OUR FAVOURITE VEGAN FRIENDLY RESTAURANTS IN NEW YORK

Written By Audrey A
New York City is constantly reinventing itself—and the city’s plant‑based food scene is no exception. What’s especially exciting is how vegan dining in the city isn’t just about substitutions; it’s about creativity, flavour, and experience. From upscale sushi to soul food, here are five of our favourite vegan-friendly spots in NYC—places that showcase how vibrant and varied vegan cuisine can be.


PLANTA (NoMad)

◎ 15 W 27th St, New York, NY
PLANTA in the NoMad neighbourhood is one of those restaurants that feels like a statement: sleek, polished, creative, and unapologetically plant‑based. Their menu spans sushi, dumplings, noodles, bowls, and shareable small plates.
What makes it special:
It’s 100% vegan, with many gluten‑free options. Signature dishes like Bang Bang Broccoli, Unagi Eggplant Nigiri, and Udon Noodles are favourites. The ambience balances upscale and relaxed; it’s great for date nights or group dinners.
 
◎ 117 6th Ave, SoHo
If you’re craving a burger that doesn’t compromise your values, Jerrell’s is a must. This Black‑owned spot offers one hundred percent plant‑based, vegan burgers, fries, chili, shakes, and more. 
Why we love it:
The Lil’ BETR BRGR, O.G. BETR BRGR, and SUPR BETR BRGR are all built with Impossible™ patties and vegan cheese & sauce. 
Their sides hit hard: waffle fries, loaded chili fries, and a hearty vegan chili bowl. For dessert, they offer oat milk shakes and dairy‑free soft serve with fun toppings. 
It’s casual, energetic, and full of flavour—everything a great vegan burger joint should be.
 
◎ 111 E 7th St, East Village
Ladybird is a lush, whimsical vegan tapas & wine bar that leans into the romance of plant‑based dining. It’s cozy and indulgent, with an emphasis on vegetables done beautifully. 
Highlights:
The menu rotates seasonally but always includes small plates like bao buns, kimchi arancini, corn ribs, and General Tso cauliflower. 
The space feels like an escape—a blend of romantic decor, green velvet seating, brass planters, hanging ferns, and warm lighting. Their cocktail program is robust, and the wine list is curated to match the elegance of the food. This is the kind of place you go to linger over conversation, tapas, and a glass (or two).
 
◎ 111 E Adams St, Brooklyn
Fully vegan, 100% plant‑based, Ippudo V re-imagines the classic ramen/sushi/gyoza Japanese comfort model in a plant‑based way. 
What makes Ippudo V special:
Signature ramen like Pla‑Ton (tonkotsu‑style), Shojin (shoyu style), Daichi no Miso, Toma Tan Ton (shio) — broths made vegan but rich in umami, with tofu, mushrooms, crispy elements, etc. There’s also a variety of appetizers (gyoza, maitake tempura, etc.), vegan sushi rolls, and desserts. 
It’s a pleasant space in DUMBO, open daily making it a great choice for lunch or dinner.
 
◎ 95 Avenue A, East Village
Avant Garden is the artful side of vegan dining—it’s small, intimate, refined, and deeply thoughtful. It’s also fully vegan. 
Why Avant Garden is a must:
It’s been recognized by the Michelin Guide as a vegan restaurant, and the menu focuses on elevating vegetables and showcasing their potential, rather than imitating meat. Standouts like deep-fried sushi rice (carrot, ginger, avocado), artichoke & spinach toast, and vegetable toasts with creative garnishes are consistently praised. 
For those who want their dining to be as much about aesthetics and subtlety as flavour, Avant Garden is an essential stop.
 
Together, these restaurants illustrate why NYC is such a stronghold for plant-based dining:
Range & diversity: From burgers and shakes to tapas , sushi & dumplings, soul food, and delicate vegetable cuisine — vegan in NYC is not one note, it’s a chorus.
Ambience matters: Whether you want intimate, whimsical, elevated, or casual, there’s a vibe to match your mood.

Performance under pressure: 

These spots aren’t just following a trend; they’re elevating plant-based cuisine to the level of fine dining, comfort food, and late-night cravings.

Cultural resonance: 

Some of these restaurants, like Cadence, weave identity and heritage into their food, showing that veganism doesn’t mean erasing roots—it can mean re-imagining them.
Audrey A