Vegan New York! What Plant-Heavy Restaurants Do You Love?
Great comments going on Alexandra’s L.A. post below, with lots of you guys weighing in from all over the country. Meanwhile, in midtown Manhattan, I’m at a loss. I forgot my lunch today and don’t want to go out in the rain so I did a search for vegan food nearby that delivers and came up with ONE spot. An Indian place with a separate vegan menu. I ordered, and am hoping it’s legitimately vegan, not full of ghee and just vegetarian.
In any case. New York, where you at? Share your vegan tips!
Hey Siobahn!! I work in NYC and I’m a vegan :-)
A great website to use is happycow.net – super super helpful for vegetarians and vegans. Whole Foods is perfect in a pinch because all premade food is clearly labeled “Vegan”. There are lots of other places but depending on where you are, certain places will be closer than others.
I would definitely start with happycow.net – it will provide results based on your location.
I figured I’d give some proper suggestions too:
Blossom. Blossom Cafe, Blossom Du Jour, Cocoa V – all great (varying degrees of food/fanciness depending on what you’re looking for)
V-Note
Candle 79, Candle Cafe
Terri
Sacred Chow
Peacefood Cafe (amazing desserts)
Loving Hut
Angelica Kitchen
…just a sampling :-)
Midtown is a bit of a vegan wasteland, but Free Foods has some good salads and a tempeh ruben. Just Salad does…salad. There’s falafel everywhere. Zen Palate is mostly vegan, though somewhat greasy (I stick to their soups). Madras Mahal indicates dairy items on their menu and the rest is vegan. ‘wichcraft’s chickpea sandwich is vegan and maybe one other is too.
Siobhan, try putting your zip into http://vegansteven.com/
I’ve been a vegetarian for 25+ years and lived in NYC for most of that time (tho not anymore). My (mainly) vegan standbys were Mana and Cafe Viva on the upper west side, where I lived. In mid-town there’s Zen
Palate in the west 40s if you can stand mock meat (not my fav). And in addition to the great places recommended above by Meghan, there are also the Souen locations downtown (I always feel virtuous after eating at one of them, if not wowed by their food), Caravan of Dreams for the truly “crunchy” vegan (often raw) experience, and Rice over in DUMBO (not all vegan, but many options). Oh, how I miss the variety of vegan/vegetarian restaurants in NYC!!
Now I live in south eastern VT, and while the community is certainly vegan friendly–rather militantly so in some cases!–there are not many places to eat out. (Period.) In case anyone’s wondering, the best vegan friendly eatery around here is Shin La in Brattleboro–great Korean food, plenty of vegan options. The Brattleboro Coop has prepared vegan foods that are okay. And down in Greenfield Massachusetts (oddly becoming a gourmet hub around here), Olive & Vine has delicious food with some vegan choices on the menu, while the People’s Pint has a few tasty vegan options, too. But this week (for the vegan challenge) I’m finding I’m having to rely primarily on my own efforts. That’s okay: it’s a good daily practice to do more cooking than I usually do!
Whoops–I mentioned “Olive & Vine” as a good place to eat in Greenfield, Mass, with vegan options–but it’s actually “Hope & Olive.”
East Village is a great foodie neighborhood for vegans (try Counter, Souen Organic Ramen, Caravan of Dreams – the name is dumb, but the food is fab – and Quintessence). I LOVE Angelica Kitchen for lunch takeout; it’s my go-to spot – I almost always order from the specials menu, which changes daily.
If you are willing to experiment with raw, Pure Food & Wine is supposed to be great. They also have a juice takeout called One Lucky Duck at Chelsea Market and on 17th and Irving.
I rarely venture uptown, but Candle 79 is worth the trek if you want something more upscale (reservations are a must).
‘Snice has a few locations (soho, west village and brooklyn), and it’s pretty good for sandwiches and coffee.
I could go on and on….enjoy :)
Kajitsu is all vegan and the best resto in NYC!
Hangawi
Franchia
Lan Cafe (vegan Vietnamese!)
Atlas Cafe (an omni place that is tiny but full of good vegan options)
the Dosa Cart man is also amazing!
Oh and in Midtown? Depends on where you are but Loving Hut, Terri, and Franchia are not too far away. Also, you have to use Supervegan.com if you live in NYC. I live and eat by that website!
Along with some of the great restaurants already listed (Angelica Kitchen being my favorite,) for a quick delicious juice or pre-made salad or sandwich, go to Organic Avenue! they are raw/vegan and have locations in the west village, east village, soho, and the upper east side currently.
I also work in midtown and am new to the ‘all vegan, all the time’ lifestyle. My to-go is Guy & Gallard—for a superfood-filled salad.
You guys are the best! I’ve been to the two Candles, Angelika is an old favorite, Counter, Souen and Holy Chow. I cannot wait to try Hangawi since I’m gluten allergic too (le sigh) and many others. This is awesome!
I will be making my first trip to NYC and a friend is taking me to Pure Food & Wine. I cannot wait!