Becoming vegan feels so right because you’re living out your values. You’re doing all that’s in your power to slow the climate crisis; protect marginalized communities, farmed animals and wildlife; fight world hunger; and prevent chronic disease, pandemics and antibiotic resistance. But if your social circle hasn’t caught up yet and you’re doing it on your own, it can feel lonely. You might wonder how to meet vegans in person. Look no further!
Here’s our top 5 tips for how to meet vegans: join a local vegan group on Facebook, Reddit or MeetUp; use vegan apps like Grazer, Veggly, or VegPal; get involved in local vegan activism; and discover local events through online vegan events calendars. If you share why veganism is important to you with your existing friends, you might even inspire them to join you! Keep reading for more resources.
1. Apps
Since vegan dating and friend-finding apps are relatively small compared to the major apps, being open to a wider variety of ages of people and expanding your radius can help increase your chances of connecting with someone.
Grazer
Created exclusively for millennials and Gen Z, the London-based app Grazer offers vegans a way to meet vegan friends and dates. Its friend-finding feature is even outperforming Bumble’s, with 20% of users looking to meet other vegan friends. The app recognizes that veganism is a philosophy of compassion that influences your perspective and daily choices, finding like-minded friends is important. Users are about 55% women and 45% men. However, this app is best in major cities, as elsewhere there is not yet much member activity.
Veggly
Another global dating app for vegans and vegetarians, Veggly is active in 181 countries. Many vegans want to be with a partner who shares their care and concern for animals, health and the environment. Vegan dating apps make dating simpler for vegans by creating a space where one of the most foundational values is already agreed upon. By the end of 2021, Veggly had already reached half a million global users. As veganism continues to grow, so too does the demand for vegan dating. See reviews here.
VegPal
VegPal is a vegan social media platform offering opportunities for members to connect and build community online and in person. Members can follow and meet other vegans, chat, connect with other vegans locally and all over the world. See reviews here.
Write a vegan bio on a more major app
Of course, another option is simply to use one of the major apps like Bumble Date or Bumble Friend Finder and put in your bio that veganism is important to you. Then, see who you find! If you’re not in a major city where these smaller apps are more popular, this could be a more effective option to meet other vegans.
2. Get involved in vegan activism in your city!
Animalrightsmap.org offers the largest collection of animal rights activism groups, all around the world. The interactive map allows you to find animal rights groups near you. Check off two goals at once by volunteering for a vegan cause while meeting others with shared values. With a huge number of groups to choose from, including Anonymous for the Voiceless, Students Opposing Speciesism, Animals United, Animal Equality, The Humane League, PETA and more, you’re sure to find a group that fits your style. Learn about other forms of vegan activism here.
3. Bookmark vegan events calendars
The PR company NisonCo PR and SEO provides a continually-updated list of new vegan events, summits, shows, conferences and festivals. HappyCow provides a calendar of vegan (and vegetarian) events happening worldwide, including festivals, conferences, fairs, street fests, and more. Finally, VegEvents provides a frequently updated list of vegan, animal rights, and animal welfare conferences. You can even sign up for their weekly email with vegan events near you or online. Several notable events include the VegFests, Plant-Based Prevention of Disease Conference and the Vegan Climate March.
4. Join a Vegan Meetup or Facebook group specific to your city or region
Meetups
Some of the largest vegan meetups exist in New York, London, Tokyo, LA, Orlando, Singapore, Atlanta, Chicago, and San Francisco. Groups offer socializing, nutrition, cooking, festivals, hiking, dining and more. Find groups in your region here!
Facebook groups
- Arizona
- AZ Vegan
- Vegan Tuscon
- Tempe Vegan Community
- Vegan Arizona
- Vegan AZ
- Phoenix Vegans
- Phoenix Vegan Families
- Phoenix Area Vegan Families
- California
- Corona CA Vegans
- Bay Area Animal Rights Protests!
