by 8 people |
The Best of Vegetarian Food in NYC
You will never lack vegetarian food in New York, but so much of it is mediocre. This is NOT a all inclusive list of vegetarian eating, but are my tried and delicious places to eat, shop, and learn vegetarian food in New York City - organized from south to north.
Tribeca
- Columbine $$
- Soup Salad and Sandwiches
Vegetarian friendly
229 W Broadway and White St
Lunch: $5 - $11
There is an unfortunate lack of creativity by New York's sandwichers who seem to have be trained to treat cheese, sprouts, or avocado as a garnish when they should be the main event. Then there are those whose only veggie solution is the predicable mozzarella/tomato/basil or grilled vegetable sandwich. But every so offend you come across a vegetarian sandwich gem; such is the case with Columbine and their Tuscan Vegetarian sandwich. It is an anything-but-bland Italian White Bean Puree with Garlic and Cracked Black Pepper, Red Onions, Oven Dried Tomatoes, Arugula, Shaved Parmesan on Pizza Bianca.
Always check the specials, that is where the best accompanists can be found... such as Couscous with Spicy Roasted Carrots, Red Onions, Chick Peas, and Lime (side) or Sweet Potato and Lemongrass Puree with Garnishes of Fresh Herbs & Peanuts (soup).
Recommended: Tuscan Vegetarian whole ($8) half ($5); Soup of the day ($6)
Chinatown
- Vegetarian Dim Sum House $$
- Chinese
100% Vegetarian
24 Pell St and Doyers St (Chinatown)
Entrees: $5-$16
Dim Sum should be for everyone. Vegetarian Roast Pork with Honey, while not officially dim sum, is amazing. Otherwise order to your heart's content. The decor may seem dingy, but the food will make up for everything the decor lacks. I'm convinced you could just close your eyes and point when ordering and will always end up with the tastiest little dishes ever. End the meal with the fried banana dumplings and go home happy.
Recommended: Vegetarian Roast Pork with Honey ($6); Spinach Dumpling ($3.5); Rice Flour Rolls with vegetarian mock ham and coriander ($2.75); Mock Roast Pork Buns ($2.75); Crispy Banana Rolls ($2.75)
East Village
- Counter $$$
- New American
100% Vegetarian
105 1st Ave and 6th St
Entrees: $13-$19
Besides a fews unusual table/chair combos (lounge chairs too low for the table) in the front of the restaurant, and the wait even with reservations, and the waiters that disappears when you need them, and the appetizers too small to share, and the "hey I didn't mean to order bottled water" moments... this place is a winner. Seriously the food is knock you down delicious.
Recommended: Vegetable B'steeya (Phyllo pastry stuffed with saffron-basmati rice, pinenuts & almond-orange blossom butter) ($18); Cauliflower Risotto ($18); Potato-almond Gnocchi ($11); Spiced Quinoa ($5). - Frank $$$
- Italian
Vegetarian Friendly
88 2nd Ave and 5th St
Entrees: $10-$20
Frank runs a little empire of Italian restaurants in the East Village (Lil' Frankie's and Supper), but plain old Frank is my favorite. The "lived-in" feeling of the family kitchen spills out on to the sunny sidewalk making it one perfect place for a late afternoon bottle and dinner (it gets pretty loud and crowded at night). The Fava e Cicoria (puree of fava w/ chicory) & Roasted Vegetable is the deceivingly simple name for the best item on the menu... the soup is a rich buttery blend that never seems to get cold, and makes a great dip for the mound of perfectly roasted olive oil and garlic vegetables (Broccoli, fennel, onions...)
Recommended: Fava e Cicoria ($14), Spaghetti Limone (Mp/ Standard Special), Roasted Beets Salad ($9) - Hasaki $$$$
- Japanese
Semi Vegetarian-friendly
210 E 9th St and 3rd Ave
Entrees: $10 - $50
Sometimes I like to play my "I'm Japanese" card and encourage my friends to think past sushi - which is only slightly above average here - at Japanese restaurants. Hasaki serves up some of the best homemade nakazuke (rice bran and salt pickles), red miso soup with mitsuba, and then they get a gold star for their (very affordable!) Vegetable Tempura a La Carte: each $3.5 serving is 3 pieces! But the very best item on their menu is their outstanding Black Sesame Seed Ice Cream.
