Siena Travel Forum

Hi,
Does anybody know of any vegan/vegetarian cafes, restaurants and health food stores? I often find it difficult to find food when I'm on holiday, and what about cafes that have soy milk, is that common? I would love to have a soy latte in the morning! Thanks

Soy or rice milk can be bought in supermarkets in Italy but is extremely UNCOMMON in Italian cafés. I would be astonished if you found a soy latte anywhere in Italy, except perhaps somewhere totally un-Italian like Starbucks - assuming it ever opened (and stayed open!) as planned in Milan/Rome, which I don't know.
You can look for vegetarian restaurants on http://www.happycow.net/europe/italy/, however it is not hard to find vegetarian cuisine in Italy e.g. spaghetti with tomato sauce, frittata (if you eat eggs), bean salads and soups although you may have to check what sort of stock was used in these. Vegan is more difficult as eggs are used in fresh pasta and you will also have to ensure that no cheese was used in any dish, and parmesan is very common, including in e.g. pesto sauce.
For health food shops in Florence see http://www.theflorentine.net/articles/article-view.asp?issuetocId=1687