The Big Apple is full of fine dining and delectable cuisine from every corner of the globe. Whether you want Italian or Middle Eastern, East Asian and everything in between, foodies can always find what they're looking for in New York City.
Recent years have seen a boom in plant-based diets, and chefs are pushing the limit on what meatless meals can do. Even people who love steaks are giving plant-based dishes a try, and when they taste this good, why wouldn't they?
Whether you're a vegan purist or a flexitarian, there's a veggie-centric spot in town for you. Nix the animal products without losing any flavor with our list of some of the best vegan restaurants in all of NYC.
See also: The 8 Best Bagels in NYC
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38 E. 19th St. / 212.475.5829 / Website
Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten elevates plant-based cuisine at this Gramercy neighborhood eatery. Located just above Union Square, abcV prides itself on utilizing the finest seasonal ingredients from family farms as well as non-GMO artisanal and organic goods whenever possible. Menu items include green chickpea hummus with fresh pita and crudite, spinach spaghetti and mushroom walnut bolognese. Enjoy these high-vibrational foods in abcV’s modern bohemian atmosphere of communal tables, all-white furniture and pops of millennial pink. The fare is fresh and simple but oh, so good.
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111 E. 7th St. / 833.328.4588 / Website
Executive chef Shenarri Freeman brings the heat with this vegan soul food in the East Village. Freeman's Virginia upbringing is on full display in these delicious plates that prove vegan food need never be boring. With a kitchen that is also organic and entirely soy-free, Cadence is a true crowd-pleaser. Our favorite dishes include the maple buttermilk cornbread with sage maple syrup and seasonal jam, the smoked grits with tomatoes, rosemary butter, fried oyster mushrooms and crispy garlic, and the cobbler with seasonal fruit, ice cream and blueberry compote.
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12 E. 32rd St. / 212.213.0077 / Website
This Korean vegan restaurant was founded with the belief that vegetarianism is the healthiest and safest diet, and delivers traditional Korean cuisine that is as tasty as it is healthy. While the a la carte menu is excellent, we recommend the prix fixe menu for the full HanGawi experience, including dishes such as vermicelli noodles with leeks and chanterelle mushrooms and plant-based Korean ‘bulgogi’ and shiitake mushrooms in a sizzling plate. There are also plenty of gluten-free options available, making this sanctuary in Koreatown an excellent choice for those avoiding gluten.
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86 Allen St. / 212.228.7732 / Website
This Michelin-starred restaurant has one simple goal: to make vegetables as delicious as possible. The dishes aren't intended to be ultra-healthy, clean or full of superfoods. They're just intended to taste good, and to hopefully start making people crave vegetables the way we crave junk food. While not every dish is crafted to be vegan, nearly every dish can be prepared to be, meaning vegans are more than welcome to enjoy the five-course tasting menu that changes regularly. Trust us, you've never tasted vegetables like these before.
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130 E. 7th St. / 833.328.4588 / Website
Tucked away in the East Village is this plant-based gem that offers fine vegan dining and a dynamic menu. The veggie-centric cuisine is beautiful and contemporary. Unlike others, Avant Garden doesn’t try to make vegetables taste like meat but rather allows the vegetables to speak for themselves in each of their menu items’ rich flavor palettes. Tuck into hearty fare including scorched cauliflower with toasted garlic, fried capers and cauliflower puree, or dig into a deep bowl of house-made tagliatelle with creamed corn jalapeño sauce, cilantro and smoked mushrooms. Restauranteur Ravi Derossi doesn’t skimp out on flavor in any of the upscale meatless menu options.
See also: The 10 Best Sushi Omakase Menus in NYC
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405 E. 6th St. / 212.254.1613 / Website
This eclectic vegan restaurant has been a mainstay in the East Village since 1991, and it's easy to see why. Outfitted in bohemian decor, Caravan of Dreams is an homage to the hippies who popularized the plant-based movement and their free spirit philosophy. The menu is large, with item names like "the Lover Salad," and all the ingredients are pure. There are plenty of raw vegan entrees for nutrition of the highest vibration. Try the huitlacoche & chorizo quesadilla with house-cultured cashew kefir cheese, corn and chorizo (vegan, soy-based) in a sprouted wheat kernels tortilla, served with avocado, watercress and mango salad topped with lemon, olive oil and a touch of salt.
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155 Avenue B / 833.328.4588 / Website
Love natural and organic wine and vegan pasta? Soda Club is your new go-to. Located in the East Village, Soda Club serves delicious Italian dishes such as cappalletti with morel mushrooms, vegetable brodo and truffle olive oil and bucatini with arrabbiata and focaccia crumbs. The wine list is extensive, featuring plenty of bubbles, orange wines and rosés, ensuring you'll find the perfect bottle to complement your Italian cuisine. Our recommendation? Indulge in the pasta for two, a six-course pasta tasting that allows you to try each variety of pasta with a bottle of wine for just $75 per person.
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Multiple locations / Website
Herbivores can now enjoy sushi thanks to Beyond Sushi’s innovative culinary prowess. The plant-based sushi joint transforms vegetables into fancy sushi rolls with a flavor palate and texture similar to that of traditional seafood sushi. Founder Guy Vaknin caught the attention and support of two sharks on NBC’s Shark Tank, and the rest is history. From dumplings to wraps, noodles to meatballs and everything in between, the menu is loaded with veggie-centric options. Try the best-selling Spicy Mang sushi roll comprised of black rice, avocado, mango and cucumber topped with a toasted cayenne spicy veggie slaw. For a sweet treat, you can’t forget to try the ube cashew cheesecake with a ginger cookie crust, hot chocolate fudge, ginger cookie streusel and fresh mint. Yum!
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Multiple locations / Website
This beloved plant-based chain is a favorite amongst vegans and omnivores alike thanks to its Asian-inspired dishes that pack a punch of flavor. You'll find the NoMad location is often (who doesn't love crispy gyoza and a hibiscus-infused gin, lychee liqueur and pineapple cocktail?) so we recommend making a reservation for this vegan hotspot. The cocktails, mocktails and cold-pressed juices are all incredible, ensuring everyone's thirst will be quenched. Cheers to that!
Eating vegan doesn't have to be boring, and these NYC favorites ensure it never will be. Whether you're craving a burger, sushi or cookie dough, these vegan restaurants promise to satisfy. Bon appetite!
Photography by: rudisill / Getty Images/iStockphoto
