I love to cook, but I also love to eat out. It can be a challenge finding a place that serves vegan food and makes it easy for you to decode the menu. When I’m interested in going to a restaurant that doesn’t make it clear what menu items are vegan, I send them a note like the one below, with the reasons selected to match the restaurant. Feel free to use it as a template for your own emails.
How to Ask Restaurants for Vegan Food
Dear [Restaurant],
Do you serve vegan options? Would you please let me know what my choices would be? I’m looking forward to dining with you soon. [Optional: something nice about why you want to come: Congratulations on the terrific review in … / My friend recommended your place … / I’m planning a friend’s birthday party and she loves …]
Please consider making it easy for people who want plant-based options to choose them from your menu. An Adweek study found that in 2020, people of all ages are eating less meat.
- 1 in 4 families are eating less meat
- 1 in 3 families have at least one family member who is vegan, vegetarian, flexitarian, or pescetarian
Even back in 2018, a Gallup poll found that 8% of people aged 30 to 49 considered themselves vegetarian and 4% considered themselves vegan. Even KFC is serving faux chicken these days!
Offering plant-based options welcomes more customers, including those who are lactose intolerant, watching their cholesterol, or have religious dietary practices.
Finally, offering offering plant-rich food and reducing food waste makes your restaurant a climate hero!
Just one person seeking a plant-based meal in a family or group can influence the entire party’s choice of where to eat. If you make the options clear on your menu, then people can order what they want, without taking up your time asking questions or just going elsewhere. If you want to help your staff understand these terms, check out Cook for Good’s definitions.
Thank you for considering this. I look forward to eating at your restaurant soon!
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Related Template
You may also want to ask meeting organizers for plant-based food. Here’s a letter template to get you started.
