Our vegan friendly travel destination of the week is Peru!!!
Though Peruvian food can be meat heavy, surprisingly Peruvian culture is actually quite vegan friendly. In the Andes, for example, most dishes are based on potatoes, grains and corn. Meanwhile, in the jungle most dishes consist of local fruits and vegetables. Then there’s the annual Vegan Festival in Peru that’s been going strong since 2014. So a trip to Peru may actually be a pleasantly rewarding treat for today’s vegan traveler.
Some popular vegan friendly Peruvian destinations are Cusco, Lima, Ollantaytambo and Puno. In fact, Cusco has exploded as a vegan hot spot in Peru. There are vegan restaurants in Cusco that will satisfy even the most discerning palate. Some favorites include:
- Morena: Beautifully decorated with street art Morena has vegan-friendly Peruvian classics like causa. Causa is a layered potato dish usually filled with meat or fish. However, Morena has a vegan friendly version filled with quinoa and avocado instead. They also have a vegan version of chaufa, which is the Peruvian version of fried rice with the addition of extra veggies.
- La Bodega 138: Offers generous servings of pasta dishes and pizzas for vegetarians.
Though Cusco has been exploding, Lima is Peru’s official vegan traveler’s hub! Lima, the ‘neighborhood by the sea,’ has some of the most amazing vegan restaurants scattered throughout the town. In fact, Lima has countless award-winning restaurants where you are sure to find at least a handful of satisfactory vegan dining options. Here are a few popular vegan friendly restaurants to consider:
- Nanka: Perfect for mixed parties of vegans and omnivores with its endless options. Vegan highlights include the Nanka Fajitas, Vegetarian Luxury Salad, and the Artichoke Ravioli.
- La Bodega Verde: They have a great selection of smoothies, bowls, salads and wraps. Additionally, they have a delicious vegan chocolate cheesecake.
- Armanica Cafe: With an Eastern inspired decor Armanica Cafe has the best cashew pesto and a scrumptious quinoa burger served with cocktail potatoes. They also have an impressive dessert menu.
- Raw Cafe Indepencia: Doubles as a small restaurant and organic store. They have a delicious selection of raw vegan options including salads, crackers, pizzas, tacos, sandwiches and wraps. They also have raw vegan desserts.
- Veda Restaurante: Has well crafted and gorgeously presented Peruvian dishes with a vegan twist. They also have quite the international spread including: Thai salads; pasta with cabbage and garbanzo meatballs; and grilled tofu steak with basmati rice.
- Seitan Urban Bistro: A Bistro that serves international and French-inspired Peruvian food.
- La Verde: A bistro located in the heart of Miraflores that is 100% vegan. They serve salads, wraps, sandwiches, quiches, fresh-baked organic bread and waffles. Additionally, they have empanadas, calzones, and a Mexican-inspired bean salad with pico de gallo salsa.
- El Jardin de Jazmin: All of their food is also vegan. Located in central Miraflores, they offer a mix of western and Latin fusion dishes. El Jardin de Jazmin has an a la carte menu of sandwiches, tacos, and burgers made from lentils, garbanzos, black beans. The additionally have the most wonderful grilled mushrooms served with vegan mustard sauce.
- Loving Hut Jiron Carabaya: Offers an Asian food buffet.
- Sabor y Vida: Serves breakfast, sandwiches, salads, fruit salads.
- SANA Vegan Cafe: Serves vegan burger and salads, wraps, and desserts.
Ollantaytambo is where many make the trek to visit Pinkuylluna, Templo del sol and the Ollantaytambo sanctuary. It’s also where you can find some good vegan eats, some of which include:
- Sunshine Cafe: Located near the Ollantaytambo ruins, the Sunshine Cafe is a nice rooftop dining area with 360-degree views of the town & ruins. They serve large salads, wraps, fresh-squeezed juices, and breakfast.
- El Albergue: Located at the Ollantaytambo train station, El Albergue serves pasta, soups, salads, and sandwiches. This is a necessary stop on your way to or back from Machu Picchu.
- Apu Veronica: Located near Plaza de Aramas, Apu Veronica has traditional Peruvian dishes including papa rellena, quinoa soup, and a make-your-own taco.
Puno is known for its regal plaza, concrete-block buildings and crumbling bricks that blend into the hills. However, Puno also has a couple of vegan dining options that you may want to explore.
- Colors: Located on the Main Street, Colors is a small lounge and restaurant. Colors has a large menu of international dishes including vegan soups and some vegetarian dishes that can possibly be made vegan on request.
- Loving Hut Vegan: It’s part of the international chain of vegan restaurants inspired by Supreme Master Ching Hai. It has a large selection of affordable options.
With options like these Peru will likely continue to explode as a vegan friendly destination. Peru is world-famous for its incredible cuisine. It may very well go on to become equally as famous for it’s incredible vegan friendly dining options.
Have you ventured Peru as a vegan friendly travel destination? What were some of your favorite vegan friendly restaurants?
