Vegan dishes for restaurants

Gone are the days when vegan dishes for restaurants were limited to simple salads or bland vegetable soups — if they appeared at all. Today, the creativity of chefs has led to a wide range of delicious and imaginative vegan meals that appeal to all kinds of customers thanks to their quality and flavour.

If you run a food business and are looking to refresh your menu with something new, introducing vegan dishes for restaurants is an excellent way to meet the growing demand from both vegan and vegetarian diners. This post is just what you need to get inspired.

Discover our tried and tested suggestions for vegan dishes for restaurants that are guaranteed to be a hit with your guests. These ideas not only add variety to your menu, but they also make your establishment more inclusive and future-proof.

What kind of veggie are your customers?

If you’ve decided that the time has come to update your restaurant’s offering, now is the perfect moment to expand your selection with creative vegan dishes for restaurants that will delight your clients. But before you begin, it’s essential to understand the different types of plant-based diets, so you can clearly indicate whether each dish is suitable for vegetarians or vegans.

To help you identify your customers’ dietary preferences, here are the characteristics of each group:

• Vegetarians – Also known as lacto-ovo vegetarians if they consume eggs and dairy, they eat all types of grains, cereals, vegetables, fruit and legumes, but avoid all forms of meat, fish and seafood. However, many still consume animal-derived products such as cheese, milk, butter, eggs, honey, etc.

• Vegans – Their diet is more restrictive than that of vegetarians. They consume only plant-based foods and completely exclude any products of animal origin, such as dairy, eggs, and other animal-derived ingredients.

• Flexitarians – These are individuals who mostly follow a vegetarian diet, but occasionally eat animal-based proteins. They tend to be open to vegan dishes for restaurants, as long as the flavours and presentation are appealing.

• Others – Beyond these main groups, it’s also essential to offer gluten-free options on your menu for coeliac customers or those with gluten intolerance.

Why is it worth expanding your vegan and vegetarian offering?

There are many reasons why your food business would benefit from including a wide and appetising selection of vegan dishes for restaurants. Let’s look at some of them.

These days, the number of people choosing to follow a diet free from animal proteins is steadily rising. In fact, it’s estimated that over 4 million people in Spain alone now identify as vegan, vegetarian, or flexitarian. That alone is reason enough to give your menu a plant-based upgrade.

As the vegan and vegetarian population grows, so too does the number of restaurants dedicated entirely to vegan cuisine — or those that at least set aside a section of their menu for vegan dishes for restaurants. That’s why your business cannot afford to fall behind. Stay ahead of the curve by offering original and delicious plant-based dishes that complement your existing culinary offering.

Another strong reason to expand your range of vegan dishes for restaurants is the profit margin they can offer. These types of meals are mainly prepared using vegetables, greens and plant-based ingredients, which are generally far more affordable than animal-based proteins. However, with the rise of new plant-based proteins and innovative meat alternatives, the creative possibilities for your dishes have multiplied — and so have their potential price points.

What’s more, including vegan dishes for restaurants is a great way to attract curious customers who enjoy discovering and trying new flavours. A fresh, creative plant-based menu can serve as an excellent marketing hook.

Another motivation to introduce more vegan and vegetarian dishes is the opportunity to capitalise on a growing trend that could positively impact your restaurant’s bottom line. Diners who follow plant-based diets will feel welcome in your establishment — and isn’t it great to have something appealing for every type of customer?

Must-have ingredients in your vegan kitchen

To craft truly flavourful and high-quality vegan dishes for restaurants, it’s important to keep your kitchen stocked with more than just fruit and vegetables. There are several staple ingredients that can help you create standout dishes worthy of the best chefs.

While the list of useful ingredients is long, here are some of the most commonly used:

• Nuts and seeds – Walnuts, peanuts, hazelnuts, almonds and other nuts are widely used to add depth and crunch to salads and other dishes.

• Seitan – A popular meat substitute due to its high protein content. Made from wheat gluten, it’s often used to create vegan “meat” for burgers and hearty mains.

• Plant-based milks – There are several alternatives to cow’s milk, including soy, coconut, almond and rice milk. These are used in drinks, desserts and various recipes as milk substitutes.

• Butter alternatives – While sunflower oil or other vegetable oils are often used in place of butter, peanut or almond butter can also be great additions for texture and flavour.

• Tofu – A staple in countless vegan and vegetarian recipes, tofu is made from soy milk and water, earning it the nickname “vegetarian cheese.”

