Years ago it was pretty difficult to eat out as a Vegan, you usually got the choice of salad, salad, salad or the old staple… stuffed bell pepper. Thankfully times have changed, and the plant based diet is more popular than ever before as not only celebrities but athletes start to embrace the Vegan lifestyle. And while not impossible to eat out as a Vegan it can sometimes be challenging. My preferred restaurants are vegan or have vegan options firmly on the menu, however sometimes you have to get creative so I’m sharing my top tips for eating out when on a plant-based diet. You can see a full day of eating below (where I mostly eat out), or on my YouTube Channel.
In the vlog I show you eating out at Whole Foods (easy) and Red Robin as a vegan. It can be challenging to eat out as a vegan but if you plan ahead you can definitely avoid stumbling blocks along the way, and follow these tips for staying meatfree while eating out!
5 Tips for eating out as a Vegan
- #GOVEGAN – Obvious but, try a vegan or vegetarian restaurant. Seriously they are popping up everywhere now, which is freaking awesome. Some of my favorites in the Los Angeles area are: Follow Your Heart, Real Food Daily, Native Foods, Veggie Grill, Gracias Madre, and Joi Cafe. Check your local area for vegan restaurants in your area. They are popping up everywhere!
- DO YOUR RESEARCH – The internet is your friend. If you know ahead of time where you are going you can find ANYTHING online. That includes meatfree options at some of your favorite restaurants. Eating out vegan can be made super easy with just a little time on the internet. Google is also your friend if you’re travelling. Google “Disneyland Vegan” and you’ll find a ton of blog posts on plant foods at the park. Yes there is a vegan burger available, plus pasta, and pizza, fruit, and snacks.
- GET CREATIVE – most menus these days have vegan options. Or at least vegetarian options that can be veganized. However if you do get stuck then get creative. Substitutions are your friend too. For example: at Natural Cafe the buddha burrito and black bean enchiladas can be veganized by simply omitting the sour cream and cheese, and they will usually ask if you want more guacamole instead! Bonus!
- BRING IN A SUBSTITUTE: Don’t get caught up in what isn’t available, get creative and substitute. At Red Robin you can sub a Boca patty on any burger! Jinky’s let’s you sub a Gardein patty for most entrees. Hugo’s let’s us substitute their meatless burger or balls for meat products. If they have one vegan option play around with it by substituting sides to make it less boring.
- SIDE BY SIDE: If there is definitely no plant based entree available then check out the side dishes as options for meatfree foods. Side dishes like baked potato, with black beans and a garden salad… BOOM vegan meal! Yes it might mean making the most of a poor situation but hey it’s better than starving!
- GET CULTURED – We often kid that in a past life we were Indian because we eat a LOT (and I mean a LOT) of Indian food. Many indian dishes are vegan, just check for no ghee (butter) or milk. Same with Thai, Chinese and Ethiopian etc. So many great choices, all have vegan options available. As I mentioned about the burrito and enchiladas, lots of mexican food can be vegan, just substitute!
- ASK – There is a saying that you get nothing if you don’t ask. This is so true with vegan food in mainstream restaurants. Not sure something is ok? ASK! Some foods have ‘hidden’ dairy or eggs so make sure to ask if it’s not a vegan restaurant or doesn’t say on the menu. Some vegetable soups can be made with chicken stock for example making them not vegan. Never be afraid to ask!
- PLAY HIDE AND SEEK: This goes back to research and asking but some restaurants have hidden menus! Unless you know, then you are outta luck! A couple of places in the UK had specialty diet menus (los iguanas) so again – research! Don’t just rely on the menu in front of you. Get online, get to know your wait staff, and if all else fails…
- CHALLENGE THE CHEF – A good chef will rise to the occasion if there is no vegan option at all on the menu and prepare you something delicious!
So those are my top tips for eating out as a Vegan, if you have any more let me know in the comments.
Question:
What’s you’re favorite place to eat out?
Lucia in SwIowa
Of all places, I found Cheesecake Factory has a Vegan Salad that is GREAT! I am a Nutritarian, so I ask them to substitute the 2 grains for more white beans, no salad dressing, and they bring me a bottle of balsamic vinegar. It is huge and the presentation is very nice. Most people will have to take some of it home! I like to order a bottle of sparkling water to make it special.
becca
I’m not vegan, but I’d imagine eating out could be a hassle! Since we live in the city (Atlanta) though, there are a lot of options here!
Di Hickman
Yay! I love that about Los Angeles, when we drive there! So many options!
Eileen Kelly
One of my daughters is a vegan and eating out can be an issue. One time we ordered the veggie burger and they gave her a slice of lettuce and a tomato. I will share with her
Di Hickman
Wow that sucks! It’s amazing how uninformed some are regarding vegan diets!
