Welcome to the second annual Vegan Dining Month taking place across New York City the entire month of January. In conjunction with Veganuary, an international non-profit challenging people to go vegan for the month, Vegans, Baby’s annual event celebrates plant-based dining in New York City. This is a guide to all restaurants participating in the 2024 Vegan Dining Month.

At the end of the month, each restaurant will donate a portion of the proceeds from their specific dishes below to the West Side Campaign Against Hunger (WSCAH). 

Since 1979, WSCAH has pursued its mission of ensuring all New Yorkers have access with dignity to a choice of healthy food and supportive services, such as SNAP (food stamps). WSCAH serves nutritious food to over 80,000 food-insecure New Yorkers annually. Last year, 55% of all food distributed by WSCAH was fresh produce. WSCAH is proud to offer vegan/vegetarian options, ensuring every family receives healthy food that meets their dietary and cultural needs and preferences.

Vegan Dining Month NYC Menus

Arts & Crafts Beer Parlor

1135 Amsterdam Ave.

Barbacoa tacos – with Chunk Steak

Baar Baar NYC

13 E. 1st St., New York

Assorted papad with chutneys – chili and peanut, green mango and tomatillo, charred tomato pachadi – 14

Homemade chutney – chili and peanut, cilantro and mint, fermented chili (super hot), green mango and tomatillo, charred tomato pachadi – 2 each/3 for 5

Pani puri – avocado, passion fruit water – 12

Cauliflower 65 – chili and peanut chutney, curry leaf, podi masala – 17

Sweet potato chat – masala sweet corn, cilantro, mint chutney – 16

Avocado and green chickpea bhel – golden beetroot, tamarind, pufified black rice – 17

Stuffed Holland eggplant – artichoke kurchan, malvani curry – 28

Basmati rice – 5

Multigrain roti – 6 

Chickpea curry – 10

Cumin fingerling potatoes – 14

House-churned sorbet – 5

Mango Chilli/ Kaju Katli – 5

Blossom 

507 Columbus Ave., New York

Three course menu – $35 per person

First Course (choose one)

Crispy Artichokes – chickpea-flour battered, lemon-caper aioli, arugula (gf, nf, sf)

Pumpkin Ravioli – sage brown butter, butternut squash, toasted pumpkin seeds (nf)

Cape Cod Cakes – tartar sauce (nf)

Second Course (choose one):

Savory Seitan – pan-seared seitan cutlets, white wine, rosemary tomato sauce, roasted potatoes, haricot vert, roasted tomato, garlic aioli (nf)

Carbonara – spaghetti, cashew cream sauce, smoked soy bacon, sunny side up ‘egg’

Curried Stuffed Sweet Potato – walnut-lentil-eggplant stuffing, coconut peanut curry, parsnip chips, collard greens, horseradish crème drizzle (gf, sf)

Third Course (choose one):

Chocolate Ganache –  berry reduction, vanilla ice cream (gf, nf)

Tiramisu – coconut mascarpone, espresso, vanilla ladyfingers (nf)

Seasonal Cheesecake – ask server for current offering

Specialty Cocktail $15 – The Salty Barman: vodka, Bailey’s Almande, coffee liqueur, house-made caramel, salted caramel rim

Bunnni Coffee

408 Fort Washington Ave., New York; 4300 Broadway, New York; 213 Pinehurst Ave., New York; 4961 Broadway, New York

Menu coming soon

Delice & Sarrasin

178 W. Houston St., New York

Menu coming soon

GOA NYC

78 Leonard St., New York

Gulaabo

250 W. 47th St., New York

Golgappe – build your own, burst-in-the-mouth puffed balls, tamarind and mint waters – 10

Punjabi samosa – stuffed, flaky and crispy spicy samosa, tamarind chutney, mint chutney – 14

Aloo tiki chaat – aloo tiki, channa masala, yogurt – 15

Shakarkand ki chaat – sweet potato, dates, tamarind, mint chutney – 15

Amritsari wadialoo – sun-dried lentil dumplings in heritage grandmother-style curry – 20

Aloo ghobi – cauli and potato curry,  ginger, dry mango seasoning – 20

Tandoor roti – whole wheat roti – 7

Dal dhabba – trio of mixed dal – 15

Rice – 10

AAM ras sorbet – 15

Healthy as a Motha

234 Union Ave., Brooklyn

Jajaja Mexicana 

63 Carmine St., New York; 162 E. Broadway, New York; 450 W. 33rd St., New York; 119 Kent Ave., Brooklyn

Buffalo pollo burrito – Crispy Daring chicken, buffalo, lettuce, fermented beans, guac, ranch – 16

Lucy’s Vietnamese

112 Berry St., Brooklyn; 1111 Bedford Ave., Brooklyn;  649 Grand St., Brooklyn’ 262 Irving Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11237

**Exclusive for in-store and lucysvietnamese.com orders**

Vegan Delight Menu

Summer rolls – choice of vegan ginger chick’n or lemongrass tofu – 4.50

Choice of:

Pho – Vietnamese noodle soup or Bahn mi – baguette sandwich (vegan ginger chick’n or tofu) – 14.95

Homemade iced tea – free

Mercury Bar West

659 9th Ave., New York

Vegan nachos – corn tortilla chips, vegan blend of jack and cheddar cheeses, refried back beans, pico de gallo, guacamole, vegan sour cream and house made salsa – 22

Mille Nonne

Essex Market, 88 Essex St., New York

House-made red beet and sweet potatoes gnocchi alla Sorrentina – vegan mozzarealla, tomato

Potato gnocchi – signature vegan pesto with basil, arugula, sunflower seeds

Lentil soup – GF

Chickpea and butternut squash soup – GF

Venetian bean soup – GF

Baked vegan eggplant parmigiana – GF, coconut oil-based cheese

Vegan eggplant parmigiana sandwich 

Vegan chocolate pudding – oat milk, topped with caramelized orange zest

Modern Love

317 Union Ave., Brooklyn

Menu coming soon

Neat Burger

25 Cleveland Pl., New York

Teriyaki quinoa bowl – Fable mushrooms marinated in our house teriyaki glaze, quinoa, roasted broccoli, with ginger slaw

