clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile
More Maps

Where to Eat, Drink, and Party for NYC Pride

Where to Eat and Drink Poolside in New York

Where to Get Gelato in New York

More in New York See more maps
Superiority Burger serves vegan and vegetarian food like the yuba verde sandwich pictured.
Superiority Burger serves vegan and vegetarian food like the yuba verde sandwich pictured.
Jutharat Pinyodoonyachet/Eater NY

13 Knockout Vegan and Vegetarian Restaurants in NYC

The tastiest meat-free restaurants, from fast-casual to fine dining

by Eater Staff Updated
7 comments / new
View as Map
Superiority Burger serves vegan and vegetarian food like the yuba verde sandwich pictured.
| Jutharat Pinyodoonyachet/Eater NY
by Eater Staff Updated
7 comments / new

Increasingly, New York restaurant owners have turned their attention to vegan and vegetarian dining, regardless of whether they subscribe to a meatless diet themselves. What’s clear in the hospitality industry right now is that cooking without meat, and sometimes dairy, is no longer a constraint, but rather an opportunity for creativity.

For New Yorkers, there’s never been a better time to find delicious meals that don’t rely on meat and dairy consumption. From fast-casual burger joints to top-notch dim sum, there’s something for everyone at these knockout vegan and vegetarian-friendly spots.

Health experts consider dining out to be a high-risk activity for the unvaccinated; it may pose a risk for the vaccinated, especially in areas with substantial COVID transmission.

Read More

Shukette

Copy Link

Let’s get this out of the way first: Shukette, the Chelsea follow-up to Shuka by chef Ayesha Nurdjaja, is not a vegetarian restaurant. Now that we’ve made that clear, an immense portion of the menu is dedicated to vegetarian dishes like sunchokes a la plancha, maitake mushroom stuffed pita, and roasted cauliflower with dates, among other shareable plates.

230 9th Ave, New York, NY 10001
(212) 242-1803
(212) 242-1803
Three people hold plates and dishes around a yellow table filled with spreads of vegetables, meats, breads, and dips.
Shukette, though not entirely vegetarian, has plenty of meat-free options.
Kyle Nunez/Shukette

Also featured in:

NY Dosas

Copy Link

This Washington Square street vendor usually has a long line of eager, hungry patrons. For good reason: The Indian food truck specializing in all things crunchy dosas is one of the city’s most affordable (and portable) vegan options, perfect for park picnics as the weather warms up. The owner's hours can be somewhat unpredictable and are often announced on Instagram or Twitter.

50 Washington Square S, New York, NY 10012
(917) 710-2092
(917) 710-2092
A white paper plate placed on a wooden bench with a dosa on it, a green cilantro sauce, a samosa, and a red sauce in a plastic cup.
NY Dosas is a fixture at Washington Square Park.
Robert Sietsema/Eater NY

Also featured in:

HAGS

Copy Link

HAGS had a stutter step when it opened last fall: a long-anticipated opening that got thwarted a few weeks in by necessary repairs. Now the restaurant, queering fine dining, is back in full force, serving an entire tasting menu that’s all-vegan and as thoughtful as any other high-tier restaurant’s meat experiences.

163 1st Ave., New York, NY 10003
Interior of a restaurant with round booth near an oval window.
After a temporary closure, HAGS is back.
Christian Rodriguez/Eater

Spicy Moon

Copy Link

Classic Sichuan dishes get the vegan treatment at Spicy Moon, a cozy space tucked away on the East Village’s buzzing Sixth Street. (There’s an additional location in the West Village, as well.) Options include General Tso’s mushroom and vegetable wontons in chile oil, with bigger plates featuring vegetables, tofu, eggplant, or potato in dry pepper, dry pot, and kung pao styles.

328 E 6th St, New York, NY 10003
(646) 429-8471
(646) 429-8471
A variety of vegan dishes, including mapo tofu, sauteed brussels sprouts, and fried rice.
Mapo tofu is the star at Spicy Moon.
Spicy Moon

Also featured in:

Cadence

Copy Link

At this vegan spot led by Shenarri Freeman, dishes are inspired by Black southern cooking, a nod to the chef’s upbringing in Virginia. It’s part of a constellation of meat-and-dairy-free restaurants that Overthrow Hospitality operates, including its latest: a mushroom-themed residency and a pop-up incubator they’ve launched.

