The Best Black-Owned Vegan Restaurants in NYC
This blog is about the best black-owned vegan restaurants in NYC.
As a native New Yorker who has been a vegan for almost 10 years (can’t believe it)! I am so thrilled to be talking about these black-owned vegan restaurants in NYC. I grew up in a Black and Puerto Rican household. When I first became vegan, both sides of my family were skeptical. But over time and after trying a lot of vegan restaurants (good and bad), both my parents and family members can agree that vegan restaurants are amazing for any food lover!
Use this blog as your guide to discovering the best vegan food with culture and history throughout the boroughs of New York City!
Black-Owned Vegan Restaurants in NYC
Seasoned Vegan
Seasoned Vegan is one of my favorite vegan restaurants to take my non-vegan friends and family to! It’s so good, that they even ask to come back. It is a soul food restaurant owned by a mom and son, Brenda & Aaron Beener.
They had an original location in East Harlem, but due to COVID they had to close. One time, when I was with a friend, the cast of Dear White People was there! They have opened up a new smaller spot in the East Village, renamed to “Seasoned Vegan Real Quick.” They have a counter-serve option where you can get good vegan food.
My favorites of their vegan food is BBQ Craw Fish & their Mac and “Cheese”!
Location:
- 128 2nd Ave, New York, NY, 10003
Must-Try Vegan Options:
- BBQ Craw Fish
- Mac and “Cheese”
- Collard Greens
- Cupcakes!
Uptown Veg
Uptown Veg is a staple in the vegan community! They’ve been in East Harlem for over 30 years, owned by father and daughter, Davie Simmons & Jasmine Myrick. Uptown Veg is known for its Carribean-flavored vegan dishes. They’ve even inspired one of my favorite Queens vegan restaurants, Veggie Castle.
They are committed to health and wellness in their community, and do a good job of making it also delicious!
Location:
- 52 E 125th St, New York, NY 10035
Must-Try Vegan Options:
- Any of their Pattys
- Vegan Jerk Chicken
- Collard Greens
- Candied Yams
Slutty Vegan
Love Fast Food? Then Slutty Vegan is a must-try! Slutty Vegan is owned by Pink Cole and originated in Atlanta, Georgia in a food truck. They have great vegan burgers and fries with amazing names.
I remember when they first opened in New York City and how excited I was to try them! They have two locations, one in East Harlem, and one in Brooklyn. Their Brooklyn location is great because you can grab their burgers, fries, and a drink and head over to Fort Green Park for a picnic.
Location:
- 300 West 135th Street, Harlem, NY 10027
- 690 Fulton Street, Brooklyn, NY 11217
Must-Try Vegan Options:
- One Night Stand
- Hollywood Hooker
- Sloppy Toppy
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. A must-visit place when you’re in Brooklyn!
Location:
- 326 Tompkins Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11216
Must Try Popular Dishes:
- Pancakes
- Fried Chicken Soul Bowl
- Jerk Mac n Goodness
- Mini Crab Cakes
Ras Plant Based
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. It is owned by Chef Regalli and his daughter Milka Regalli.
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 Popular Dishes:
- Mercato Plate
- Jackfruit Kitfo
- Kitfo Burrito
- Mac n Cheese
Location:
- 739 Franklin Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11238
Aunts Et Uncles
This is an amazing black-owned plant-based cafe owned by Nicole and Michael Nicholas in Flatbush, Brooklyn. They put a twist on your favorite comfort foods, such as their veggie burgers, breakfast sandwiches, and sides! Aunts et Uncles also have delicious cocktails like “Sumptin’ Nice” with Mezcal, Passionfruit, Pimento, and Lime.
Location:
- 1407 Nostrand Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11226
Must Try Popular Dishes:
- Smash Burger
- Mac & Cheese
- Lobster Roll
- Au Burger
Urban Vegan Kitchen
Urban Vegan Kitchen has some of the best vegan comfort food, and fantastic cocktails and mocktails. They’re located in the West Village and have a charming decor and a lovely ambiance. Their delicious food includes Chick-un & waffles, Po’boy, and Korean BBQ wings!
Location:
- 1 Carmine St, New York, NY 10014
Must Try Popular Dishes:
- Chick-un & waffles
- Mac & Cheese
- Golden French Toast
- Korean BBQ wings
Black Rican Vegan
As a Black Rican Vegan myself, I’ve always been so excited about this vegan restaurant and their vegan cuisines, because it’s closest to home for me! It was founded by Lyana Blount, a native New Yorker from the Bronx. Black Rican Vegan is vegan soul food with a Puerto Rican Twist.
They started as a pop-up business based in the Bronx, but have moved to East Harlem at the Lan Fonda Restaurant. You need to try their Oyster Mushroom Burger and their Vegan Oxtail Tacos.
Location:
- 169 E 106th St, New York, NY 10029
Must Try Popular Dishes:
- Oyster Mushroom Burger
- Mofongo Con Jackfruit Chicharron
- Vegan Oxtail Tacos
- Empanadas
Veggie Castle II (Queens)
Veggie Castle II is my favorite black-owned vegan restaurant! They have everything you could need from healthy foods like juices and veggies to Guyanese-inspired vegan food or vegan sweets. In the heart of Little Guyana in Queens, it’s a staple in the Carribean and black community!
I recommend going there and getting a medium plate where you can order two vegan sides and two vegan proteins, and sometimes they have plantains!
Location:
- 132-9 Liberty Ave, South Richmond Hill, NY 11419
Must Try Popular Dishes:
- Lo Mein
- Curry Chicken
- Ginger Chicken
- Collard Greens
- Black-Eyed Peas
Bunna Cafe
Bunna Cafe was my first introduction to Ethiopian food, and will always have a special place in my heart! They’re located in Bushwick, Brooklyn, and are a great place for vegan Ethiopian food and cocktails. They’re always open for brunch!
It’s perfect for a date night where you can order the feast for 2, where you can have 9 local Ethiopian bites.
Location:
- 1084 Flushing Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11237
Must Try Popular Dishes:
- Feast for 2
- Lentil Sambusa
- Butecha
- Ful
Secret Garden Juice Bar & Tea House
This charming restaurant in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn offers a diverse menu of healthy plant-based food options like juices, smoothies, teas, coffee, vegan, and vegetarian food. It’s a perfect spot to eat outside and enjoy a delicious smoothie with your meal, especially on a nice day.
They are famous for their curry chicken sandwich!
Location:
- 347 Lewis Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11233
Must Try Popular Dishes:
- Vegan Cheese Steak Sandwich
- Curry Chicken Sandwich
- Vegan Steak
- Forbidden Love Smoothie
Black-Owned Vegan Restaurants in NYC
These are vegan black-owned restaurants throughout New York City!
If you want to share love, please check out these black-owned vegan restaurants and support them. They need our support to stay afloat! One restaurant I remembered, Sol Sips, is no longer open and I would hate to add any of these restaurants to that list. Support local businesses, especially all of these restaurants that I mentioned!
Let’s ensure that these vibrant spots continue to thrive, enriching our communities with delicious, health-conscious food and cultural richness. Your support not only helps these businesses but also contributes to the diversity and resilience of New York City’s culinary scene.
Enjoyed this blog? Check out my other blogs here:
- 10 Best Vegan Restaurants NYC | From a Local
- The Ultimate One-Day Itinerary in Brooklyn: From A Local
- 6 Best Cheap Places To Travel in April in Europe
- 8 Cheap Spring Activities in Brooklyn
- Best Things To Do in Park Slope, Brooklyn From A Local
