Which Country Has Vegetarian McDonald's? A Global Guide

January 11, 2026 •

2 min read

In 2012, a report from the Associated Press announced McDonald's first fully vegetarian restaurant. This unique fast-food establishment caters to a large vegetarian population in a specific country.

Quick Summary

India features the only all-vegetarian McDonald's restaurants. Numerous other countries offer diverse vegetarian menu selections. The menus cater to varying tastes.

Key Points

India has fully vegetarian McDonald's restaurants: Two unique locations exist in India, near the pilgrimage sites of Vaishno Devi and the Golden Temple.
India has a robust vegetarian menu: McDonald's in India offers an extensive menu of meat-free items, including the popular McAloo Tikki burger.
The McPlant is prominent in Europe: Many European countries offer the plant-based McPlant burger, often developed with Beyond Meat.
Not all countries offer certified vegetarian options: In countries like Australia, McDonald's states that no items are certified as vegan or vegetarian due to potential cross-contamination.
Vegetarian options reflect local culture: Menu items often cater to regional tastes and customs, such as the paneer burgers in India or the McPlant in Europe, demonstrating global brand adaptability.
Availability and menu items vary greatly by country: While some countries have diverse vegetarian options, others offer very few. Always check the local menu before assuming vegetarian-friendly offerings.

India: The Home of All-Vegetarian McDonald's

The country with fully vegetarian McDonald's is India. As of late 2024, India has two meat-free locations. These locations serve vegetarian pilgrims at sacred sites. The first location opened in 2012 near Vaishno Devi in Katra. The second location is near the Golden Temple in Amritsar. McDonald's adapts to local tastes.

These Indian outlets offer a menu that respects local dietary customs. Beyond these locations, McDonald's in India offers many vegetarian options. These include the McAloo Tikki burger, which is popular. Other items are the McSpicy Paneer burger and the Veg Maharaja Mac.

Vegetarian Options Around the Globe

While India has fully vegetarian restaurants, McDonald's has introduced plant-based items in other countries. The options vary by region.

The McPlant: A European and Beyond Phenomenon

The McPlant burger is available in many European markets. This plant-based burger, developed with Beyond Meat, is successful in countries such as Ireland and the UK. France has Veggie McPlant Nuggets.

United Kingdom and Ireland

McPlant: A plant-based burger.
Vegetable Deluxe: Vegetarian option featuring veggie goujons.
Veggie Dippers: Vegetable-based tenders.
Wraps: The menu has vegetarian wraps, such as 'The Spicy Veggie One'.

China

In China, McDonald's introduced its first vegan meat option. This collaboration was with plant-based food company Green Monday.

Australia and New Zealand

McDonald's in Australia states that no items are certified as vegetarian or vegan. This is due to potential cross-contamination.

Comparison of Vegetarian McDonald's Options


Feature	India (Exclusive Restaurants)	Europe (e.g., UK, Ireland)	Australia	North America (USA, Canada)
Fully Vegetarian?	Yes (in select holy city locations)	No	No	No
Best-Known Item	McAloo Tikki Burger	McPlant Burger	N/A (caution re: cross-contamination)	Fries (potential cross-contamination)
Menu Variety	Extensive regional vegetarian menu	Several options including burgers, wraps, and dippers	Limited, not certified vegetarian	Very limited, often only sides
Plant-Based Meat	Minimal (new 'Protein Plus' slices are whey-based)	Yes, the McPlant burger	No certified options	McPlant trials have been discontinued
Religious/Cultural Considerations	Very high, locations near sacred sites	Standard allergen procedures apply	Standard allergen procedures apply	Standard allergen procedures apply

The Evolution of Vegetarian Fast Food

McDonald's vegetarian options show the changes in fast food and consumer trends. The company's options were a response to local cultural sensibilities, like the McAloo Tikki in India. The push for plant-based options has been driven by flexitarianism and health-conscious eating. The McPlant shows an effort to capture this market segment.

While these initiatives vary, the trend is clear. The future of fast food will involve regional preferences and a global desire for plant-based food choices. This ensures that McDonald's continues to serve a wide range of customers.

Conclusion

India has a vegetarian McDonald's with two meat-free locations. McDonald's has vegetarian menus in several countries, including the UK and France, reflecting a dynamic approach. This information allows for better planning for the vegetarian traveler.

Frequently Asked Questions

India is the only country with completely vegetarian McDonald's restaurants, featuring two locations near major pilgrimage sites: one near Vaishno Devi and another near the Golden Temple in Amritsar.

McDonald's in India has an extensive vegetarian menu that includes popular items like the McAloo Tikki Burger, the McSpicy Paneer Burger, and the Veg Maharaja Mac.

Yes, in the UK and other European countries, you can get the McPlant, a popular plant-based burger developed in partnership with Beyond Meat.

McDonald's in the USA generally offers limited vegetarian options, mostly sides like fries and salads, and does not carry the McPlant or other specific veggie burgers.

No, the McPlant burger is not available globally. Its availability and success vary by region, with a strong presence in Europe but discontinued trials in North America.

No, certification status varies. In Australia, for example, McDonald's explicitly states that no menu items are certified as vegan or vegetarian due to the risk of cross-contamination.

McDonald's opened its vegetarian-only locations in India to respect local religious and cultural traditions, particularly the large vegetarian population and pilgrim traffic near sacred sites.

While the fries themselves are made from potatoes, the cooking method can vary. In some regions, they may be cooked in a separate fryer, while in others they may share a fryer with meat products, leading to potential cross-contamination concerns.