Erin
These are wonderful tips! I used to be almost vegan {I had to have fish for the omega and anti inflammatory properties} and eating out was a nightmare!
Di Hickman
Omegas can be found in many foods. Most people eat too much O6 compared to O3. I get tons of O3 from flaxseed, chia etc.
Sarah Ross-Koves
Step daughter is a vegan, so this is very helpful. It seems like it always a challenge.
Di Hickman
It can be! I think a lot depends where you live
Heather
I love to look at the menu before I go out to the restaurant. With most places having a facebook page now it is pretty easy to figure stuff out ahead of time. But, we definitely have to avoid some places!
Di Hickman
Yep! I wish everywhere was transparent with their food preparation and ingredients!
Leslie Hernandez
I am not vegan at all but have been wanting to go vegetarian its a big step right and I would have to transition into it slowly. Wish me luck!!
Di Hickman
If you need any help Leslie let me know! I was vegetarian 20 years before going fully vegan 3 years ago!
Wendy
All great tips! I used to be vegan and it was so hard to eat out.
Di Hickman
What made you stray back to eating animals?
Whitney S
I’m not a vegan, but I can see how it may be tricky to eat out if you are!
Di Hickman
Sometimes I can be for sure!
Debra
This is such great information. I don’t eat vegan but have a family member who does and it influences our restaurant choices a lot!
Di Hickman
It definitely can Debra! I find the more I eat at vegan restaurants though the more I want to support them. We got a vegan bakery near us now… not sure that supporting them often will be a good thing! lol!
Vicky
Many places are all too happy to help when asked. You are so right about this. I have found this to be true with any food restrictions.
Di Hickman
Definitely! So many allergies now!
Roxanne
All great tips! I am slowly moving to a vegan/plant based diet (learning as I go so I do it right). I wish my family would all switch with me!
Di Hickman
My hubby (BF at the time) was quite annoyed when I went vegetarian initially. THen about a year later he joined me 🙂 Now I’m vegan and he eats vegan in the house. Occasionally he will eat cheese/eggs when we eat out. Lead by example!
Cara (@StylishGeek)
Wonderful post! It was challenging years ago to eat as a Vegan, so thank goodness it’s not as difficult today. My favorite Vegan place is an eatery called Blossom near our neighborhood. It’s so yummy to try all their dishes!
Di Hickman
hehehe I do the same thing! I love my favorites but so fun to try something new
Kori
I managed to do the vegetarian but not full on Vegan thing for a few months. My willpower sucks though and I missed red meat way too much.
Di Hickman
Really? I was vegetarian for 20 years before going vegan 3 years ago. I never was a big meat eater though. Watch Earthlings… I went vegan overnight!
jill conyers
Yes yes and yes. All of your tips work. I find gluten free dining to be more difficult than vegan dining.
Di Hickman
I have a friend that is Celiac so yes! 100% yes! We have found a couple of places that work for us both. Those pancakes in the image are vegan and gluten free! (from Joi Cafe in Westlake, CA)
Ana De- Jesus
That is why I love Thai/Indian so much because they have so many vegetarian dishes! I am not a vegan but I think there is more choice for us vegans/veggies to eat out.
Di Hickman
Me too! From experience I think we’re also open to trying different foods too!
tp keane
I was vegan for a while. I never bothered eating out while I was, too many things that could go wrong. These are great tips.
Di Hickman
It can be tricky for sure!
Terri Steffes
I love this list! There are times when I want a vegan meal! Now I will know how to ask for one if I don’t see one available.
Di Hickman
Totally! Plant based meals are becoming more commonplace as people reduce their meat consumption
Rebecca Bryant
I went Vegan for a year but after gaining 30 lbs from it went back to eating clean. i still don’t do lots of meat but will do diary occasionally. these are tips for those that are vegan.
Di Hickman
Ah see eating vegan can be eating clean. I eat clean 90% of the time. Anyone can be a junk food vegan 😉
(as demonstrated by the video lol)
Rachel Langer
I eat Paleo, which can’t possible be any more opposite than vegan, but I get it. Any time you try to avoid certain foods it is so hard to eat out! Honestly, we really don’t – but sometimes it is a must. These are good tips!
Di Hickman
hehehe there are a small % of people that are vegan paleo. So I hear, I don’t know what they eat!
Amanda Love
I’m not a vegan but my daughter is a vegetarian and I think these tips would also work for her as well. We try and stick with places that we know but she always ask for a veggie menu when we go to new places.
Di Hickman
I was vegetarian for 20 years before making the switch to total vegan
Robin Masshole Mommy
My sister is a vegan and she always sticks to places she knows, but these tips will definitley help her to be able to try new places.
Di Hickman
Yep once I know a place is vegan friendly I go again!