If you live in or are visiting an area that doesn't have any vegan restaurants, it's still possible to eat out and enjoy socialising over a meal with friends and family. In fact, you can eat out at most restaurants without compromising your values. Here are a few tips for enjoying a vegan-friendly meal in a non-vegan restaurant:
Look For Dishes That Are Accidentally Vegan
You should be able to find a few dishes on the main menu that are accidentally vegan or could easily be made vegan by asking for one or two ingredients to be left out of the dish. If a dish looks suitable, confirm the ingredients with your server before ordering to ensure there's no hidden meat or dairy products such as butter or chicken stock. Here are a few examples of common menu items that may be suitable:
- Roasted red pepper or avocado maki
- Chickpea tagine
- Mediterranean pasta
- Puy lentil salad
Combine Starters And Side Dishes
Select a few suitable items from the starter and side dish menus to create a full meal:
- Garden salad, hummus and flatbread
- Roasted vegetables, baby potatoes and bean salad
- Rice, olives and lentil pate
- Corn tortillas, black beans, avocado, and salsa
Opt For Cuisines That Naturally Use Lots Of Vegetables And Pulses
Choosing a restaurant that serves cuisine naturally abundant in vegetables and pulses will give you more choice when scouring the menu for suitable dishes. Indian, Middle Eastern and Japanese restaurants are good options. Here are a few suggestions of what to order:
- Indian - A good Indian restaurant will serve a variety of vegetable curries with a tomato or coconut milk base such as aloo gobi and saag aloo. You'll also be able to enjoy a variety of dals with chutneys and rice.
- Middle Eastern - Aubergine salad, stuffed vine leaves, roasted peppers, hummus, tabbouleh, falafel, pitta bread, and olives are just a few of the dishes you can enjoy at a restaurant serving Middle Eastern cuisine.
- Japanese - Japanese cuisine isn't all raw fish; there are a wide variety of vegan-friendly dishes to choose from, too. Opt for edamame and cucumber salad, vegetable sushi rolls, tofu and vegetable rice noodles, and pickled vegetables.
If you're really struggling to find something on the menu that you like or that's suitable, ask your server if the chef could make you a simple vegan dish. Just remember that restaurant kitchens are busy places and the chef won't have time to make something elaborate, so keep your request simple and express your gratitude. Have other questions? You might try getting in contact with a company like Caffe Belgiorno to learn more.
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