When traveling or socializing, eating out is often mandatory. Here’s a helpful guide to navigating menus and dining rooms with confidence.

As a vegan or vegetarian, you must exist in a world that’s not designed to accommodate your dietary needs. Luckily, there is almost always a way to enjoy eating out in a stress-free manner and still leave the restaurant feeling satisfied.

Do Your Homework

Before deciding where you’ll be eating out, do some research. One of the greatest resources for finding vegan or vegetarian restaurants in any city is Happy Cow. This web directory has thousands of listings for vegan, vegetarian and generally healthy restaurants all over the world, so it’s especially useful when traveling.  

If nothing else, always take a peek at the restaurant menu online. This way, you can look through the options to see what is already vegan or vegetarian or dishes that are easy to alter – perhaps replacing meat on a pizza with veggies or nixing the shrimp atop pasta. If options are slim, look at the “sides” section of the menu, which are often vegetables. This way, you can construct a meal of your own out of a few side dishes.

Don’t Be Afraid To Ask

If you are unsure whether the restaurant has anything for you or is flexible enough to accommodate your preferences, call ahead to ask. You might be surprised to learn that many restaurants have a vegetarian menu, but often don’t present it unless asked.

If you’re positive your options will be severely limited, eat a snack before hand so you are not left hungry or inclined to overeat dishes you normally avoid.

If you’re eating out with a group of people, suggest ethnic cuisines like Indian or Thai. A lot of ethnic restaurants tend to have healthier menus, or at least have more veggie-centric dishes than, say, a traditional American restaurant would.

When in doubt…

Then there’s the spontaneous decisions for eating out, when you can’t plan ahead. In these situations, my first instinct is to peruse the salad section – there is almost always a salad that I can order or lightly tweak to my taste. Then, I add a hot vegetable side dish.

Above all else, keep your expectations low and relax. Sometimes there is little to be done and you either have to soldier through a scant meal or compromise. If I’m absolutely sure there is nothing I can do to avoid a junk food feast, I make sure to eat a raw green salad before going out, because then at least I can lend a helping hand to my digestive system.

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Image Credit: sercasey

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A veggie lover in Paris? Here are some vegetarian restaurants and cafes not to miss. 

The mecca of foie gras, charcuterie and steak tartare, Paris, is often a challenge for vegetarians. Tell anyone you’re a vegetarian in Paris and you’ll often get the, “well we have a fish dish” response. When it comes to the Parisian diet, pescatarian has yet to make it into the vernacular.

Fortunately, Paris is also a cosmopolitan hub and food preferences from around the world enter the local culinary season. These days it’s possible to find just about anything, and most Parisian restaurants will usually have a vegetarian appetizer or two that will do the trick. But if you’re looking for vegetarian restaurants and places to eat that offer a little more than a cheese plate and crudités, start with these.

1. Soul Kitchen

Homemade granola, organic yogurt, quinoa salads, and hearty soups, Soul Kitchen is a bit of paradise for any food lover, vegetarian or not. Using local and organic ingredients whenever possible, this place is as good for lunch as it is for an afternoon pastry; they even serve locally craft roasted coffee from Coutume. Close to the Montmartre steps it’s also a a prime spot for getting off the beaten track after you have explored the more tourist-dense parts of the neighborhood around Sacre-Coeur.

Soul Kitchen, 33 Rue Lamarck, 75018.

2. Loustic

Not only can you get vegetarian quiche and kale chips here, but owner Channa is committed to serving good coffee, which is hard to come by in the French capital. The cafe is cozy and perfect for a quick breakfast pastry or a light midday meal. Get the lunch menu, which will ensure you get one of the delicious baked goods for dessert paired with a perfectly drawn espresso.

Loustic, 40 rue Chapon, 75003. 

3. My Kitch’n

A little off the beaten track in the 17 arrondissement you’ll find My Kitchen, a 100 percent vegan smoothie counter in Marche des Batignolles. More of a snack bar than a vegetarian restaurant, it’s good for an afternoon pick-me-up smoothie after exploring the Montmartre neighborhood. Finish off the afternoon with a walk to Parc Monceau.

My Kitch’n, 24 Rue Brochant, 75017.

4. Rose Bakery

With several locations in Paris, Rose Bakery is a favorite with those that want atypical Parisian baked goods and lunches. Owned by Englishwoman Rose and her French husband Jean-Charles, the bakery has been open since 2002 and since then have become a local favorite. You won’t find croissants or pain au chocolate but you will find various cakes, perfect to go with your soy latte, creative salads that change every day and mini galette style vegetarian pizzas.

46, rue des Martyrs, 75009 / La Maison Rouge, 10, boulevard de la Bastille, 75012 / 30 Rue Debelleyme, 75003.

5. Café Pinson

Homemade vegan Nutella and vegan cashew dill sauce? Café Pinson is hard to beat when it comes to creative cooking options. Most of the menu is vegan, including soy yogurt to go with your breakfast and lattes made with almond milk. On weekdays they offer a 17 three-course lunch menu, and their Sunday brunch is so popular that reservations are recommended. Be sure to get a fresh-pressed juice while you’re at it.

Café Pinson, 6 rue de Fourez, 75003 Paris.

6. Chez Alain

At the back of Paris’ oldest covered market Marché des Enfants Rouges, you’ll find Alain, a grey-haired, friendly man with a round belly. He not only whips up the city’s only socca (typical street food from Nice, gluten free and vegan), but he also makes a killer vegetarian galette, filled with organic vegetables, local chèvre and topped with honey. 

Marché des Enfants Rouges, 39 rue de Bretagne, 75003.

