How to Order Vegan at a Non-Vegan Restaurant

Ordering in any non-vegan restaurant is as easy a pie!  (Vegan pie, of course.)  Many items can be ordered “without” this or that, thus making them vegan instantly! For example, you can order an eggplant parm without the cheese, leaving just breaded eggplant with marinara sauce, assuming the breading is not made with eggs; if it is, you can order grilled eggplant with marinara.  I’ll usually ask for something extra, too, like extra fresh basil.  With a little creativity, you will always find something delicious (and healthy) to order.

Italian:  Italian restaurants are easy because you can always get a fresh pasta with vegetables and a red sauce.  Be creative.  Most places will permit you to order things that are not on the menu.  I’ll ask for a plate of rigatoni with mushrooms, olives, and capers, in a red sauce, even if it’s not on the menu.  Garlic and oil is always a great topping for pasta, as is a white wine sauce.  I have also ordered pizza without the cheese.  You’ll be surprised at how delicious a thin crusted pizza is with some red sauce, garlic, mushrooms, and fresh basil.

Thai:  Thai restaurants have tons of vegan options.  Most have tofu dishes or you can get a vegetable dish.  Many of their sauces are coconut-milk based, so you can get that “creamy” texture without the dairy.

Mexican:  Mexican is another easy one with plenty of choices surrounding rice and beans and vegetables. Simply say, “hold the cheese and sour cream, and instead bring me extra guacamole and pico de gallo!”  The guacamole is so much tastier than the dairy toppings, anyway and so much healthier for you!

Sushi:  Love sushi?  No problem.  Just order an avocado roll, or a cucumber roll, or a vegetable roll.  Be sure to load up on wasabi, ginger, and soy sauce, and you won’t miss the raw flesh part at all!!

The Diner:  What about your all-American diner, you ask?  No problem!  Oatmeal made with water, or a bagel with sliced avocado instead of cream cheese. Try veggie burgers, vegetable or minestrone soup, and even a baked potato or grilled portabella mushroom with A1 Steak Sauce!

Steak House:  Yup, you can find vegan choices even in a steak house!  If I have to meet someone in such a place, or attend a meeting there, steak houses usually have great salads, believe it or not.  I’ll get a salad plus a side of grilled corn, or sweet potato French fries, or spinach sautéed in olive oil.  There is always something to order and enjoy!

Baked potatoes and avocados are great go-to foods in a non-vegan restaurant, as are pastas, salads, vegetable sides, and vegetable-based or legume soups, such as lentil, black bean, minestrone.  For dessert, most places will bring out some sliced fruit, or if you see a berry tart on the menu (berries and crust only) that’s usually vegan, as well.