Hey Brooklyn! Get started with $20 off your first subscription of $40 or more.

Vegan Baby! Add These 5 Dishes to Your Restaurant's Menu Now

Vegan Baby! Add These 5 Dishes to Your Restaurant's Menu Now
TLDR

If you're running a restaurant, you know how important it is to keep up with the latest food trends. One of the biggest trends right now is vegan cuisine, and it's becoming increasingly popular with diners of all backgrounds.

The great thing about vegan food is that it can be both exciting and approachable—which is why it's such a great choice for restaurants. Whether you're looking to add more vegan dishes to your menu or simply update your existing recipes with some vegan ingredients, there are plenty of options to choose from.

In this article, we'll take a look at some of the most popular vegan dishes you should consider adding to your restaurant's menu this year. We'll also discuss some tips for creating delicious and enticing vegan meals that will appeal to vegans and non-vegans alike!

What Makes a Healthy Vegan Diet?

One of the most important things to remember about vegan diets is that they aren't just about excluding animal products—they can be incredibly nutritious and healthy when balanced correctly.

So what makes a healthy vegan diet? To start off with, it should include a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, legumes and healthy oils. Eating a wide range of these foods can help maintain good health, as well as reduce the risk of heart disease by up to 75%. A vegan diet should also be free from all animal products and by-products—which includes eggs, dairy and honey.

By making sure that your vegan dishes include all the right ingredients, you’ll help your customers make healthier choices while enjoying delicious meals at the same time!

Nutrient-Packed Hummus & Tahini Dishes

If you're looking for vegan dishes that are as delicious as they are healthy and nutritious, look no further than hummus and tahini! Both of these meal choices contain valuable plant-based proteins, dietary fiber, vitamins, minerals and healthy fats.

  • Hummus: Hummus is a popular vegan dish made from chickpeas, garlic, tahini, lemon juice, olive oil, salt and cumin. It provides your diners with all the essential proteins, fats and carbohydrates they need for a balanced meal. Plus it packs 4.8 grams of plant-based protein per serving!
  • Tahini: Tahini is essentially ground sesame seeds- making it an incredibly nutrient packed addition to any vegan menu. One serving contains 2.6 grams of dietary fiber as well calcium, vitamin E magnesium and potassium among other important minerals and vitamins.

Both of these staple ingredients offer all the nutrients your diners need to feel satisfied after their vegan meal. While hummus has a delicious nutty flavor, tahini’s nutty flavor adds an extra layer of flavor to any dish you choose!

Incorporate Signature Smoothies & Drinks

If you're looking for a vegan option to show off at your restaurant, consider signature smoothies and drinks. Not only are they delicious and easy to make, but many vegan smoothie recipes require just two ingredients and some ice and water.

Popular Vegan Smoothie Ingredients

Popular vegan smoothie ingredients include fruit such as bananas, raspberries, blueberries, strawberries, and pineapple, as well as vegetables such as cauliflower and spinach. You can also add things like unsweetened coconut flakes or almond butter for a boost of flavor and extra nutrition. Whatever ingredients you choose, make sure you get organic if possible—it helps reduce the use of harsh pesticides.

When To Enjoy Them

Vegan smoothies can be used as a breakfast item, an in-between snack option while out shopping or exploring your city's attractions, or as a dessert after dinner. Since they're so diverse in ingredients and flavors, you'll be able to find something that suits everyone's tastes.

Lentil Soup and Other Soup Recipes

Soup is a popular item on many menus, but you might not realize just how easy it is to make a vegan, gluten-free lentil soup. This hearty soup, which is high in protein and fiber, is one of the best vegan dishes to add to your menu this year.

Not only is lentil soup nutrient-dense and filling, it's also incredibly flavorful and easy to make. All you need are some pantry staples like onions, carrots and garlic, plus the lentils and vegetable broth of course.

The best part? Once you've gathered your ingredients and thrown them in a pot to simmer for a few hours, you can serve it as-is or dress it up with sour cream or cilantro for a unique spin. Either way, your customers will love this comforting dish.