Ras Plant-Based

739 Franklin Ave., Brooklyn

Three courses – $45 per person

Combo Sambusa – two pastry rolls filled with lentils and butternut squash

Minshet Abish – Ground pea protein stew. Onion, garlic, turmeric and Ras spice blend

Trisomeberry cake

Secret Vegan Kitchen

Pop-up kitchen

Bucket of Fried Chick’n – 3pcs house made fried chick’n, maple BBQ sauce and ranch. Served with tots – 20

Chopped Cheese Steak – Thin-sliced house steak, melted cheese, sautéed onions, lettuce, tomato, garlic mayo, chopped and mixed on a toasted roll. Served with fries – 18

Assorted Deli Heros – Showcasing our house made deli meats. Turkey, Ham, Roast Beef, Capocollo, Pepperoni, Pastrami, Bac’n – a different hero each week. served with potato chips – 15

Chocolate Cherry Cheesecake -NUT FREE- NY Style cheesecake with Maraschino cherries and chocolate chips – 7

Tiki Chick

517 Amsterdam Ave., New York

Tikilafel – Sweet and  savory falafel with grilled pineapple, pickled red cabbage, pickle chips, Smokey Sunset vegan sauce, Blue Lagoon vegan ranch paired with a cocktail – 20

VDM Sponsors

MyForest

Allow us to (re)introduce you to our flagship product, MyBacon! You may recognize it from the shelves of your local markets (we’re in 100+ stores in NYC!), but in case we haven’t met, MyBacon is a delicious, plant-based bacon alternative made from mycelium—the vegetative root structure of mushrooms—farm-grown by us in Upstate NY. MyBacon truly tastes, smells, and crunches like traditional bacon. Quotes from last month’s demos include: “Love that the ingredients are clean and straight forward, nothing processed! “WHAAAAT??!! That’s just mushrooms???!” I’m not vegan and I still love it. One of the greatest plant based alternatives out there.” We know you’ll love it too!

Vegan Friendly

Vegan Friendly stands as a global leader in advocating for the vegan lifestyle, established a decade ago and recently launched in the US. Their primary focus revolves around spreading awareness through international projects, campaigns, and events, and enhancing the accessibility of the vegan lifestyle through their distinctive certification program, tailored to support and boost the growth of vegan and vegan-friendly businesses. With a social media following exceeding 170K and their exclusive Vegan Friendly app, their substantial impact and influence mark them as a key player in promoting a more compassionate world. 

TiNDLE Foods

Founded in 2020, TiNDLE Foods is a food tech startup developing and commercializing delicious, innovative, and sustainable plant-based food brands. The company’s range of plant-based foods help contribute to a healthier planet – without having to compromise on taste, texture, and overall experience. Its popular flagship product, TiNDLE Chicken, features a distinctive and mouthwatering flavor and is made with simple, non-GMO ingredients. Easy to prepare and rich in flavor, TiNDLE Chicken has caught the eye of culinary professionals and home cooks globally and can be found in popular restaurants and grocery stores across the United States. To learn more and to find TiNDLE near you, visit www.tindle.com or follow on Instagram.

Abbot’s Butcher

Abbot’s Butcher crafts nourishing and delicious plant-based meats from 100% real food ingredients. Made simply from peas, vegetables, spices, and extra virgin olive oil, our foods deliver the hearty, meaty bite you crave with up to 18 grams of clean plant protein. Our plant-based meats are also free of gluten, soy, seed oils, and natural/artificial flavors so everyone can enjoy our juicy Chopped Chick’n, smoky “Chorizo”, and savory Ground “Beef” in their favorite dishes dining out or at home.

Hodo

Hodo is an award-winning plant-based foods company crafting tofu, yuba, and whole-ingredient meat and egg alternatives. From classic tofu to savory delights like our Vegan Egg Scramble and Thai Curry Nuggets, everything we make is delicious and nutrient-dense. We select only organic soybeans and the best ingredients, and true to our farmers’ market roots, we still use traditional methods in our process. So when you’re ready for easy, feel-good meals that will delight you with flavor, try something truly special. Try Hodo. Hodo’s specialties can be found in retailers including Whole Foods Market, Target, Safeway, Natural Grocers, and Stop & Shop.

The post Vegan Dining Month Guide: New York City (2024) appeared first on VegansBaby.

Is inflation cramping your style and preventing you from going out for lunch? New York City can be expensive and it’s even more challenging when looking for affordable vegan options. However, there are still great deals to be had if you know where to look. We’ve got you covered when it comes to good deals in one of the most vegan-friendly cities in the world. 

While you won’t be going to Chef Amanda Cohen’s Dirt Candy and indulging in vegan fine dining if you’re on a budget, there are plenty of menu items at affordable prices in the area for good food. While there aren’t any exclusively vegan restaurants on the list, it’s important to note that most vegan spots in these neighborhoods don’t open during the day, like Chef Shenarri Freeman’s Cadence (please order the Southern Fried Lasagne), Delice & Sarrasin or Superiority Burger. Spicy Moon, a fan favorite, does have an amazing lunch menu, but it doesn’t come in under $10 … though it’s close!

These are six of great spots in the Lower East Side and Downtown NYC where you can satisfy your hunger for $10 or less. Warning: they may become some of your favorite restaurants and give you good reason to spend more time in this diverse neighborhood. 

6 of our top picks for cheap vegan food in NYC

Rainbow Falafel

Founded in 1992 by Mohammad Jamal, this pocket-sized spot has been a staple in Union Square ever since. How popular is this vegan-friendly NYC locale? Lunchtime often finds a line snaking out the door thanks to the recipes Mohammad learned from his grandmother growing up in Syria. You know you’re getting the real thing when you order any of their plant-based meals.

There are several vegan options including the namesake falafel, stuffed grape leaves, hummus and savory pies (spinach or za’atar) all under $8. Our go-to’s are the falafel (not surprisingly) and spinach pie.

To this day the restaurant is a family affair and you’ll often find Mohammed behind the counter with his wife or son. It’s one of the best places in the area for budget-friendly plant-based menu options. There’s no seating but you can grab your grub and head over to Union Square to enjoy your bounty. 26 E 17th St.

