Hungary is among the world’s fastest-growing vegan hotspots!

Hungary has emerged as one of the world’s most rapidly rising countries for veganism, according to new international data released by Chef’s Pencil, which tracks global food and dining trends.

Its latest report, The World’s Most Popular Countries & Cities for Vegans (2026), analysed Google Trends data from 2025 and found that Hungary recorded one of the biggest improvements worldwide over the past decade. The country climbed an impressive 18 places since 2016 — the largest jump in the entire dataset — and now ranks 11th globally for vegan interest, just behind the United States and ahead of Ireland and Sweden.

Budapest driving the boom

The study highlights Budapest as the undisputed centre of Hungary’s plant-based movement. A growing number of fully vegan restaurants, cafés and food businesses have helped turn the capital into a regional hub for sustainable and animal-free dining.

Researchers say veganism in Hungary is no longer a niche lifestyle but an increasingly visible and commercially relevant part of the country’s food culture. National search interest has been largely fuelled by Budapest’s expanding hospitality scene and rising consumer demand for healthier and more environmentally conscious options.

This momentum was also reflected in the launch of Hungary’s first major Vegan Summit in 2025, which attracted more than 600 participants.

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A maturing global movement

Globally, the vegan boom of the late 2010s appears to have stabilised. After years of rapid growth, interest has shifted from hype and novelty to more established consumer habits. In several early leaders, such as the United States and Canada, search interest has cooled slightly, suggesting the market has matured rather than declined.

Meanwhile, parts of Europe continue to strengthen. Germany reclaimed the top global position in 2025, supported by Europe’s largest plant-based retail market, now worth EUR 1.68 billion. The United Kingdom follows closely, with sales exceeding EUR 1 billion and one of the highest numbers of vegan dining options worldwide.

These figures indicate that strong search interest often correlates with real-world availability, from supermarket products to restaurant menus.

Central Europe gaining ground

One of the report’s most striking conclusions is a geographic shift in vegan growth. Central and Western Europe now appear to be leading expansion, while some traditionally strong markets have plateaued.

Hungary stands out as the biggest climber in the rankings, ahead of other fast-growing countries such as the Netherlands and Slovakia. Analysts say this reflects changing consumer habits, improved access to plant-based foods and a new generation of restaurants catering to flexitarian and vegan diners alike.