New York City was recently named the 3rd friendliest city for vegans in 2022 by theplantbasednews.com. It's no wonder, as we visited the city in December and encountered several vegan restaurants, options, billboards, and even activists while strolling along the streets.
What sets the Big Apple apart in the vegan industry is its numerous plant-based gastronomical experiences throughout Manhattan, including the abundance of plant-based sushi options. So, when you visit New York, don't worry about not finding iconic NYC foods like bagels, pizzas, hot dogs, and pretzels. You'll find them on almost every street corner!
Here are 10 restaurants you need to try, curated by NYC's local vegan food blogger Sabrina!
Coletta brings flavors from Italy to your plate with their menu of brick oven pizzas, fresh pastas, unforgettable entrées, and desserts – all vegan and kosher! This culinary gem is brought to you by City Roots Hospitality and Chef Guy Vaknin, the founder of the previously mentioned Beyond Sushi.
What sets Coletta apart and secures its place at the top of the list is its authenticity and hearty menu. For vegans navigating the hustle of New York metropolitan life, a place that serves warm Italian food is a top-notch weekend plan. Coletta offers classic pasta dishes like Linguini Alfredo, Bolognese, and Lasagna, as well as unique choices like Fig Jam "Prosciutto" Pizza.
Italian restaurants are incomplete without authentic palette cleansers, and Coletta shines in this aspect too. Indulge in deliziosa Italian desserts like Tiramisu, Panna Cotta, Chocolate Budino, and classic Italian ice cream flavors such as Roasted Pistachio, Hazelnut, Vanilla, and Coffee.
Coletta is the perfect choice for dinner or lunch, and they also offer private dining and event hosting. Visit their website for more information.
In a surprising twist, Rabbit, a raw vegan restaurant, claims the second spot on our list. Offering a 12-course fine dining experience that is entirely raw vegan, Rabbit's menu varies depending on the season. Be sure to check what they're serving at the moment, as their offerings differ between winter and summer. Despite being raw, Rabbit doesn't compromise on comfort dishes like lasagna and hummus.
Rabbit was created by Chem Xila Caudillo and James Beard-nominated Ravi Derossi, the founder of Overthrow Hospitality, a leading plant-based restaurant group. Alongside their seasonally rotating courses, Rabbit's wine list features Latinx-owned and operated vineyards, and their cocktail program, crafted by partner Sother Teague, offers low and no-ABV specials. Include Rabbit in your travel plans and embark on a journey of a raw vegan fine dining experience you'll never forget!
Bringing the first Ethiopian cuisine of its kind to NYC, Ras serves up classic dishes year-round, as well as savory seasonal creations whenever possible. They carefully source their ingredients from trusted purveyors who share similar values, ensuring a smaller ecological footprint.
Located in Brooklyn, Ras is committed to providing the community with the best local and organic ingredients, without compromising the affordability and availability of staple dishes. Feast on authentic Ethiopian offerings like Arada, Kazanchis, and Langano Bowl. A visit to Ras is like taking a step straight into Ethiopia!
When it comes to desserts, particularly crepes, Little Choc Apothecary is the finest of them all! This charming establishment offers a creative selection of sweet and savory crepes, as well as homemade baked goods. All of their products are completely plant-based, made from scratch, and free from chemical binders, gums, artificial flavors, and overly processed sugars and flours. They prioritize sourcing ingredients from sustainable farms and distributors, providing local, organic, and fair-trade products whenever possible.
The founder, Julia Kravets, is a girl with a sweet tooth who also happens to be a fashion model. Realizing that it was challenging to maintain her shape while indulging in her interest in sweets, she completed a plant-based nutrition program at eCornell. This led to the birth of Little Choc Apothecary in 2015! Their menu allows you to build your own crepes, just like any crepe place you already know. They also offer savory crepes as wraps for burritos or even pizza. Show your support for Little Choc Apothecary during your visit to NYC!