Tokuyamatcha & Onigirazu Bar

This well-hidden vegan-friendly great place in Alphabet City’s menu features a couple of vegan items for people who love a plant-based diet. For just $10, your choice of filling is enveloped in sushi rice and wrapped-up in nori seaweed for the perfect on-the-go lunch.

There are two vegan options on the menu and one vegetarian tofu option that can easily be made vegan. Simply ask for them to swap non-vegan mayo for the vegan version. We had the tofu onigirazu and our taste buds couldn’t have been happier (or fuller!). And if you’re a green tea lover, don’t miss their ceremonial grade matcha drinks!

Fun fact: the owners also own hair salons in NYC and Tokyo and opened this spot in an effort to “Spread some Japanese culture with love,” and we’re so happy they did. While seating is extremely limited, consider taking your onigirazo to 6BC Botanical Garden, a small neighborhood oasis across the street, to enjoy your meal. 627 E 6th St.

Yubu  

Yubu means “fried bean curd (tofu)” in Korean. And that’s exactly what you’ll find at this great spot which specializes in palm-sized pockets of tofu skin stuffed with sushi-style rice and other Korean-spiced toppings. Choose from spicy mushroom, bulgogi flavored mushroom or avocado at $3.50 a pop. Grab a few fun flavors to make a meal.

It has multiple locations. The East Village location is take-out only (sometimes there are a few outdoor seats in nice weather), while the SoHo location has indoor seating for about 14. If you’re at the East Village location, just head over to Tompkins Square Park for a place to eat with great people-watching! 86 E 7th St., 46 Grand St.

Manousheh

Established in 2013, Manousheh is a popular spot  and a welcome addition to the neighborhood that expanded from a pop-up in Nolita to two locations in Manhattan (Bleeker St. near Washington Square Park & Grand St.).

It’s namesake, Manousheh, is a Lebanese flatbread with various toppings, most commonly Za’atar (a spice mixture of sumac, oregano and sesame seeds) mixed with olive oil. Here, you can also get this comfort food with hummus, falafel or Muhammara (a red pepper, pomegranate, walnut spread) ranging in price for $6 – $9.

In addition, they serve fatayer (a savory pie) stuffed with spinach, tomato, onions and lemon juice for $8. It’s definitely the right place to head for cheaper vegan eats in the city and an excellent spot for Lebanese food. 193 Bleecker Street; 403 Grand St.

The Kati Roll Company 

First, what is a kati roll? Simply put, kati rolls are wraps made by enfolding a variety of fillings inside a roti (a type of Indian flatbread) and are a popular street food all over Kolkata (formerly Calcutta).

Nostalgic for the street food of her hometown, Payal Saha opened The Kati Roll Company in 2002 after moving to NYC from Kolkata. She had a feeling the hand-sized self contained rolls would be perfect for busy New Yorkers – and she was right.

With four NYC locations, including Greenwich Village/West Village, vegans can choose between the Aloo Masala Roll (mashed potato patty with tomatoes, peppers & spices) or the Chana Masala Roll (chickpeas with tomatoes). The best part? Each are under $7. 49 W. 39th St; 99 MacDougal St;. 229 E .53rd St.; 22 Maiden Ln.

Mamoun’s Falafel 

 

 

 

 

 

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The oldest falafel restaurant in the city, Mamoun’s has been serving up authentic Middle Eastern food since 1971. Founded by Mamoun Charter who emigrated from Damascus, Syria, the business is run today by his four sons.

And while they have expanded with locations throughout the Northeast, you can still visit the OG spot in Greenwich Village where you can pick up a fully loaded falafel for only $5,99. Since they’re always busy you can be assured of a freshly made hot sandwich. And since that location is open until 2am, it’s the perfect place for a post bar crawl bite. 30 St. Marks Pl.; 119 Macdougal St.

So it’s true there’s no such thing as a free lunch. But, if you know about these excellent spots, you can get some of the best vegan food for $10 or less! 

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[Editor’s Note: Fragile Flour sadly closed its doors August 2023. However, Lady Ashton is still creating vegan baked goods. Reach out directly to her if you’d like to secure some vegan cake in NYC]

Updated: Sept. 27, 2023

Tucked into a sliver of a first floor in a pre-war East Village building is Fragile Flour. Created and owned by Overthrow Hospitality, the vegan juggernaut of restaurant groups, this cozy, brick-walled spot is a rarity in the plant-based world — it’s an entire vegan bakery. IMO, it’s the best vegan bakery in Manhattan. Or the country.

A few little pedestal tables make up the “dining room” and, beyond that lies what customers come for: Baker Lady Ashton‘s glass case filled with decadent sweets.

Here, vegan cupcakes filled with chocolate cream or gooey marshmallows or fruit jam are lined up. Black and white cookies overlap each other. Fruit tarts glimmer through the case as wide-eyed visitors take it all in.

Next to the massive display is a spinning cake stand with fresh, gorgeous cakes towering at least three layers high loll around, encased in glass. The chalkboard sign invites you to grab a slice, or hell, take home the entire, marvelous cake. (And yes, there are plenty of gluten-free options, including vegan and gluten-free cake.)

Behind the counter, wine bottles line the wall. Because, after all, what good is a vegan dessert shop without some vegan wine to wash it down? Should you find yourself with some time to give in to the utter indulgence of the space, devour a slice and sip.

“I guess I’ll take a little of everything to showcase,” I sigh, utterly overwhelmed and feeling like I’ve stumbled into this embarrassment of riches without a true game plan.

So, we get to work selecting the different desserts I will sample.

A slice of the raspberry iced cake.

A slice of the Funfetti cake.

A popcorn cookie (made with corn flour and sprinkled with salt. While the team assure me it tastes like popcorn, I don’t taste it. But, it’s still damn good.)

A S’mores cupcake.

A strawberry cream cookie.

And so much more.

As per usual, I set up my camera to document the lavish vegan treats now set up on the table in varying heights (because we’ve got to make it look good, ya know?).

