6 VEGETARIAN-FRIENDLY NEW YORK CITY RESTAURANTS YOU MUST TRY

Last Updated on 1st October 2024 by Bejal

There is an absolute plethora of respectable establishment New York City Restaurants. Many can be quite overwhelmingly tourist centred, especially around the big iconic sights of the city, however we think we’ve found the right mix of affordable dining spots in the city, which are filled with locals as well as appealling to those visiting the city. Furthermore, a couple of these have very interesting ethical policies, which as a visitor, you may be interested in being a part of and certainly gets the be-lavie nod to sustainable tourism. Read on to discover some of our favourite vegetarian friendly New York City restaurants, including where to find them and other tips.

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Here are some of our favourite vegetarian friendly New York City restaurants that are great for lunch as well as dinner in some cases. Please note that not all of these are specifically vegetarian restaurants but that they do have a great menu that doesn’t just have one vegetarian option! These are great places to dine at especially if you are in a group and everyone has different dietary requirements.

Dirt Candy

Dirt Candy is owned by Amanda Cohen, the James Beard nominated chef and owner of this fine award winning Lower East side vegetarian eatery. It has been recognised by the Michelin guide, five years in a row and with a simple ethos to create innovative food that patrons crave, something that is done with vegetables that has never been done before minus the politics of because being veggie is good for you etc!

They don’t guarantee you’ll like it all but we can most definitely vouch that we DID and Dirt Candy will not take a tip from you as they believe that all their staff are professional who should receive a living wage therefore the menu prices have been raised by 20% so all staff from cooks to servers to dishwasher washers get recognition for the team effort.

This beautifully airy restaurant provides a fantastic dining experience for both non meat eaters and veggie alike. Take a seat at the bar pre-meal or get down to the eating, I guarantee you’ll have a night to remember.

We opted to have the Vegetable Patch Tasting menu with wine pairing, which comprised of five creative courses.

One our favourite dishes was the Brussels Sprout Tacos, which comprised of Brussels sprouts tossed in Mexican bistek and served on a sizzling stone with iceberg lettuce wrappers and accompaniments so diners can make their own tiny bites that are one part Chinese sung choi bao and one part Mexican tacos.The accompaniments were smoked avocado, pickled red onion, cotija cheese, radishes, crispy Brussels sprout leaves, tortilla strips, pickled jalapeños, salsa verde and cream.

Be-lavie Tip Go with an open mind and you will be blown away by the artistry and inventiveness of vegetables. It’s imperative to book as soon as possible if you know your plans as otherwise you will not get a spot and I’m not kidding! Yes it’s that popular and that good!

The Details

• Address: 8686 Allen Street. Lower East Side  New York 10002 I Find it Here: Map Location.
• Contact: +1 212-228-7732.
• More Information: Dirt Candy.
• Reviews: See what other diners are saying.
• Reservations: A must to avoid disappointment.
• Price Point: $$$ (The Vegetable Patch $65 (tip included) and a further $50 for accompanying wines.).

PS Kitchen

Tucked away in the heart of Hell’s Kitchen, is a dining concept that literally just left me in awe. The clean white interiors, brick walls and pink neon lighting glistening on flowers provides a beautiful dining environment.

It ticks so many of my own personal values and beliefs in helping those less fortunate than myself. My research told me that the food; Vegan, was going to be good but I just hadn’t quite measured the enormity of outstanding cuisine until I tried that first morsel.

Many of the dishes on the menu have names, which may mislead you into thinking you may be eating meat such as Bratwurst but trust me you will be surprised by the flavours and concept of how the a la carte menu is bought together. Being a Vegan restaurant, all alcohol served is also plant-based.

Dishes: Apple Cobbler: Caramel drizzle and coconut whipped cream and Apple Cobbler: Caramel drizzle and coconut whipped cream

PS Kitchen’s mission is to

1. To donate 100% of their profits to sustainable economic development charities, both locally and overseas.
2. To create jobs for the marginalised in New York City. 
3. To give New Yorkers healthy and delicious food that is kind to the body and the earth.