111 E 7th St, New York, NY 10009
Two hunks of deep-fried lasagna are arranged in a white bowl on a marble countertop.
Fried lasagna at Cadence.
Eric Medsker/Cadence

Superiority Burger

Copy Link

Superiority Burger drew legions of fans when it opened a tiny takeout spot on East Ninth Street. Finally, the restaurant has relocated to bigger digs, in the former home of Odessa Diner. Owner Brooks Headley has continued to sell vegetarian fare, some accidentally vegan, only now the menu and seating are much more extensive. Expect longer lines.

119 Avenue A, New York, NY 10009
A vegetarian hamburger opened up to show top and bottom.
The Superiority Burger in question.
Robert Sietsema/Eater NY

Also featured in:

Jerrell's BETR BRGR

Copy Link

New York’s smash burger scene is sizzling up and thankfully, those who prefer their patties meatless can come along for the ride. The smash burgers at Jerrell’s are entirely vegan, sure, but they easily rank among the best in the city, beef or otherwise. The Soho burger spot stays open late, making it an ideal pitstop before or after a night out.

117 6th Ave, New York, NY 10013
(347) 522-8049
(347) 522-8049
Two burgers with poppy and sesame seed buns are unwrapped besides sides of waffle fries.
Yes, there are vegan smash burgers.
Adam Friedlander/Eater NY

Also featured in:

Dirt Candy

Copy Link

Amanda Cohen has been at the forefront of experimental, playful vegan fine dining here in New York City for well over a decade (long before the Eleven Madison Park team tried their hands at it). The chef has been a pioneer in her creative use of ingredients, but she’s also helped lead conversations about fairer wages for workers. A five-course tasting menu is priced at $95.

86 Allen St, New York, NY 10002
(212) 228-7732
(212) 228-7732
A grill with skewers of green vegetables are displayed along a steamed basket.
Amanda Cohen’s Dirt Candy isn’t afraid to get experimental with vegetarian and vegan food.
Dirt Candy

Also featured in:

The Original Buddha Bodai Kosher Vegetarian Restaurant

Copy Link

Continuing the long history of Chinese mock meats, there are dozens of kosher and vegan dim sum options at this Chinatown stalwart. Popular dishes include fried turnip cake, steamed “pork” buns, “shrimp” dumplings, and more juicy delights. Make sure to bring friends so you can try a little bit of everything.

5 Mott St, New York, NY 10013
(212) 566-8388
(212) 566-8388
A bamboo steamer teaming with white-and-pink dumplings.
Vegan dim sum at Buddha Bodai in Manhattan.
The Original Buddha Bodai

Bunna Cafe

Copy Link

Despite all the changes in the neighborhood, Bunna Cafe remains a Bushwick staple. Sample the family-style platters of split pea-based shiro or the red lentil misir wot, served with spongy injera bread that’s perfect for sharing.

1084 Flushing Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11237
(347) 295-2227
(347) 295-2227

Also featured in:

Grilled!

Copy Link

Located in a small structure across from Bushwick’s Maria Hernandez Park, Grilled! focuses on affordable meatless dishes — almost everything costs under $10 — with a Latin American twist. Find a vegan Cubano alongside a Colombian hot dog that pulls from chef Guillermo “Memo” Jaramillo’s Colombian heritage. The choripan, served with a meatless sausage and chimichurri sauce, nods to the street foods of Argentina.

264 Suydam St, Brooklyn, NY 11237
(718) 417-1670
(718) 417-1670
Two customers order from a green and white counter window that says “Grilled!”
Grilled! is located conveniently near Maria Hernandez Park.
Luke Fortney/Eater NY

Guevara's

Copy Link

Guevara’s is a coffee shop that sells plants, greeting cards, and pantry items by day, and a cocktail bar at night. But the corner cafe also serves a robust menu of vegan dishes. For pastries, there are donuts, carrot cake, and croissants on offer, but the best way to do breakfast here is to order the special (a black coffee and two empanadas). If something more substantial is in order, opt for the rainbow-colored torta milanesa with eggplant cutlets.

