Veganuary Ireland 2026: Restaurants, Deals & Tips

Published: January 2026 | Updated annually

What is Veganuary?

Veganuary is an annual campaign encouraging people worldwide to try vegan eating for January. Since 2014, it has grown exponentially: in 2025, over 30 million people globally participated. The campaign is simple but powerful—try vegan for a month, discover delicious food, and learn how plant-based choices benefit your health, animals, and the environment.

The beauty of Veganuary is that it's not about perfection. Whether you're fully vegan for the month or focusing on reducing animal products, every plant-forward meal counts. Ireland's food culture is evolving rapidly, making January the perfect time to explore vegan options.

How Ireland is Embracing Veganuary

Ireland has become a Veganuary hotspot, with restaurants, cafés, and food brands across the country offering special menus and campaigns. The Vegan Society of Ireland plays a crucial role in coordinating participation, ensuring that Irish businesses are ready to welcome plant-based eaters.

Irish Restaurants with Veganuary Menus

From Dublin's bustling southside to Cork's vibrant food scene, restaurants across Ireland have stepped up their vegan game for January.

Dublin

Dublin's vegan dining scene is thriving. The Winding Stair offers innovative plant-based dishes alongside traditional fare, while Eden Restaurant has long championed vegetarian and vegan cuisine. Mother, the beloved southside pizzeria, serves exceptional vegan pizzas with almond cheese. For brunch lovers, Sister Sadie's and Bragazzis both feature comprehensive vegan options. Don't miss V-Bites, Dublin's dedicated vegan restaurant, for a fully plant-based experience.

Cork

The Cornstore in Cork city centre offers creative vegan dishes in a relaxed atmosphere, while Café Noir serves seasonal plant-based specials. Seven Seven Green is a newer addition to Cork's vegan scene, offering street food with vegan-forward options.

Galway

Galway's bohemian vibe extends to its food scene. Cruck's Café offers wholesome vegan-friendly fare, and Ava's Café regularly features plant-based specials. The weekly farmers market also offers excellent vegan produce and prepared foods.

The Vegan Society of Ireland Partnership

The Vegan Society of Ireland works year-round to support Veganuary participants and businesses. They coordinate with restaurants, supermarkets, and food brands to ensure quality vegan options are available. During Veganuary, they maintain an updated directory of participating businesses—over 60 in 2026—making it easy to plan your meals.

Many participating businesses use the official Vegan Society of Ireland badge on their menus, ensuring you can identify vegan options quickly. Some restaurants go further, offering special Veganuary menus or discounts for participants.

Tips for Surviving and Thriving in Veganuary

1. Meal Prep is Your Friend

Dedicate a Sunday afternoon to preparing simple, nourishing meals for the week. Batch-cook grains, roast vegetables, and prepare proteins like legumes or tofu. Having ready-made components makes weeknight cooking stress-free and keeps you on track when energy is low.

2. Navigate Social Situations Gracefully

Veganuary often coincides with invitations to dinners, pub nights, and social gatherings. Before attending:

• Check the restaurant menu online or call ahead to confirm vegan options
• Offer to suggest a restaurant with good vegan choices
• Be prepared with a brief, positive explanation of your dietary choice
• Focus on what you're eating, not what others aren't—this creates a better atmosphere
• Consider bringing a vegan dish to share at casual gatherings

3. Eating Out Made Easy

Most Irish restaurants now offer vegan options, even if not explicitly stated on menus. When ordering:

• Ask directly: "Do you have any vegan options?" Most kitchens will happily modify dishes
• Choose ethnic restaurants (Indian, Thai, Middle Eastern) where plant-based eating is culturally established
• Stick with chains during Veganuary—they typically have clear vegan badges on menus
• Browse Google Maps reviews; look for comments about vegan friendliness

4. Master Essential Ingredients

Stock your pantry with these vegan staples:

• Proteins: Chickpeas, lentils, black beans, tofu, tempeh
• Grains: Brown rice, oats, quinoa, pasta, bread
• Healthy fats: Olive oil, coconut oil, nuts, seeds, nut butters
• Flavourings: Soy sauce, hot sauce, nutritional yeast, spices
• Vegetables: Onions, garlic, carrots, celery, seasonal produce

5. Stay Informed About Nutrition

A well-planned vegan diet is nutritionally complete, but it's worth paying attention to:

• B12: Take a supplement or consume fortified plant milks and nutritional yeast daily
• Iron: Eat lentils, spinach, and fortified cereals; pair with vitamin C for better absorption
• Omega-3s: Include ground flaxseed, chia seeds, walnuts, or use an algae supplement
• Calcium: Fortified plant milks, tofu, tahini, and leafy greens provide adequate amounts

Deals and Discounts for Veganuary

Many Irish businesses offer Veganuary specials to encourage participation:

Follow the official Veganuary social media accounts and sign up for emails from your favourite restaurants to stay updated on deals. Many businesses announce specials only days before they launch.

Making Veganuary Stick

For many, Veganuary is the beginning of a longer plant-based journey. Whether you continue eating fully vegan, mostly vegan, or simply incorporate more plant-forward meals, the habits you build in January can benefit you year-round. The key is removing obstacles: know where to shop, learn simple recipes, and connect with the community of plant-based eaters in Ireland.

Remember, every plant-based meal matters. You don't need to be perfect—you just need to show up and try.