Whether you’re a local or visiting NYC, this city is a paradise for plant-based food lovers. From cozy vegan cafes to trendy vegan restaurants, New York City has something for everyone, including gluten-free-friendly options, which I’ll make note of below.

I live in the country, which means vegan restaurants are rare, so I feel lucky to be close to the city for whenever I want to skip cooking and treat myself to something indulgent.

In this guide, I’m sharing the top vegan restaurants and cafes in New York City. Whether you’re searching for the best vegan baked goods in New York or a trendy spot for a vegan dinner in Manhattan, these must-try spots have got you covered.

Ready to explore the best of vegan dining in NYC? Let’s dive in!

Table of Contents

Is New York City Vegan-Friendly?

Absolutely! The first time I visited NYC, I was amazed by the variety of vegan options. Even if you’re not dining at a fully vegan restaurant, many places in NYC offer vegan-friendly options. That said, I always recommend visiting a fully vegan restaurant when you can—after all, you’re in the city, so why not fully dive into the plant-based experience?

Every few months, my best friend and I take the train in for a “foodie day,” discovering the city’s best eats and hidden gems. After years of exploring, I’ve narrowed down the top vegan spots in NYC, which I’m excited to share below.

Why NYC is a Vegan Foodie’s Paradise

New York City is a dream for vegan food lovers! When I first visited, I was blown away by the number of vegan options (especially coming from a small town). Even after years of exploring, I’m still finding hidden gems—so I’ll keep updating this list!

From fancy plant-based restaurants to trendy cafes, NYC has it all. Whether you’re in the mood for sushi, tacos, or vegan ice cream, you’ll never be short on options. There are tons of fully vegan spots, plus plenty of vegan-friendly choices at non-vegan places.

And the best part? New vegan restaurants keep popping up, so there’s always something new to try!

The Best Vegan-Friendly Neighborhoods in NYC

I’ve found that the majority of New York’s vegan restaurants are located in SoHo and Brooklyn. Staying in or near these areas will ensure you’re never far from delicious vegan eats!

Not only is SoHo great for vegan food, but it’s also known for it’s trendy cafes and shopping—plus art galleries and museums like the Museum of Ice Cream. Whenever I’m staying in SoHo, I always like to pop in to Soul Cycle for a workout class.

The Best Vegan Restaurants in NYC

Chloe

Colorful vegan quinoa taco salad and kale caesar salad from Chloe, a modern vegan restaurant offering comfort food with a healthy twist.
vegan cookies from Chloe plant-based restaurant

If you’re craving comfort food with a healthy twist, Chloe is the place to be! It’s a trendy spot for brunch, lunch, or dinner, with a bright modern atmosphere and the most flavorful vegan dishes.

You might recognize Chloe from ByChloe, which later became Beatnic. This year, Chloe opened up a brand new location on Bleeker Street, offering all her classic favorites, like the quinoa taco salad, kale caesar salad (my personal favorite), veggie burgers, and of course, her incredible sweets—cupcakes, cookies, cinnamon rolls, and more. Many of her desserts are also gluten-free.

Planta Queen

Planta's dragon sushi roll. Planta's vibrant, Asian-inspired vegan dishes are served in a trendy, modern atmosphere.
Planta's vegan matcha cheesecake. Planta's vibrant, Asian-inspired vegan dishes are served in a trendy, modern atmosphere.

Planta is hands down my favorite restaurant in New York City. I even brought my picky uncle here and he couldn’t believe how amazing the food was. To quote him, he said he “tasted flavors he never tasted before” LOL.

Their Asian-inspired menu is perfect for sharing, with dishes like sushi rolls, dan-dan noodles (pictured above), bao buns, and the famous bang bang broccoli—I would walk to NYC just for the broccoli! The trendy vibe and atmosphere make it an ideal spot for a night out.

And don’t leave without trying the vegan matcha cheesecake—it’s absolutely drool-worthy and a must-try!

Jajaja Mexicana

Vegan tacos from Jajaja, a trendy vegan Mexican spot in NYC known for its creative plant-based Mexican cuisine.