Currently PS Kitchen are donating their profits to the following; SHARE HOPE (Ethical-apparel company providing education and healthcare programs for >75% of women in Haiti’s garment industry); YUNUS Social Business (founded by Nobel Prize Winner Muhammad Yunus, YSB catalyses social ventures internationally); The Bowery Mission (USA’s third rescue mission; provides meals, shelter, and job opportunities in NYC); RESTORE (Restore’s mission is to end sex trafficking in New York and restore the well being and independence of foreign national survivors.) and also an organisation in Haiti to raise awareness and detection of ovarian cancer.

You can make donations via PS Kitchens website below.

Be-lavie Tip: Ensure that you  book well in advance to guarantee a table and just to note the restaurant does Brunch on the weekends, lunch and Dinner service daily just in case you can’t get in for a dinner spot.

• Address: 246 W 48th Street. Hell’s Kitchen. New York, NY 10036 I Find it Here: Map Location.
• Contact: +1-212-651-7247.
• More Information: PS Kitchen.
• Reviews: Read what other diners are saying.
• Reservations: Yes, essential.
• Price Point: $$/$.

Tiny’s and The Bar Upstairs

This cute three story townhouse dates back to 1810 and is located in the heart of Tribeca. Much of the original materials have been restored and overlayed with whimsical American finish detail.

The space is decorated with pieces dating back 100 years. The rooms are finished with brick, two tone antique wallpaper, original tin ceilings, salvaged wood panelling, custom banquettes and hand made tile. It’s run by a trio of siblings and feels very homely, a feeling that is hard to come by in New York City. Quite possibly the most striking feature apart from the food, of course, is the pink exterior that definitely sets it apart from the adjoining facades! Tiny’s and The Bar Upstairs is open for breakfast, Brunch, Lunch and Dinner and of course drinks.

We booked it for an early pre theatre dinner and started with the Basil lemonade and grapefruit juice followed by a delicious vegetable burger with a huge salad and the homemade meatballs with mozzarella and garlic toast.

Be-lavie Tip: We would strongly recommend booking, especially for dinner (starts around 5 pm) as it is very busy amongst locals. In fact we only saw locals here and got a great vibe from the Tribeca neighbourhood.

The Details

• Address: 135 W Broadway New York, 10013.
• Contact: +1 212-374-1135.
• More Information: Tiny’s And The Bar Upstairs.
• Reviews: Read what other diners are saying.
• Reservations: No but weekends can get pretty busy so advisable.
• Price Point: $$/$$$.

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Eataly – il Pastaio Fresh Pasta Bar

If you have paid the Flat Iron Building a visit, then you will know that Eataly is a  deli like eatery located across the road from it. This particular Eataly focuses more on the Italian food and drink and trust me this is a fabulous place for lunch or dinner or any meal of the day to be quite honest.

You can buy Italian produce, meats, cheeses, sauces, fish, you name it, it’s there. Additionally there are a number of bar style eateries inside that serve coffee, cake, pasta, fish dishes and there’s even a rooftop, however remember to book this one as it’s very chaotic especially at weekends!!.

We decided to have dinner at Il Pastaio, a very cute Pasta restaurant and wine pairing place where they made the pasta from scratch, any of your choice, and found you a lovely wine to match. It was a great experience sitting opposite the open kitchen and watching the pasta being made, then tossed in a fresh sauce.

We had the tomato Ragu spaghetti and the Basil pesto spiroli accompanied by a glass of Chianti of course.

Be-lavie’s Tip: No need to book, however at busy times like weekends this is a very popular spot so my advice would be coming early! Just grab a stool and pull up to the bar for service.

The Details

• Address: 200 5th Ave, New York, NY 10010 I Find it Here: Map Location.
• Contact: +1 212-229-2560.
• More information: Eataly: Il Pastaio.
• Reviews: Read what other diners are saying.
• Reservations: No reservations, just turn up at the counter and grab a seat.
• Price Point: $$.

