Vegan Guide to Dining Out

We love eating out!  In many cities, there are restaurants on almost every corner.  We gather at restaurants to meet up with friends, to celebrate birthdays, and even for work related events.  Unfortunately, many times these events are not at a vegan or vegan friendly restaurant, which makes finding vegan options a little more difficult for us vegans.  Thankfully, vegan and vegetarian options are becoming more popular and servers are becoming more aware of the vegan lifestyle. 

No more eating a basket of fries or a side salad! This guide is here to help you find yummy vegan meals anywhere you go!

The Internet and Apps

Sometimes it is a hassle playing 20 questions with your server who isn’t really sure what you want.  The Internet and applications will tell you exactly what you can eat at specific restaurants.

Look online for vegan/vegetarian friendly restaurants.  There are many websites that provide a list of options. Many sites also allow you to see other people’s reviews about their experience at specific restaurants. 

Here are some popular sites:

Happy Cow

VegDining

VegGuide

Apps are great when you are on the go or find yourself at a restaurant last minute.  Some apps have a list of common foods that are vegan.  This is great if you are traveling and stop to grab a snack.

Here are some Smartphone apps that will make your life a lot easier are:

VeganXpress

VegOut

Happy Cow

Vegman

So, what if the restaurant you are eating at isn’t listed online or in an application?  No problem!

Plan Ahead

If you know where you will be going beforehand, look up the restaurant’s menu and see if there are any vegan options. 

If the restaurant doesn’t have a website or if you don’t see any vegan options, call.  They will be more than happy to help because they want you to come in.

If there are limited or no options, eat beforehand.

Take ingredients with you, such as a veggie patty or salad dressing. 

Communicate With Your Server

Be clear and polite.  Your server will be more willing and able to help.

Tell your server you are vegan.  Rarely will you find a server who knows much about the vegan lifestyle at a restaurant that does not offer vegetarian or vegan options.  Many servers will give you information on the main ingredients and not what the food is cooked with or what hidden ingredients are in the foods you are eating (Ex. Bread, pasta, sauce, etc.).

Tell your server you are allergic.  I hate lying but your server will go the extra mile to ensure there are no animal products in your food if you tell him or her you are allergic. 

Tips

Invent your own meal from the foods they offer.  Look at the list of sides and ask your server to combine the items to make your own meal. 

Alter a menu item by adding or taking out ingredients.  Take the meat or dairy off salads, burritos, sandwiches, pizza, pasta, etc. Many restaurants have beans, rice, and veggies that can be added to burritos, salads, pasta, pizza, sandwiches, etc.

Questions to Ask

There are hidden ingredients everywhere.  Don’t forget to ask your server these questions no matter where you go!

-Are there any vegan options?

-Is the soup made with meat broth?

-Is the food cooked in lard or with any meat?

-What is the food fried in?

-Does your bread contain eggs or dairy?  Has it been glazed with butter or egg?

-Does the pasta contain egg?

-Is the food cooked with a sauce?  Does the sauce contain dairy, meat, or fish?

-Is the food cooked with butter?

-Does the salad dressing contain any dairy or fish?

-Does the veggie burger contain egg or milk?

Ethnic food

Many ethnic foods are naturally vegan.  Try Indian, Asian, Italian, Middle Eastern, or Mexican restaurants.

Indian

Tell your server no butter, ghee or cream.  They may be able to substitute cream with coconut cream.

Options:

Curry dishes

Veggie samosas

Pakoras

Dhal

Papadums

Roti

Paratha

Asian

Tell your server no fish sauce, roe, egg in tempura batter, and no meat or fish in the sauces or stock.

Options:

Vegetable sushi rolls

Inari

Wakame salad

Miso soup without bonito fish flakes

Vegetable Soup

Vegetable Tempura

Edamame

Pad Thai without egg or shrimp

Rice wraps

Stir-fried veggies

Steamed veggies

Noodle dishes

Lo mien

Steamed rice

Italian

Tell your server no egg in the pasta.  Most pizza crust is vegan but just in case, ask your server.

Italian restaurants have tons of veggies, so load them up on your pasta and pizza!

Options:

Pasta with tomato sauce

Pizza without cheese

Middle Eastern

Tell your server no dairy or yogurt sauce.  Ask if the rice if cooked with butter.

Options:

Falafel

Couscous

Tabbouleh salad

Hummus

Baba ghanouj

Dolmas

Veggie Kebabs

Rice Pilaf

Mexican

Tell your server no cheese or sour cream, beans cooked with meat or lard, guacamole made with dairy or tortillas with animal products or lard.

Options:

Bean burritos

Veggie burrito

Veggie fajitas

Chips and salsa/guacamole

Any other restaurant

Tell your server no mayo, cheese, sour cream, or eggs.

Options:

Salad without meat or cheese

Sandwich with veggies

Soup with vegetable broth

Vegetables and rice not cooked with meat stock. 

Breakfast

Tell your server no butter, milk, or lard.

Options:

Fresh Fruit

Oatmeal without butter or milk

Hash browns not cooked in butter or lard

Granola

Bagels

Toast without butter