How to Survive Eating Out When You’re Plant-Based

Once upon a time, dining out as a vegan or vegetarian was a Herculean challenge. You’d piece together a meal from veggie side dishes, sad salads (hold the bacon bits!), and fries, hoping to cobble together something resembling a proper dinner. Fast forward to 2025, and things are looking up! Many restaurants that cater to the classic American diet—burgers, wings, club sandwiches, and the like—now offer at least one vegetarian option. Usually, it’s a black bean burger or a meat substitute like Impossible or Beyond. Progress!

A safe option and generally widely available.

If you find yourself at one of these spots, scan the menu for that veggie-friendly offering. If you come up short, the trusty fallback of assembling sides still works: order a mix to fill up on greens and carbs, then grab some protein at home. My partner takes a bolder approach—he asks the chef to create a unique plant-based dish on the spot. Surprisingly, this works more often than not, and he loves the inventive results. Chefs seem to enjoy the challenge too—just don’t try this at Denny’s.

Breakfast joints can be tricky if you’re sticking to a strict plant-based diet. Most will have granola, fruit bowls, and hash browns, but these options aren’t exactly protein powerhouses. If you’re skipping eggs, a pre-brunch smoothie packed with protein can save the day.

For lunch and dinner, if you’ve got flexibility in restaurant choices, Thai food is my go-to. Many dishes come with tofu as a protein option—Pad Thai with tofu is my personal favorite, especially with a side of fried tofu and some veggie spring rolls. Start with edamame, and you’ve got yourself a feast!

My stomach is growling, yum!

Indian cuisine is another plant-based haven. Curries, dals, and vegetable-based dishes abound. I’m particularly fond of massaman curry—available at many Thai spots too—for its rich, creamy, and satisfying flavors.

So much flavor packed in!

In larger cities, entirely plant-based restaurants are becoming more common, offering everything from vegan pizza and burgers to nachos and desserts. At these places, you can indulge without second-guessing—yes, that cashew cheese is delicious.

A feast for the eyes!

Being plant-based doesn’t have to mean missing out on the joy of dining out and connecting with loved ones. A friend of mine Jen, shout out to her, vegan for decades due to severe allergies, has mastered the art of scouting plant-friendly spots on Google and Yelp before heading out. It’s a smart way to ensure your meal aligns with your health goals and tastes great.

Cheers to staying green, wild, and free—on the plate and beyond!