Recommended: Oshinko pickles ($6); Lotus/Yam/Broccoli/or Asparagus Tempura ($3.5 each); Black Sesame Seed Ice Cream. - Pukk $$
- Thai
100% Vegetarian
75 1st Ave and 4th St
Entrees: $7-$9
All vegetarian Thai food. I went for my birthday, after downing a few too may beers and could hardly eat my Perfect Protein Duck ("duck" with chickpeas, radish, onion, peppers, peanut and bean sprouts in a tamarind sauce) even though it was so delicious. The very attentive waitress seemed concerned by the little I ate, and was eager to bring me something else if I was not happy, but it tasted just as good at home the following morning. The restaurant is beautiful by it's own right, even though the decor feels a like being in an empty swimming pool (but maybe I was just drunk); plus an extra nice bathroom.
Recommended: Stuffed Tofu ($4); Pad See Ew ($7); Perfect Protein Duck ($9) - Veselka $$
- Ukrainian Soul Food
Vegetarian-friendly
144 2nd Ave and 9th St
Entrees: $8-$13
I sometimes dream in their Kasha with mushroom sauce and Borscht. Other times I just head over to Veselka and order the Deluxe Vegetarian Combination Plate: soup (get the vegetarian borscht) salad, stuffed cabbage, kasha, and 3 pierogis. I don't know anyone who had been disappointed with anything on their menu- except for the "award-winning" blintzes, which I think taste cheep, too sweet, and too eggy.
Recommended: Deluxe Vegetarian Combination Plate ($11); 4 Pierogi Appetizer ($5.5);
Lower East Side
- 'inoteca $$$
- Italian
Semi Vegetarian-friendly
98 Rivington St and Ludlow St
Small Dishes: $5 - $17
Unless you can read Italian, the menu at this chic small-plate restaurant is almost indecipherable. But the wait staff has never steered me into a bad dish. The first time I dined here I let the waitress select my cheeses which is how my love affair with the delectable Vacche Rosse Parmigiano Reggiano began. The Beet salad with oranges, mint, and hazelnuts is a brilliant combination that cannot be recreated at home no matter how hard I try.
Recommended: Beets w/ orange, mint & hazelnuts ($10); Cheese plate (3 $11 / 5 $14 / 7 $17 / 9 $21) - Tinys Giant Sandwich Shop $
- Sandwich Shop
Vegetarian and Vegan friendly
129 Rivington St and Norfolk St (Lower East Side)
Entrees: $5-$9
Amazingly large sandwiches with a lot of veggi options. You can't go wrong with the "Big Mack Daddy" (Veggie burger topped with mild cheddar, tofu bacon, lettuce, tomato, pickle, ketchup, mustard and special sauce) and the "Veggiest of Them All" (Avocado, cucumber, sprouts, shredded carrots, tomato, spinach, roasted red peppers, onions and Annie's goddess on 7-grain baguette). They moved to a larger location, so they are not so 'tiny' anymore. Service can be hit or miss.
Recommended: Big Mack Daddy ($6.5); Veggiest of Them All ($7)
West Village
- Gobo $$$
- Pan-Asian
100% Vegetarian/ Very Vegan Friendly
401 6th Ave and 8th St
Entrees: $12-$21
I didn't realize just how similar the menu is to Zen Palate's (not surprising when the same chef created both menus) but Gobo's execution is like a million time better. Their brown rice is delicious beyond explanation- especially after a bottle of wine (and some per dinner cocktails...) UPDATE: Other reviewer alway rave over Gobo's avocado tartar which looks like an overpriced pile of guacamole... but I finally tried it and it really is delicious.
Recommended: Natural Seitan Medallion in Sizzling Spicy Citrus Sauce ($20); Vietnamese Spring Rolls with Spicy Honey Dip ($7); Avocado Tartar with Wasabi Lime Sauce ($11) - Red Bamboo $$
- Southern/Asian
100% Vegetarian
140 W 4th St and 6th Ave (Brooklyn also)
Entrees: $7-$13
I have a long going debate over the best "chicken" in NY, and while I think it is at Foodswings my friend swears by the Red Bamboo's Creole Soul Chicken. The choice is yours. The BBQ Chicken Kabobs and Butterfly Soy Chops w/apple-raisin sauce are staples in my book.
The Brooklyn location mixes the friendliest Peach Ice Tea w/fresh mint cocktail. I have/will drink myself silly on these.
