If you’re in search of a delicious and satisfying way to eat more plants in the Big Apple, you’re in luck. New York City is home to some of the best vegan restaurants in the world, offering a variety of cuisines and flavors that will make your taste buds sing. Whether you crave spicy Sichuan dishes, crispy dosas, creamy lasagna, or juicy burgers, there’s a vegan spot for you in NYC. In this video, we’ll share our list of the top 12 vegan restaurants in New York City that you need to try ASAP. Trust us, you won’t miss the meat at all!
Viewcation Presents: Best Vegan Restaurants in NYC
Spicy Moon
If you love spicy food and vegan cuisine as much as we do, you’ll want to check out Spicy Moon, an inviting and casual spot that serves Szechuan dishes with a plant-based twist. You’ll find classics like dan dan noodles, mapo tofu, and kung pao tofu, as well as innovative creations like honey walnut edamame nuggets, crabless rangoon, and zen cold sesame noodles. The flavors are bold and delightfully authentic, and the portions are generous and satisfying. You can also enjoy a full bar with cocktails, wine, and beer to cool down your palate. Spicy Moon has two locations in the East Village and West Village, so you can get your spice fix wherever you are in the city.
Ras Plant Based
For a taste of Ethiopia with a vegan twist, head to Ras Plant Based, a farm-to-table restaurant that serves organic and locally sourced dishes. You’ll enjoy the colorful and flavorful platters of injera bread topped with various stews, salads, and sauces, all made with fresh and wholesome ingredients. Try the mercato, a sampler of six items of your choice, or the piassa, a spicy red lentil dish with caramelized onions. You can also down some Ethiopian coffee, wine, or beer, or try one of their signature cocktails like the Fig Fig Bang Bang. Ras Plant Based has a vibrant and cushy atmosphere, with art and plants adorning the walls and a DJ booth playing tunes on weekends. It’s also kosher certified by Rabbi Sam Reinstein of Mason Jar K. Ras Plant Based is located in Crown Heights and is open for lunch, brunch, and dinner.
Dirt Candy
If you think vegetables are boring, think again. Dirt Candy is a vegan and vegetarian restaurant that celebrates the diversity and deliciousness of plants with inventive and playful dishes. Chef and owner Amanda Cohen is a pioneer of the vegetable-forward movement and has been wowing critics and diners alike since 2008. At Dirt Candy, you can enjoy a five-course tasting menu that changes seasonally, featuring dishes like beet éclair, onion pizza, rutabaga gnocchi, Kentucky fried butternut squash, and French fries and frosty. You can also compliment your meal with wine or cocktails made with fresh juices and herbs. Dirt Candy is located in the Lower East Side and is open for dinner from Tuesday to Saturday.
Vegan Hood
If you’re looking for vegan comfort food with a soulful and Caribbean flair, look no further than VeganHood, a new plant-based restaurant in Harlem. Founded by sisters Janine Smalls and Lanise Herman-Thomas, VeganHood aims to bridge veganism and the hood with delicious and affordable dishes that appeal to everyone. You can enjoy vegan versions of fried chicken, oxtail, shrimp, mac and cheese, collard greens, and more. You can also try their authentic Caribbean food like jerk tofu, curry chickpeas, rice and peas, and plantains. VeganHood serves quality and healthy food made with fresh ingredients and lots of love. Hungry diners can additionally order online or get delivery from their website. VeganHood is located on Frederick Douglass Boulevard and is open for lunch and dinner every day besides Monday.
Fat Choy
If you’re looking for a unique fusion of Chinese and American cuisine, you’ll love Fat Choy, a vegan restaurant that serves a unique take on Chinese and also vegan dishes. Chef Justin Lee creates mouthwatering dishes that are plant-based and flavorful, such as mushroom sautees, rice rolls, pepper cauliflower, and sticky rice dumpling. You can also enjoy salads, sides, drinks, and desserts that are vegan and gluten-free. Fat Choy has a comfortable and informal atmosphere with friendly service and reasonable prices. You can of course order online or get delivery from their website if you don’t want to dine in. Fat Choy is located on Broome Street in Manhattan and is open for lunch and dinner every day except Monday.
Jarrell’s BETR BRGR
Who says a burger needs to be USDA certified angus in order to be worth eating? If you’re looking for a late-night vegan burger joint that serves 100% plant-based burgers, fries, chili, and shakes, you’ll love Jerrell’s Betr Brgr, a new black-owned restaurant in SoHo. Founded by Jerrell Williams, a former NFL player and vegan activist, Jerrell’s Betr Brgr aims to make vegan food more accessible and delicious for everyone. You can choose from their signature burgers made with Impossible patties, vegan cheese, lettuce, tomato, grilled onions, pickles and Jerrell’s special sauce. You can also customize your burger with vegan bacon, chili and jalapeños. Don’t forget to try their crispy waffle fries with various sauces like chipotle aioli and garlic aioli. Diners can also indulge in their oat milk shakes made with real fruit or their vegan soft serve with toppings like sprinkles and cookies. Jerrell’s Betr Brgr is located on 6th Avenue and is open for lunch and dinner every day except Monday.
