How Can I Stay Vegan While Dining Out?

Key Takeaways:

• Do your research ahead of time. Check menus, reviews, and social media to plan what you will eat.
• Master the art of customizing dishes. Swap ingredients and request simple modifications to create your vegan meal.
• Use clear, easy phrases to communicate your dietary needs without confusion when placing your order.
• Know which cuisines are vegan-friendly. Some are naturally easier to navigate than others.
• Order a side dish combo when in doubt and build a meal from available plant-based options.
• Be mindful of drinks and desserts so you can avoid hidden animal products.
• Plan for any questions or comments about your choices.
• Handle group dining and unexpected challenges with ease.

Eating Out as a Vegan: A Survival Guide

Eating out as a vegan doesn’t have to be stressful—even in places that aren’t vegan-friendly. Over the years, I’ve learned how to navigate any restaurant, whether it’s a steakhouse with friends or a small-town diner during a road trip. With a little preparation and some simple strategies, you can enjoy dining out anywhere while staying 100% plant-based. These tips have worked for me:

1. Do Your Research Ahead of Time

Before heading to a restaurant, check their menu online. Knowing ahead will remove any anxiety and allow you to secure your pick long before the waiter asks for your order. Many places now label vegan items as vegan, but if they don’t, try these tricks to find out what's available:

• Use Google & social media: Search “vegan options at [restaurant name]” or check their Instagram for customer photos and reviews.
• Check out the HappyCow App & Yelp: These platforms often have reviews and menu insights from other vegans.
• Visit the restaurant's website: Some places have allergen guides listing dairy and egg-free options.

Pro Tip: If the menu isn’t clear, call ahead and ask about the vegan-friendly dishes they serve. This will save time and avoid any awkwardness at the table.

If you can't find any vegan options, eat before your meeting then order something "small" at the restaurant just to fit in and avoid unwanted comments. Depending on your level of comfort (and who you're dining with), you may also bring your own vegan salad dressing, soup or pre-cooked food to eat with rice or potatoes from the menu.   

2. Customize Dishes

Most restaurants have at least one dish that can be made vegan with simple swaps. Here's how to make it work:

• Order a salad, sandwich, or pasta dish without toppings like cheese, butter, or mayo added. They'll become vegan with the dairy-based toppings removed.
• Substitute with sides. For example, instead of ordering a dish with meat, order extra servings of veggies, beans, baked potato, or rice.
• Ask for oil instead of butter to be used to prepare your order. For example, some places sauté veggies or cook food with butter by default so when placing your order, request that oil be used.

Pro Tip: Example request: “I see you have a veggie stir-fry. Could you please make it without butter or oyster sauce and use oil instead?” Most places will accommodate to make you happy!

3. Know Your Vegan-Friendly Cuisines

Certain cuisines are naturally more vegan-friendly than others. Here are some safer choices:

• Mexican: Bean burritos (without cheese/sour cream), guacamole dip, and veggie fajitas.
• Italian: Pasta with marinara sauce, bruschetta, and minestrone soup.
• Indian: Chana masala, aloo gobi, dal (confirm no ghee).
• Thai: Vegetable curry (no fish sauce), tofu pad Thai (no egg).
• Japanese: Avocado/cucumber sushi rolls, miso soup, and edamame.
• Mediterranean: Hummus, falafel, tabbouleh, baba ganoush, and pita

Knowing these go-to dishes helps me avoid any stress when scanning a menu.

4. Keep Your Requests Simple and Clear

Most restaurants are accommodating when you ask questions or tell them about your dietary restrictions. I once went to a company meeting at a restaurant that didn't have vegan options on the menu. As I tried to make modifications, the waitress said she would speak with the chef. On her return, she told me he would make a vegan dish so I wouldn't have to mix and match sides from the menu.

If you must modify menu options to make them vegan, here are a few phrases to make your request clear and easy:

• “Is this dish made with dairy, eggs, or meat?”
• “Can this be made without cheese or butter?”
• “Do you have any plant-based options?”

If you’re dining somewhere where language is a barrier, a translation app can be helpful. If all else fails, try Google Translate to communicate. 

5. Watch out for Drinks & Dessert

While dining out, don’t forget to check for hidden animal products in drinks and desserts:

• Alcohol: Some wines and beers use animal-derived ingredients. Use barnivore.com to check your beer, wine, and liquor choices ahead of time.
• Desserts: Safe choices include sorbets, fruit plates, and dairy-free dark chocolate.

Pro Tip: Some restaurants may have a “secret” vegan dessert option—just ask!

6. Plan Ahead for Social Situations

Dining out with non-vegan friends, family, coworkers and even more so, for business-related meetings can sometimes be tricky. Here are some tips to make it easier:

• Offer to pick the restaurant. Do your research and find a spot with vegan-friendly options. Even better, present your group with 2 or 3 options to choose from with the comfort of knowing that each has a vegan option on the menu, you will love.
• Bring a backup snack. If vegan menu options are limited, having a small snack on hand can help as a fallback or supplement.
• Stay confident if someone questions your choices, a simple “I feel great eating this way” is often enough. Read the room and decide if your audience is open to learning more about your vegan lifestyle and take the opportunity to inform and educate. If not, politely move on to the next topic.

7. When in Doubt, Build a Meal from Side Dishes

If a menu lacks obvious vegan options, try ordering a mix of sides like:

• Side salad (no cheese/dressing on the side)
• Baked potato (no butter/sour cream)
• Steamed rice
• Grilled or steamed veggies
• Sliced avocado

Final Thoughts: Eating Out as a Vegan

Eating out as a vegan doesn’t mean settling for boring meals or stressing over what to order. With a little preparation, confidence, and creativity, you can enjoy dining out anywhere while sticking to your plant-based lifestyle.

Looking for more tips on easy vegan living? Check out more articles on The Busy Vegan’s Blog!