As one of the largest high-end vegan restaurants in North America, Planta guarantees a plant-based dining experience you'll never forget. They serve a variety of Asian and intercontinental comfort foods, ranging from Chinese and Singaporean to Japanese. Their menu features dumplings, sushi, noodles, fried rice, udon – you name it! While they have branches in five different major cities, their Queens location in New York is not to be missed. Additionally, Planta ensures that all their produce and supplies are delivered in reusable containers to reduce waste, and their to-go packaging is made from 100% compostable materials. Planta is dedicated to the planet.
If you're looking for a chic restaurant near SoHo that features musical selectors and various live events like comedy nights, look no further than Urban Vegan Kitchen. It's a restaurant worth visiting for those seeking a night filled with music and good food in New York City.
Located in the Lower West Village, Urban Vegan Kitchen is owned by Pamela Elizabeth, who had no previous industry experience. Instead, she pursued a career in theater and opera before opening her first vegan quick-serve chain in Manhattan called Blossom. In 2016, she introduced Urban Vegan Kitchen, a haven of vegan comfort food and entertainment shows. The atmosphere at Urban Vegan Kitchen is unlike any other vegan restaurant in NYC.
"A patchwork of culture, community, and comida threading plant-based eaters to the Mexican palate."
If there's one cuisine that most Americans love, other than their own, it's definitely Mexican. And the largest plant-based Mexican chain restaurant is undoubtedly Jajaja.
With four different locations spread across Manhattan and Brooklyn, Jajaja combines south-of-the-border flavors with New York flair to create a global experience rooted in local heritage. It was founded by friends Koorosh Bakhtiar and Nima Garos on Cinco de Mayo in 2017. Their specialty? Nachos! Jajaja serves nachos piled high, filled with minced 'meat' and, of course, guacamole.
For vegans visiting New York City, Screamer's Pizzeria is the perfect first stop. This Brooklyn-based classic vegan pizza joint offers a taste of the city's renowned New York-style pizza. Instead of waiting in long lines at Joe's Pizza or any other famous pizzeria, head to Screamer's.
With two locations in Brooklyn, Screamer's Pizzeria provides a wide range of pizza varieties. Their pizzas are baked fresh every hour to ensure you get a piping hot slice. The menu may vary between locations, so be sure to check their branch's menu before visiting. However, you can't go wrong with their classic cheese or margherita pizza!
Owned by Isa Chandra Moskowitz, an acclaimed vegan chef, Modern Love Brooklyn is where comfort food meets veganism. Isa Chandra Moskowitz is the author of several vegan cookbooks and the creator of the Post Punk Kitchen, a popular online vegan cooking show.
Modern Love Brooklyn offers a range of vegan comfort foods with creative twists. From their popular "Chicky" biscuit sandwich and BBQ cauliflower wings to their "Steak" Stroganoff and Buffalo Tempeh Tacos, you'll find a variety of flavors and textures to satisfy your cravings. Located in Williamsburg, Modern Love Brooklyn provides a cozy atmosphere and exceptional vegan cuisine.
Last but not least, VSpot brings Latin flavors to the vegan scene in New York City. With two locations in East Village and Park Slope, this vegan eatery specializes in plant-based Latin American cuisine, particularly dishes from Colombia and Venezuela. From their famous arepas and empanadas to their hearty bowls and platters, VSpot offers a diverse menu that celebrates the rich and vibrant culinary traditions of Latin America.
In addition to their delicious food, VSpot hosts events, including live music performances and salsa nights, making it a vibrant and lively spot to enjoy vegan Latin American cuisine.
So Is New York a Vegan Friendly City?
New York City is a vegan food lover's paradise, offering a wide range of plant-based dining experiences. Whether you're craving Italian, raw vegan, Ethiopian, crepes, Asian fusion, comfort food, Mexican, pizza, creative vegan dishes, or Latin American flavors, there's a restaurant in NYC to satisfy your taste buds. So, next time you visit the Big Apple, be sure to check out these top 10 vegan restaurants and indulge in the incredible plant-based culinary delights they have to offer!
