Tips for Eating Out As a Vegan

Looking for tips for eating out as a vegan? You’ve come to the right place.

Eating out as a vegan can be hard but it shouldn’t be scary or a deterrent to becoming vegan. Yes, it’s still difficult but not as much as it used to be. I’m also not in the party of vegans who say you shouldn’t eat at non-vegan restaurants at all because they still sell meat and animal products and byproducts. I get it but most often, it’s not by choice. Unfortunately, some of us don’t live in places with an abundance of vegan restaurants or even restaurants with enough vegan-friendly options. Since I moved back to New Jersey from Las Vegas, I started cooking more than I was before simply because my takeout options grew more limited.

And while I still do take out food, I live in a place where the closest vegan restaurants are about 30-40 minutes away and if I don’t have the energy to drive after work, I won’t go. I also still live with my family and as the only vegan, I usually have to be the one to comprise when we eat out. Even when traveling, all of my travel companions are non-vegan but fortunately, they all accommodate (though I never ask them to). They take great care to make sure we pick places to eat based on where we all can eat.</p>

And while vegan food has flourished over the last five years globally, finding it at home and abroad can still present a challenge. In the absence of vegan or plant-based restaurants, what do we do? We visit non-vegan establishments hoping that they’ve finally entered the 21st century and have at least something on the menu that isn’t a dry black bean burger, a bland salad or fries that were probably fried in the same oil as everything else. However, this is the reality for most of us.

I know how challenging it can be: I went to my aunt’s birthday dinner earlier this year at a Middle Eastern restaurant and sat there with an empty plate the entire evening because everything contained dairy or was fried in the same oil. Should I have compromised my beliefs in that situation? Or should I stick to my decisions? I’ve started eating beforehand when I’m not sure but it’s a shitty situation to be in, no matter what the circumstances are.

Navigating these vegan options at non-vegan restaurants can be tricky but I have some helpful tips to make the process easier.

Advanced Research

This tip seems obvious but I can’t be friends with anyone who doesn’t check restaurant menus beforehand. Especially from a food allergy or dietary restriction perspective, I need to know what I’m getting myself and my friends into. I always want to make sure everyone has options. So: read the menus beforehand. Most restaurants will post them online and they hopefully identify which options are vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, etc., or can be with modifications. Some will be obvious (a lot of sides are typically vegan, depending on your definition of the word) and some won’t be.

However, one of the greatest challenges is identifying hidden non-vegan ingredients in dishes that may seem vegan. This could be anything from milk or eggs in burger buns and salad dressings that contain honey to less common ingredients like gelatin. You won’t be able to find these on menus, which leads to my next tip.

Call Ahead

If the menu isn’t clear, nothing is labeled, or you have specific questions about food preparation, call the place to ask. If it’s a food allergy (I can’t have dairy or I’ll get sick), you’ll want to ask if things are fried in the same oil, prepared on the same surfaces, or if there’s any cross-contamination. Some vegans are stricter than others and some allergies are more severe than others. It’s always best to call ahead and find out more before showing up and having a miserable meal. Be polite and respectful when asking, and inquire about specific menu items. Be straightforward about what you can and can’t eat. If there aren’t any items that fit your dietary needs, ask if something can be modified.

I’ve made the mistake of not calling ahead because I assumed things on the menu were vegan-friendly and could be modified. Earlier this year, I went to dine at a Mexican restaurant in Metuchen and asked about vegan options only to pay $16 for a sad bowl of black beans, squash, tomatoes, and guac because they cooked their rice in butter. Another time, I got brunch at a famous diner in New Jersey with a group of friends and the only vegan option they had on a menu at least eight pages long was a vegetable stir-fry. At 11 AM. Moral of the story: always call ahead, even if you’re sure.

Ask Questions

If you’re already out, your server is your next best option and friend. Good waiters and waitresses should understand the menu well and be able to provide guidance. If not, most I’ve encountered are proactive about talking to the chefs to see what can be done as long as you’re polite and friendly. You can ask for suggestions or recommendations, inquire about any modifications for dishes you’ve identified as possibilities, and communicate any allergies. You can also have them clarify cooking and preparation methods, or they can ask the kitchen. If their menu does identify which options are vegan-friendly, you can still clarify how they define vegan if it’s not clear. It could mean no animal products or by-products, or it could include the cooking and preparation process.

I had a few experiences last year where nothing on the menu seemed vegan-friendly and I had to ask the waiter for suggestions. Both times they were able to work with me and the chefs to make sure I could eat something, even if I was never able to have dessert. At the end of the day, being respectful will go far.

Choose Smarter

Many ethnic cuisines have an abundance of vegan-friendly options or can easily be modified simply because they’re plant-focused. I love Thai food for this reason and will always plug South Asian cuisine (though there are a few things you’d still have to watch out for, like ghee). Mexican food is also surprisingly vegan-friendly minus the obvious subtractions (sour crema, queso fresco, etc.). I’d even say a lot of Middle Eastern restaurants can be vegan-friendly, with some exceptions. On the other hand, I’ve stopped going to Italian restaurants and pizzerias unless I know I’ll have options/I have no choice because it seems impossible to avoid dairy products but there are a few that I like and I even have a vegan pizza guide for Central Jersey residents.

If you can suggest a restaurant, ethnic spots are your best bet.

Get Creative

We like to joke about how a vegan’s best friend is a side salad and French fries because those used to be the only options but thankfully, vegan food has come a long way. Sometimes, we don’t get to choose where we eat. Perhaps you’re going out for dinner with coworkers at a steakhouse or you’re meeting for a friend’s birthday dinner at a place that makes reservations two years in advance. We’ve all been there and it’s frustrating. I’ve learned to eat beforehand or keep a protein bar in my bag if there’s even the slightest chance I won’t be able to eat.

We’ve now entered an era where more and more people are familiar with vegan/plant-based diets and more establishments have at least one item on the menu that’s safe to eat. If nothing else, the worst-case scenario: piecing a meal together by picking things from the appetizers and sides on the menu. In the past, I’ve had meals of veggie sushi and fries or buffalo cauliflower and salad. There have been other times when I’ve had roasted vegetables for both the starter and main course. It’s not ideal but you won’t starve.

Use the HappyCow App

If you haven’t decided where to eat yet, might I suggest using the HappyCow app? It’s been a lifesaver for me on trips where even though it’s easier to find vegan-only establishments, it’s a bit more difficult to find spots with vegan options when traveling with non-vegans. You simply search what you’re looking for and which city you’re in, and a ton of results pop up. The list refreshes with more options as you keep scrolling and you can read reviews from other folks.

I love how easy the app is to navigate and I like that you can filter by vegan/vegetarian/veg(an)-options. You can even hide chain restaurants! The other great aspects of the app are that it also shows vegan shops, grocery stores, hotels, and more (I even found a local vegan and cruelty-free salon through the app!), and that it indicates if spots are temporarily closed (to save you from showing up to a locked door).

My favorite feature has to be the ability to create collections and add favorites to each one. If I’m anticipating a trip, whether for work or pleasure, or I have one planned already, I create a collection for it and start doing research as early as I can. While I love exploring once I reach a destination, I have to do some planning to ensure I won’t struggle, even if it’s just a handful of trusted, high-rated spots. The hole-in-the-wall joints can come later.

Got any other helpful tips? Leave them below. You don’t need to miss out on dining with family or friends, or traveling abroad because you’re unsure if you’ll be able to eat (well) or not.