Restaurant Servers Love It When Vegan Diners Do This One Simple Thing

Foodies often define veganism by its negative space: no meat, no cheese, no animal products whatsoever. But this plant-based eating style is more than its absence. Vegan diners center whole foods and plant-based sources of protein and fat, and dining dogma shouldn't get pushed to the wayside when eating out. No, a protein-less salad does not satisfy the requirements of a vegan meal. It's a pile of lettuce.

When dining at a restaurant, your server is the conduit between front-of-house and back-of-house. They want to make sure you get a meal you'll enjoy, but they cannot read your mind. Communicate your dietary needs, and be clear, concise, and polite. Servers appreciate it when diners are clear and specific about what they want — especially when vegan patrons suggest their own diet-appropriate ingredient substitutions, if possible. For example, don't ask for the linguine to be "made vegan." Ask for the linguine to be dressed in olive oil, but not cheese or butter.

Efficiency eliminates confusion. Positing the vague generality "Can this be made vegan?" assumes that your server has a dimensional understanding of veganism, and experience with its less-obvious nuances (for example, "fries" might seem vegan, but if they're cooked in beef tallow, then they're not). Avoid slip-ups — or worse, the unpleasantness of sending a dish back — by being prepared up front. Our handy-dandy list of ingredient substitutes that every vegan should know can help, and so can our tips for navigating the modern food world as a plant-based epicure.

To help ensure clarity and minimize confusion, ask any menu questions up front. Also, be sure to hit your server with a sincere "thank you" when you're done ordering (bonus points for eye contact). Folks tend to want to go the extra mile to take care of somebody if they feel respected.

If you don't happen to live in a city with an abundance of vegan restaurants (or your dining companions have enthusiastically picked a non-vegan restaurant), some culinary styles like Mexican, Thai, Indian, and Mediterranean are easy to make vegan. Other popular offerings just need a slight tweak, such as Chinese mapo tofu (no minced meat) and Mexican black bean tacos (hold the sour cream and cheese). If you're dining at an American steakhouse, however, finding a plant-based offering might be tougher. To be safe, check out the menu online beforehand. Does a particular soup catch your eye? Familiarizing yourself with the offerings pre-meal allows diners to make mental notes like "ask about the broth." A little research can go a long way.

As PETA's restaurant etiquette guide notes, don't assume that a dish is automatically vegan even if it's traditionally prepared that way. Your marinara pasta might arrive with a topping of grated cheese. Asking questions up front saves hassle later.