Whether for environmental reasons, empathy with animals or health, in Europe the number of vegetarians, vegans or flexitarians is increasing, which is why these types of menus are increasingly present in the gastronomic offers of all the countries on the continent. An example of this is the recently published selection from the 50 Best ranking, which includes some of the best vegetarian and vegan restaurants in Europe. Many of these places work with local and seasonal products, so sitting at their tables is a good way to learn about local cuisine, leaving aside meat consumption.
1.
Joia, Milan
Founded by Swiss chef Pietro Leemann, Joia became, in 1996, the first vegetarian restaurant in Europe to be awarded a Michelin star. Today it keeps it and adds a green star, which recognizes its commitment to sustainability. Under the motto “High Vegetarian Cuisine“, Joia is defined by its creative cuisine with a focus on different cultures, especially those of the Mediterranean area. They rely on Italian products, organic and seasonal agriculture, and focus on the presentation of the dishes, which they conceive as small works of art.
Complete menu: 140 euros; four-course menu: 120 euros. Pairing: from 35 to 160 euros.
2.
Mother, Amsterdam
“Creating a better world starts in the kitchen.” With this declaration of intent presents Madre, a vegan Mexican restaurant located in the Jordaan district of Amsterdam. Among its essential dishes are cauliflower wings with chipotle mole, sweet potatoes with salsa macha, tacos or guacamole, which is prepared fresh at the table. They also stand out for their cocktails and brunch menu.
Full Madre Experience menu: 58 euros per person (minimum two people); Chef’s Choice Menu: 44 euros per person (minimum two people).
3.
Arpège, Paris
Arpège was considered one of the rotisserie most famous in Paris – it achieved three Michelin stars in 1996 – until its chef, Alain Passard, experienced a personal awakening with fruit and vegetables. He realized that he had never paid them enough attention, so he changed the management of his restaurant to give them a greater role in his menus, until, in July 2025, he announced that his restaurant would become 100% plant-based. It has its own gardens to supply its cuisine, which changes with the rhythm of the seasons. There is no doubt that Passard has maintained the standard, as Arpège is ranked 45th on the list of the world’s 50 best restaurants.
Lunch menu: 260 euros; dinner menu: 420 euros.
4.
Tian, Vienna
According to the principle of equal respect for nature, animals and people and with a cuisine based on organic and ethical products, this Viennese restaurant has become a point of reference for vegan haute cuisine. In their dishes they aim to recover rare or forgotten varieties of vegetables, fruit and cereals. The name, Tian, means “heaven” in Chinese – the place is located on Himmelpfortgasse, which translates as “the street of the gate of heaven” – in French it refers to a vegetarian stew and in Tyrol, where its head chef, Paul Ivić, is from, it means “deed or face”.
9-course menu: 199 euros; 7-course menu: 187 euros. Pairing: from 89 to 119 euros.
5.
Gauthier Soho, London
French cuisine without animals. This is the proposal that chef Alexis Gauthier offers in his London restaurant, a classic establishment that wants to redefine gourmet gastronomy by completely banishing animal suffering from its dishes. Chestnut ravioli, i brioche feuilletée with sunflower butter and miso or tofu furikake with tarragon cream are some of its main dishes.
Gran Diner menu: 95 pounds (around 110 euros); Petit Dîner menu: 65 pounds (about 75 euros). Pairing: from 30 to 80 pounds (between 35 and 90 euros).
6.
Lucky Leek, Berlin
Nowadays, finding vegetarian and vegan restaurants in Berlin is almost as easy as finding one currywurstbut the scene was very different when Josita Hartanto opened her vegan restaurant in the German capital 14 years ago. Located in the Prenzlauer Berg district, Lucky Leek has the Bib Gourmand recognition from the Michelin Guide and its proposal allows you to configure a tasting menu of three to seven courses. For those who want to learn more about Josita Hartanto’s cooking and philosophy, she has published several vegan cookbooks.
Menu: from 48 to 107 euros (depending on the number of dishes chosen). Pairing: from 25 to 64 euros.
7.
KLE, Zurich
Zineb Hattab has abandoned her career as a developer software to open his own restaurant, which today boasts a Michelin star, being the first vegan restaurant in Switzerland to obtain this recognition. Hattab’s cuisine reflects his various influences: of Moroccan parents, he was born and raised in Spain and, during his education, spent time at, among others, El Celler de Can Roca in Girona, Schloss Schauenstein in Fürstenau or the Mexican restaurant Cosme in New York. Sustainability is the fundamental pillar of KLE, which offers a menu based on local and seasonal products.
Menu: from 114 to 139 (depending on the number of dishes chosen). Pairing: from 52 to 90 euros.
8.
Charm, Lisbon
At Encanto, chef José Avillez, one of the most important figures on the Portuguese gastronomic scene, offers haute cuisine in which vegetables are the undisputed protagonists. In 2022, the year it opened, it obtained a Michelin star and, in 2025, also a green star for its commitment to sustainability and zero waste. He defines his tasting menu as a praise “to the work of small local and local producers, which gives visibility to seasonal products”. It stands out for the care taken in cooking the vegetables and for the combinations of colours, textures and temperatures. The proposal is completed with biodynamic wines, craft beers, juices and homemade kombucha.
Menu: 155 euros. Pairing: from 90 to 210 euros.
9.
YesYesYes, Helsinki
Located in the heart of Helsinki, YesYesYes’s vegetarian menu is alive and changing every season. Their dishes draw from different cuisines and cultures and stand out for their freshness and creativity. Tahini cream with apple compote, risotto beetroot and feta, gnocchi with sauce angry or Hokkaido pumpkin with saffron hollandaise sauce are some of the stars of their autumn menu.
Menu: 56 euros. Pairing: from 39 to 49 euros.
10.
Seven Swans, Frankfurt
Before sitting down to the table, this vegan restaurant already attracts attention due to its location: a very narrow building with huge windows that offer a spectacular view of the River Main. Your menu? Surprise, with the guarantee that most of the ingredients come from the restaurant’s permaculture garden and that the presentation of the dishes will exude elegance and beauty. It has a Michelin star and, yes, you have to go early, because the whole experience lasts about five hours.
Menu: 229 euros. Pairing: from 99 to 119 euros.
11.
Ark, Copenhagen
First Nordic restaurant to receive a green Michelin star for its sustainable gastronomy, Ark wants to convince the public of that food plant-based It can be exciting and tasty. Their ingredients, always seasonal, are as local as possible and they try to source from nearby suppliers, who often use bicycles as a means of transport. They reuse leftover vegetables or wine to make powders, seasonings and sauces, and the restaurant co-owns Funga, an organic mushroom farm, which plays an important role in its menu.
Full Experience menu: 2,299 Danish crowns (approximately 310 euros); The Menu: 1,299 Danish crowns (approximately 175 euros); 899 Danish kroner (approximately 120 euros). Match: 799 Danish crowns (approximately 108 euros).
