Romania

Vegan Friendliness: ⭐️⭐️⭐️☆☆ (3/5)
Vegetarian Friendliness: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆ (4/5)
Best For: Markets, soups, vegetable stews, city restaurants
Challenging Because: Meat-heavy traditional dishes and dairy in many recipes

🥗 What to Eat

• Zacuscă (vegetable spread — ask no fish paste)
• Salată de vinete (eggplant salad — usually vegan)
• Ciorbă de legume (vegetable soup — confirm no meat stock)
• Fasole bătută (mashed beans)
• Polenta (mămăligă) with vegetable toppings

🚫 Watch Out For

• Meat or chicken stock in soups
• Cheese and sour cream added by default
• Eggs in some pastries and polenta dishes

🗣️ Survival Phrases (Romanian)

• I am vegetarian: Sunt vegetarian / vegetariană
  (soont veh-geh-tah-ree-AHN / -ah)
• I am vegan: Sunt vegan / vegană
  (soont VEH-gan / VEH-gah-nah)
• No meat: Fără carne
  (FAH-rah KAR-neh)
• No dairy: Fără produse lactate
  (FAH-rah pro-DOO-se LAHK-tah-teh)

🧭 Veggie Trip Tip

Urban centers like Bucharest and Cluj-Napoca are increasingly veg-friendly. Outside cities, stick to markets, vegetable soups, and polenta-based dishes.