Vegan Fast Food Restaurant Guide
Finding vegan fast food used to be a challenge, but things have changed a lot in recent years. More fast food chains now offer plant-based burgers, dairy-free sides, and even vegan desserts. While it’s still not perfect, there are plenty of tasty and convenient options to choose from. Whether you’re on a road trip, in a rush, or just craving a quick bite, you don’t have to settle for plain fries anymore.
This guide will help you find the best vegan-friendly fast food spots and what to order at each one. A few places have full plant-based menus, while others have a few solid choices if you know where to look. We’ll break down the options, from popular burger chains to sandwich shops and coffee spots. We don’t usually quote G.I. Joe, but “Knowing is half the battle” is right on the money when it comes to dining out for vegans.
No more guessing or hoping—this list will make it easy to grab something delicious and vegan on the go! Let’s get started!
How to Order Vegan at Fast Food Restaurants
Our “How to Order Vegan” restaurant guides were created to help you navigate the frustrating and confusing world of eating out. This vegan fast food guide is a collection of all of our suggestions and selections for your best dining out experience at major restaurant chains.
Vegetarian & Vegan Fast Food Restaurants Are On The Rise
We live in an exciting time. New vegetarian and vegan fast food restaurants are sprouting up all around the world! Veggie Grill was one of the first to hit the scene more than a decade ago, and now there are many others. A few of our favorites include:
- Amy’s Drive Thru (vegetarian)
- Burger Patch (vegan)
- Beatnic (vegan)
- Hip City Veg (vegan)
- Jerrell’s Betr Brgr (vegan)
- McCharlie’s (vegan)
- Monty’s Good Burger (vegan)
- Native Foods (vegan)
- Plant-Power Fast Food (vegan)
- PLNT Burger (vegan)
- Slutty Vegan (vegan)
- Vegan Burg (vegan)
- Veggie Galaxy (vegetarian/vegan)
- Veggie Grill (vegan)
Helpful Hints For Veggie Fast Food Dining
Eating vegan at fast food places might be a bit easier nowadays, but knowing what to order makes a big difference. Many spots offer plant-based burgers, dairy-free sides, and customizable meals if you ask. With the right tips, you can enjoy quick, tasty, and satisfying fast food without the guesswork!
- Do Your Homework – Check the restaurant’s website before ordering to find plant-based options.
- Scan the Menu Like a Pro – Look carefully for hidden plant-based choices or customizable meals.
- Call Ahead, Stay Ahead – A quick phone call can save time and reveal daily vegan-friendly options.
- Customize with a Click – Ordering online? Use the “customize” button to remove meat or dairy and add extra veggies.
- Side Salads = Secret Weapon – Adding a simple salad can turn any meal into a more satisfying supper.
- Pack a Plant-Based Backup – Bring along a small stash of nuts (raw, roasted, or candied nuts), homemade hummus, or fruit to upgrade any meal.
- Dress for Success – Carry a sealed vinaigrette packet for an instant flavor boost to your salad. (Newman’s Own has a number of vegan options.)
- Snack Before You Go – A little pre-dining fuel, like a quick vegan snack, can keep hunger (and frustration) in check!
Vegan Substitution Ideas
Making simple swaps can turn many fast food meals into tasty vegan options. Skip the cheese, swap mayo for mustard or avocado, and choose plant-based proteins when available. With a few easy tweaks, you can enjoy a satisfying meal without missing out on flavor!
- Request No Butter, Meat, Eggs, Cheese, or Milk – Just in case, it’s always better to ask the waiter to double-check. Especially if the description of the meal you are ordering is unclear.
- Select Multiple Sides – This makes things a lot easier. Find a few veggies, a salad, a potato (if available), and see if they have fruit for dessert. Some restaurants have sensational sides that will really satisfy your hunger.
- Ask for Alterations – A couple of small fixes can make all the difference in your meal.
- Dry toasted instead of grilled/fried with butter
- Oil & vinegar or lemon juice for dressing
- Steamed veggies or baked potato without butter
- An avocado or hummus on the side
NOTE: Many dine-in restaurants also offer an assortment of alcoholic beverages, but the options differ from one location to the next and also from state to state. Though some of the mainstream beer and wine brands are vegan (like Bud, Coors, Heineken, etc.), there are some varieties that are not vegan-friendly within that brand. Please double-check your options on Barnivore.com—the vegan beer, wine, and liquor guide.
Vegan Fast Food & Chain Restaurant Guides (Alphabetical)
Below you’ll find full vegan menu guides to each of the following fast food restaurants. Click on the restaurant you’d like to explore to see the plant-based options available there. Did we miss your favorite spot? Let us know in the comment section!