39 Clifton Pl, Brooklyn, NY 11238

Also featured in:

Aunts et Uncles

Copy Link

Launched by Flatbush locals, the vegan cafe Aunts et Uncles also functions as a design store with clothing, magazines, and more. The menu pays homage to owners Michael and Nicole Nicholas’s Caribbean heritage: There’s a lobster roll made with hearts of palm, as well as a vegan bake and saltfish.

1407 Nostrand Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11226
(347) 295-0001
(347) 295-0001

More in Maps

Loading comments...

© 2023 Vox Media, Inc. All rights reserved.
Link copied to the clipboard.

Shukette

230 9th Ave, New York, NY 10001

Let’s get this out of the way first: Shukette, the Chelsea follow-up to Shuka by chef Ayesha Nurdjaja, is not a vegetarian restaurant. Now that we’ve made that clear, an immense portion of the menu is dedicated to vegetarian dishes like sunchokes a la plancha, maitake mushroom stuffed pita, and roasted cauliflower with dates, among other shareable plates.

230 9th Ave, New York, NY 10001
(212) 242-1803
(212) 242-1803
Three people hold plates and dishes around a yellow table filled with spreads of vegetables, meats, breads, and dips.
Shukette, though not entirely vegetarian, has plenty of meat-free options.
Kyle Nunez/Shukette

NY Dosas

50 Washington Square S, New York, NY 10012

This Washington Square street vendor usually has a long line of eager, hungry patrons. For good reason: The Indian food truck specializing in all things crunchy dosas is one of the city’s most affordable (and portable) vegan options, perfect for park picnics as the weather warms up. The owner's hours can be somewhat unpredictable and are often announced on Instagram or Twitter.

50 Washington Square S, New York, NY 10012
(917) 710-2092
(917) 710-2092
A white paper plate placed on a wooden bench with a dosa on it, a green cilantro sauce, a samosa, and a red sauce in a plastic cup.
NY Dosas is a fixture at Washington Square Park.
Robert Sietsema/Eater NY

HAGS

163 1st Ave., New York, NY 10003

HAGS had a stutter step when it opened last fall: a long-anticipated opening that got thwarted a few weeks in by necessary repairs. Now the restaurant, queering fine dining, is back in full force, serving an entire tasting menu that’s all-vegan and as thoughtful as any other high-tier restaurant’s meat experiences.

163 1st Ave., New York, NY 10003
Interior of a restaurant with round booth near an oval window.
After a temporary closure, HAGS is back.
Christian Rodriguez/Eater

Spicy Moon

328 E 6th St, New York, NY 10003

Classic Sichuan dishes get the vegan treatment at Spicy Moon, a cozy space tucked away on the East Village’s buzzing Sixth Street. (There’s an additional location in the West Village, as well.) Options include General Tso’s mushroom and vegetable wontons in chile oil, with bigger plates featuring vegetables, tofu, eggplant, or potato in dry pepper, dry pot, and kung pao styles.

328 E 6th St, New York, NY 10003
(646) 429-8471
(646) 429-8471
A variety of vegan dishes, including mapo tofu, sauteed brussels sprouts, and fried rice.
Mapo tofu is the star at Spicy Moon.
Spicy Moon

Cadence

111 E 7th St, New York, NY 10009

At this vegan spot led by Shenarri Freeman, dishes are inspired by Black southern cooking, a nod to the chef’s upbringing in Virginia. It’s part of a constellation of meat-and-dairy-free restaurants that Overthrow Hospitality operates, including its latest: a mushroom-themed residency and a pop-up incubator they’ve launched.

111 E 7th St, New York, NY 10009
Two hunks of deep-fried lasagna are arranged in a white bowl on a marble countertop.
Fried lasagna at Cadence.
Eric Medsker/Cadence

Superiority Burger

119 Avenue A, New York, NY 10009

Superiority Burger drew legions of fans when it opened a tiny takeout spot on East Ninth Street. Finally, the restaurant has relocated to bigger digs, in the former home of Odessa Diner. Owner Brooks Headley has continued to sell vegetarian fare, some accidentally vegan, only now the menu and seating are much more extensive. Expect longer lines.

