New York City has transformed into one of the world's most vegan-friendly destinations, earning its reputation as a true paradise for plant-based travellers. With one report estimating there are over 1,000 restaurants in NYC with vegan options, the Big Apple offers an unparalleled culinary adventure for vegans visiting in 2025. From Michelin-starred fine dining to street food delights, and now including memorable dining cruises on the harbour, the city that never sleeps has embraced the plant-based revolution with open arms.
The Vegan Restaurant Scene: A Culinary Revolution
The heart of any vegan vacation lies in its dining experiences, and NYC delivers spectacularly. Whether you're local or just vibing in the city for a few days, you have to eat your way through some of these plant-based gems, as local vegan food enthusiasts recommend.
For a bucket-list dining experience, Eleven Madison Park should certainly be on your itinerary. This fine dining restaurant has won three Michelin stars and is a must-visit in New York City. Owner and head chef Daniel Humm made headlines in 2021 when he decided to completely transform his restaurant – previously famous for its lobster and duck dishes – to a completely plant-based kitchen!
NYC's Asian vegan scene is particularly impressive. Spicy Moon in the East Village serves vegan Szechuan food like dan dan noodles, vegetable wontons in chili oil, and mapo tofu that's so good!For traditional dim sum lovers, Buddha Bodai is a staple for vegan Chinese food lovers in NYC. Located in Chinatown, this Kosher-certified restaurant offers a menu filled with plant-based versions of classic Chinese dishes.
The city's vegan comfort food scene thrives with establishments like Jajaja, which brings together the vibrant flavours of the south of the border with the dynamic flair of New York City, crafting global experiences deeply rooted in local heritage. For Ethiopian cuisine, you'll find Ethiopian food like tender mushroom tibs and meat-free dulet. From the flaky sambusas and spicy lentil salad to the huge platters of Ethiopian classics like kitfo made with pea protein, everything at this Crown Heights restaurant is memorable.
If you thought light and crispy crepes and boeuf bourguignon were off the table for vegans, you need to come here! This family-owned restaurant in West Village is delighting guests with its veganized French creations - fruits de mer, coq au vin, and even vegan foie gras! The offerings at Delice & Sarrasin are perfect. Their meat-free Boeuf Bourguignon is truly amazing, and one of the tastiest dishes in the whole of New York City.
One of the most unique and memorable ways to experience NYC's dining scene is through harbour dinner cruises that accommodate vegan diners. A New York sightseeing cruise offers the perfect opportunity to combine plant-based dining with breathtaking views of the Manhattan skyline, creating an unforgettable experience that traditional land-based restaurants simply cannot match.
Several NYC dinner cruise operators now offer vegan meal options with advance notice. Gluten-free and other dietary needs can be accommodated - just let your server know when you get seated, notes Cornucopia Cruise Lines, which operates both New Jersey and NYC dinner cruises with stunning views of the Manhattan skyline.
Michelin-Level Fine Dining
For a bucket-list dining experience, Eleven Madison Park should certainly be on your itinerary. This fine dining restaurant has won three Michelin stars and is a must-visit in New York City. Owner and head chef Daniel Humm made headlines in 2021 when he decided to completely transform his restaurant – previously famous for its lobster and duck dishes – to a completely plant-based kitchen!
Asian Vegan Excellence
NYC's Asian vegan scene is particularly impressive. Spicy Moon in the East Village serves vegan Szechuan food like dan dan noodles, vegetable wontons in chili oil, and mapo tofu that's so good!For traditional dim sum lovers, Buddha Bodai is a staple for vegan Chinese food lovers in NYC. Located in Chinatown, this Kosher-certified restaurant offers a menu filled with plant-based versions of classic Chinese dishes.
