If you’re wondering how to make vegan friends in 2026 who understand your plant-based lifestyle, you’re definitely not alone. I know it can be hard, especially if you’ve recently made the switch to veganism.
If you’re a social person, it’s only natural to want friends who understand and support your lifestyle. Having a group of like-minded people can make your vegan journey feel a lot easier.
What’s Inside: 10 Ways to Find Vegan Friends
1. Join Vegan Groups and Clubs
Best For: Local meetups, potlucks, and events | Effort Level: Medium 🟡 | Expected Time: A few days to a few weeks
One of the easiest ways to meet other vegans is by joining local vegan groups or clubs.
These groups often hold events such as potlucks, cooking classes, and visits to vegan-friendly restaurants.
You can find these groups on Meetup, Facebook, and local community boards.
Tip: Don’t be shy! Attend a few events, introduce yourself, and engage in conversations. Most people in these groups are eager to make new friends and share their passion for veganism.
2. Attend Vegan Festivals and Events
Best For: Meeting lots of like-minded people | Effort Level: Medium 🟡 | Expected Time: Often the same day or after the event
Vegan festivals and events are fantastic opportunities to meet fellow vegans.
These gatherings usually have food vendors, speakers, and workshops. They create a great space to connect with others.
Look for events near you, or think about going to bigger festivals if you can.
Tip: Volunteering at these events can be a great way to meet people. You can meet attendees and organisers, which helps you build connections.
3. Use Social Media
Best For: Local vegan communities on Instagram & Facebook | Effort Level: Low 🟢 | Expected Time: A few days to a few weeks
Social media is a powerful tool for connecting with vegans from all over the world. Platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter have countless vegan groups, pages, and influencers.
Engage with their content, join discussions, and don’t hesitate to reach out to people who seem friendly and approachable.
Tip: Start by following local vegan influencers and joining regional vegan groups. This will help you find people who live near you and share your interests.
4. Participate in Online Communities & Social Apps
Best For: People who prefer chatting online first (Veggly/Grazer) | Effort Level: Low 🟢 | Expected Time: A few days to a few weeks
If you want to meet other vegans quickly, dedicated vegan social apps like Grazer or Veggly are game-changers.
However, because these platforms are often used for dating, it is crucial to set up your profile correctly so you avoid awkward romantic mix-ups when you just want a buddy!
How to set up your Veggly profile for friends:
- During sign-up or when updating your profile, look for the question: “What are you looking for?”
- Select the “Friends” option (the button will turn green to show it is selected).
- Leave all other relationship options unselected and tap “Next”.
- Your profile will now be clearly marked as “Friendship only,” which helps you connect with users looking for the exact same thing.
Using Bumble BFF
Remember to check out mainstream apps too. For example on bumble, when you use the BFF mode on Bumble, you can filter for people who are also plant-based. Try adding ‘Vegan,’ ‘Plant-Based,’ or a 🌱 emoji at the top of your bio so it stands out.
How to Spot Vegans on Bumble BFF
Bumble BFF lets you use “Lifestyle Badges” to share your dietary habits.
You might need a premium account to filter for only vegans. But you can still find vegan users for free if you know where to look!
- Step 1: Make your profile stand out: Add the “Vegan” lifestyle badge. Mention it in your bio, like this: *“Looking for plant-based friends to grab food with!🌿”).
- Step 2: Check profiles before you swipe. Look for the Vegan badge, the words “plant-based,” or the leaf emoji in their bio.
- Step 3: Start a chat! If you match with another vegan, use that to start a chat. Instead of just saying, “Hey,” try a friendly opener that encourages a response.
Not sure what to say? You can use this simple template:
đź’¬ Icebreaker Script for Apps:
“Hey! I saw you’re vegan and from (city name) as well. Do you know any good vegan places around here? I’m always up for trying some new food!”
5. Take a Vegan Cooking Class
Best For: Hands-on learners & food lovers | Effort Level: Medium 🟡 | Expected Time: A few weeks
Taking a vegan cooking class can be a fun and educational way to meet other vegans. Many cooking schools and community centers offer classes focused on plant-based cooking. You’ll not only learn new recipes but also have the chance to bond with classmates over a shared interest.
Tip: Choose classes with a social element, like group meals or potlucks. This way, you’ll have more chances to make friends.
6. Visit Vegan-Friendly Establishments
Best For: Meeting regulars, staff & other vegans | Effort Level: Low 🟢 | Expected Time: A few weeks or longer
Try going to vegan-friendly cafés, restaurants, or grocery stores. These places are great for meeting other vegans.
You can also use the HappyCow app to find plant-based spots nearby.
When you arrive, chat with staff and other customers. Join their events and take part in community activities.
Tip: Some vegan restaurants host community nights or special events. Keep an eye out for these opportunities to meet like-minded individuals in a relaxed setting.