- California Vegan Living
- Vegans: Oakland, Berkeley and SF
- Vegans of California
- Santa Cruz Vegans
- Bay Area Vegans
- San Diego Vegan Networking Group
- Sacramento Area Vegans
- Vegans in Southern California
- Vegan City Los Angeles (CA)
- LA VEGAN and VEGETARIANS
- San Francisco and San Mateo County Vegans
- Vegan City San Jose (CA)
- Vegan California
- DxE Los Angeles Community
- Los Angeles and Worldwide Animal/Vegan Activism
- Vegans of the Bay
- Los Angeles Vegan
- Vegan Foodies (West San Fernando Valley)
- Stockton Vegan/Vegetarian Group
- Sacramento Vegan Society Closed Group
- So Easy~So Good – Modesto Vegan Wannabe Group
- Colorado
- Fort Vegan –Northern Colorado’s Vegan Meetup Group
- Vegan Colorado
- Colorado Vegans
- Metro Denver Vegan Deals
- Vegan Life Colorado Discussion and Support
- Boulder Colorado Vegans
- Florida
- South Florida Vegans and Vegan-want-to-be’s
- South Florida Vegan Education Group (page)
- VeganTampa.org–St.Pete–Clearwater–Entire Metro Area
- Vegan Florida
- Florida Vegans for Peace
- Vegan City Miami (FL)
- Central Florida Vegans
- Central Florida Animal Rights and Rescue Network
- Tallahasee Vegetarian Community (TalVeg)
- aPlantBasedDiet Org
- Vegan Roommates and Housing Florida
- South Florida Vegan Potlucks
- Ethical Food Association at Florida State
- Jacksonville Vegetarian/Vegan Group
- Vegan City Tampa
- Florida vegans and vegetarians
- Vegan Martial Artists SoFla
- Tallahassee Vegan Group
- South Florida Vegans
- Tampa Vegans
- Universal Orlando Vegans
- VegSarasota
- Orlando Vegans
- Georgia
- Vegan Georgia
- Vegan Atlanta Social Club
- Vegan Atlanta Book Club
- Vegan City Atlanta Georgia
- Savannah Veggies and Vegans
- Hawaii
- Vegan Hawaii
- Vegan on Oahu
- Big Island Vegans
- Gentle Aloha Feast – The Real Happy Meal
- Vegans on Maui
- Iowa
- Vegan Iowa
- Kansas
- Vegan City Kansas City
- Kentucky
- Vegan Kentucky
- Louisiana
- New Orleans Vegans
- Vegan Louisiana
- Maine
- Vegan Maine
- Maryland
- Vegan Maryland
- Michigan
- Michigan Vegans (for a kinder Gentler World)
- Vegan City Ann Arbor (MI)
- Vegan Michigan
- Grand Rapids Vegan Meetup
- Vegan Diners
- Detroit Vegans
- Vegan Kalamazoo
- Minnesota
- Vegan Minnesota
- Montana
- Montana Vegans
- Mississippi
- Mississippi Vegans
- Mississippi Vegan Group (page)
- The Mississippi Vegan Group
- Nebraska
- Vegan Nebraska
- New Jersey
- New Jersey / New York City Metro Vegan
- Vegan New Jersey
- NJ Vegans
- New Jersey Vegans
- Vegan in NJ
- Vegans of Central Jersey
- New Hampshire
- Vegan New Hampshire
- New York
- Vegan Support – New York Animal Rights Alliance America
- New Jersey / New York City Metro Vegan
- Vegan City New York (NY)
- Albany Vegan Network
- Rochester Area Vegan Society
- Ithaca Vegans
- Vegan New York
- New York Vegans
- VoNY Vegans of New York
- Vegan Long Island Forum
- Vegan – NY
- Vegans of NYC
- North Carolina
- Vegan North Carolina
- Vegan City Charlotte (NC)
- Vegan Raleigh NC
- NC Triangle Vegan Hangouts
- North Carolina Vegans
- R.O.A.R. Reaching Out for Animal Rights (Wilmington)
- Vegans for Peace (North Carolina)
- North Dakota
- Vegan North Dakota
- Ohio
- Vegan Columbus
- Vegan Ohio
- Toledo Area Vegans and Vegetarians
- Vegan City Akron (OH)
- Vegan City Cleveland (OH)
- Vegans and Vegetarians from Cleveland, Ohio
- Vegan Dayton Support Group
- Grow Vegan Ohio (veganic gardening)
- Cincinnati Ethical Vegans
- Ohio Animal Rights Activists
- Vegans of Lakewood
- Columbus Vegan Meetup
- Oklahoma
- Vegan Oklahoma
- Pennsylvania
- Pittsburgh Vegans
- Urban Vegans Society Of Philadelphia
- Vegan Pennsylvania
- Philadelphia Vegans and Vegan Food Enthusiasts
- Vegan City Philadelphia
- Rhode Island
- Rhode Island Vegans
- Rhode Island Vegan Awareness
- South Carolina
- Vegan South Carolina
- Texas
- Vegan Society of P.E.A.C.E. Roundtable Discussion
- Vegan Texas
- Texas Vegans
- Houston Vegetarian and Vegan Society
- Houston Vegans
- Austin Vegans
- North Texas Vegans
- Vermont
- Vegan Vermont
- Washington
- Spokane Vegans
- Vegan City Seattle (WA)
- Vegan Spokane: An Ethical Voice
- Vegan Washington
- Seattle Vegan Activists
- West Virginia
- Vegan West Virginia
5. Share what inspires you with your existing friends
In addition to making new vegan friendships and relationships – what about sharing what you’ve learned with the friends you already have? Your existing friends and family members may be more open to hearing about veganism from someone they already love and respect.
But, figuring out how to share in a welcoming way that doesn’t conjure defensiveness can be tricky. With a little tact and preferably not over a meal containing animal products, you can share what inspires you to choose a vegan lifestyle with your existing friends.
Our Spotify playlist about advocacy offers many episodes from vegan podcasters about communicating graciously. If you need some resources to help you respond to common questions your friends and family might ask you about veganism, see our arguments against veganism page to learn how to articulate the iron-clad case for veganism.
More Resources
If you’re also open to meeting vegans online, check out our recommended platforms to connect in the vegan online community.
Apps, activism, vegan events calendars, local Facebook and MeetUp groups, and sharing what inspires you with your existing friends are all great ways to create vegan connections. When you’re wondering how to meet vegans in person, all it takes is a little courage and some initiative. You’ll find yourself making new vegan relationships in no time!
