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10 Best Vegan Restaurants NYC | From a Local

This blog is about the 10 best vegan restaurants in NYC. 

I’ve been a vegan for almost a decade now (I still can’t believe it), and as someone born and raised in New York City, the vegan restaurant scene has come a longgg way since then. 

I’ve seen some great restaurants come and go, but there are 10 that have my heart

If you’re a vegan or just someone who loves vegan food and you’re looking to explore the New York City vegan restaurant scene, this blog is perfect for you! 

10 Best Vegan Restaurants NYC

Planta Queen

Planta Queen is a must-visit when coming to New York City! It’s one of my favorite vegan restaurants to go to. Perfect for a date night or brunch with friends. It is on the pricer side, you are probably going to spend $50-$100 going there, but it’s worth it! It has a blend of Asian, Italian, and American food. I recommend going on Wednesday night because they have certain wine bottles half off! 

They have two locations, one in Midtown and one in Williamsburg. I prefer the Williamsburg one because they serve the BEST vegan pizza, but both locations are great!

Must Try:

  • Bang Bang Broccoli 
  • Vodka Pizza

Locations:

Blossom on Columbus: The Upper West Side 

Blossom on Columbus is an OG vegan restaurant! Another great place for a date night or brunch!  It’s a cozy spot known for its intimate ambiance. Blossom on Colombus is on the Upper West Side and is normally $30-$50 per person. They have Italian, American, and Mexican options. Discover their creative dishes like the Seitan Piccata or the Enchalidas Mole. 

Must Try:

  • Seitan Piccata
  • Pesto Pizza
  • Carbonara

Location:

  • 507 Columbus Ave, New York, NY 10024

VSpot: The Latin Vegan Staple in St. Marks

Looking for vegan Latin Food? VSpot is the place to go! They’ve been around since 2006, which is amazing for any New York City restaurant.  A more affordable option that ranges from $20-$30 per person. They have vegan, kosher, and gluten-free dishes. They have two locations, one in downtown Manhattan and one in Prospect Park, Brooklyn. 

The Manhattan location is great because you can see a comedy show at the St. Marks Comedy Club, and get some delicious vegan food. 

Must Try:

  • Any of their Empanadas
  • Breakfast Egg Burrito
  • Jamaican Jerk Chk’n Wrap

Location:

  • 156 5th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11217
  • 12 St Marks Pl, New York, NY 10003

Candle 

Candle, originally Candle 79, has a new name and location. They’ve been around for 30 years serving delicious vegan food. It has a trendy atmosphere, perfect for taking Instagrammable photos! Candle is known for its creative appetizers like seitan dumplings or jackfruit carnitas tacos. They have Asian, Italian, Mexican, and American cuisines and their prices range from $30-$50 per person.

Must Try:

  • Za’atar Roasted Cauliflower
  • Butternut Squash Ravioli
  • Seitan Dumplings
  • Seitan Picatta 

Location:

  • 388 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10016

Lady Bird

If you’re visiting or staying in the East Village, then you must try Lady Bird! They have great cocktails, a good vibe, and amazing vegan food. Lady Bird also has outdoor seating, perfect for the warmer weather. They are known for their vegan tapas and wine bar. Their menu is on rotation based on the season and they love to highlight fresh produce! 

Must Try (this is their current menu and will change with the seasons):

  • Po’Boy Bun
  • Sweet Thai Bun 
  • Kimchi Mac & Cheese

Location:

  • 111 E 7th St, New York, NY 10009

Jajaja Mexicana: The Cultural Fusion

Jajaja Mexicana is another great vegan Latin restaurant that I highly recommend! Perfect for a girls’ night out or brunch, they have a creative and delicious vegan menu and amazing cocktails. Plus their decor is gorgeous and very Instagrammable. 

My favorite are their Buffalo Flower tacos and Chorizo Burrito! They have four locations in the New York City area, I’ve been to their East Village and Williamsburg one and they don’t disappoint! The prices range from $20 – $30 per person. 

Must Try:

  • Buffalo Flower Tacos 
  • Chorizo Burrito
  • Our Chorizo Tacos
  • Grande Nachos 

Locations:

  • 162 E Broadway, New York, NY 10002
  • 63 Carmine St, New York, NY 10014
  • 450 W 33rd Street, New York, NY 10001
  • 119 Kent Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11249

Greedi Vegan 

Greedi Vegan is a black-owned vegan restaurant in Bedstuy, Brooklyn! They have an intimate and cozy space serving classic comfort foods and they have yummy mocktails. They range from $20 – $30 per person and are a perfect place for breakfast on the weekends or meeting with friends after work!

I love their Pancakes and Fried Chicken Soul Bowl. Definitely a must-visit place when you’re in Brooklyn! 

Must Try:

  • Pancakes
  • Fried Chicken Soul Bowl
  • Jerk Mac n Goodness
  • Mini Crab Cakes

Location:

  • 326 Tompkins Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11216

HAAM Caribbean Plant Cuisine

A very new vegan Caribbean plant-based restaurant that opened in Brooklyn! Even though they’re new, they’ve made a name for themselves. The atmosphere, food, and staff are amazing! This spot is perfect for a date night and they have one of my favorite cocktails ever the Prosecco Peppah Passion (honestly I still dream of this drink). 

Besides their amazing drinks, they have great plates such as the Sweet Plantain Bowl and their Empanadas! The prices range from $30 -$50 per person. The only downside of the restaurant is that the service can be really slow, keep this in mind before going! 

Must Try:

  • Sweet Plantain Bowl
  • Empanadas
  • Curry Chik’n Wontons 
  • Buss Up Shut Roti Plate

Location:

  • 234 Union Ave Brooklyn NY 11211

Beyond Sushi: The Health-Conscious Eatery

It’s so hard to find good sushi when you are vegan, that’s why I’m SO grateful for Beyond Sushi! They definitely deserve the hype with their sushi and innovative meals. Even my father, who is not vegan, loves this place! They have several locations in the city and the price ranges from $20 – $30 per person.

It’s perfect to meet after work, for lunch to get their lunch special, or a date night. Their menu does change with the seasons, but some cuisines stay year-round. I love their Spicy Mang Roll and their Fried Chick’n Bao.  

Must Try:

  • Spicy Mang Roll
  • Fried Chick’n Bao
  • Spicy “Tuna”
  • Ginger “Beef” Dumplings

Location:

  • 134 W 37th St, New York, NY 10018
  •  62 W 56th St, New York, NY 10019

Ras Plant Based | Ethiopian

One thing I love about being vegan is trying different cuisines. It has opened up my palate and one cuisine I now LOVE is Ethiopian food! Ras Ethiopian is an amazing vegan Ethiopian restaurant in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. Their decor is colorful and filled with beautiful murals. 

Definitely make a reservation because they are always packed! They have a great happy hour as well. Their price ranges from $20 – $30 per person. I highly recommend the Mercato Plate! It’s a large platter perfect for two and you get five delicious dishes with your injera bread. They also have a yummy brunch with a great booze option. 

Must Try:

  • Mercato Plate
  • Jackfruit Kitfo
  • Kitfo Burrito
  • Mac n Cheese

Location:

  • 739 Franklin Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11238

Final Thoughts: Why These Restaurants Are Worth the Trip

These 10 Vegan restaurants are some of my favorite to dine in New York City! There are so many other gems that I could rave about as well. Let me know if you get to visit any of these restaurants and tell me your thoughts!

If you like this content, I’ll make more vegan-related blog posts for NYC and beyond! 

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