5 Tips for Ordering Veggie Dishes at Non-Veggie Restaurants (That Aren’t Just Salads!)

Close-up of a neatly set restaurant table with plates, cutlery, upside-down wine glasses, a small potted plant, and wicker placemats, with diners blurred in the background.

These 7 essential recipes teach young adults the basics—like pasta, roasted veggies, and even a crowd-pleasing pot of chili—so they can feed themselves (and their friends) with ease.

We’ve all been there: your friends are excited to hit their favorite restaurant, but you know the menu isn’t exactly veggie-friendly. Sure, plant-based dining has come a long way, and plant-based protein is even projected to be one of the biggest menu trends of the next decade—but some restaurants still haven’t caught up.

As someone who’s been plant-based for over 20 years and has eaten out plenty, I’ve become a pro at navigating menus and working with the kitchen instead of creating headaches. So here are 5 tried-and-true tips to help you find a satisfying veggie meal at almost any restaurant—without just settling for a boring salad.

1. Just Ask!

This may seem obvious, but you’d be surprised how many restaurants have off-menu vegetarian or vegan options they’re happy to make—if you just ask.

Maybe the chef has a go-to dish they whip up for a vegan staff member or another regular. Or maybe they’ve quietly developed a plant-based plate they don’t even list. Either way, you won’t know unless you ask. Servers can also clue you in on easy swaps and kitchen-friendly suggestions you might not have thought of.

2. Check the Menu Ahead of Time

If you can, take a peek at the restaurant’s menu online before you go. It gives you time to see what ingredients they already have in-house so you can plan easy swaps and avoid asking for something completely out of left field.

Pro tip: steer clear of requesting changes to dishes that are pre-mixed, like sausage-studded cheese grits or a baked lasagna. Instead, look for components already offered as sides—like asking for black beans instead of chicken on your nachos at a taco spot. It’s easier for the kitchen and much more likely to be delicious.

3. Build a Meal from Sides

Never underestimate the power of the humble side dish. A baked potato, sautéed spinach, garlic mushrooms, roasted vegetables… put a few together, and you’ve got a hearty, flavorful plate.

Is it the most elegant option? Maybe not. But it’s tasty, filling, and easy on the kitchen staff. And speaking of staff—yes, you are the paying customer, but it doesn’t hurt to keep in mind that restaurants work on razor-thin margins and execute dishes designed to flow efficiently. A little kindness and flexibility go a long way when asking for something off-script.

4. Customize a Salad (and Make It a Wrap)

I know, I know—you’re here because you don’t want just a salad. But hear me out: one of my favorite tricks is to take a menu salad and turn it into a wrap.

If they already serve a garden salad with avocado, mushrooms, carrots, and seeds? That’s basically a veggie wrap waiting to happen. Asking the kitchen to make a specific, familiar item in a slightly different form is easier for them than listing out a dozen ingredients for a custom “veggie wrap” from scratch.

5. Try International Cuisine

Let’s face it—American dining culture is meat-heavy. But plenty of other cuisines lean more plant-forward. Mexican, Thai, Greek, Indian, Mediterranean—these all tend to offer far more naturally vegetarian and vegan options than your standard steakhouse or sports bar.

Indian restaurants in particular are incredibly veggie-friendly, with rich, flavorful dishes that just might open your palate to something new. Even better, they usually have meat-based options too, so your omnivore friends can still find what they like.

Final Thoughts

Navigating a non-veggie menu doesn’t have to feel like a battle. With these five tips, you can find a satisfying, creative meal that keeps everyone (including the kitchen) happy.

Unfortunately, plant-based eaters sometimes get a bad rap in the restaurant world as demanding or high-maintenance. It’s not your responsibility to “represent” all vegans and vegetarians—but your kindness and grace can leave a great impression and make it easier for the next person too.

Above all: kindness is king. Bon appétit, friends!


Sarah, aka: The Plant Based Ginger, has been in the plant-based community for 20+ years and has worked in natural skincare as well as the health and wellness sector. Over the years her love of holistic wellness, essential oils, and plant-based cooking has merged to create the PBG website and social brand. She is a Certified Natural Health Practitioner, Homecook, and Coffee Lover.

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