Gazpacho, patatas bravas, pisto... I could go on and on. Sure, Spain's obsessed with jamón, but you don't have to think too hard to name some classic dishes which are also vegetarian and, indeed, vegan-friendly. You'll find these and many, many more appetizing bites+ at the top ten vegan restaurants in Spain. In no particular order, they are as follows:
1.) Wild Beets
Before the clubbers discovered Ibiza, it was a retreat for hippies. And its this past which the heart of the island's Wild Beets recalls with a commitment to raw, organic plant-based food. Although given the trend for vegan restaurants and the eatery's stark minimalist design, it feels decidely more 21st century than stuck in the '60s.
Contact details: Calle Venda de Llatzer 15, 07814, Santa Gertudris, Ibiza. 627 991 553. website.
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday: 9:00am - 11:00pm
2.) Baratza Kafea
Think Pamplona, think the running of the bulls. But things are changing in this conservative Navarre outpost. And they're doing so within the doors of Baratza Kafea, a unique space in Iruña which offers ecological and macrobiotic vegan snacks, meals, and drinks including craft beers and freshly-prepared smoothies.
Contact details: Travesia Bernardino Tirapu 5-7, 31014, Iruña-Pamplona. 948 046 625. website.
Opening hours: Tuesday to Thursday: 11:00am to 8:00pm and Fridays and Saturdays 11:00am - 12:00am
3.) Rayén Vegano
Rayén Vegano want to turn back the clock. To a time when food wasn't genetically modified; to an era where farmers didn't spray their crops with pesticides. Everything on the menu is made on their boho barrio de las Letras premises, including their celebrated bread and cakes.
Contact details: Calle Lope de Vega 7, 28014, Madrid. 675 282 072. website.
Opening hours: Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays: 10:00am - 4:00pm, Fridays and Saturdays: 10:00am - 4:00pm and 9:00pm - 11:30pm, and Sundays: 11:00am - 4:00pm
4.) Restaurante Bellaverde
Manuel Lynch's the founder of Mallorca Vegan SL, a concierge service set up to guide visiting vegans around the island. He singles out Restaurante Bellaverde as a restaurant "that serves vegan breakfast, lunch, and dinner in an amazing traditional courtyard setting sheltered by ancient fig trees."The chef Svenja Galle's elaborate creations are rich in flavour and most non-vegans will leave without realizing they've just eaten a vegan meal."
Contact details: Carrer de las Monges, 07470, Puerto de Pollensa, Mallorca. 675 602 528. website.
Opening hours: Mondays: 8:30am - 12:00pm and Tuesdays to Sundays: 8:30am - 12:00am
5.) The Rabbit Hole Ibiza
The Rabbit Hole Ibiza's sushi with almonds, veggies, and mango looks ever so tempting, doesn't it? Other signature dishes include Italian parmigiana aubergines with tomato sauce and rice mozzarella. Most desserts (along with starters and main courses) such as brownies, carob cake, and muffins are both gluten and sugar free.
Contact details: Avenida Isidoro Macabich 36, 07816, San Rafael, Ibiza. 971 198 820
Opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday: 10:00am - 8:00pm and Sundays: 10:00am - 3:30pm
6.) Bionéctar Organic Art Food
Eva Roca Anada and Clara Balmaña are the culinary masterminds behind Bionectar Organic Art Food, Catalonia's only crudivegan restaurant. That's crudi as in crude. As in raw like sushi, or the pizza served at this eatery which doubles as a teahouse.
Contact details: Carrer Francesc Eixmenis 8, 17001, Girona. 872 030 194. website.
Opening hours: Monday to Friday: 10:00am - 4:00pm and one Saturday a month 7:00pm - 11:00pm (info about this displayed on the restaurant's Facebook page)
7.) La Camelia
Such an appetite for vegan sushi, plus north African delicacies such as hummus and baba ganousch, do the good people of Bilbao have that La Camelia will move to larger premises close to the city's Gran Via in January. There they will continue to supply their popular takeaway service but also house more tables for sit-down dining. And in keeping with La Camelia's ecological approach which sees them use biodegradable food containers, they also offer delivery by bicycle.
Contact details: Calle Santa María 10, 48005, Bilbao. 946 111 553. website.
Opening hours: Monday to Wednesday: 5:00pm - 10:00pm, Thursday and Friday: 5:00pm - 11:00pm, Saturdays: 12:00pm - 3:30pm and 7:00pm - 11:00pm, and Sundays: 12:00pm - 3:30pm
8.) Cantina Vegana
Manuel Lynch quotes some interesting figures: "The number of vegan choices in Mallorca is growing at a rate of 140% per year." Which explains a second entry for this Balearic island. Palma's Cantina Vegana, within walking distance of the cathedral, specializes in home-made burgers and tapas.
Some day sooner rather than later, I could compile a top 10 vegan restaurants in Mallorca. As our old friend Manuel Lynch elaborates, "There are new exclusively vegan restaurants, vegetarian restaurants changing to 100% vegan, and freshly-appointed Michelin-starred chefs creating vegan menus." Before concluding, "Mallorca's on track to become the leading vegan destination in the world."
Contact details: Carrer Tomàs Forteza 57, 07006, Palma de Mallorca. 871 935 955. website.
Opening hours: Monday to Friday: 1:00pm - 4:00pm and 7:30pm - 11:00pm
9.) Foodbolin
Palma de Mallorca's second entry and the island's third and final in the top ten's Foodbolin, itself Mallorca's first vegan fast food outlet. Play table football and snack on Espiropapas, spiral fries. Another house favourite's pictured above, falafels which are served in a burrito or accompanied by a salad.
Contact details: Carrer Benet Pons i Fabregues 3a, 07007, Palma de Mallorca. 615 384 178. website.
Opening hours: Monday to Friday: 1:00pm - 4:00pm and 7:30pm - 11:00pm
10.) Entre Pedras
Entre Pedras is a cooperative formed by Laura, Luci, and Patri. Light on your wallet, the humungous portions will satisfy the hungriest of visitors. The trio are self-taught cooks and the menu choices have increased in tandem with their developing expertise.
Nevertheless, there's a playful, experimental touch to Entre Pedras' gastronomic offerings. And they've done sterling missionary work. Converting Galicia's predominately omnivore population to fully-fledged vegans, which is some going in the land of polbo á feira (octopus boiled like the Italians prepare their pasta, al dente).
Contact details: Rua Hospitalino 18, 15704, Santiago de Compostela. 981 564 097. website.
Opening hours: Wednesday to Sunday: 7:00pm - 12:30am