Veganism continues to be on the rise. And with a growing population of vegan Americans, it’s no surprise that more and more restaurants are hopping on the bandwagon and serving up dishes that cater to our fellow herbivores. Plus, with new meat and dairy replacements being introduced all the time, there’s a ton of opportunity and inspiration to get creative with plant-based menus.
There’s no shortage of vegan restaurants throughout NYC alone, and so we decided to gather together a few of our favs to share with you. Here’s a list of some of our go-to NYC vegan restaurants that will fill your tummy and leave you feeling satisfied, separated by borough.
1. Eleven Madison Park, Flatiron
This plant-based Michelin star restaurant is a fine-dining favorite among many NYC vegans. When they reopened a few years ago with a full vegan menu, it was due to CEO and Chef Daniel Humm’s idea to live with a more plant-based diet. Using what he learned during lockdown, he wanted to use the knowledge to challenge the restaurant’s creativity and understanding of ingredients. Learn more here.
Where: 11 Madison Ave
2. Orchard Grocer, Lower East Side
Start your morning off the right way with the ultimate sandwich from Orchard Grocer. An all-vegan grocery store and deli, Orchard Grocer specializes in delicious and filling vegan sandwiches, bagels, and homemade sweets (even soft serve ice cream!). They describe themselves as a “deli for a better world,” and we definitely agree.
Where: 78 Orchard Street
3. Jajaja, Multiple Locations
South-of-the-border flavor meets NYC flair at Jajaja, to create global experiences rooted in local heritage. Serving the most delicious lunch, dinner, and brunch on the weekends, you’ll find it hard to believe their food is even vegan—we certainly did! Their cocktails are also to die for, such as the “Pineapple y Mezcal,” which brings together Peloton Mezcal, cilantro, jalapeño, pineapple, and lime. Come for the food, stay for the drinks, and enjoy the vibes.
Where:
Lower East Side – 162 E Broadway
West Village – 63 Carmine Street
Williamsburg – 119 Kent Avenue, Brooklyn
4. Spicy Moon, East & West Village
Spicy Moon is a vegan Szechuan spot offering cool vibes and even better food. They have a menu that is to die for, so we suggest ordering a bunch of items to share because you physically won’t be able to pick just one. We recommend the dan dan noodles, dry pepper style tofu, vegetable wontons in chili oil, and the peppercorn brussel sprouts.
Where:
West Village – 68 W 3rd St
East Village – 328 E 6th St
5. Delice & Sarrasin, Greenwich Village
Delice & Sarrasin (translation meaning “delicious” and Sarrasin, the name of the buckwheat flour used in preparing the savory crepe) is a French vegan restaurant that specializes in authentic french dishes along with crepes and galettes. If you’ve ever wanted to try French food now is your chance—they even have vegan escargot (made impressively from oyster mushrooms)! They also offer a selection of tasty vegan wines to enjoy along with your meal.
Where: 20 Christopher St
6. Franchia Vegan Cafe, Midtown
Franchia, the sister restaurant of Hangawi, is a casual take on refined Asian fusion vegan dining. They have no shortage of delicious items to choose from and it may be hard to pick. We suggest the soy “chicken satay” sticks, the peking buns, the crispy korean chili tofu, and the bibimbap bowl (along with every other dish on the menu!).
Where: 12 Park Ave
7. Ladybird, East Village
Ladybird is a vegan tapas and wine bar that absolutely deserves your attention! It’s small, filled with plants, and has a great atmosphere. Plus, their menu of sharables is incredible too…like the Truffle Mac & Cheese, Blistered Shishito Peppers, Po’Boy Buns, and a whole lot more. It’s perfect for every occasion really, whether it be a first date or some late night drunk vegan food.
Where: 111 E 7th St
8. PLANTA Queen, NoMad
PLANTA Queen serves tasty vegan Japanese-inspired dishes. Their all-day menu offers items like ahi watermelon nigiri, coconut ceviche, and peking jackfruit, while their brunch menu features a spirulina smoothie bowl and banana waffles. Their drink names are puns and must be ordered, such as the “Sake to Me” made of sake, cointreau, watermelon, and lime, and the “Been There Thai’d That,” made of seedlip spice 94, watermelon, thai basil, yuzu, and agave.
Where: 15 W 27th St
9. Cadence, East Village
For delicious vegan soul food Cadence is the place to go. Executive Chef Shenarri Freeman taps into her Virginia upbringing and pours her heart into tasty dishes such as smoked grits and her southern fried lasagna, layered with pasta, pine nut ricotta, spinach, and a red wine Beyond Meat Bolognese.
Where: 122 E 7th St
10. Jerrell’s BETR BRGR, SoHo
Jerrell’s BETR BRGR is a SoHo plant-based staple serving up all the dishes that make it so hard to be vegan–burgers, loaded chili fries, and milkshakes. They use Impossible meat as a substitute, as well as oat milk soft serve in their shakes, and the results are absolutely drool-worthy.
Where: 117 6th Ave
11. Modern Love Brooklyn, Williamsburg
Modern Love Brooklyn puts a vegan spin on that good comfort food we all love. With menu items like a crispy chick’n bacon torta, a seitan pot pie, and cauliflower buffalo mac and cheese, this hip vegan joint is definitely not playing around. If you still have room after your meal (however, we wouldn’t be surprised if you didn’t), don’t hesitate to try one of their delicious milkshakes.
Where: 317 Union Avenue, Brooklyn
12. HAGS, East Village
This intimate restaurant “by Queer people, for all people” is serving an all-vegan 6 course tasting menu that is out of this world. From the Romanesco to the Artichokes, it’s definitely worth trying out.
