By Caroline Grogan By Caroline Grogan | November 1, 2021 | Food & Drink
November 1st marks the start of World Vegan Month, and we’ve rounded up the best plant-based dishes in the city to celebrate.
As the plant-based industry continues to experience phenomenal growth, many restaurants have switched things up to offer a vegan menu or, in the case of Eleven Madison and the 2022 Met Gala, converted to a fully plant-based menu.
See also: New NYC Cocktail Bars, Nightlife, Spirits and More
28 E 10th St / Website
New fast-casual plant-based restaurant HipCityVeg, dubbed the ‘Shake Shack of Plant-Based Foods,’ is now open in Greenwich Village. HipCityVeg, which also has locations in the D.C. and Philadelphia areas, is committed to making vegan food convenient and available everywhere. Must-try dishes include the popular Crispy HipCity Ranch sandwich made with battered chik’n, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles and peppercorn ranch as well as a smokehouse burger and vegan Philly cheesesteak.
Multiple NYC Locations / Website
What would a vegan roundup be without NYC favorite Beatnic, formerly known as by CHLOE? With a new name and revamped menu, Beatnic’s flavor-packed salads and juicy burgers are standouts. The Crispy Chicky salad is made with extra-crispy tempeh “chicken” and dressed up with carrots, purple cabbage, edamame, mandarin oranges and almonds. Their newest burger, ‘The Ques Oh!,’ features a lentil and pea protein patty, queso cheeze sauce, jalapeño, chorizo and rainbow tortilla chips all sandwiched between a fluffy flax seed bun.
Multiple NYC Locations / Website
Fast-casual restaurant Yaso, with locations throughout NYC and in Jersey City, dishes up a vegan take on Shanghai street food with an entire menu dedicated to plant-based offerings. Favorite vegan appetizers include steamed veggie baos and sticky rice dumplings, while main dishes include the hot noodle with peanut and sesame sauce.
15 W 27th St / Website
Planta Queen, the sexy vegan and vegetarian restaurant located in Flatiron, serves up inspired riffs on sushi as well as plant-based dumplings that are absolutely to-die-for. Try the ahi watermelon nigiri, spicy tuna roll (also made with watermelon!) and crispy gyoza dumplings. While waiting for your food, don’t be shy: try the ‘Lych Please’ martini, made with hibiscus infused gin, lychee liqueur and pineapple, and prepare for your tastebuds to be amazed.
Multiple NYC Locations / Website
With storefronts across NYC and a brand new Upper East Side location, Mochidoki is the perfect destination for cozy tea, matcha and, of course, soft and pillowy mochi treats. In addition to their non-vegan menu with flavors including Everything Bagel and Seoul Cookie, Mochidoki offers a robust selection of vegan options with flavors including chocolate hazelnut, lychee, passion fruit, chocolate, coconut, mango and matcha coconut.
326 E 6th St / Website
Souen, an East Village staple, is known for their macrobiotic, natural organic food transformed into their signature dishes. Their vegetable plates served with homemade dressings and a side of brown rice make getting your vegetables in a delicious endeavor, and their gluten free ramen is a delightfully cozy dish for the cold weather season.
12 St. Marks Pl / Website
VSPOT Express on St. Marks is the place to go when you’re in the mood for plant-based Latin munchies. Try the appetizer sampler plate where you can get a generous portion of empanadas, nachos supreme and Beyond chicken tenders. The avocado fries are also a must-try. The restaurant is also home to the St. Marks Comedy Club, a speakeasy comedy club that also hosts music events, video shoots and private dinners.
Photography by: HipCityVeg
