What to eat at a vegan restaurant?
Have you always wondered what to eat at a vegan restaurant, because you’re afraid you won’t be able to choose? Let’s do this: let’s start with the now ultra-tested dishes that satisfy the most diverse tastes.
What to eat at a vegan restaurant? A dilemma that is anything but rare. Which concerns not so much those who have opted for this diet some time ago, and therefore now know how to proceed, but rather those who are still in the initial stages . It is also true, on the other hand, that it can happen to find yourself there even if you are not vegan; perhaps out of curiosity or to bring together a varied group.
Before understanding how to juggle a vegan menu , let’s make a quick summary. Veganism, for starters, is a lifestyle choice . An ethical question. Which inevitably reflects on nutrition. All foods of animal origin and derivatives are banned from vegan cuisine . Therefore not only meat and fish but also milk and dairy products, honey, eggs, lard, preparations containing isinglass and any product containing additives of animal origin.
But no, this does not mean that there are few possibilities left . Vegans can eat all cereals, legumes, fruit and vegetables, seeds and nuts, plant-based milk and yoghurt. As well as numerous foods that replace meat: seitan, tofu, tempeh, soy, mopur, wheat muscle. In short, a new universe opens up . You taste new foods and discover new flavor combinations. Being vegan, in many ways, is an experience that stimulates creativity in the kitchen and broadens culinary horizons. Now let’s go back to the initial question: what to eat in a vegan restaurant?
Appetizers
Let’s start with the vegan appetizers . If potato muffins with pea mousse appear on the menu , we highly recommend you try them. They are tasty, refined, the combination of flavors is a winner. And they are also a pleasure for the eyes, which certainly doesn’t hurt.
Vegan restaurants often offer vegetable flans , naturally without eggs or milk of animal origin. Made with pumpkin, courgettes, carrots: you are spoiled for choice and success is guaranteed, they are dishes of absolute delicacy. Organic vegan cheese tastings are also welcome ; crostini with olives, tofu and seasonal vegetables ; chickpea meatballs . In short, we can definitely start off great.
Vegan first courses
As for the former, the choice is even simpler. Because many are transversal, suitable for any diet: just think of a nice plate of spaghetti with tomato or with garlic, oil and chilli pepper .
The advice, however, is to really immerse yourself in vegan cuisine and take advantage of it to try representative dishes . Pasta with walnut ragout , for example, is truly worthy of attention. Like the orecchiette with broccoli , which recalls the Apulian tradition. What about lasagna with seitan ragout ? Surprising. And then the risottos prepared with vegetables or fruit, here the bar is raised in terms of originality. If the restaurant offers pomegranate risotto , dare. You won’t regret it, on the contrary!
What to eat at a vegan restaurant: seconds
Ok, you have to admit it: when you wonder what to eat at a vegan restaurant , and you’re still not used to it, the second courses can cause a bit of a crisis. No meat and fish, so what to eat? Keep calm , the choice is there.
Indeed, this is precisely the part of the menu that may be most interesting. Because, in many cases, these are largely successful experiments. Ergo, worth trying. In any case, here are three dishes that you will most likely find on the list: tempeh with green pepper (or with mushroom sauce), the legendary lupine meatballs and seitan with asparagus (or seitan scallops). Ultra tested, they make everyone agree. Almost.
The contours
The problem of side dishes doesn’t even arise at a vegan restaurant. All vegetable-based side dishes are accessible , with a few exceptions. Even true flagships of our local tradition such as caponata , panzanella , Roman and Giudia-style artichokes , and Molise ciambotta . And then fried or baked potatoes, salads of all types, velvety.
Do you want something more original? If you attend the roll call, then, let yourself be tempted by the celeriac chips , the broccoli with tamari sauce and tahini, the purple cabbage with apples and raisins.
The desserts
Even when it comes to vegan desserts, we need to dismantle prejudices. You can’t use eggs and butter, true, but it is still possible to prepare gourmet-proof desserts. Let’s take 3 restaurant classics: cheesecake , tiramisu and pudding . Well, there is a vegan version for all three. That is, almond cheesecake , tiramisu made with rice milk and vegetable cream and soy milk pudding . Enjoy your meal!