- Applebee’s
- Arby’s
- Ben & Jerry’s
- Buffalo Wild Wings
- Burger King
- California Pizza Kitchen
- Carl’s Jr.
- Cheesecake Factory
- Chick-Fil-A
- Chili’s Grill & Bar
- Chipotle
- Cold Stone Creamery
- Dairy Queen
- Del Taco
- Denny’s
- Domino’s Pizza
- Dunkin Donuts
- Einstein Bros Bagels
- El Pollo Loco
- Five Guys
- IHOP
- In-N-Out Burger
- Jack in the Box
- KFC
- Long John Silver’s
- McDonald’s
- Noodles & Co.
- Olive Garden
- Panda Express
- Panera Bread
- Papa John’s
- Papa Murphy’s
- Peet’s Coffee
- PF Chang’s
- Pizza Hut
- Plant Power Fast Food
- Popeyes
- Shake Shack
- Sonic Drive-In
- Starbucks
- Subway
- Taco Bell
- TGI Friday’s
- Wendy’s
- White Castle
- Wienerschnitzel
Below we share our top picks for tasty vegan-friendly restaurants and advice on how to handle those pesky problems that tend to turn up. Each suggestion will be linked to its very own article, so make sure to click on your restaurant of choice to get more details on how to order vegan.
Vegan Dining Out Options (By Category)
Finding vegan-friendly restaurants is easier when you know where to look. This list breaks down the best spots by category, from burger joints to pizza places and coffee shops. No matter what you’re craving, you’ll have plenty of tasty options to choose from!
Asian-Inspired
Breakfast
Chicken, Fish, and Sandwiches
Coffee Shop
Family and Friends Dining
Ice Cream
Italian
Mexican
Your Best Option for Vegan Fast Food
If you have total control over where you can go and you’re seriously hungry for a substantial meal. This is our top vegan fast food pick for you!
- Chipotle – Except for the meat, cheese, sour cream, and the salad dressing, everything is up for grabs. Buy a bowl or burrito (or both!), tasty taco, super salad, or just a gallon of guacamole and crunchy chips. You’ll be super satisfied and the price is pretty good, too. With 2,667 locations in the U.S. and at least one Chipotle in each state, you’re bound to find a place to pacify your hunger!
Family-Friendly Vegan Fast Food Finds
When you’ve got little ones in tow and no one can bear being in the car any longer, a sit-down restaurant might be the perfect place:
- California Pizza Kitchen – While not 100% vegan family-friendly, you will have a choice of pasta, pizza, appetizer, bowl, soup, or small plate/starter. And in late 2020, they even rolled out plant-based chicken on the menu! As long as you bring your own dressing (or don’t mind oil & vinegar), you can all get some pretty good grub without a lot of grumbling.
- Olive Garden – Again, you mainly have to avoid the meat, cheese, and salad dressing. Otherwise, your entire family can have a whole lot of salad, breadsticks, and pasta. Even pizza without the cheese is possible. Just make sure to choose the right sauce.
- Denny’s – Here, a selection of sides will save you. If you pile your plate with cooked veggies, potatoes, and round it all out with a skillet meal or Beyond Meat Burger, you’ll be pretty pleased. Just make sure to leave out the meat, eggs, and cheese.
- Papa Murphy’s – Although you can only pick up pizza at this place, it’s still worthwhile. You can choose your own crust, sauce and toppings and just bake it at home. Sprinkle on your favorite vegan cheese and plant-based protein for even more flavor.
- Starbucks – Mainly a destination for specialty drinks and not for food. But, if you’re searching for a vegan beverage or a snack, they’ve got you covered. On the food front, opt for oatmeal (ask for plant milk or water) and fresh fruit for a healthier option. Or, fill your bag to fuel up later with green juice, granola bars, chips, and cookies.
On-the-Go From Mexico
Looking for some quick vegan Mexican food? Lucky for you, if you can find a Mexican restaurant that doesn’t use chicken broth or lard in their rice and beans, it should be an extremely vegan-friendly place! You can load up plant-based burritos with Mexican rice, refried beans, veggies, guacamole, lettuce, pico de gallo, salsa, and more. If you’re lucky, you may even be able to add in tofu or vegan meat. These Mexican-inspired restaurants have lots of vegetarian options for you:
- Chipotle Mexican Grill – It’s debatable whether Chipotle would classify as Mexican food, but it’s certainly Mexican-inspired. And if you’re hungry for a giant filling burrito, tacos, or a rice and veggie bowl, Chipotle certainly has your back. This is one of the most vegan-friendly fast-casual restaurants around.
