Dining out on a plantbased diet brings some cool opportunities and a few challenges, but it’s honestly never been a better time to find tasty options away from home.
Whether you’re all about that 100% vegan life or focusing on more plantforward meals, you’ll spot more restaurants with dishes made for you than ever before.
I’m here to share my goto tips for making eating out enjoyable, satisfying, and totally stressfree when sticking with plantbased eating.
What Is PlantBased Dining Out?
Eating plantbased out in the world just means you’re on the lookout for food that puts plants (like veggies, grains, beans, nuts, and seeds) front and center.
Sure, sometimes you end up in a spot without a “Vegan” or “Vegetarian” section on the menu; but you’d be surprised at how flexible many places are these days.
Tons of restaurants now offer plantbased items, and even those that don’t will usually help out with modifications if you ask nicely.
Major cities and trendy neighborhoods pack their menus with veggiefilled bowls, plantburgers, and dairyfree desserts, but even traditional diners and chains can usually come up with something if you know what to look for.
Being prepared makes the whole process easier and way more fun.
Even in smaller towns, I’ve found that with the right questions and a positive attitude, you can usually track down something tasty—sometimes discovering hidden gems you didn’t expect.
How to Prep for a Successful PlantBased Meal Out
Knowing a bit ahead of time helps you avoid that awkward moment scanning a meaty menu. I’ve found a little planning goes a long way. Here’s how I set myself up for success:
- Peek at menus online: Most spots put their menus (and sometimes allergen info) on their website. Apps like HappyCow, Yelp, or Google Maps reviews can tip you off to places with decent plantbased options.
- Don’t be shy about calling ahead: A quick phone call or email can clear up what’s possible. I’ll usually ask, “Do you have any vegan/plantbased dishes or things that can be made vegan?” Staff are often upbeat and helpful about it.
- Get familiar with common plantbased menu words: Dishes labeled as vegan or vegetarian, vegetable stirfries, grain bowls, bean salads, and even some pastas are often easy to work with. Knowing the keywords makes menu scanning a breeze.
- Pack a tiny snack: Not every place nails the plantbased thing, so I usually toss a granola bar or bag of nuts in my bag; just in case.
Aside from these steps, I make it a habit to check for specials or offmenu items.
Some chefs love cooking something special if you let them know about your preferences in advance—a fun surprise is always welcome!
Ordering PlantBased at Different Restaurants
Once you’re out and about, these tips make it simpler to spot (or create) plantbased options at all sorts of places:
American and DinerStyle Eateries
I usually go for sides or make a meal out of appetizers.
Think baked potatoes without butter, steamed veggies, salads (ask for oil/vinegar or dairyfree dressings), and sometimes bean chili or black bean burgers (double check how they’re prepped).
Many diners will happily leave cheese, eggs, or mayo off your dish if you ask.
And you can often put together a “sampler plate” by ordering a few sides; it’s satisfying and keeps things interesting.
Asian Restaurants
Asian spots are pretty handy for plantbased eaters. Vegetable sushi rolls, tofu stirfries, vegetable curries, rice and noodle bowls, and edamame are all regulars on my diningout list.
Always confirm if fish sauce or oyster sauce sneaks into the dish (a quick ask does the trick), and soy sauce is usually safe.
Thai and Indian restaurants especially tend to have naturally plantbased options—think pad thai with tofu (skip the egg), or chana masala and vegetable curries.
Mexican and Latin American Restaurants
Look for veggie fajitas, bean and rice burritos (no cheese/sour cream), guacamole, salsa, and corn tortillas.
Most hot sauces and salsas are plantbased, but it’s smart to check if beans are cooked in lard or if rice contains chicken broth.
Staff are usually cool about subbing things out. Tostadas and tacos with grilled veggies, refried beans, and pico de gallo are some favorites of mine.
Italian Restaurants
Marinara pasta, grilled veggies, minestrone soup, and bruschetta can be quick wins.
Again, waving off cheese and butter is key. Some places offer vegan cheese for pizza, and you can often build your own pasta bowl with vegetables and tomato sauce.
Topping with fresh herbs like basil or oregano can add loads of flavor—don’t be shy about requesting extra greens or veggies.
Mediterranean and Middle Eastern Restaurants
These are go-tos for me. Hummus, baba ganoush, falafel, tabbouleh, stuffed grape leaves, and lentil soups are almost always plantbased.
Most pita bread is, too, but for vegans, double check about yogurt or dairy in the dips.
You can usually eat family-style and try several different dishes; it makes for a varied, exciting meal that never gets boring.
How to Talk to Staff and Make Modifications
Communicating what you need makes things way smoother; and most places are happy to get it right if you’re friendly about it. Here’s what helps me:
- Keep requests simple: I’ll say, “Could you prepare this without cheese or cream?” It’s more effective than explaining a full list of restrictions.
