2024 Travelers’ Choice Awards: Are Vegan Choices Growing, or Are We Still Left Wondering?
As Tripadvisor celebrates its annual 2024 Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best Restaurant Awards, one question that’s increasingly on people’s minds is: Are there enough vegan and vegetarian options being offered in the world’s top dining destinations? While the awards honor some of the most beloved restaurants globally, it’s important to highlight how well these places cater to plant-based eaters and whether they’re truly embracing this growing trend.
The awards introduced two new categories this year: Best of the Best Pet-Friendly Restaurants and Outdoor Restaurants, shining a spotlight on dog-friendly eateries and venues that combine delicious food with breathtaking views. Miami Beach’s That’s Amore claimed two top spots in the US, while globally, restaurants in Peru like Organika and Ponchos Food & Wines dominated the casual dining and hidden gems categories.
But What About Vegan Options?
Amid the celebration of these culinary achievements, it’s worth noting that Tripadvisor also highlights Vegan & Vegetarian options as a special category in their awards. Yet, one can’t help but wonder: are these plant-based choices gaining the recognition they deserve among the world’s best dining experiences? While sustainable dining and fine dining receive the spotlight, we’re left asking whether restaurants are keeping pace with the demand for vegan offerings in both casual and upscale settings.
Pet-Friendly and Open-Air Dining: New Trends, but Are They Vegan-Friendly?
As TripAdvisor broadens its categories to include pet-friendly dining and outdoor venues, it’s clear that restaurants are responding to lifestyle preferences. For instance, Pomelo Bistro Bar in Gdansk, Poland, and La Fuga in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, earned top spots for accommodating four-legged companions. Meanwhile, Thes Greek Creative Cuisine in Athens was named the best outdoor dining experience globally, offering a feast for the eyes as well as the palate.
But the key question remains—are these trendy, pet- and nature-focused venues also ensuring that plant-based diners can find dishes that meet their needs? Vegan choices may be growing in prominence, but the awards still largely focus on traditional dining formats.
Fine Dining & Date Night—Where Do Vegans Fit?
In the fine dining category, the top spots went to Restaurant Pic in France and Daniel in New York. Similarly, the date night category highlighted romantic, upscale venues like Alameda Suiça in Brazil and Beach Walk at Henderson Park Inn in Florida. While these restaurants deliver in ambiance and culinary finesse, how inclusive are their menus for vegans?
Conclusion: Progress, But More to Be Done
As travelers’ preferences continue to evolve, vegan and vegetarian options are undoubtedly becoming a bigger part of the culinary conversation. Yet, even as Tripadvisor’s 2024 awards recognize a wide array of restaurants—from casual hidden gems to fine dining experiences—the question lingers: Are vegan options truly keeping pace with the demand? While TripAdvisor acknowledges these options in its awards, the spotlight on them is still small compared to other categories.
As the world embraces more sustainable, plant-based eating, we hope to see future awards focus even more on how restaurants cater to vegan diners. Until then, while progress is being made, it’s clear that there’s still work to be done in ensuring that every eater—no matter their dietary preferences—can find a seat at the world’s best tables.
For the full list of winners, including Vegan & Vegetarian options, visit tripadvisor.com/TravelersChoice-Restaurants.