- Taco Bell – A favorite fast food destination for new vegans. Though higher in flavor than some places, it’s not the most heart-healthy choice. Five ingredients are transformed into many different meals —beans, lettuce, tomato, guacamole, and corn tortillas. We’re so sad that they’ve decided to pass on the potatoes in their new menu.
- Chili’s Grill & Bar – While there is nothing too exciting on this menu, at least their guacamole and Mexican rice is vegan! And hey, there are always margaritas and vegan alcoholic beverages to get you through!
Eh, It’s Okay (Mediocre Veggie Fast Food Options)
Middle-of-the-road options with mediocre flavor. Not the best of the bunch, but also not the worst. Still better than McDonald’s.
- Panera Bread – While this is more of a lunch option than a dinner choice, it’s still an honest option for when you’re hungry. Choose a salad or a grain bowl filled with veggies, a bagel (with peanut butter or hummus), or a Mediterranean sandwich, and a veggie soup. Add a bag of chips for a treat or piece of fruit for more fiber. At least you’ll get out of the car for a while and have a slightly healthier option than most places.
- Applebee’s – They’ve finally introduced a veggie burger (the Impossible burger) on the menu and it can easily be made vegan by omitting the cheese. They also have several vegan-friendly sides, from their fries to their new soft pretzels. If you really want a sit-down restaurant and not the drive-thru, this could be a good choice. You can also order a plain baked potato, steamed broccoli (without butter), or a salad for some healthy (albeit not very exciting) grub.
- IHOP – Get the most bang for your buck by going for breakfast. Though the pancakes are not plant-based, you can still order two kinds of potatoes—hash browns or potato patties. Add on some dairy-free oatmeal, avocado toast or even a fruit cup on the side.
- Domino’s Pizza – Pizza is pretty much your only pick here. But, don’t let that stop you. If this is a late night snack attack, I’m sure you’ll find your veggie-packed pizza perfectly fine. Make sure to leave out the cheese.
Last Resort Vegan Fast Food Options
If this is your only option other than chips and candy at the gas station, then I say go for it. You may leave a little hungry and slightly unsatisfied, but at least you’ll have something warm in your belly for the time being.
- Subway – Choose either a salad with chopped veggies or the same veggies inside a loaf of bread. You may be able to grab a veggie soup, applesauce or chips to round out your meal. Not the most flavorful choice, but at least you’ll have a good amount of plant-based food to satiate. If you’re able to add some avocado or oil dressing, you’ll feel way more satisfied.
- Dunkin Donuts – With an order of hash browns, oatmeal, and a bagel, you might have an actual meal on your hands. Don’t forget the coffee (ask for the oat or almond milk option)!
It’s a No-Go
In this situation, consider these as more of a pit-stop for the potty rather than finding some food to eat. You may be better off eating the snacks in your pocket or in your car instead.
- McDonald’s – Don’t stop unless you are desperate for a drink or bursting for the bathroom. Unless your belly is begging for a bun with lettuce or a super fat-filled apple pie, you’re out of luck.
Have you found any other fast food chains that you want us to investigate? Did you find something amazing that we missed? Let us know by tagging #worldofvegan and sharing your favorite vegan fast food creations with all of us!
Disclaimer: At the time of writing this vegan fast food guide, the foods mentioned in the articles above are vegan. Since fast food restaurants constantly update their menus and add or take away items, please keep this in mind when ordering your food. There may be new items that are vegan and not listed or items listed here as vegan, which are no longer vegan. Take care to double-check.
FAQs
Vegan fast food can be healthier, but it depends on what you order. Many plant-based options are still fried, processed, or high in salt. However, some choices—like veggie-packed bowls, bean-based burgers, and fresh salads—are more nutritious. Balance is key, so mix in whole foods when you can!
You can find plant-based fast food at many popular chains, from burger spots to sandwich shops. Some places have full plant-based meals, while others let you customize your order. Coffee shops and Mexican-style restaurants often have great options, too. Check out the suggestions above for the best places to grab a quick and tasty vegan bite!
In our opinion, Chipotle is one of the best chain restaurants for vegan menu options. Their build-your-own meals make it easy to get a satisfying plant-based burrito, bowl, or salad. With sofritas, beans, rice, veggies, and guacamole, you can create a flavorful and filling meal.
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Leave a Comment
It’s fantastic to see comprehensive guides like this one from World of Vegan making it easier for those following a plant-based diet to navigate fast-food options. With more chains offering vegan choices, having a resource that details what’s available and how to customize orders is invaluable.
That is exactly our aim! Thanks so much for your comment 🙂
Thanks for sharing the information about fast food. I think your post very helpful for lot of people.