Vegan on the Camino: The Ultimate Guide
It’s increasingly common to have a vegetarian or vegan diet. Although countries like Spain, Portugal, and Italy have traditionally offered fewer options for vegans, being vegan on the Camino de Santiago has become much easier.
However, it’s wise to be prepared for the possibility of limited vegan options along the Camino, especially in small businesses in rural areas where vegan diets may not be widespread.
With some research and preparation before your Camino, you’ll find it much easier to maintain your plant-based diet while walking. Here are some of our tips:
Tips for being Vegan on the Camino
The popular Happy Cow website remains your go-to for discovering great vegan restaurants in medium and large cities. For the rest of your journey, we’ve created this Vegan guide to help you navigate the culinary maze on your way to Santiago de Compostela.
Spanish cuisine offers abundant fresh vegetables, often served as side dishes. You can customise your main course by utilising the options on the pilgrim menu. However, the selection can be somewhat limited, typically offering a choice of two or three starters, mains, and desserts. If you order from the à la carte menu, you’ll likely find a broader selection.
The key to a hassle-free vegan Camino is preparation and caution. In larger towns and cities, stock up on snacks like nuts and fruit from supermarkets, which typically offer a good variety. Always carry something filling in your backpack, as roadside bars might not have many options. Energy bars, crackers, and dried fruits are lightweight and satisfying choices. You might also find ground flax seeds or chia seeds in medium-sized supermarkets, which can be handy if you’re accustomed to consuming such products.
Important to note:
- Always confirm with the staff before ordering food, even if it seems harmless.
- Be cautious with salads like “ensalada mixta” or “ensaladilla,” as they often contain egg or tuna.
- Some “vegetable sandwiches” (bocadillo vegetal in Spanish) ironically feature fish as a main ingredient.
- Don’t hesitate to ask if a dish contains cow milk, mayonnaise, cheese, etc., as these ingredients might not be listed on the menu, leading to an unpleasant surprise.
- Approach soups and stews with care, as they often use meat-based broths. For example, “Caldo Gallego” might appear to be a perfectly vegan stew with greens, beans, and potatoes, but it’s usually cooked with pork.
The Best Vegan Dishes On The Camino
You don’t necessarily need to find a vegetarian restaurant if you know what you are ordering and which dishes are naturally vegan or can easily be adapted for vegans. Here’s a list of vegan-friendly dishes that you should try while on the Camino:
- Pementos de Padron: Simple and tasty Padron peppers fried in olive oil and sprinkled with sea salt.
- Parrillada de verduras: A selection of delicious grilled vegetables.
- Setas: Grilled mushrooms are generally available in the Autumn months when they are in season.
- Gazpacho: A classic cold tomato soup from the South of Spain. Ideal for hot summer days.
- Lentejas vegetarianas: A vegetarian version of the classic Spanish lentil stew (which generally includes chorizo and/or ham).
- Paella de verduras: A vegetarian take on another traditional dish that is widely available.
- Garbanzos con espinacas: Chickpea and spinach stew (make sure you ask if it has meat or meat broth in it).
- Pisto de verduras: Generally made with onion, tomato and peppers.
- Patatas bravas: The classic recipe includes a spicy tomato sauce and a white garlic sauce. To avoid dairy, request your potatoes with only tomato sauce.
Useful phrases to help with being Vegan on the Camino
- Soy vegana/vegano – I’m vegan
- No como carne – I don’t eat meat
- No como pescado – I don’t eat fish
- No como lacteos – I don’t eat dairy
- No como huevos – I don’t eat eggs
- Lleva carne? – Does this have meat?
- Está hecho con mantequilla? – Is it prepared with butter?
Recommended Restaurants
Santiago de Compostela
- Entre Pedras – Rua Hospitalino 18, Santiago de Compostela (Vegan restaurant)
- Alice in Wonder Pie – Rúa da Ensinanza 12, Santiago de Compostela (Vegan options)
- TS A Casa – Rua de San Pedro 113, Santiago de Compostela (Vegan options)
Camino Francés
- Pamplona: Baratza Kafea – Travesía Bernardino Tirapu, 5, Pamplona, Navarra, Spain (Vegan restaurant)
- Logroño: Camino Vegano – Plaza del Mercado, 25, Bajo, Logroño (Vegan restaurant)
- Burgos: Gaia – Calle de Fernán González, 37, Burgos (Vegan restaurant)
- León: Ecolmado – Calle Villa Benavente, 14, León (Vegan options)
- Sarria: Ecoespazo VITRIOL – Rúa Diego Pazos, 18, 27600 Sarria, Lugo (Vegan options)
- Portomarin: Los Andantes – on the way of Camino de Santiago, Vilacha (Vegan options)
- Melide: Casa Alongos – Rua Camino Vello de Santiago S/N, Melide (Vegan options)
- Arzúa: Ultreia Cafe and Albergue – Camino de Santiago, 126, Arzua (Vegan options)
Camino Portugués
- Vigo: Bambu – Garcia Barbon 37 Int 6 Rua do Roupeiro, Vigo (Vegan restaurant)
- Vigo: Galgala Vegetariano: Placer 4, Vigo (Vegan options)
- Pontevedra: Meigas Fora Tapas – Rua Conde de San Roman, 4 (Vegan options)
- Pontevedra: Cre Cotte – Rua Real 28, Pontevedra (Vegan options)
Via de la Plata
- Ourense: Shangri-La vegetarian restaurant
Camino Finisterre
- Fisterra: Etel & Pan restaurant in Fisterra generally has vegan options available
Finally, if you are booking your trip with CaminoWays, remember to let us know about your vegan choice in advance so our reservation department can inform the hotels.
If you have any vegan tips from your experience, please share them and help your fellow pilgrims. For more Camino food inspiration, visit the blog’s food and wine section. For more information about the Camino de Santiago routes or to book your trip, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
