20 Vegan or Vegetarian Spots In NYC
Are you a vegetarian ready to venture across the pond searching for the best offerings?
Restaurants are plentiful in NYC, much like mushrooms after the rain. Like it or not, plant-based food is here to stay, so you might as well sample it. So how do you find the best needles in the haystack? We compiled a list of the 20 best vegan and vegetarian restaurants in New York City. So, consider our recommendations if you are a hard-core vegetarian/vegan, aspiring, or simply looking to eat clean.
Dirt Candy
86 Allen St, New York, NY 10002
Dirt Candy’s goal is that people who eat at their restaurant enjoy vegetables. They serve nothing but vegetables and always want to ensure they taste better than anything you’ve ever had. Their kitchen is essentially a laboratory for our award-winning chef, Amanda Cohen, who pushes vegetables further daily than anyone else. Their menu changes regularly in a beautiful open kitchen setting.
ABCV
38 E 19th St, New York, NY 10003
This is a more upscale vegan/vegetarian spot. Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s first meat-free venture is one not to miss if you are a foodie and want to experience something unique. Each menu arrives with a chart detailing various vegetables’ health benefits. One of the most popular items on the menu is the dosas.
Avant Garden
130 E 7th St, New York, NY 10009
Avant Garden opened its doors in 2015 in the East Village. Since then, they have been creating delicious plant-based options. Additionally, their 28-seat space with a petrified-wood counter and raw tree branches above an open kitchen is not one to miss. Pair a quartet of toasts topped with items like crimini mushrooms with the housemade spaghetti and sip beer, wine, and cider.
Beyond Sushi
Various Locations
Beyond Sushi is a spot to check out if you are looking for vegan or vegetarian sushi. Beyond Sushi in New York City’s leading vegan restaurant chain, reimagining plant-based food one plate at a time. They are a vegan and kosher haven known for their unconventional sushi, globally inspired flavors, and indulgent desserts and cocktails. They have five locations across Manhattan, offering full-service dine-in, takeout, and delivery options.
Beatnic
185 Bleecker St, New York, NY 10012
Beatnic was once known as By Chloe. But was rebranded by the owner after a legal battle. They have many options on their menus, from began burgers, salads, sandwiches, chicken tenders, mac and cheese, and fresh juices! Of course, all are vegan or vegetarian. This spot is so popular because you can find healthy options, but they have that too if you are craving junk food!
PLANTA
15 W 27th St, New York, NY 10001
Led by Founder and CEO Steven Salm and Co-founder and Executive Chef David Lee, PLANTA was born in 2016 to expand the accessibility and acceptability of plant-based dining; dining as it should be an unguilty pleasure. PLANTA puts Asian fare on the table with a food menu divided into five sections sushi, chilled & raw, dumplings, small plates, and wok & noodles. Additionally, the cocktail menu incorporates a variety of fruity Asian flavors as well, like the Herb Your Enthusiasm, made with Thai chili-infused tequila; Lych Please, made with hibiscus-infused gin and lychee liqueur; and the Kombucha Mojito! 23.
The Butcher’s Daughter
581 Hudson St, New York, NY 10014
The Butcher’s Daughter is a plant-based restaurant, cafe, juice bar, and “vegetable slaughterhouse.” They treat fruits and vegetables as a butcher would meat hence the name. They constantly change their menu, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner 100 percent vegetarian and non-dairy. The cafe was created in 2012 by Heather Tierney, who owns the cocktail bar Apotheke. Soon after opening, this place became immensely popular.
Taïm
Various Locations
Taïm is a legendary West Village falafel spot that pretty much everyone in this city has been obsessed with for a decade. A falafel sandwich at Taïm is the best thing you can get in New York City for less than $10. They have 3 locations in NYC. Oder a falafel sandwich or a sampler platter, and you won’t be disappointed.
Cadence
122 E 7th St, New York, NY 10009
Cadence is a new soul food spot from the vegan restaurant group Overthrow Hospitality. At Cadence, the simple menu from executive chef Shennari Freeman manages to hit all the spots. They are famous for their redefined classics like Southern fried lasagna with red wine “Bolognese” and pine nut ricotta, a fried Buffalo oyster mushroom sandwich enclosed in a pretzel bun, expertly seasoned smoked grits, and a housemade fruit cobbler. Additionally, the wine menu features bottles from Black-owned wineries too. They are located in the east village.