If you’re craving vegan Mexican food in NYC, Jajaja is the place to be. Every time I visit, I’m faced with the dilemma of what to order—honestly, I could eat the entire menu! The restaurant is entirely vegan with plenty of gluten-free options.

From their epic vegan nachos to house-made empanadas, tacos, and burritos, it’s a full-on adventure for your taste buds. Plus, don’t forget to save room for their delicious vegan churros that comes with a warm chocolate dip. Omg…I’m drooling just thinking about it.

Trust me, you have to try their grande nachos—they’re a fan favorite. And if you’re a fan of jackfruit, their jackfruit carnitas tacos are a must-try too!

With several locations in the city, Jajaja is a trendy spot for lunch or dinner, and they also offer brunch on weekends, serving up traditional Mexican breakfast dishes made vegan, like papas con huevos and the huevos burrito.

Willow Vegan Bistro

Vegan mac & cheese topped with vegan bacon and truffle oil at Willow, a cozy vegan comfort food restaurant in NYC.
vegan cookie skillet and vegan cheesecake at Willow, a cozy vegan comfort food restaurant in NYC.

Willow kindly invited my sister and me to experience their vegan restaurant, and it was unforgettable. We still rave about their vegan mac & cheese topped with vegan bacon and truffle oil—absolutely incredible! And don’t miss the chef’s cookie skillet—it’s pure indulgence.

Willow specializes in vegan comfort food, serving up dishes like vegan burgers, vegan steaks, and even a vegan brisket. While it’s a smaller, modern spot, it’s ideal for a date night with a menu that’s seriously satisfying.

Coletta

Craving vegan Italian food in NYC? Coletta is the place to be!

This intimate dining spot offers vegan versions of Italian classics, including brick oven pizzas and fresh pastas.

Their vegan calamari is made with oyster mushrooms and tastes just like the real deal. Trust me, I used to love calamari growing up. As a big fan of penne alla vodka, I was beyond excited to try their vegan lumache alla vodka, and it did not disappoint. The flavors are incredibly fresh and rich.

And for dessert, I can never resist their vegan tiramisu, which inspired my own recipe for no-bake tiramisu jars in my Sweets From Plants e-cookbook, which has received rave reviews (I might be a little biased, but I think my version is even better!)

Beyond Sushi

Looking for an amazing vegan sushi spot in New York City? Look no further than Beyond Sushi.

Their sushi is completely vegan and fish-free, yet you’d never know it! I was amazed at their creativity, with vegan versions of classics like the spicy crab roll and Philadelphia roll, plus unique, in-house sushi roll creations.

Beyond sushi (no pun intended), they also offer other dishes like ramen, and various vegan desserts like ube cheesecake.

The Butcher’s Daughter

Looking for a trendy plant-based spot in NYC? Visit The Butcher’s Daughter. With its bright, laid-back vibe and hanging greenery, it’s the perfect spot to relax and enjoy a healthy meal.

With locations in Nolita and the West Village, they serve fresh vegan and vegetarian dishes all day—breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner.

Their menu features avocado toast, tofu scramble, wraps like the pastrami tofu sandwich, grain bowls, and açai bowls – so there’s something for everyone. One of my favorites is the spicy kale caesar salad with tempeh (pictured above). Don’t forget to try one of their smoothies or wellness lattes and pair it with a freshly baked good!

Anixi

Anixi specializes in flavorful vegan Mediterranean dishes. Although we visited during lunchtime, I recommend going for dinner since the ambiance is perfect for an intimate dinner.

I really enjoyed their dip mezze platter, featuring a whipped ricotta dip, kabocha squash dip, and fire-roasted eggplant dip—all served with fresh, warm pita bread. Every bite was bursting with flavor.

They also serve Mediterranean staples like kabobs, dolmas, and gyros, all made with plant-based meat alternatives.

abcV

Plate of seared tofu garnished with fresh herbs and served with a side of vegetables at abcV in New York City.

abcV is a chic, modern restaurant in the Flatiron District specializing in vegetarian, plant-based meals, with plenty of vegan and gluten-free options.