- Use positive language: Framing things as “I eat plantbased/vegan and I saw you have X dish, can you make it without Y?” helps things move along more easily.
- Ask how things are made: Don’t assume veggie dishes are dairy or egg free. Politely asking about broth, cooking fats, or salad dressings clears things up fast.
Don’t hesitate to show appreciation when the kitchen works with you—it makes a difference for everyone and sometimes even encourages chefs to include more plantbased items in the future!
Biggest Challenges (And How I Handle Them)
Eating out while sticking to plantbased preferences is so much easier than it used to be, but some hiccups are still pretty common.
Here’s how I deal with the usual suspects:
- Surprise ingredients: Some places use butter, animalbased stocks, fish sauce, or hidden dairy. I usually just ask, and I don’t feel weird about it; it’s better than being surprised later.
- Limited choices: If menus look bleak, sides and salads can be combined for a decent meal. Adding avocado, nuts, or hummus rounds things out. If I’m with friends, sometimes sharing is a fun option, too.
- Variety fatigue: I switch up cuisines (trying new Asian, Ethiopian, or Middle Eastern spots) so I don’t get stuck eating simple salads all the time.
- Social situations: If someone else is choosing the restaurant, I gently ask if we can pick somewhere with plantbased options, or I eat a little something before heading out in case options are limited.
Dealing With Social Dynamics
Friends, family, or work gettogethers sometimes come with their own pressure.
I usually mention I eat plantbased when plans are being made; most people appreciate knowing in advance.
I offer to suggest places with good options or help pick the spot.
If I’m not sure what’ll be available, bringing a snack or eating a little beforehand sets me up for a fun time no matter what’s on the menu.
Tips for Finding and Enjoying Great PlantBased Eats
Picking up new tricks on the road helps keep things tasty. Here are some habits that make eating out easy and way more fun:
- Check out apps and websites: HappyCow, Yelp, and Google Maps reviews are super useful. I filter for “vegan,” “vegetarian,” or “plantbased” to spot the gems matching what I’m craving.
- Try new cuisines: Thai, Indian, Ethiopian, and Vietnamese places usually have lots of naturally plantbased dishes. Getting curious has made eating out way more exciting (and delicious) for me.
- Connect with local vegan communities: Online groups (like Facebook groups or Reddit threads) love sharing their favorite hidden gems and new spots; they’re a goldmine for recommendations.
Also, don’t forget to check seasonal or rotating menus—chefs sometimes put out brilliant plantbased specials based on fresh produce or trends.
And if you discover a new favorite spot, spread the word to help others out, too!
Common Restaurant Questions (FAQs)
I get a lot of repeat questions from friends and other plantbased eaters. Here are the ones that pop up the most:
Question: How do I handle a restaurant with no plantbased section on the menu?
Answer:
I scan the menu for veggiebased sides, salads, rice, or pasta, and politely ask if any main dishes can be made plantbased. Most places will try to adjust something for you if you’re friendly about it.
Question: Do I need to tell restaurant staff I’m vegan or plantbased?
Answer:
I’ve found that’s up to you and the situation. Some people just ask for the changes they want (“no cheese or egg, please”), while others are more comfortable explaining. If there’s any confusion, saying “I eat plantbased” or “I’m vegan” can clear things up quickly.
Question: How can I make sure I’m getting enough to eat?
Answer:
I look for dishes with beans, tofu, nuts, or whole grains, and add sides if needed. Packing an emergency snack in my bag is pretty handy, too.
Best Types of PlantBased Dishes to Look For
- Bowls and salads: Often packed with veggies, beans, grains, seeds, and nuts. Good drizzles like tahini or vinaigrette seal the deal.
- Curry dishes and stirfries: Usually made without dairy or eggs; just confirm what’s in the sauce.
- Veggie burgers: Many places have housemade or branded plant patties. Always check toppings and sides.
- Soup with a veggie base: Lentil, tomato, and minestrone soups are usually plantbased as long as you skip cheese or cream on top.
- Flatbreads or pizzas: Lots of places offer a cheeseless veggie pizza or a buildyourown option. Try a classic marinara pizza with lots of veggies or even a bold mushroom and arugula topping for something new.
Takeaways for Enjoyable PlantBased Dining
Eating plantbased while dining out is way more doable than it sometimes seems at first.
Staying flexible, being prepared, and asking staff for a little help goes a long way.
The more you try new places and dishes, the more you’ll stumble upon food you love—even when you’re miles from home.
And honestly, every new plantbased dish you try helps make the world just a little easier for the next person, too.
Enjoy your next meal out; keep exploring those plantbased menus. You might find a new favorite dish when you least expect it!