I get to work, delicately forking the cake and letting it sit and soak into my tongue. It’s sweet. Moist. The icing is light, fluffy, and doesn’t leave a film of oil most vegan icings tend to leave on your lips. I smile, delighted by the treat.

Then, it’s on to the cupcake. Because content. I cut into it, slowly taking the knife and moving it into the center before guiding the pieces apart and splaying the middle so everyone can see the oozing marshmallow inside.

Finally, it’s the cookie break.

For some reason, social media loves a good break, and I split the cooking apart with my thumbs slowly, making sure every tiny crumb is captured on camera, before stacking the pieces together so the innards — a swirl of blonde cookie and light pink strawberry creme are on perfect display.

Is Fragile Flour worth a visit? Absolutely. It’s the best vegan dessert spot I’ve ever been to, even if I don’t get the popcorn cookie.

1227 E. 7th St., New York, NY 10009; Weds. – Fri.: 2 p.m. – 9 p.m., Sat.: noon – 9 p.m., Sun.: noon – 5 p.m.

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Supported by Veganuary and brought to you by Ace Natural. Benefitting Support + Feed. Jan. 1 – 31, 2023

Welcome to New York City Vegan Dining Month 2023!

This January marks the inaugural year of Vegan Dining Month by Vegans, Baby. Designed to complement Veganuary and to highlight the diverse vegan culinary scene in NYC, this year there are more than 20 vegan and vegan-friendly restaurants in town to support. During the month, participating restaurants are offering special dishes or prix fixe menus to showcase vegan food. A portion of all Vegan Dining Month dishes sold this year benefits Support + Feed, the official NYC non-profit partner. The organization works to combat food insecurity and the climate crisis. 

Here’s a map of participating restaurants to make it easy to find vegan food near you.

This event is separate and not affiliated with Restaurant Week. Restaurants participating in VDM do so for the entire month of January and donate a portion of the proceeds from the dishes below to Support + Feed.

NYC Vegan Dining Month Participating Restaurants

Avant Garden

Paella  – with calasparra rice, Merguez royal trumpet, almonds, red pepper cream

Ayza – beginning Jan. 6

$95 prix fixe menu for two

Appetizer tasting plate

Smoked eggplant – pickled peppers & freshly chopped parsley

Mixed marinated olives – herb infused EVOO

Hummus dip – EVOO, freshly chopped parsley & juicy kalamata olive

Ayza’s guacamole – mango and radish salsa, crunchy green plantains chips & pomegranate seeds

1 Salad

Anjou pear salad – baby rocket arugula, juicy Anjou pear, roasted walnuts, fresh chopped strawberries, vegan cheese and port wine reduction

2 Entrees

Impossible burger – plant-based burger patty, plum tomato, onion, romaine lettuce, plant-based cheddar cheese and creamy avocado chimichurri sauce

Asparagus ravioli – asparagus ravioli with wild oyster mushroom with almond pesto sauce

1 Dessert

Dark Chocolate Fondue – Belgian dark chocolate with strawberries and bananas

Cadence

Smoked grits –  with tomatoes, rosemary butter, garnished with fried oyster mushrooms and crispy garlic

Caravan of Dreams

Cauliflower Cakes – tender cauliflower and red lentil cakes, topped with cashew mint raita sauce, over a bed of Cayuga Pure Organic Fingerlakes grown farro, made with orange and saffron, harissa sauce, and baby bok choi. Sautéed in garlic and avocado oil

Earthen

Smoked ‘chorizo quesadilla’ – housemade chorizo, guajillo salsa, peppers, cheese, guacamole, sour cream, salsa verde, wheat tortilla

Etérea

Corn rib elote – pickled red onion, Cotjija cheese, cilantro ailoi

Ladurée Paris – SoHo location

Vegan omelet – vegan ham, tomato concasse, mushrooms, vegan cheese

Ladybird

KFB (Korean fried broccoli) –  with tempura fried broccoli, gochujang tamari sauce, sesame, scallion

Lekka Burger

Teriyaki Burger –  Teriyaki sauce, grilled pineapple, red onion, and cabbage.

Luz

$25 Prix Fixe Menu

Soup, choice of flatbread, bowl or salad, dessert

Marty’s V Burgers

Crunchwrap – Beyond or Impossible patty topped with spicy mayo, cheeze sauce, tortilla chips, pico de gallo and shredded lettuce in a grilled tortilla

Organic Grill

$25 prix fixe menu: cup of soup of the day and choice of burger:

Green Machine burger – roasted mushroom patty, nut-free pesto, housemade soy-free cheddar, guac, lettuce, tomato, sprouts. Served with pickle and kraut on side.

Original “OG” burger- Original Organic Grill’s patty topped with sunflower sour cream drizzle, buffalo sauce, cashew spirulina blue cheese, lettuce, tomato, sprouts. Served with pickle and kraut on side.

Rich Roll’s Lentil Tzatziki burger – lentil patty served with tzatziki sauce, fresh cucumber ribbons, lettuce, tomatoes, and sprouts on potato dill bun. Served with pickle and kraut on side.

Spicy black bean burger – with aquafaba sriracha mayo, onions, avocado, pico de gallo, lettuce, tomato, sprouts. Served with pickle and kraut on side.

PLNT Burger

$45 PLNT Burger special:

1 Mushroom Bacon BBQ burger, 1  Crispy Chik’N sandwich, 1 12-piece Lil’ Dippers (with 2 sauces), 2 large fries (with 2 sauces), and 2 large milkshakes

Public Records

Oyster mushroom enchilada tacos – Heirloom corn tortilla, almond cotija, red onion, cilantro creama seared lime

Pure Grit BBQ

Raíz Modern Mexican

Rabbit

12-course raw vegan tasting menu – $75 per person

Soda Club

Gigli  – with truffle cream sauce and leeks

Vegan Hood

Tunnel chixn sandwich – vegan chix’n seasoned, breaded and fried, then tossed in housemade buffalo sauce. With vegan mozzarella, lettuce, tomato, pickles, ranch sauce

Flatbush – vegan oxtail seasoned with west Indian blend of herbs and spices, pan seared with butter beans. Served with choice of two sides

Vegan on the Fly

Chopped cheese loaded fries

Zooba Eats

Vegan Dining Month Sponsors

Title: Ace Natural

Ace Natural is the New York wholesale plant-based authority. The provide the freshest and cleanest selection of fresh, certified organic produce in the Tri-State area. The offer the largest selection of natural and organic foods to restaurants and retailers.

