New York City is one of the best places in the world to be vegan. Its vibrant veg food scene lives up to the hype. Just recently, popular vegan guide HappyCow ranked it third in its list of 10 top vegan-friendly cities citing a high concentration of vegan restaurants within a 5-mile radius. NYC is a veritable vegan foodie's paradise with so many dining options. Not to mention a wide array of cafes and restaurants with veg options. With hundreds of establishments to choose from, we picked five of the unmissable vegan places and the must-try foods on their menus.
Toad Style
Banh mi and fries
Whoever said you have to give up a lot of good stuff when you go vegan is sorely mistaken. Toad Style offers some of the best reasons to indulge. From their burgers to sandwiches and everything in between, this casual restaurant makes vegan eating fun and deliciously simple. Their food is not only 100% vegan but also soy and palm oil-free. The banh mi is something you would not want to miss. Their take on this ubiquitous Vietnamese sandwich includes a list of ingredients such as coconut-crusted fried oyster mushrooms, pickled veg, cilantro, cucumber, aioli, pate & hot sauce on a baguette. The BBQ Pulled Jackfruit Sandwich, which is served on a potato bun is also good. The smoked jackfruit has a meaty texture to it. And the slaw, pickles, and sweet-tangy BBQ sauce complement the whole thing.
Candle Cafe
Located on 3rd Ave, Candle Cafe is one of the three chains of NY-based restaurants that include Candle 79 in East 79th Street and Candle West in Broadway. The cafe-style restaurant is known for its laid-back and relaxing ambiance and of course its scrumptious selections of food and beverages. The Mexican Lasagna is a tasty creation made with corn tortillas, black beans, cauliflower chorizo, violife cheese, corn, sautéed greens, poblano tomatillo sauce, and almond sour cream. Make sure to leave some room for dessert as their chocolate mousse pie is absolutely divine.
Amituofo Vegan Cuisine
Impossible Burger
This all-vegan restaurant is one of the latest addition to NYC's ever-growing list of veg-friendly food spots. Amituofo Vegan Cuisine serves Asian-inspired and homestyle-cooking food with zero animal products. They have the popular Impossible Burger (juicy plant-based patty with vegan cheese, lettuce, caramelized onions, tomatoes, pickles with mayo and mustard on a toasted sesame bun.
Juicy plant-based patty, vegan cheese, lettuce, caramelized onions, tomatoes, pickles with mayo and mustard on a toasted sesame seed bun). Also, try the Mango Lassi which is a delectable vegan version of the popular Indian smoothie-like drink.
Dun-well Doughnuts
Chunky Peanut Butter
The name speaks for itself. Dun-well Doughnuts really does well when it comes to creating an extensive selection of the best-tasting doughnuts. Even non-vegans love them. Their concoctions are all 100% vegan with numerous options to choose from. They always have a wide array of exciting new flavors available every week. Apart from the classic offerings, you will see a lot of new surprises. You literally do not know what you will find next when you walk in their stores. This adds a level of fun and excitement to your visit. It is hard to choose just one among the many flavorful concoctions they have. But the Peanut Butter and Jelly Doughnut is one of my top picks. If available, try the French Toast flavor too!
by CHLOE.
Guac burger and Chlostess crème-filled cupcake
Vegan fast-food chain by CHLOE serves a wide selection of dishes that even meat-eaters love. From one store opened three years ago, it now has several locations across the city making their delicious vegan eats more accessible. Vegan or not, you will enjoy exploring the different creations they dish out here. There are so many tempting choices available. The Guac Burger (black bean, quinoa, and sweet potato patty; guac, corn salsa, lettuce, tomato, onion, tortilla strips, chipotle aioli, whole grain bun) is a must-try. The interesting mix of ingredients, especially the tortilla strips, makes this burger stand out among the best ones I have tried. The Chlostess crème-filled cupcake is also a delicious treat. It’s so rich and moist. It reminds me of the Hostess Twinkie, one of my favorite treats when I was a kid, which became popular in the 1950s.
Vegan or not, you will find an amazing array of veg-friendly dining options in NYC with their distinct touch and flavors. So the next time you visit the city, prepare for a gastronomic adventure like no other as you savor and experience its culinary scene.