Recommended: Teriyaki Chicken Salad ($7); Butterfly Soy Chops ($13); BBQ Chicken Kabobs ($13); Citrus Beef with Asparagus ($12) - Blossom Gourmet Vegan $$$
- New American
Vegan!
187 9th Ave at 21st St
Entrees: $17-$21
I was a little hesitant about Blossom because almost every review I read was so sugar sweet positive. What I found was an elegant dining experience when my dish was rather mediocre (I had the dinner special which was seitan prepared in some non-memorable fashion) but I just couldn't keep my fork out of everyone else's dishes, especially the stuffing from the Stuffed Portobella (and I hate mushrooms).
Recommended: Stuffed Portobella with Cashew-Tahini Sauce ($19); Savory Seitan & Herb Potatoes ($20); chocolate ganache ($8)
Meatpacking District
- 'SNice $$
- Sandwiches
100% Vegetarian/ very Vegan-friendly
45 8th Ave and W 4th St
Entrees: All sandwiches $7.5
While I usually pride myself with being able to select the best items on a menu, my menu mojo disappears every time I am here. The Sesame Chicken wrapped with spicy peanut sauce and thai salad was desperately in need of something sweet to balance it out (but the thai salad was excellent); and the Spicy Buffalo Soy Wrap with blue cheese dressing was overbearing. Fortunatly, my friends have been successful at picking delish sandwiches. The best has been the Philly Style Seitan Sandwich with dairy cheese, pepper and onions, followed by the Cuban Panini with soy ham, pickles and swiss. The portions are surprisingly generous in a world where most veggie/vegan sandwiches are woefully stingy with their mock meats.
Recommended: Philly Style Seitan Sandwich ($7.5) - Fig and Olive $$$$
- Mediterranean
Vegetarian Friendly
420 W 13th St and 9th Ave
Entrees: $21 - $32
This large lovely restaurant dealt with us quite graciously when we showed us with a party larger then our reservation, and our waiter has an infinite amount of patience as we proceed to ask many many many questions about the menu. The small plates and appetizers are king and just so happen to be the most veggie friendly. The crostini selection is drool worthy, in particular, the manchego and fig crostini was absolutely divine.
Recommended: Crostini (Cucumber, Greek Yogurt, Lemon/ Manchego, Fig Spread, Almond/ Bell Pepper, Goat Cheese) ($9.5); Fig Jamon Goat Cheese Carpaccio ($14); Zucchini Carpaccio ($10); Fig & Olive Salad ($13)
Soho
- Ghenet $$$
- Ethiopian
Vegetarian and Vegan friendly
284 Mulberry St at Houston St
Entrees: $12 - $ 18
There are people out there who have never tried/do not like Ethiopian food? I do not understand. Before moving to New York I religiously ate Ethiopian food every Tues and Thur, so when I got to NY I tried every Ethiopian restaurant in the city. Ghenet is the best you can get. I only order the Combo plate which comes with Misir Wett (lentils in berbere), Aterkek Aletcha (split peas), Shiro Wett (spicy beans), Gomen Wett (collard green), Atkelt Salad (potatoes, carrots and red beets), and my favorate Atkelt Wett (cabbage, potatoes and carrots in caramelized onion sauce). The injera is perfectly moist and sour and made with real teff (white injera is so bland disappointing). Don't expect much in way of decor, wait staff, or wine list, each of which leaves much to be desired.
Recommended: Vegetarian Combination (for 1: $16, for 2: $32, for 3: $43, for 4: $56) - La Sirene $$$$
- French
Vegetarian-friendly
558 Broome St and 6th Ave.
Entree: $19-$29
French restaurants are notoriously un-vegetarian friendly (I probably don't need to tell you that) so I was pretty nervous when I previewed the all meat menu before dinner. I called ahead to see if the chef might be willing to accommodate a vegetarian and got a earful describing all the luscious vegetables he was preparing for the night. When I arrived the chef came out of the kitchen to personally greeted me and let me know I as in good hands... and I was! I was presented with very generous portions of: sauteed spinach and mushrooms, garlic mashed potatoes, carrot puree, yams, butter beans with tomatoes and rice. (The Assortiments de Legumes is now on the regular menu, go veggies!) But the best part of the night: BYOB!