Comfort Food and International Flavours
The city's vegan comfort food scene thrives with establishments like Jajaja, which brings together the vibrant flavours of the south of the border with the dynamic flair of New York City, crafting global experiences deeply rooted in local heritage. For Ethiopian cuisine, you'll find Ethiopian food like tender mushroom tibs and meat-free dulet. From the flaky sambusas and spicy lentil salad to the huge platters of Ethiopian classics like kitfo made with pea protein, everything at this Crown Heights restaurant is memorable.
French Vegan Sophistication
If you thought light and crispy crepes and boeuf bourguignon were off the table for vegans, you need to come here! This family-owned restaurant in West Village is delighting guests with its veganized French creations - fruits de mer, coq au vin, and even vegan foie gras! The offerings at Delice & Sarrasin are perfect. Their meat-free Boeuf Bourguignon is truly amazing, and one of the tastiest dishes in the whole of New York City.
Vegan Dining on the Water: NYC Harbor Cruises
One of the most unique and memorable ways to experience NYC's dining scene is through harbour dinner cruises that accommodate vegan diners. A New York sightseeing cruise offers the perfect opportunity to combine plant-based dining with breathtaking views of the Manhattan skyline, creating an unforgettable experience that traditional land-based restaurants simply cannot match.
Vegan-Accommodating Dinner Cruises
Several NYC dinner cruise operators now offer vegan meal options with advance notice. Gluten-free and other dietary needs can be accommodated - just let your server know when you get seated, notes Cornucopia Cruise Lines, which operates both New Jersey and NYC dinner cruises with stunning views of the Manhattan skyline.
The experience of dining on the water while watching the sunset behind the city's iconic skyline creates an unforgettable vegan dining experience. Whether you choose a sunset dinner cruise or another experience, the New York City skyline will be the backdrop to your unforgettable evening. A boat dinner is a unique way to see the city from a different perspective while enjoying an exquisite meal on the water.
Food from the onboard cafe - like salads, sandwiches and snacks - as well as beer, wine and cocktails at the bar are available for purchase. This is an ideal situation for groups with varying levels of hunger and thirst. Many cruises offer flexible dining arrangements that can accommodate plant-based diets, from casual café options to more formal dining experiences.
Imagine sailing through the heart of the Big Apple, being cradled by the gentle breezes of the Hudson River, with the stunning backdrop of the NYC skyline unfolding before your eyes. For vegans, this experience becomes even more special when paired with thoughtfully prepared plant-based cuisine.
For those seeking a fully vegan cruise experience, there are specialised options available. The 100% plant-based Holistic Holiday at Sea, offered by MSC Cruises, is a seven-day retreat for those looking for delicious food, fun, fitness, and vegan inspiration and insight. While this cruise departs from Florida rather than NYC, it represents the growing trend of dedicated vegan cruise experiences.
Vegan Travel, established in 2014 in Münster, Germany, curates exceptional all-vegan luxury cruises. They've explored Europe's major rivers and pioneered the first ALL-VEGAN OCEAN experiences in 2017 (Norwegian Fjords) and 2019 (Baltic Sea). These specialised cruises show how the industry is evolving to meet vegan travellers' needs.
For visitors wanting to maximise their vegan dining experience, specialised food tours offer insider access to the city's best plant-based spots. Vegan Tours NY offers walking tours through different neighbourhoods of New York City, visiting different vegan restaurants in Manhattan and Brooklyn.
On this walk through Williamsburg and Greenpoint, you'll get to get a glimpse of two very different areas of Brooklyn - the über modern and trendy Williamsburg and the more traditional, Polish neighbourhood of Greenpoint. Both are loaded with vegan delights such as amazing pizza, great tacos, and dumplings.
These tours aren't just about food - they're about community and sustainability. As a vegan tour company, they strive to be as green, sustainable and eco-friendly as possible. Therefore, they are donating a portion of their profits to animal sanctuaries, rescue groups and green initiatives!
While NYC doesn't yet have a fully vegan hotel, several establishments cater exceptionally well to plant-based travellers. While vegan hotels and B & B's have been popping up left and right around the globe, New York City still doesn't have one - can you believe it? Luckily, there are a few vegan-friendly hotels in NYC.
