NEW YORK VEGETARIAN AND VEGAN
Candle Cafe, 1307 3rd Avenue, Upper East Side +1 212 472 0970 (see map)
Established in 1984 as a juice bar and vitamin shop, Candle Cafe has been serving organic vegan food since its tranformation into a restaurant/cafe in 1994, and was the first certified ‘Green’ restaurant in NYC. Wholesome, hearty food with a farm to table ethos, organic wine list, a wide array of juices and smoothies and an irresistible dessert menu. Check out the cookbook.
Candle 79, 154 East 79th Street, Upper East Side +1 212 537 7179 (see map)
Candle Cafe’s sister restaurant lies only 5 blocks away from the original, and this is the place to go if you feel like a slightly fancier vegan dinner accompanied by some (or lots of) alcohol from their organic wine and sake cocktail bar. Choose from a long list of inventive, delicious ‘eco-cocktails’, so you can wash your guilt free dinner down with drinks you won’t feel too guilty about either.
Rockin Raw, 178 North 8th Street, Williamsburg +1 718 599 9333 (see map)
Everything here is raw, live, vegan and organic, adopted by the philosophy that we can live a long life free of disease if we follow these rules. Great for brunch, lunch and dinner, with out of this world sugar free desserts that you’ll find scattered around various health food shops of New York, such as the addictive Cinnabuns. Order a custom made dessert for a special occasion, with agave and nut free options.
Angelica Kitchen, 300 East 12th Street, East Village +1 212 228 2909 (see map)
This place has been serving up organic vegetarian food since 1976. Their produce is fully organic, sustainable, and is put on the plate less than 48 hours after harvesting. The menu is seasonal and changes daily, so you can build your Dragon Bowl (which has been around since the beginning) with the freshest picks of the day. Get a side of the Angelica wheat free corn-bread with the miso-tahini spread – it’s a great dessert replacement.
The Loving Hut, 348 7th Avenue, Chelsea +1 212 760 1900 (see map)
A family owned vegan chain with branches throughout the world including USA, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Vietnam, and Taiwan, with each Loving Hut featuring a slightly different menu. The Chelsea location features an extensive menu of salads, appetizers, entrees, sandwiches, burgers, and quesadillas. A fast, affordable way to eat vegan, especially when you’re on the go.
Quintessence, 263 East 10th Street, East Village +1 646 654 1823 (see map)
100% vegan, organic and raw. Quintessence makes inventive gourmet creations from ‘life food’ only (uncooked fruits, vegetables, and grains), including all of the classics – pizza, burgers, lasagna, ravioli and tacos, except these ones are actually good for you. Make sure you try at least one of their desserts, which are completely sugar, dairy, and cholesterol free! Yep, pumpkin, pecan and coconut creme pies without ANY of the bad stuff.
Bliss Cafe, 191 Bedford Avenue, Williamsburg +1 718 599 2547 (see map)
Hearty vegetarian in a warm, cozy space in the heart of Williamsburg. There is a large menu here with lots of vegan options, or we should say this place is mostly vegan with a few dairy options. All desserts are free of dairy, eggs, cane sugar and wheat. Great breakfast menu.
Sacred Chow, 227 Sullivan Street, Greenwich Village +1 212 337 0863 (see map)
Vegan and organic, with multiple kosher options too. The same goes for their wine and beer lists, all alcohol is kosher and sustainable, with most of it sourced from New York state. Yummy frozen smoothies and gluten free desserts.
Caravan of Dreams, 405 East 6th Street, East Village +1 212 254 1613 (see map)
Serving organic vegan and kosher cuisine since 1991, Caravan of Dreams has a great restaurant atmosphere for anyone looking for vegan dinner options. There’s live music every night and during weekend brunch, including jazz trios and solo pianists. The menu has lots of raw options, and though it’s kind of pricey here, you pay for delicious, quality vegan food made with excellent produce.
Bonobos, 18 East 23rd Street, Midtown East +1 212 505 1200 (see map)
Canteen style vegetarian eatery with lots of vegan and raw options. Awesome lunch spot if you’re in the mood for a quick healthy meal. The menu is seasonal and dependent on produce availability, but generally there are 6 or 7 different cold and warm soup options, and for raw foodies, never fear, the warm soups aren’t heated above 118 degrees Farenheit.
Blossom Du Jour, 174 9th Avenue, Chelsea +1 212 229 2595 (see map) (see website for other locations)
More organic, more vegan, more kosher at three locations in New York. At each location they cold press their own juice, which they offer as part of a cleanse package ‘Tru Life Juice Cleanse’. The menu includes sandwiches, salads, wraps, smoothies and sweet stuff, and tacos on Taco Tuesday!
