Living in New York Citythis past year and a half hasgiven me the opportunityto try so many amazing vegan, vegetarianand veg friendly restaurants. This city is a bona-fide goldmine when it comes to vegan food. I’ve had a running list on my phone of my absolute favorite restaurants that I recommend to people when they ask me, andtoday I’m laying it all out here to share with you.So, to ring in the new yearhere is my most comprehensive list yet of NYC’sBEST veg restaurants for you to try in 2016!
Best Weekday VeganBreakfast: The Butcher’s Daughter
This vegetarian hotspot offers the perfect vegan breakfast options like their delicious smashed avocado toast, their coconut yogurt parfait, the butcher’s pancakes and thetartine with chocolate hazelnut spread, jam and fresh fruit. Plus you can’t go wrong with their fresh juices and smoothies. thebutchersdaughter.com
Best Vegan Comfort Food: By Chloe
By Chloe burst onto the food scene in summer 2015 and has seen such great success it is already expanding to two new locations. My favorites from the menu include the quinoa taco salad, the guac burger and the loaded avocado toast that comes topped with seasonal veggies and almond parmesan. The restaurant also has their own bakery that makes tons of vegan sweet treats.On the weekend you can stop in for brunch and pick up the early bird special, made with scrambled organic tofu, spinach, maple sausage, market greens, avocado andseven grain toast. And who could resist theirhousemade cinnamon roll? bychefchloe.com
Best Veg Friendly Bagels: Black Seed Bagels
Black Seed offers tofu cream cheeses, lots of veggies and my favorite almond butter ever. The subtle saltiness of the almond butter goes amazing with their jam. As the year is coming toanend my new favorite combo is simple but delicious…that slightly saltyalmond butter on an everything bagel. blackseedbagels.com
Best Veg Friendly Fast Casual Restaurant: Inday
Inday is the newest restaurant featured on this list. This Indian-inspired healthy food spot has a great selection of unique vegan dishes. From the shredded cauliflower and brussels sprouts “rice” to the charcoal smoked tofu in tomato chutney andall theirside dishesthe combination options are endless, delicious and healthy. indaynyc.com
Best Vegan Weekend Brunch: Sun in Bloom
If you’re looking for a traditional weekend brunch where you can sit down, enjoy your meal with a warm drink and keep everything totally plant-based, Sun in Bloom is your spot. The shiitake mushroom “bacon” pancakes are incredibly delicious, the breakfast burrito is always a hit, and their version of a classic BLT is perfection. suninbloom.wordpress.com
Best Vegan Food Truck: Cinnamon Snail
In 2014 this vegan food truck was voted the #1 place to eat in NYC and it’s still amazing…if you can find them! They aren’t on the streets on a normal basis anymore so if you’re lucky you might find this illusive vegan gem at farmers markets,vegfests and other special events.Cinnamon Snail’screative menu features items like their gouchujang burger with sautéed kimchi, arugula, pickled red onions, black sesame gomasio and sriracha mayo on grilled herb focaccia. Another favorite from their menu is theThanksgiving sandoo made with porcini mushroom simmered seitan, rosemary parsnip bread pudding, marinated kale, orange cranberry relish and roasted garlic aioli on a grilled baguette, and a plethora of vegan baked goods. cinnamonsnail.com[UPDATE: This once food-truck-only now has a permanentstorefront location at the new high end food hall,The Pennsy]
Best Healthy Plant-Based Cafes to Pick Up Lunch: Gingersnap’s Organic & Sun in Bloom Tribeca
Both Gingersnap’s Organic and Sun in Bloom’s to go spots offer clean, healthy, delicious, organic food. Gingersnap’s makes amazing housemade soups, juices, salads and the best chocolate almond milk ever. Their tomato stew and cauliflower soup are both simple, healthy, delicious and not to be missed. Sun in Bloom Tribeca also offers soups, salads and baked goods that are packaged and ready for you to pick up on the go. Sun in Bloom’s miso soup and chef Aimee salad are my favorites. So are their cookie sandwiches. gingersnapsorganic.com// suninbloom.wordpress.com
Best Veggie Burger: Superiority Burger
This new vegetarian burger spot is always packed…and with good reason! Their little veg burgers take on the classic fast food burger in a gourmet way. Your first bite will remind you of the flavorful burgers you indulged in as a kid, while at the same time being way healthier. And when you’re eating that veg burger enjoy it with some of their gourmet sides like burnt broccoli salad with eggplant, red chile and coriander in a wine sauce.superiorityburger.com
Best Sweet Treat: Dun-Well Doughnuts
This Brooklyn bakery makes New York’s finest organic artisanal doughnuts. They are 100% vegan and 100% delicious. Enough said. dunwelldoughnuts.com
Best Vegan Pizza: Pala Pizza
This pizza spot offers a traditional menu, a vegan menu and a gluten-free menu. My absolute favorite pizza is the broccolini that comes with sautéed broccoli, braised fennel, shaved potatoes, cracked pepper and vegan cheese. Also not to be missed is their gnocchi in a cherry tomato red sauce and their patatini house made potato chips that come with truffle oil and herbs. palapizza.com
Best Brooklyn Gem: Little Choc Apothecary
This vegan creperie is one of my favorite places in Brooklyn. The burrito crepe with avocado, coconut bacon, black beans, homemade chipotle hot sauce and homemade cashew cheese will definitely keep you coming back for more. As will any of their sweet crepes like the “newtella” crepe with their homemade vegan hazelnut spread. chocny.com
Best Juice Bar: Juice Press
If you want clean, healthy, organic juices and smoothies, Juice Press is your place.They have an extensive juice menu that is unparalleled.My current favorite smoothie is the heaven on earth made with raw almond butter, banana, cacao, almond milk, dates, brown rice protein and cinnamon. And the clean green protein smoothie made with almond milk, banana, raw almond butter, kale, spinach, hemp protein, coconut nectar and chia seeds is always a great option as well. juicepress.com
Best Wrap I’m Always Craving: Manousheh’s Za’atar & Avocado
This is the kind of wrap that veggie dreams are made of. With traditional manousheh bread, flavorfulza’atar, avocado, olives, tomatoes, cucumbers and mint I had to include this wrap in this roundup because it’s that good. manousheh.com
NYC’s Overall BestVeganRestaurant: Avant Garden
The city’s hot new upscale vegan restaurant is my choice for 2015’s overall best vegan restaurant. No matter what diet you adhere to, this menu will blow you away! The toast with smoked eggplant purée, calabrian chili, celery, olives and pickled shallots is out of this world. As is the avocado tartare and the butternut squash farro risotto. Theatmosphere makes for the perfect little date spot with its open kitchen, gorgeous reclaimedwood tables and small, cozy space.This high-end vegan restaurantwill give you thesort of exceptional culinary experience that magical New York is known for.🙂 (photo via avantgardennyc.com) avantgardennyc.com
Do you have others to add to this list? Leave them in the comments section below!
Happy New Year!!
xo,
Tedi
