Where are the Best Vegan Restaurants in New York

Many vegans may consider that it is difficult to have healthy plant-based food for an affordable price and great taste outside their homes, but New York has a wide range of eateries with all kinds of cuisine (Mexican, American, Asian and Ethiopian) and the most delicious vegan dishes, that even draw meat lovers to try classics made with vegetables, grains and legumes.

1. Modern Love

Owner Isa Chandra Moskowitz has created the most delicious plates completely free of meat. This Williamsburg restaurant has a cozy atmosphere, friendly service, and some unbelievable dishes: Tofu Fish & Chips; a Modern Burrito Bowl with nacho spiced tofu, coconut rice and kale salad; Mac and Shews that come with creamy red pepper cashew cheese, pecan-cornmeal crusted tofu and blackened cauliflower. But definitely the best is the Hen of the Woods Piccata which is made up of breaded maitake mushrooms, whipped potatoes, gigante lima beans, all topped with white wine lemon sauce, just for $22.

2. Dirt Candy

Run by Chef Amanda Cohen, this award-winning restaurant located in Lower East Side leads the vegetable-forward movement and offers two options for dinner, The Vegetable Patch at $57 consisting of five courses and The Vegetable Garden at $83 which has nine to ten courses. The brunch menu includes some of their signature plant-based dishes like the Korean Fried Broccoli, Mushroom and Brussels Sprout Tacos. They can veganize everything on the menu if you want.

3. Beyond Sushi

A pioneer of the plant-based sushi movement, this chainlet founded by Chef Guy Vaknin and his wife Tali offers a wide variety of 100% vegan dishes. The specialty are the rolls made with seasonal and fresh ingredients from Union Square Greenmarket, like the Chick Pea, La Fiesta and Sunny Side, consisting of black rice, assorted vegetables and delightful sauces. You can also try dumplings, noodle salads, noodle soups and quite delicious desserts or order a lunch special.

4. ABCV

The latest creation by Jean-Georges Vongerichten and Paulette Cole is a plant-based, non-GMO, sustainable, artisanal and organic restaurant under the direction of Chef Neal Harden. abcV uses ingredients direct from Union Square Greenmarket, it offers three meals a day and brunch on weekends with a variety of vegetarian and vegan dishes worthy of trying, including noodles and rice, legumes and grains, dosa and sandwich.

5. JaJaJa Plantas Mexicana

This creative Chinatown restaurant has found the way to set an all-vegan menu with traditional Mexican dishes. Besides its comfy and cheerful ambience, the service is outstanding. Our recommendation is to order Nachos, made with fake chorizo, fermented black beans and turmeric queso fundido; Beet and Pumpkin Empanada, with kabocha squash, swiss chard and pumpkin queso; Chipotle Sweet Potato Tacos and any Cocktail. Try also the signature Cauliflower rice.

6. Hangawi

It is not only a Korean vegetarian restaurant but also a spiritual place where all the dishes are carefully made balancing flavors and harmony is felt in every corner of the traditional Korean house. The award-winning restaurant offers a healthy menu with delicious pumpkin porridge, bean curd with kimchi and vegetables in spicy sauce, lots of mushrooms and rice bowls. Take off your shoes and be prepared for a relaxing culinary experience.

7. Vegetarian Dim Sum House

A Chinese vegetarian restaurant located in Chinatown that uses mock meat, mushrooms and vegetables in a huge assortment of dumplings, rolls, cakes and buns. A nice affordable option for veggie lovers with friendly service. We

recommend the Sweet corn noodle soup, Buddha’s bean curd rolls, Shrimp dumplings, Rice flour rolls with Chinese kale, and finish off with the kiwi non-dairy shake.

8. Candle 79

This upscale Upper East Side restaurant offers a plant-based menu with locally-sourced sustainable ingredients and is rated as one of the best vegan/vegetarian eateries in America. Delight in a Wild Mushroom Crepe, consisting of root vegetables, squash, sautéed wild mushrooms, spinach and tempeh; or a Pan-Seared Porcini Seitan with roasted fingerling potatoes, brussels sprouts and wild mushrooms. They also have a gluten free menu.

9. Bunna Café

Colorful and tasty food is served in this Ethiopian restaurant that created an all-vegan menu, where the dishes come with Injera, a sourdough flatbread made of Teff and Barley Flour, which you can order gluten-free or basmati rice is also available as a substitute. Choose from yellow split peas, sautéed beets, spicy red lentils or Crimini mushrooms sautéed in peppers, and give African beers a try. If you’re lucky you can be part of a traditional coffee ceremony.

10. Champs Diner

American diner classics turned vegan, that’s what this brunch and late-night spot has to offer. Tater tots, three-bean chili, tempeh wings, burrito with chorizo, sandwiches, burgers and dogs are some of the dishes you will find, not exactly what someone could imagine of a vegan restaurant, but it tastes like the real thing. Don’t forget to try the Philly cheesesteak.