The 17 Absolute BEST Vegetarian Restaurants NYC has to offer
Where to find great vegetarian friendly food in NYC
New York City’s culinary scene has evolved to embrace diverse dietary preferences, and vegetarian dining options have flourished in recent years. As more people adopt plant-based diets for health, environmental, or ethical reasons, the city’s restaurant scene has responded with an array of exceptional vegetarian eateries. From elegant fine dining establishments to cozy neighborhood bistros, these vegetarian restaurants in NYC have mastered the art of crafting delectable, meatless dishes that cater to both vegetarians and omnivores alike.
Whether you’re a dedicated vegetarian or simply looking to explore the world of meatless cuisine, our guide to the best vegetarian restaurants in NYC will introduce you to an exciting array of flavors and culinary experiences. Join us as we embark on a culinary journey through the top vegetarian-friendly restaurants NYC has to offer, where creativity and flavor take center stage, proving that plant-based dining in NYC is not just a trend but a thriving and delicious way of life.
These are the 17 Best Vegetarian Restaurants in NYC
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01
Divya's Kitchen
Vegetarian Restaurant in East Village
Divya’s Kitchen is a vegetarian and vegan restaurant with a twist, they specifically focus on making their food as healthy as possible. They want their food to result in better digestion, instead of having the opposite effect. And furthermore, instead of limiting itself to a single cuisine, Divya’s Kitchen actually serves food that incorporates a variety of influences. Asian, Italian, Indian, and Mediterranean cuisine are all combined at this establishment.
As a result, their menu is quite unique; featuring everything from vegan lasagna (a popular choice) to buttermilk biscuits. And some of their more popular dishes, aside from their lasagna, are their vegetable curry as well as their beet hummus.
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02
The Butcher's Daughter
Café in Nolita
The Butcher’s Daughter is the closest thing to a deli that a vegetarian restaurant can be because their theme is treating vegetables as a butcher does meat. Which is quite an interesting twist! And their interior is interesting and vibrant as well; with white bricks for walls, bright blue booths for eating, and light-colored chairs to keep things bright and cheery.
The menu consists of dishes like a daily soup (made from seasonal ingredients, their “butcher’s burger”, and sides such as oven-roasted sweet potato wedges! But a few especially popular dishes of theirs include… spicy kale Caesar salad, avocado toast, and crab cakes.
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03
Two Boots West Village
Pizza Spot in West Village
Two Boots in West Village serves both vegetarian and vegan options within their menu, and are known to be a family-friendly eating establishment. Making it the perfect place to go out to eat in NYC if you have kiddos.
Their surroundings will ensure that everyone feels comfortable; bright red booths to sit in, colorful paintings on the walls… the decorations are nice to look at for kids and adults alike.
And their menu of Cajun-Italian fusion dishes, which are packed with unique flavors, will have something for everyone as well. They’re known for their variety of pizzas, so you should definitely indulge in a few slices while you’re there; but they also serve sliders, salads, and desserts. -
04
ABCV
Vegetarian Restaurant in Gramercy
ABCV is a plant-based restaurant that features many vegan dishes, in addition to being fully vegetarian. The spot is decorated elegantly but with a modern twist. There are golden chandeliers, among other handing lights, that provide lighting from above. And the space features many light, pastel colors.
Although ABCV serves everything from ice cream to tomato soup, they’re often praised for their dips. Their green hummus, in particular, seems to be a fan favorite and it is served with whole-grain pita.
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05
Amy's Vegetarian
Vegetarian Restaurant in Prospect Heights
Amy’s Vegetarian, as the name suggests, is a vegetarian restaurant in Brooklyn. And many of their dishes are actually Mediterranean! Among their many categories are bowls, wraps, sides, and of course, beverages as well. But their bowls are their most popular items; as well as their falafel in a pita, shawa-fel pita, and babaganoush.
Plus, Amy’s Vegetarian makes it easy for you to access your food, with plenty of service options. Dining in, takeout, and delivery are all available.
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06
Angelica Kitchen
Vegetarian Restaurant in East Village
Fresh, vegan food has been served here since 1976. Many of the ingredients are organically grown and Fairtrade certified.
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07
Beatnic West Village
Vegetarian Restaurant in Greenwich Village
Ok, the name can be a bit misleading, because the Beatnic West Village is actually located in Greenwich Village (the discussion about the neighborhoods and their exact boundaries is typical for New York 🙂 ). Anyway, Beatnic is a really popular vegan restaurant right on Bleecker Street.
It’s super-stylish, beautifully decorated and so delicious! And I say that, who likes everything around steaks, burgers and BBQ so much. Everything is freshly prepared, there are a wide variety of salads, sandwiches and burgers – all vegan, of course.
Really colorful is the beet ketchup and the avocado pesto. My tip: try the guac burger and the magic mushroom salad. That alone is worth a visit!
