Vegan Travel – The Best Vegan Restaurants in New York City

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I don’t know about y’all but I kinda plan my vegan travel according to where I can eat & discover new vegan restaurants. I like to try to solely support vegan restaurants rather than vegan option restaurants when & if I can. So while I’m planning my trips I like to search for vegan restaurants around all of the locations I’ll be staying or visiting.

I’ve been travelling to New York for the past 7+ years so I have acquired quite the list of amazing vegan restos one must check out & I’ve included some honourable mentions also worth popping into for a bite.

Usually I’ll stay in the Lower East Side in either an AirBnB or a Hotel. I like that area because it’s got a chill trendy vibe & it’s New York, everything is walking distance or a Subway ride away.

Let’s get to it, My Top Vegan Travel Restaurants in New York City…

1. Hangawi –

Atmosphere: This place is phenomenal. It’s set like a traditional Korean house/resto & they ask that you take your shoes off upon entering & place them in the little cubbies in the front, which I love (except in the winter because the floors get a little wet & your feet get cold).

Then you’re seated at your Chabudai table (These are traditional Korean tables in which you sit on a cushion or in the floor). The atmosphere in general is very tranquil & even though it’s a busy restaurant it doesn’t feel chaotic.

The Food: is bomb dot com. My first experience here was on Christmas Eve in 2014 & the place was packed but the food did not disappoint. Every thing that came out was delicious & I’m not going to lie, I made resos to come back the next day for lunch.

Overall Rating: 5/5 – I make sure I go back every time I’m in NYC

Get The: Hangawi Dumplings – fried (I just love dumplings)

2. Screamer’s –

Atmosphere: Set up like a traditional New York pizzeria. When you enter, you’ll see a large menu posted on the wall, you’ll place your order, you can then wait in the few tables they have set up for dining & in no time you’re on your way (Or you can eat your slices there. They also have online ordering, etc).

I think their newer location may have more dining space, FYI.

The Food: Don’t even get me started. I want their pizza every single day. They have something like 18 different menu options & you can even build your own. The pizzas are on the more expensive side but they are also huge. They are truly a vegan fat kid dream.

Overall Rating: 5/5 – A must visit every time I’m there

Get The: Margherita (I’m a traditionalist what can I say). My husband loves the Buffalo Cauliflower. (both pictured above)

3. Jajaja –

Atmosphere – Fresh, clean, & trendy. Lots of natural wood, mint & earthy tones. Simple & catchy neon signage. Super busy but cozy & fun vibes. Definitely instagramable atmosphere. The LES location has a cute little takeout entrance for quick orders (not sure if the other locations have this as well).

The Food: I went here with a group of 6 & every single one of us was impressed with our meals. Portions are perfect size, spice is indicated on the menu, & a ton of GF options.

Overall Rating: 5/5 – I just discovered this place on my last visit & I cannot wait to try it again. And probably again and again.

Get The: Street Tacos – Chorizo or Crispy Chayote Fish

4. Blossom –

Atmosphere: The restaurant is a more upscale vegan cuisine but not fine dining. Perfect for cute dates & celebrations. The decor is very clean, neutral, & modern. There is a ton of seating and a cute little bar near the front entrance.

The Food: Delicious. So freaken yummy. Everything always seems so fresh & planned out. The dishes are also very visually appealing. Desserts are delicious & decadent.

Overall Rating: 5/5 – I wish I had a location near me because I would love to make this the usual date spot with my hubby.

Get The: Crispy Artichokes or Hand Cut Fries w. Truffle Aioli (I know telling vegans to get fries at a vegan restaurant but their fries are deadly)

5. Caravan of Dreams –

Atmosphere: This place is really special. You should click on the link to their site & check out how much heart is poured into this place. Their founder really wanted to make this the most conscious & healthy art-loving restaurant around.

They also have live music nights & a cute little patio.

The Food: Everything they serve is organic, kosher & bio-photonic. They also have a very large menu as they have raw foods, brunch, apps, smoothies, juices, teas, entrees, etc.

The founder is of Spanish decent & you can definitely see that reflected in many of these tasty dishes.

Overall Rating: 4/5 – I love everything about this place but sometimes big menus can be overwhelming.

Get The: Brunch – Prix Fix – Breakfast Burrito

6. Dunwell Doughnuts –

Atmosphere: Typical cute little bakery/coffee shop vibes. Order at the counter & take your stuff to go or have a seat & enjoy.

The Food: All of their doughnuts are fresh & handcrafted daily with organic ingredients. All of their products are free of animal or animal derived ingredients.

They have also partnered with Brooklyn Roasting Company to offer the best quality Fair Trade, Organic, Rainforest Alliance certified coffees & espressos hand roasted daily.

Overall Rating: 5/5 – I LOVE DOUGHNUTS!!!

Get The: Their powdered doughnuts are deadly (pictured above)

7. Double Zero –

Atmosphere: Sophisticated & charming. Beautiful high seating with an illuminated wine wall & an old school wood burning pizza oven.

This place is beautiful & perfect for dates & chic gatherings.

The Food: Pizza, Pasta, & Salads and they are all incredible. Just take a look at their instagram to see the quality of their dishes. They have an extensive wine menu as well.

Overall Rating: 5/5 – I also really love pizza… & pasta for that matter, or maybe just carbs.

Get The: Margherita Pizza (The basil is so freaken fresh!) (pictured above)

8. Urban Vegan Kitchen –

Atmosphere: My husband & I lucked out finding this place. We were actually going to try a walk-in at Blossom only to find that this Blossom had turned into Urban Vegan Kitchen.

This place has Soul! They have graffiti art, string lights, a bar & a DJ booth, they have art & photos of musicians & animals all over the walls.

Overall it’s a really cool feel good vibes place. It’s also a black owned business so supporting this joint really does more than just feed your belly.

