How Can I Stay Vegan While Dining Out? 7 Tips on Eating Out as a Vegan

7 Tips on How to be Vegan when Eating Out

• 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 ahead 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 vegan choices.
• Handle group dining and unexpected challenges with ease.

A Survival Guide for Vegans Dining Out

One of the greatest challenges I have found with veganism is scarcity of vegan options. Don't get me wrong, there are a lot more vegan-friendly restaurants today. More eateries now realize that there is a market for plant based dieters and try to accommodate. And thinking creatively, definitely helps you to work with what you have and customize what's available to get what you need.

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 plant-based dining anywhere. These tips have worked for me:

1. Do Your Research Ahead of Time especially if dining with others

Before heading to a restaurant, check their vegan menu options online. Knowing ahead will remove any anxiety and allow you to make a plan 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:

• Look up the restaurant on Google or check out their social media platforms of choice. On Google, search “vegan options at [restaurant name]” or check Instagram for customer photos and reviews. Many restaurants have Google Business Profiles that showcase their menus, so take advantage of this resource too.
• 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 their vegan-friendliness isn't clear from the menu, call ahead and ask about the vegan dishes they serve. This will save you time and help you 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 and skip toppings like cheese, butter, or mayo. With the diary-based toppings removed, these choices can be easily customized to become vegan.
• Substitute with sides. For example, instead of ordering a dish with meat, order extra servings of veggies, beans, baked potato, or rice.
• Ask that oil instead of butter 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 instead.

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 example of 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 had decided to make a vegan dish just for me so I wouldn't have to mix and match sides from the menu.

If you find yourself in a position where you must modify menu options to make them vegan, here are a few phrases to help make your request clear and easy to understand:

• “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. Veganism is often misunderstood and misjudged so to avoid being captive at a restaurant that doesn't accommodate your needs, follow these tips:

• Offer to pick the restaurant. Do your research and find a spot with vegan-friendly options. 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 on 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!

BONUS: Free Vegan Dining Emergency Kit

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