Vegan food has developed a really bad reputation of being flavorless, expensive, or gasp boring. In my opinion, that couldn't be further from the truth. Vegan food has come such a long way, and many vegan dishes are indistinguishable from their original meat counterparts.
Not only can you find traditional Spanish food that's completely vegan, such as vegan tapas, you'll find that eating vegan in Spain is nowhere as difficult as it used to be!
Since a) I'd never gatekeep and b) I'd never recommend a place that I haven't tried, I'll only share vegan restaurants in Madrid that I've tried personally. Cool? I'm also going to structure this article full of great vegan food as an FAQ of sorts to make it--wait for it--easily digestible.
Where can I find an entirely vegan "menu del día" in Madrid?
La Oveja Negra
(from Wednesday to Friday only)
It includes a drink, a coffee, bread and a choice of coffee or yogurt. The cool part about this vegan cooperative is that it's (mostly) queer-run and operated. Their mission is to make vegan cuisine accessible both in price and ambience (aka not stuffy at all). They have traditional dishes you'd find in Spain like croquetas, vegan chorizo, or albóndigas in tomato sauce. La Oveja Negra has a tapas bar vibe which makes it a great place to bring visitors for an authentic Madrileño feel.
Vega
(Monday to Friday from 13:30 to 16h)
Vega is the type of place that places great emphasis on sustainable vegan options and leans more towards the "healthy vegan" side of the spectrum. They have plenty of well-labeled gluten free options too. What you can expect from Vega is an eclectic mix of traditional Spanish dishes and international cuisine. From alcachofas confitadas to tikka masala tacos, your palate will thank you later! Non vegans will enjoy their colorful dishes and chill vibe. The location on Calle Alamo has a lovely outdoor terrace too!
Where's the best vegan pizza in Madrid?
Choose Restaurante Vegano
This is hands-down one of my favorite vegan places in Madrid, Spain y'all. It's Italian, and not like Taco Bell is "Mexican." It's real. It's authentic. It's tasty. Most importantly, it's 100% vegan.
The pasta? Homemade and handmade. The sauces? creamy and varied. The pizza? Thin, perfect and packed full of flavor. It's a sit down restaurant and the architecture in this La Latina restaurant is just as drool-worthy as their dishes. If you're looking for pan con tomate or patatas bravas, this is not your place. That said, if you're interested in vegan pizza with gorgonzola cheese and caramelized pears, you've come to the right place indeed. I can also personally vouch for the tartufo pizza with truffle oil and vegan cheese (mozzarella, to be exact). I know we're on the topic of pizza, but you cannot miss dessert at Choose! The tiramisu is out of this world.
Pizze & Dixie
Pizza and Italian food galore. This Italian Argentine-run family restaurant puts a lot of love in all their dishes, and it shows. It's smack dab in the city center and easy to get to even if you're not familiar with Madrid. You can expect vegan versions of all the classic Italian staples such as the iconic margarita pizza and calzone with San Marzano tomatoes and bacon. This is the type of vegan friendly establishment that non-vegans will lose their mind over!
Freedom Pizza
One of the best vegan restaurants in Madrid is owned by the same gems who brought us Freedom Cakes, a classic vegan cafe. Listen, when I tell you I would eat anything on their vegan menu, please know that I'm serious. Their spicy pepperoni is *chef's kiss! I mean, yes you could easily have cold tomato soup aka gazpacho at a local Spanish bar, or you could sink your teeth into a handmade vegan pizza made-to-order covered in rocket, olive oil and tasty vegan options. Your choice. They've got a few local craft beers as well, and vegan ice cream to finish the meal. The menu of the day is delightful and really affordable.
Where can I find delicious vegan burgers?
If you're looking for a vegan restaurant that specializes in fast food, Madrid is a great place to be! You won't always be in the mood for grilled mixed vegetables, am I right? Here are my favorites:
B13
This no-frills vegan staple is the lowest of keys ha! vegan tortilla, vegan burgers, onion rings, hot dogs, fried potatoes, you name it! What you won't find however, is fresh fruit salad, so yah... Their vegan chicken burgers are amazing and so cheap! Last time I was there, it was cash only, so come prepared! Oh, just a note: it's not the best place to come if you have food allergies... this is a "you get what you get" type of taberna.
Thunder Vegan Food
This place is sorta new on the scene, but my God did they come in swinging! This is probably the most American-style vegan restaurant in Madrid along with its neighbor Fantastic V. Burgers, brownies, vegan ice creams and anything you could possibly want from a fast food joint. Whether you eat meat or not, you'll find something to nibble on at Thunder.
Honorable mention: Viva Burger in La Latina! No Beyond Meat here, just wholesome, giant, and fresh plant-based patties. Insider tip: skip the potatoes and go for the fried yuca instead! Drooling already…
Now, I realize, these are only a few options. I plan to continue writing posts for example on the best vegan tapas bars in Madrid or where to get vegan brunch. This article is by no means the ultimate vegan guide, but it's a starting point! I'm also curious about supermarket finds that are accidentally vegan... In the meantime, I'll leave you with these helpful posts:
Vegan and vegetarian tapas in Spain
10 Places to find vegan ice cream in Madrid
Where to find vegan pizza in Madrid
Happy chomping, friends!