up buying the vegan pita.
Frituur Daily's
A regular "frituur" (if you're a tourist, you can't skip a traditional "frituur"!). I love combining the fries with a "bamischijf" (deep fried bami).
Humm
A restaurant serving middle eastern food. It's always a battle between ordering a proper dish or just get the bread along with the best hummus you will ever eat.
Little Bun (MAS)
I had to copy paste this dish name: Bún đậu hũ chiên. It is noodles with fried tofu, which even my girlfriend liked, and usually she really dislikes tofu!
Takumi
This is a Japanese comfort food chain, and while they had better days (loved their vegan tantanmen), they still have nice dishes, such as their fried tofu and various spicy ramen.
Japan
For vegans, vegetarians and even pescetarians, I will have to preface with the fact that it is not as easy to stick to your diet in Japan as it seems. Aside from the language barrier, a lot of locals don't even know these terms, let alone modify their dishes to fit your preference (which they never do, actually). Fish stock is in basically everything, dishes don't list all ingredients, restaurants sometimes offer a small appetizer that counts as an obligatory table charge. To stay sane, try to control what you can control, buy vegan when possible, and stock up on plantbased snacks when you get the chance.
I recommend bookmarking Is It Vegan? Japan as a guide when in a konbini.
Fujikawaguchiko
Kanjyukuya
Hoto is a noodle dish, for a foreigner it looks like a ramen bowl with winter vegetables. But allegedly, locals disagree on this. The vegetable bowl was probably our favorite dish on this trip! We had a clear sky and a full view on Mt Fuji as well.
Osaka
MOS Burger
(See under Tokyo)
Tokyo
Komaki Shokudo (Akihabara)
A restaurant inspired by Shojin Ryori, the Buddhist cuisine. I had the curry, and it's my second favorite curry I've had (unfortunately #1 closed...)
KOMEDA is (Ginza)
A vegan "kissaten" that serves a lot of Japanese and western meals. Note: Last time visited in 2022.
Kyushu Jangara (Akihabara)
A ramen place that is both traditional looking and tourist friendly. The third best vegan ramen you will find (but the easiest one to access, and the best interior).
MOS Burger
The Japanese equivalent to McDonalds etc. They have a Green Burger, with a soy patty and teriyaki sauce. I'm not exaggerating when I say we went here almost every other day, and my most fluent Japanese is when ordering 2 set meals with a Coke and Ginger Ale here.
T's Tantan (Ueno)
A fully vegan spot in Ueno Station that's a tad difficult to find. But once you get there, you can order the second best ramen in Tokyo!
Veganic Monkey Magic (Asakusa)
A small restaurant with only ~6 seats, serving a set multi course lunch or dinner, served/owned by a person in a monkey suit. They're super kind and try their best to explain everything they're serving in English.
Vegan Ramen UZU Tokyo (Odaiba)
The best vegan ramen you can find in Tokyo, but it is very crowded (next to a tourist trap) and only has outside seating. Note: Last time visited in 2022.
The Netherlands
Amsterdam
Espressobar Puccini
Just a good place to get a sandwich and a drink. We went here multiple times and it never disappoints.
UK
London
Mildreds
Visited this restaurant back in 2021 and came back to it this year. I remember their breakfast pancakes to be a 10/10, but the other dishes we had were great tasting too! (Though I still recommend going there for the pancakes).
Pho
Located in Brunswick Centre. I actually thought for years that I don't like pho, and this restaurant changed my mind!
Pizza Express
Completely unexpected, but their vegan Leggera Giardiniera tasted great!
Tofu Vegan
Hands down the best vegan restaurant I've ever been to! Went there on our first day in London and visited a second time on our last evening there. I had the Mapo Tofu, while my girlfriend ordered the Cantonese Sweet and Sour Chick'n.
Aside from their great food, everyone was also super friendly.