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Best plant-based food destinations in South America

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Buenos Aires
Where Tango and Culture Thrive
8.1
Fainá, a chickpea flatbread from the Italian pizzeria tradition, is vegan by nature. Fugazza, an onion flatbread, is sometimes made with cheese. La Reverde Parrillita Vegana serves an all vegan parrillada with housemade steaks, sausages and provoleta. Veganius sells vegan alfajores. Vegan friendly restaurants are found in San Telmo, Palermo and Recoleta.
Highlights:
  • 🎭 Tour the grand Teatro Colón and admire its opulence
  • 🎨 Stroll through colorful Caminito Street in La Boca
  • 💃 Watch a passionate tango performance in San Telmo
Rio de Janeiro
The heartbeat of Brazil's coast
8.1
The city ranked fifth in Latin America for vegan restaurants in a 2024 study by Veganuary and HappyCow. Só Verde serves feijoada made with soy chunks and jackfruit coxinha. Lemí in Ipanema is described as Brazil's first fully plant based Middle Eastern restaurant. Pura Rio serves bobó de palmito pupunha, a coconut stew.
Highlights:
  • 🏖️ Relax on the iconic sands of Copacabana Beach
  • ✝️ Stand before Christ the Redeemer atop Corcovado Mountain
  • 🚠 Take the cable car up Sugarloaf Mountain for breathtaking views
Cusco
Gateway to the Incan Empire's Heart
8.4
Quinoa and kiwicha are native to the high Andes around the city. Potatoes come in thousands of varieties. Tarwi, a lupin bean, is often blended into a puree. Raw cacao comes from the jungle regions of Cusco. Chaufa de quinoa and mushroom ceviche are vegan takes on local dishes.
Highlights:
  • 🏛️ Stroll through Plaza de Armas and admire colonial architecture
  • 🏔️ Take the train or trek to the awe-inspiring Machu Picchu
  • 🧱 Visit the ancient Inca site of Sacsayhuamán overlooking the city
São Paulo
A vibrant mix of culture and cuisine
8.0
A Coruja Vegan Steakhouse in Vila Romana serves a vegan rodízio with kafta, sausage and plant based fish. A 2024 ranking by Veganuary and HappyCow counted 644 vegan restaurants in the city. That was the most in Latin America. Dona Augusta Vegan makes jackfruit coxinha and mushroom rissole.
Highlights:
  • 🎨 Admire street art at colorful Beco do Batman
  • 🌳 Relax in vast green Ibirapuera Park with museums
  • 🚶‍♀️ Walk vibrant Paulista Avenue, heart of São Paulo
Bogotá
Vibrant Culture in the Andean Highlands
7.1
Paloquemao market offers fruit tours that taste Colombian fruits such as the tree tomato. In La Candelaria, Maria Candela serves veganized local dishes such as papa y no carne and arepa de no huevo. Casa Lėlytė in Chapinero serves a pecan ragu slow cooked for eight hours. Herbívoro Cocina Vegana has several locations.
Highlights:
  • 🏘️ Stroll through historic La Candelaria neighborhood
  • 🏛️ Explore the Museo del Oro with pre-Hispanic gold
  • ⛰️ Take in panoramic city views from Mount Monserrate
Medellín
The City of Eternal Spring
7.4
The regional platter, bandeja paisa, has a vegan version at Las Veganas, along with vegan tamales and bean casseroles. HappyCow lists 19 fully vegan restaurants in the city and 22 vegetarian ones with decent vegan options. Most are in El Poblado, Laureles and La Candelaria. Ama in El Poblado also runs an organic market.
Highlights:
  • 🌺 Stroll through the Botanical Garden and its orchid collection
  • 🎨 Explore Comuna 13’s colorful murals and vibrant street art
  • 🚡 Ride the Metrocable to Parque Arví for panoramic views
Lima
Historic Charm Meets Coastal Vibes
7.3
Booking ahead unlocks vegan tasting menus at top restaurants such as Central and Maido. A 2024 ranking by Veganuary and HappyCow counted 216 vegan restaurants in Lima. That placed the city seventh in Latin America. Florencia in Barranco makes vegan ceviche with aubergine, yuca and sweet potato. Miraflores has the most vegan options.
Highlights:
  • 🌊 Stroll the scenic Malecón along the Pacific coast
  • 🎨 Visit the Museo Larco for ancient Peruvian art
  • 🏛️ Explore the historic Plaza de Armas and Cathedral
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