Despite being known for animal-heavy eats such as cream cheese bagels, hotdogs and cheesecake, New York is also a utopia for plant-based delights. Whether you’re visiting for the festive season or to spend summer in the city, there is plenty to do and see in the Big Apple. From fully plant-based fine dining experiences to dairy-free bakeries and fish-free sushi, there is something for everyone when it comes to eating out. To make your visit easier and ensure you’re enjoying the very best food that the city has to offer, our NYC-based Senior UN Policy Manager, Lana Weidgenant, shares her seven favorite plant-based restaurants in New York. Enjoy!
The Vegoist, Astoria, Queens
With foodies flocking to the city in their thousands, there are few restaurants in New York that you can visit without a reservation. The Vegoist, however, remains a reliable mainstay, with a vast menu of plant-based dishes, from salads to tacos to desserts. During a recent visit, the Beet Salad was a particular highlight, featuring dairy-free blue cheese and a vibrant, citrusy dressing, while the Mushroom Calamari made from three types of fungi was a mouthwatering delight. For something a bit more filling, I recommend the Seitan Entree – a mouthwatering mix of seitan with cherry tomatoes, roasted bell peppers, mushrooms and caramelized onion, all served on a bed of mashed potato, broccolini, and Brussels sprouts. With its fresh ingredients, delicious dressings, and generous portions, a visit to The Vegoist is not to be missed!
Eleven Madison Park, Flatiron District
For those seeking a bucket-list experience, Eleven Madison Park should certainly be on your itinerary. This fine dining restaurant has won three Michelin stars and is a must-visit in New York City. Owner and head chef Daniel Humm made headlines in 2021 when he decided to completely transform his restaurant – previously famous for its lobster and duck dishes – to a completely plant-based kitchen. While many critics were confused by the switch, Eleven Madison Park has gone from strength to strength since the shift. When I visited, the seasonally changing tasting menu featured culinary delights such as Maitake Mushroom with Juniper and Pine, Warm Apple Doughnuts with Cinnamon and Compressed Apple, and Birch Ice Cream with Sesame Caramel and Apple Jam. With dishes centered around simple fruit and veg ingredients, Eleven Madison Park is the ultimate plant-powered culinary experience. Top tip: make this your last stop on your trip, as nothing you eat in the days afterwards will be likely to compare!
Anixi, Chelsea
While still relatively new to the NYC food scene, Anixi is already a fan favorite with plant-based New Yorkers. The Mediterranean-style eatery is located on 8th Avenue, and packs a definite punch! The menu features plant-based versions of classics such as ‘Lamb’ Cigars, ‘Ricotta’ and Spinach Borek, and ‘Beef’ Dolmas, along with a variety of dips and mezze dishes. If you have a sweet tooth, the Medjool Date Cake – with warm chocolate ganache, fresh figs, candied pecans, and vanilla ice cream – is a popular choice. For something lighter and more refreshing, try the Rose Malabi, with creamy cardamom-and-rose-water custard, coconut shavings, pistachios, and strawberry rose-water syrup.
Delice & Sarrasin, Greenwich Village
It can be a challenge to cook plant-based versions of classic French cuisine items, but the offerings at Delice & Sarrasin are perfect. Their meat-free Boeuf Bourguignon is truly amazing, and one of the tastiest dishes in the whole of New York City. The red wine-based sauce is deliciously comforting, while the caramelized onions, carrots, and baby potatoes really soak up the rich flavors. For something a bit lighter, their plant-based Coquilles St Jacques features seaweed ‘scallops’ served on a bed of sauteed spinach. The menu also features some innovative versions of French dishes you won’t find anywhere else, such as the Tournedos Rossini – a ‘steak’ filet topped with ‘foie gras’ and served with a wine-infused truffle sauce and fresh shavings of black truffle. Of course, no meal is complete without dessert, and their Almond Milk Chocolate Cake and Orange Creme Brulee provide the perfect note to finish on.
Le Petit Monstre, Clinton Hill, Brooklyn
No New York round-up would be complete without a bakery, and Le Petit Monstre is one of the best plant-based bakeries in New York. They offer a range of delicious breakfast sandwiches – all made with their fresh croissants – including the BEC (Bacon, Egg and Cheese) and SEC (Sausage, Egg and Cheese), both plant-based versions of NYC classics. Their daily rotating selection of pastries is the perfect excuse to visit multiple times during your trip, so you can try the various different flavors of doughnuts, brownies, and danishes on offer. If you have a sweet tooth or a pastry addiction, this is the place for you!
Spicy Moon, East Village, West Village, and Bowery
This fully plant-based restaurant serves up the best Szechuan food in NYC. Known for their Dan Dan Noodles, Mapo Tofu, and Wontons in Chili Oil, their menu is not for the faint-hearted. As the name suggests, every dish packs a punch, and when a dish is labeled ‘spicy’, they really mean it! If you visit on the weekend, they also offer a brunch menu with both Asian and Western dishes to satisfy your late-morning munchies. With locations in both the East and West Village, you’ve got no excuse not to visit Spicy Moon if you’re in and around Manhattan.
Franchia Vegan Café, Murray Hill
This stylish plant-based café on Park Avenue serves up some of the best vegan sushi rolls in NYC. Their Rainbow Roll features a spicy plant-based tuna filling with different toppings, while their vegan shrimp offers a truly decadent experience that is lacking in the vegan options of many Japanese restaurants. But it’s not just their sushi that delivers, the Curry Chicken is also a great choice, with the option to have it cooked in a stone bowl, which creates a layer of delicious crispy rice all around the bowl. If meat alternatives aren’t your thing, don’t worry – Franchia’s dishes also include mushroom, tempeh, and tofu dishes, as well as a variety of delicious vegetables. Look out for the Buddha’s Delight and Tom Yum Noodles. But whatever meal you choose, you won’t be disappointed!
New York City: a must-visit for foodies
There are a tremendous amount of plant-based eateries and vegan options to explore across the city of New York: these seven eateries represent just a small taste of what’s on offer across Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens. So if you’re looking for a travel destination that offers innovative and delicious culinary delights with plenty to see and do in-between, book a trip today! You won’t regret it.
For more plant-based travel recommendations, check out our guides to Berlin, Budapest, London, Madrid and Amsterdam.
Victoria Smith
International Digital Communications Specialist