Recommended: Beet Salad ($10.75); Green Salad ($7.5); Vegetable Plate ($19.5) - Lupe's $$
- Mexican
Vegetarian-friendly
110 6th Ave and Watts (Soho)
Entrees: $8-$13
As a Los Angeles native, I think all Mexican restaurants in New York suck. And while I've come to accept that I will never find a burrito as good as Tito's in Culver City or even Mario's in Berkeley, I have found a remarkable rendition of good ol'enchiladas. The Spinach and Cheese Enchiladas at Lupe's is like a pound of spinach swimming in a sea of cream under a blanket of corn tortilla and salsa. It is the only thing worth eating on the menu.
Recommended: Spinach and Cheese Enchilada ($10.25)!!!!!! - Rice $$
- Pan-Asian/Latin
Vegetarian-friendly
Fort Green, Dumbo, Soho, Midtown
292 Elizabeth St. and E. Houston
Lunch Special: $9
Entrees: $5-$15
They are opening everywhere these days, but the food does not suffer. The Vegetarian Meatballs (nothing "meaty" about them, firm tofu with miso, red peppers and scallions rolled in rice flour and snap fried) are like little hot balls from heaven- especially with the black rice and sweet sauce. The Asia Slaw and Mesclun Salad (with carrot ginger dressing) are both perfect.
Recommended: Vegetarian Meatballs (sm $5.5/lg $9.5); Eggplant Maki ($8); Carrot Rice Balls with tomato cumin sauce ($6); Edamame Hummus ($4); Thai Black Rice (Sm + $.50/ Lg + $1.00)
Noho
- Quartino Bottega Organica $$
- Italian
Vegetarian/Fish
11 Bleecker St and Bowery
Entrees: $10-$16
I am not a fan of dry dense whole wheat breads... but Quartino has changed my mind... and that is just the free bread. Step it up to one of their delicious homemade whole wheat pasta dishes and this usually bland grain is transformed into a smooth nutty delight. The avocado gelato is for the brave, but the reward is great.
Recommended: Ravioli Magri al Pomodoro o al Sugo di Noci (Vegetable Ravioli w/ Tomato Basil Sauce or w/ Walnut Sauce) ($14); Mozzarella, Pomodoro e Basilico ($8). - Nolita House $$
- New American
Vegetarian-friendly
47 E Houston St (upstairs) at Mulberry St.
Brunch Entrees: $10 - $14
I wasn't nearly as excited about the Blue Grass Brunch as my out-of-town guests, but you know, they are the guests... So we show up to this folksy chalkboard covered dinning room filled with friendly wait staff and a surprisingly good blue grass band. My caramelized onion and arugula pizza was huge and mediocre, but my friend's mac'n cheese was heaven! It's made with gemili pasta (brilliant), 4 cheeses, and a crispy planko crumb crust. The BF's spinach and swiss omelet was big and fluffy and came with a mound of perfect fries. I also couldn't keep my eyes off the pancakes on the table next to me, which I don't think was appreciated by the person eating them.
Reccommended: (Brunch prices - comes with free Mimosa or Sangria) Macaroni & Cheese ($11); Omelet w/Spinach and Swiss ($12.5)
Union Square Area
- Fifth Avenue Epicure $
- Deli
Vegetarian-friendly
144 5th Ave and 19th St
Entrees: $4-$9
For about $5 you can get delectable homemade soup, bread, fruit, and a peppermint patty at this deli. The choices change everyday, but I am always on the look out for their Cream of Pumpkin.
Recommended: Cream of Pumpkin Soup (Lg $5.20); Vegetarian 3-bean Chili (Lg $5.25). - Home on 8th $$
- Chinese
Vegetarian-friendly, Vegan-friendly
391 8th Ave and 29th St
Lunch Special: $5.50
Entrees: $7-$11
While I should know better then to order the Spicy Mango Sauce anything (always sounds good, but I don't actually like it)- my appetizers here were amazing. The $1.95 double "beef" skewer in Chinese bbq sauce is sinful; and the Crispy Soyskin Drumstick are... yum. Update: I just tried the Tangerine "Chicken" and it is fabulous! The Vegetarian "Chicken" Skewers are just ok- stick to the "beef" ones.
