Melissa Donovan
Orlando is best known for its world-class theme parks—but a new national study by Pricelisto.com reveals it’s also the top destination in the country for plant-based dining.
According to the study, Orlando ranks No. 1 among 125 U.S. cities for vegan-friendliness, boasting a remarkable 201 restaurants with vegan options per 100,000 residents. That’s more than any other city in the study, highlighting Central Florida’s growing reputation as a haven for plant-based eaters.
The researchers evaluated cities based on four key factors: the number of vegan-friendly restaurants, their average ratings, the volume of online reviews, and how frequently residents search for vegan-related terms. Orlando came out on top with an overall index score of 78.39 out of 100—surpassing other well-known vegan hubs like Portland, Oregon and Miami, Florida.
A Shift in the Plant-Based Landscape
The report challenges the long-held assumption that veganism is mainly a West Coast or urban-coastal trend. In fact, three of the top ten cities are in Florida—Orlando, Miami (ranked No. 6), and St. Petersburg (just outside the top 10). Southern cities like Atlanta and New Orleans also ranked highly, demonstrating how widespread and mainstream plant-based eating has become.
“Ten years ago, most people would have expected a city like Portland or Los Angeles to lead this list,” said a spokesperson for Pricelisto. “Seeing Orlando take the lead shows just how much things have changed.”
Local Vegan Favorites
From casual bites to upscale dining, Orlando offers a wide range of vegan experiences. Here are just a few local favorites that have earned praise from plant-based eaters:
Ethos Vegan Kitchen (Winter Park): A full-service restaurant offering hearty, homestyle vegan fare—from chick-un parmesan to shepherd’s pie—in a warm, welcoming atmosphere.
Market on South (Orlando): This shared market space features beloved local brands like Dixie Dharma, serving creative Southern-inspired vegan dishes, and Valhalla Bakery, known for its decadent dairy-free desserts.
Loving Hut (South Orange Blossom Trail): Part of a global vegan chain, this spot offers a mix of Asian and international vegan dishes in a bright, friendly space.
Leguminati (Curry Ford West): Famous for their “crunchwraps” and street-food style dishes, this eatery combines comfort food with a creative vegan twist.
The Vegan Hot Dog Cart (Downtown Orlando): A late-night favorite, this food cart slings a variety of vegan hot dogs topped with everything from kimchi to chili.
A Broader Trend
While Orlando leads in restaurants per capita, other cities stood out for different reasons. New Orleans took second place in the rankings, with the highest average number of reviews per vegan-friendly restaurant—showing strong community engagement. Atlanta had the highest online search volume for vegan-related terms, indicating a deep interest in plant-based living.
At the other end of the spectrum, cities like Hialeah, Florida, and Yonkers, New York ranked lowest, with fewer restaurant choices and limited digital interest in veganism.
Orlando’s Vegan Future Looks Bright
The study is a clear sign that Orlando’s food scene is more than just churros and turkey legs. Whether you’re a longtime vegan, a flexitarian, or simply looking to try something new, the City Beautiful has become a top destination for delicious, diverse, and accessible plant-based cuisine.
With over 200 vegan-friendly spots for every 100,000 residents, Orlando isn’t just keeping up with the trend—it’s leading it.
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