The UK’s most vegan-friendly cities have been revealed

World Vegan Day is right around the corner, and it should definitely be celebrated by going to your favourite vegan restaurant or ordering in some amazing vegan food.

In collaboration with Happy Cow, the search engine for holiday rentals Holidu has unveiled which cities in the UK boast the most vegan -friendly restaurants per 15,000 inhabitants. So which cities have come out on top?

1. BRIGHTON – 9.14 restuarants/15,000 inhabitants

This one comes as no surprise, Brighton is a bright, cultural and diverse hub with an abundance of vegan options at every turn. With amazing vegan doner kebabs from What The Pitta (a finalist for the Deliveroo Best Vegan award) and colourful sushi burritos from Happy Maki, you’ll be spoilt for choice.

2.  OXFORD – 5.81 restaurants/ 15,000 inhabitants

Our runner up is the university city of Oxford. Although small and regarded as very traditional, Oxford has recently exploded into a vegan-friendly restaurant scene.

Highlights include visiting Happy Friday Kitchen for some American soul food such as a seitan burger and deep fried cookie dough, and The Fir Tree Pub for a hearty Sunday roast.

3. EDINBURGH – 5.50 restaurants/15,000 inhabitants

The final podium position goes to Scotland’s capital city Edinburgh. The historic city has a vibrant student life and a diverse restaurant scene with a wide range of vegan options.

Our top picks are Novapizza for the best Italian food in the city including vegan carbonara and pepperoni pizza, and Harmonium bar for an epic truffle cheese and bacon burger or some vegan fish and chips.

4. CAMBRIDGE – 5.39 restaurants/ 15,000 inhabitants

Oxford’s other half Cambridge just missed the podium, but still has a lot to offer. Plant-based options have risen significantly in the past few years, likely due to the city’s large student population.

Highlights include: Thrive cafe serving up vegan versions of British favourites, and Stem & Glory, passionate about colourful healthy plant foods.

5. YORK – 4.63 restaurants/15,000 inhabitants

Claiming the middle position is the cathedral city of York. Famous for Sunday roasts and yorkshire puddings, Yorkshire wouldn’t be your first guess for a vegan-friendly destination.

However, in recent years York has become a hub of vegan-friendly cuisine. One hidden gem is The Orchid Vegan Restaurant, providing a vast array of vegan chinese dishes including prawn toast, lemon chicken and even shredded beef.

6. NEWCASTLE – 4.56 restaurants/15,000 inhabitants

Next on the list is fellow Northerner Newcastle. Home to a number of vegan groups and societies, the vibrant city of Newcastle was set to hold a vegan festival this month which sadly cannot go ahead.

All vegan Indian restaurant Karma Kitchen Cafe is not to be missed – offering tofu pakora, spicy curries and tandoori pizzas to hungry punters.

7. GLASGOW – 4.56 restaurants/ 15,000 inhabitants

Coming in 7th place, Glasgow adds a second Scottish location to the top 10. As another vibrant student-focused city, Glasgow has an abundance of vegan-friendly eateries.

Durty Vegan Burger Club demonstrates that eating plant-based doesn’t mean you have to miss out on some dirty junk food, with amazing vegan burgers, macaroni cheeze and saucy barbecue jackfruit on offer.

8. NORWICH – 4.21 restaurants/ 15,000 inhabitants

Another historic city that still manages to provide for the fast-growing popularity of veganism is Norwich.

For a plant-based fine dining experience visit the instagrammable Erpingham House and treat yourself to their roasted mock lamb with mint sauce, sauteed new potatoes and green veg.

9. NOTTINGHAM – 3.99 restaurants/ 15,000 inhabitants

Another student city on the list is Nottingham, which has begun making a name for itself as a growing veggie hotspot. Vegan cafe Prickly Pear is one that definitely should not be missed! From breakfast burritos to a southern fried seitan burger, Prickly Pear has it all.

10. CARDIFF – 3.77 restaurants/ 15,000 inhabitants

Finally, the Welsh capital city of Cardiff offers a strong number of vegan options for both Welsh residents and tourists alike. Got No Beef in the city centre has been so successful that it is currently expanding the restaurant to provide even more vegan junk food to it’s punters.

With a huge menu of mouthwatering vegan burgers, sides and sundaes, it’s no surprise that the vegan joint is doing so well.

And that completes our roundup of the most vegan-friendly cities in the UK!

Missed your city? Click here to view the full top 30 ranking.

Love travelling to find vegan food? Check out our vegan city guides from around the world here.