35 best vegan restaurants in New York City for 2024 – from American comfort food to international cuisine

Discover the best vegan restaurants in New York City. From dirty burgers to high-end fine dining, the Big Apple has a lot to offer…

Are you planning a visit to New York City? The good news is there are plenty of vegan restaurants to visit, so you won’t go hungry!

The ‘Big Apple’ is renowned for its culinary diversity and innovation, and has seen an extraordinary rise in the popularity of veganism in recent years. The city’s mayor even advocates a plant-based lifestyle.

As the demand for vegan dining options continues to soar, the city has embraced this dietary revolution with open arms, offering an astonishing array of vegan restaurants that cater to every taste and preference.

With an abundance of dining options ranging from comforting American classics to exotic international cuisines, and even upscale fine dining establishments, the vegan culinary landscape in New York City is as diverse as the city itself.

Prepare to embark on a delectable journey through a vegan foodies’ paradise, and discover an array of exciting vegan eateries.

1. Marty’s V Burger

For classic American fast food and signature burgers piled high with tasty toppings, look no further than Marty’s V Burger.

This bright and bold fast food joint serves a range of burgers including its Original World Famous Burger, the Shroom Steakhouse, ‘No Clucks Given’ chick’n burger and a seafood-inspired Crabby Patty.

But it doesn’t only deal in burgers, hungry diners can also grab a range of classic sandwiches and sides, like Drumstix, Cajun mac ‘n’ cheeze, and Animal-style fries.

They even have a secret menu with items that can only be ordered in person!

134 E 27th St. New York, NY 10016 | martysvburger.com

2. The Organic Grill

The Organic Grill boasts being one of the first natural and health food restaurants in Manhattan, after opening in the summer of 2000.

“The OG” is now renowned for its amazing home-cooked food (including an award-winning burger), regular community events, and live music nights.

Brunch, lunch, dinner, desserts, and drinks are all on the menu at The Organic Grill, and available dishes include tofu omelettes, ‘monster’ burritos and a naughty-but-nice raw tiramisu dessert.

Many dietary requirements are catered for, with the kitchen holding a kosher certification and offering plenty of gluten-free options.

33 West 3rd Street New York, NY 10012 | theorganicgrill.com

3. Neat Burger

This iconic burger chain is backed by vegan racing champion Lewis Hamilton and serves up firm fast food favourites with a plant-based twist.

From its classic Neat Burger to Grilled Cheez sandwiches and even a decadent Chocolate Brownie Mudslide Shake, this ‘fast-casual’ diner has everything you’d expect from a burger joint.

Neat Burger is on a mission to save the planet, and it’s not only the food that’s sustainable. Most of the takeaway packaging is compostable or biodegradable, and the brand makes use of FSC-certified paper, sugar cane, and corn starch goods – and it all looks beautifully Instagrammable to boot!

25 Cleveland Place, New York, NY 10012 | neat-burger.com

4. Bodhi Kosher Vegetarian Restaurant

Bodhi Kosher (previously Buddha Bodai) serves up a vast menu of fully vegan Chinese dishes.

With a variety of dim sum, appetisers, and entrées there’s plenty to choose from, and dishes can be served with a variety of vegan proteins, including tofu, ‘chicken’, ‘beef’ and ‘duck.

More adventurous diners can even try a plant-based jellyfish or shark fin congee.

There’s no lack of sweet treats, either, as diners who still have a bit of room left can try Bodhi’s specialty tofu cheesecake, or select from a menu of sweet drinks including bubble tea and a plant-based piña colada.

77 Mulberry St, New York, NY 10013 | veganbodhi.com

5. Uptown Veg

This humble eatery and juice bar in Harlem serves up a range of vegan soul food and pastries, along with natural fruit juices.

Uptown veg boasts a well-stocked salad bar serving up a generous soul food buffet for lunch and dinner.

Diners can enjoy dishes made with fresh, organic fruits and vegetables, filled with Caribbean flavours and spice.

In addition to the salad bar, which features a range of proteins, veggies, and starches, guests can order from a range of wraps, burgers, and sweet tarts.

