Juliet’s Balcony is, without a doubt, one of the biggest tourist attractions in Verona, Italy. Every year, millions of people flock to see the house of the fictional Shakespearean character, making it one of the city’s most famous sights. But there is much more to Verona than Juliet.
This gorgeous Italian city is filled with picturesque views, interesting museums, ancient architecture, art, music, and culture. And, like most Italian cities, it’s not short on delicious food, either. From carbonara to gnocchi to polenta, here are some of the best places to find plant-based options in Verona.
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What foods is Verona known for?
Wherever you go in Italy, you will always find plenty of restaurants serving up classics like pasta and pizza. But each region also tends to have its own specialties. In Naples, it’s pizza. In Rome, it’s carbonara. In Verona, it’s dishes like risotto all’amarone, which is a hearty risotto made with rich, full-bodied red wine, and patissada de caval, which is a slow-cooked red wine stew often served with horse meat.
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Most of the traditional dishes you’ll come across in Verona are made with meat and dairy. This is the case across most of the country, in fact. But if you know where to look, there is also delicious plant-based cuisine to be found.
Where to find the best vegan food in Verona: 5 restaurants to try
If you’re planning a visit to Verona, don’t leave without trying out some of the restaurants below. From traditional pasta dishes to nourishing whole-food burgers, there’s something for everyone in Romeo and Juliet’s hometown.
Ristorante Vegano Biologica La Lanterna
1 Ristorante Vegano Biologico La Lanterna
Located just a short walk or e-scooter ride from the center of Verona, Ristorante Vegano Biologica La Lanterna is a must-visit for authentic, seasonal plant-based Italian cuisine. First course options include creamy carbonara, smoky gnocchi with tofu and Brussels sprouts, and hearty pappardelle with meatless meatballs, but don’t miss the house mixed grill for the second course (in Italy, a second meat course is traditional, so make sure to save room). “Loved this place. Tucked away near the river,” says one reviewer on restaurant guide HappyCow. “Staff were lovely. Pasta courses were excellent and a great tiramisu to finish.”
Find It HERE
Flower Burger
2 Flower Burger
Busy sightseeing days call for a quick, nutritious, delicious lunch, and that’s where Flower Burger comes in. This popular Italian chain specializes in tasty burgers made with whole food ingredients like eggplant, mushrooms, kidney beans, and seitan, all sandwiched in a vibrant, Instagram-worthy bun. “The staff were amazing and friendly and kind,” reads one review on Trip Advisor. “The menu is so unique and honestly the best food I’ve ever had that’s vegan—I’ve tried so many burgers but this one tops [them all]!”
Find It HERE
Flora
3 Flora
If you’re in the mood for a vegan buffet (which is us, all of the time), stop by Flora at lunchtime to sample an array of tasty dishes like tofu au gratin, zucchini parmigiana, hummus, and marinated vegetables. The idea is that you get to try a little bit of everything, without wasting excess food or leaving the restaurant feeling hungry. “Great food, great atmosphere, and good prices,” raves one Trip Advisor reviewer. Another added: “This is an oasis of calm serving fresh imaginative vegan food in central Verona. Highly recommended and very reasonably priced.”
Find It HERE
Hambre Street Food
4 Hambre Street Food
Hambre Street Food describes itself as a “cooking laboratory,” so expect to find plenty of unique, innovative plant-based dishes on the menu. Some of the tasty options currently on the menu include Pop-lenta, which consists of steamed stuffed polenta in a corn leaf, and Pan De Fuego, which is a plant-based cheese sandwich loaded with kimchi, spring onions, and chili paste. One HappyCow reviewer described the eatery as “a pearl in the center of Verona.” Another added: “The food is very different, but tasty nonetheless! Quick, friendly service. Highly recommend for a little bite to eat.”
Find It HERE
Ziga
5 Ziga
If a relaxing brunch is calling your name, check out Ziga, which is less than a 10-minute stroll from the Verona arena. Nourish yourself with everything from vegan avocado toast with chives, scrambled tofu, and vegan chicken to a vibrant, tropical smoothie bowl with red fruits and dairy-free milk. Note that you will need to specify if you want your dish vegan, as the menu is 100 percent vegetarian. “Beautiful, tasty, and healthy food served in a stunning way,” says one reviewer on HappyCow. “Would certainly return.”
Find It HERE
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Charlotte is a VegNews editor and writer based in sunny Southsea on England’s southern coast.