Soup recipes don't have to stop at lentils either! You can experiment with other vegan soups like creamy butternut squash or curried sweet potato—all sure to be popular items on your menu.

Add Flair With Mediterranean Dishes

If you're looking to add some pizzazz to your vegan menu this year, why not look to the Mediterranean? The Mediterranean diet emphasizes a healthy mix of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and fats—which makes it perfect for those looking for vegan dishes. And since the Mediterranean style of cooking allows you to mix and match ingredients, you can incorporate different flavors, colors, and textures into your dishes.

You can even give your guests more variety by creating vegan Mediterranean wraps, salads and soups. Popular ingredients might include cucumbers, tomatoes, roasted red peppers, olives, onions artichokes, raisins and zucchini — or whatever other vegetables and grains you’d like to experiment with! You could also create delicious roasted vegetable dishes as well.

The sky is the limit when it comes to creating vegan versions of classic Mediterranean fare—so why not get creative this year? Your diners will be sure to enjoy!

Consider Allergies & Dietary Restrictions

It's important to consider allergies and dietary restrictions when creating a menu. Nine of the most common food allergies are plant-based: sesame, soybean, wheat, coconut, mustard, lupin, tree nuts and peanuts. That's why it's so important to pay attention to food labels — not just for vegan dishes specifically, but for all dishes.

When it comes to dietary restrictions in general, some of the most common include vegan/vegetarianism, peanut allergies, lactose intolerance and gluten intolerance. Of course vegan diets exclude all foods of animal origin—this includes meat and dairy products—so dishes created for vegans need to be very carefully composed.

By adding a few vegan dishes like those listed above on your menu this year, you can provide your customers with more options that will cater to their dietary needs while helping you expand your culinary boundaries.

Final Thoughts

Adding vegan dishes to your restaurant's menu this year is a great way to stay ahead of the curve, meet customer demands and needs, and even explore a broader range of healthy and delicious options.

From nut-based smoothies and hummus to lentil soup and other hearty Mediterranean dishes, you can craft an extensive vegan menu that guests of all ages and dietary needs can enjoy. Your vegan guests will be thrilled at the variety of options you offer, and you may even find that your non-vegan diners are tempted to try the vegan dishes too!

TLDR

If you're running a restaurant, you know how important it is to keep up with the latest food trends. One of the biggest trends right now is vegan cuisine, and it's becoming increasingly popular with diners of all backgrounds.

The great thing about vegan food is that it can be both exciting and approachable—which is why it's such a great choice for restaurants. Whether you're looking to add more vegan dishes to your menu or simply update your existing recipes with some vegan ingredients, there are plenty of options to choose from.

In this article, we'll take a look at some of the most popular vegan dishes you should consider adding to your restaurant's menu this year. We'll also discuss some tips for creating delicious and enticing vegan meals that will appeal to vegans and non-vegans alike!

What Makes a Healthy Vegan Diet?

One of the most important things to remember about vegan diets is that they aren't just about excluding animal products—they can be incredibly nutritious and healthy when balanced correctly.

So what makes a healthy vegan diet? To start off with, it should include a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, legumes and healthy oils. Eating a wide range of these foods can help maintain good health, as well as reduce the risk of heart disease by up to 75%. A vegan diet should also be free from all animal products and by-products—which includes eggs, dairy and honey.

By making sure that your vegan dishes include all the right ingredients, you’ll help your customers make healthier choices while enjoying delicious meals at the same time!

Nutrient-Packed Hummus & Tahini Dishes

If you're looking for vegan dishes that are as delicious as they are healthy and nutritious, look no further than hummus and tahini! Both of these meal choices contain valuable plant-based proteins, dietary fiber, vitamins, minerals and healthy fats.

  • Hummus: Hummus is a popular vegan dish made from chickpeas, garlic, tahini, lemon juice, olive oil, salt and cumin. It provides your diners with all the essential proteins, fats and carbohydrates they need for a balanced meal. Plus it packs 4.8 grams of plant-based protein per serving!
  • Tahini: Tahini is essentially ground sesame seeds- making it an incredibly nutrient packed addition to any vegan menu. One serving contains 2.6 grams of dietary fiber as well calcium, vitamin E magnesium and potassium among other important minerals and vitamins.

