Whether you’re interested in art, music or architecture, the capital of Austria is a fantastic place to visit. Vienna is filled with opulent palaces, illustrious history and walkable streets. Best of all, it’s a haven for those of us who don’t eat meat. 

When I booked a trip to Austria for my best friend’s wedding, I was initially unconvinced that I would find much to eat. After all, traveling as a vegan is tricky, especially to a country known for its meat dishes like schnitzel and sausage. But one quick Google search had me pleasantly surprised at the depth and breadth of vegan options in the city. 

Here are some of the best vegan finds in Vienna: 

Tolstoy 

This plant-based fast-casual eatery is conveniently located near the MuseumsQuartier and touts delicious pizza, pitas, bowls and milkshakes. The vegan mac and cheese is excellent, as is the special variety of pita sandwiches. Enjoy the more traditional flavors of Vienna with the haselnuss plant-based milkshake—one of the most decadent desserts of my trip. 

If you’re short on time, you can also go to the bank of vending machines right outside the restaurant for some vegan goodies and drinks to go. 

Swing Kitchen  

Right around the corner from Tolstoy is Swing Kitchen, the Vienna equivalent of a burger joint. Get a taste of the city with the Vienna burger, made with crunchy vegan schnitzel. Try the plant-based chili cheese bites, reminiscent of a jalapeno popper, and enjoy some french fries with a few of their homemade dips. 

Swing Kitchen is also committed to sustainability, which means they don’t use any plastic in their packaging and focus on using fair trade, organic and GMO-free products. 

Veggiezz 

If you fancy a trip to see the opera, stop for dinner at Veggiezz nearby. This full-service restaurant has a little bit of everything, from sandwiches and salads to wraps and bowls. The kimchi roll is reminiscent of a fresh summer roll, complete with yummy peanut sauce. If you’re feeling a

 little more meaty, try the vegan steak with your choice of toppings. 

Veganista

If you’re looking for the perfect dessert to end a night of sightseeing, Veganista is the place to go. There are locations throughout Vienna, so you should be able to find a close spot wherever you are—there’s even one in the airport. Veganista offers vegan ice cream made daily with regional ingredients. You can’t go wrong with any flavor, but the “inbetwiener,” their version of an ice cream sandwich with freshly made cookies, is a must-try. 

TIAN Bistro am Spittelberg (TIAN)

TIAN was the first vegetarian restaurant in Vienna to earn a Michelin star. While a meal at TIAN has a hefty price tag, my partner and I opted for TIAN Bistro, its more affordable sister restaurant. TIAN Bistro offers a tasting menu for breakfast or dinner, served family-style. The menu is mainly inspired by TIAN, but there are a few unique dishes served. 

I suggest making a reservation in advance, and be sure to tell your server that you would like the vegan option (the veggie option includes some dairy products). The menu changes seasonally, but I guarantee you will love whatever is being served! 

Gerstner K. u. K. Hofzuckerbäcker (at Schoenbrunn Palace)

This one isn’t a vegan restaurant, but had some surprisingly delicious vegan options, including the karottencremesuppe mit walnussöl (carrot soup) and veganes erdäpfelgulasch (potato goulash). The location is a perfect stop while you’re visiting Schoenbrunn Palace. They also offer a royal confectioner show, where you can watch a chef make a traditional apple strudel. While the strudel isn’t vegan, you can satisfy your sweet tooth with a vegan torte instead. 

Bonus: Manner Schnitten  

If you walk around Stephensplatz, you’ll probably see tons of people carrying bags from Manner. The original Manner wafer dates back to 1898. It has even received a ringing endorsement from none other than Hollywood star Arnold Schwarzenegger. While the original Manner store is in Stephansplatz, you can find them anywhere in the city. The best thing about these wafers? The original neapolitaner flavor, made with delicious hazelnut cream, is vegan. 

Traveling while vegan isn’t always easy, but you can rest assured that Vienna is one of the most veg-friendly destinations in Europe.