New York Vegetarian Restaurants Everyone Is Talking About

New York City’s vegetarian food scene is exploding with innovative flavors and creative concepts that even meat-eaters can’t stop raving about. From upscale dining experiences to cozy neighborhood spots, plant-based eating has never been more exciting in the Big Apple. Whether you’re a longtime vegetarian or just curious about eating more plants, these buzzy restaurants are worth adding to your must-visit list.

1. Dirt Candy on the Lower East Side

Chef Amanda Cohen’s pioneering vegetable-forward restaurant continues to dazzle diners after more than a decade in business. The tasting menu experience transforms humble vegetables into works of culinary art that nobody else in NYC is creating.

The Korean fried broccoli has developed a cult following, while the portobello mousse might change your perception of mushrooms forever. Each dish arrives with theatrical presentation that makes dining here an unforgettable experience.

Recently featured in several food documentaries, Dirt Candy maintains its status as a vegetarian landmark with a constantly evolving menu. The bright, modern space on Allen Street provides the perfect backdrop for Cohen’s vegetable wizardry.

2. Hangawi’s Korean Temple Cuisine

Hidden in Koreatown, this serene restaurant offers an experience unlike any other in New York. Diners remove their shoes before sitting on floor cushions at low tables, immediately transporting themselves to another world. The focus on Korean temple cuisine – developed by Buddhist monks over centuries – creates a menu of delicate, balanced flavors.

The stone bowl rice with seasonal vegetables develops an addictive crispy bottom layer that regulars crave. Their mushroom dishes, particularly the emperor’s foresight (king oyster mushrooms in a sweet and spicy sauce), showcase how fungi can be the star of any meal.

Recently featured in several meditation and mindfulness publications, Hangawi offers not just dinner but a peaceful retreat from city life. The tea service, featuring house-made medicinal brews, completes the restorative dining experience.

3. ABCV’s Elevated Plant Paradise

Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s plant-based jewel inside ABC Carpet & Home continues to redefine what vegetarian fine dining can be. Bathed in natural light, the airy space serves as the perfect showcase for vibrant dishes that look like they were plucked from an artist’s palette.

The whole roasted cauliflower with turmeric-tahini sauce has become one of NYC’s most photographed dishes. Market-driven and seasonally focused, the menu celebrates vegetables through global cooking techniques and unexpected flavor combinations.

Recently earning a Michelin Green Star for sustainability, ABCV attracts a fashionable crowd of design lovers, wellness enthusiasts, and food connoisseurs. The restaurant’s innovative cocktail program featuring fresh juices and botanical infusions complements the sophisticated vegetable preparations.

4. Superiority Burger in the East Village

From a tiny hole-in-the-wall to its expanded digs on Avenue A, Brooks Headley’s vegetarian sensation continues to draw lines around the block. The signature Superiority Burger – a petite vegetable patty that’s more umami bomb than meat imitator – sparked a revolution in how chefs approach vegetarian fast food.

The ever-changing menu features unexpected hits like burnt broccoli salad and a gelato program that food critics can’t stop praising. After being a James Beard Award nominee and finalist for Headley’s work as a chef, his playful approach to vegetarian comfort food feels both nostalgic and completely new.

The expanded space maintains the punk rock ethos of the original while giving more diners the chance to experience what The New York Times called “the vegetarian burger that carnivores will crave.”

5. Spicy Moon’s Szechuan Delights

Who says vegetarian food can’t bring the heat? Spicy Moon’s multiple locations serve up fiery Szechuan cuisine that happens to be entirely plant-based. The dan dan noodles, swimming in chili oil and topped with impossible meat, deliver the same numbing sensation as traditional versions.

Social media influencers have turned the restaurant’s mapo tofu and scallion pancakes into Instagram stars. The modern, neon-lit interior creates the perfect backdrop for food photos that have helped propel this spot to must-visit status among food-obsessed New Yorkers.

Founded by a family with deep roots in Szechuan cooking, Spicy Moon proves that traditional Chinese flavors don’t need meat to shine. Their commitment to using organic ingredients adds another layer of appeal for health-conscious diners.

6. Ladybird’s Vegetable Tapas

Ravi DeRossi’s stylish East Village vegetable eatery serves up small plates in a setting that feels like a glamorous 1920s parlor. Velvet seating, dramatic lighting, and botanical wallpaper create a backdrop for vegetable dishes that are as beautiful as they are delicious.

The artichoke “oysters” topped with crispy shiitake bacon and kelp caviar have become a signature dish that even seafood lovers appreciate. Their fondue for two, made with cashew and almond milk, attracts couples looking for romantic plant-based dining options.

Featured in several “most romantic restaurants” lists, Ladybird proves vegetarian dining can be sophisticated. The restaurant’s drink program, featuring herb-infused creations, perfectly complements the botanical focus of the food menu.

7. Bunna Cafe’s Ethiopian Feast

This Bushwick favorite brings the communal joy of Ethiopian cuisine to Brooklyn with entirely plant-based offerings. The signature “feast for two” arrives on a large platter lined with injera – a spongy sourdough flatbread that serves as both plate and utensil for scooping up colorful vegetable stews.

The misir wot (spiced red lentils) and gomen (garlicky collard greens) consistently earn praise from diners discovering Ethiopian cuisine for the first time. Originally started as a pop-up, Bunna’s popularity exploded, leading to their permanent location and a line of packaged foods sold at markets around the city.

Traditional coffee ceremonies performed throughout the day add an authentic cultural element to the dining experience. The restaurant’s name refers to the Amharic word for coffee, highlighting the importance of this ritual in Ethiopian culture.

8. Avant Garden’s Vegetable Artistry

Tucked away on East 7th Street, this intimate restaurant elevates vegetables to fine art through meticulous technique and creative vision. The toast section alone has developed a cult following – particularly the mushroom toast with maitake, herb puree, and black truffle.

Each plate emerges from the open kitchen as a composed study in texture and flavor. The scorched cauliflower with toasted garlic, pickled red onion, and capers demonstrates how simple ingredients can become extraordinary through thoughtful preparation.

Recently earning recognition from the Michelin Guide, Avant Garden attracts vegetable enthusiasts and skeptics alike. The restaurant’s small size (only 28 seats) creates an exclusive dining experience that feels like discovering a delicious secret.

9. Jajaja’s Mexican Fiesta

With three locations across Manhattan and Brooklyn, Jajaja has conquered New York with its plant-based Mexican cuisine that sacrifices none of the traditional flavors. The colorful, Instagram-worthy interiors feature cactus displays and vibrant tiles that transport diners straight to Mexico City.

Their palm carnitas tacos, made with tender jackfruit and topped with pineapple salsa, convince even dedicated meat-eaters. The nachos supreme – loaded with turmeric queso, chorizo seitan, and black beans – has become a group dining favorite.

Featured in numerous food shows for their creative approach to plant-based Mexican food, Jajaja continues to expand their empire. Their house-made drinks provide refreshing companions to the bold, spice-forward menu.