Last Updated on August 15, 2026 by Emma Fajcz | Published: March 28, 2022
Remember when the utterance of the word “vegan” would induce eyerolls and sighs among everyone at the table? Fortunately, being a vegan is no longer marginalizing; after all, former NYC mayor Eric Adams and countless celebrities are proud vegans. A slew of plant-based eateries have opened up in NYC since Dirt Candy opened in 2008, so vegan dining isn’t limited to “hippie” or college towns. Don’t miss these best vegan restaurants in NYC.
At a Glance: Vegan Restaurants in NYC
- π° Average Price: NYC’s vegan scene covers everything from inexpensive street food and casual meals to high-end tasting menus. For most the restaurants in this guide, budget roughly $15–30 per person for a casual meal, while upscale options can run $50–100+.
- π Where to Find Vegan Food: Manhattan and Brooklyn have especially strong vegan scenes. In addition, don’t limit yourself to restaurants labeled strictly vegan—many of NYC’s best plant-based meals come from restaurants specializing in a particular cuisine.
- π Do You Need a Reservation? Not always. Casual restaurants are easy to visit without one, while popular restaurants and high-end tasting menu spots need to be booked ahead.
- π Expect Global Flavors: NYC’s vegan dining scene goes far beyond veggie burgers! The restaurants featured in this guide include Ethiopian, Caribbean, Mexican, Chinese, Indian/South Asian, French, and Southern-inspired food.
- β Common Tourist Mistake: Don’t assume that every dish at a vegetarian/vegan restaurant is vegan; some vegetarian restaurants also serve dairy or eggs. Confirm the dish’s ingredients before ordering.
- β Local Tip: Plan your vegan meals by neighborhood and pair it with nearby sightseeing to save time on the subway and to help you experience the vegan food scene more naturally.
Craving something sweet? Make sure to check out the best vegan bakeries in NYC!
abcV
Located at ABC Carpet & Home, Alsatian super chef Jean-Georges Vongrichten’s plant-based eatery abcV is an excellent spot even for staunch carnivores. The menu isn’t strictly vegan, as some dairy pops up here and there.
The Flatiron restaurant crosses borders, serving up excellent mint-laced hummus, veg-filled dosas, and a pasta ragu made with mushrooms and walnuts.
π Location: 38 E 19th St
Aunts et Uncles
Located in the heart of Little Caribbean in Brooklyn’s Prospect Lefferts Gardens, Aunts et Uncles is a vegan spot that made it onto many New York restaurant critics’ “best new restaurants of 2021” list–and for good reason.
The sweet potato porridge is worth the trek; so is the mashed green plantain mofongo. The menu doesn’t just stick to the Caribbean, as there are faux lobster rolls and tacos too.
π Location: 1407 Nostrand Ave, Brooklyn
Avant Garden
Vegetarian and vegan restaurants don’t have to have punny names, but sometimes they do–as is the case with Avant Garden, a charming East Village spot. You won’t find any imitation meat on the menu here. There’s no pretending at Avant Garden. It’s straight up vegan fare, and it’s done well.
The veg fare is presented in that fancy, somewhat minimalist way—like a place you’d take your parents to show them you’re all grown up now.
π Location: 95 Avenue A
Bunna
The Amharic word for “coffee,” Bunna is no ordinary Ethiopian coffee shop. This Bushwick vegan restaurant is one of the best Ethiopian eateries in the city.
First timers should get the Feast: seven different items, all laid out in front of you on a platter of injera, the spongy bread that is ubiquitous in Ethiopia. And yes, there is plenty of excellent Ethiopian coffee here for an after-meal pick me up.
π Location: 1084 Flushing Ave, Brooklyn
The Butcher’s Daughter
Cute name for a vegetarian restaurant! With two locations, The Butcher’s Daughter is not too far from anyone.
The eatery serves up admirable takes on pesto pastas, pad Thai, and even carbonara using zucchini noodles and cauliflower pizza for vegans who are also gluten-avoiders too.
π Locations: There’s two locations in NYC, so choose whichever one is closer to you.
Délice & Sarrasin
Located on Christopher Street in the West Village, it’s somehow easy to stroll by Délice & Sarrasin, a jewel-box-sized spot, and not notice it. That would be a mistake.
The Gallic-accented eatery makes incredible vegan-friendly crepes that are great any time of day. They have also expanded the menu to serve vegan takes on French classics like coq au vin, coquilles St. Jacques, and boeuf bourguignon.
π Location: 178 W Houston St
Dirt Candy
Dirt Candy, the first sophisticated vegetarian restaurant in New York City, opened in 2008. It tempted carnivores then, and it still does today. Chef Amanda Cohen’s Lower East Side eatery seems like the root that helped blossom the dynamic vegan and vegetarian dining scene in New York City.
