NYC has long been a culinary capital and a place where people of all gastronomic enthusiasms come to feel at home. So it makes sense that the five boroughs are on the cutting edge of vegan food. Plant foodies have a wealth of options in the City—including gourmet eats, slice-pizza spots, high-concept Japanese and vegan ice cream. It's all vegetable based, and it's all delicious.Places like and turn out bold, rich flavors, defying any lingering stereotype that vegan food is for ascetics satisfied by bland blocks of tofu. The City's vegan destinations also have multiethnic flair; you'll find , , , and options, for a start. Here's our guide to the top vegan restaurants in NYC.PioneersBack when one could scarcely imagine White Castle serving , eateries like Caravan of Dreams and Candle Café showed the delicious possibilities of meat-free fare. , an East Village standby that opened in 1991, delivers tasty organic food in a cozy environment—complete with live music. The menu includes raw selections. (which also has a fancier offshoot, ,as well as a westside location, Café Candle West) has been a vegetarian destination since 1994. Healthy-eating advocates Bart Potenza and Joy Pierson started the restaurants in hopes of awakening diners to the pleasures and benefits of vegan food; more than two decades later, dishes like avocado tartare, Mexican lasagna and the Cajun seitan sandwich convincingly make the case.High-End, started by vegan star chef Isa Chandra Moskowitz, has a casual air that belies the remarkable handiwork of its kitchen staff; the standout flavors are evident throughout the meal, from appetizers (Korean BBQ cauliflower wings, cashew mozzarella Caprese) to mains (chickpea parmesan and hen of the woods piccata) to dessert (the incomparable brownie with peanut butter cookie dough ice cream).With its elegant interior design, the Michelin-starred is ideal for a date night or special occasion. The venue's aesthetic comes through in its thoughtfully crafted food, plated in ikebana-like arrangements. At the remarkable , chef Amanda Cohen prepares sublime dishes (not all of them vegan) from humble vegetables and legumes; offers vegan gourmet Korean food in a rustic, neo-monastic setting.Let's Do Brunch!The piquant dishes and lively atmosphere of make it a great spot for a weekend brunch. Vegans, omnivores and those in between can enjoy the restaurant's stunning plant-based reinventions of Mexican classics sans cheese and meat—including beet and pumpkin empanadas, chimichurri eggplant tortas and all manner of imaginative taco fillings., in Williamsburg, has the encyclopedic menu you'd expect from a diner—with only plant-based ingredients. They serve croque madames, breakfast burritos, biscuits and gravy and cures for common weekend ailments (the "Hungover Hippie," for example). Plus, there are several varieties of pancakes, sundaes and shakes.Comfort FoodIn the warm ambiance of , which has locations in Union Square and on the Upper West Side, you can satisfy vegan cravings with a salad, sandwich or something heartier—like a Thai green curry or breaded "un-chicken" with mashed potatoes and mushroom gravy. The chickpea fries are a must. There's more of a party vibe at , befitting a paradise of soy-free vegan food. Virtually every ingredient here is house-made, right down to the pickles and condiments. has four locations that serve up meatless variations of Asian fare, while Chinatown eatery offers plentiful dim sum selections and mock meat dishes incorporating vegan lamb, chicken, beef and even prawn.Fast FoodWhen it opened in Greenwich Village in 2015, vegan fast-food restaurant — now with five city locations and more on the way—tapped into a vein of enthusiasm for plant-based patties: its guac burgers are made with black beans, quinoa and sweet potatoes; classic burgers get their heft from tempeh, lentils, chia seeds and walnuts.In the East Village, serves its eponymous plant-based burger alongside inventive dishes made from farmers' finds—and the "tofu fried tofu" (aka TFT), lauded by Eater as one of NYC's "."PizzaIf NYC held a vegan prom, Matthew Kenney would be voted king. A serial culinary entrepreneur, Kenney launched vegan pizza joint in 2016. He tops his medium-crust pies with dollops of remarkable, dairy-less nut cheeses, cauliflower, artichoke, wild mushrooms and baby kale. The tiramisu dessert is incredible.Greenpoint-based , a more casual option, serves by the slice. Cheeses include the house-made almond-based parmesan, soy-based and Violife—an option free of nuts, soy and gluten. Screamer's is a mouthwatering showcase of what's possible.SpiritualSome of the City's vegan restaurants emphasize the spiritual side of plant-based eating. , located on the bottom floor of a Hare Krishna center in the East Village, offers Ayurveda-inspired culinary classics like excellently spiced khichari (lentil stew) and a vegetable curry, all meant to help diners achieve mental, physical and spiritual balance. has long been a weekday pilgrimage site in downtown Brooklyn for its superb South Asian vegetarian lunches, which include vegan options.In the basement of a Hindu temple in Flushing, Queens, serves authentic South Indian dosas, sambar and mango lassis. Vegans should just be sure to request that their dish does not have ghee. The sublime doles out set-menu meals inspired by the cuisine of Japanese Zen Buddhists.DessertNYC's vegan dessert offerings are every bit as sweet, creamy, and rich as their conventional counterparts. For confirmation, visit , where the velvety delicacies are all raw; , named for the dairy- and gluten-free grande dame of the vegan dessert world; and , an offshoot of the similarly named vegan fast-food eatery. If you want vegan ice cream, has numerous options, as do and Park Slope's (all of them serve dairy ice cream, too); select outposts of dispense a summery vegan soft serve made from superfoods.But Wait, There's MoreEven if you're not at a fully vegan or vegetarian spot, you can't throw a chickpea in NYC without hitting a restaurant that has excellent vegan options. There is superb hummus and falafel at Middle Eastern eateries like , and . Take-out veggie-centric faves and have numerous locations around the City.
