Exploring the World One Vegan Meal at a Time
Known for his bestselling vegan cookbooks and playful approach to plant-based cooking, Zacchary Bird is one of Australia’s most beloved vegan chefs. From Bangkok street markets to London pizzerias, his adventures combine a deep love of travel, food, and culture. In this exclusive Q&A with The Getaway Co., Zacchary Bird shares his favorite destinations, top vegan eats around the world, and the recipe he keeps coming back to after every trip.
What is your favourite travel memory?
I went to the south of Japan as an exchange student as a teenager, and on the morning of my 16th birthday, my host family and I arrived in Fukuoka. We went to a temple, and I received the very best fortune possible, which I’ve kept to this day. Being in Japan around New Year’s is especially magical, as the trees at temples are overflowing with handwritten wishes that people tie to them at this time of year. This trip was the one that awoke my love of immersing myself in cultures all around the world! As a vegetarian at the time, it also sparked my passion for hunting down traditionally vegan food in every country I go to, because all I really ate on that trip was anpan (red adzuki bean buns).
Favorite place you’ve traveled and why?
I’ve spent a lot of time in Bangkok studying the art of making a mean pad thai and discovering the naturally vegan culture that exists in Thailand, in particular the annual Jae Festival, where the temples are surrounded by streets of pop-up vegan food stalls for ten days in October every year. There’s everything from traditional Thai fare (mango sticky rice, pandan pancakes, miles of noodles, and mock meats) to the best of vegan food from around the world (Scottish deep-fried pizza, Japanese takoyaki, and squished French croissants). Among the cheap beers, drag shows, and massages, I cannot imagine a more perfect version of paradise that exists!
What’s your favorite meal to eat after coming home from a trip?
Absolutely, it has to be the particularly Australian combination of a chicken-style pub parma (a very specific local variant of the parmigiana) next to a whopping, fat, boozy ginger beer that I can never seem to find outside of this country. For dessert, it’s a big bag of salt and vinegar chips, because nobody does them like the land down under.
What’s your favorite recipe of your own to make?
I didn’t study the art of pad thai to not make it on the reg! I wrote a master guide to a proper pad thai, combined with all the learnings I’ve had from religiously ordering and studying this dish in every part of Thailand I’ve been to. With a little prep, it’s a quick and exceedingly delicious meal to throw together for 1–4 people!
What are your top 3 vegan restaurants?
Let me narrow it down to pizza places to give myself a fighting chance!
LONDON: Purezza, Camden.
This place has a vegan cheese cellar downstairs and an incredible vegan pizza menu. My favourite is the pistachio pizza coated with pistachio pesto, vegan superstraccia, and la vie ham. There are also deep-fried Nutella balls and a famous tiramisu on the menu, plus literally next door you’ll find Temple of Seitan to worship at the altar of mock meat before you leave.
BALI: Kasto, Canggu.
One of the awesome people who came on my second Getaway with The Getaway Co. to Bali discovered a vegan pizzeria among the myriad of vegan places within walking distance of Theanna Resort, where we stay in Canggu. The first night we went, one of the girls openly wept at how incredible her pizza was. I laughed at her, until the following evening we went back and I openly wept with joy upon trying a bite of someone’s pear and gorgonzola pizza, as I hadn’t had flavour like that since going vegan. When I met the owner of Kasto at Vegan Camp Out UK, I nearly wept again to be in the presence of such greatness.
MELBOURNE: Red Sparrow, Collingwood.
On my home turf, Red Sparrow is a Neapolitan-style vegan pizzeria, and they can do absolutely no wrong. My favourites have rotated from the white-base potato Bianca pizza drenched in chilli oil to my current go-to: the blasphemously beautiful banh mi pizza, also drenched in chilli oil, with extra ranch ordered to dip the crusts in. My go-to takeaway order here in Melbourne, Australia.
Honourable Mention from France: Utopia, Nice. Recently, I had the best pure cheese pizza ever in France, of all places. However, we can’t be sure if it was truly that great or if I was a little wine-drunk and still in recovery from a particularly average vegan pizza the day prior. Still highly recommended if you’re in the area!
Do you have any pets? What are their names and what are their additional nicknames you call them?
N/A, but I have a marvellous and well-loved cacti collection sitting on the windowsill of my kitchen.
What's something your followers might not know about you?
When I was a child, I had a pet chicken named Chickadee that I raised from a chick. I used to put her in my backpack each day and bring her to school with me, where she would follow me around all day. I dedicated my second cookbook to her! She was definitely instrumental in starting my journey as a vegan chef and activist.
Zacchary Bird's Upcoming Getaway:
We’re beyond excited that Zacchary Bird will be joining us for an unforgettable adventure in 2026! Pasta La Vista in Panzano, Tuscany, Italy, May 30 – June 6! With his passion for exploring cultures through food and his infectious enthusiasm for plant-based cuisine, Zacchary is the perfect travel companion. From indulging in authentic Italian pasta to discovering hidden vegan gems in Tuscany, we know he’ll bring incredible energy and insight to the journey!
Don’t miss your chance to be part of this deliciously inspiring experience!
Stay tuned as we follow Zacchary Bird on his travels and share all the memorable moments along the way. And be sure to check out our other upcoming Getaways! You just might find your next adventure!
Check out Zacchary Bird’s Website for amazing plant-based recipes and tips on enjoying a vibrant vegan lifestyle, and follow @zaccharybird on Instagram for kitchen creations, travel adventures, and behind-the-scenes moments.
Feeling inspired? Explore our Upcoming Getaways and find your next adventure! Pssst….Pasta La Vista with Zacchary Bird still has spots available!
