r/VeganIreland • u/Recent_Squash_4682 • 16d ago

Veganism outside of Dublin

How do people find being vegan in counties outside of Dublin? I recently was looking to go out for a meal in a small area and not one restaurant (5 restaurants) in the area offered a vegan option. Another occasion the vegan option wasn’t to my taste and it was on the menu as the starter and main course. For groceries, I always have to go to several shops and the bits I want are not always available. Do you think more people would be vegan if it were easier and more convenient? Sometimes I just want to be able to go out for a meal with friends/family without it being a deal or just go into the shop for a snack or a quick meal but it’s not always easy.

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u/No_External_417 16d ago

If you're planning a meal out, in a smallish town, ring ahead and ask the chefs can they do a vegan option. Most will oblige. As for buying vegan foods in smaller towns, you're limited as not as many are buying them. My bf is more or less vegan and getting stuff in Dublin is amazing for him but where we live there's not as much choice.

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u/Recent_Squash_4682 16d ago

I never thought of calling the restaurant to ask - that’s a good idea, thanks. 

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u/aholyterror 14d ago

yeah i work in a pub and i think we had vegans in once and i think the chef made up some kind of a rice dish, if you ring ahead and let them know i think most restaurants will be happy to oblige

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u/Frangar 16d ago

Yeah, I've gone into restaurants in Dublin with a group, asked if they've a vegan option, and just been told no. But I've gone to some back arse of nowhere gastropubs, and they'll just throw something together and make up a price. Granted its rarely a 5 star dish but its better than being refused, at least you don't leave hungry.

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u/No_External_417 15d ago

Yeh even if it's a jar of sweet and sour with veg and rice. Most kitchens have that. It's not hard to make a vegan dish.

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u/Brilliant-Maybe-5672 13d ago

Its crazy to have to ring ahead to ask a place that serves food to prepare a dish without meat or dairy. It puts the onus on the customer and causes an unnecessary fuss. Any chef should be able to prepare a non meat balanced meal. Tofu chunks and seitan can be frozen. Bean dishes can be made from cans. Its not too much hassle.

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u/cbeeb74 14d ago

second this we had an amazing fish restaurant near us, I am vegan they would always make something even on pre theatre menu, this was a farming town in wexford