Music legend Paul McCartney didn't just rock out Portland's Moda Center on Friday. He joined forces with People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals to honor Portland as 2016's Most Vegan-Friendly City in the United States.

Before his concert, McCartney and the animal rights organization's vice president, Dan Mathews, presented Mayor Charlie Hales with a certificate honoring the designation, which cited Portland's many vegan restaurants and businesses.

"The City of Roses is the city of the future," McCartney said, according to a press release from the organization.

McCartney, a longtime vegetarian, was given a bouquet of flowers carved out of vegetables, along with samples of vegan cheese from Vtopia Cheese Shop & Deli and cold cuts made out of seitan from Homegrown Smoker Vegan Barbecue.

Among the other businesses the organization recognized were Back to Eden Bakery, Portobello Vegan Trattoria, Petunia's Pies & Pastries, and Southeast Portland's vegan mini mall, which includes Sweetpea Baking Co., Herbivore Clothing Co., and Food Fight! Vegan Grocery.

The organization didn't just focus on restaurants. On its website, the organization noted that in Portland, you can find vegan doctors, counselors, and even vegan real-estate agents.

Rounding out the list of the top 10 vegan-friendly cities are Los Angeles, New York, Detroit, Nashville, San Diego, Honolulu and Seattle, along with Austin, Texas, and Richmond, Virginia.

-- Grant Butler

503-221-8566; @grantbutler