Going vegan doesn’t have to mean limiting yourself to salads or french fries when you eat out.

Just because something isn’t specifically labeled as vegan, doesn’t mean you can’t eat it. In fact, there are plenty of accidentally vegan foods, which people don’t realize are completely free from animal products!

In this post, we’ll tell you how to spot vegan options at restaurants when you’re dining out.

Let’s dive in!

Finding Vegan Options at Restaurants Is Easier Than You Think

Here’s how to spot vegan-friendly dishes when you’re ordering food in restaurants.

Italian Vegan Food

Italian food isn’t all just cheese and meat. There are lots of options for vegans, too.

There are lots of appetizers to choose from, such as bruschetta, artichokes, and bread with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. When it comes to mains, choose tomato-based pasta dishes.

Most pasta is already vegan. However, some may contain egg. Ask to make sure.

Lots of Italian restaurants are willing to make pizzas vegan by leaving out the cheese, too.

Mexican Vegan Food

At Mexican restaurants, you can have your fill of refried beans, guacamole, chips, and salsa.

Lots of restaurants will also offer vegetable-filled fajitas, enchiladas, and chimichangas, too. Flour tortillas are often made with lard, so corn tortillas are your best option.

Sometimes, chicken broth is added to the rice. Make sure you ask before you order.

Middle-Eastern Vegan Food

Middle-Eastern food is one of the most vegan-friendly cuisines in the world. While you might associate it will kebab and other meat dishes, there are plenty of plant-based foods you can order.

Falafels, couscous, tabouleh, tahini and pita bread are all vegan.

Ethiopian Vegan Food

If there’s an Ethiopian restaurant in your area, be sure to check it out.

Ethiopian food is great for vegans so many dishes are made from lentils, peas, beans, and cabbage. You can get them all served on top of a flatbread called injera, which is also vegan, too!

Indian Vegan Food

As a vegan, you’ll never go hungry at an Indian restaurant.

Vegetable samosas and pakora are great options to get you started. There are lots of curries made from chickpeas and lentils, too. Chana masala is a firm favorite of vegans everywhere.

Just make sure your dishes don’t contain yogurt, cream or paneer, and you’ll be fine.

Thai Vegan Food

In Thai restaurants, you can order vegetable versions of Panang curry, green curry, and red curry, which are all made with coconut milk.

You can also get veggie pad thai, spring rolls, fried tofu, and sweet and sour vegetables.

Beware, lots of Thai food contains fish sauce. Ask your server to make sure it’s left out of your food.

Get More Vegan Eats

If you’re tired of scouring menus to find vegan options at restaurants, try eating at some vegan-only places.

With the rise of veganism, more and more vegan restaurants are now opening up around the world. Don’t worry, you don’t have to do lots of research in order to find them. Instead, you can simply download an app.

Using your location, they’ll find the best spots in your area.

For more information, read our post on apps to help you find vegan restaurants near you.