I'm the type of person that travels and bases trips around food and since going vegan, this has only gotten more exciting. Travelling is an incredible experience – and one of the best parts about it is discovering and trying new plant-based meals! Whether you’re exploring a new city or simply trying out a vegan restaurant near your home, there’s nothing quite like trying out delicious, nutritious vegan dishes while travelling. Here are some of my favourite tips on how to find amazing vegan options while away from home.
1. Food Delivery Apps
One way to find vegan options easily is to use a food delivery app such as Uber Eats, Doordash, Skip the Dishes, etc. I always look up food delivery apps for wherever I am going so that I can make sure I have the app downloaded and set up ahead of time. On Uber Eats, you can easily filter restaurants to show vegan-only options. This way, you don’t have to worry about accidentally ordering something with animal products. Even if you don't actually order food and want to go out to eat, this is a great way to DISCOVER new restaurants :).
2. Happy Cow
Another great resource is the website and app called Happy Cow. They have a comprehensive list of vegan-friendly restaurants around the world. You can easily search for vegan restaurants in your area and read reviews to make sure you’re getting the best vegan meals possible. You can search for fully-vegan places or just places with vegan options! It's super helpful!
3. Social Media
Instagram can also be an incredible resource for vegan travellers. By searching vegan hashtags or following vegan accounts, (heyyy) you can get ideas for local vegan restaurants, cafes, and food stands.
4. Join Local Facebook Groups
If you’re looking for a more personal touch, consider joining local vegan Facebook groups. These groups are usually full of helpful and friendly vegans who can point you in the right direction. If for some reason you aren't already a part of your own local vegan group, you're missing out! People post where to find new and exciting products, reviews of products they tried, accidentally vegan finds, and even events! I am currently in Vegan groups for over 5 cities so I can just be in the know about what's coming (as a vegan influencer, I like to be on top of trends). I'm even in a Vegan Costco group which is just torture because it's mostly in the US and those items likely won't be here for a long time!
5. Look for "Vegetarian" and Make Modifications
If you’re looking for vegan options in more traditional restaurants, don’t be afraid to search for “vegetarian” options and make modifications. Many restaurants are aware that veganism is becoming more popular, so they often offer vegetarian options that can easily be made vegan. This isn't the most ideal but often times it can be as simple as removing the cheese that's garnishing the dish! If there are no meat-alternative options you can usually add avocado or extra vegetables too!
6. Find a Mexican or Indian Restaurant
Finally, if all else fails, you can always look for Mexican or Indian restaurants. Mexican and Indian cuisines are both known for having a variety of vegan options, so they are a great choice for vegans who are looking for something delicious. By following these tips, you can easily find amazing vegan options while travelling.
7. Ask your hotel if they have options before you book
Again, if this seems too obvious, think again. People are always surprised when I share this tip. Whether you're staying in a hotel or an Airbnb, there's a good chance your host wants to make your stay as enjoyable as possible and will be happy to make some recommendations. I also email the hotels in advance and ask if they have any vegan options at their on-site restaurant or if they can recommend anything nearby.
8. Go to a grocery store! Something about me is that I will always find food.
This photo is me in the ferry lineup in Tofino, BC making Pad Thai. Do you think I regret this decision? Not for a second. We went to the grocery store and picked up some instant pad Thai, tofu, and a couple of veggies and cooked it all on our camping stove! We had four hours to kill and you KNOW it was better and cheaper than anything from Whitespot. Iykyk #BCFerries. If you want something even easier, check out the deli section for a quinoa salad, some chopped vegetables and hummus, or some vegetable samosas! You can almost always count on that. Another thing I do is grab a tomato, cucumber, avocado, hummus and some wraps and just assemble it in the parking lot. This has become a go-to for my family and friends while camping or on hikes.
Did I miss anything? Comment below!!!
Happy snacking!
Kaitlyn Dickie
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