Meet Mark (@markito_benecke), a longtime HappyCow explorer who’s posted over 700 reviews (and counting!). Travelling alongside his wife Ines (@azrael.ines), Mark relies on HappyCow to uncover plant-based gems—from hidden cat cafés to classic French eateries that don’t even advertise they’re vegan .
For him, every review is a way to give back and help fellow foodies discover new favorites—just like HappyCow has done for him so many times.
Find Mark on HappyCow at marky_mark
📸: @plantsofroselyn @udum.vegan @lepotagerdecharlotte @das_foersters: Fabian Neeser (Mark’s photo)
HappyCow: Tell us how it all started!
Mark: About 10 years ago, my wife Ines and I were in London near Elephant & Castle. Vegan spots were rare back then, so we relied on Happycow's listings to find decent places in our limited time.
Do you have a "HappyCow saved my life" moment?
Yes, almost every day we're on the road. As soon as we check into a hotel, we open HappyCow to find nearby vegan spots. We've discovered amazing neighborhoods just by following its listings.
Any standout places you'd recommend?
I love smaller, grassroots places — often tucked away in alternative neighborhoods. One fun option is the Katzentempel chain, where rescued cats roam around while you enjoy vegan dishes.
What's your most unforgettable meal?
I like places that skip the big 'vegan' label yet still serve classic dishes in plant-based form. For example, there's one in Paris that does Coq au Vin, but you'd never know it was vegan.
Any destinations you want to visit next?
We sometimes joke about visiting the 'HappyCow headquarters', if that's even real. Otherwise, we're open to exploring any city that surprises us with new vegan finds.
What keeps you going as an active contributor?
I enjoy sorting everything and snapping food photos — it helps me remember what we've tried. More importantly, HappyCow saves us so much time that writing reviews is my way of giving back. I also hope people support older ecological spots in Eastern Europe so they don't vanish.