7. Start Your Own Vegan Group or Event
Best For: Community builders & organisers | Effort Level: High đź”´ | Expected Time: Several weeks
If you can’t find a group that interests you, consider starting your own. You could organise a bring-and-share vegan meal or plan a picnic in a park. You could also host a vegan movie night or meet at a café with vegan options.
An outdoor movie night can also be a fun idea, especially on a warm evening when the sun goes down. A few years ago, I organised one during my trip to Istanbul and invited some local vegans along.
We shared snacks, watched a movie together, and had a great time connecting with each other.
Simple events like these are a great way to meet new people and build a vegan community around you. This is a great way to build a community with people who share your interests and values.
Sharing a vegan meal can also help you save money. If you’re looking to cook for a group without spending too much, take a look at our ultimate guide to vegan eating.
You’ll find affordable pantry staples and easy recipes that everyone can enjoy.
Once you’ve planned your event, share it on social media. Post in local vegan Facebook groups, community boards, libraries, and community centres.
This helps more people discover your event and makes it easier to connect with others who want to join. Your small meet-up could grow into a place where people make friends, share vegan food, and support each other.
8. Be Open and Approachable
Best For: Everyday conversations | Effort Level: Low 🟢 | Expected Time: Ongoing
Sometimes, the best way to make friends is to be open and approachable. Share your vegan journey with others and express your interest in meeting new people. You might be surprised at how many people share your interests but haven’t yet found the opportunity to connect.
Tip: Don’t limit yourself to only seeking out vegans. Many people are curious about plant-based living and might be interested in learning more from you. Friendships can grow in unexpected places!
9. Attend Animal Rights or Environmental Activism Events
Best For: Meeting people who care about animals and the environment | Effort Level: Medium 🟡 | Expected Time: A few weeks
Many vegans are also passionate about animal rights and environmental activism.
Joining protests, marches, or info sessions about these causes helps you connect with others who share your values.
These events often foster a strong sense of community and shared purpose.
Tip: Get involved with local organizations or initiatives. The more active you are, the more connections you’ll make.
10. Use Couchsurfing (For Travelers)
Best For: Travelers, meeting locals & cultural exchange | Effort Level: Low 🟢 | Expected Time: A few days to a week
Couchsurfing is one of my favourite ways to meet other vegans while I travel. I have met and hosted many through the platform.
You can connect with like-minded people almost anywhere. Whether you’re travelling alone or want new vegan friends, Couchsurfing is worth trying.
The community focuses on cultural exchange, meeting new people, and helping travellers. I have so many stories from using it that I could write a full blog post.
If you don’t want to stay at someone’s place, you can use the Hangouts feature. It’s an easy way to meet locals or other travelers for coffee, a meal, or a walk around the city.
Planning a Trip as a Vegan?
Finding vegan restaurants is easy. Keeping your whole trip organised is the hard part. If your travel plans are lost in phone notes, emails, and screenshots, try my Vegan Travel Toolkit. It’s a digital planner that keeps your flights, hotel bookings, daily plans, and meal ideas all in one place. You can even use it on your phone without Wi-Fi.
You can also join local Vegan Couchsurfing Communties in your location.
For example, search for groups like “Vegan London” to find local vegan meetups and events.
To find vegan hosts, just type “vegan” in the host search. Mentioning your plant-based lifestyle in your profile also helps. It’s a great way to start conversations and connect with people who share your values.
FAQ for Finding Vegan Friends & Meeting Other Vegans Online or Locally
How to meet vegan people near me?
If you want to meet easygoing, plant-based friends, try joining activity-based groups instead of only political ones.
You could join a local vegan running club, go to plant-based cooking workshops, or use a filter on Bumble BFF to find plant-based foodies. These are all good ways to meet like-minded people in a relaxed setting.
What are the best vegan social apps in 2026?
Some great apps for connecting with other vegans are:
- Grazer: Ideal for vegan dating and making friends.
- Veggly
- Bumble BFF
On Bumble BFF, you can use words like “vegan” or “plant-based” in your bio to help connect with others.
What’s the best way to find local vegan groups on Facebook or Reddit?
On Facebook, try searching for your city’s name along with “Vegans” or “Plant Based” to find active local groups.
On Reddit, subreddits such as r/vegan, r/veganfitness, and r/veganrecipes offer global advice and can help you find local meetups.
Conclusion: How to Make Vegan Friends
Finally, keep in mind that making friends doesn’t happen overnight. Stay patient and try to stay open to new experiences.
Not everyone you meet will be a close friend. Still, each conversation helps you find people you truly connect with.
Tip: Be genuine and authentic in your interactions. True friendships rely on trust and respect. So, be yourself and enjoy the journey.
Finding vegan friends can enrich your life and support your vegan lifestyle.
Join groups, attend events, use social media, and be proactive. This way, you can connect with others who share your passion for plant-based living.
So get out there, start connecting, and enjoy the journey of making new vegan friends!
