New York City Vegan Dining: 8 Outstanding Restaurants Worth Visiting
With hundreds — even thousands — of vegan- and plant-based-friendly restaurants, New York City remains a global hub for vegan eating. Whether you're after fine‑dining elegance, spicy comfort food, ethnic cuisines or cozy cafés, there’s something for every taste. Below are eight standout vegan spots worth adding to your NYC eating list.
1. Spicy Moon — Bold Vegan Szechuan Across Manhattan
What it is: Spicy Moon is a 100% vegan Szechuan Chinese restaurant with several Manhattan outposts (East Village, Bowery, West Village, Soho), offering bold flavours, spice, and a fun, lively vibe.
What to try: Their vegan takes on Szechuan staples — Dan Dan Noodles, Mapo Tofu (using plant-based protein), spicy “duck” wraps, dumplings, and crispy eggplant. Their chilli oils, dumplings and wontons are often singled out for flavour.
Why it stands out: It’s rare to find such unapologetically spicy, Chinese‑style cuisine entirely plant-based. Spicy Moon blends spice, street‑food energy and vegan ethics — perfect for group dinners or casual nights out.
2. Dirt Candy — Vegetables as Art in the Lower East Side
What it is: Dirt Candy, led by chef-owner Amanda Cohen, is a vegetable‑centric restaurant on the Lower East Side known for its creativity. While primarily vegetarian, much of the menu — and much of its spirit — appeals strongly to vegans.
What to try: Seasonal tasting menus, vegetable-focused mains, playful interpretations of familiar ingredients — for example, dishes that treat vegetables as the main show rather than side players. The approach reframes the humble vegetable as gourmet.
Why it stands out: Dirt Candy challenges stereotypes about vegan or veggie food being boring. Each dish feels thoughtful, artistic and rooted in respect for ingredients — ideal for diners who want culinary creativity and depth.
3. Bunna Café — Hearty Ethiopian‑Style Vegan Comfort in Bushwick
What it is: Bunna Café in Brooklyn’s Bushwick neighbourhood offers 100% plant‑based Ethiopian cuisine in a warm, community‑centred setting. It’s beloved for its stews, injera, coffee ceremonies and lively atmosphere.
What to try: Communal platters of richly spiced stews and vegetables served on injera (the traditional African flatbread), plus house‑brewed coffee or specialty drinks. The “Feast for Two” or shared platters are popular for their generous portions.
Why it stands out: For those craving warmth, spice, depth and tradition — rather than just “Western” vegan dishes — Bunna Café offers soulful, nourishing vegan comfort that feels authentic, vibrant and community‑oriented.
4. Jajaja Plantas Mexicana — Fun, Trendy Vegan Mexican & Latin Flavours
What it is: Jajaja brings veganised Mexican and Latin-American dishes to NYC in a colourful, trendy environment. It’s a hit with locals and travellers looking for bold flavours, good drinks and a relaxed social vibe.
What to try: Vegan tacos, “quesadillas” with coconut- or cashew-based cheeses/“queso,” plant-based nachos, and creative cocktails or non-alcoholic drinks. For a lively night out with friends, it hits the spot.
Why it stands out: The style is fun, youthful and social — ideal for those who want vegan eats without sacrificing flavour, indulgence or ambience. A good spot for meat-eaters and vegans alike to dine together happily.
5. Beyond Sushi — Colourful, Creative Vegan Sushi & Asian-Inspired Plates
What it is: Beyond Sushi offers a bright, modern take on vegan Asian cuisine, specialising in sushi rolls, dumplings, and inventive small plates — all fully plant-based. A refreshing alternative to typical Western‑style vegan fare.
What to try: Vegan sushi rolls with vegetable- and seaweed‑based fillings, dumplings, creative sauces, and naturally colourful plates that are as much about aesthetics as taste. It’s a great choice for lighter meals, lunch or late dinners.
