Originally published on PaulShapiroBlog.com

It seems so unlikely that a cold Nordic country where it’s very difficult to grow fruits and vegetables would become a “hotspot” for those who prefer to eat a plant-based diet. However, there are those who are determined to manifest that goal, turning their icy homeland into a plant-powered Valhalla.

Eat among tomato plants

In the tiny enchanting town of Reykholt, you can go to a restaurant in Friðheimar, a special greenhouse that grows 10,000 organic tomato plants using natural geothermal heat which protects them from the freezing temperatures and biting wind. They don’t just specialize in plant-based cuisine, but in tomato-based cuisine in particular. Check it out.

An all-plant-based hipster hangout

Kaffi Vinyl in the heart of Reykjavík is a combination of a bar, a cafe, and a record shop. How fnu to be able to listen to musical offerings while feasting on tamarind-glazed tofu with a sweet potato and carrot puree, or roasted chickpeas and cauliflower, or a pasta with thyme, mushrooms, and cashew cream sauce. Save room for some decadent peanut butter cashew cheesecake as well.

A former ship workshop that was turned into a restaurant

Slippurinn is reached by boat to Heimaey, the only inhabited place in the Westman Islands of Iceland. Its talented chef, Gísli Matthías Audunsson, has a gift in the art of preparing sophisticated vegan dishes such as a celeriac nut and sunchoke steak with grilled peppers and pine. Foraging results in fantastic kelp chips, other dishes from “weeds.” Sounds fantastic.

An eight-course feast focused on plants

Nostra in Reykjavik offers an all-vegan menu that includes confit leek and onion broth, carrot that was cured for 12 hours, lemon thyme and bay leaf sorbet, a cocktail made of Arctic thyme, and more.

So if you want to go where vegan eating is hot, think about going to Iceland.