Gold: MyForest Foods

MyForest Foods is the maker of MyBacon, which is made using mycelium. Grown inside a special farm, MyBacon is wildly meat-like and uses minimal ingredients. MyBacon is now sold at select restaurants and retailers throughout the New York and New England region, with New York City availability at: Westerly Natural Market (Midtown), Elm Wellness (West Village), Lifethyme (Greenwich Village) and Health Nuts (Upper East Side). Find the details on all these retailers and more at MyForestFoods.com/Find-MyBacon

Gold: VFC

VFC was founded by Matthew Glover, co-founder of Veganuary, and innovative chef, Adam Lyons. Their mission is to spare chicken from the cruelty of animal agriculture with great-tasting food made from plants. Vegan Fried Chick*n is available on GTFO It’s Vegan, Ralphs on the west coast, and in independent retailers across the US.

Silver: Vegan Wines

Vegan Wines is the only vegan wine important and distributor in the country. They offer a vegan wine club for customers and also provide vegan wines to restaurants in New York City and beyond. The BIPOC, women-owned business ensures all wines are vegan from soil to pour. Owner Frances Gonzalez personally travels to vineyards around the world to meet with winemakers to share information regarding veganic wine-making and hand-selects each winemaker for Vegan Wines portfolio. 

Bronze: Abbot’s Butcher

Abbot’s Butcher is leading the next generation of plant-based meats by offering a variety of protein alternatives made from simple, wholesome ingredients. Founded in 2017, Abbot’s Butcher grew out of farmers’ markets across Southern California and has since expanded into grocers, markets, and restaurants throughout the country. Abbot’s Butcher’s ethos revolves around the belief that food can be both craveable and healing for our bodies and the planet. Each of Abbot’s Butcher’s plant-based meats are Non-GMO Project Verified, Vegan-certified, Whole30 approved, and completely free from soy, canola oil, or additives.

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@thedianaedelman Went to SoHo, ate a lot #QuickandEasy #newyorkvegan #vegannyc #nycvegan #sohonyc #nycfoodie ♬ We Busy – Charlotte Tilbury

Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, Lindens makes a perfect spot for a date or get together. Staff here are all knowledgeable about vegan dining. And, the general manager happens to be vegan, too.

New York City Vegan-Friendly Restaurant: Lindens

Vegan breakfast options at Lindens

First up, there are a few vegan breakfast dishes at Lindens. For example, they’ve got overnight oats with grilled pineapple and melon, sprinkle with cinnamon. Other vegan options are an açai bowl, and a vegan sausage, egg and cheese. 

For sides, you can order an Impossible patty with housemade apricot and sage, a mixed berry salad or a green salad.

Vegan lunch and options

Vegan options at Lindens for lunch include a quinoa bowl with green beans, cucumbers and radishes. It’s tossed in a niçoise olive vinaigrette. This dish is the only one that’s specifically on the lunch menu and not the dinner menu.

In addition, they have a crispy fennel pita bread with herb-infused olive oil, aleppo pepper and aged balsamic. They also have Giardiniera with pickled veggies and hummus and a grilled King Oyster mushroom with rosemary and mushroom vinaigrette.

For main courses, try their pasta pomodoro with fresh roma tomatoes.

Other vegan options include an Impossible cheeseburger, or spiced cauliflower with gigante beans, crispy quinoa and citrus gremolata.

Vegan dessert

Finish off your meal with a vegan dessert at Lindens. Presented tableside, it features scoops of vegan ice cream, along with an assortment of fixings and sauce.

2 Renwick St., NYC, 10013; 212-390-8484; Mon. – Sat.: 8 a.m. – 10 p.m., Sun.: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

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@thedianaedelman No one will know it’s vegan #vegantravel #nycveganrestaurants #nycfoodie #nyctiktok #nycvegan ♬ Dancing in the Moonlight – Jubël

Located in Gramercy, Coletta’s menu is a hearty experience rich in flavor. A sexy dining room that starts with floor-to-ceiling windows and high tops before giving way to the bar and more seating makes the perfect date night restaurant.

New York City Vegan Restaurant: Coletta

Coletta serves everything from brick oven pizzas and pasta to innovate new dishes like the “Tuna” Crudo with “tuna” from Current Foods. 

What to order at Coletta

“Tuna” Crudo

It looks like tuna. It has a very similar texture as tuna. And, it’s dressed with enough flavoring to actually make you think you’re eating tuna. Only, it’s definitely not tuna. Using Current Foods tuna, this crudo is a perfect light starter. It features the tuna along with pickled red onions and capers. It comes topped with a healthy drizzle of EVOO, cracked black pepper and seaweed caviar. Oregano flatbread accompanies the dish.

Puttanesca “Meatballs”

This appetizer steals the show. Vegan meatballs cooked in a lemon brown butter sauce come with melted mozzarella. It’s served in a sea of gorgeous puttanesca sauce with capers, kalamata olives and roma tomatoes. To make this dish even more perfect, there’s pillowy garlic knots.

Calamari

We’re always going to try vegan calamari if it’s on the menu. And, this calamari didn’t disappoint. It’s made with King Oyster ‘shrooms that are lightly breaded. A parsley lemon sauce and marinara come alongside it for dipping.

Fig Jam and “Prosciutto” Pizza

Next is the 12″ pizza. There are a handful of pizza offerings but this one stands out the most. The ‘za is topped with melty (it’s even got a little pull!) cheese with a housemade fig jam, fresh slices of Mission figs, crispy “prosciutto”, baby arugula, vegan parm and aged balsamic. It’s the perfect balance of sweet and savory on a pizza.

