One of many biggest joys of New York Metropolis is exploring its vegan meals scene. You would simply spend every week right here and barely scratch the floor with every little thing from burgers and milkshakes to French macarons, Italian classics, Ethiopian delicacies, and past. However don’t be overwhelmed—VegNews contributor and New York native Kat Smith shares their picks that will help you discover the meals experiences you’ll reminisce about for years to return.
Spicy Moon
1
Fiery Szechuan fare goes plant-based
Spicy Moon made its NYC vegan scene debut in 2019, introducing diners to a menu centered round Szechuan Chinese language delicacies from málà-spiced dry pot and mapo tofu to dandan noodles and wontons wearing scarlet chili oil. Szechuan peppercorn—recognized for the “tingly, numbing” sensation it causes—stars prominently all through the menu, together with loads of different spicy, daring, bitter, candy, smoky, and umami flavors. Plus, it boasts three outposts—East Village, Greenwich Village, and the newly opened Bowery location, which is NYC’s largest-ever vegan restaurant.
Coletta
2 The place pink sauce reigns supreme
A plant-based Italian restaurant that’s taken up roots within the metropolis the place Italian American delicacies was born, Coletta dishes out every little thing one might need, and does it nicely. It’s a real trendy Italian-American menu, the place the vodka sauce is velvety and the hen parmigiana evokes dinner in Little Italy. Not lacking are staple dishes like calamari (made with king oyster mushroom rings and served with lemon), pizza, garlic knots, and ravioli. Shut out the meal with a espresso, a slice of tiramisu, and good dialog.
VeganHood
3 Caribbean classics and soul meals staples
Caribbean fare meets soul meals at VeganHood, a neighborhood spot with a cheery environment and mustn’t-miss delicacies. Co-owners Janine Smalls and Lanise Herman-Thomas opened this Harlem institution within the identify of serving their group plant-based variations of the dishes they eat at dwelling. You’ll discover meat-free oxtail pan-fried with West Indian spices alongside dairy-free mac and cheese, plus gumbo, hen and gravy, and Oreo pudding for dessert. It’s situated simply steps away from Central Park’s lovely North Woods, so take a stroll and arrive hungry.
Bunna Cafe
4 Ethiopian, with a aspect of ethics
At Bunna Cafe, an intimate vegan Ethiopian scorching spot in Brooklyn, the meals is made for sharing. Order the beyaynetu, a standard meal that includes a rainbow of plant-based dishes served atop injera (bitter fermented flatbread comprised of teff), which is used to scoop up bites of impeccably spiced and floor chickpeas, lentils, collard greens, and beets. Every dish balances earthy, spicy, tart, and bitter. Go to throughout the weekend at 5pm to catch the espresso ceremony, an integral a part of Ethiopian social life.
Confectionery!
5 Candy and luscious treats within the East Village
The charming all-vegan sweets store Confectionery! is nestled in a comfortable house adorned with vintage-inspired floral wallpaper and hobnail glassware. A joint effort between vegan bakery Candy Maresa’s and moral chocolatier Lagusta’s Luscious, right here you’ll discover an array of colourful macarons and tempting baked items and candies, together with ethereal princess truffles, gooey caramels, buttery cookies, and a few gorgeous seasonal treats.
Anixi
6 Modern kosher Mediterranean
You’ll discover just a few plant-based choices at most Mediterranean eating places, however at Anixi, every little thing from the shish kebabs to the moussaka is vegan. Nestled in Chelsea, Anixi’s up to date vegan strategy shines in its mezze menu, that includes whipped almond and cashew ricotta and cured “salmon.” Past the appetizers is an abundance of acquainted classics like risotto, and a few much less acquainted dishes akin to a trio of pides, or Turkish flatbread pizza, along with your selection of toppings like pomegranate-molasses roasted eggplant, braised beef and feta, and olive za’atar.
Kevin Pineda-Gould
7 NYC’s #1 Black-owned burger spot
In an age the place vegan burgers have gone mainstream, Jerrell’s BETR BRGR is one way or the other a complete standout. The menu at this late-night SoHo joint is expertly crafted—from its juicy, double-patty burgers (with the choice of a “SUPR” bacon-chili-jalapeño improve) to its nostalgic, golden waffle fries to the oat milk shake dolloped with whipped cream. Open till 12:30am on weekdays and till 3:30am on weekends, it’s the place to be when the midnight munchies hit.
Délice & Sarrasin
8 French fare with out the butter and cheese
French delicacies historically leans closely into animal merchandise, however at Délice & Sarrasin, the meals doesn’t skimp on buttery sauces and tender, braised meats—they simply do it 100-percent vegan. The intimate French bistro is a grasp of reimagining conventional dishes akin to coq au vin, escargot, and foie gras. Save room for the orange-infused crème brûlée or enterprise out to this West Village institution early on a weekend for crêpes and French toast.
Whipped City Dessert Lab
9 The news on the primary oat milk soft-serve store
Count on a (worthwhile) wait if you arrive at Whipped City Dessert Lab. The tiny, Decrease East Aspect oat milk soft-serve store went viral as quickly because it opened in 2019, capturing the hearts of ice cream lovers close to and much. The flavors are conventional—chocolate and “Candy Creme” vanilla—however the mix-and-match toppings and fillings permit you to customise to pure ice cream bliss. And no worries if you happen to’re indecisive: there’s a set menu of ice cream “fusions” that provides concoctions like Chocolate Peanut Butter Pretzel, Strawberry Shortcake, and Salted Pecan.
Le Petit Monstre
10 Brooklyn’s plant-based patisserie
Flaky pastries, croissants, danishes, and doughnuts galore pack the pastry case at Le Petit Monstre, a Brooklyn-based patisserie-slash-plant-shop. In the event you don’t have a candy tooth, sandwiches and savory pastries (like croissant breakfast sandwiches and palmiers with roasted veggies and cheese) are on common rotation. Pair your order with a cup of espresso, then peruse the foliage part of the store and possibly carry dwelling a brand new inexperienced buddy.
For extra on New York Metropolis vegan eats, learn:
Kat Smith is a Queens, NY-based freelance author and editor who loves cooking and discovering native vegan hidden gems.