Greedi Vegan
For a vegan experience that is delicious and nutritious, you’ll want to visit Greedi Vegan, a restaurant that serves vegan comfort food with a soulful twist. Founded by Brooklyn native Latisha Daring, Greedi Vegan aims to provide diverse and flavorful vegan dishes that are made with fresh and organic ingredients. You can choose from their starters like cauliflower bites, fried dumplings, and nachos, their salads like buffalo chicken salad and spinach avocado salad, their sandwiches like jerk burger and oyster mushroom po boy, and their bowls like fried chicken soul bowl and portobello mushroom bowl. You can also enjoy their desserts like banana pudding and oat milk shakes. Greedi Vegan has two locations in Brooklyn: Greedi To Go on Bergen Street and Greedi Kitchen on Tompkins Avenue. Both locations are open for lunch and dinner every day except Monday.
Anixi
For a vegan banquet that is inspired by the flavors of the Mediterranean, you’ll want to visit Anixi, a new kosher restaurant in Chelsea. Anixi is a vegan brasserie that offers dishes from Greece, Turkey, Syria, and Lebanon, made with fresh and organic ingredients. Veggie-loving foodies can start with their mezze platter that includes hummus, baba ganoush, tabbouleh, and more. You can also try their salads like fattoush and kale caesar, their soups like lentil and tomato bisque, and their flatbreads like za’atar and spinach cheese. For the main course, you can choose from their kebabs like lamb shawarma and chicken souvlaki, their pastas like mushroom ravioli and lasagna bolognese, and their entrees like moussaka and stuffed cabbage. You can also enjoy their desserts like baklava and chocolate cake. Anixi has a luxurious dining room with crystal chandeliers and attentive service. Anixi is located on 8th Avenue and is open for lunch and dinner every day aside from Monday.
Buddha Bodai
Move over Panda Express – we’ve got something better in mind! For a vegan adventure that is inspired by the flavors of China, you’ll want to visit Buddha Bodai, a kosher restaurant in Chinatown. Buddha Bodai is a vegan restaurant that offers dishes from various regions of China, made with fresh and organic ingredients. Guests can start with their dim sum platter that includes dumplings, spring rolls, buns, and more. You can also try their soups like wonton and sweet and sour, their salads like seaweed and cucumber, and their noodles like lo mein and pad thai. For your main course, you can choose from their mock meat dishes like sesame chicken, BBQ pork, lamb shawarma, and kung pao tofu. You can also enjoy their vegetable dishes like broccoli with garlic sauce, eggplant with basil sauce, and mixed mushrooms with spinach. If all that doesn’t already have your attention, you can also indulge in their desserts like red bean cake and mango pudding. Buddha Bodai has a calming and mellow atmosphere with friendly service and reasonable prices. As per usual, you can order online or get delivery from their website if you’re in a hurry. Buddha Bodai is located on Mott Street and is open for lunch and dinner every day.
Cadence
If you’re seeking an indulgent vegan meal that is inspired by the flavors of the South, you’ll want to visit Cadence, a plant-based restaurant in the East Village. Cadence is led by chef Shenarri Freeman, who taps into her Virginia upbringing and vegan ethos to create dishes that celebrate Southern foodways and soul food. Cadence uses fresh and organic ingredients and avoids soy and gluten. You can enjoy dishes like garlic black-eyed pea pancake with sage syrup, smoked grits with oyster mushrooms and tomatoes, fried lasagna with red wine bolognese and pine nut ricotta, and maple buttermilk cornbread with seasonal jam. You can also indulge in desserts like peach cobbler and banana pudding. Cadence has a cozy and stylish dining room with a copper wall and velvet stools. Cadence is located on East 7th Street and is open for dinner from Tuesday to Sunday.
Usha Foods
Who says you need to fly to India to enjoy authentic Indian snacks and sweets? Usha Foods is a vegetarian Indian food haven in Floral Park, Queens that specializes in fast casual bites, savory snacks and colorful desserts. You can find all your favorite chaat items like samosa, pani puri, papdi chaat and bhel puri, as well as dosa, idli and vada. For those with a sweet tooth, we reccomend indulging in their sweets like laddu, jalebi, barfi and halwa. Usha Foods is owned by Anil and Indira Mathur, who have been serving delicious and high quality South Asian food since 1984. They also offer catering and shipping services throughout the United States. Usha Foods is located on Hillside Avenue and is open for lunch and dinner daily.
NY Dosas
Last but not least we have one of the Big Apples’ most famous vegan digs. For a plant-based treat that is inspired by the flavors of Sri Lanka, you’ll want to visit NY Dosas, a food cart in Washington Square Park. NY Dosas sells dosas, which are crispy and thin crepes made of rice and lentils. Dosas are filled with various veggie options like potatoes, spinach, cheese, and mushrooms. They are also served with coconut chutney and sambar, which are spicy and tangy sauces. You can also try their snacks like samosa, veggie drumstick, and veggie roti. NY Dosas is owned by Thiru Kumar, who is known as the Dosa Man. He has been serving delicious and healthy vegan food since 2001. He has also won the Vendy Award for the best street food vendor in New York City in 2007. NY Dosas is located on the south side of Washington Square Park on W4th Street and Sullivan Street. It is open for lunch from Tuesday to Saturday.
We’re just about out of time, but before you go, we’d love to hear from you. Which NYC vegan restaurant are you most excited to try out first and did we fail to mention one of your favorite plant-based spots? Let us know in the comments.
As always, thanks for watching and happy travels!