52 E. 125th Street, New York, NY 10035 | uptownvegnyc.com

6. Beyond Sushi

Beyond Sushi is a local chain serving up fully plant-based ‘unconventional’ sushi across multiple New York locations.

The menu features a range of Japanese-inspired dishes with extra added flair from globally-inspired flavours.

Alongside the extensive range of sushi (including ‘tuna’ maki, eggplant unagi, and spicy ‘salmon’ rolls) diners can dig into such dishes as Chick’n Yakitori, or Smoked Oyster Mushroom Bao.

And you won’t want to skip dessert. Beyond Sushi’s hot matcha twist on Italian affogato is not to be missed!

Locations in Upper East Side, 37th Street, and 56th Street | beyondsushi.com

7. Jajaja Mexicana

For a variety of modern Latin and Mexican vegan meals, this is the place to be. And the best part? There are four New York locations to choose from, so you’re never too far from a signature smothered burrito.

Jajaja’s extensive menu offers tacos, enchiladas, nachos and more.  It also offers a massive drink selection with curated tequilas and Mezcal.

Jajaja Mexicana also offers good vibes and good times, with a fun selection of cocktails and mocktails, and beautiful indoor and outdoor spaces in which to enjoy them.

Locations in Lower East Side, West Village, Williamsburg, and Hudson Yards | jajajamexicana.com

8. Vegan on the Fly

Vegan on the Fly is a bright and bold vegan restaurant in Midtown. The eatery is small, but it has a big personality with even bigger flavours.

It offers a range of fast food favourites including burgers, ‘wings’, gyros, and loaded fries.

For sweet-toothed herbivores, Vegan on the Fly also makes thick and creamy plant-based milkshakes, with mouth-watering flavours like peanut butter and jelly, birthday cake, and cookies & cream.

24 W 45th St, New York, NY 10036 | veganontf.com

9. P.S. Kitchen

This bustling New York bistro boasts an extensive artisanal menu of small and large plates, desserts, and drinks.

With vegan crab cakes, ‘chicken’ pot pie, pasta dishes, burgers, and brownies, there’s something for everyone.

P.S. Kitchen also opens for brunch, with tofu scramble, french toast, and vegan biscuits and gravy featuring on the menu.

If you’re feeling thirsty, choose from a range of hot drinks (served with oat, almond or soy milk), soft drinks, and tipples. Non-alcoholic cocktails and beers are also available.

246 W 48th St, New York, NY 10036 | ps-kitchen.com

10. PLANTA QUEEN

PLANTA is a chain of plant-based restaurants with multiple locations across the US and Canada. The New York City branch has been operating since 2021.

It offers a mixed menu of Eastern and Western dishes for brunch, lunch, and dinner.

On the menu, guests will find a selection of sushi, dim sum, and noodles, alongside various sandwiches and salads.

The chain takes a ‘local’ approach, sourcing both ingredients and staff from the local area, and working to support the surrounding communities.

15 W 27th St, New York, NY 10001 | plantarestaurants.com

11. Le Botaniste

This plant-based cafe and wine bar has multiple locations in both NYC and Belgium.

Its massive menu offers a range of different cuisines in small plates, sharers, and bowl foods.

Diners can choose from a range including mezze, sushi, chilli ‘sin’ carne, and even a selection of naughty-but-nice raw desserts.

When it comes to wine, Le Botaniste’s motto is “Vino Therhappy” – and it’s not just a portmanteau of “therapy” and “happy”. It’s also a play on the French ford “terre” for earth, meaning its natural wines are earth-happy too!

Multiple locations including Soho, Upper East Side, and Bryant Park | lebotaniste.us

12. Spicy Moon

Spicy Moon is a Szechuan-themed vegan restaurant with two locations in New York City.

It serves up a range of plant-based Asian dishes, including noodle dishes, mapo tofu, and bao buns.

Don’t let the name fool you, it’s not all spicy, so diners who prefer a milder dish are well-catered for too.