Why it stands out: It shows how vegan cooking in NYC isn’t limited to burgers or salads — you can get refined, artful plant‑based sushi that satisfies both visually and gastronomically.
6. Anixi — Vegan Mediterranean / Middle‑Eastern Dining in Chelsea
What it is: Anixi offers a fully vegan, kosher‑friendly Mediterranean / Middle‑Eastern-inspired menu in an elegant space — perfect for date nights, intimate dinners or gatherings.
What to try: Shareable mezze plates, vegan “shish kebabs,” hearty salads, savory pastries — dishes inspired by Greek, Turkish and Levantine cuisines, but reimagined entirely via plants.
Why it stands out: It’s a refined, approachable vegan spot that feels accessible to omnivores as well. Great for evenings out when you want something a little more polished than casual fast‑food style.
7. Modern Love Brooklyn — Comfort‑Food Vegan Hits in a Cozy, Friendly Setting
What it is: Located in Brooklyn, Modern Love offers comforting, hearty vegan renditions of American classics — ideal for those looking for indulgence, warmth, and satisfying portions.
What to try: Vegan mac-and-cheese, pancakes, burgers, “cheese” dishes — comfort food done with a kind heart and full flavour. Great for brunch, relaxed dinners, or a cozy meal after exploring the city.
Why it stands out: For many vegans (or those curious about vegan food), familiar comfort dishes make the transition easier. Modern Love offers that safety net: food that feels indulgent, homely, and utterly satisfying — without animal products.
8. The Diversity of NYC Vegan Dining — What the Breadth Offers
What emerges from this shortlist—but even more clearly from a broader survey—is the astonishing diversity of vegan dining in New York:
You can enjoy global cuisines — Ethiopian stews, Szechuan stir-fries, Mediterranean mezze, Mexican tacos, Japanese‑style sushi — all vegan.
There’s something for every mood and budget: from humble sushi rolls or vegan tacos, to full knife‑and‑fork dinners, from fast‑casual to refined dining.
Vegan dining in NYC isn’t niche — it’s mainstream. New research ranked NYC the number‑one US city for vegans in 2025 based on how many vegan and vegetarian restaurants it has.
The sheer variety makes it easier for mixed‑diet groups (vegans + omnivores) to dine out together — there’s likely something for everyone at the table.
Which Restaurant Suits What Mood?
Craving / Occasion Head to…
Spicy Szechuan comfort food, late night, fun vibe Spicy Moon
Creative, artful, veggie‑forward fine dining Dirt Candy
Cozy, communal, hearty and soulful meals Bunna Café
Vegan comfort food in a social, trendy setting Jajaja Plantas Mexicana
Light, modern vegan sushi and Asian plates Beyond Sushi
Elegant Mediterranean / Middle‑Eastern plant‑based dining Anixi
Relaxed brunch or nostalgic comfort food Modern Love Brooklyn
Broad exploration — Asian, Mediterranean, American comfort, Ethiopian — depending on mood Mix and match across the list
Why New York City Remains a Vegan Food Capital
New York is more than just a city — it’s a living ecosystem for vegan cuisine. With over 2,400 vegan, vegetarian, and gluten‑free eateries recorded as recently as 2025, it significantly outpaces many other US cities.
This huge volume does more than offer options. It fosters innovation — chefs and restaurateurs know there’s a receptive audience for plant-based cooking, which encourages experimentation. It also ensures accessibility, whether you’re a local, a visitor, someone on a budget, someone celebrating — there’s likely a suitable spot.
More philosophically, it reflects a shift in culture: eating plant‑based in New York no longer feels like deprivation but rather a pathway to creative, vibrant, exciting food.
Camilla Clare is a naturopath, nutritionist, and holistic health advocate dedicated to exploring the synergy between plant‑based nutrition, well‑being, and mindful living. Through Camilla Clare Holistic Health, she guides clients and readers toward nourishing, balanced lifestyles rooted in compassion, awareness, and conscious food choices.