• Heura – A high-protein plant-based product known for its chicken-like texture and taste, making it a popular choice for modern vegan dishes for restaurants.

Vegan dishes for your restaurant’s menu: 4 ideas to include

We wrap up our guide to introducing vegan dishes for restaurants with some practical ideas you can add to your menu. Keep in mind that the very best vegan recipes often come from a chef’s creativity — mixing and matching ingredients in innovative ways. So, encourage your team to experiment and have fun in the kitchen!

1. Vegan breakfast ideas

If your restaurant serves breakfast, don’t leave out your vegan customers. Make sure to include tasty and satisfying vegan breakfast options on your menu. One simple yet delicious idea is soy milk coffee served with toasted bread and an olive pâté.

This tasty pâté is made by blending green or black olives with a handful of nuts — such as walnuts, hazelnuts or pistachios — along with a little garlic and olive oil. The result is a smooth, nutritious and flavourful spread, perfect for starting the day with energy.

Other great additions to a plant-based breakfast menu include hummus or avocado with tomato. And of course, don’t forget to drizzle it all with extra virgin olive oil.

2. Vegan tapas

To fully satisfy your vegan clientele, it’s a great idea to add some small-plate options or tapas-style vegan dishes for restaurants. A tasty and crowd-pleasing choice could be vegan-friendly potatoes with homemade aioli, prepared as follows.

Soak flax seeds until the water becomes gel-like. Remove the seeds and place the gel in a bowl. Add some olive oil, minced garlic, salt, and lemon juice, then blend the mixture until you reach a creamy, mayo-like consistency.

Pour this vegan aioli over your potatoes and enjoy! The result is every bit as tasty as traditional aioli potatoes. In fact, you can recommend them to all your customers — being vegan doesn’t mean compromising on taste. That’s the beauty of expanding your offering with vegan dishes for restaurants: you’re not only attracting new customers, but also offering exciting and delicious new choices to your regulars.

Another excellent vegan tapas option is oven-roasted crispy mushrooms — incredibly easy to prepare. Simply slice the mushrooms thinly, season with olive oil, salt, grated garlic, spicy paprika and your choice of herbs. Roast them until they’re perfectly crisp.

These savoury bites can be served with a vegan dip or spread made by blending roasted aubergine with garlic, cumin, black pepper, tahini, olive oil, lemon juice and salt. Your vegan and vegetarian guests will love spending long, relaxed afternoons enjoying plant-based tapas in your restaurant.

3. Vegan dishes for lunch or dinner

Even if your restaurant isn’t a pizzeria, it’s still worth including vegan pizzas on the menu — everyone loves them, and the demand is high. The possibilities are endless, but a great place to start is with a delicious pizza topped with plant-based sausages and a rich tofu Bolognese sauce. And of course, don’t forget the vegan cheese — there are now plenty of options available in most supermarkets.

Since you’re working with a vegetarian or vegan menu, it’s essential to include a variety of tasty salads as part of your vegan dishes for restaurants. One excellent option is a quinoa salad. To make it, first cook the quinoa, then finely dice courgette and bell pepper and lightly sauté them. Chop some avocado and slice red onion into thin strips.

Combine everything in a large bowl with the quinoa, some sweet corn kernels and finely chopped coriander. Prepare a simple dressing using lemon juice, olive oil, salt and pepper, and mix it into the salad. A colourful, fresh and nutrient-rich dish that your customers will love.

4. Vegan desserts

To round off your vegan or vegetarian menu, you mustn’t overlook dessert. Offering tempting plant-based sweets is the perfect way to satisfy your customers’ sweet tooth. For instance, a moist, fluffy pumpkin or carrot cake is always a hit — made, of course, by swapping out animal-based ingredients. Use vegetable oil instead of butter for a light and tender texture.

Another fantastic dessert to include in your vegan dishes for restaurants is a strawberry and vegan “cheesecake” tartlet. While a bit more elaborate, it’s absolutely worth the effort. Start by making the base: crush vegan biscuits and mix with dairy-free margarine.

For the filling, blend tofu, agar-agar and sugar into a smooth, creamy consistency, spoon it into the tartlet cases and bake. Once cooled, top with a luscious fruit layer made from strawberries, passion fruit and almond milk yoghurt. With its vibrant colours and irresistible look, it’ll be hard for anyone to say no.

With these practical ideas for expanding the vegan dishes for restaurants on your menu — and all the benefits that come with it — there’s no reason not to make your menu more inclusive, modern and profitable. Give your restaurant that extra edge and offer something delicious for everyone!