Vegan– and vegetarian-friendly restaurants are popping up all over the Spanish capital, Madrid. The chefs at these restaurants are challenging the traditional gastronomy that Madrid is known for, and are developing new flavors and combinations to capture diners’ imagination. Read on to discover our guide to green eating in the city.
Vega is a vegetarian-vegan restaurant in the center of Madrid. Full of rustic charm, this welcoming space offers a great selection of dishes made with mostly organic produce. The restaurant serves homemade tapas, desserts, and a wide selection of beers. Take a bite from a typical Spanish croquetas made with mushrooms. The menu changes regularly to adapt to the season and day—when the temperature is scorching hot, treat yourself to a refreshing sangria or a vitamin-packed gazpacho!
The challenge of preserving the nutrients of each ingredient throughout the cooking process is what incited the founders of Yerbabuena to create this unique space where it’s easy to take care of your body and the environment at the same time. The restaurant’s aim is to offer high quality vegan gastronomy to please a range of different palates. Yerbuena offers a vegan paella made with vegetables, mushrooms, and brown rice, and is textured with soy.
Located just a few minutes away from the iconic Catedral de la Almudena, this unique restaurant is the perfect place to invite your non-vegan friends. Vivaburger offers a wide range of delicious meat-free alternatives to the classic hamburger. With a range of different flavors to choose from, from Japanese, to Middle-Eastern, and even Italian, there’s sure to be something on the menu for everyone to enjoy. Leave a little room to try out the pear cake with cinnamon, nuts, and olive oil.
Ecocentro is a multi-function space divided into different areas: a store, a restaurant, a library, a buffet, and even a meditation corner. For many people, being vegan is not just a dietary choice but involves wider lifestyle choices, too. This is the thinking behind Ecocentro, which aims to offer not just vegan food but also natural cosmetics, household products and more, as well as hosting different events and activities throughout the week. Don’t just nourish your body, nourish your soul too.
Since its beginning, Rayén Vegano has evolved to become one of the most important vegan restaurants in Madrid. As an emblematic reference in the city, this spot prides itself on serving freshly-made organic and plant-based cuisine. The menu changes according to what is in season, and wherever possible ingredients are always kept fresh and never frozen.
Just a stone’s throw away from Gran Vía, the busiest street in the city, you will find the popular vegan restaurant B13. The variety of dishes is plentiful in this busy bar-restaurant, and the prices are impressively competitive too—ideal for a quick lunch when you’re on the go. Come hungry and try a slice of traditional Spanish tortilla made without any animal products. If you’re planning on making the most of a warm day in Madrid and heading to the Parque del Buen Retiro with your friends, don’t forget that B13 offer take away, too.
Loving Hut is an absolute must for those looking to enjoy vegan cuisine in a dog-friendly environment. Eco-friendliness is part of their ethos; they offer guidance and information for those looking to set off on the path of veganism with the help of their founder, Ching Hai, a self-published writer who promotes sustainable living. Enjoy a slice of succulent chocolate cake.
