Vegetarian Food in Spain

Spain is known for its tapas, sangria, paella, churros, and vermouth. But, what can you enjoy when you're vegetarian? I traveled to Spain with my parents, both of which are vegetarian -- after trying numerous vegetarian restaurants in Spain, here's my guide to the best of them. Surprisingly, there are a decent amount of restaurant options for the non-meat-eater, but it's definitely tough to find vegetarian food unless you go to a place known for it.

As a non-vegetarian myself, I really enjoyed all of these meals, so checking out at least one of these is definitely worth your while on a trip to Spain. I'd recommend using Google Reviews and TripAdvisor in your search for restaurants in Spain, as Yelp is not as popular in the country.

Madre Tierra (Toledo, Spain)

An all-vegetarian/vegan restaurant we stumbled upon in Toledo -- if you're looking for a well-priced, relaxed lunch spot, Madre Tierra is a great choice. The casual-dining restaurant serves a variety of cuisines (everything from sushi to pizza) and is tucked away in the winding cobblestone streets of the town.

The Mushroom Lasagna was the star of the show -- it's rare to find lasagna that's not only vegetarian but also light and tasty. This lasagna hits the spot, and I'd highly recommend it.

We also ordered the Vegetable Tempura, Funghi Caprese Pizza (goat cheese, pesto, mushrooms), and Arrabiata Pizza (bolognese sauce with garlic, chili, and parsley). If I could skip a dish, I'd skip the tempura. Both pizzas are phenomenal -- they are thin crust and loaded with flavor.

La Encomienda (Madrid, Spain)

This is a cozy, vegan restaurant in the heart of Madrid. We loved the jackfruit tacos and Pad Thai. The staff here is wonderful and recommended multiple cocktails and cava (sparkling wine) for all of us. This was my favorite vegetarian spot in Madrid!

Artemisa (Madrid, Spain)

The Vegetarian Paella (top) was a miss here, but I enjoyed the Eggplant Tzatziki (bottom left) and Persian Pastel (bottom right). I'd recommend ordering the Persian Pastel -- the dish consists of eggplant slices stuffed with zucchini, cheese and vegetable paté and covered in a pistachio sauce.

Overall, not my favorite vegetarian spot in Spain, but a good spot to check out in Madrid.

Vegan Junk Food Bar (Barcelona, Spain)

What a unique spot! As the name suggests, the restaurant is full of all sorts of junk food and funky decor (see their Instagram). It's a great spot with a young crowd and lively atmosphere, and we stopped by here for dinner. Vegan Junk Food Bar is an international chain with locations across Europe (but the Barcelona location is its flagship).

The burgers here are definitely the highlight -- the Mr. Kroquette burger on a black bun was amazing and one of the better vegan burgers I've ever had. The restaurant also has some options that I've never seen before and wish I got to try -- vegan cod, vegan ribs, pink burger buns, and more!

The Nachos here hit the spot; I wasn't too big of a fan of the Truffle Fries, so would suggest trying something else.

Flax and Kale Passage (Barcelona, Spain)

Look at this broccoli! Flax and Kale is on the nicer end of the vegetarian-oriented restaurants in Spain -- the restaurants also serves meat but has a large spread of vegan options. Definitely one of my favorite meals from the trip -- we enjoyed the braised broccoli with muhammara (below), truffle and funghi pizza, and cacio e pepe.

The food is tasty, but the main courses are smaller portions than you'd expect. I'd pay this restaurant a visit if you ever find yourself in Barcelona!