Recommended: General Tso's "Chicken" ($9); Tangerine Chicken Medallions Entree ($11.95); Citrus "Beef" on a Skewer ($2.5). - Pure Food and Wine $$$$
- New American
Raw Food, Vegan
54 Irving Pl and 17th St
Entrees: $23-$29
Can money buy happiness? Pure Food and Wine will make a good chunk of change vanish, but noshing on the Creamy Cauliflower Samosas with Banana Tamarind Sauce will make you beg for them to take another $13 from your surrendering hands. Instead they will bring you a plate of White Corn Tamales with Raw Cacao Mole, and you'll forget get why you ever thought it was a good idea to cook your food.
Recommended: Creamy Cauliflower Samosas ($13); White Corn Tamales ($23); Marinated Shiitake and Avocado Sushi Rolls ($13). - Souen $$$
- American/Asian
Vegetarian-friendly, Vegan-friendy, Macrobiotic (serves fish)
28 E 13th St and University Pl (Union Square)
Entrees: $9-$23
Beware, there are a lot of unpleasant items at this macrobiotic restaurant. Stay away from anything with Seitan, it is just plain weird; and the Broiled Tofu Okabe, it is weird and slimy. The rule here is the simpler the better, such as the Macro Plate: beans, hijiki seaweed, steamed greens and root vegetables, and rice. The beans are usually kidney or chickpea, the greens are usually kale, and the roots are usually carrots, parsnips, and acorn squash and are served with a carrot ginger dressing. The website have images of everything on the menu!
Also, they charge a delivery fee/mandatory tip for take out, but that doesn't stop me from ordering.
Recommended: Macro Plate ($8.5)
Murry Hill
- Madras Mahal $$
- Indian
100% Vegetarian
104 Lexington Ave and 27th St
Entrees: $8-$11
In the sea of Indian restaurants that is Murry Hill, this has become my favorite. There food is consistently fresh and predictably delicious.
Recommended: Lunch Buffet ($8); Palak Paneer (Cheese w/Spinach & Herbs) ($11); Chana Masala (Chickpeas w/Spices)($10); Pongal (basmati rice w/lentils and cashew nuts) ($10); Gulab Jamun Two Dessert Cheese Balls In a Sweet Syrup) ($4) - Lamazou $
- Italian Deli
Vegetarian-friendly
370 3rd Ave and 27th St
Sandwiches: $5 - $10
This little Italian deli only carries quality ingredients, meaning the simplest sandwich is always delicious. I adore the Medisea (feta, roasted peppers, pesto and vinaigrette) on their fresh ciabatta. Their stuffed grape leaves are pricey but pretty good too.
Recommended: Medisea (half $4.5/whole $6.75); Stuffed Grape Leaves ($7 per Lb)
Flatiron
- Bonobo's Vegetarian $$
- Vegetarian/Raw
100% Vegetarian/Vegan/Raw
18 E 23 St and Park Ave S
Entrees: $6-$11
While this looks like a glorified salad bar(check out the these pics)
, the food is packing with fresh raw flavor. I cannot stop thinking about ginger garlic dressing which skillfully makes sharp raw garlic taste marvelous. If you get anything with the pate, (like the scrumptious napa cabbage sandwich) get the sunflower dill one. They've commandeer the ice cream parlor's free samples policy and eagerly offer tiny spoons of their tasty concoctions... so if you don't like what you've ordered its your own fault.
Recommended: Nutmeat Nappa Sandwich with Sunflower Dill Pate ($7.5); Sweet Bell Pepper Coconut Soup ($6.5); and Moroccan Cauliflower ($5.5) - Shake Shack $$
- Burgers
Marginally Vegetarian-friendly
Madison Square Park near 23rd St.
Entrees: $3.5-$9.5
The line here is always ridiculous, be prepared for at least a 60+ minute wait at lunch... but its worth it to try at least once in your life. There is only 1 vegetarian burger: the 'Shroom Burger. Its 2 portobello stuffed with muenster and cheddar then deep fried and served on a potato bun with leaf lettuce, tiny tomatoes, shack sauce, chopped onions, and pickles. The fries look totally boring but are actually really good, and the shakes/custards are yummy but overpriced.
Recommended: 'Shroom Burger ($6.5)
Koreatown
- Hangawi $$$
- Korean
12 E 32nd St at 5th Ave
Entrees: $16-$20 ($40 prix fixe dinner)
A temple to vegetarian food. Don your best socks and take a seat on the floor of this beautiful Korean restaurant for a meal that pack a punch of simplicity. While I find their veggie dumpling bland, the tofu asparagus salad is an artful blend of sweet and tangy dressing balancing the inherent blandness of tofu and the gentle earthiness of asparagus.