“Steak” Marsala

The star of the show is the “Steak” Marsala at Coletta. Smothered in a marsala suace is a seared seitan steak that’s divine. In fact, it’s one of the best seitan dishes we’ve ever had. Baked lemon potatoes and grilled asparagus spears come on the side.

Coletta Tiramisu

Finally, save room for dessert. Espresso liquor-infused ladyfingers with Madagascar vanilla cream make up this creamy goodness. Shaved dark chocolate and cocoa powder top it off.

365 3rd Ave., New York City, 10016; 646-861-2889; Mon. – Thurs.: 4:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m., Fri.: 4:30 p.m. – 11:30 p.m., Sat.: 11:30 a.m. – 11:30 p.m., Sun.: 11:30 a.m. – 10:30 p.m.

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It’s entirely plant-based and entirely gluten-free, making it the perfect spot in New York City if you’re  gluten-free and vegan. Or just want want a vibrant, flavor-packed meal without all the processed eats.

@thedianaedelman The nachos are epic #PassTheBIC #nycveganrestaurants #nycfoodie #vegantravel #nyctiktok #womenchef #nycvegan ♬ BOMBÓN – Daddy Yankee & El Alfa & Lil Jon

Opened at the end of April 2021, the popular NYC vegan restaurant isn’t even a year old and it’s packing the house nightly. Led by Executive Chef Xila Caudillo, it serves plant-based, gluten-free small plates that honor her Mexican heritage and Southern California upbringing.

New York City Vegan Restaurant: Etérea

Etérea offers a menu loaded with choices, including craft cocktails with a focus on both mezcal and tequila. So, start your meal off with our pick, the Retox made with Reposado, jalapeño, maple, lemon and chili salt. If that’s not your vibe, it’s ok — their cocktail list is impressive. They even have a couple of cocktails that benefit charities, like Pocket Seeds made with Resposado, citrus, sunflower seed orgeat, curaçao and pimento. Money from that drink goes to the Ukranian National Women’s League of America.

But, let’s be real. You’re here for the feast, and that’s exactly what you’ll get. The menu is broken down into sections — bocados, platos, tacos and postres.

Bocados

Small plates, bocados range from broccoli coated in corn dog batter with chipotle aioli, salsa verde, pickled jalapeños and slaw. Be sure to dip it into the few dollops of mustard on the plate to give it a little extra kick.

We also love the tostados. They’re served two-a-plate and come topped with marinated tomato, fresh slices of perfect avocado and chipotle aioli. Crispy leeks top it all off.

In addition, other bocados include guac and ceviche made with mushrooms, avocado and mango.

Tacos

For those who want tacos, they’ve got two choices.

First, there’s the zucchini taco. It comes with fried, smoked cheese (so good!), along with BBQ sauce, cole slaw and pickled jalapeño. 

Second is the aciento taco. It’s made with mushrooms and a nut and seed aciento and topped with mezcal habanero salsa, mango and spiced peanuts.

Platos

First, we’ve got to talk about the star of the show — Etérea’s nachos. We were warned they were huge, but it wasn’t until the massive came out did we fully comprehend the magnitude of the dish.

It’s a sea of fresh nachos covered with jackfruit, pickled jalapeños and onions and beans. It’s finished off with cheese sauce, crema, mezcal salsa and cilantro and adorned with edible, glitter-sprinkled flowers. It serves at least two people and makes the perfect starter.

However, our fave dish is the Corn Ribs Elote. This gorgeously photogenic dish featured corn on-the-cob that’s been sliced into “ribs” and covered in smoked paprika and cilantro aioli along with pickled red onion and crumbled cheese. The corn is oh-so tender and bursts with flavor. So, get your hands a little dirty and nibble on these.

There are a few other platos on the menu as well. They serve tamales with trumpet ‘shrooms and jackfruit, plus brussels sprouts, and cauliflower in a ranchero sauce with crispy black beans.

Dessert

Finally, there’s dessert if you’ve still got room. The hibiscus dulce de leche comes topped with a scoop of guava ice cream, fresh berries and a flower. Super photogenic. And delicious.

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@thedianaedelman Add this to your foodie list in NYC #ByeByeSundayBlues #nycvegan #nycveganrestaurants #nycfoodie #nyctiktok ♬ Coconut – Chair Model

The chef-driven restaurant, helmed by Chef Guy Vaknin, originally opened its doors in 2012. Since then, it’s grown to offer numerous locations across Manhattan. Vaknin rose to fame the same year his restaurant opened, appearing as a contestant on FOX’s Hell’s Kitchen Season 10. 

Focusing on a casual menu with veggie sushi at the heart of it, Beyond Sushi offers a bounty of gorgeous and flavorful dishes. They’re using fresh ingredients that are sustainable, as well as healthy.

So, what should you order at Beyond Sushi?

We’re so glad you asked.

5 dishes to order at Beyond Sushi

1. Shiitake Truffle Dumplings

No matter what, start your meal with Beyond Sushi’s shiitake truffle dumplings. These dumplings come stuffed with braised shiitake, baked tofu, spinach, porcini mushrooms and shiitake truffle. So rich and flavorful, they come topped with a spicy bean sauce.

2. Gua Bao

Another must-try item is the Gua Bao. These buns feature delicate braised seitan that melts-in-your mouth, along with fennel, star anise, ginger and agave. The soft bao buns are drizzled with a smoked pepper sauce, sliced chili, crushed peanuts and cilantro.

3. Spicy “Tuna” and Zalmon Tartare

Vaknin has almost perfectly re-created tuna in this vegan tuna tartare dish. Piled high on top of creamy avocado are chunks of tuna and zalmon with a toasted cayenne sauce and sprinkled with scallions. It comes with a side of warm taro root chips for dipping. Although, if you’re like us, you’ll just grab a fork and dig in.

4. Rainbow Roll

The Rainbow Roll is the show-stopper on the menu if you’re bringing non-vegan friends to feast. Vaknin’s rendition of the rainbow roll comes filled with gobo, cucumber, avocado, pickled red cabbage and dill, plus his tuna. A top the roll is thinly sliced avocado and zalmon that will make you do a double-take.

