How did Bali become a paradise for plant-based food?

Chicken nuggets and chips with barbecue sauce. Fries loaded with bolognese, coleslaw and cheese sauce. Macaroni and cheese balls. A round of chocolate milkshakes — and the servings are massive. I barely get halfway through my order when a food coma sets in. And it’s dirt cheap, even by Balinese standards: about $5 a plate.

No, it’s not the latest fast-food franchise on the island where they find the most heart-attack-inducing, sugar-loaded ingredients there are, suck the nutrients out of them and deep fry everything in cheap oil.

It’s The Sloth, a vegan restaurant in Canggu, Bali’s busiest beachside district and everything on the menu is plant-based. The bolognese on the fries is made of lentils. The nuggets are made of soy protein and the shakes, well they’re made with coconut milk and flavoured with cocoa powder, bananas and dates.

The Sloth is one of 24 vegan cafes, burger bars, pizzerias, bakeries, chocolatiers, grocers and fine-dining restaurants honoured at PETA’s 2026 Vegan Awards held in India this year: PETA being an acronym for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, the world’s largest animal rights group with more than 10 million members worldwide. “Bali’s vibrant vegan scene offers both innovative flavours and authentic dishes that honour tradition without harming animals,” said PETA Asia president Jason Baker in a release.

But here’s the thing. These 24 food and beverage outlets are just the tip of the iceberg. There are hundreds of vegan restaurants in Bali and, at a guess, more than 1000 with vegan sections on their menu.

So how did Bali become a global hub for plant-based food?

The first answer is demand: the island received more than 7 million international tourists last year and many no longer come to party. Health, wellness, exercise and sustainability — drivers for tourism in places like Canggu and Bali’s spiritual capital Ubud — go hand-in-hand with vegan and vegetarian food.

Then there’s Bali’s rich volcanic soil, which provides year-round access to fresh herbs, tropical fruits and organic vegetables. Add to that the fact that tempeh, tofu and other soybean-based products are the most staple sources of food protein in Indonesia, accounting for 65 percent of overall protein consumption, according to government figures. Tempeh and tofu are also among the most used ingredients in local Balinese cuisine, making it easy for travellers to find authentic plant-based meals on the island.

After lunch at The Sloth I stop at Cinnamor, a popular bakery-cafe in Pererenan, a beachstride strip on the fringe of Canggu. With a distinctive peach-coloured shopfront, Cinnamor is one of a dozen-odd venues in southern Bali specialising in cinnamon rolls.

But Cinnamor does more than specialise; apart from drinks, cinnamon rolls are all it serves. And to stand out of the competition, the rolls are 100 per cent plant-based. Though by looking at the pastries, lavish treats with names like “salted caramel peanut” and “cookies & creme” and decadent toppings like tangy cream cheese frosting and gooey cookie dough, you’d never know they’re vegan.

“We’ve mastered the art of baking without eggs or dairy, creating rolls that are even softer using our secret Japanese mylk bread recipe,” Cinnamor says on its website. “It elevates each roll to something truly special.”

fact file

+ The Sloth is on Jalan (street) Pantai Batu Mejan, Canggu. Open 8.30am to 6.30pm. theslothbali.com

+ Cinammor is on Jalan Pererenan, Pererenan. Open 8am to 11pm. cinnamor.com

VEGAN AWARDS WINNERS

The full list

Bodhi Leaf Eatery (Best Vegan Ice Cream).

Sage (Best Vegan Cake)

Korte Chocolate (Best Vegan Chocolate)

Plant Bistro (Best Vegan Pastries)

Cinnamor (Best Vegan Cinnamon Rolls)

I Am Vegan Babe (Best Vegan Comfort Food)

Minang Vegan (Best Vegan Padang Food)

Sauce Tree (Best Vegan Burger)

Cis Culinary (Best Vegan Indonesian Food)

The Sloth Bali (Most Vegan-Friendly Accommodation)

Sayuri Healing Food (Best Vegan Chef Course)

Tiaga Coffee (Best Vegan Café)

KooD (Best Vegan Grocer and Eatery)

Siboghana Waroeng (Best Vegan Nasi Campur)

Warung Pande Vegan (Best Affordable Vegan Meals)

Kasto Italian Restaurant (Best Vegan Pizza)

Alam Green Lotus (Best Vegan Laksa)

Secret Spot (Best Vegan Brunch Spot)

Moksa Ubud (Elevated Vegan Dining Award)

Schauberger (Hidden Vegan Gem Award)

Chickpea (Vegan Leadership Award)

Mai3 Nature Love, Circle Point Vegan Eatery, and Tasty Vegan all earn Certificates of Appreciation.

Each winner in PETA’s 2026 Vegan Awards will receive a certificate, along with bragging rights.