NYC’s Finest Vegetarian Restaurants February 22 2018

When you think “vegetarian dining” you might picture cold tofu or boring salads, particularly if you’re a carnivore who would rather visit a good steak joint. But New York City, as a health conscious mecca of brilliant chefs with creative visions, offers an impressive array of vegetarian and vegan restaurants. The chefs at these restaurants know how to transform a few seemingly unremarkable vegetables into a beautiful plate of food, each bite bursting with flavors. Whether you’re a die-hard vegetarian or a burger fanatic, you’re certain to enjoy your experience at any one of these top-notch New York veggie-friendly establishments!


 

Beyond Sushi

Herald Square Location: 134 W 37th St New York, NY

Union Square Location: 229 E 14th St, New York, NY

Chelsea Location: 75 9th Ave, New York, NY

Midtown Location: 62 W 56th St, New York, NY

Financial District Location: 70 Pine St, New York, NY

 

Vegetarian sushi is anything but boring at this wildly inventive restaurant, where famous chef Guy Vaknin has crafted a signature approach to creating sushi that looks like your typical raw fish concoction, but is actually made from colorful and locally-sourced vegetables. Ingredients include healthy grains, black-bean puree, lime chips, avocado and and more, all designed to create the appearance of your typical sushi dish. The menu has recently moved from solely focusing on sushi to crafting noodles and dumpling dishes that are equally creative and equally delicious. You’re certain to Instagram every beautiful plate full of food on your table!

 

Divya’s Kitchen

25 1st Ave, New York, NY 10003

 

The New York Observer called Divya’s Kitchen “the healthiest restaurant in New York,” but the restaurant doesn’t sacrifice taste for nutrition: The menu is as inventive and creative as it is delicious! Everything in the restaurant is handmade, from the almond milk to the bread, and each dish is carefully built with a colorful taste palette. After your delicious dinner, try one of their calming teas, like “Heart Opening Rose or “Peace of Mind.” Try their “Spiced Coconut Chips” for a delicious appetizer, and feast on the “Carrot Risotto” for a meal full of robust flavors.


 

Dirt Candy

86 Allen St, New York, NY 10002

 

Dirt Candy isn’t just a mainstay of New York vegetarian dining -- it’s also a hotspot for celebrities like Leonardo diCaprio! There’s a reason famous foodies are drawn to the spot: It’s run by New York’s most renowned veggie chef, Amanda Cohen, a former vegetarian who has dedicated her life to making vegetable-based dishes that are anything but dull. The restaurant now offers two pre-fixe dinner meals: “The Vegetable Patch” ($57, tip included) which consists of five courses of the restaurant’s most famous dishes, and The Vegetable Garden ($83, tip included) which consists of nine to ten courses based on seasonal options, weekly deliveries, and whatever Cohen feels like cooking up that week! With inventions like carrot waffles and Brussel Sprout Tacos, Cohen never disappoints.

 

 

The Butcher’s Daughter

Nolita Location: 19 Kenmare St, New York, NY

West Village Location: 581 Hudson St, New York, NY

 

 

This restaurant calls itself a “vegetable slaughterhouse,” relying on seasonal vegetables to dictate their menu, which rotates every few months! Whether it’s winter or summer, rest assured that The Butcher's Daughter will be producing meals from the absolute finest local and organic farm produce. There’s nothing conventional about these veggie meals, which feature favorites like linguini made from “zucchini noodles,” and the Butcher’s Burger made from veggies and black beans. The Butcher’s Daughter is also renowned for its delicious juices concocted from fresh fruits and herbs.

 

 

 

By Chloe

Williamsburg Location: 171 N 3rd St, Brooklyn, NY

Flatiron Location: 60 W 22nd St, New York, NY

Soho Location: 240 Lafayette St, New York, NY

Greenwich Village Location: 185 Bleecker St, New York, NY

 

Now a bonafide New York City chain, the vegan By Chloe leaves its signature touch of thoughtful flavors and beautiful presentation on every plate. Passionate about making farm-to-table meals from locally-sourced ingredients, this restaurant handmakes every aspect of their dishes. What’s more, you can feel good about patroning this spot: The brand is committed to reducing their carbon footprint and partnering with sustainable ingredient sources. You’ll savor every bite of the mouthwatering Mushroom Avocado Toast and enjoy the unexpected crunchiness of the Toasted Cauliflower Chimichurri. If you visit the Williamsburg location, be sure and ask for the secret off-menu item, its original “‘Burg BLT,” made from By Chloe’s famous mushroom burger!


 

 

Nix

72 University Pl, New York, NY 10003

 

This restaurant just earned chef John Fraser his first Michelin Star and it’s easy to see why: Every meal there is an absolute celebration of the wonderful tastes of vegetables. Try the tofu-skin pockets, which come stuffed with sweet potato and salsa, or the pan-roasted potato gnocchi, garnished with a winning combination of jalapeno and mind. Complement your meal with one of Nix’s creative cocktails, homemade sodas or exciting wine options.

 

 

Abcv

38 East 19th Street, New York, NY 10003

 

NYC’s fine dining hero Jean-Georges Vongerichten has launched an entirely plant-based, non-GMO, organic vegetarian restaurant, with every dish made from ingredients sourced from small and family farms. With noodles and rice based dishes, legume-based dishes, and delicious sandwiches, the restaurant has something for everybody. The restaurant also delivers on the good vibes: Like every “ABC” restaurant, it has a quirky-cool interior decorating scheme.

 

 

Bunna Cafe

1084 Flushing Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11237

 

This restaurant serves up delicious vegan Ethiopian fare that is as flavorful as it is healthy. These dishes, perfected over centuries, offer unique twists on your typical vegetable, served family style. Best of all, Bunna serves free Ethiopian coffee, and wll frequently perform the traditional coffee ceremony for guests. If you’re looking to relax, consider trying Bunna’s traditional Ethiopian alcohol, including the famous T’ej, which is fermented honey wine.

 

 

Avant Garden

130 E 7th St, New York, NY 10009

 

Vegetarian cooking meets upscale dining at Avant Garden, located in the heart of the hip East Village. The restaurant’s ethos is that vegetarian cooking shouldn’t have to “imitate” the taste of chicken to be absolutely delicious. The restaurant’s chef, Tony Mongeluzzi serves up dishes that bring out the deep flavors of veggies, legumes, nuts and herbs to create an utterly delicious, one-of-a-kind dining experience.


 

Modern Love

317 Union Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211

 

 

Restaurant owner Isa Chandra Moskowitz describes Modern Love’s cuisine as “swanky vegan comfort food.” Of course, “comfort food” means something very different when, like Moskowitz, you’ve grown up in the New York City punk rock scene and honed your chops on a DIY public access cooking show, Post Punk Kitchen. The result is a completely unique menu of dishes like “Seitan Chops and Applesauce” and “Mac and Shews,” made with cashew-cream cheese.


 

Superiority Burger

430 E 9th St, New York, NY 10009

 

One of the perennial troubles for vegetarian eaters is finding anything on the menu at fast food restaurants. Superiority Burger opened to right that wrong, offering an entirely vegetarian fast-food menu with delicious burgers that will even win over your most die-hard Burger King fan.