Recommended: Tofu Asparagus Salad ($8.95); Acorn Noodle Salad ($9.95); Combination Pancakes ($12.95); Avocado Stone Bowl ($19.95)
Theater District
- Zen Palate $$
- Pan-Asian
100% Vegetarian/ Vegan-friendly
Midtown/Theater, Financial District
663 Ninth Ave. and 46th St
Entrees: $9-$11
Although I have to admit I only eat the Sweet and Sour Sensation, Sesame Medallions, or the Peking-Style Zenduck Wrap (New!) and sometimes also order the Yam Fries or Spinach Wanton Soup- but when you find perfection, why stray. The BF always orders the Shredded Heaven which I find hopelessly dull...
There are 2 menus: Cafe and Fine Dinning. The FD is considerably more expensive and considerably more delicious.
Recommended: (Fine dining menu) Sizzling Medallions; (Cafe menu) Sweet and Sour Sensation ($9.5); Sesame Medallions ($9.5); Peking-Style Zenduck Wrap ($8.5); Wonton Soup ($3.5); Yam Fries ($4) - Casellula Cheese and Wine Cafe $$$
- New American / Cheese
Vegetarian Friendly
401 W 52nd St and 9th Ave
Entrees: $8-$18
This restaurant is everything I wanted Artisanal to be. Everything on this menu is based around wonderful cheese. We arrived at 6:30 on a Sunday and were barely able to snag a table for 3 (but it was the best table in the house - right against the cheese case) The dining room filled up very quickly, and thought I didn't have to wait it would have been well worth it. The wait staff was very helpful and friendly - they even let us pre-order the last a vegetarian Mac and Cheese since they make a limited amount per night.
While I thoroughly researched the cheese menu before going when actually faced the petite but ample cheese case I found myself pointing and ordering by instinct alone. At $6 per cheese you get a decent cut paired with a provoking complement such as burnt fig jam (yum!). We ordered a very nice Argentinean Malbec, which at $40 was the cheapest red on the menu.
The Ricotta Crostini (Ricottta, Honey, Hazelnusts, Lemon zest) was light and refreshing on the pallet and an ample 3 piece portion; and the Grilled Cheese with Tomato and green salad was perfect grilled cheese! The bread is ridged, compressed, and crunchy all the way through, the unspecified cheese blend is flavorful without being to bold and oozy. The salad was your typical vinaigrette dressed mescaline.
Recommended: Ricotta Crostini ($6); Grilled Cheese ($10); Mac and Cheese ($13); Any of the fine cheeses they carry ($6 each)
Upper West Side
- Candle 79 $$$
- New American
100% Vegetarian/ very Vegan-friendly
154 E 79th St and Lex
Entrees: $18-$23
Over and over I herd that Candle 79 is THE BEST vegetarian food in NY and I am inclined to agree. Maybe distance makes the heart grow fonder (its so far from home (Brooklyn)) but I still think fondly of those summer nights when everything the put into my stomach was impeccable. I particularly remember sweet and crispy plantain terrine (a special appetizer), and the Pumpkin seed Crusted Seitan with sautéed collard green and fried plantains (I love plantains). Just order the "fill-in-the-blank" Crusted Seitan of the season and you will never be disappointed.
And I just love "unusual" flavors, so I was totally sold on the Chipotle Chocolate, Merlot, and Lavender ice cream trio on my last visit.
Recommended: Grilled Balsamic-Herb Seitan grilled corn & shallots, fingerling potato chips, sautéed green beans, peach salsa ($23); House Made Sorbet or Ice Cream Sampler ($8)
Get your shopping done
- NYC Farmer's Market
- Fresh vegetables, cheaper then the market (for the quality)- I enjoy the Union Square one (M, W, F, Sat: 8-6)
- The Garden
- Health Food Market
921 Manhattan Avenue and Kent St.
Greenpoint, Brooklyn
Excellent selection of meatless meats, fresh vegetables, grains, ect... never over priced. - Kalustyan's
- Specialty Food Store
123 Lexington Ave and 28th St
Murray Hill, NYC
This is the cook's toy store! Kalustyan's is filled with wild and rare ingredients for every style of cooking (but with an obvious strength in Indian foods) with almost ridiculousness variety. For example, they carry 209 kinds of rice and 109 kinds of salt! My staples are: Candied Violet petals and Elder Flower Cordial (both make outstanding martinis); Tamarind paste; Forbidden Black Rice; Japanese Short Grain Sticky Rice; and frozen Paneer. - May Wah
- Mock Meat Mecca
213 Hester Street and Center St
Chinatown, NYC
If your favorite veggi house does not make its own "meats" they probably buy it here, such as Foodswings, Red Bamboo, and Home on 8th. Not be be missed are the May Wah brand chicken drumsticks, the citrus spare ribs, and bacon. Steer clear of the veggi jerkey... barf.
