New York is on many people’s bucket list of places to visit however non-meat eaters may be wondering if it's vegetarian and vegan friendly? The city that never sleeps has plenty to offer to any visitor, whether you want to see the famous Statue of Liberty, take in a show on Broadway, or go shopping at the iconic Macy’s department store. Whatever you will be doing when you visit NYC, you can be sure that food is going to be a big part of it.

Delicious New York food and drink experiences aren’t hard to come by. The pizza is world-renowned and the bagels are supposed to be the best in the USA, but it might be a little more tricky if you are vegan in New York.

Here, we will look at the way the NYC food scene is adapting to include more plant-based options, and discover - is New York vegan friendly?

Is New York Vegan Friendly?

While the most vegan-friendly city in the USA is Portland, Oregon, New York City is no slouch when it comes to providing plenty of options for vegans who are either visiting or living there. Amongst the bright lights in the Big Apple, nestled between delis, upscale restaurants and pizza places, HappyCow found enough to name New York one of the Top 10 Vegan Cities in the World. This means that it is not only a convenient place for vegans to visit, but should be a destination because of its thriving vegan food scene.

Where do vegans live in NYC?

If you have never visited New York City before, you might be surprised at the sheer size of it. It is a big and bustling city, with many boroughs to choose from. While you will find vegans and vegan eateries all over NYC, this can be more difficult in residential areas. There are plenty of places all over the five boroughs, though - head to the Lower East Side for nightlife and lots of places to eat vegan. Known as a hipster hotspot, Williamsburg cafes and restaurants are adapting their menus to suit vegans, too. Even somewhere a little off the beaten track, like Astoria in Queens, has plenty to offer when it comes to both vegan and vegetarian diets, as well as offering some of the lowest prices in notoriously pricey NYC.

How many vegan restaurants are in NYC?

The truth is that it is difficult to put an exact number on the number of vegan restaurants in New York City. New eateries are appearing all the time, and any list cannot account for the numerous pop-ups and unexpected tiny places that you might find on your travels around this vast metropolis. However, it is easy to discover at least fifty vegan restaurants stretched across the five boroughs, which is more than you might expect to find in an average city.

Best places to eat for vegans in NYC

As you can see, there are so many places to visit if you want to eat vegan in New York City, but what are some of the top spots that locals and tourists alike just cannot get enough of? You don’t want to miss out on some of the best places, right? Well, this can depend on your personal tastes, but if you want to grab something easy and tasty without worrying about hunting down a chic little hidden cafe, Beyond Sushi is a good place to start. With several locations across the city, this sushi joint offers plenty of vegan options, so you can indulge in one of New York’s favourite foods while still staying plant-based.

If you want to go for something a little more upmarket for drinks and nibbles, abcV is a popular Manhattan spot that offers a vast range of cocktails as well as seasonal plates, and it is all vegan! So you can pick whatever you want from the menu and truly indulge.

Another must-try, while you’re in New York, is a slice of pizza - but you might wonder how you can ever find the famous NYC slice as a vegan! However, Screamer’s Pizzeria in Brooklyn has you covered there. Based in Crown Heights, Screamer’s offers exclusively vegan pizza, so you can have your pick and get that true New York experience without worrying about accidentally consuming dairy. The perfect way to begin your NYC trip!

Experience vegan NYC

With so many vegan options to choose from, a great way to dive into the foodie world feet first is by booking a food-based experience. Whether you are vegan or have another dietary request, a great choice is to book a private, customisable food tour that can be adapted to suit your needs. And for those who want to align their visit with their ethics, a sustainable tour is a great way to embrace this. Experienced local guides can help you to get to know the best places to eat and drink, and give you top tips that you might not be able to find in a guidebook. Think of this as your window into eating vegan in NYC, giving you a glimpse of all the city has to share.

As you can see, there are plenty of vegan options available when you travel to New York City. Whatever the reason for your visit, make sure that you indulge in some of the many delicious foods on offer in this exciting and vibrant city because New York is one of the most vegan-friendly places you could hope to go!

New York Food and Drink Experiences

If you want to enjoy a truly amazing exploration of the New York food scene, you can discover more with tabl. We have a range of fantastic New York food and drink experiences providing you with a flavour of the city that caters for both the vegan and non-vegan diet.