The food at Spicy Moon is colourful and fresh, and is available for home delivery as well as to eat-in.

Locations in East Village and West Village | spicymoonnyc.com

13. Avant Garden

This modern vegan fine-dining restaurant serves vegetable-based meals that “taste like vegetables”. In other words, you’re not likely to find fake meats here!

Instead, guests can enjoy dishes from a colourful menu of plant-based meals where veggies take centre stage.

Meals like scorched cauliflower and cremini mushroom are served with an artistic flair, offering diners a dish that looks as beautiful as it tastes.

Avant Garden is part of the Overthrow Hospitality group, a group of restaurants and bars which is passionate about animal rights, workers’ rights, and guests’ rights.

30 E 7th St, New York, NY 10009 | overthrowhospitality.com/venues/avantgarden

14. HanGawi

HanGawi offers high-end Korean food, and it’s all vegan!

HanGawi’s philosophy centres around healthy eating, and it aims to bring balanced, plant-based meals from Eastern cuisine to the West.

The menu boasts a wide range of dishes, including bibimbap, tofu kimchi hotpot, and Korean pancakes.

Diners are transported to HanGawi’s roots, with a peaceful atmosphere filled with zen music, beautiful antiques, and traditional teas.

2 E 32nd St, New York, NY 10016 | hangawirestaurant.com

15. May Kaidee

Many of the dishes served at this Thai restaurant were developed by the founder, May, while running the original iteration of May Kaidee – a street cart in an alley of old Bangkok in 1988.

Since then, the recipes have remained largely unchanged and are full of bold flavours, inspired by centuries-old recipes from North-East Thailand.

The menu is extensive, and offers a wide variety of plant-based dishes, rooted in traditional Thai cuisine. Favourites include glass noodle salad, pumpkin hummus, and curry fried tofu.

The restaurant focuses on sourcing ingredients locally where possible, and also places great importance in choosing both organic and gluten-free ingredients.

May Kaidee also offers cookery courses and a cookbook.

215 E Broadway, New York, NY 10002 | maykaidee.com

16. Jerrell’s Betr Brgr

This fully plant-based burger joint is open late into the night, serving up a range of tasty burgers, fries, chilli, shakes, and soft-serve ice cream.

Jerrell’s Betr Brgr’s motto is to “live betr, eat betr, do betr, be betr” and the restaurant was born from the idea that small actions (like swapping beef burgers for plant-based alternatives) can make a big difference for our world.

Owner Jerrell Obee loves burgers, but he loves our planet more, so you can be sure that every delicious burger will be as environmentally-friendly as it is tasty.

117 6th Ave, New York, NY 10013 | jerrellsbetrbrgr.com

17. NY Dosas

While it’s not strictly a restaurant, we can’t not give a mention to NY Dosas, a vegan food cart operating out of Washington Square Park.

The cart offers gluten-free and vegan lunches featuring traditional South-Indian dishes.

The main draw, dosas, are lentil and rice-based pancakes which are served with a variety of flavourful toppings. NY Dosas also serves up roti, samosa, and vegan soy drumsticks, along with a large variety of refreshing drinks.

If you fancy a quick lunch in the park, you won’t want to miss out on the ‘best dosa in New York’ from this bustling food cart. And if you’re lucky, you might even nab a selfie with owner Thiru ‘Dosa Man’ Kumar, too!

50 Washington Square S, New York, NY 10012 | nydosas.com

18. Franchia Vegan Cafe

Franchia Vegan Cafe is a sister restaurant to Hangawi, and offers a more casual dining experience while still serving up exquisite Korean vegan food.

Guests in the contemporary dining area can enjoy a quick bite to eat or a relaxing evening of dining out, with menu items ranging from light lunch salads to a decadent fixed menu for groups of ten or more.

The extensive menu offers a range of Asian fusion dishes, including ‘duck’ bibimbap, yakitori ‘galore’, and kimchi ramen.

12 Park Ave, New York, NY 10016 | franchia.com

19. Peacefood Cafe

Peacefood cafe serves internationally-inspired vegan meals for all-day dining in a casual setting.

