By Marie-Antoinette Issa.
While vegans like to eat green, watching their carnivorous counterparts tuck into juicy burgers or cheesy pizzas, may occasionally also make them feel a little green with envy. Fortunately, due to creative approaches to cooking (butter-free croissants), those with specific dietary requirements no longer need to feel like they are missing out.
Here to help you make the most of the dairy and meat-free life is our comprehensive guide to navigating restaurants, reading menus and confidently ordering meals that won’t leave you ravenous:
Eat, drink and be h(app)y
Social media may bring about some questionable food fads. However, the digital realm has also made finding restaurants that cater to vegan diets so much easier through the advent of several plant-based platforms and apps.
HappyCow is a go-to app for vegans worldwide. It allows you to search for vegan, vegetarian and vegan-friendly restaurants nearby or in any city you're visiting. The app also provides reviews, ratings and information on menu options, making it invaluable for planning your dining adventures.
Alternatively, for an Aussie-specific option, Fussy Vegan Pro is another excellent app with all the features of the original Fussy Vegan; plus, a few additional ones, including vegan restaurants, vegan-friendly resorts, airport vegan options, airline inflight vegan meal options and vegan recipes.
Similarly, you can search social media for vegan support group pages. These are typically packed with plant-based people who are passionate about supporting vegan-friendly establishments and sharing their positive experiences of these restaurants online.
Reading menus like a pro
Once you've identified vegan-friendly restaurants, the next challenge is deciphering menus to find suitable dishes.
To start, look for vegan symbols. Many restaurants now indicate vegan dishes with a specific symbol or label on their menus. This makes it easier to spot options that are free from animal products, even if you don’t understand the local language, or are unsure what an included ingredient actually is.
Next, ask questions. If the menu isn't clear or you're unsure about certain ingredients, don't hesitate to ask your server for clarification. For example, to enquire whether the dish is truly vegan, ask if any animal-derived ingredients are used in cooking or preparation. Request a list of ingredients for the dish and ask about potential hidden animal products in sauces or dressings.
Check if the restaurant offers vegan options or substitutions and ensure separate utensils and equipment are used to avoid cross-contamination. Confirm that bread and baked goods are vegan and ask about plant-based milk options for beverages. Additionally, verify if vegetable dishes are cooked in animal fat or broth.
Finally, don’t hesitate to ask your server for modifications to existing dishes to make them vegan-friendly. Most restaurants are willing to accommodate requests such as omitting cheese or substituting animal-based proteins with plant-based alternatives.
Naturally vegan
Vegan dining doesn’t mean missing out on delicious and satisfying meals. As well as innovative approaches to cooking minus meat and dairy, here are some popular mainstream dishes to look out for and enjoy:
Burgers: many restaurants offer vegan burger options made from ingredients like chickpeas, black beans or quinoa. These burgers are often served with a variety of toppings and sauces to satisfy your burger cravings.
Pasta: pasta dishes can easily be made vegan by opting for marinara sauce or olive oil-based sauces with vegetables. Look for pasta dishes that are naturally vegan or can be customised without cheese.
Salads: while salads may seem basic, many restaurants offer hearty and creative vegan salads with ingredients like roasted vegetables, nuts, seeds and flavourful oil and vinegar-based dressings. Don't overlook them as they can be surprisingly satisfying.
Desserts: indulge in vegan desserts such as dairy-free ice cream, sorbet, fruit-based desserts or decadent vegan chocolate cakes. Many restaurants now offer vegan dessert options to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Embrace ethnic eateries
Finally, don't be afraid to be adventurous when dining out as a vegan. Trying different cultural dishes offers a diverse range of culinary possibilities that can surprise and delight even the most discerning palate.
For example, you might try traditional Mexican tacos with black beans and guacamole, Ethiopian injera bread with lentil stews, or Middle Eastern falafel wraps. Asian cuisine - such as Thai, Japanese and Indian restaurants - also often have a wide selection of vegan dishes. Enjoy vegetable stir-fries, sushi rolls with avocado and cucumber or fragrant curries made with coconut milk and tofu.