119 Avenue A, New York, NY 10009
A vegetarian hamburger opened up to show top and bottom.
The Superiority Burger in question.
Robert Sietsema/Eater NY

Jerrell's BETR BRGR

117 6th Ave, New York, NY 10013

New York’s smash burger scene is sizzling up and thankfully, those who prefer their patties meatless can come along for the ride. The smash burgers at Jerrell’s are entirely vegan, sure, but they easily rank among the best in the city, beef or otherwise. The Soho burger spot stays open late, making it an ideal pitstop before or after a night out.

117 6th Ave, New York, NY 10013
(347) 522-8049
(347) 522-8049
Two burgers with poppy and sesame seed buns are unwrapped besides sides of waffle fries.
Yes, there are vegan smash burgers.
Adam Friedlander/Eater NY

Dirt Candy

86 Allen St, New York, NY 10002

Amanda Cohen has been at the forefront of experimental, playful vegan fine dining here in New York City for well over a decade (long before the Eleven Madison Park team tried their hands at it). The chef has been a pioneer in her creative use of ingredients, but she’s also helped lead conversations about fairer wages for workers. A five-course tasting menu is priced at $95.

86 Allen St, New York, NY 10002
(212) 228-7732
(212) 228-7732
A grill with skewers of green vegetables are displayed along a steamed basket.
Amanda Cohen’s Dirt Candy isn’t afraid to get experimental with vegetarian and vegan food.
Dirt Candy

The Original Buddha Bodai Kosher Vegetarian Restaurant

5 Mott St, New York, NY 10013

Continuing the long history of Chinese mock meats, there are dozens of kosher and vegan dim sum options at this Chinatown stalwart. Popular dishes include fried turnip cake, steamed “pork” buns, “shrimp” dumplings, and more juicy delights. Make sure to bring friends so you can try a little bit of everything.

5 Mott St, New York, NY 10013
(212) 566-8388
(212) 566-8388
A bamboo steamer teaming with white-and-pink dumplings.
Vegan dim sum at Buddha Bodai in Manhattan.
The Original Buddha Bodai

Bunna Cafe

1084 Flushing Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11237

Despite all the changes in the neighborhood, Bunna Cafe remains a Bushwick staple. Sample the family-style platters of split pea-based shiro or the red lentil misir wot, served with spongy injera bread that’s perfect for sharing.

1084 Flushing Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11237
(347) 295-2227
(347) 295-2227

Grilled!

264 Suydam St, Brooklyn, NY 11237

Located in a small structure across from Bushwick’s Maria Hernandez Park, Grilled! focuses on affordable meatless dishes — almost everything costs under $10 — with a Latin American twist. Find a vegan Cubano alongside a Colombian hot dog that pulls from chef Guillermo “Memo” Jaramillo’s Colombian heritage. The choripan, served with a meatless sausage and chimichurri sauce, nods to the street foods of Argentina.

264 Suydam St, Brooklyn, NY 11237
(718) 417-1670
(718) 417-1670
Two customers order from a green and white counter window that says “Grilled!”
Grilled! is located conveniently near Maria Hernandez Park.
Luke Fortney/Eater NY

Guevara's

39 Clifton Pl, Brooklyn, NY 11238

Guevara’s is a coffee shop that sells plants, greeting cards, and pantry items by day, and a cocktail bar at night. But the corner cafe also serves a robust menu of vegan dishes. For pastries, there are donuts, carrot cake, and croissants on offer, but the best way to do breakfast here is to order the special (a black coffee and two empanadas). If something more substantial is in order, opt for the rainbow-colored torta milanesa with eggplant cutlets.

39 Clifton Pl, Brooklyn, NY 11238

Aunts et Uncles

1407 Nostrand Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11226

Launched by Flatbush locals, the vegan cafe Aunts et Uncles also functions as a design store with clothing, magazines, and more. The menu pays homage to owners Michael and Nicole Nicholas’s Caribbean heritage: There’s a lobster roll made with hearts of palm, as well as a vegan bake and saltfish.

1407 Nostrand Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11226
(347) 295-0001
(347) 295-0001

Related Maps