Not in New York? They ship anywhere in the US! - Pearl River
- Chinese Imports
477 Broadway and Grand St
Soho, NYC
Okay, so maybe you think of this place as all paper lanterns and bamboo products, but take a walk through their food section. They have canned seitan, it's not the greatest but at $1.15 it is a bargain. They also carry well-priced seaweed, sauces, oils (chili, peanut), sweets, ect. - East Village Cheese
- Cheese!!!!
40 3rd Ave and 10th St
East Village, NYC
This is the cheepest cheese in the city!
Get someone else's opinion
- Sondra's Guide to New York City Restaurants
- A girl after my own heart! Excellent personal reviews of New York eats.
- Menu Pages
- A comprehensive guide to New York City takeout menus.
- Happy Cow
- A vegan/vegetarian restaurant guide to the world.
- addyourown
- Very candid and very anonymous reviews of New York restaurants, bars, restrooms, ect...
Best of the Meatless Meats
- Veat
- The best consumer level "chicken." It has a nice stringy texture and a slightly sweet and savory flavor. I buy it at Whole Foods or The Garden.
- Morningstar Hot Dogs
- While I am not a fan of most Morningstar products (and their parent company, Kellogg's), their Hot Dogs are by far the best I've ever had. They have the rolled texture of "real" hot dogs, they don't taste like a tofu-ish extruded log. They grill real well and everyone eating meaty hot dogs will be super jealous.
- Gimme Lean Ground Beef or Sausage Style
- Make a burger out of this and you'll never go back to those wimpy "veggi burgers."
- Primal Strips Jerky
- This is the best jerky, especially the teriyaki. The Garden stopped carrying it which is so depressing. Look for it, or buy it online- hopefully by the case.
Best of the Rest
- Rick's Picks
- I am not one to normally buy a $9 jar of pickles, but Rick's Picks Windy City Wasabeans and Mean Beans have won me over. Want to sample them all, head over to Spuyten Duyvil (359 Metropolitan Ave Williamsburg, Brooklyn) for the pickle plate (and while you at it, any of the cheese, wines, and beers).
- Health is Wealth: Pizza Munchies
- Mouth-sized, all natural, whole wheat, soy cheese.... good good good, yum yum yum.
- Wolff's Kasha
- Do you love kasha? Well I do... I've tried tons of different bands, and Wolff's is the best (so far). The traditional preparation involves an egg (sorry vegans).
Further Learning
- Satya
- This magazine about vegetarianism, enviromentalism, animal advocacy, and social justice is so not the hippy dippy magazine I though it would be. Intellegent, witty, painfuly truthful... find it for free at Foodswings and Red Bamboo, or for a mear $20 subscription have it delivered for a entire year.
Guides
VegOut Vegetarian Guide to New York City (Restaurant Guidebooks for Vegetarian and Vegan Diners)
Amazon Price: (as of 12/23/2009) 
Used Price: $0.01
Vegetarian New York City: The Essential Guide for the Health-Conscious Traveler
Amazon Price: $14.95 (as of 12/23/2009)
Used Price: $0.01
The Slow Food Guide to New York City: Restaurants, Markets, Bars (Slow Food Guides)
Amazon Price: (as of 12/23/2009)
Used Price: $0.61
The Vegan Guide To New York City (Vegan Guide to New York City)
Amazon Price: (as of 12/23/2009)
Used Price: $3.39
by Kelly_Bone
New York grad student finding new ways to avoid working on her thesis. (more)
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"Soul To Soul. A Vegetarian Soul Food Cookbook."- Tasty, low-cost recipes that combine the best of Louisiana & Texas soul food coo...
Seitan- Recipes, links and information on the meat substitute Seitan.
The Best Vegetarian restaurant Ever: You choose!!!- For the first week, we will vote on New York City. Cast your vo...