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08
Dirt Candy
Vegetarian Restaurant in Lower Manhattan
Dirt Candy is a vegetarian restaurant that actually has a Michelin Star to recommend it! Making it one of two NYC vegetarian restaurants to have such an honor. And the five-course dining experience you’ll receive at Dirt Candy will leave no doubt in your mind as to why they received a Michelin Star.
They change their five courses seasonally so that even people who come often can experience some variety. But currently, every course is representing different veggies. For instance, their first course at the moment is based on carrots, so you’ll be treated with “Carrot Mille Feuille”.
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09
Gaia & Loki
Vegetarian Restaurant in Jersey City
Looking for a full-service vegan restaurant in Jersey City? Look no further than Gaia & Loki. With food that will make you say, “Wait, they can make that?”. Gaia & Loki serves up soups, small plates, pasta, sandwiches, and even brunch that are all vegan and contain fresh, housemade ingredients!
From amazing pasta like Mushroom Alfredo to a cheezy Meatball parm, you will find incredible homemade dishes that are 100% vegan. We also love the Butternut Squash Hero and the Waffles for brunch.
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10
Govinda's Vegetarian Lunch
Vegetarian Restaurant in Boerum Hill
Govinda’s Vegetarian Lunch is vegetarian every day of the week, but on Sundays, Wednesdays, and Fridays they serve vegan food as well. And many times, they even offer gluten-free options. If you’re wondering by now why their menu changes during certain days of the week, it’s actually one of the reasons why this establishment sticks out from the rest. They change their menu every single day! Rotating their best dishes to keep things fresh.
As far as the type of cuisine they offer, they serve Indian dishes. Which means lots of spice! And one of their best-selling items is their eggplant parm, so if you see it on their daily menu, you should drop by and try it!
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11
Happy Veggie
Vegetarian Restaurant in Chinatown
Happy Veggie is a relaxed and casual vegetarian restaurant that serves Asian-fusion cuisine in Chinatown. Their menu contains all the classics, such as…spring rolls, fried wontons, edamame, noodles, and buns. And there are many raving reviews about their veggie spam musubi with avocado, as well as their homemade spinach dumplings in particular. Plus, in addition to dining in, you can also access these delicious dishes via curbside pickup and no-contact delivery.
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12
Moss Cafe
Vegetarian Restaurant in Riverdale
For a brunch that feels like a real treat, you gotta head to Moss Café on Johnson Avenue. These folks do brunch every day, so any time is the perfect time for a delicious meal. And what’s more, this upscale bistro has got it all: creative brunch dishes, kosher entrees, fresh pastries, and one of the best coffees in town.
If you’re a fan of avocado toast or salmon burgers, then you’re in for a treat at Moss Cafe. Not to mention, their ingredients are sourced from local farms, so every bite is super fresh. And when you combine the fact that their menu changes with the seasons, it really keeps things exciting. So, for a top-notch brunch Bronx, NY, Moss Café is a real winner!
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13
NEWTOWN
Vegetarian Restaurant in Williamsburg
Newtown is a vegetarian restaurant that serves Mediterranean foods, and they even have a few vegan options on their roster as well! The interior of this building is simple and casual, so it’s a great place to go out to eat if you don’t feel like getting dressed up but don’t want to order in either.
And you won’t be disappointed with the food they serve, categories including… hummus, entrees, small plates, sandwiches, soup and salad, bread, and sauce. One of the most popular items out of them all is NEWTOWN’s falafel sandwich.
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14
Taïm
Vegetarian Restaurant in Nolita
Here you can get the best falafel in town. The food is gluten-free and all dishes are always freshly prepared. I like this Israeli-inspired cuisine that always reminds me of vacation. We highly recommend the bowls and smoothies!
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15
The Original Buddha Bodai
Vegetarian Restaurant in Chinatown
The Original Buddha Bodai is a kosher vegetarian restaurant in the heart of Chinatown that serves mock-meat dim sum & other Chinese dishes in a casual environment. Chef Dong and his staff created delicious dishes of great quality to share delicate flavors with his customers.
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16
Vegetarian Dim Sum House
Vegetarian Restaurant in Chinatown
The Vegetarian Dim Sum House is a vegetarian restaurant located in Chinatown that offers dim sum with mock meats, vegetables, and bean curd to order. On their menu, you can find dishes with mock chicken, mock beef, mock seafood, and more.
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17
Seeds & Weeds
Vegetarian Restaurant in Financial District
Seeds & Weeds offers yet another fine-dining experience, with dishes that suit both vegans and vegetarians alike. The decorations and ambiance of this restaurant are like no other, with stylish and modern decorations that somehow remain classic at the same time. An accomplishment that is quite impressive, to say the least.
But it’s safe to say, that their menu is even more impressive than the decor! It’s split into several different sections; such as “fresh and vibrant” which features dishes like avocado lettuce cups (one of their best-sellers), and “warm and nourishing” which contains foods like mushroom walnut Bolognese.
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