Both of these staple ingredients offer all the nutrients your diners need to feel satisfied after their vegan meal. While hummus has a delicious nutty flavor, tahini’s nutty flavor adds an extra layer of flavor to any dish you choose!

Incorporate Signature Smoothies & Drinks

If you're looking for a vegan option to show off at your restaurant, consider signature smoothies and drinks. Not only are they delicious and easy to make, but many vegan smoothie recipes require just two ingredients and some ice and water.

Popular Vegan Smoothie Ingredients

Popular vegan smoothie ingredients include fruit such as bananas, raspberries, blueberries, strawberries, and pineapple, as well as vegetables such as cauliflower and spinach. You can also add things like unsweetened coconut flakes or almond butter for a boost of flavor and extra nutrition. Whatever ingredients you choose, make sure you get organic if possible—it helps reduce the use of harsh pesticides.

When To Enjoy Them

Vegan smoothies can be used as a breakfast item, an in-between snack option while out shopping or exploring your city's attractions, or as a dessert after dinner. Since they're so diverse in ingredients and flavors, you'll be able to find something that suits everyone's tastes.

Lentil Soup and Other Soup Recipes

Soup is a popular item on many menus, but you might not realize just how easy it is to make a vegan, gluten-free lentil soup. This hearty soup, which is high in protein and fiber, is one of the best vegan dishes to add to your menu this year.

Not only is lentil soup nutrient-dense and filling, it's also incredibly flavorful and easy to make. All you need are some pantry staples like onions, carrots and garlic, plus the lentils and vegetable broth of course.

The best part? Once you've gathered your ingredients and thrown them in a pot to simmer for a few hours, you can serve it as-is or dress it up with sour cream or cilantro for a unique spin. Either way, your customers will love this comforting dish.

Soup recipes don't have to stop at lentils either! You can experiment with other vegan soups like creamy butternut squash or curried sweet potato—all sure to be popular items on your menu.

Add Flair With Mediterranean Dishes

If you're looking to add some pizzazz to your vegan menu this year, why not look to the Mediterranean? The Mediterranean diet emphasizes a healthy mix of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and fats—which makes it perfect for those looking for vegan dishes. And since the Mediterranean style of cooking allows you to mix and match ingredients, you can incorporate different flavors, colors, and textures into your dishes.

You can even give your guests more variety by creating vegan Mediterranean wraps, salads and soups. Popular ingredients might include cucumbers, tomatoes, roasted red peppers, olives, onions artichokes, raisins and zucchini — or whatever other vegetables and grains you’d like to experiment with! You could also create delicious roasted vegetable dishes as well.

The sky is the limit when it comes to creating vegan versions of classic Mediterranean fare—so why not get creative this year? Your diners will be sure to enjoy!

Consider Allergies & Dietary Restrictions

It's important to consider allergies and dietary restrictions when creating a menu. Nine of the most common food allergies are plant-based: sesame, soybean, wheat, coconut, mustard, lupin, tree nuts and peanuts. That's why it's so important to pay attention to food labels — not just for vegan dishes specifically, but for all dishes.

When it comes to dietary restrictions in general, some of the most common include vegan/vegetarianism, peanut allergies, lactose intolerance and gluten intolerance. Of course vegan diets exclude all foods of animal origin—this includes meat and dairy products—so dishes created for vegans need to be very carefully composed.

By adding a few vegan dishes like those listed above on your menu this year, you can provide your customers with more options that will cater to their dietary needs while helping you expand your culinary boundaries.

Final Thoughts

Adding vegan dishes to your restaurant's menu this year is a great way to stay ahead of the curve, meet customer demands and needs, and even explore a broader range of healthy and delicious options.

From nut-based smoothies and hummus to lentil soup and other hearty Mediterranean dishes, you can craft an extensive vegan menu that guests of all ages and dietary needs can enjoy. Your vegan guests will be thrilled at the variety of options you offer, and you may even find that your non-vegan diners are tempted to try the vegan dishes too!

