Vegan at a Café? Here’s What You Can Actually Order

Being vegan at a café doesn’t have to mean settling for black coffee and a side salad. These days, most cafés (especially thoughtful, indie spots like All Good Café) offer way more than you’d expect.

Whether you’re fully plant-based or just cutting back on animal products, there’s a whole world of flavor waiting for you—no dairy or meat required. Let’s break down what you can actually order when you’re vegan at a café.

Drinks

Let’s start with the basics: coffee and tea. Almost every café now offers plant-based milk options like oat, almond, soy, or coconut. That means lattes, cappuccinos, and even macchiatos are totally on the table.

Want it sweet? Many syrups like vanilla, hazelnut, and caramel are vegan—but double-check, especially with sauces (some mocha or white chocolate syrups contain dairy). Pro tip: maple syrup or agave are great natural sweeteners you can request.

Here are some go-to vegan-friendly drink orders:

• Oat milk latte
• Iced almond milk chai
• Coconut matcha
• Espresso with agave
• Herbal teas with lemon

Breakfast

You’d be surprised how many cafés can whip up a solid vegan breakfast. At All Good Café, you can often mix and match from the menu or ask for simple swaps.

Look out for these items:

• Avocado toast – Just confirm the bread is dairy-free (most sourdough is).
• Tofu scramble – A vegan take on scrambled eggs, often loaded with veggies.
• Oatmeal – Made with water or plant milk, topped with fruit and nuts.
• Vegan breakfast burrito – Usually packed with beans, veggies, and plant-based protein.
• Bagels – Many are naturally vegan. Just swap cream cheese for hummus or avocado.

It’s all about knowing how to build a plate. Most cafés are happy to work with you if you ask nicely.

Pastries

Here’s where things get tricky—but not impossible. While traditional pastries often contain butter, milk, or eggs, more and more spots (including All Good Café) are offering vegan-friendly baked goods.

Look for:

• Vegan muffins (banana, blueberry, etc.)
• Coconut oil scones
• Vegan cookies
• Fruit bars with oat crust
• Raw bites or protein balls

Just ask what’s in the pastry case. Vegan items are usually labeled, but if they’re not, the staff can let you know what’s safe.

Lunch

Vegan lunch options at a café don’t have to be boring. At All Good Café, there are plenty of ways to put together a solid mid-day meal without animal products.

Try:

• Grain bowls – Brown rice or quinoa with roasted veggies and tahini dressing.
• Salads – Ask for no cheese or meat, and add avocado, nuts, or chickpeas.
• Veggie wraps – Stuffed with hummus, cucumbers, greens, and more.
• Vegan chili or soup – Many soups are made dairy-free.
• Toasties – Think grilled veggie sandwiches with vegan cheese or spreads.

And don’t be shy—ask if the kitchen can swap or leave things off. Most places are cool with that.

Sweets

Yes, you can still have dessert. Vegan sweets might not be as obvious, but they do exist. At All Good Café, there’s usually at least one vegan option on the counter—like a brownie, cookie, or fruit crumble.

Ask for these:

• Vegan chocolate chip cookies
• Lemon oat bars
• Dairy-free cheesecake (if you’re lucky!)
• Energy balls made with dates, nuts, and cocoa
• Vegan banana bread

They’re often just as indulgent as the “regular” stuff—just made with different ingredients.

Tips

Here are a few quick tips to make vegan ordering at cafés easy:

• Ask about ingredients – Don’t assume. Some breads or drinks may have dairy or eggs.
• Customize – Most cafés are happy to swap or adjust ingredients.
• Be polite and patient – Not every café is fully vegan-aware, but most want to help.
• Check for labels – Vegan items are often marked with (V) or a green leaf icon.
• Come during slower hours – Staff may have more time to accommodate custom requests.

Here’s a quick cheat sheet for what to order:

Category	Vegan Option Examples
Drinks	Oat milk latte, iced chai, herbal tea
Breakfast	Avocado toast, tofu scramble, oatmeal
Pastries	Vegan muffins, cookies, fruit bars
Lunch	Veggie wraps, grain bowls, vegan soups
Sweets	Banana bread, brownies, energy bites

With just a little creativity (and a friendly attitude), being vegan at a café isn’t hard—it’s actually pretty delicious.

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