5. Ube Cashew Cheesecake

Finally, wrap up your meal with the ube cashew cheesecake. This light dessert can most definitely be shared … but you might not want to actually share it. The ube cheesecake comes on a ginger cookie crust — the perfect compliment to the gentle sweet of the ube. Then, it’s topped with hot fudge and ginger cookie streusel.

134 W. 37th St., New York, 10018; 212-564-0869; Sun. – Thurs.: 11:30 a.m. – 9:30 p.m., Fri. – Sat.: 11:30 a.m. – 10:30 p.m.

1429 3rd Ave., New York, 10028; 646-559-1235; 11:30 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.

62 W. 56th St., New York, 10019; 646-964-5097; 11:30 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.

215 Mulberry St., New York, 10012; 646-609-4442; 11:39 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.

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1. Vito’s Slices and Ices

For a true NY-style slice of pizza, head to Vito’s Slices and Ices. Located in Hell’s Kitchen, this spot offers vegan pizza topped with Pleese Cheese. Get it by the slice, or make your own to take home. You can choose from NY-style, Upside Down Sicilian or Grandma pies.

2. Tavola

What makes Tavola special are the gigantic wood-burning pizza ovens in the back of this cozy Italian restaurant. The Vesuvio volcanic ovens were handcrafted in Naples, Italy. Neopolitan pizzas, here you can get a margherita pizza with Pleese Cheese or veganize a pie like the amazing Medina. It’s made with fresh figs, drizzled with balsamic and sprinked with sesame seeds. 

3. Scarr’s

Over in the Lower East Side is Scarr’s. This spot offers massive NY-style pizzas with chewy crust, tangy marinara sauce and the perfect amount of cheese courtesy of Numu. 

4. Zazzy’s

Another NY-style pizza spot, Zazzy’s has locations in the Lower East Side, West Village and Upper East Side. They’re using Numu, too.

5. Lil’ Frankie’s

For a ‘za sans the cheese, head to Lil’ Frankie’s in the East Village. This cash-only Italian restaurant offers a marinara pizza with a kick and it’s one of the best we’ve had. Pillow crust, slightly spicy sauce, chunks of garlic. It’s a must.

6. Paulie Gee’s Slice Shop

Located in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, Paulie Gee’s Slice Shop is one of our favorites in town. They’ve got a few options to choose from, ranging from NY-style to the Upside Down Sicilian. Our pick is the Vegan Freddie Prinze, an Upside Down Sicilian topped with Numu mozzarella, thick sauce, vegan sausage and a sprinkle of Follow Your Heart vegan parm.

7. Screamer’s

A totally vegan spot, Screamer’s offers a variety of pizzas to enjoy. The Brooklyn-based joint (Greenpoint and Crown Heights), serves up nearly 20 types of vegan pizzas from basic to pizzas like the Clean Slide with long hot pepper pesto, broccolini, seitan sausage, Numu cheese, tomato sauce stripes on a sesame seed crust.

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@thedianaedelman

2021 was TASTY ##2021food ##2021foodtrends ##plantbasedtiktok ##veganfoodie ##nycfoodie

♬ STAY – The Kid LAROI & Justin Bieber

If I had to pick one meal that was the most astonishing, the most delicious, the most get-thee-there-immediately, it would be Cadence in NYC’s East Village. Helmed by the talented Chef Shennari Freeman, the plant-based soul food spot has taken the city by storm. 

But, this post is about celebrating chefs and dishes from Las Vegas, New York and abroad on my travels in 2021. And, while I’ve probably had upwards of 200 meals out this year, these are the absolute best ones.

19 of the best vegan dishes I had in 2021

1. JUST Egg Omelette with Shredded Hashbrowns – Black and Blue Diner

Food Network Chef Vic Moea opened Black and Blue Diner early 2021 with the goal of bringing to life diners from his life growing up on the East Coast in New Jersey, along with diners of the south like Waffle House. What sets this spot apart from others in Las Vegas is the large vegan menu. The JUST Egg omelette is light, fluffy and comes with a side of perfectly crispy, buttery hashbrowns. Las Vegas

2. Detroit Vegan Pizza – Guerrilla Pizza

Guerrilla Pizza hands down makes the best vegan pizza in all the land. Robbie Cunningham has mastered the crispy-on-the-outside, soft-on-the-inside Detroit deep dish crust, and everything that comes with it. His sauce has the right amount of tang with a gentle kiss of spice, melty vegan cheese and toppings like vegan Hungarian sausage made with spices Cunningham’s grandma used. Las Vegas

3. Custom Cake – Frolic and Folly

Launched late 2020, vegan baker Amber Lopez’s Frolic and Folly has quickly climbed into the cake spotlight thanks to her gorgeous creations and offerings. Customers can pick filings, icings and more and the result is always decadent, beautiful cakes that you’d never know were vegan. Las Vegas

4. Nashville Hot – Garden Grill

Vegan restaurant darling Garden Grill nails the Nashville Hot chick’n sandwich with gusto. The homemade chick’n patties are breaded and fries, resulting in crispy, crunchy goodness like nothing else in down. Then, add in the hot sauce, pickles and slaw and you’ve got the Valley’s best vegan chicken sandwich. Las Vegas

5. Mushroom Clay Pot – Chikyū Vegan Sushi & Izakaya

Opened during the pandemic for take-out, it wasn’t until March 2021 I finally made it inside to dine. While everything on the all-vegan Chikyū menu is fantastic and plated with thought and beauty, there are a few standouts. The mushroom clay pot is one of them. Served piping hot, this mushroom and rice dish comes topped with soft chunks of tofu. Every bite is cozy, with a rich umami flavor you’ll love. TBH, I don’t have a photo because it’s always dark when I go and the camera never eats this dish first. Las Vegas

6. Truffle Meatloaf – Barry’s Downtown Prime

Barry’s Downtown Prime may be a steakhouse, but they’ve embraced the plant-based movement. The stunning, sultry restaurant offers one of the city’s best vegan dishes – a hearty vegan meatloaf with potatoes and leeks, topped with thin slices of truffles. Las Vegas