7. Tuck Shop

It may come as no surprise that this vegetarian and vegan-friendly cafe is run by three Australians. You’ll find homemade lemonade, tartines with roasted vegetables and the house-drink, the LSD (latte, soymilk and dandelion-infused honey). It’s in the hip Canal St Martin area, so you’re well located to check out some of Paris’ other trendy bars, cafes and boutiques.

Tuck Shop, 13 rue Lucien Sampaix, 75010 Paris

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Being the metropolitan that it is, London is no stranger to healthy food and lifestyle options. But because the city used to be called “the Big Smoke” because of its smog, I was surprised to find that it comfortably caters to a plant-based diet and active lifestyle.

Roaming along the aisles of its popular grocery stores, such as Sainsbury’s, Waitrose and Whole Foods, you’ll come across a larger variety of raw and vegan food specialty items than you would even in New York City. And if you enjoy a good outdoor workout, have no fear, because London’s parks are highly accessible for the avid runner or walker. In the event the city’s healthy charms don’t stop you in your tracks first, here are some standout eateries that will orient you.

The UK may be known for its fish and chips, puddings, and roasted meat, but in recent years, eateries with vegetarian, vegan, and raw food options have emerged and subsequently gained popularity. The following cafes and restaurants will make your transition to London a healthier and happier experience.

1. Since 1988, Mildreds has been serving a vegetarian menu in its quaint location on Lexington Street in West London. The menu will seduce even the most skeptical of carnivores. From its pumpkin and ricotta ravioli with chestnut mushroom cream and white wine sauce to its sun-blushed tomato, mozzarella, and basil risotto cake, you’ll be drooling far before the food arrives to the table.

2. The world-wide vegetarian chain, Govinda, has a location in London’s Soho neighborhood. Govinda is a restaurant that hails the “karma-free diet” and provides a no-frills environment that promotes tranquility, health, and balance. Govinda does not use meat, fish, or eggs in any of its dishes and also shuns onions, garlic, and mushrooms. Take a bite into its egg-free quiche, veggie burger, and spinach rolls for a wholesome and rounded meal.

3. It would be a mistake to overlook the South Asian influence on local cuisine. It seems like an Indian restaurant can be found every few blocks and, considering lots of Indian food is strictly vegetarian, it’d be helpful to filter through the many restaurants and pick the right place. One dependable option is Woodlands, which has locations in Piccadilly, Hampstead, and Marylebone Lane. The interior of the restaurants is decorated with bright, fresh colors, the dishes are elaborately plated, and the atmosphere is high-end but casual. The restaurants also provide a vegan menu.

4. Vitao, located in Soho, has an international vegan menu that changes weekly and features seasonal produce. With its lentil dhal, kale and pomegranate salad with grape dressing, Thai green curry, homemade kimchee, and paella, it’s clear that a meal at Vitao is a trip around the world.

5. For a quick lunch or take-out vegan fare, check out Beatroot on Berwick Street in Soho. The small eatery displays ten internationally-inspired and ready-to-eat hot dishes, most of which are vegan. Dip into the moussaka or cut into the soy-based sausage for a hearty vegan experience. Beatroot also offers homemade vegan sweets – nut and dried fruit-based power balls and a variety of muffins – for a post-munch delight. If you in the mood for something lighter, ask for a fresh juice or smoothie.

6. For those with even stricter food preferences, the raw food options in London are growing. Without question, the premier raw restaurant is Saf, which means “pure” in Turkish. The menu features items that have not been heated above 48 degrees Celsius (118 Fahrenheit), preserving optimum flavor and nutrition. The restaurants location may throw you off, as it’s situated in the top floor of the Whole Foods adjacent to the High Street Kensington station, but its cuisine rises to the occasion and has truly set the precedent for London’s raw food scene. Head to Saf for a unique culinary experience and indulge in a Mexican raw tostada or lasagna verde without craving anything else. To get a sample of it all, order the raw tasting board, which includes maki rolls, cashew cheese dolmades, bánh tráng rolls, and nachos with guacamole, tomato salsa and sour cream.

7. The Wild Food Café in Convent Garden is an independent eatery that aims to create “heart-opening” food. The environment is light and friendly, with all the food prepared in an open kitchen. While not all menu items are raw or vegan, the menu makes it clear what dish falls under what category. All ingredients are also sourced thoughtfully from trusted farmers and producers. This summer, Wild Food Café will introduce wines from organic and bio-dynamic producers. The café offers an abundant wild salad with foraged greens, wild rocket, Romano pepper, carrot, zucchini, pomegranate seeds, and a mustard and dill emulsion, which is entirely raw and best enjoyed with the café’s sourdough bread. It also serves living pizza, falafel, and an olive and shiitake burger that is best finished off with a raw chocolate and almond mousse.

Other raw-vegan eateries are increasing in popularity:

8. Dragonfly Wholefoods, which hosts a daily buffet, is a whole food shop turned vegetarian café with vegan and raw options.

9. InSpiral Lounge is a raw and vegan hot spot run by the Ekopia Poject collective that hosts festive events.

10. The Bonnington Café is a community vegan and vegetarian restaurant that hosts a feast every second, fourth, and fifth Sunday of the month. Bonnington Café’s chef is the mastermind behind the raw food delivery service Raw Fairies.

For more information on taking your culinary adventures to the streets, check out London’s many open markets. No matter where the city takes you, you can rest assured knowing that the city is large, diverse, and open-minded enough to accommodate your personal preferences. Safe travels!

Photo Credit: Mildreds,  Aylin Erman, Oatsy40, Zooey_, EEPaul, Jeremy Weate

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