Where oh where to find a tasty, vegan lunch in Basel

When I first moved to Basel I was not vegan but I did not eat much meat (or chicken or fish). It was challenging to find vegetarian options let alone vegan options, and I ended up eating a lot more meat. To be clear, nobody forced me, it was simply not particularly easy to eat vegetarian.

When I decide to become 100% plant-based and vegan a few years ago, I expected it would be really challenging but I was prepared. At first, I mostly cooked and prepared my own food. (Which I still recommend!)

However, much to my surprise, Basel had evolved quite a bit and it was much easier to eat out than I expected. It’s certainly not like New York or London (or even Zurich), but there are a lot of vegan options and its growing. Hurrah!

So, here is a review of one of my favorite places to each lunch in Basel.

Markthalle (Viaducktstrasse 10, 4051 Basel)

Markthalle is open for lunch seven days a week. Yes, that means it’s open on Sundays! Not every food stall and store is open on Sunday, so be sure to check the schedule if you have your heart set on something in particular. It’s also open in the evening Tuesday through Saturday, and on Sundays it’s open until 17:00.

There are about 30 food vendors set up throughout the center of the hall with lots of seating, and additional restaurants, stores and cafes along the walls of the building.

My top picks for lunch are the following:

Dabbawala’s Indian Kitchen

Dabbawala’s Indian Kitchen serves only vegan and vegetarian options. There are three main dishes per day, two of which are usually vegan. There is also an option to get the Thali plate (a small serving of all three dishes with rice and naan.) The naan bread and mango lassi are not vegan.

It is about 13-15 CHF per main dish, with the Thali plate coming in at about 22 CHF.

The food is great and the service is wonderful. I usually get a half and half of the two vegan options with rice, and a big dollop of pickle. (I’m not going to lie – sometimes I just get a full serving each of the two vegan options to go, and pretend I am going to save one for dinner.)

La Arepera

La Arepera serves Venezuelan cuisine and is my new obsession. A friend introduced me to this place recently and now I eat here at least once per week. Most of the dishes include meat, but you can order the vegetarian arepa without cheese for a tasty vegan option.

I usually get the La Vegitariana Menu 1, which is one arepa with a salad. The arepa is filled with black beans, avocado and tomatoes. A key addition to the dish is their spicy green sauce. I don’t what’s in it – but it worth going there just for the sauce. (But the arepas are really good too.)

The La Vegitariana Menu 1 is 17 CHF, and includes a beverage.

Escasano

Escasano a salad place that is part of a chain and is located on the lower level of Markthalle. (There is also one about a block away from where I live so I usually go to that one.)

I love the salads. There are lots of deep-green leafy options for the base, loads of whole plant foods to add to it, and plenty of vegan options for the dressing. At first I found it a little overwhelming with all the options, but I soon found my favorites.

A standard salad with plenty of toppings is a full meal. You also get free bread and an apple. I like that they toss the salad with the dressing for you (unless you want your dressing on the side), and you can specify if you want a light, medium or more dressing.

Depending on what you get on the salad, it could run you from 15 CHF to over 20 CHF. They have a loyalty card where you can get a free salad after purchasing 10 meals.

Finkmüller

This isn’t really a lunch recommendation but Finkmüller is one of my favorite cafes in Markhalle. Vegan milk options include homemade cashew milk as well as soya milk. There is also a large selection of teas. It feels cosy despite the fact is located in the large and spacious Markthalle.

Finally

While I have not eaten something at every vendor at Markthalle, it seems most places have a vegan option for lunch.

Now you may be saying to yourself that there are many other places in Basel to find a nice vegan lunch that are not mentioned here. Yes!!! Isn’t that great! I will continue to review places to eat in Basel, and elsewhere.

Do you have a favorite place that I should review? Do you want to send me one of your reviews?