Doron Segal
Doron Segal

Hey I'm Doron, the co-founder & CTO of Per Diem — a mobile app platform for restaurants. I'm also a dad and a husband. I love to travel and meet new people.I love creating things, and see people using the stuff I built.Prior to Per Diem I worked at Saildrone, OpenTable, Apple, Beats Music, Siemens.

Tomer Molovinsky
Tomer Molovinsky

A second time founder with a passion for building products at the intersection of hospitality and technology. I've had the pleasure of launching reservation systems, mobile payment solutions, and loyalty programs at OpenTable and Resy, and witnessed how operators were losing a direct connection with their customers online. We built Per Diem to strengthen the relationships that businesses have with those customers, and to ensure that local businesses can thrive in today's economy.

Ashley Rodriguez
Ashley Rodriguez

Ashley is a freelance writer and podcast producer based in Madison, Wisconsin. She hosts a podcast called Boss Barista and writes an accompanying newsletter with full transcripts of each episode and articles about coffee and restaurant work. You can check out her work here (ashleyrodriguez.work/).

Explore featured restaurants and cafes

How Fly Boy Blue’s Mobile App Strategy Sets a New Standard for Perth Coffee Shops
How Fly Boy Blue’s Mobile App Strategy Sets a New Standard for Perth Coffee Shops
Read Case study
What Creative Strategies Keep Crave Cookies' Sales Growing Week After Week?
What Creative Strategies Keep Crave Cookies' Sales Growing Week After Week?
Read Case study
Great UX & Unlimited Coffee: Why Fresh Baguette Chose Per Diem Over Craver
Great UX & Unlimited Coffee: Why Fresh Baguette Chose Per Diem Over Craver
Read Case study
How Palace Coffee Co. Achieved a 25% Sales Increase By Switching to Per Diem
How Palace Coffee Co. Achieved a 25% Sales Increase By Switching to Per Diem
Read Case study
What Sets The Bagelers Coffeehouse Apart from Others in Chicago
What Sets The Bagelers Coffeehouse Apart from Others in Chicago
Read Case study
How Dough & Co. Saves Big by Switching to Per Diem for Pizza Deliveries
How Dough & Co. Saves Big by Switching to Per Diem for Pizza Deliveries
Read Case study
How is Primal Bowls Leveraging the Mobile App to Fuel Expansion?
How is Primal Bowls Leveraging the Mobile App to Fuel Expansion?
Read Case study
Why Teaven’s Mobile Ordering Success Is a Model for Other French Tea Brands?
Why Teaven’s Mobile Ordering Success Is a Model for Other French Tea Brands?
Read Case study
How Mid Atlantic Seafood Leverages Per Diem’s App for Higher Delivery Sales
How Mid Atlantic Seafood Leverages Per Diem’s App for Higher Delivery Sales
Read Case study
How Crave Cookies Shifted to Per Diem to Challenge Crumbl
How Crave Cookies Shifted to Per Diem to Challenge Crumbl
Read Case study
Coffee Dose Cafe's Winning Website Strategies for App Promotion
Coffee Dose Cafe's Winning Website Strategies for App Promotion
Read Case study
How Bakeries Like Chip City Use Referral Programs to Increase Customer Counts
How Bakeries Like Chip City Use Referral Programs to Increase Customer Counts
Read Case study
Skip the Line: How Groovy Goose Coffee Streamlined Orders With a Mobile App
Skip the Line: How Groovy Goose Coffee Streamlined Orders With a Mobile App
Read Case study
How Boba Bliss Drove Sales Through Mobile App Coupons
How Boba Bliss Drove Sales Through Mobile App Coupons
Read Case study
What Makes Iron Paffles & Coffee Stand Out in Charlottesville
What Makes Iron Paffles & Coffee Stand Out in Charlottesville
Read Case study
How Kona Coffee Roasters Transformed NYC’s Commuter Coffee Culture with Per Diem
How Kona Coffee Roasters Transformed NYC’s Commuter Coffee Culture with Per Diem
Read Case study
