Portland, Oregon, is the most vegan and vegetarian-friendly city in the country, according to a WalletHub study released earlier this year.
Regarding why Portland was crowned the best, WalletHub noted that the city had a high number of quality, yet affordable places to snag plant-based meals, treats, and groceries. The source shared that avoiding animal products for food is commonplace in Portland, as locals order plant-based cuisine “148% more often than the U.S. average.” Additionally, WalletHub says, “Portland also has the ninth-highest percentage of people who consume vegetables daily.”
“Portland, Oregon, is the best city for vegans and vegetarians. One contributing factor is that it has the second-largest number of affordable restaurants with vegetarian or vegan options that have at least 4.5 stars on Yelp. In addition, the city has a very high number of organic farms, community gardens, farmers’ markets, and vegetable nurseries per capita,” noted the report.
Another Portland plus is that the city boasts an array of Black-owned restaurants and food trucks serving plant-based fare. Dirty Lettuce, CoKiea’s Kitchen, Akadi, Kann, Black Star Grill, and Bete-Lukas are ones to check out. Within those menus, plant-based eaters will find soul food, West African dishes, Caribbean flavors, and Ethiopian cuisine — catering to a variety of the diaspora’s palates. While some menus may not be entirely plant-based, each of the dining options above offers plenty for vegans and vegetarians to enjoy. Additionally, those interested in vegan baked goods can place orders with Jelana’s Bake Shop.
What Else Is There To Know About Eating Vegan And Vegetarian Across The U.S.?
Traveling while vegan or vegetarian may be easiest for those roaming California. Other cities that ranked highly on WalletHub’s list were Los Angeles, Austin, San Francisco, and Oakland (respectively). Rounding out the ranking’s top 10 most vegetarian and vegan-friendly cities were Phoenix, Miami, Seattle, Orlando, and Madison (Wisconsin).
“While vegetarians and vegans are still a relatively small share of the population, businesses are recognizing their impact on their market,” said WalletHub Analyst Chip Lupo. “Just look at businesses like McDonald’s and Burger King incorporating Beyond Meat and Impossible burgers into their menus, for example. With meat prices rising significantly faster than vegetable prices, too, we may see a lot more people taking a foray into a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle in the near future.”
