The 10 Most Vegetarian-Friendly US Cities

A recent study by Nestpick revealed the top 10 most vegetarian-friendly cities in America, with New York City coming in at No. 3.

Criteria used to judge each city included the affordability of fruits, vegetables and plant-based protein products along with the number, quality and menu prices of vegetarian restaurants, as well as the number of locally held vegetarian festivals and events.

If you’re looking for tasty vegetarian fare or vegetarian-friendly accommodations, check out this list of the 10 most vegetarian cities in the U.S.

1. Los Angeles

L.A. is the most vegetarian-friendly city in America, according Nestpick’s Vegetarian Cities Index. It scores highly for the affordability of plant-based meat alternatives as well as the number of vegetarian festivals and events. It also has a decent number of vegetarian-friendly restaurants, and restaurant prices aren’t too bad, either. It doesn’t have as many vegan-friendly restaurants.

Los Angeles scores 96.60 out of 100.

2. San Francisco

San Francisco also scores highly for the affordability of plant-based protein products. It doesn’t have as many festivals or events compared to L.A. but scored second-best of the U.S. cities for the number of vegetarian-friendly restaurants per person.

San Francisco scores 96.21 out of 100.

3. New York City

NYC is home to the most vegetarian- and vegan-friendly restaurants of any U.S. city. It also ranks No. 1 for most vegetarian festivals and events, beating out Chicago and L.A. One con is the total average cost of vegetarian food, which was the highest of the U.S. cities listed.

The Big Apple scores 96.08 out of 100.

4. Atlanta

Atlanta scores well for its number of vegetarian festivals and events as well as the affordability of fruits, vegetables and plant-based protein products. Atlanta falls short when it comes to the average rank of its top 10 vegetarian and vegan restaurants, scoring fifth-worst in this category compared to other U.S. cities.

Atlanta scores 94.85 out of 100.

5. Miami

Miami features a decent number of vegetarian events and festivals. The local affordability of plant-based protein products scored well too; however, the total average price of vegetarian food was the fourth-highest of the U.S. cities.

Miami scores 94.65 out of 100.

6. Pittsburgh, Pa.

The price of plant-based protein products is pretty affordable in Pittsburgh, Pa. The availability of affordable vegetarian restaurants in the city and the average rank of the top 10 vegetarian restaurants are decent. It may just be a little difficult to find these restaurants. Pittsburgh ranks fifth-worst of the U.S. cities when it comes to number of vegetarian-friendly restaurants adjusted for population.

Pittsburgh scores 93.90 out of 100.

7. Oklahoma City

Oklahoma City received the best score of any ranked U.S. city when it comes to the availability of affordable vegetarian restaurants. The cost of fruits, vegetables and plant-based protein alternatives are relatively affordable, too. Vegan-friendly restaurants are limited, though; it’s home to the fifth-lowest amount of vegan-friendly restaurants of the ranked U.S. cities.

The capital of Oklahoma scores 93.81 out of 100.

8. Washington, D.C.

You’ll find a decent number of vegetarian-friendly restaurants in the nation’s capital. It scores as the second best U.S. city for the number of vegetarian restaurants as a share of all its restaurants. One con is the total average price level for vegetarian food, which was the fifth-highest of the U.S. cities listed.

Washington scores 93.46 out of 100.

9. Seattle

Seattle had the fifth-highest score of any U.S. city when it comes to the number of vegetarian- and vegan-themed events and festivals. Its vegetarian restaurant affordability score was decent as well. Seattle has the second-worst score of U.S. cities when it comes to the total price average of vegetarian food – falling right behind NYC in this category.

Seattle scores 93.18 out of 100.

10. Houston

Houston scored the highest of any U.S. city when it comes to the affordability of fruits and vegetables along with third-best for the affordability of plant-based protein products. Houston has the lowest scores when it comes to the number of vegan- and vegetarian-friendly restaurants, as a share of all the city’s restaurants.

Houston scores 92.95 out of 100.

Boston, Denver, Chicago, Minneapolis and Dallas round out the top 15 vegetarian-friendly cities.

Looking to make more vegetarian food at home? Check out this story on how to build a better salad or this guide to plant-based meat alternatives. Learn how to grow your own vegetable garden here.

Which vegetarian-friendly city would you like to visit the most? Tell us in the comments.