Best plant-based food destinations in Africa
Best plant-based food destinations in Africa
Traditional plant-based dining districts and local market stalls in Africa
Africa is easy to underestimate for plant based travel, since so many of its traditional dishes are naturally vegan without ever being marketed that way.
Ethiopian and Eritrean cooking stands out in particular, built around lentils, split peas and vegetables served over injera, with long standing fasting traditions that make full vegan meals a normal part of everyday life rather than a special request. North African cuisine leans heavily on vegetables, chickpeas and grains, giving vegan travelers plenty to work with even at traditional restaurants. Dedicated vegan restaurants remain rare outside a handful of larger cities, so most of the continent still calls for some flexibility and a few key phrases in the local language.
Fresh produce is easy to find almost everywhere, even where a fully vegan menu is not. The destinations on our list for Africa combine cities with a genuine vegan restaurant scene with places where the traditional food already fits the bill.
Lists by region
Country
Ghana
Gateway to vibrant African culture
Red red is a dish of beans and plantain, often eaten plain or with egg. Kelewele is plantain fried in ginger and spices and sold as an evening snack. The Counter Burger at Accra Mall serves what is described as Ghana's first fully vegan burger. Simret Ethiopian in Accra serves lentil and chickpea stews.
City in South Africa
Cape Town
Mountains, Beaches and a Vibrant Culture
A map from Humane Society International Africa and ProVeg South Africa lists 14 entirely vegan restaurants in the city. It adds 16 other vegan friendly eateries. Recommendations came from the blogger Garth Tavares, known as the Cape Town Vegan. South Africa is among the highest per capita meat consuming countries in Africa.
City in Kenya
Nairobi
Where urban life meets wild adventures
Swahili staples such as maharage, mhogo and sukuma wiki are vegan friendly. Maharage are red beans, mhogo is cassava and sukuma wiki is greens stewed in coconut milk. Artcaffé, Tin Roof Café and Boho Eatery serve plant based breakfasts, burgers and smoothie bowls. Tin Roof Café sources local produce.
City in South Africa
Johannesburg
Vibrant city life meets rich history
A 2019 ranking by Hayes and Jarvis used TripAdvisor data for the 50 most visited cities. It placed Johannesburg among the top 10 most vegan friendly cities in the world. About 15.5 percent of its restaurants offered vegan options. The city also ranked sixth for vegetarian eateries.
City in Ethiopia
Addis Ababa
Vibrant capital where history meets modernity
The Ethiopian Orthodox Church advises fasting on Wednesdays and Fridays, about 104 days a year if observed weekly. On fasting days people eat vegan food. Beyaynetu is a platter of vegan sauces and stews served on injera. Shiro is a stew of roasted ground chickpeas, split peas and berbere.
Country
Egypt
Ancient wonders meet desert landscapes
Koshary is regarded as the national dish and is traditionally free of animal products. It combines macaroni, rice, vermicelli and brown lentils with chickpeas, garlicky tomato sauce and crispy fried onions. Roadside stalls across the country sell it. UNESCO recognised it as intangible cultural heritage in 2025.
Country
Eritrea
Ancient heritage meets untouched coastlines
Orthodox fasting days influence meat free menus in the country. Shiro is a stew of ground chickpeas or broad beans seasoned with berbere or turmeric. It is served on injera, especially on Wednesdays, Fridays and during Lent. Injera is made from teff or a teff sorghum blend and fermented with a starter called ersho.
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