Where to Find the Best Vegetarian and Vegan Food in New York City

For those who choose not to eat meat, whether out of moral concern or due to health reasons, finding quality food while on the go can be a very difficult process. This can be especially true for vegetarians or vegans who are traveling. When you're out of your normal surroundings, in unfamiliar territory, it can often be hard enough to find a good restaurant at all, let alone one which offers good vegetarian fare.

Luckily, for New Yorkers and for those vegetarians who plan on visiting, New York is a hotbed of delicious vegetarian cuisine. The key to finding it, though, is knowing precisely where to look. Here's a list of the absolute best vegetarian-friendly restaurants you'll find in New York City.

-Pure Food and Wine-

54 Irving Pl.

New York, NY 10003

(212) 477-1010

Sun 5:30 pm to 11 pm

Mon-Thu 12 pm to 3 pm &

5:30 pm to 11 pm

Fri 12 pm to 3 pm &

5:30 pm to 12 am

Sat 5:30 pm to 12 am

Pure Food and Wine is the standout vegetarian restaurant in New York City, by a landslide. Not only does this establishment serve no meat, dairy, or other animal by-products, but they somehow do so in a fashion that is entirely unique and delicious. This is also, by far, the optimal place for vegans to dine. It is true, however, that all of this luxury and wonderful cuisine do come at a relatively outrageous price, but for those who can afford it, this is a truly wonderful restaurant. The most interesting part of the cuisine is the establishment's use of non-dairy cheeses in dishes like lasagna with truffles. With such cheeses they create dishes that couldn't be bettered, or even replicated, with the use of true dairy products. This place is a sensation.

-Maoz-

38 Union Sq. E.

New York, NY 10003

(212) 260-1988

Sun-Thu 11 am to 1 am

Fri-Sat 11 am to 3 am

Maoz is a great, if somewhat limited, option for vegetarians. Essentially, the questions which will determine whether one likes Maoz is simple: do you like falafel? If so, Maoz is the spot for you. It features some of the best falafel sandwiches in the nation. Maoz also serves some of the best tzaziki sauce this reviewer has ever tasted. This place is the first American manifestation of this restaurant, but several other locations exist in Europe. It is worth noting, as well, that Maoz really isn't recommended as a dine-in option. The seating is extraordinarily limited and, therefore, to-go ordering is the norm. It also bears mentioning that this establishment is one of the most reasonably priced restaurants found in this list.

-Quintessence-

263 E. 10^th St.

New York, NY 10009

(646) 654-1823

Winter Hours:

Daily 11:30 am to 10 pm

Normal Hours:

Daily 11:30 am to 10:45 pm

Quintessence is an expensive, but ultimately delicious, New York vegan establishment. Vegetarians and vegans alike will marvel at how Quintessence manages to take raw, completely natural, utterly Vegan food items, and then meld them into tasty treats like their amazing tomato-broth soup. Likewise, the salad dressing found at Quintessence is one of the best in New York, Vegan or otherwise. All in all, even though this place can get a little bit preachy about the "healing powers" of its food, and it is on the expensive side of the spectrum, it's definitely one of the best options in the city.

-Angelica Kitchen-

300 E. 12^th St.

New York, NY 10003

(212) 228-2900

Daily 11:30 am to 10:30 pm

Angelica Kitchen is one place which serves great vegetarian and vegan fare, and can boast even better service. The wait staff, and ambiance, are both some of the best you'll find anywhere in New York. Likewise, the food is very good. All of the entrees, especially the sandwiches on whole wheat buns, are extremely tasty. Angelica Kitchen's true standout feature, though, is the vegan desserts which they offer. The tofu pie is rich, satisfying, and delectable. This stands in stark contrast against many other vegan dessert choices which all too often fall amazingly short of the mark in terms of flavor, texture, and general quality.

-Hangawi-

12 E. 32^nd St.

New York, NY 10016

(212) 213-0077

Mon-Fri 12 pm to 3 pm &

5 pm to 10 pm

Sat 12 pm to 11 pm

Sun 12 pm to 10 pm

While eating at Hangawi will require you to remove your shoes near the entrance (it's a Korean restaurant with the definite sense of tradition and cultural heritage), you'll find that the food and service will more than make up for any perceived inconvenience. In fact, the vegetarian cuisine at Hangawi is so popular with New Yorkers that a vast percentage of the people who dine here are not vegetarians at all. Instead, they come for the healthy fare and amazingly chic decor. For all of this extravagance, however, expect to pay a hefty price for any dish on the menu. For those trying to keep their bill from becoming astronomical, the pear mango salad is an especially good choice.

-Candle Cafe-

1307 3^rd Ave.

New York, NY 10021

(212) 472-0970

Mon-Sat 11:30 am to 10:30 pm

Sun 11:30 am to 9:30 pm

The Candle Cafe is definitely one of New York's best vegetarian restaurants, if not one of its friendliest. The service at Candle Cafe meets one's general impression of the behavior of the stereotypical "rude New Yorker," it's brusque, impersonal, and rushed. For those who can get past those flaws, however, the food here is exceptional. The interior, as well, is very well-decorated and has a sense of timeless good taste. This is also one of the most affordable options found on this list and diners will generally be pleased by the final results tabulated on their bill. All in all, then, the Candle Cafe is a solid choice for vegetarian diners, and for vegans as well.