Vegetarian or vegan at a restaurant: how to order anywhere
Eating without meat is easier than ever, but hidden ingredients still catch people out. Here's how to choose a restaurant, what to ask and which cuisines are naturally rich in plant-based dishes.
Cuisines with the most meat-free dishes
- Indian — a large part of traditional cooking is vegetarian: dal, chana masala, palak paneer, dosa.
- Middle Eastern and Lebanese — hummus, falafel, tabbouleh, baba ghanoush, stuffed vine leaves.
- Ethiopian — fasting days produced a wealth of vegan dishes made with lentils and vegetables, served with injera.
- Italian — many pastas and pizzas are naturally vegetarian.
- Balkan — Orthodox fasting traditions mean plenty of meat-free dishes: baked beans (prebranac), meat-free sarma, vegetable đuveč.
Hidden ingredients to watch for
- Meat stock in soups — even "vegetable" ones.
- Fish sauce in Thai and Vietnamese food, dashi (fish stock) in Japanese food.
- Lard or bacon in beans and stews.
- Cheeses made with animal rennet — important if you avoid them.
- Eggs and dairy in batters, doughs and desserts (for vegans).
How to explain what you don't eat
Rather than just saying "vegetarian" — a word understood differently in different countries — list what you don't eat: "no meat, no fish, no meat stock". Where you don't speak the language, a short sentence saved on your phone or a camera translator for the menu helps a lot.
How to find the right place
- In Klopio, pick the vegan or vegetarian cuisine filter, or one of the cuisines above.
- Search reviews for "vegan" or "vegetarian" — guests happily mention how good the options were.
- Menus with labels (V, VG) usually mean the kitchen understands the difference.
Klopio shows the best-rated restaurants around you in seconds — anywhere in the world.
Frequently asked questions
Which cuisine is best for vegetarians?
Indian is probably the richest, followed closely by Middle Eastern, Ethiopian and Italian.
How do I make sure a dish is vegan?
Ask specifically about meat or fish stock, fish sauce, butter, eggs and dairy — these are the most common hidden animal ingredients.