From quick bites to dates, vegan restaurants for every occasion

Sarah SmithFebruary 9, 2023

Tired of combing through the limited vegan options at the Lipton Dining Room or asking waiters for non-existent vegan alternatives? These places are perfect for you.

Even though New York City is known as a great place for vegans, I was blown away by the abundance of restaurants when I first moved here. Now, with much more experience eating at various NYC vegan restaurants, I’ve narrowed down the list of the best to visit for every occasion – without sacrificing taste or variety.

Quick bites and casual lunches

Hipster

185 Bleecker St.

On the corner of Bleecker Street and McDougal Street, Beatnic offers guests creative vegan alternatives to traditional fast food. Originally known as By Chloe, the network was renamed Beatnic in 2021 as an ode to the anti-materialist beat movement of the 1950s, which was primarily based in New York City. From a hearty plate of Greens & Grains to a Chicky Deluxe burger that uses jackfruit and mushrooms as a meat alternative, this popular chain is perfect for a quick bite between classes. Beat seats can be found all over Manhattan, but the closest one to NYU is in the West Village.

Restaurant window display with the word — Beatnik, 185 Bleecker Street (Samson Tu for WSN)

Bar Verde

65 Second Ave.

For a casual dining experience, this plant-based Mexican concept restaurant offers a mix of vegan shared plates and main courses paired with tequila and mezcal cocktails. His food is not only delicious but also great and 100% gluten free. Taste flavorful nachos or share plates of empanadas and quesadillas. The modern and chic atmosphere of the restaurant makes it the perfect place for a casual lunch with friends.

Showcase of the vegan restaurant Bar Verde. The windows and entrance are lit with red lights, and two people are dining inside. — Bar Verde, 65 Second Ave. (Kevin Wu for WSN)

Urban vegan cuisine

41 Carmin St.

A longtime community favorite, urban vegan cuisine is where I go when I feel like indulgent comfort food. Its menu is influenced by the flavors of the American South. Some highlights include chili cheese fries, buffalo wings, crispy Brussels sprouts, lasagna, and the classic BLT that always hits the mark. The restaurant is also involved in community life, helping marginalized communities eat and hosting dinner parties to discuss the political and social intersections of veganism. Be sure to check out sister restaurant Urban Vegan Roots if you’re in Astoria.

Two diners dine in the colorful interior of the Urban Vegan Kitchen. Behind them, many framed works of art hang on the wall. — Urban Vegan Cuisine, 41 Carmine Street (Saul Casimiro for WSN)

Dinner on a date

submerged

338 E. 6th Street

Although this authentic Ethiopian restaurant is not exclusively vegan, it offers several delicious dishes. The best part is that his plates are made to be shared with others, so you can enjoy them on a date or with friends. The vegetable taster lets you choose from spicy lentils and chickpeas, collard greens, green beans, mushrooms and beets, served alongside generous portions of injera, Ethiopian bread. Be sure to dig in – after all, this is food you can eat with your hands.

Photo of a dimly lit restaurant with a dark blue wall. There is a black table with black chairs, a window-shaped hole in the wall with plants and candles inside, a mirror in the background, and a few more chairs against the walls in the foreground. — Awash, 338 E. 6th St. (Zeynep Zaimler for WSN)

Ladybug

111 E. 7th Street

This vegan tapas and wine bar is your best bet. Its carefully selected atmosphere of foliage, velvet cushions and antique mirrors creates the perfect backdrop for intimate conversation. The delicious Ladybird menu includes servings of buffalo maitake buns, arancini and truffle mac and cheese. Finish your meal with a delicious brulee, then explore the vibrant East Village nightlife.

A bright colorful arched door is at the center of the white exterior of the Ladybird restaurant. A vase of sunflowers can be seen outside the window on the left side of the wall. — Ladybug, 111 E. 7th St. (Kevin Wu for WSN)

modern love

317 Union Avenue, Brooklyn

With a dedicated Instagram following and thousands of rave reviews, this chic establishment was founded by celebrity vegan chef and restaurateur Isa Chandra Moskowitz. The restaurant is easily recognizable by its four-story mural on the wall, and menu highlights include Caribbean Jerk Tofu and Mac & Shews, a vegan mac and cheese. If you’re looking for an innovative vegan experience outside of the Manhattan Bubble, enjoy this Williamsburg industrial establishment that prioritizes the best things in life.