One of the many great parts about living in New York City is the diversity of food options available, including vegan options. Although there are so many places to choose from, I narrowed them down to seven places you should consider heading to first if you’re interested in trying some vegan food.
Visiting other destinations in the region? Check out our other delicious guides:
- 5 Must-Try Vegan Pizza Brooklyn
- 10 Must-Try Jersey City Restaurants
- 10 Must-Try Restaurants In Rochester NY
- 5 Best Restaurants in LeRoy, New York
- 7 Must-Try Batavia Restaurants
- The 7 Best East Tremont Restaurants
- 5 Best NYC Ice Cream Shops
- The 15 Best Michelin Star Restaurants In NYC
While in New York City don’t miss out on activities that will help immerse yourself with the city (hurry while they’re hot!):
- New York Greenwich Village Secret Food Tour with Private Tour Option
- New York’s West Village Food Tour
- New York Experience: Brooklyn Food, History & Culture Tour
8 Best Vegan Restaurants In New York City
Beatnic
60 W 22nd Street, New York, NY 10010 // +12122908000
Beatnic is known for “reimagining deliciously creative vegan food, day in and day out” and for serving “big flavors, vibrant colors, and plenty of personality.” There are several locations throughout the city including: Fashion District, Flatiron, Lexington, Rock Center, Seaport District, SoHo, and West Village. There is also one location in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Although the menu may vary depending on the location, they offer salads, burgers, sandwiches, sides and shares, drinks, and sweets. Definitely topping my list of the best vegan restaurants in New York City.
Some salad options available include the “Blazin’ Buffalo” which consists of Romaine, Kale, Breaded Cauliflower, Buffalo Sauce, Blue Cheeze, and Purp. The “Kale Caesar” is their take on a classic favorite and is made with kale, romaine, shiitake bacon, tomato, avocado, almond parm, maple croutons, and caesar dressing.
Burger options include their best-selling burger also known as “The Guac Burger” which is topped with a scoop of their famous guacamole that is made in-house daily. This burger consists of a lentil and pea protein patty, guac, corn salsa, lettuce, tomato, onion, tortilla strips, chipotle aioli, and a whole grain bun.
This restaurant also offers a variety of unique sides/shares including “Loaded Shroom Chilli,” “Chicky Dippers”, “Air Baked Fries”, and “Buffalo Cauli Poppers.”
I personally love when restaurants have dessert. It is safe to say Beatnic does not fall short in the sweets department. They serve a variety of desserts including the “Cookies N’ Cream Bar,” “Chocolate Chocolate Brookie,” “Kitchen Sink Cookie,” and “Rainbow Sprinkle Cookie.”
Willow
199 8th Avenue New York, NY 10011 // +12129292889
Willow is a vegan bistro located in Chelsea. Willow describes itself as “a cozy vegan bistro offering an innovative twist on classic American food.” They “elevate traditional bistro comfort dishes with high quality plant-based ingredients and upscale presentation.” All ingredients used at Willow are 100% vegan. It’s one of the reasons why it made my list of the best vegan restaurants in New York City.
Finger foods offered include “Calamari,” “Cauliflower Wings”, and “Cheeseburger Sliders.” Other unique finger foods served include the “Willow ‘Crab’ Cakes” made with jackfruit, wakame, grilled corn relish and chipotle sauce.
The “Zalmon Tartare” is made with avocado, capers, dijon mustard, lemon, mayo, chives, black truffle caviar, and taro root chips.
This restaurant also offers a variety of soups and salads including “New England ‘Clam’ Chowder” and “Greek Salad.”
As for sandwiches, there are several options including “Cherrywood Smoked Pastrami” and “Buttermilk Fried Chick’n.”
If you’re wanting to order something more substantial, entree options include “Eggplant Lasagna” and “BBQ Ribs” which consist of roasted seitan ribs, housemade barbecue glaze, hand cut fries, garlic broccolini, and chives.
We cannot forget the dessert! “Chef’s Cookie Skillet” takes the cake with its peanut butter sauce, roasted peanuts, sea salt, and chocolate ice cream. Other options include “Banana Pudding” and “Vanilla Bean Cashew Cheesecake.”
Urban Vegan Kitchen
41 Carmine Street, New York, New York 10014 // +16464389939
Urban Vegan Kitchen is a vegan restaurant that serves a variety of vegan food and drinks. The establishment is located on Carmine Street in Manhattan. What makes this restaurant stand out are its unique drink options including “To Kill a Sunrise” which consists of pineapple, orange, lavender, hibiscus (cocktail / martini versions contain tequila) and “Gin Around the World” which consists of pineapple, orange, lavender, hibiscus (cocktail / martini versions contain tequila). Topping the best vegan restaurants in New York City list in my opinion!
What is really great about this restaurant is that it serves breakfast all day! The “Breakfast sandwich” consists of crispy tofu rounds, avocado, kala namak, shiitake bacon, hollandaise aioli, arugula, and red onion on a multi-grain english muffin, served with marinated kale and homefries (A gluten-free version is also available). Other breakfast options include the “Belgian Waffle” with fresh fruit and maple syrup as well as “Golden French Toast” with warming spices, fruit compote, toasted almonds. This dish is soy-free and contains nuts.
Best sellers at Urban Vegan Kitchen include the “Mac N’ Cheese,” “Chick-un & Waffles,” and “Buffalo Cauliflower Bites.”
Reservations are recommended but not required. You can make a reservation using Resy.
Blossom
507 Columbus Ave, New York, NY 10024 // +12128752600
Blossom has two restaurants in New York City: Blossom on Columbus (flagship) and Blossom on University. Blossom brings healthy and vegan cuisine to diners at its two locations throughout the city.
