Vegan-friendly restaurants are on the rise! New York City is well known for its cultural diversity, and variety in cuisines and foods. With the rise of plant-based diets, including veganism, and vegetarianism, NYC has stepped up its game with plant-based eateries. Being a vegan in NYC isn’t quite the challenge anymore. Vegan-friendly restaurants have expanded from fast food joints to fine dining eateries, and posh bakeries. So whether you’re a journey to becoming more plant-based like me, or 100% vegan, vegetarian, or flexitarian, I think you will definitely find at least one of these restaurants enjoyable. Now enough small talk! Here are my recommendations for 7 Vegan-friendly Restaurants to try in NYC.

**Price Guide according to Google

• $ = Inexpensive, usually $10 and under
• $$ = Moderately expensive, usually between $10-$25
• $$$ = Expensive, usually between $25-$45
• $$$$ = Very Expensive, usually $50 and up

Le Petit Monstre – $

Clinton Hill, Brooklyn

Le Petit Monstre is a cute, vegan patisserie and cafe, located in Clinton Hill, Brooklyn. If I’m being honest I was attracted to this bakery because of the beautiful inside aesthetic. As you walk into the bakery, you’ll see loads of plants, and an array of pastries, cakes, pies, cookies, tarts, donuts, and coffee. To be honest, I wasn’t too keen on the Cinnamon Sugar Donut (pictured above). It was pretty doughy, and bread-y. When it comes to donuts, I’m more of a Dunkin Donuts girl (baked with yeast, and lighter). However, the Pain au Chocolat (pictured above) and Pain au Raisin (pictured above) was crispy, flaky, and subtly sweet. I wished I had more of a selection to try more things, but when I visited they were about to close for the day, so I will definitely have to visit again.

Bar Verde- $$

East Village, Manhattan

Bar Verde has become my newest favorite vegan-friendly restaurant in NYC. Bar Verde is a 100% plant based restaurant, with a fusion between Mexican and Latin American flavors. Now you will notice that the menu is also 100% gluten free, however if your not gluten free, don’t let that stop you from trying out their food. Most Mexican/Latin ingredients like corn, masa harina, and quinoa are naturally gluten free, unless listed otherwise. I love me some nachos, so I could resist ordering it on the menu. Let me tell you! These Nachos (pictured above) are hearty from the black beans and quinoa, creamy from the homemade guacamole, butternut squash queso, crunchy from the fresh corn tortilla chips, and tangy from the picked jalapeños and pico de gallo. Normally I’m not a big fan of vegan queso cheeses, but this one is spectacular! I definitely will be back Bar Verde!

Champs Diner (now known as Ro’s Diner)- $$

East Williamsburg, Brooklyn

Champs Diner (under new management, known as Ro’s Diner), located in the Bushwick neighborhood of Brooklyn, NYC, is a small, quaint vegan restaurant with 70’s style flair. Upon entering, you will notice that Champs is big on intersectional justice, which means they not only acknowledge the movement for animal injustice. They also acknowledge and are allys to minority communities who experience discrimination and injustice, such as LBGTQIA+ and Black and Brown communities. On the menu, you will find meal items such as Mozzarella Sticks, Cinnamon Swirl Pancakes, Vodka Chicken Parm, and an assortment of creamy vegan shakes! They are 100% vegan, and offer all day breakfast as well as lunch and dinner items. My favorite items happen to be the Philly Cheesesteak, and the Buffalo Cauliflower Wings (pictured above).

Van Leeuwen Ice Cream – $

Multiple locations – Brooklyn & Manhattan

According to Van Leeuwen Ice Cream website, this ice cream parlor started in a yellow truck on the streets of NYC in 2008. Today they have multiple locations, and offer dairy and vegan flavors for all of their customers. Van Leeuwen prides themselves on using simple ingredients in their recipe. They also embrace the idea that good ice cream has fat (bye diet culture police, hello creamy ice cream!). On the menu, you’ll find flavors such as Cookies and Cream, Raspberry Layer Cake, and a popular favorite of mine Honeycomb! They even have wacky flavors such as Kraft Macaroni and Cheese. For the vegan flavors, they offer Churros & Fudge, Cookie Crumble Strawberry Jam, Chocolate Fudge Brownie. Their ice cream can also be found in some grocery stores, or shipped to select states. I recently tried their seasonal flavor, Strawberry Sumac Sorbet (pictured above), and it is so delish.

Planta Queen – $$

Flatiron District, Manhattan

Planta is offers an Asian flared approach to plant-based fine dining, offering menu items like sushi rolls with watermelon as the filling, noodles, and dumplings such as Crispy Gyoza with chili soy sauce (pictured above). The menu is not too overwhelming, but has just enough options for you to try something unconventional and delicious. During my visit I had the dragon roll (not pictured) and the crispy gyoza as a safe, familiar option. I enjoyed both dishes, but gyoza make a deeper impression on me due to the crispness and salty, umani flavor of the dumpling filled with mushrooms, cabbage, carrot, and cilantro. If sushi or Asian American cuisine is your thing, Planta is the place for you!

Coletta – $$

Gramercy, Manhattan

Coletta in Gramercy, Manhattan, is definitely a culinary experience to remember. The menu is lined up with innovative dishes such as “Squid Ink Ravioli”, and meals with new plant based alternatives such as “Steak & Mashed Potatoes” with Chunk Foods vegan steak. My favorite thing about this restaurant is that the staff is super friendly, and very knowledgeable about the menu and their favorites. During my visit, I ordered the Rigatoni Alla Norma (pictured above), with roasted eggplant, roma tomato sauce, sautéed garlic, almond “ricotta” and basil, and if your into extra sauce like me, you can ask for extra tomato sauce on the pasta, or on the side.  I loved how creamy the almond “ricotta” was, which paired well with the richness of the roma tomato sauce. My friend also ordered the Wild Mushroom Truffle Pizza, and let me tell you, I am not a truffle fan, but the addition of ricotta on the pizza made it super delicious.

Beyond Sushi – $$

Multiple Locations – Manhattan

The face behind Beyond Sushi is Chef Guy Vaknin, contestant of Fox’s Hell’s Kitchen, Season 10, and ABC shark tank. This restaurant is all about creating unconventional sushi dishes, and Asian flared appetizers. All their menu items are 100% vegan and 100% high-quality ingredients. You’ll find yummy sushi rolls at this vegan-friendly restaurant with delicious ingredients like sweet potato, mango, or black rice. They also have shared plate meals like Glazed Impossible meatballs, and Fried Chik’n Bao. My favorite dish is the Rainbow Roll, and the Spicy Mango (pictured above).