Checkout my article “5 Black Owned Vegan Beauty Brands” where I explain why it is so important to help support black owned businesses.

The Food: Yummy, greasy, comfort food that nourishes the soul. There’s a mix of waffles & “chicken” (pictured above) and quesadillas. They also have a full bar with spirits, wines, & beers.

Overall Rating: 5/5 – Love the laid back “Come As You Are” feel.

Get The: Korean BBQ Wings or the Po’ Boy

9. Bodhi Kosher Vegetarian Restaurant –

Atmosphere: Very typical Chinese restaurant vibes.

Lots of seating & a private dining area in the back for parties or larger groups.

When you first walk in there’s a little reception area for take-out/cash register. They also prepare some of the foods there & have a mini fridge for drinks.

The Food: Known for their interpretations on classic Chinese dishes. They claim to be the original vegan dim sum kitchen, which is pretty cool. The menu is huge & they even have vegan sushi.

There are also a ton of Gluten Free options.

Overall Rating: 4/5 – everything is spot on

Get The: General Tso’s Veg Chicken or Pan Fried Dumplings

10. Bar Verde –

Atmosphere: Same owner as Double Zero (right next door actually), this is Matthew Kenney’s take on Mexican/Latin dishes. Small New York venue with a big open bar. It’s colourful but dark & classy.

(As I’m updating this article, I’ve noticed that Matthew Kenney no longer has Bar Verde listed on his website as one of his restaurants. I couldn’t find much info on it but thought I’d throw that in there as a note.)

The Food: A complete Mexican/Latin menu equipped with all of the guac & salsas one can dream of. Lots of sharing plates like Tostadas & Ceviche, along with Tacos & Bowls. Matthew Kenney truly is a vegan food genius & this menu definitely reflects that.

Overall Rating – 5/5 – another gorgeous date spot or brunch

Get The: Esquites and the Maitake Tempura Tacos

11. Red Bamboo –

Atmosphere: Clean & welcoming. The place is small & always busy. I lucked out once by going for lunch & didn’t have to wait but every other night the place is packed.

The Food: They’re known for their innovation in mock meats, specializing in vegan comfort food & Asian dishes.

Overall Rating: 5/5 – hits that savoury craving

Get The: They’re famous for their Barbecue Buffalo Wings (pictured above) & their Rootbeer Float is pretty good too.

12. Kajitsu –

Kajitsu means “fine day”, or “day of celebration” in Japanese.
We have chosen the name Kajitsu hoping that a visit here will always be a special occasion for our guests.

Kajitsu site

Atmosphere: This vegan restaurant is really special. Having a Michelin Star this is a more upscale, fine dining type of restaurant.

The interior is very clean & minimal. They even have a high top section where you can dine while watching the chef prepare the dishes.

The Food:

There is a ten-course “Omakase” ($120) menu including seasonal dessert and matcha as well.
The menus change monthly, incorporating seasonal vegetables and nama fu, an important protein source for Shojin cuisine made from wheat gluten and rice flour. Most of our dishes are prepared with some key ingredients in Japanese cuisine, such as soy sauce(includes wheat), mushrooms, sesame and kelps, which cannot be substituted.

Overall Rating: 5/5 – I highly recommend this place for it’s incredible high quality food experience.

Get The: Since it’s a prix fixe establishment you’ll get to experience their entire menu!

13. Eleven Madison Park –

Eleven Madison Park is a fine dining restaurant located in the heart of New York City. The restaurant overlooks Madison Square Park, one of the most beautiful parks in Manhattan, and sits at the base of a historic Art Deco building on the corner of East 24th Street and Madison Avenue. Located here since 1998, it underwent a full-scale renovation and redesign in the summer of 2017.

The restaurant has been owned by Chef Daniel Humm since 2011 and during that time it has evolved considerably, both in food and in experience. Our tasting menu consists of entirely plant-based courses. Guests can also visit the bar for a more abbreviated version of the tasting menu,  light snacks, or simply for a cocktail or glass of wine.

Every dinner purchased at Eleven Madison Park allows us to provide meals to New Yorkers experiencing food insecurity. These meals are served from the Eleven Madison Truck, which is operated by restaurant staff, in partnership with Rethink Food. To learn more, please follow the link here.

Atmosphere: Gorgeous, crisp & clean! This place is fine dining at its FINEST. The vegan restaurant has taken New York by storm and there are usually long wait lists to even make a reservation. So if you’re planning to check this place out, I highly suggest you book your reso well in advance.

As the hype dies down I’m sure resos will be easier to acquire but it’s better to be safe than sorry. Definitely would not recommend walk-ins.

The Food: The menu is prix fixe & because this is such an upscale dining experience, expect the dishes to be elaborate & on the smaller portion size.

Overall Rating: 4/5 – This place is incredible. It’s pricey too. Dinner starts at $320+ per person.

I would have given them 5/5 but there’s this rumour that they have a secret room that they call “the meat room” where they apparently serve the uber wealthy whatever they want.

I don’t know if it’s true or not but I wouldn’t be surprised. It’s NYC and where there’s money there’s a way unfortunately.

Honourable Mentions –

• Dirt Candy – Never been but heard good things. Only problem is that it’s not strictly vegan & they do serve dairy.
• Orchard Grocer – Vegan grocer & sandwich/quick bites shop.
• The Butcher’s Daughter – This spot is lacto/ovo vegetarian but they have a ton of vegan options.

Have I missed a vegan travel spot. Please share with me below your favourite vegan restaurants in NYC!

If you’re a travel bug searching for all the best vegan restaurants from around the world, checkout my other vegan travel articles like My Top 6 Vegan Restaurants in Toronto.

Vegan Travel – The Best Vegan Restaurants in NYC