Blossom
Various Locations
Blossom is a vegan restaurant group in New York City that was established to creatively bring vegan dining to a fresh, new, and delicious level. Starting in 2005, they brought animal-caring, health-conscious cuisine to food lovers everywhere. They have two locations—one in the Upper West Side hub with a full-service bar and a newer Greenwich Village eatery. The menus span several categories of cuisine; the atmospheres lean toward classy.
Ladybird
111 E 7th St, New York, NY 10009
First opened in 2016, Ladybird is a tapas and wine bar—a convivial environment for dates and good conversation. Ladybird offers an assortment of small plates to enjoy if you want to eat something lighter. Try their famous Buffalo Maitake Buns and our Fondues! Yes, they are vegan, too, and delicious.
Spicy Moon
328 E 6th St, New York, NY 10003
This Szechuan restaurant is the perfect spot if you are a fan of spicy Chinese food. Spicy Moon is located in East Village. You have many options with spicy grilled eggplant, dan dan noodles, and dumplings.
HanGawi
12 E 32nd St, New York, NY 10016
HanGawi is a vegetarian restaurant that aims to incorporate traditional Korean vegetarian dishes into Western culture. If you like Korean food or want a place with many flavors, check them out.
Peacefood Cafe
41 E 11th St, New York, NY 10003
This vegan gem is located on the Upper West Side. This is a great spot to stop for a healthy and delicious lunch. They have salads, sandwiches, soups, and more. Additionally, they also have an entirely vegan bakery section. They also have a kid’s menu if you stop by with the little ones.
Caravan Of Dreams
405 E 6th St, New York, NY 10009
Angel Moreno founded Caravan of Dreams in 1991 as a place where the Spanish ex-pat could combine his passions for food, health, music, arts, and community. Since then, it has served the East Village with all organic, vegan, kosher verified, and extensive live food options, a fully stocked bar, nightly entertainment, and occasional educational seminars and events.
Built plank-by-plank and brick-by-brick by Angel, Caravan of Dreams became the vanguard of a new mode of living and has since become one of the established stalwarts of the East Village scene and a symbol of the Zeitgeist. Their vegan menu includes salads, sandwiches, paella, ravioli, and more.
Buddha Bodai
5 Mott St. New York NY, 10013
Situated in the heart of Chinatown, Buddha Bodai has been serving magnificent vegetarian meals since its inception in 2004. Buddha Bodai is committed to achieving and maintaining the delicate flavors of China’s deep culinary history. Chef Dong has been doling out plant-based versions of Peking duck, turnip cake, and vegetarian sesame chicken for over 45 years, so this place is not one to miss!
NY Dosas
50 Washington Square S New York, NY 10012
NY Dosas is a very well-known street vendor in NYC. This Washington Square food vendor usually has many eager, hungry customers who love their food. The Indian food truck specializes in crunchy dosas that are 100% vegetarian. Stop by and enjoy a dosa if you are in the area or park!
Fat Choy
250 Broome St, New York, NY 10002
Fat Choy is a type of Chinese food spot that is fast-casual and focuses on various small plates. There’s a play on the sloppy Joe made by stuffing mushroom ragu inside a sesame pancake, salt and pepper cauliflower, and sticky rice dumplings that are unique and flavorful. They also have rice rolls, a green salad, smashed cucumber, and more.
Lekka Burger
81 Warren St, New York, NY 10007
Vegan burgers are a huge craze right now. Lekka burgers are made with only whole, natural ingredients, including portobello mushrooms, cannelloni beans, onions, fennel, and garlic. The burgers contain no soy or gluten and require no added lab-made flavors or vitamins to be wholesome and delicious. This is Amanda Cohen’s follow-up to Dirt Candy. The menu also has salads and several vegan milkshakes or soft serves.
Bunna Cafe
1084 Flushing Ave Brooklyn, NY 11237
Bunna Cafe is a Bushwick staple. Since 2011, Bunna Cafe has been curating Ethiopian-themed food and music events around NYC. In February 2014, they finally opened their first brick-and-mortar restaurant on the heels of an inspirational Indiegogo campaign. Bunna Cafe will be right up your alley if you want to try something unique and new. Sample the family-style platters or the red lentils in berbere sauce, mashed split peas simmered with tomato, and a chickpea stuffing with kale.
Updated April 7th, 2022
