New York City has long been a destination for its vegetarian food scene. From playful twists on classic comfort fare to clever takes on traditional French dishes, these top vegan and vegetarian restaurants in NYC prove plant-based eating is anything but boring.
Dig into classic French fare made vegan at a charming bistro in the West Village. Head to a laid-back diner in Williamsburg for hearty, all-vegetarian American staples. Enjoy an innovative, plant-based omakase menu in NoMad.
Read on for a guide to the 6 best vegetarian and vegan restaurants in NYC, then skip the wait by reaching for an OpenTable reservation now.
For fancy French cuisine made vegan: Délice & Sarrasin (West Village)
Délice & Sarrasin’s head chef Yvette Caron trained at Le Garenne, a renowned hotel in the south of France, and channels that culinary credit at this cozy West Village bistro. With checkerboard flooring and ruby-hued drapes, the compact, brick-walled spot channels a Parisian cafe. So does the menu, which puts a vegan spin on traditional French dishes, like tahini-based foie gras and a pea-based “steak” tartare. The restaurant’s exceptional, all-French wine list is also 100% vegan.
For vibrant cuisine from a culinary legend at one of the best vegetarian restaurants in NYC: abcV (South Street Seaport or Gramercy Park)
When legendary chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten has a vegetarian restaurant, you take notice. The French culinary icon brings his fine dining touch to abcV, one of NYC’s best vegetarian restaurants. Head to the light-filled locations in Tin Building and Gramercy Park for vibrant, plant-forward dishes like green chickpea hummus and a mushroom walnut bolognese. The drinks are equally colorful—think smoothies, refreshing cocktails, and housemade sodas.
For vegan comfort food in the heart of Brooklyn: Modern Love Brooklyn (Williamsburg)
This vegan restaurant in NYC is the brainchild of Brooklyn native and Veganomicon author Isa Chandra Moscowitz. With glittering chandeliers and wood-paneled walls, the stylish space is a destination for its elevated spins on comfort food classics—think cauliflower “wings,” mushroom fried “chicken,” and plant-based burgers. Bonus points for stellar vegan desserts and cocktails, like a sake-hibiscus smash.
For an inventive, Asian-inspired meal at one of the best vegan restaurants in NYC: Sushi By Bou- Omakaseed- Times Square NYC @ Sanctuary Hotel (NoMad)
Located a block from Times Square, Sushi By Bou- Omakaseed- Times Square NYC @ Sanctuary Hotel is one of the top vegan restaurants in NYC for its innovative omakase tasting experience. Grab a spot at the chef’s counter in the intimate, wood-lined space for an 11-course or 15-course feast of vegan riffs on Asian fare, like the smoked tofu inari and watermelon tartare. Or go à la carte with “sushi” and hand rolls. For special occasions, opt for fancy add-ons like sake flights and “caviar.”
For American comfort food with a vegan twist: Ro’s Diner (Williamsburg)
Brooklyn’s Ro’s Diner is where you go for vegan takes on comfort food classics. Open late night hours, the all-day menu leans into hearty diner fare. Expect breakfast favorites like pancakes and scrambles along with massive burgers and sandwiches, like a Philly “cheesesteak” made with thick slices of seitan. Start the day or end the evening with bottomless coffee or mimosas in the retro-inspired space with mirrored walls and sparkly booths.
For clever seasonal cuisine at one of the best vegetarian restaurants in NYC: The Butcher’s Daughter (West Village, Nolita, or Williamsburg)
With locations in West Village, Nolita, and Williamsburg, The Butcher’s Daughter has been a NYC vegetarian favorite for more than a decade. The inviting, all-day spaces are dressed with lush greenery and bright furniture, ideal for lingering over all-day breakfast bowls, colorful salads, and creative pizzas like the signature “pepperoni” pizza with beets standing in for meat. Don’t miss the daily happy hour with discounted drinks and shareable snacks.
From playful takes on classic diner fare to fancy omakase tasting experiences, the top 6 vegetarian and vegan restaurants in NYC are as creative and varied as their meat-based counterparts. Whether you’re in the mood for hearty comfort food or plant-based interpretations of the French classics, these best vegetarian spots serve up food for every occasion and budget.
Book your seat at one of the best vegetarian and vegan restaurants in NYC on OpenTable today.
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