Rome, Italy! There’s something about arriving in a new country that immediately puts you into adventure mode. The sights, the sounds, the history, the food—and, of course, figuring out where you’re going to eat!
For our family, that last part is especially important because we’ve been plant-based for years. In 2018, we made the decision to become vegan, and while it was definitely an adjustment in the beginning, it has become a huge part of our lifestyle.
One thing we’ve learned along the way is that being vegan doesn’t mean you have to stop enjoying life, and it certainly doesn’t mean you have to stop traveling.
If anything, traveling has made being plant-based even more fun because we get to explore different cities through their food.
And Rome was no exception!
🌱 Our Plant-Based Journey
When our family decided to become vegan in 2018, we knew it would change the way we approached food. We had to become more intentional about what we ate, where we ate, and how we planned our meals.
But over the years, we’ve learned that being vegan doesn’t have to mean giving up the things you love.
You may have to get a little more creative.
You may have to do a little more research.
And yes, sometimes you may have to walk a little farther to find that restaurant!
But that’s part of the adventure.
Whenever we travel, one of our goals is to find vegan and vegan-friendly restaurants. We love trying new foods and seeing how different cultures put their own spin on plant-based meals.
And honestly, there’s something really satisfying about finding an amazing vegan restaurant in a city where you weren’t quite sure what you were going to find.
Traveling With Dietary Restrictions
For me, eating well while traveling is about more than simply choosing vegan options.
I also have a condition that requires me to further restrict my diet, which means I have to be even more mindful about what I put on my plate. My conditions requires that I avoid nuts and seeds because it’s difficult for my body to digest them.
That can sometimes make traveling—and especially finding satisfying meals—a little challenging.
One of the things I’ve noticed since becoming plant-based is that it can be easy to rely heavily on foods that are packed with fiber.
And then there are the cravings.
Because yes, even though we eat healthy and plant-based, we still want food that feels indulgent and satisfying!
Finding that balance while traveling can take some effort. I want healthier options, but I also want to enjoy the experience. I don’t want every meal to feel like a compromise.
That’s why discovering restaurants that offer creative vegan dishes is such a treat.
And we found a couple of great ones in Rome.
Our First Stop: Colors Vegan Sushi
One of our favorite discoveries was Colors, an all-vegan sushi restaurant.
And let me tell you…we were hooked!
On our first visit, we started with udon noodles. They were okay. Nothing that had us planning our next visit just yet.
Then the sushi came out.
GAME CHANGER.
Suddenly, we understood what all the excitement was about.
The sushi was so good that we actually went back the very next day for the all-you-can-eat sushi!
And when I tell you I tried almost every sushi option on the menu…😂
I’m not exaggerating.
That’s one of the fun things about traveling with the family. We can order different things, share, taste, compare and decide what we love.
And with this sushi, there was plenty to love.
Sometimes you find a restaurant that checks all the boxes: delicious food, fun atmosphere and options that make everyone happy.
Colors was definitely one of those places for us.
Dining Among Nature at Le Serre Botanical Garden
Another memorable experience was Le Serre Botanical Garden.
The setting alone makes this place special.
You can dine outdoors surrounded by greenery, or enjoy the beautiful greenhouse for a cooler, cozier experience.
And because this is Italy, we were excited to see what traditional-style Italian cuisine would look like with vegan options.
We started with guacamole and hummus as appetizers.
Then came the plant-based strips and sautéed vegetables, followed by plant-based strips with a coconut-based curry, vegetables and basmati rice.
We also tried an Indonesian-inspired dish featuring rice, bean sprouts and seasonal vegetables.
And, of course, we couldn’t leave without dessert!
We shared carrot cake and a dark chocolate cake.
Because vacation calories don’t count, right? 😂
Okay…maybe they do.
But sometimes you just have to enjoy the moment!
A Post-Colosseum Stop at Buddy
After our trip to the Colosseum, we decided to stop by another vegan restaurant called Buddy Roma. They offered plenty of vegan options, so choosing what to order was not easy!
We decided to share the carbonara with vegan bacon bits, a protein bowl with tempeh, vegetables and black rice, and a creamy mushroom pasta dish. We all got a chance to sample each other’s dishes, which made the meal even more fun. Sharing allowed us to try a little bit of everything and compare our favorites.
For dessert, I couldn’t have the brownie and walnuts, so I decided to go with the Oreo tiramisu instead—and it was a huge win! It was the perfect sweet ending to our meal and definitely something I would order again.
Most Restaurants were Within Walking Distance!
With the exception of Buddy, ene thing I really loved about these restaurants is that they were both within about a 10–20 minute walk from our AirBNB.
And that worked perfectly for us.
We’re traveling, eating, exploring and getting some much-needed exercise all at the same time.
That’s really what this vacation is about for our family. Plus, we get to enjoy quality time.
Life can get incredibly busy. Between work, school, sports, activities and everything else that comes with everyday life, finding uninterrupted time together can be challenging.
So when we travel, I try to remind myself that the itinerary doesn’t have to be packed from sunrise to sunset.
Sometimes the best moments are simply walking through the streets together, sitting down for a meal, laughing over dessert or discovering a restaurant none of us knew existed.
Vegan in Rome: The Adventure Continues
Our goal for this trip is simple: try different vegan options, explore, relax and enjoy each other.
Being plant-based has taught us that we don’t have to give up our routines just because we’re traveling.
We just have to adapt.
And sometimes that means doing a little research before we arrive.
Sometimes it means walking a few extra blocks.
Sometimes it means trying something completely new.
And sometimes it means going back to the same restaurant two days in a row because the sushi was THAT good! 😂🍣
Our Roman adventure is just getting started, and I’m excited to see what other plant-based gems we discover along the way.
Because if there’s one thing I’ve learned from traveling as a vegan, it’s this:
You don’t have to choose between enjoying your vacation and staying true to your lifestyle. With a little planning, an open mind and a willingness to explore, you can absolutely have both.
And for us, that makes the journey even more delicious. 🌱❤️🇮🇹 You can watch more of our adventures in Rome at Weather Anchor Mama TV. Please be sure to like comment and subscribe.
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