Cohen has a real talent for being able to coax out the flavor of anything that grows from the earth. Vegetables here are treated like A-list celebrities. The menu changes seasonally and, at the moment, it’s prix fixe only—$90 for a five-course tasting menu (an extra $50 if you want wine).
π Location: 86 Allen St
Eleven Madison Park
The vegan cause was sent swooning when Swiss-born superchef Daniel Humm announced that his über-lauded fine dining restaurant Eleven Madison Park would go totally vegan.
Thus, it became the most expensive and the most heralded plant-based eatery on the planet. Ten courses will set you back about $335 (before wine), but it might be the most exquisite vegan fare you’ll ever treat your taste buds to.
πLocation: 11 Madison Ave
Annapurna Bhavan
Annapurna Bhavan is an Indian restaurant in Hell’s Kitchen with an extensive menu spanning North and South Indian cuisine. It’s particularly known for its South Indian specialties, including crisp masala and Mysore dosas, idly, vada, uttapam, and thalis served with chutneys and sambar.
There’s plenty of clearly marked vegan options at this place! Look for dishes such as dosa (semolina crepes with different toppings), puri (crispy rice balls), and potato bonda (potato dumplings with chutney and sambar).
With its large menu and central location near Times Square, Annapurna Bhavan is a convenient choice if you’re looking for hearty, traditional Indian food with plenty of plant-based choices.
π Location: 615 9th Ave
Jajaja
It’s kind of hard to imagine eating Mexican cuisine without cheese. Then again, vegan cheese technology has come a long way since the ‘90s when it was un-melt-able and flavorless. Enter Jajaja (pronounced HaHaHa), a vegan Mex spot with three locations.
The nachos here are excellent and slathered in that (very good) fake cheese, plus there are satisfying takes on chiles rellenos and variations on the theme of tacos.
π Locations: There are three locations in NYC, so find one that’s close to you.
NY Dosas
Head to the southwest corner of Washington Square Park around lunch time during weekdays, and you’ll be met with a 50-person line. It all leads to Thuri Kumar and his legendary and lauded NY Dosas cart.
This Sri Lankan dosa slinger whips up some of the best south Indian crepes outside of India. He’s become an iconic fixture in the park. Grab a dosa, park yourself on a bench, and commence your feast. And it’s all meat and dairy free.
π Location: 50 Washington Square S
Seitan’s Helper
Join the vegan cult at this awesomely named Bushwick vegan deli. Seitan’s Helper doesn’t necessarily worship seitan, the popular meat substitute, but expect to find it in its hedonistic sandwiches and wraps.
Veggie and faux meat-stuffed sandwiches include the huge Monstrosity, loaded with “ham,” “salami,” and “mozzarella.” It’s devilishly good.
π Location: 2 Morgan Ave
Superiority Burger
Former punk rock drummer Brooks Headley was the pastry chef at erstwhile upscale Del Posto, but left his post to open Superiority Burger in the East Village. This vegan burger place has caused a sensation, even among animal eaters, since day one.
It’s not just the burgers here that are great—various sides, like the burnt-broccoli salad, are fantastic. This is easily one of the best vegan restaurants in NYC.
π Location: 119 Avenue A
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Best Vegan Restaurants in NYC FAQs
What neighborhoods in NYC are best for vegan food?
Manhattan and Brooklyn have some of the strongest concentrations of vegan restaurants in New York City, particularly neighborhoods such as the East Village, Lower East Side, Chelsea, and Bushwick. Brooklyn is especially worth exploring for plant-based Caribbean, Ethiopian, and comfort food, while Manhattan offers everything from casual vegan cafés to upscale tasting menus.
Can you find good vegan food in NYC if you’re traveling with non-vegans?
Absolutely. NYC has plenty of restaurants where vegan diners and omnivores can eat together, including restaurants with extensive plant-based menus rather than being exclusively vegan. One of our favorites for mixed groups is abcV.
How much does it cost to eat at a vegan restaurant in NYC?
Vegan dining in NYC covers a wide range of budgets. Casual vegan meals can cost around $10–20 per person, while upscale restaurants and tasting menus can cost substantially more. If you’re traveling on a budget, look for vegan delis, food counters, Ethiopian restaurants, and casual neighborhood spots rather than limiting yourself to full-service restaurants.
Do vegan restaurants in NYC require reservations?
Not always, but reservations are recommended for popular restaurants, particularly for dinner, weekends, and at upscale restaurants. Casual spots and counter-service restaurants generally welcome walk-ins, making them convenient choices when you don’t have a fixed itinerary. Check the restaurant’s current website or booking page before visiting.
Is NYC a good destination for vegan travelers?
Yes. New York City is one of the best US cities for vegan travelers, with plant-based restaurants spanning cuisines from Ethiopian and Caribbean to French, Indian, Mexican, and American comfort food. The city’s vegan scene goes well beyond basic meat substitutes!
