I have found the following three items to be valuable in enjoying a meal out.

1. Don’t worry - After several years of enjoying a vegan diet and hundreds of restaurant meals, I have yet to encounter a dining out experience that I did not enjoy. Some experiences have been comical, but none have been disappointing.
2. Do a little research - There are many web resources that can help you determine ahead of your visit to a restaurant what meals they serve are vegan and which are not. Spend a few moments doing some Google searches and use the results to help you plan where you may go and what you may order. “Vegan food near me” is a useful Google go to when out and about.
3. Ask - I have enjoyed some fantastic meals that result from sharing with the server that I eat a vegan diet and asking them what they recommend. In some instance the response is “I will ask the cook to come up with something” and the meal that follows is always delicious. On one occasion while in Washington DC when asked the server produced an entire menu that was dedicated to vegan options.

I observe that as the number of vegans has grown so too have the vegan food options at restaurants. It is rare as of late that I find no vegan options on a menu. Below are some articles and books that may help you plan:

• The Best Vegan (and Vegan-friendly) Restaurants in All 50 States
• The 21 Best Vegetarian Restaurants in America
• Las Vegas Vegan Food Guide: The best vegan and vegan-friendly restaurants in Las Vegas
• Vegan London: A guide to the capital's best cafes, restaurants and food stores