They serve breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner, offering dishes like seared tofu and mushroom walnut bolognese pasta (both pictured above). It’s an upscale spot with a bright, vibrant atmosphere, perfect for a meal any time of day.

The Little Beet

For a quick, healthy, and flavorful meal, The Little Beet is a great option with several locations throughout NYC, making it super convenient to stop by anytime.

Their menu is focused on fresh, whole foods, and while it’s not entirely vegan, there are tons of vegan and gluten-free options to choose from. They offer build-your-own bowls with choices like roasted veggies, grains, and plant-based proteins.

The Best Vegan Cafes/Bakeries in NYC

Matchaful

Vegan matcha latte from Matchaful, featuring organic, ceremonial-grade matcha sourced from Japan.
two matcha lattes, a matcha brownie, matcha donut and pumpkin donut from matchaful, a vegan cafe in NYC

If you know me, you know I’m obsessed with matcha, and I can be quite picky when it comes to my matcha lattes. Matchaful is without a doubt my favorite spot to get a matcha latte in the city—I even order my matcha powder from them. I love that their ceremonial-grade matcha is organic and sourced from sustainable farms in Japan.

With a few locations in the city, Matchaful is always a must-visit for me. Their bakery case is filled with sweet treats like matcha and yuzu donuts, matcha brownies, and overnight oats. I love that everything is vegan, gluten-free, and refined sugar-free. Many of their treats are supplied by Sixteen Mills in Brooklyn, New York.

No trip to NYC is complete without grabbing a matcha brownie from Matchaful (pictured above with the white frosting). Seriously, I dream about that brownie! And if you’re visiting in the fall, don’t miss their autumn spice latte, which pairs matcha with cinnamon, nutmeg, pumpkin, and other cozy fall spices. Their house-made nut milks are amazing, too!

Erin McKenna’s Bakery

Erin McKenna’s Bakery specializes in both vegan and gluten-free baked goods, offering everything you can imagine: cakes, cupcakes, cookies, cinnamon rolls, tiramisu, donuts, bagels, and even the iconic black & white cookies—a must-try when you’re in NYC.

The coffee cake is my personal favorite. It’s soft, perfectly spiced, and topped with a delicious crumble. And be sure to check out her seasonal creations for holidays like Valentine’s Day, Halloween, and Christmas—they’re always so cute and creative.

Van Leeuwen Ice Cream

Van Leeuwen is hands down my favorite vegan ice cream spot. While they’re not entirely vegan, they offer some of the creamiest, most indulgent vegan flavors in NYC. My go-to every time I visit is their vegan peanut butter brownie honeycomb topped with hot fudge. The texture is so smooth and creamy, I don’t know how they do it!

You can find their storefront locations all over the city, and they even sell ice cream cartons at Whole Foods, which is dangerously tempting for me every time I go grocery shopping.

Pressed Juicery

If you’re a fan of fresh juices, smoothies, or even vegan soft serve, Pressed Juicery is a must-visit. With locations across NYC, they offer a variety of cold-pressed juices, nut milks, wellness shots, smoothie bowls and a vegan ice cream freeze, which is made from fruits, nuts, and veggies.

Their convenient grab-and-go options make it easy to stay healthy while on the move.

Le Petit Monstre

A flaky vegan almond croissant paired with a glazed donut from Le Petit Monstre in Brooklyn

A charming patisserie and cafe in Brooklyn, specializing in vegan and gluten-free pastries and baked goods. From flaky croissants and pain aux chocolate, to macarons, cinnamon rolls, cheesecakes, quiches, and sandwiches—there’s so much to enjoy here!

Check out my favorite vegan spots in action on my YouTube channel, where I vlogged my experience visiting and eating at these amazing vegan restaurants!

What are your favorite vegan restaurants in New York City? Leave a comment below to let me know!

Stay connected with Boo Boo’s Bakery! Follow us on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, and YouTube for more vegan inspiration. Don’t forget to subscribe to my newsletter for the latest recipes, tips, and updates!