Arlo SoHo stands out as one of the most accommodating options. Located in hip Soho, this micro-hotel chain provides guests with thoughtfully designed, modern rooms that are perfect for an NYC adventure. The vegan dining options at Arlo's Lindens Restaurant are really good and honestly, some of the better options I have seen at a non-vegan hotel.
The Archer Hotel has gained recognition for its exceptional vegan service. They are both vegan and at turn down service they go out of there way to get vegan treats for their guests. They even put soy milk in the mini fridge!
For those seeking luxury with plant-based amenities, the following hotels in New York use cruelty-free toiletries: Even Hotels, Fairmont, Hyatt, and some Marriott brands (Courtyard, Residence Inns, SpringHill Suites, and Renaissance).
NYC's vegan community is vibrant and welcoming, with numerous events throughout the year. Vegandale NYC, taking place in September, is North America's Largest Vegan Festival, trusted by over 500,000 attendees. The NYC Vegetarian Food Festival features hundreds of vendors offering evidence-based education, resources, and support to create community and inspire change throughout the New York metropolitan area.
For ongoing community connections, NYC Vegan EatUP promotes connecting for community and compassionate cuisine around the New York City metro and beyond. Their history spans 17 years, over 1,000 events and nearly 2,000 members.
Beyond dining, NYC offers excellent vegan shopping opportunities. MooShoes is a vegan owned and operated boutique featuring a selection of hand-picked cruelty-free footwear, handbags, accessories, and vegan lifestyle goods.
One caveat: certain parts of the city are more vegan-friendly than others, and getting from one end of the city to another can take some serious work. So be sure to plot out restaurants that you really want to visit and activities ahead of time so you don't spend all of your time travelling.
The East Village, West Village, Williamsburg, and Chinatown offer the highest concentration of vegan options. The East Village & Lower East Side is now home to thousands of students and vegan restaurants, which is why we like to refer to it as 'Eat Village'. This is one of the most vegan-friendly areas the city has to offer.
When booking dinner cruises, contact the operator in advance to discuss vegan options. It's always best to contact a cruise line to ask for up-to-date information about vegan meals before booking your trip, and this applies to shorter harbour cruises as well.
While food is often the focus, vegan travellers appreciate experiences that align with their values. Most vegans would love going to protected nature conservation areas like the Galápagos Islands where we can see undisturbed nature and animals roaming freely in their natural habitats.
The Cruise Experience
Food from the onboard cafe - like salads, sandwiches and snacks - as well as beer, wine and cocktails at the bar are available for purchase. This is an ideal situation for groups with varying levels of hunger and thirst. Many cruises offer flexible dining arrangements that can accommodate plant-based diets, from casual café options to more formal dining experiences.
Imagine sailing through the heart of the Big Apple, being cradled by the gentle breezes of the Hudson River, with the stunning backdrop of the NYC skyline unfolding before your eyes. For vegans, this experience becomes even more special when paired with thoughtfully prepared plant-based cuisine.
Specialised Vegan Cruise Options
For those seeking a fully vegan cruise experience, there are specialised options available. The 100% plant-based Holistic Holiday at Sea, offered by MSC Cruises, is a seven-day retreat for those looking for delicious food, fun, fitness, and vegan inspiration and insight. While this cruise departs from Florida rather than NYC, it represents the growing trend of dedicated vegan cruise experiences.
Vegan Travel, established in 2014 in Münster, Germany, curates exceptional all-vegan luxury cruises. They've explored Europe's major rivers and pioneered the first ALL-VEGAN OCEAN experiences in 2017 (Norwegian Fjords) and 2019 (Baltic Sea). These specialised cruises show how the industry is evolving to meet vegan travellers' needs.