How Kimchi Box Became Michigan's Favorite Restaurant With Mobile Ordering
How Kimchi Box Became Michigan's Favorite Restaurant With Mobile Ordering
Read Case study
How Arkansas' the Busy Bean Tops Charts on Google Play With a Custom Mobile App
How Arkansas' the Busy Bean Tops Charts on Google Play With a Custom Mobile App
Read Case study
How Crema Coffee & Soda is Satisfying Customers in Utah With a Soda Pop App
How Crema Coffee & Soda is Satisfying Customers in Utah With a Soda Pop App
Read Case study
How Lucky Coffee Boosts Mobile App Adoption Through Email Campaigns
How Lucky Coffee Boosts Mobile App Adoption Through Email Campaigns
Read Case study
How Per Diem Helps Oaks Coffee House Give Back to The Chattanooga Community
How Per Diem Helps Oaks Coffee House Give Back to The Chattanooga Community
Read Case study
Run Your Cafe Like a Bank: How Ethereal Cafe Created a Starbucks-Style Mobile App
Run Your Cafe Like a Bank: How Ethereal Cafe Created a Starbucks-Style Mobile App
Read Case study
From One-Timers To Regulars: How Empire Tea and Coffee Transformed Customer Loyalty with Per Diem
From One-Timers To Regulars: How Empire Tea and Coffee Transformed Customer Loyalty with Per Diem
Read Case study
How Cosmic Coffeehouse Teamed Up with Per Diem and Square for an Out-of-This-World Grand Opening
How Cosmic Coffeehouse Teamed Up with Per Diem and Square for an Out-of-This-World Grand Opening
Read Case study
How Kino's Coffee and Others Have Boosted Their Sales with Push Notifications
How Kino's Coffee and Others Have Boosted Their Sales with Push Notifications
Read Case study
Coupon Codes That Work: Chip City's Free Cookie Strategy for Customer Acquisition
Coupon Codes That Work: Chip City's Free Cookie Strategy for Customer Acquisition
Read Case study
From Local Comfort Food to High Tech: How Joanie’s Modernized Operations
From Local Comfort Food to High Tech: How Joanie’s Modernized Operations
Read Case study
Rebranding a Bubble Tea Brand: How Niko Niko Boba Expanded Beyond Chatime
Rebranding a Bubble Tea Brand: How Niko Niko Boba Expanded Beyond Chatime
Read Case study
How Plomo Quesadillas Won Over Gen-Z With Square Loyalty
How Plomo Quesadillas Won Over Gen-Z With Square Loyalty
Read Case study
The Perfect Blend: How Coffee Dose Boosted Brand Loyalty with Per Diem
The Perfect Blend: How Coffee Dose Boosted Brand Loyalty with Per Diem
Read Case study
Ambee Coffee's Rebrand and Per Diem: A Match Made for Expansion
Ambee Coffee's Rebrand and Per Diem: A Match Made for Expansion
Read Case study
Why Kino's Coffee Switched Mobile Apps: A Case Study in Improving the Customer Experience
Why Kino's Coffee Switched Mobile Apps: A Case Study in Improving the Customer Experience
Read Case study
How DoorDash Drive and Per Diem Fueled Masala Wok and Tikka Shack's Delivery Dreams
How DoorDash Drive and Per Diem Fueled Masala Wok and Tikka Shack's Delivery Dreams
Read Case study
Per Diem's Square Integration: How Island Flavor Streamlined Operations
Per Diem's Square Integration: How Island Flavor Streamlined Operations
Read Case study
Hidden Grounds Case Study: When Apps Meet Customer Loyalty, Magic Happens
Hidden Grounds Case Study: When Apps Meet Customer Loyalty, Magic Happens
Read Case study
Scan for a Free Cookie: How Chip City's QR Codes Drove App Adoption
Scan for a Free Cookie: How Chip City's QR Codes Drove App Adoption
Read Case study
Close Line
Try Per Diem
Sign up for our monthly newsletter for all the latest in local restaurant trends, industry insights, and Per Diem product updates.
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Close Line

Unlock new insights and trends by
downloading Ultimate Guide for Launching a Mobile Ordering App.

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Close Line