Where: 163 1st Ave
13. Screamer’s Pizzeria, Multiple Locations
Screamer’s Pizzeria is a pizza lover’s heaven, and they’re serving up pies like no other. With choices like “The Fancy Kale” with spicy pesto, vegan cheese, house made seitan sausage, marinated fancy kale, and oregano oil drizzle and the “Vampire” with vegan cheese and garlic oil, seitan pepperoni, red onions, caramelized onions, and garlic, you truly can’t go wrong no matter which pie you choose. The Crown Heights location also serves up more than just pizza with items such as onion rings, buffalo fries, and zeppoles.
Where:
Greenpoint – 620 Manhattan Avenue
Crown Heights – 685 Franklin Avenue
14. Ro’s Diner, Williamsburg
Stop by Ro’s Diner, Brooklyn’s favorite all-vegan diner, that’s serving up Americana comfort food with a no-fuss, laid-back attitude. Formerly known as Champs Diner, their new breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus are bound to blow you away. From a Waffle Sando for breakfast to a Monstrella Parm for dinner, we suggest you stop by to see what everyone’s talking about.
Where: 197 Meserole St, Brooklyn
15. Bunna Cafe, Bushwick
Bunna Cafe is an all-vegan Ethiopian gem in the center of Bushwick, where only $17 gets you what they call a “feast.” The feast includes 7 dishes like steamed collard greens, red lentils, and yellow split peas. Each meal is served with injera, an Ethiopian sourdough flatbread traditionally used in place of utensils, and we’ve never been happier to eat with our hands.
Where: 1084 Flushing Ave, Brooklyn
16. Loving Hut, Williamsburg
Loving Hut serves up a wide range of tasty vegan food that you won’t be able to get enough of. Their crispy rangoons are to die for as well as their king oyster mushrooms which are a twist on fried calamari. We also suggest their hot and sour soup, any flavor of their mac and cheese, and their general Tso’s seitan.
Where: 76 Bushwick Ave, Brooklyn
17. Avant Garden, East Village
Avant Garden is getting ready to move to a new location, and while we wait we’ll drool over their vegan menu! We’re talking everything from the mouthwatering Scorched Cauliflower to the House Made Spaghetti (w/carbonara, smoked mushroom, spring onion).
Where: 95 Avenue A, Floor 2
18. Healthy As A Motha, Sunnyside
Healthy As A Motha is a 100% plant-based restaurant bringing the vibrant flavors of the Caribbean to life. Their menu offers dishes like empanadas, Jamaican patties, a sweet plantain boat, and curry chicken tacos, with other delicious seasonal dishes. They offer delivery services and to-go only.
Where: 40-05 Skillman Ave, Queens
19. Jujube Tree, Astoria
Jujube Tree is a delicious vegan restaurant in Astoria serving up tasty asian dishes. From tender seitan skewers and curry puffs to sweet and sour sesame chicken and BBQ ribs, Jujube Tree has all the tasty and popular asian dishes you had to say goodbye to when turning vegan.
Where: 35-02 30th Ave, Queens
20. Next Stop Vegan (The Vegan Corner Hub)
Next Stop Vegan puts an absolutely delicious twist on Latin flavors that you’ll definitely want to try for yourself. With menu items like mofonguitos (stuffed plantain cups), loaded nachos, a pulled pork sandwich, and tostadas, it’ll be hard to choose which one you want to chow down on. As for us, we’ll take one of each, please.
Where: 1818 Archer St, The Bronx
21. Vegan Grill NYC, Multiple Locations
Vegan Grill NYC is a vegan spot that uses the highest quality ingredients. They serve a mix of Mediterranean-inspired food, burgers and sandwiches, salads, and breakfast. They even have a bunch of tasty appetizers to choose from such as mozzarella sticks, wings, onion rings, french fries, and more.
Where:
The Bronx – 1201 Castle Hill Ave, Bronx
East Village – 58 St Marks Pl
Williamsburg – 187 Montrose Ave, Brooklyn
22. Vegan’s Delight Oasis, East Bronx
Vegan’s Delight Oasis is a vegan food spot and health food store in the Bronx. They have a rotating menu so not every day will be the same, but some tasty dishes they offer include vegan stewed oxtail, vegan spare ribs, an assortment of patties, rice and peas, and curried seitan.
Where: 3565C Boston Rd, The Bronx
23. Anixi, Chelsea
This still fairly new vegan restaurant is City Roots Hospitality Group, founded by Chef Guy Vaknin. The plant-based menu here is top-level, consisting of a fusion of traditional Mediterranean cuisine with a modern twist. We highly recommend their star dish, the Arak Cured “Salmon” risotto with arborio rice, cream, asparagus, and micro parsley.
Where: 290 8th Ave
24. Vodega Deli & Grocery, Staten Island
The first vegan deli in all of Staten Island, Vodega Deli & Grocery is the place to go when you’re looking for a hearty sandwich. The best part—they serve breakfast all day. Can you think of anything better than chowing down on a vegan baconeggcheezz at 8pm on a Saturday night? No? Us either.
Where: 829 Castleton Ave, Staten Island
25. Tri Lounge & Cafe, Staten Island
Tri Lounge & Cafe is Staten Island’s go-to comfort food spot serving up more options than you could imagine. From your everyday soul food like fried chicken, collard greens, and mashed potatoes, to other items like pizza, burgers, and pastas, no matter what you order you’re bound to be satisfied.
Where: 1938 Clove Rd, Staten Island