This restaurant runs on fresh organic ingredients that are sourced from local farms and small distribution companies. Everything on the menu is 100% vegan – one of the reasons why it made the best vegan restaurants in New York City.
Starter options include “Sweet Potato Gnocchi,” “Jackfruit Tacos”, and “Crispy Artichokes.”
For main dishes, the “Curried Stuffed Sweet Potato” with walnut-lentil-eggplant stuffing, coconut peanut curry, grilled collard greens, parsnip chips, and horseradish creme is a standout. This menu item is only served during dinner hours. The same goes for the “Seitan Au Poivre” with the housemade seitan cutlets, peppercorn gravy, cremini mushrooms, fries, asparagus, and horseradish aioli.
Restaurant reservations can be made on Resy.
Renegades of Sunset
254 36th Street Brooklyn, NY 11232
Renegades of Sunset can be found in the Industry City food Hall in Brooklyn. Their menu is always 100% vegan. Their menu is tiny, but mighty. Sandwiches offered include “The Renegade” which is a beet & mushroom patty w/ pickle chips, lettuce, tomato, ketchup, & garlic aioli on a potato bun and “The Sunrise” which consists of “phatty bacon, eggy tofu, American cheeze, & ketchup on a potato bun.” Salads served include the “Outlaw Bowl” which consists of organic mixed greens, roasted and pickled seasonal vegetables, toasted pumpkin seeds, shallot vinaigrette, and smokehouse aioli.
If you’re looking for a snack, you can order the “Fried Plantains” or “Mac ‘N’ Cheese.”
Although this is a smaller spot, the eats are made from scratch and are high-quality. It is worth checking out!
If you’re looking to check out Renegades of Sunset, make sure to note that they are closed on Mondays. Still, they top the list of the best vegan restaurants in New York City.
Champs Diner
197 Meserole Street Brooklyn, NY 11206 // +17185992743
Champs Diner is one of the best vegan restaurants in New York City. Champs Diner is known for its vegan junk food and offers indoor and outdoor dining & delivery. The kitchen is open from 10am – 4pm and 5pm – 11pm daily.
They have a variety of appetizers including the “Jalapeño Poppers,” “Mozzarella Sticks,” “Crab Cakes,” and “Asada Nachos” to name a few.
They have a plethora of breakfast options to choose from including the “Kickin Cowgirl” which is a Tofu scramble made with tater tots, house-made chili, cheddar, and avocado. It is served with Texas toast. The “Enchilada Burrito” is made up of “Chorizo, sausage links, scramble, homefries (peppers and onions added) cherry tomatoes, mozzarella and cheddar cheese. It is smothered in Enchilada and cheese on top.” As far as pancakes go, the “Cinnamon Swirl” and “Strawberry Cheesecake” are two unique offerings.
If you’re in the mood for a sandwich, Champs Diner has got you covered with more than eight kinds to choose from. The “Vodka Chicken Parm” is one of these sandwiches which is made up of 3 chicken tenders, provolone, and parmesan cheese. It is topped with vodka sauce, ricotta, and fresh basil and is served on a toasted hero. Are you still wondering why this place is in the best vegan restaurants in New York City list?
They also have some pretty cool and crazy shakes such as the “Girl Scout” with vanilla ice cream, mint, cookie crumbles, and whipped cream as well as the “Banana Cream Pie” which is made with Vanilla Ice cream, banana custard filling, gf shortbread crust with whip. This shake is gluten-free.
Reservations are recommended and can be made on their website. Food can also be ordered online using GrubHub or DoorDash.
PURE GRIT BBQ
36 Lexington Ave New York, NY 10010
I was invited to PURE GRIT BBQ in Manhattan for a tasting and had the best experience. This menu is filled with a plethora of barbecue options, which is great especially on a summer day!
I had the “Impossible Cut” plate with baked beans and broccoli. The food tasted very fresh and the portion size was very hearty.
I also tried the “Mac and Cheese, ” made with sweet potato and violife cheese sauce. This was my first time trying plant-based mac and cheese, and thought it was really delicious.
The “Open-Faced Chicken & Waffle” was also very flavorful. If I didn’t know this dish was vegan, I would have thought it was chicken which is amazing!
If you find yourself in downtown Manhattan, you should definitely swing by PURE GRIT BBQ for some vegan barbeque!
Ladybird
111 E 7th St. New York, NY 10009 // +18333284588
Ladybird is a vegan tapas and wine bar located on the Lower East Side in Manhattan and is one of the best vegan Restaurants in New York City. What is unique about this restaurant is that the menu rotates to highlight the vegetables that are in season. Make sure to check the website for the menu options prior to dining so you know what to expect when you visit.
There are a variety of bites that may be offered including the “Tofu Bun” which is made up of marinated tofu, pickled pepper & jalapeño, hoisin, and scallion.
The “Potato au Gratin” consists of sliced potatoes, cauliflower cheese sauce, caramelized onions, garlic oil, and aleppo. The “Ceviche” is a gluten free option and is made from king trumpet mushrooms, hearts of palm, jicama, onion, cilantro, avocado, lime, and seasoned potato chips.
If you’re in the mood for something sweet, try the “LB Sundae” made with french toast sticks, chocolate chip brownie, vanilla ice cream, dulce de leche, and whipped cream. The “Brûlée” is also another option and is made with coconut milk, vanilla, and raspberry.
Reservations for Ladybird can be made via SevenRoooms. If you wish to place an order for delivery or pickup, you are able to do so online.
Which of these NYC vegan restaurants will you try first? Let us know in the comments section below!
