When you think of "vegetarian food," you probably imagine cold tofu or boring salads, especially if you're a meat eater who'd rather go to a good steak house. But New York City, as a health-conscious mecca for brilliant chefs with creative vision, offers an impressive selection of vegetarian and vegan restaurants . The chefs at these restaurants know how to transform a seemingly inconspicuous vegetable into a beautiful dish, so that every bite is packed with flavor. Whether you're a die-hard vegetarian or a burger fanatic, you'll enjoy the experience at one of these top New York veggie-friendly establishments!
Herald Square Location: 134 W 37th St New York, NY
Union Square Location: 229 E 14th St, New York, NY
Chelsea Location: 75 9th Ave, New York, NY
Midtown Location: 62 W 56th St, New York, NY
Financial District Location: 70 Pine St, New York, NY
Vegetarian sushi is anything but boring at this wildly imaginative restaurant, where famed chef Guy Vaknin has created a unique approach to making sushi that looks like a typical raw fish but is actually made with colorful, locally sourced vegetables. Ingredients include healthy grains, black bean puree, lime wedges, avocado and more to create the signature sushi dish. The menu has recently evolved from sushi to making noodles and dumplings that are equally creative and equally delicious. You'll be sure to share each of these artfully prepared plates on your Instagram! Don't forget to tag us too.
25 1st Ave, New York, NY 10003
The New York Observer called Divya's Kitchen "the healthiest restaurant in New York," but the restaurant doesn't sacrifice taste for health: the menu is as inventive and creative as it is delicious! Everything in the restaurant is handmade, from the almond milk to the bread, and each dish is carefully constructed with a colorful palette of flavors. After your delicious dinner, try one of their calming teas, such as "Heart Opening Rose" or "Peace of Mind". Try their “Spiced Coconut Chips” for a delicious appetizer and enjoy their “Carrot Risotto” for a meal full of robust flavors.
86 Allen St, New York, NY 10002
Dirt Candy isn't just a vegetarian diner mainstay in New York - it's also a hotspot for celebrities like Leonardo diCaprio! There's a reason why famous foodies make a pilgrimage to this restaurant, which is run by New York's most famous vegetarian chef, Amanda Cohen, a former vegetarian who has dedicated her life to creating vegetable-based dishes that are anything but boring. The restaurant now offers two pre-fixed dinner meals: "The Vegetable Patch" ($57, including tip), which consists of five courses of the restaurant's most famous dishes, and The Vegetable Garden ($83, including tip), which consists of nine to ten courses, based on seasonal options, weekly deliveries and whatever Cohen wants to cook that week! With inventions like carrot waffles and Brussels sprout tacos, Cohen never disappoints.
Nolita Location: 19 Kenmare St, New York, NY
West Village Location: 581 Hudson St, New York, NY
This restaurant calls itself a "vegetable slaughterhouse" that relies on seasonal vegetables to drive its menu, which rotates every few months! Whether winter or summer, you can rest assured that The Butcher's Daughter is crafting meals using the finest local and organic produce. There's nothing conventional about these vegetarian dishes, which include favorites like zucchini noodle linguini and the vegetable and black bean Butcher's Burger. The Butcher's Daughter is also known for its delicious juices made from fresh fruits and herbs.
Williamsburg Location: 171 N 3rd St, Brooklyn, NY
Flatiron Location: 60 W 22nd St, New York, NY
Soho Location: 240 Lafayette St, New York, NY
Greenwich Village Location: 185 Bleecker St, New York, NY
Now a bona fide New York chain, vegan brand By Chloe leaves its signature touch of thoughtful flavors and beautiful presentation on every plate. Crafting passionate dishes using locally sourced ingredients, the restaurant serves every aspect of its dishes. Plus, you can feel good about supporting this place: The brand is committed to reducing its carbon footprint and partnering with sustainable ingredients. You'll enjoy every bite of the delicious Mushroom Avocado Toast and the unexpected crunch of the Roasted Cauliflower Chimichurri. When you visit the Williamsburg location, be sure to ask about the secret off-menu item, the original "'Burg BLT" made by Chloe's, their famous mushroom burger!
72 University Pl, New York, NY 10003
This restaurant earned chef John Fraser his first Michelin star and it's easy to see why: every meal celebrates the wonderful taste of vegetables. Try the tofu skin pockets stuffed with sweet potatoes and salsa or the pan-seared potato gnocchi topped with a combination of jalapeno and mint. Complement your meal with one of Nix's creative cocktails, homemade soft drinks or exciting wine options.
38 East 19th Street, New York, NY 10003
NYC's foodie hero Jean-Georges Vongerichten has launched an all-plant, organic, non-GMO vegetarian restaurant where every dish is made with ingredients sourced from small family farms. With pasta and rice dishes, legumes and delicious sandwiches, the restaurant has something to offer for every taste. The restaurant also creates a good atmosphere: like every "ABC" restaurant, it has an idiosyncratic, cool interior design.
1084 Flushing Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11237
This restaurant serves delicious vegan Ethiopian dishes that are only healthy but also great. Perfected over the centuries, these dishes offer unique twists on your typical vegetable and family style. Best of all, Bunna serves free Ethiopian coffee and often performs the traditional coffee ceremony for guests. If you want to relax, try Bunna's traditional Ethiopian alcohol, including the famous T'ej, which is a fermented honey wine.
130 E 7th St, New York, NY 10009
Vegetarian cuisine meets fine dining at Avant Garden in the heart of the trendy East Village. The restaurant's ethos is that vegetarian cuisine should not "imitate" the taste of chicken to be absolutely delicious. The restaurant's Executive Chef, Tony Mongeluzzi, serves dishes that highlight the deep flavors of vegetables, legumes, nuts and herbs to create an absolutely delicious, unique dining experience.
317 Union Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211
Restaurant owner Isa Chandra Moskowitz describes Modern Love's cuisine as "sophisticated, vegan comfort food." Of course, "comfort food" means something entirely different if, like Moskowitz, you grew up in the New York punk rock scene and refined your chops on a DIY public cooking show, Post Punk Kitchen. The result is a completely unique menu with dishes like Seitan Chops and Applesauce and Mac and Shews with Cashew Cream Cheese.
430 E 9th St, New York, NY 10009
One of the perennial problems for vegetarian eaters is finding something on the menu at fast food restaurants. Superiority Burger opened to intentionally get that wrong, offering an all-vegetarian fast food menu of delicious burgers that will satisfy even the most die-hard Burger King fan.