One of the main challenges for vegetarians and people following a plant-based diet is traveling to countries with a meat-centric Cuisine. France, Italy or Spain are good examples of this. Lets take the example of Spain: the country’s culinary traditions are deeply rooted in dishes that include pork, seafood, and other animal products. Regional specialties like jamón iberico (cured ham), chorizo (sausage), and tortilla de camarones (shrimp fritters) dominate the menus. In many places, vegetarianism is still seen as a novelty.

Many travelers often find themselves in funny situations, especially in smaller towns but even in some larger cities.  At many restaurants, there can be confusion over what constitutes a vegetarian or vegan dish. For example, dishes that include fish or ham may still be labeled as “vegetarian” due to cultural misunderstandings. This is often the case with salads that include tuna fish or ham! Since the main ingredients are salad, onion, olives, or tomatoes these dishes may simply be referred to as “vegetarian”

You may simply then suppose that the obvious option is to opt for vegetarian or vegan restaurants.  Larger cities like Madrid, Barcelona, and Valencia offer a good range of vegetarian and vegan options, with dedicated plant-based restaurants. However, in smaller towns and rural areas, finding these options is much more difficult or… simply impossible! Many locals would even be unable to explain the difference between a vegan and a vegetarian diet.

While awareness of veganism is growing, it is still not as widespread as in other European countries. Many people in Spain are unfamiliar with the idea of plant-based diets and may not understand specific requests for vegan food. This can lead to frustrations for travellers when communicating their dietary needs, specially in some of the most charming areas of the country in Castilla, where many small villages and towns only offer restaurants with traditional menus.

Frustration can increase when travelers realize locals often don´t speak English and they don´t speak Spanish.- Although modern technology eases communication, most travelers may have trouble explaining their dietary preferences. While phrases like “soy vegano” or “no como carne” are helpful, it’s essential to be specific, as the nuances of what is excluded from vegan and vegetarian diets might not be fully understood.

Even seemingly vegetarian dishes like tortilla española (Spanish omelet) or gazpacho can sometimes include non-vegetarian elements, like ham.

Then there is the issue with hidden ingredients: Many Spanish dishes, even vegetable-based ones, are cooked using meat-based broths or animal fats, making it hard to find completely vegetarian or vegan meals. For example, paella in some regions might be cooked with fish stock, or a seemingly vegetarian stew may have been flavored with pork fat. And the same would apply to sauces. Famous sauces like alioli or salsa verde, might contain eggs or other animal products, which aren’t always listed in the menu descriptions.

It is worth noting that there are important regional variations. Some regions have traditional vegetarian or vegan dishes as a main part of their menus. This is the case of gazpacho in southern Spain, or of excalivada in Catalunya or grilled vegetable sin most of Spain´s mediterranean coast.

Cities like Barcelona and Madrid are more progressive and offer a greater variety of vegan and vegetarian choices, thanks to its international influence and health-conscious culture. However, this experience is not universal across Spain despite there is a growing trend toward plant-based diets, especially among younger generations, but it’s still relatively new. Some restaurant chains now offer plant-based options, but again, these are mostly found in urban areas, that also see a vegan supermarkets or plant-based food sections in grocery stores might show that progress is being made.

Tips for Vegetarian and Vegan Travelers

  1. Research Ahead and try to select vegetarian restaurants and vegan-friendly spots before visiting a city.
  2. We recommend you get to know a list of common Spanish phrases to communicate dietary needs (e.g., “sin jamón” means “without ham”).
  3. Opt for Tapas: Vegetarian and vegan travelers may fare better when ordering from a variety of tapas, as some small plates feature plant-based ingredients, such as patatas bravas (potatoes with spicy tomato sauce) or pimientos de padrón (grilled peppers).
  4. If you want to avoid any risks you can always hire the services of a professional local agency. Local travel agencies like Private Tours of Spain take care of your dietary restrictions. This service comes however at a price, but it will save you lots of research time and unpleasant surprises when “on the ground”
  5. As a last recommendation, you can take a look at some of Spain´s most famous vegan dishes

The country is slowly becoming more plant-based friendly, particularly in tourist-heavy areas. However, for those venturing off the beaten path, planning ahead is key.