The cafe has two New York City locations, which both offer a range of sandwiches, salads, entrees, raw food, juices and smoothies.

Guests can also enjoy pastries, including cookies, banana bread, and raw key lime pie, which are baked or made in-house.

Uptown: 460 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10024, Downtown: 41 E 11th St, New York, NY 10003 | peacefoodnyc.com

20. Willow

This vegan bistro in Chelsea offers elevated versions of American comfort food classics, made with high-quality plant-based ingredients.

The restaurant is kosher-certified as well as fully vegan, and offers a warm and inviting dining area.

Dishes on the menu include truffle mac and ‘cheese’ with ‘bac’n’, seitan and oyster mushroom Philly cheesesteak, and avocado toast complete with a vegan poached egg.

199 8th Ave, New York, NY 10011 | willownewyork.com

21. Spring Cafe

Spring cafe is a small brunch spot in Chinatown offering delicious, comforting food.

The Asian-American fusion menu features simple and healthy dishes that will leave you satisfied.

With a range of burgers, sandwiches, bowl meals, and bao – all available as combo meals with a side and refreshing drink – the cafe offers brunch to suit all tastes.

The full menu is also completely onion and garlic free, to accommodate Buddhist diets (along with others that exclude those ingredients.)

153d Centre St, New York, NY 10013 | springcafenyc.com

22. Coletta

For fresh and flavourful Italian vegan food look no further than Coletta.

This intimate dining room offers a wide menu of plant-based kosher meals, including all the Italian classics you’d expect to see, along with some you wouldn’t.

As well as a range of meat-free and veg-led pizzas and pasta dishes, diners can also enjoy ‘steak’ tartare, king oyster mushroom ‘calamari’, and sunchoke and ‘scallop’ risotto.

Dessert-lovers won’t be disappointed either, as the menu features plenty of sweet treats, like Coletta tiramisu, strawberry panna cotta, and pistachio ice cream.

365 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10016 | colettanyc.com

23. Eleven Madison Park

Award-winning fine dining restaurant Eleven Madison Park reopened as a fully plant-based restaurant in 2021. In 2022, it became the first vegan restaurant in the Michelin Guide to receive a three-star rating.

The restaurant offers three menus, ranging from $195 to $395 per person.

For a more modest visit, try the bar tasting menu – a meal of four to five courses which takes around an hour and a half to enjoy.

To really push the boat out, guests can opt for the main dining room tasting menu, a decadent feast of nine to ten courses, featuring both plated meals and sharing dishes. The main tasting menu can take up to three hours to complete, so expect a long, leisurely romp through a variety of exciting flavours and textures.

11 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10010 | elevenmadisonpark.com

24. Double Zero

Double Zero is an international pizza chain, headed by plant-based chef Matthew Kenney.

Featuring pizzas made in a custom-built wood-burning oven, Double Zero aims to bring a healthy perspective to this popular fast food.

Along with an extensive menu of pizzas, the restaurant also offers traditional Italian salads and pasta dishes, and a small selection of desserts.

65 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10003 | matthewkenneycuisine.com/double-zero

25. Ginger Root

Ginger root is a fully vegan restaurant in Manhattan, offering a range of Pan-Asian cuisine.

Dishes include tofu pad Thai, ‘General T’ soy protein, smoked teriyaki seitan, and curry samosas.

The restaurant is a little out of the way, but offers friendly service and meals to takeaway as well as eat in.

1164 1st Avenue, New York, NY 10065 | gingerrootvegan.com

26. Urban Vegan Kitchen

Urban Vegan Kitchen is located in the West Village and serves up a range of American comfort food.

Along with its sister location, Urban Vegan Roots in Queens, Urban Vegan Kitchen offers plant-based versions of burgers, wings, quesadillas, and more.

It also offers a range of desserts, cocktails, mocktails, and even some gluten-free options.

41 Carmine Street, New York, NY 10014 | urbanvegankitchen.com

27. PLNT Burger

This US chain offers indulgent and uplifting plant-based fast food.

