How vegan friendly is Innsbruck/Tyrol (Austria)? Let’s find out!
Moving countries is a challenge for most people, and being vegan adds an extra layer to it. Grains, fruits and vegetables are everywhere, but how about fake meats, desserts and options in restaurants? In this blog I am comparing Utrecht (the Netherlands) with Innsbruck (Tyrol, Austria) on vegan friendliness.
A view from the Alltstadt, looking at the famous colorful houses and the river Inn.
I have been vegan since 2014. I have seen the vegan market in the Netherlands develop from the driest bean burger ever into a delicious juicy burger. How lucky we are, times have changed!
How is the vegan life in Utrecht, the Netherlands?
Now in 2025 there are plenty of vegan goodies to choose from. There is a new product every week, and even though it is not always budget-friendly, it is fun to try a new vegan product every once in a while. In almost every product section you can now find a vegan alternative. How about vegan whipped cream to go with your fresh vegan apple pie? Or vegan wine and beer to match your vegan bitterballen? There are even vegan ready-to-go meals.
There are plenty of vegan and vegetarian restaurants in and around Utrecht. As a vegan, you do not have to go hungry. There are lots of options to choose from, from cheap to expensive, from fast food to chic dining out. Other restaurants will offer at least one vegan option on the menu, or are able to create something for you. Even though my experiences with these restaurants are not always the best, it is nice that you are able to order something in any restaurant when you are with people who are not (yet) vegan curious.
That said, Utrecht is one of the biggest cities in the Netherlands. The city leans left on the political scale, which probably is the reason why there are lots of vegan options in the supermarkets. When you go to smaller cities, the vegan section definitely becomes smaller. Still, even there you will be able to make multiple delicious vegan meals and have a vegan dessert every day of the week too. The Dutch supermarkets are for sure veganized!
How does Innsbruck score on the vegan scale?
At the beginning of 2025 I officially moved to Innsbruck. I have been here many times, so I already had a good understanding of the availability of vegan foods. Still, it took me a bit of time to create an efficient shopping routine, as the supermarkets here are not created equal. Let me show you what I mean.
Mpreis has very few vegan products, so I try to avoid this shop. They have a few things in the freezer, but nothing special. It is also expensive.
Hofer has a great and cheap selection of vegan products which is ever-expanding. They have everything you need: different kinds of vegan bread spreads, tasty meat alternatives, vegan yoghurts and pastries. So good! Watch out though, this is only true for the big Hofers. The small Hofers have very little. So whenever possible, we shop in a big Hofer.
Spar has a few vegan products: cheeses, ham, some meat alternatives. They sometimes carry different brands, which can be fun to try out. Small Spars do not have much. I think if you go to a big Interspar, you will find more things!
Billa also has a great selection of vegan goodies, but is expensive. So I try to get most of my things from Hofer, and buy select products from Billa, like vegan mascarpone. It is definitely fun to look around and see all the different options.
Innsbruck may look small on the outside, but there are many vegan and vegetarian restaurants. For example, Meow Pizzeria Verde, Green Taste, Olive and Café Naiv are all really good vegan restaurants. You will also find vegan options at The Naked Indigo, Crocodile Pizza, Haepinest, Moustache, D-Werk and many more. There is a lot to eat for vegans in the heart of the Alps!
With regular restaurants it can be very confusing. Sometimes you find vegan dishes in the places you least expect. A bar in the middle of the city can have nothing, and in a hut on top of a mountain they have five vegan options. If I ever figure out the logic behind this, I will let you know. In most regular restaurants, the main thing on the menu is meat, meat, meat. I would recommend checking Happy Cow beforehand just to be sure.
How vegan friendly is Innsbruck compared to Utrecht?
If you are a vegan who mainly eats whole foods, you will be very happy and healthy in Innsbruck. The vegetables and fruit here are very tasty and when you buy them from Hofer, they are also very affordable. If you want to munch on some vegan fishsticks, a vegan schnitzel or vegan tiramisu, you will also be fine. It just takes a little bit more planning in Innsbruck, when going to the supermarkets and eating out. Those things are easier in the Netherlands. So yes, the Netherlands wins this vegan contest. But then there are no mountains, so you know, I will stick with Innsbruck for now.