Best Vegetarian Eats in New York City

Sometimes it can be quite a daunting task to pick a place to eat in the land of a million restaurants. Many days, I don't want to cook but I still need a tasty, filling meal. Here are a few of my picks to find great vegetarian food in New York City.

Wild Ginger (380 Broome between Mott & Mulberry)
By far my favorite restaurant in the city. The cozy, candle lit space with beautiful moss growing on exposed brick walls has a friendly, helpful staff who go the extra mile in food presentation. Wild Ginger accommodates romantics, dinner with parents, or intimate meals with friends. Their pan-Asian food is entirely vegan and entirely delicious. I've taken many meat-eaters here and they couldn't believe the General Tso's, the Sweet & Sour Sesame Soy or the Black Pepper Seitan was not chicken. The pan-fired vegetable dumplings come served in a cute bamboo dish with a tangy dipping sauce. Most main dishes are served with brown rice and your choice of salad or miso soup. They also offer coconut rice. Every day until 4:30, they offer a fantastic lunch special. Wild Ginger also offers a lovely array of teas, such as red lavender, peach ginger, and brown rice green teas, served in adorable black iron teapots. With an amazing variety of delicious dishes, I could eat here several times a week and not be bored.

Across the street from Wild Ginger is Viet-Nam Banh Mì. This Asian deli serves up incredible vegan Vietnamese sandwiches for about $3 each. Order either the spicy curry or the lemongrass. Both come stuffed in delicious French baguettes with carrots and cilantro, and one sandwich could easily be shared by two people. Wrapped in handy wax paper, the sandwiches are perfect for strolling around Little Italy.

Ashkara (189 E Houston between Orchard and Ludlow)
I often get cravings for falafel drenched in tahini and hummus, which are easily satisfied by many fine establishments in the city. But for that extra oomph, fairly new on the scene Ashkara cannot be beat. Their fresh homemade pita bread would put any French baker to shame. Pillowy, organic bread cushions delightfully crunchy falafel balls. A self-serving filling station gives great choices of cooked vegetables, such as broccoli, cauliflower, onions, eggplant, pickles, and tomatoes. Plus different sauces including spicy sour sauce, amba, tehina, and red or green hot sauce. My personal fav is the garlic sauce. Ashkara also makes Belgian fries, various soups, and they have a full espresso bar.

NYC Dosa Cart (Washington Square Park at Sullivan Street)
Head over here for amazing, crispy, spicy vegan samosas. Be prepared to elbow your way into line with NYU students, business folk, and assorted park visitors for these inexpensive ($1 each) and fresh made samosas. Ask the friendly vendor for chutney dipping sauce to get an extra fiery kick.

Kate's Joint (58 Avenue B on the corner of 4th Street)
Full disclosure: I've only been here for brunch. I keep coming back to eat brunch here, so they're definitely doing a lot of things right. Very relaxed atmosphere with diner style, the clientele is an interesting mix of tattooed kids and families with kids. Breakfast is served until four in the afternoon and any plate can be made vegan, such as the delicious tofu scramble instead of eggs. The prepare standard brunch with hash browns, toast, pancakes, omelettes, and unlimited coffee or tea, fresh squeezed juices, bloody marys, and screwdrivers. Their huevos rancheros, made of crispy tortillas with tofu scramble or eggs, black beans, cheddar cheese, and salsa, can cure any hangover. I've heard many negative reviews about Kate's for their dinner and lunch eats, so I wouldn't steer you to them for other meals, but I've always thoroughly enjoyed their tummy-filling brunch offerings.

Mama's Food Shop (200 E 3rd St between Ave B and Ave A)
Down home cooking without cooking down at home! Mama's slogan is, "Shut up and eat it!", and believe me, you won't need to be told twice. Ignore the fried meats and choose any three sides to create a meal. I often order two meals since deciding can be quite difficult. I have never liked beets until I devoured Mama's roasted carrots and beets. The roasted beets are soft, not mushy, and perfectly succulent. The mac 'n cheese and mashed potatoes are to kill and die for, my mouth waters just thinking about eating them. The broccoli with garlic has that satisfying crispiness. Also try the honey glazed sweet potatoes and green beans with caramelized onions. This is not health food. This is comfort food. Definitely bring a friend, Mama's helpings are monstrous.

Rosario's (173 Orchard on the corner of Stanton)
What New York food list would be complete without mention of pizza? Debate will rage forever over the best pizza slice in New York and Rosario's is very often people's top choice. The reason is simple: Rosario's makes incredible pizza. The crust has just the right crunch, the homemade sauce is thick, garlicky and zesty. Rosario's is open late to satisfy cravings. Their only downfall being they don't deliver.

Two Boots (42 Avenue A on the corner of 3rd St; various other locations)
When I want pizza delivered, I want Two Boots. They're fast and the pizza is divine. Crispy, thin crust, bubbled well-done cheese, with a tangy sauce that gives their slices just the right kick. Their breaded eggplant parmesan, which can be made cheese-less, has the perfect tenderness, as does the roasted portobello mushroom hero with goat cheese.

Foodswings (295 Grand St between Roebling and Havemeyer, Brooklyn)
I'm not completely biased toward the lower eastern part of Manhattan, I do venture outside my neighborhood on occasion. For ultimate junk food cravings, Foodswings makes inexpensive, tasty vegan fare. The menu includes burgers, hot dogs, non-turkey clubs, "chicken" parm, fried, barbeque, or buffalo style drumsticks, nachos and quesadillas, shakes, key lime pie, grilled banana and peanut butter sandwiches, and faux Philly cheese steaks. Now vegetarians have their own fast food place for a guilt-free heart attack!

Kebab Cafe (25-12 Steinway near 25th Avenue, Astoria, Queens)
Don't get your hemp tangled over this meaty place. Kebab House definitely serves up the flesh. However, the Mesa Plate is some of the best vegetarian food in the city. Consisting of falafel, hummus, baba ganoush, fava beans and hot sauce, the Mesa Plate can feed a hungry pack of four. The fried dandelion greens in the center of the plate are a really nice touch. There is also fabulous pumpkin ravioli. Ali, the owner, is a delightful attraction all his own.

Home on 8th (391 8th Avenue between 29th and 30th)
The separate vegetarian kitchen is what makes this Chinese restaurant really special. Nothing spoils my appetite like knowing my food has been swimming in meat stock or the same utensils that cradled lard are scooping my vegetables, which is why I don't go to run-of-the-mill Chinese food places. Home on 8th has my full trust and praise. They make all the usual dishes excellent and unbelievably tasty. Their portions are generous with great prices. The spring rolls are crispy and not dripping with grease. The tangerine medallions with mixed vegetables have just the right sweetness. One of my favorite dishes is the Ginger Spiced Soywith a choice of fresh garlic sauteed spinach or stir fried broccoli. Another recommendation is the Basil Stir-fry chock full of cauliflower, mushrooms, onion, peppers, bean curd and fresh basil with Thai spice. Home also has a wonderful wine selection. Their staff is friendly and very well-informed on the long list of menu items.

These are just a few of the great spots to find yummy vegetarian fare. New York is ripe for exploring, so check out these restaurants, then get out there and discovery some more!