A Vegetarians Guide To Interrailing: The Top Ten Restaurants

Interrailing is a hugely exciting experience. Not only can you engage in a month full of culture, exhaustion, awe and wonder, but you can also partake in culinary delights. Being a vegetarian, you could be nervous about what kind of food there is to eat the further east in Europe you go. If this is the case, you will be pleasantly surprised to hear that a vegetarian can eat just as much amazing food as their non-vegetarian travel partners. We take a look at the ten best vegetarian restaurant from Berlin to Venice.

1. Santa Maria | Berlin

Bar, Diner, Restaurant, German, Mexican

With a fantastic atmosphere, Santa Maria’s menu includes nachos, burritos, cocktails and much more and is a must when visiting Berlin. Vegetarians everywhere will love the Verduras Burrito. Stuffed with lots of vegetables and beans, this is a filling delight. Paying an extra euro for cheese is a must. This option can be applied to quesadillas and tacosand is not the only vegetarian treat on the menu. Keep an eye out for the lunch menus and if you find yourself there on a Tuesday, it would be a shame to miss out on Taco Tuesday. Wash it all down with some delicious cocktails or a refreshing corona and enjoy the incredibly vibrant atmosphere of the place in one of Berlin’s hippest districts.

U Kroka | Prague

Roasted gnocchi with creamy spinach, garlic and crispy green onions with a small fresh salad, fresh bread, cider and wine on the side will only set you back about 11 euros – a true steal if ever there was one. U Kroka is one of the top restaurants in Prague and yet is unassuming and relaxed, despite the utmost quality of the food served. Other vegetarian options include: creamy potato and sheep’s cheese gratin with roasted fresh vegetables; pasta with mushroom ragout and white wine, flavored with walnut oil; and a whole host of crispy green salads. Friendly staff, a busy atmosphere and ideally located near Vysehrad, this restaurant certainly merits its high status.U Kroka, Vratislavova 12, Praha 2 – Vyšehrad, Czech Republic, +420 775 905 022

Café Camelot | Krakow

Café Camelot is a prime example of the fact that you need not spend a lot to eat extraordinarily well. To start, why not try their take on French onion soup? Even better still, the delectable cream of leek soup which tastes like heaven in a bowl. Move onto one of their vegetable tarts served with fresh salad, accompanied by a refreshing raspberry beer, and follow it up with decadent chocolate cake. Camelot offers an extensive menu which caters to everyone’s needs. The range of breakfast, lunch and dinner options is remarkable and the list of desserts and hot beverages covers the majority of the menu. The restaurant is in the heart of the gorgeous old town, not far from the main square, and offers all of the quirkiness that one would hope to find in such an area. Café Camelot, Świętego Tomasza 17, Kraków, Poland, +48 12 421 01 23

2. Top Kino | Vienna

Bar, Restaurant, Dessert, Vegetarian, Salad Bar, Pub Grub, Austrian

Non-descript from the outside, just a simple cinema bar, yet you should not turn your nose up at the food on offer at Top Kino. The kitchen offers soups, salads, toasties, pittas, burgers, wraps, warm mains and dessert as well as a full bar. A vegetarian’s dream is found in the pita plate, served with houmous, falafel, aubergine and rocket. Simple, yet delicious. Here you will find the artsy types, the independent movie-goers, yet the atmosphere is not unwelcoming and on a nice day, you can enjoy the sunshine in a very relaxed environment.

3. Gelarto Rosa | Budapest

Gelarto Rosa | Budapest

Gelarto Rosa is clearly not restricted to vegetarians, yet to not mention it would be unthinkable. The unique flower design is what initially draws you in to this small gelateria in Budapest, very near to the impressive cathedral. Not cheap, it is nonetheless worth getting at least two of their exciting flavors, which include: oreo; panna cotta and salted caramel; lavender and white chocolate; banana and dark salted chocolate; lemongrass and basil, and many more. Sit on the cathedral steps or wander around the city and enjoy richness of this ice cream. Gelarto Rosa, Budapest, Szent István tér 3, Hungary, +36 70 930 2217

Café Corso | Belgrade

Phenomenally cheap (not even 2 euros) and delicious, the Serbian take on French toast is a delight. Called prženice and served with paradajz or ajvar (a tomato and pepper sauce), pavlaka or kajmak (sour cream) and feta cheese, this is a brilliant vegetarian breakfast, brunch, or lunch option. Be sure to try some of the natural yogurt that accompanies many of the meals and wash it down with their freshly-made lemonade. This café-bar-restaurant is open well into the early hours of the morning and hosts an extensive cocktail menu as well as salads, meats and pasta dishes. With plenty of seating outside, you can take in the atmosphere of the busy Belgrade street while enjoying the food.

4. Kava Tava | Zagreb

Cafe, Croatian

The café culture in Zagreb is intoxicating. Somewhere where you can really appreciate this vibe is Kava Tava. Bask in the sunshine as you munch on an incredible tomato, mozzarella and rocket layered toastie and people-watch. Most famous perhaps for their pancakes, the management have brought American-style pancakes to Croatia and have not held back. Feast on a huge stack with strawberries, caramel, banana, chocolate sauce and much more, or indulge in a decadent ice cream sundae. Fairly priced, there is something for everyone and for every time of day. Kava Tava, Ulica Ivana, Tkalčića, Zagreb, Croatia Cacao, Ljublijana © William Hopcroft

Cacao | Ljublijana

For marvelous ice cream, smoothies and hot chocolate, look no further than Cacao. With a warm atmosphere, this is the place that students can spend hours sipping coffee and reading a book. If you need to cool down on a hot day, go for one of the extensive flavors of ice cream offered both outside and in at this parlor. For a health kick, try a smoothie. For utmost indulgence, try the ice cream hot chocolate – vanilla and chocolate ice cream, in hot chocolate, covered in cream, chocolate sauce and almonds. Cacao, Petkovškovo nabrežje 3, Ljubljana, Slovenia, +386 1 430 17 71

Desideri e Auguri, Da Marino’s | Trieste

A little off the beaten track, this is one that comes recommended by locals. With no real menu, the owner explains to you what he can make for you that day upon arrival at the cozy yet not cramped restaurant, where everyone appears to be friends. Despite Marino (the rather eccentric Italian owner) proposing a large plate of meat (which comes highly recommended), mention your vegetarianism and he will whip up special dish of penne, tomato, garlic, aubergine, mozzarella and basil pasta. Name a pasta dish and the chef will make it for you, no questions asked, dependent on the ingredients necessary. Be sure to try the house rosé to really top off your evening spent rubbing shoulders with the locals.

5. White Parlour | Venice

White Parlour | Venice

Ice cream lovers will get very excited about this self-service ice cream parlor, where you pay for the weight of your tub. Choose your ice creams, sauces, toppings, fruits, and sweets. Not cheap, but fitting with Venice prices, this is an exciting treat, different to other ice cream experiences. Fondamenta Zattere al Ponte Longo, 922, Venezia, Italy

By Alice McAnulty

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