Vegan

Palmaïa – The House of Aïa - Mexico

I was recently invited to dine at Ume, the Asian Fusion restaurant at Palmaïa – The House of Aïa, an eco-resort often described as barefoot chic, set along the wide white beaches of Playa del Carmen, Mexico. The resort is known for its holistic approach to wellness and its entirely plant-based cuisine. At Ume, Asian fusion is elevated to a refined, fully vegan experience. I had the chance to taste nearly every dish on the menu—from fragrant curries to creative sushi rolls. Everything was fresh, full of flavor, and beautifully presented – a true feast for the senses.

MasQi – The Energy House - Spain

Sometimes you find a place where everything simply falls into place. MasQi is one of those rare spots – an intimate boutique retreat set in a natural park in southern Spain, between Alicante and Valencia. Its founder, Sonia Ferres, has made it her mission to share the healing power of yoga, meditation, and pure food – food that truly nourishes and energises. The kitchen offers healthy, flavourful cuisine: creative plant-based dishes inspired by flavours from around the world, prepared with organic ingredients from local farmers and MasQi’s own garden. The chef carefully accommodates food intolerances, and dairy, refined sugar, and white flour are strictly off the menu.

Fivelements Retreat Bali - Indonesia

Last year, I stayed at this small boutique retreat with just 20 suites, nestled along the Ayung River about twenty minutes from Ubud. Hidden in lush nature, the place focuses on pure, plant-based cuisine. They don’t label it strictly vegan, as honey is used occasionally, but every meal is crafted with care and intention. Breakfast offers several delicious options, while the lunch and dinner menus feature an impressive selection of beautifully plated dishes. The philosophy is simple yet powerful: food as a way to heal the body. The open-air bamboo restaurant—with its banana-leaf shaped roof, a Balinese symbol of nourishment—adds to the charm, as does the Friendship Table, a welcoming spot for solo travelers.

Ayurveda Resort Mandira, Austria

When I visited Ayurveda Resort Mandira, set in the gentle hills of Styria near Bad Waltersdorf in Austria, I was impressed by the Ayurvedic cuisine rooted in pure, plant-based cooking – healthy meals designed to balance my doshas and support digestion. On my plate: vegetable dishes, warm kitchari-style bowls, and herbal infusions. India meets Austria – a dedicated Ayurveda retreat built around thermal waters and nature. You can choose fully vegetarian or vegan Ayurvedic meals, served on four levels, each tailored to your personal programme.

SHA Spain

At SHA Wellness Clinic in Spain, food is more than nourishment - it’s part of the healing process. The entire culinary concept is built on macrobiotic principles, where balance is everything. Meals are designed not only for taste, but to restore harmony between body and mind. The cuisine is mostly vegan, drawing inspiration from traditional Japanese and Mediterranean diets. Breakfast might surprise first-timers: a warm bowl of miso soup, whole-grain porridge and fruit, and fresh crudités (carrot, cucumber, and celery), served with creamy hummus. At lunch, I had a colourful plate of marinated tofu with sesame, grilled artichokes, and quinoa salad. Dinner felt like quiet ceremony: light soups, seaweed rolls, and a small dessert made with rice syrup instead of sugar. 

Begnas Lake Ayurveda Resort - Nepal

At Begnas Lake the meals are a central part of the experience, with Ayurvedic cuisine given a local Himalayan character. In many ways, the cuisine goes beyond nourishment. Each dish feels thoughtful and restorative, aligned with the holistic Ayurvedic approach.Dishes are prepared with seasonal vegetables, lentils, buckwheat, millet and rice, much of it grown in the resort’s own organic gardens. The Jimire restaurant serves personalised meals tailored to your dosha type, alongside herbal teas and fresh local produce. Reviews often highlight the food as a reason to return, describing the dishes as 'exquisite' and 'lovingly presented', while others mention that the meals designed for their Ayurvedic type were 'wonderful' and made them feel supported in their health goals. The kitchen caters easily for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and other dietary needs.  

About Marleen

This blog is written by Marleen, founder of PureandCure.com (established in 2005). She travels around the world in search of the best Health & Wellbeing Hotels, Spas and Retreats and shares her insights, experiences and observations through her blogs.