Vegan Food Tours: Guided Culinary Adventures
For visitors wanting to maximise their vegan dining experience, specialised food tours offer insider access to the city's best plant-based spots. Vegan Tours NY offers walking tours through different neighbourhoods of New York City, visiting different vegan restaurants in Manhattan and Brooklyn.
On this walk through Williamsburg and Greenpoint, you'll get to get a glimpse of two very different areas of Brooklyn - the über modern and trendy Williamsburg and the more traditional, Polish neighbourhood of Greenpoint. Both are loaded with vegan delights such as amazing pizza, great tacos, and dumplings.
These tours aren't just about food - they're about community and sustainability. As a vegan tour company, they strive to be as green, sustainable and eco-friendly as possible. Therefore, they are donating a portion of their profits to animal sanctuaries, rescue groups and green initiatives!
Where to Stay: Vegan-Friendly Accommodation in NYC
While NYC doesn't yet have a fully vegan hotel, several establishments cater exceptionally well to plant-based travellers. While vegan hotels and B & B's have been popping up left and right around the globe, New York City still doesn't have one - can you believe it? Luckily, there are a few vegan-friendly hotels in NYC.
Vegan-Friendly Hotels in NYC
Arlo SoHo stands out as one of the most accommodating options. Located in hip Soho, this micro-hotel chain provides guests with thoughtfully designed, modern rooms that are perfect for an NYC adventure. The vegan dining options at Arlo's Lindens Restaurant are really good and honestly, some of the better options I have seen at a non-vegan hotel.
The Archer Hotel has gained recognition for its exceptional vegan service. They are both vegan and at turn down service they go out of there way to get vegan treats for their guests. They even put soy milk in the mini fridge!
For those seeking luxury with plant-based amenities, the following hotels in New York use cruelty-free toiletries: Even Hotels, Fairmont, Hyatt, and some Marriott brands (Courtyard, Residence Inns, SpringHill Suites, and Renaissance).
Vegan Events and Community
NYC's vegan community is vibrant and welcoming, with numerous events throughout the year. Vegandale NYC, taking place in September, is North America's Largest Vegan Festival, trusted by over 500,000 attendees. The NYC Vegetarian Food Festival features hundreds of vendors offering evidence-based education, resources, and support to create community and inspire change throughout the New York metropolitan area.
For ongoing community connections, NYC Vegan EatUP promotes connecting for community and compassionate cuisine around the New York City metro and beyond. Their history spans 17 years, over 1,000 events and nearly 2,000 members.
Shopping and Lifestyle
Beyond dining, NYC offers excellent vegan shopping opportunities. MooShoes is a vegan owned and operated boutique featuring a selection of hand-picked cruelty-free footwear, handbags, accessories, and vegan lifestyle goods.
Practical Tips for Vegan Travellers
Neighbourhood strategy
One caveat: certain parts of the city are more vegan-friendly than others, and getting from one end of the city to another can take some serious work. So be sure to plot out restaurants that you really want to visit and activities ahead of time so you don't spend all of your time travelling.
Popular vegan-friendly areas in NYC
The East Village, West Village, Williamsburg, and Chinatown offer the highest concentration of vegan options. The East Village & Lower East Side is now home to thousands of students and vegan restaurants, which is why we like to refer to it as 'Eat Village'. This is one of the most vegan-friendly areas the city has to offer.
Cruise Planning
When booking dinner cruises, contact the operator in advance to discuss vegan options. It's always best to contact a cruise line to ask for up-to-date information about vegan meals before booking your trip, and this applies to shorter harbour cruises as well.
Beyond Food: Vegan-Friendly Activities
While food is often the focus, vegan travellers appreciate experiences that align with their values. Most vegans would love going to protected nature conservation areas like the Galápagos Islands where we can see undisturbed nature and animals roaming freely in their natural habitats.
In NYC, Central Park offers a peaceful retreat, while the city's numerous museums and cultural attractions also provide enriching experiences! (Image source: Pexels)
