VEGAN IN MYKONOS
It’s surprisingly easy to be vegan Mykonos – which wasn’t what I expected. When I think of going to Greece and being vegan, the hilarious “Ian is a vegetarian” scene from My Big Fat Greek Wedding springs to mind … so I was expecting vegan to be close to impossible. How wrong I was!
Many restaurants in Mykonos town have vegan options, all clearly labelled on the menu. You don’t need to make a special request or worry that if you ask for it vegan what you’ll actually get is the meal minus the meat and/or cheese (i.e. half a meal, for the same price as a full meal).
For example, Nice ‘n’ Easy on the seafront in Alefkandra Square has a vegan moussaka plus a small selection of other vegan dishes, including a lovely dish of mushrooms in white wine. They are also mostly organic and cater for gluten free.
Take a stroll into the centre of town, along the narrow blue and white streets and you’ll find Healthylicious. As the name implies, they focus on health foods and offer a wide selection of vegan meals. Opt for a Beyond Meat burger in a bun with all the trimmings, or one of their fresh crunchy salads, perfect with a healthy smoothie on the side.
A little further out of town, you’ll find Casa Dolce. Here you can indulge your sweet tooth without any guilt. Nikos, the Glacier (aka the ice cream chef) has a created a wide range of vegan ice creams and sorbets. They aren’t labelled as such, so you’ll need to ask which are vegan. My favourites where the grape sorbet, the masala chai ice cream and the dark chocolate ice cream. However, I also strongly recommend you try the prickly pear ice cream. This fruit is found all over the island so it’s a taste that sums up the local countryside and not something you’ll find in the supermarket. And if you’re looking for a sweet taste of Mykonos that you can carry home, then ask Nikos for his homemade vegan baklava, loaded with syrup and nuts.
I do love a Buddha Bowl and if you do too, then head to Bowl on the Peripheral Road. Here you’ll find plenty and vegan and vegetarian options with a few for meat eaters too. Their Buddha Bowls are delicious and there are healthy breakfasts and great coffees too.
Fancy a cooking lesson? How about making your own vegan cheese? Mykonos Farmers run vegan cheese making courses. You’ll need to specify vegan, but don’t be afraid to do so; their vegan cheeses are amazing (and surprisingly simple to make). I am generally not a fan of vegan cheese, but these really were delicious, bursting with fresh flavours.
Finally, you’ll need a place to stay. As a vegan I am a fan of self-catering; I can control what I eat, choosing to eat out if I want, or stay in with a home-cooked favourite. Check out Panthea Residence on the hillside above what is still known as ‘The Shirley Valentine Beach’. For anyone who grew up in the 1980s this beach is a ‘must visit’. If you’re wondering why, then I suggest a movie night. The Panthea has large studio rooms with a kitchenette, and a balcony/terrace with sea views. A great place to hang out with a chilled beer and a good book.
Being vegan in Mykonos was much easier than I imagined. I didn’t feel as though I’d been ‘short-changed’ on the food-front, which I very often do when travelling. So, there is no need to pack a suitcase full of vegan snacks when you book a holiday to the beautiful sunshine island of Mykonos.
FACT BOX
Healthylicious – healthylicious.gr
Nice ‘n’ Easy niceneasy.gr
Casa Dolce Gelateria – casadolce.gr
Bowl – bowl-mykonos.com
Panthea Residence – panthea-mykonos.com
Mykonos Farmers Vegan Cheese Making Course – mykonosfarmers.com/en/cooking-workshops
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Chantal Cooke is an award-winning journalist and broadcaster and co-founder of PASSION for the PLANET. Chantal is passionate about reducing our impact on the environment and it has been said she is a little obsessed with waste! You can follow her on Facebook and Twitter @chantalcooke and on Instagram @Chantaldcooke.