7. Scallion Pancakes – Black Sheep

Chef Jamie Tran’s Black Sheep combines her Vietnamese roots with French cooking techniques and the results are pretty spectacular. Tran, who made it to the final four of Bravo’s Top Chef in 2021, makes the best scallion pancakes I’ve ever had. The thin, crispy pancakes come topped with spicy braised shiitake mushrooms, jicama, pickled radish and micro cilantro. They come two to an order, and they’re so good I don’t share. Las Vegas

8. Southern Fried Lasagna – Cadence

When Shennari Freeman created the soul food menu at Cadence, owner Ravi DeRossi questioned the soul food-ness of lasagna. Freeman explained it was a staple in her house growing up, so it stayed … but DeRossi wanted it to be different. The idea came to him to fry it, so he told Freeman to figure it out. And, figure it out she did. Served two to a plate on a bed of flavorful tomato sauce, the Southern Fried lasagna is filled with homemade vegan cheese and a bolognese with Beyond. From the initial crunchy crack of cutting it open, to every bite, the meal is satisfying and absolutely delicious. You’ve never had a lasagna like this and won’t anywhere else. New York City

9. FLOC – Souley Vegan

Speaking of vegan soul food, over in Las Vegas (and LA, San Francisco and Oakland) Souley Vegan is serving up Creole soul food. My favorite dish of Chef Tamearra Dyson’s is the FLOC. Also known as For Lover’s of Calamari, the dish uses breaded hearts of palm to recreate calamari. The texture is pretty spot-on and the flavor is excellent. It’s definitely one of the best vegan calamari dishes I’ve ever had. Las Vegas, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Oakland

10. Escargot – Delice and Sarrasin

Tiny King oyster mushrooms sizzle in a vegan garlic butter in Delice and Sarrasin. An all vegan French restaurant in NYC’s West Village, Delice and Sarrasin’s take on escargot offers soft mushrooms bathed in garlic butter with a side of toasted bread to dip it in. Yes, please. New York City

11. Crab Benedict – Good Morning Kitchen + Cocktails

Aside from being absolutely Instagram-worthy, the vegan crab benedict at Good Morning Kitchen + Cocktails is delicious. The brunch spot offers a large selection of vegan eats, but the benedict stands out with its hearts of palm for the crab and added crunch of baby corn. It’s served with JUST Egg and topped with rich hollandaise sauce, arugula, chives and avocado on a toasted English muffin. Las Vegas

12. Strawberry Shortcake – Whipped Urban Dessert Lab

While you can choose-your-own adventure at Whipped Urban Dessert Lab, the Strawberry Shortcake has my heart. The world’s first oat milk soft serve spot located in NYC’s Lower East Side is what sweet ice cream dreams are made of. The Strawberry Shortcake, with fresh strawberry sauce, sweet creme ice cream and crumble takes me back to the Good Humor bar’s of the same name. But, this version is even better. New York City

13. Freddie Prinze Jr. – Paulie Gee’s Slice Shop

Located in the Greenpoint neighborhood of Brooklyn, Paulie Gee’s Slice Shop offers some of the best slices of vegan pizza I’ve had. An upside down Sicilian crust with sesame seeds, the Freddie Prinze comes topped with sauce, Beyond crumbles, Numu and Follow Your Heart parmesan. It’s a tiny bit sweet, savory and all-around delicious.

14. Bread and Sunflower Butter – Eleven Madison Park

When the Michelin-starred Eleven Madison Park re-opened June 2021 plant-based, it got a lot of hype, as well as a lot of criticism. Who was going to pay hundreds of dollars for plant-based tasting menu? The answer was a lot of people. Booked out for months, Chef Daniel Humm and his team have created a whimsical menu showcasing plants, from tiny seeds used as vegan caviar to tender eggplant topped with flowers. I’m probably going to get heat for this, but what stole the show was the sunflower butter crafted to look like a sunflower, and the hot, flakey bread. It was so good we ordered another round. New York City

15. Lasagna – NYC Vegan Foodie Weekend with Chef Mario Buccellati

PHOTO: MARIO BUCCELLATI

When I first tried the menu by Chef Mario Buccellati for the NYC Vegan Foodie Weekend I curated, I was in love. Every dish he made with like biting into one of the best dishes of my life. And, Buccellati’s lasagna was no exception. Everything — from the pasta to the cheese — was homemade and sensational. While you can’t get his lasagna, you can head to Galioto’s Delicatessen in Little Italy where Buccellati has created the all-vegan menu. Everything’s homemade, from the seitan to the cheese, and it’s all amazing. New York City

16. High Tea – 12 Apostles

High teas don’t get more breathtaking or stunning than the one served at 12 Apostles alongside the magnificent coast in Cape Town, South Africa. From the chocolate dipped strawberries to the scones and jam, to the tiny finger sandwiches, this vegan high tea is one of the best in the world. Cape Town, South Africa

17. Mushroom Risotto – Shamwari Private Game Reserve

Set aside the fact that outside the colonial restaurant at Long Lee Manor lions and elephants and giraffes are roaming in the bush and the mushroom risotto is still the best I’ve ever had. Creamy, rich umami flavors and perfectly cooked rice, I’ve made sure anyone coming with me to South Africa on the Alluring Africa trip I curated gets to experience this dish. Shamwari Private Game Reserve, South Africa

18. Supr Betr – Jerrell’s Betr Brgr

Are Jerrell’s Betr Brgr’s the best vegan burgers I’ve ever had? Yes. Is this perhaps the best vegan burger spot in all of Manhattan? Also, yes. I don’t know what magic Jerrell Obee is doing back on the griddle, but damn. He’s making some amazing burgers. The Super Betr is the burger of my dreams. It’s got two Impossible patties, melted vegan cheese, vegan bacon, chili, jalapeños, plus the usual lettuce, tomato, grilled onions and pickles. Divine. New York City

19. NYC Style Pizza with Pleese Cheese – Vito’s Slices and Ices

In case it’s not apparent yet, pizza is my love language. Over at Vito’s Slices and Ice’s, they’re making New York-style pizzas topped with Pleese Cheese. It’s an allergen-free vegan cheese that melts so beautifully. Pair it with crusty NY pizza and a spread of sauce and mmmm. New York City

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