Its menu boasts plenty of burger options, including a kid’s meal, plus chilli bowls, sides and soft-serve ice cream, all served up in fun, vibrant fast food packaging.

In New York, PLNT Burger has restaurants in Union Square, Broadway, and Bryant Park.

Multiple NY Locations | plntburger.com

28. Bar Verde

This Mexican restaurant isn’t only a fully plant-based eatery, it’s also a 100% gluten-free facility.

Created by vegan chef Matthew Kenney, Bar Verde serves tacos, sharing plates, and more.

It also offers an extensive menu of Mezcal and tequila, along with a choice of Mexican-inspired cocktails.

65 2nd Ave btw 3rd and 4th Street, New York NY 10003 | barverdenyc.com

29. LuAnne’s Wild Ginger

With four New York Locations, this pan-Asian vegan restaurant has a lot to offer!

With an extensive menu inspired by all Asian cuisines, including Chinese, Japanese, Thai, and Vietnamese, there’s sure to be something to please all tastes.

LuAnne’s Wild Ginger also offers a plentiful gluten-free menu and a range of hot and cold drinks.

Multiple New York Locations | luanneswildginger.com

30. Blossom

Blossom is well-known for its vegan brunch and offers a refined, fresh dining experience for brunch, lunch, and dinner.

Its menu features ‘animal-caring, health-conscious cuisine’ made from local, organic ingredients.

Guests can enjoy dishes like the tofu Benedict, sweet potato gnocchi, and seitan lasagne.

507 Columbus Ave, New York 14059 | blossomnyc.com 

31. Caravan of Dreams

With an extensive menu of all organic, all vegan, kosher verified food options, this Bohemian restaurant is the place to be for healthy, wholesome vegan fayre.

Head over for brunch, lunch, or dinner, or even take away tasty options like the polenta platter, cashew lemon pasta, or raw California tostada.

With a fully stocked bar and regular live music events, you’re sure to have fun here.

405 E 6th St, New York, NY 10009 | caravanofdreams.net

32. Pure Grit BBQ

Pure Grit BBQ is an American restaurant serving, well, barbecue.

With juicy burgers, wings, ‘shrimp’ kebabs and more, this grill offers everything you’d expect to see from an all-American BBQ – but plant-based!

With amazing sides, salads, and desserts to boot, you’ll want to visit this restaurant on a very empty stomach!

36 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10010 | puregritbbq.com

33. Tamam

This casual Israeli-style vegan eatery offers fast and tasty plant-based food to eat in or take away.

Tamam’s menu boasts falafel (of course), cauliflower shawarma, and eggplant sabich, served as a salad, in a pitta, or on a platter with plenty of sides.

The restaurant also offers catering for parties and functions, serving up signature platters or a ‘build your own’ bar.

1108 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10075 | tamamfalafel.com

34. Next Stop Vegan

ll aboard for 100% vegan comfort food! Next Stop Vegan is making it easy to eat ‘like a vegan’.

This Dominican- and Latin-inspired restaurant offers kosher-certified plant-based food from an extensive menu.

With burgers, burritos, and mofonguitos, there’s something to suit all tastes at NSV.

88 Livingston Street, NY 11201 or 1636 Saint Nicholas Avenue, NY 10040 | nextstopveganonline.com

35. Slutty Vegan

This black-owned burger joint is bursting with attitude – and great-tasting vegan food.

Its menu sports naughtily named meals like the ‘ménage à trois’ burger – with vegan bacon and vegan shrimp – or the ‘Hollywood hooker’ Philly cheesesteak sub, all served with a side of ‘slutty fries’.

With its bold, tongue-in-cheek marketing and infamously tasty food, Slutty Vegan has become a global sensation and with two New York locations, there’s plenty of opportunity to check it out.

690 Fulton St NY 11217 or 300 West 135th St, NY 10027 | sluttyveganatl.com

Looking for amazing vegan food closer to home? Discover the best vegan restaurants in London

Featured photo © batuhanozdel via Getty Images