Is it rude to eat before going out to a birthday dinner....

Tbh it's more rude of them to force their eating habits on you and you have the right to refuse

Just tell them you don't eat rabbit food

Honestly, it is a bit rude. I'd just try something there then have a steak or some chicken marinating at home just in case you need some meat. Not all vegan/vegetarian food is awful. I worked with a lot of vegetarian/vegans one summer and when I left, they threw me a BBQ that was entirely grilled veggies. It wasn't awful and I ate it to be polite, but I had to eat a sandwich later because it just wasn't enough for me. The important bit was that I didn't hurt their feelings and appreciated what they did for me.

Honestly, I wouldn't mind trying vegan food.

If it is all the restaurant serves, they'd have to know how to prepare it and make it enjoyable.

Otherwise, they wouldn't be in business.

No, but to avoid being awkward maybe order like an appetizer or desert or something so your not just sitting there empty handed the whole time.

You're at someone's birthday party, which you did not decline to go in the first place.

Doesn't matter if you'd eaten prior, you still have to eat on the said party; yes, you have to. And do NOT mention anything regarding to you eating prior to the party, it's rude.

Vegan food is actually surprisingly palatable. I'd say give it a try.

No. If you're starving you need to eat a little something. If you know the place or type of food won't be filling you need to eat a bit. I'd prefer not going somewhere with subpar food or portions and having my stomach sonic boom from rumbling during a social gathering like that.

Biggest problem with restaurants like that are they try using substitutes instead of actually trying to avoid animal products and going for flavors that are meant to work with meat or something.

Vegan food is alright occasionally but I would not be up for it every night.

I would go and not make a fuss about it unless it was every night.

I would order something and try to eat it. If I didn't like it I would hide how little I ate using my napkin or something. If confronted just say "ya I haven't had much of an appetite today, I hope I'm not getting sick".

Eat something afterwards if I'm hungry, but choke enough down to not be starving.

Everyday, countless men have to eat the food made by their significant other that taste like shit.

What's more important to you? Your ego against certain types of food or your friend?

Back in the day, Americans didn't like to eat sushi. Now...

Did you look up the menu (which nearly every restaurant has available online) to see if there was anything you'd like?

Because unless you were 100% certain you didn't want to eat there then yes it is actually rude.

But if you did actually do research and confirmed that the restaurant was overall unappealing then I can see your side and why you wouldn't want to eat there.

Like you could have had a soup. It's not the end of the world.

Could always bring your own take out from McDonalds, couple of big macs and a quarter pounder,

As long as you buy them a steak its not.