I remind myself as a vegan that although I might enjoy the greatest meal on earth, it is the company that I always remember the most after dining out with friends and family.
Of course, like many foodies, I am always snapping photos of the menu, the food and even the food server (if they are willing) so I can easily remember the meal well after the event. I love eating out with my friends, but since becoming vegan it seems that most conversations begin with, “Oh, but where can you eat?” Sometimes, there’s an eye roll with the question. I always get the sense that friends might think this vegan will be dragging them to a tofu palace…but we all know that plant-based food can be deliciously found everywhere. It just takes a little detective work.
If you have a vegan in your life, here are a few quick and easy ways to find the best restaurant where everyone will be happy.
Harmony at the Table: Best Dining Solutions for Vegans Eating Out with Non-Vegans:
Word of Mouth
This is still the best way to find the perfect eatery. Long before there were reviewers and smartphone apps, people relied on good conversations about favorite places to eat. A simple question to ask is, “Is it vegan friendly?” Believe it or not, a steakhouse is the easiest place to eat…as my friends enjoy their meal, I will have a baked potato, side of steamed broccoli and a huge salad.
Happy Cow
I have this as an app on my phone, but you can also go to their website. You can find any vegan eatery in any city of the world. I love Happy Cow and rely on it when I am traveling. It gives good reviews, shows you the menu and is very easy to navigate.
Vegan Express
This is another free app for your smartphone. It’s good to use when you are dining with a group of people because it outlines what vegan or plant-based foods you can eat at conventional, chain restaurants. It’ll keep everyone happy!
Restaurant Websites
Most restaurants have websites that draw you into their menu, service, specials, etc. You can visit the restaurant from the comfort of your home, then decide where you really want to eat.
Recently, my husband and I (he’s a carnivore) went out to a cute family-owned Italian restaurant. I took a box of whole-wheat pasta with me, because I visited menu.com to find that the restaurant didn’t offer whole-wheat pasta. The good news was that when I got there, I explained that I only ate “whole foods,” and they were kind and cordial and cooked my pasta for me. Even better news? This restaurant now serves whole-wheat pasta as a regular menu item!
Pan-Asian and Italian restaurants seem to work the best for mixing menus when you are dining with friends who are not following plant-based diets. These restaurants tend to offer lots of veggies, salads, brown rice, whole wheat pasta, etc. Make it a fun evening and focus on your table mates and some great stories. And don’t forget to snap some photos!
I’m waiting for an invite from my friends here at PA Eats so that we can dine together and, hopefully, I will take them to the vegan side of the table. Ready, ladies?
