Vegan Food in Northern India

Traveling as a vegan in a new country can feel intimidating, but India turned out to be one of the easiest and most nourishing places I’ve experienced.

While not everything is automatically vegan (ghee and dairy appear more often than you’d expect), vegetarian food is deeply rooted in Indian culture, and with a little awareness, eating vegan is very doable.

🌱 Eating Vegan in India: What to Expect

India is often described as a vegetarian paradise and in many ways, it is. However, vegetarian doesn’t always mean vegan.

Things to watch out for:

• Ghee (clarified butter)

• Paneer (fresh cheese)

• Curd / yogurt

• Milk-based chai

That said, many dishes are naturally vegan or easily adapted.

Naturally vegan-friendly staples:

• Dal (lentils)

• Vegetable curries

• Rice and chapati (usually vegan, always ask)

• Chana masala

• Aloo-based dishes

☕ Cafés & Restaurants I Loved

📍 Rishikesh

Rishikesh was by far the easiest place to eat vegan. At the Divine Resort & Spa we had a breakfast and dinner buffet and they had plenty of vegan options. The chef occasionally walks out of the kitchen and is happy to answer any questions.

My favorites:

• Beatles Café - cool atmosphere and clearly labeled vegan options

• ChatSang Café - lots of vegan traditional and western food options

• Devine Café & Bakery - they offer plant based milks

Most cafés here understand veganism and are happy to adapt dishes.

📍 New Delhi, Agra & Haridwar

• Many restaurants are vegetarian and hotels often offer buffet-style food with lots of vegan options

• Asking for “no dairy, no ghee” was usually understood

• Western chains (like Starbucks) were a comforting fallback, especially for an oat milk latte

• Temple areas often serve vegetarian food

• Simple meals like rice, dal, and vegetables were easiest

My go to’s at restaurants where menus can feel overwhelming at first:

• Veg Thali: hands down my favorite option. A mix of rice, bread, lentils, vegetable curries, usually served on one plate. It’s filling, balanced, and gives you a little bit of everything. Just make sure to ask for no ghee or curd.

• Mixed Vegetable Pakora: crispy, deep-fried vegetables coated in chickpea batter. Simple, comforting, and perfect as a snack or shared plate.

• Samosas: the ultimate street-food classic. Crunchy on the outside, spiced potato filling on the inside. Best enjoyed fresh and hot (and always ask if ghee is used).

These dishes became my go-to when I wasn’t sure what to order - familiar, affordable, and almost always available.

And if all else fails there is still the humble French fry, being there for vegans worldwide :D