The Top Vegetarian Restaurants In New York

Whether you’ve been a vegetarian for 15 years or 15 minutes, finding a place to eat out with your omnivore family and friends can be daunting. Luckily, New York City has some incredible veggie options to satiate both you and your dinner guests. We profile five of our favorite vegetarian restaurants in the big apple.

1. Candle 79

Restaurant, Cafe, Contemporary

This Upper East Side spot has a cozy and traditional atmosphere that makes all guests feel comfortable. Boasting a two-time rating as Zagat’s number one vegetarian restaurant, the food at Candle 79 is hearty and creative, featuring veggie-friendly spins on traditional meals. Try meat-free favorites such as spaghetti and wheatballs and the house-made live cheese plate, comprised of pepper-macadamia, almond and herb-cashew cheeses. Fortunately, Candle 79 has also released some of their kitchen secrets in a cookbook, so you can enjoy delicious and inventive vegetarian meals at home.

2. Angelica Kitchen

Market, Vegan

For the Earth Mother-farmer’s market vegetarian, a meal at Angelica Kitchen is a must. The atmosphere is boho chic, featuring wall paintings by local artists. Opened since 1976, Angelica Kitchen has established relationships with local farmers and focuses on serving meals with ingredients that were harvested no more than 48 hours prior to plating, avoiding the use of any refined sugars or processed ingredients. As a result, the food’s natural flavors are deliciously pronounced, and every bite tastes fresh. Every step of your meal is made out of a sincere respect for the environment by reducing as much waste as possible – even down to using a specialized backwash carbon water filtering system.

3. Blossom

Restaurant, European, Vegan, Vegetarian

Blossom’s flagship location in Chelsea is the perfect spot to meet for dinner after a day of gallery hopping or strolling the High Line. This restaurant opened in 2005 by co-founders Ronen Seri and Pamela Blackwell, who felt there were not enough scrumptious options for vegan and vegetarian New Yorkers looking for a night out. Luckily, this problem was rectified with the opening of Blossom.

4. V-Note

Bar, Restaurant, Wine Bar, Vegan

V-Note doubles as an organic wine bar and features a delicious tapas menu. It has a low-key and trendy atmosphere in comparison to its aforementioned sister restaurant, Blossom. The educated staff will carefully handpick the perfect wine or beer to pair with whatever vegetarian dish you decide to indulge in.

5. Hangawi

Restaurant, Korean, Vegetarian

Hangawi was rated Zagat’s number one Vegetarian restaurant in 2015 for good reason. The decor evokes the atmosphere of a traditional Korean home, making you feel as though you’ve completely escaped the hustle and bustle of New York. They offer a fabulous drinks menu that pairs delightfully with their food. Their dishes are created using the principle of um and yang(Korean for yin and yang), and as a result, provide a nourishing experience pairing um foods like fruits and vegetables with yang foods like roots and potatoes.

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