Whether you’re giving the plant-based life a trial run (à la Beyonce and Jay-Z) or are a dyed-in-the-wool vegan, you have an abundance of vegan options in New York. From high-end juice bars to classy restaurants, you’ll find establishments all over committed to serving dishes without animal-derived ingredients. Vegetables aren’t just for side dishes anymore. On this list, they’re the main event.
Top 10 Vegan Eats in New York City: Juice Press
For the Cadillac of juices, smoothies, and raw vegan fare, look no further than Juice Press. Its USDA organic produce makes for juices full of flavor and energizing meals like the raw falafel salad, with falafel balls made of sunflower seeds, buckwheat, and Mediterranean spices. Other favorites include the cold brew Almond Latte, Rainforest Smoothie, and small dish of spicy kelp noodles with almond-butter sauce. Juice Press is grab-n-go, with an astounding 56 locations in New York. Pro tip: your nearest shop might not have seating. Just hit the streets with your juice or smoothie, and drink in the sights! 212-777-0034, juicepress.com
Top 10 Vegan Eats in New York City: Candle 79
The two-story bistro Candle 79 is an Upper East Side institution for a reason. This upscale vegan fare will make you forget meat, cheese, and eggs exist. Its tasty Eco Cocktails, particularly the tequila-based Passionate-Rita, will start your evening off right. Follow it with flavorful Pomegranate-Seitan BBQ Skewers, Pesto Pan-Seared Seitan, and crispy Polenta Fries. The chocolate-peanut-butter mousse is well worth saving room. Candle has two lower-priced and equally tasty locations: Candle Cafe nearby on 3rd Avenue, and Candle Cafe West on the Upper West Side. 154 E 79th, 212-537-7179, candle79.com
Top 10 Vegan Eats in New York City: Quintessence
This tiny East Village cafe serves marvelous raw, organic, vegan cuisine. In this case, raw means the plants in the food are not heated above a certain low temperature in order to maintain the plants’ nutrients. Plan to order several small plates to share! We recommend the Asian Pate Roll, with “pâté” made of sesame seeds and Chinese 5-spice. Add the simple salad with herb-y dressing, the enchilada, and Pesto Pizzette with cashew cheese. As a sweet drink, pick a Chia Milk from the variety of flavors offered. 263 E 10th, 646-654-1823, quintessencenyc.com
Top 10 Vegan Eats in New York City: Blossom
Chelsea’s vegan mainstay is the Italian-inspired Blossom. Tour a few galleries, then come tuck in at this cozy, candlelit space. The standout Tuscan Kale Salad, served at lunch and dinner, is topped with apple, cashew, and dijon-tahini dressing. The delectable Cashew Cream Ravioli and Pine-Nut-Crusted Eggplant make fine and surprisingly filling main courses. Don’t skimp on desserts like Lemon Cheesecake and Chocolate Ganache with peanut butter drizzle. You’ll walk out of Blossom full and happy! 187 9th Ave, 212-627-1144, blossomnyc.com/chelsea
Top 10 Vegan Eats in New York City: Van Leeuwen
This list wouldn’t count for a thing without a solidly sweet recommendation. Van Leeuwen, once an ice cream truck only, now has 3 locations each in Manhattan and Brooklyn. In addition to their cow’s-milk ice cream, VL also serves vegan ice cream made with coconut milk and fruity sorbets. And their options aren’t just simple chocolate and vanilla (although the vegan dark chocolate is excellent). Dairy-free options include Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip, Matcha Tea, and Honeycomb. Is your mouth watering yet? Six locations, 718-701-1630 vanleeuwenicecream.com
Top 10 Vegan Eats in New York City: Blossom du Jour
Check out Blossom du Jour, a fast-food-inspired joint at 4 locations around the city. If you’re living a vegan lifestyle or just looking for a quick plant-based meal, Blossom du Jour offers selections that run the spectrum from capital-H healthy to more indulgent than you expect from vegan food. The savory Beet Burger, for example, comes from the kitchen a little greasy, but that’s what makes a burger good, right? Order the Karmic Kale Wrap for balanced flavor, nutritious crunch, and filling sweet potato. Try, if you dare, the almost-too-sweet Butterfinger Shake or the fabulous chocolate cupcake. 4 locations,
Top 10 Vegan Eats in New York City: By CHLOE
If you’re ever wandering around Greenwich Village around 9 p.m., count on spotting a line on the corner of MacDougal and Bleecker Streets. It’s the line for by CHLOE, another restaurant specializing in vegan spins on fast food: burgers, sandwiches, fries, and smoothies (just shakes by another name, right?). The Guac Burger with black bean-quinoa-sweet-potato patty makes a filling lunch (gluten-free buns available!). The Kale Caesar gives you greens and salty satisfaction. Pop next store to its dessert shop for vegan Kale Cookies and Cream ice cream. It’s a refreshing and not-too-green indulgence made with gluten-free chocolate wafers. 4 locations, hello@eatbychloe.com, eatbychloe.com
Top 10 Vegan Eats in New York City: Dirt Candy
Though vegetarian rather than strictly vegan, Dirt Candy deserves a shout-out for its innovative veggie dishes. This hip Lower East Side eatery is known for its killer brunch menu and flavor-packed dinner dishes. A $30 brunch comes with an alcoholic drink, coffee, pastry, and main course—an embarrassment of riches if there ever was one! We recommend ordering one of the two sampler plates for dinner. The chef’s selections rotate, but you’ll definitely get the popular Korean-Fried Broccoli (which the menu describes as “crack in broccoli form”). Also try the Brussels Sprout Tacos and Carrot Sliders. Most of Dirt Candy’s dishes can be made vegan; just ask your server! 86 Allen St, 212-228-7732, dirtcandynyc.com
Top 10 Vegan Eats in New York City: Sun in Bloom
A few blocks north of the Oculus is this light-filled vegan to-go cafe. With fridges full of juices, smoothies, and salads, Sun in Bloom has a deceptively large selection, as you can also order smoothies, coffee, a few hot dishes, and various pastries at the counter. Standouts include the Bella Divine Salad, featuring a lively combination of ingredients like quinoa, dulse (a type of seaweed), and sauerkraut. The Western Burrito and Shiitake Bacon BLT also make for a savory, scrumptious lunch. Pair your meal with the light, nutrition-packed Organic Sweet Lady Green juice or the more substantial vegan blueberry cheesecake. 165 Church St (also in Brooklyn), 212-791-6700, suninbloom.com
Top 10 Vegan Eats in New York City: Divya’s Kitchen
With its white walls and shelves full of trailing plants, Divya’s Kitchen brightens your mood as you walk in the door. With a menu full of Indian-style vegetarian cuisine, vegans can find plenty of aromatic satisfaction. Plus, the vegan dishes are marked on the menu for your convenience. Try the Avocado Dip with Spelt-Sesame crackers and vegetable curry with yellow curry powder. Unfortunately the popular lasagna is topped with cheese, but don’t fret—vegans can happily munch on the Season’s Harvest Salad with sunflower dressing and Rice and Lentil Stew topped with cilantro-basil chutney. 25 First Ave., 212- 477-4834, divyaskitchen.com
