Vegetarian options in restaurants

[CrackersDontMatter]

This isn't strictly an aibu, so I know I am being unreasonable to ask here but I know that the vegetarian options on menus are often unimaginative and disappointing (mushroom risotto, goats cheese tart anyone?) Can I ask what any vegetarians out there like to see as an option and perhaps what has been your favourite vegetarian meal in a restaurant, particularly in high end places? I've had a few friends and my SIL go vegetarian over the past year and I'd just like a better idea to help me choose a venue for a big celebratory meal later this year. None of the veggies are local to me so I can't really ask them for a recommendation!

I don't have an answer so interested to hear what others have to say.

I am sick of veggie bean burgers that taste like cardboard. Also everything has to have cheese on/in it. I don't mind cheese but wouldn't mind a meal without it now and then!

I find Indian good for veggie stuff but otherwise I struggle to find anything that nice.

also Mexican isn't bad but that is a massive cheese fest!

Choose somewhere where there is more than one veggie option on the standard list of main courses. In general if there is just one veggie option then it is an afterthought from a chef who really doesn't care whether or not the vegetarians enjoy their meal and just wants to offer something quick and easy that they don't have to put any thought into. If there are 3 or more veggie options then the chances are that the chef respects and recognises a vegetarian as an equal customer deserving their attention and care.
A place with 2 veggie options can fall into either category so look for other clues - are there vegetarian signs on the desserts? Is anything with fish in it labelled as vegetarian?

I bloody hate goats cheese, it is disgusting but it seems to be the veggie option in too many places.
I also feel nauseous with the gloopy mushrooms in glue on toast that is commonly served.

Decent Indian food without cinnamon (one of the suppliers has begun adding it to their spice mixes and it makes me ill) is great but not what I would choose other than in an Indian restaurant.

Which leaves me with risotto, usually stuck together with glue, stopped ordering it after too many inedible ones.

I invariably end up with e veggie/bean burger or a large mushroom with a stack of roasted veg on top which are nice but not every time, or halloumi salad, halloumi kebab, which are also nice but predictable.

What would be nice is something different recently found a place that served home-made sweet potato patties which were good.

Homity pie.

Cranks restaurants had a good menu, their cookery books have some good ideas and there was one for 'dining' rather than just eating, if you see what I mean.

You are very much not unreasonable. It is very disappointing that in 2017 vegetarians are still not appropriately catered for. I agree with FreakinDeacon that Indian restaurants often have lots and lots of veggie dishes but that's no good if you aren't a fan of indian food! Also agree that people seem to think vegetarians = cheese. Cheese on bread, cheese in a potato, cheese in pastry. FFS put some effort in!

I have started complaining more. It's not 'in me' (introvert!) but it needs doing! For example, a pub we like to go to has just been refurbished, new menu etc. The menu was posted online - veggie options - tuna pasta bake. I kid you not.

Ooops, sorry for the missing .I

I don't like goats cheese either Beware. It tastes like soil! It seems to be the go-to option lately. Stick some goats cheese and a few roasted peppers in a pastry case and bam - instant veggie option

I second mohuzivajehi - it is so nice to get to pick from several options. I went on holiday recently and the local pubs only did mushroom stroganoff. Mushroom stroganoff is ok I suppose, but not when it's the only option for miles.

I'm a bit sick of vegetarians complaining about their options, tbh. First of all no matter what is on there someone complains, oh I don't like goats cheese, I don't like mushrooms, I don't like pasta or aubergine or whatever.....you can't please everyone.

Then it's always oh why do we only have one or 2 options while the carnivores get more: you need to remember that only 2% of the UK population is vegetarian. You are a tiny minority and cannot expect half the menu.

Lastly you're going to the wrong restaurants. I often eat vegetarian when out and have some very good food, but then I only go to good resttaurants.

