Meat-free food is not something you’d usually associate with either France or Spain. The former is the home of duck confit, cassoulet and foie gras, while the latter is famous for meaty platters of Jamón Ibérico and octopus. Although there’s no denying that seeking out veggie food in these countries will raise a few local eyebrows, there are some havens for vegetarians – if you know where to look.
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Price Range: Price are between €8 and €25.
Location: 15 Boulevard Lech Walesa, 06300 Nice
Bookings: Call +33 6 71 48 24 01 or email inspire@nicelifeinternational.com
The Nice Life Cafe is a welcome addition to the raft of small bars and cafes in Nice’s harbour, and its uniqueness extends beyond the fact it serves a fantastic range of vegetarian food! Designed with the feel of a comfortable living room, visitors are engaged to kick back and take their time in deciding which of the fantastic dishes (not to mention juices) they’d like to savour. And because healthy living is much more than just healthy food, you can also engage in mindful meditation evenings, yoga by the beach sessions or get inspired by a wide variety of workshops held regularly. Sophie, the cafe’s owner, is one of the most welcoming hosts you can imagine and is always happy to chat about your villa holiday in Nice!
Price Range: You can choose a three course meal starting from €25.
Location: 649 Promenade du Soleil Menton, 06500 French Riviera
Bookings: Call +33 4 92 07 32 57 or email menton@lovinghut.fr
If you’re staying in one of our amazing Côte d’Azur holiday villas – Loving Hut offers fresh and imaginative dishes that incorporate Eastern flavours into a range of tempting vegan dishes, though there’s plenty of variation if you fancy something a bit more locally-inspired. With a bright and airy cafe-style feel (try to snag a seat outside if you can!) the choice of dishes doesn’t leave meat eaters out as you’ll find vegan-friendly versions of steak and shrimp.
Price Range: You can enjoy a buffet type menu from €19/kg
Location: 44 Cours Anatole France, 33000 Bordeaux
Bookings: Call +33 5 56 35 81 03 or email contact@lacuisinedejohanna.com
If you’re looking for something hearty and filing, look no further than La Cuisine De Johanna, found in the very heart of Bordeaux. It’s a little off the beaten track (so you might want to head to Google Maps to make sure you’re going in the right direction) but once you get there, and almost literal smörgåsbord of veggie deliciousness awaits! You’ll be presented with a colourful buffet of various tasty salads and dishes, and food is sold by weight instead of item, which we think is a pretty neat idea – especially if you’re a light eater.
Price Range: Menu starting from € 35.
Location: 28 Rue Joseph Vernet, 84000 Avignon
Bookings: Call +33 4 90 85 26 51 or fill in the contact form on their website.
If your’e travelling to one of our South of France holiday villas you must experience Le 5 Sens certainly a treat for the senses, even though it’s not strictly a vegetarian restaurant. A visit to this Avignon gastronomic staple is a gourmet experience from start to finish, and while it might be one of the pricier choices on our list, the vegetarian tasting menu is a culinary odyssey that won’t soon be forgotten.
Price Range: Price are between €15 and €30
Location: 1 Rue St Michel, 84000 Avignon
Bookings: Call +33 4 90 86 68 72
Also found in Provence and famed for its zingy vegetables, tomatoes and garlic, you’ll find the elegant but rustic Terre de Saveur at 1, rue Saint Michel. Although you’ll spot some meat and fish on the menu to keep carnivores happy, the focus here is very much on wholly vegetarian food. Try the butternut squash velouté with goat’s cheese for a real treat.
Price Range: Drinks with a main course and dessert starting from €30,-
Location: Passion Marina – 23 Paseo Juan Carlos Primero, 07800 Ibiza
Passion Santa Eulalia – 13 Juan Tur, 07840 Santa Eulalia
Passion Cafe Playa den Bossa – Avenida Playa den Bossa, 07800 Ibiza
Bookings: For Passion Marina call +34 9 71 31 45 66 for Passion Santa Eulalia call +34 9 71 80 73 23 and for Passion Cafe Playa den Bossa call +34 9 71 30 51 30 or email info@passion-ibiza.com
With various locations across the island, Passion has grown from a small stall selling organic juices to one of the most prominent cafe chains on Ibiza. Though the menus do feature meat, the focus is very much on fresh and healthy ingredients coming together to create original and colourful dishes. You can even tailor your dining experience by heading to the different restaurants – you’ll find a lively cafe atmosphere that’s perfect for lunch in Santa Eulalia, while Marina enjoys more of a restaurant vibe.
Price Range: Menus differ in prices from €9,- to €30,-
Location: 15 Carrer Venda de Llatzèr, 07814 Ibiza
Bookings: Call +34 9 71 19 78 70 or email: info@wildbeets.com
Wild Beets, which is also found on the beautiful Balearic Island of Ibiza, specialises in vegan and raw food – and if you’re the kind of person that thinks this means your tastebuds aren’t in for much of a treat, it’s exactly the kind of place you should visit to discover how wrong you are. With an imaginative range of salads as well as classics like burgers and wraps, one thing you definitely have to try is the juices. Fresh and invigorating, there’s so many varieties you’re bound to get a boost no matter your mood.
Price Range: Around €25,- for a three course meal
Location: 8 Francesc Eiximenis, 17001 Girona
Bookings: Call +34 872 03 01 94 or email info@bionectar.org
It’s not only the food at Bionectar that’ll give you a sense of wellbeing – the building itself is made of ecologically responsible and biodegradable materials, and all the power used in the restaurant comes from green sources. Even if you get a takeout, the box it comes in is made from sugar cane so it can be easily composted! In the food stakes, their buckwheat sprout and curried carrot croquettes are a burst of flavour, while their ‘raw pizzas’ are an intriguingly fresh take on an Italian classic.
Price Range: The daily four course menu can start from €14,50,- up to €25,- pp.
Location: 7 Carrer de Sant Feliu, 07012 Palma de Mallorca
Bookings: Call +34 9 71 71 86 17 or email bonllocvegetaria@gmail.com
The first veggie restaurant to open on Mallorca, Bon Lloc enjoys a fantastic reputation with locals and visitors alike. If you feel like experiencing some of their fresh and energising foods, you can choose between heading over for lunch or dinner – lunch consists of a set price, four-course menu with various tempting choices, while the dinner menu changes from day-to-day with whatever’s organic, seasonal and (most important of all!) tasty at the local market. This is a place that really pushes what you can expect from top quality vegetarian food.
Price Range: Menu starting from €9,95 to €27,-
Location: 4 Calle de Luís de Vargas, 41001 Sevilla
Bookings: Call +34 954 21 19 34 or email info@gaiaecosalud.com
In the balmy southern city of Seville, head to Bar Ecológico Gaia at 4 Luis de Vargas. All the food served here is organic and half of it is vegan. There’s also a good choice of gluten-free options if you’re wheat-sensitive. Make sure you sample the beetroot gazpacho, oat croquettes and artisan cheeses, and as it’s close to the Alcázar (Seville’s absolutely stunning Moorish Palace) it makes a great place to eat after a day taking in the sights.
Even the most ardent carnivore is bound to be feeling a little peckish after all that delicious-looking food! If you fancy sampling some of these fantastic dishes yourself (and let’s face it, you’d be mad if you don’t), head to our dedicated pages on France and Spain and find your very own luxury holiday villa!
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