Beauty & Essex

Behind a kitsch exterior disguised as a well curated pawn shop, featuring exclusive jewels, memorabilia and fancy guitars, located in the Lower East Side, lies a beautiful restaurant full of demur, glamour and delicious food.

Walk through the powder blue door and enter a grand circular staircase wrapped around a two story chandelier.

Beauty and Essex had four dining rooms, one private, two bars and a lounge and women’s bathroom complete with a salon, champagne bar and antique perfumery style bottles.  

That’s all I’m saying, if in NYC, you have to go and  experience this place for yourself! The chef, Chris Santos was one of the pioneers of small plates and well of course we had to try out a few of his creations including a dessert! Standard!!!

Excellent service, excellent cuisine and décor and fab music, what else does a girl need?! Well maybe a complimentary Prosecco bar in the ladies, and they had that covered!!

Be-lavie’s Tip: Ensure early booking as this place gets pretty busy on weekends. Dress to impress and I’m sure you won’t look out of place.

The Details

• Address: 146 Essex Street, Lower East Side, New York, 10002 I Find it Here: Map Location.
• Contact: +1 212 61450146.
• More Information: Beauty & Essex.
• Reviews: Read what other diners are saying.
• Reservations: Yes essential.
• Price Range: $$$.

 Grimaldi’s Pizzeria

OK, guys so technically this restaurant is a chain and has numerous branches in the united states of America but I don’t believe there is another branch that is as iconic a place as a spot underneath the Brooklyn Bridge. This is Grimaldi’s original location and be aware that not all items on the website are available at the branch.

They don’t serve pizza by the slice but have a menu full of every combination possible as you can also build your own in sizes of small, medium or large! We bagged a seat upstairs so could see the open kitchen and coal brick oven cooking our pizzas. They also serve calzones, salads and desserts.

Be-lavie Tip: Grimaldi’s takes cash only and there is actually an ATM machine in the entrance if you’ve been caught short. I recommend walking over the bridge at sunset and see the lovely Manhattan views and follow that up with a delicious pizza. Unfortunately the day we went it was humid, cloudy and the heavens opened so no sunset! The weather may have let us down but the pizza remained loyal!

The Details

• Address: 1 Front St, Brooklyn, New York.  11201 I Find it Here: Map Location.
• Contact: +1 718-858-4300.
• More information: Grimaldi’s.
• Reviews: Read what other diners are saying.
• Reservations: Not required.
• Price Point: $$.

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Vegetarian Friendly NYC Restaurants FAQ

Is New York City vegetarian friendly?

Yes, almost all places have great vegetarian friendly options as well as dedicated restaurants that serve vegetarian food as well as plant based options. You will actually be pretty spoilt for choice.

Are gratuities included in Dinner service?

As with most of the United States of America, all eateries will request a tip on the bill. It is usually acceptable to pay around 20% of the value of the final bill. If you feel the service is bad then do speak to the staff and in that case it is entirely up to you how much you decide to tip but if the service is exceptionally, you can tip more. We tend to stick to the 20%.

What are the Best fine dining Vegetarian Friendly restaurants in New York City?

• abcV – Modern. Contemporary ($$$).
• Avant Garden – Vegan cuisine ($$).
• HanGawi – Asian – Korean cuisine ($$).
• Soda Club – Italian wine bar ($$).
• Eleven Madison Park – Three Michelin Stars ($$$$).

Vegetarian Friendly New York City Restaurants Round Up

We hope these vegetarian friendly places inspire you to go and explore the culinary scene in New York City. There are so many restaurants to choose from for all budgets and tastes and the city truly is a melting pot of the cultures that have settled there. Our one tip is to make sure that you make reservations at more formal restaurants as at weekends the city does get very busy and if you’re only in the city for a couple of nights, you don’t want to be disappointed. This most certainly is the case for fine dining establishments and those with Michelin Stars.

Related Reading: Vegetarian NYC Restaurants

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Resources To Help Plan Your Trip

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