Where do you live? We went to the gate in Islington the other day. Spectacular menu. It's a relatively high end veggie and vegan restaurant. Things like avocado tart and cashew nut cheese are amazing. I don't tend to find much of interest on the menus at most regular places so stick to actual vegetarian restaurants or Thai/ curry/ Italian where you know you won't have a problem. I enjoy a tagine or a lentil shepherds pie, decent veggie lasagne or cannelloni. Most of these things I make but I have seen them out and about

mary I suppose because omnivores can and do eat the veggie options whereas the reverse isn't true. A plant based diet is good for us and the planet as well as avoiding animals being farmed. If we don't complain how will things change?

My partner is a vegan, and has been for many years, and I'm so into meat I would eat him if he stood still long enough.

We both LOVE vegan Mexican food. A good vegan bean chilli can be amazing (see www.seriouseats.com/2012/01/best-vegetarian-bean-chili.html ), and all the traditional accompaniments (except sour cream and cheese) make for a delicious feast.

Thanks everyone this is really helpful. To be honest I hate goat's cheese and I'd be gutted if that was my only option! I do like Indian and Mexican food. Thank you for the pointers on what to look out for Mohuzivajehi I hadn't even thought about desserts!

Living up to your username there mary I don't think anybody said that they expected half the menu? You have just said yourself that you eat vegetarian often, presumably you aren't vegetarian though so you aren't included within that "tiny minority" of 2% of the population. You can turn up to a restaurant and choose whatever you want from 25-30 dishes and just so happen to have the added choice of picking the veggie option, if you fancy it, but you are "sick of us complaining" about our paltry offerings when we are lucky to get 1 or 2 choices?

Indian restaurants are often great or places that do mezze or tapas because then you can choose from a menu rather than getting the lone veggie option.

I think the main problem in most places is the lack of choice, so if you don't like goat's cheese or whatever you are completely stuck.

If you are anywhere near Manchester I can recommend a couple of places OP. Including an amazing vegan place which does food to die for

You can turn up to a restaurant and choose whatever you want from 25-30 dishes

No, I don't go to restaurants that have 30 dishes on the menu, that means they are all frozen ready made shit! Like I said, you're obviously eating in the wrong places....

I'm a veggie and I can't stand goat's cheese, pasta or mushrooms. I'm a bugger to feed.

I love a good souffle with salad. A vegetable paella goes down well - risotto is like wallpaper paste in most places and usually extremely disappointing. Indian food and Mexican are great and if you go for fajitas you can control the cheese.
Greek/Turkish restaurants often have good veggie options and plenty of variety.
One of the best meals I ever had was in France at a restaurant with no veggie option. They gave me a plate of all the vegetable sides so ratatouille, green beans with garlic, roast carrots, creamed spinach, sautéed potatoes. It was delicious and varied and fresh.

try being vegan lol
i have a few goto restaurants - none of them close to home but they have separate veggie and vegan menus.

check out the happycow website for choices close to home

If you are ever in belfast check out HOME restaurant - the menus for veggies and vegans is just amazing! i will never admit to how many miles i travel for a meal there!!

I'm in the North West so Manchester could be an option. I'll look at happy cow too! Thank you!

mary a quick Google shows the estimate of vegetarians in the UK to be 7% to 11%. The proportion of veggies is fast increasing, so you're data is likely very out of date.

Certainly in London the proportion of veggies is far higher than 11%. It's at least a third in my social circles.

Indian food is good generally. I agree with mohu that you should choose somewhere with more than one veggie option. Apart from it being an afterthought, I also appreciate some choice when I go out for food.

V-Rev vegan diner in Manchester is awesome. Have a look on their website, the menu will have you drooling

I'm about 40 minutes train ride out of Manchester but I go to V-Rev a lot, I've never had a bad meal there.

If you like Mexican, Las Iguanas has lots of vegetarian (and a few vegan) options. Haven't had to resort to goat's cheese there yet.

Good for you mary. I'm not really sure what you think you are contributing to this thread? Obviously poor thick northerners like me can only afford to eat in places with frozen ready made shit. I doff my cap to you m'lady.