Do vegans find it hard to get meals at restaurants?

Sometimes, depending on the location of the restaurant in question. In some cities, veganism is common and restaurants tend to offer at least one vegan option. In the case that vegan options are not offered, vegetarian dishes can be prepared without dairy and egg ingredients or alternative ingredients can be substituted. For example, a vegetarian Pizza can be made without cheese. At a Mexican restaurant, a vegan could order a burrito with whole beans (refried beans are often made with lard), plain rice, tomatoes, onions, salsa, avocado, and lettuce. Some Mexican restaurants have a "healthy menu" or "diet menu" in which most dishes are plant-based (dairy-free and do not contain eggs or meat) contain more vegetables than the standard menu options. At sushi restaurants, a vegan could order an roll made with avocado, cucumber, and/or other vegetables. Edamame (steamed soybean appetizer) is vegan as well. Many Thai, Indian, and Chinese restaurants have a vegetarian menu (most of which is vegan, as dairy is rarely used in Chinese cooking and Thai curries are made with coconut milk as opposed to dairy). Some Indian curries are made with cream, and some Thai and Chinese dishes are cooked with fish or oyster sauce--so vegans should ask their server before ordering.

At breakfast restaurants it can be a bit more difficult for a vegan to order a proper meal, as many pancake batters contain eggs and/or dairy and are made in large batches. It is becoming increasingly common for restaurants to offer vegan options such as scrambled tofu and tofu "skillets" or bagels with vegan spreads/toppings like peanut butter or hummus. Alternatively, a vegan could order oatmeal, a bagel or toast with jam, fruit, hashbrowns or breakfast potatoes (assuming they are cooked without animal fat). Side orders such as beans and grits are often vegan.

In some countries, veganism is not common. Despite this fact, many traditional dishes are vegetarian and made without eggs or dairy. In most Latin American countries, it is possible to order beans, rice, and tortillas (or other starch) with a side of vegetables or salad. Some vegans find it difficult to stay vegan while traveling, but many have no trouble at all. It helps to know at least a few phrases of the native language to be sure that a dish is vegan.