After trying so many different places here is a list of my favorite gluten-free + vegan friendly restaurants, cafés & bakeries in New York City. I will update it regularly so keep checking in!
Sit Down Restaurants
Double Zero Plant-Based Pizza (Lower East Side)
I’ve had A LOT of pizza. I’ve had a lot of vegan pizza. I’ve had even more gluten-free pizza. This Matthew Kenney casual, hip restaurant is by far the best in all three categories. Amazing crust (gluten-free or regular), amazing tree-nut cheeses, amazing plant-based desserts. It isn’t just good vegan or gluten-free pizza, it’s good pizza. Try the white pizza & tiramisu for brunch!
Cocoron & Goemon (Lower East Side, Little Italy, Nolita)
Japanese comfort food for meat eaters, vegans & gluten-free folks alike. They offer 100% buckwheat soba noodles if you make a reservation 2 days in advance. The owner literally comes in minutes before your reservation with the fresh noodles & you can watch them be prepared. The vegan broth is so rich I had to keep asking if it was really vegan. This is one of my favorite restaurants in NYC. I always opt for what the owner recommends – the dip version of the kombu kelp, shitake mushroom & garbanzo base broth where you dip the fresh gluten-free soba noodles in the hot broth & then devour!
Jajaja Mexicana (Lower East Side/Chinatown)
Plant-based & gluten-free friendly Mexican food & drinks. This is my go-to vegan Mexican spot. They have innovative ingredients & finger-licking good tacos. Try the fish tacos!
Modern Love Brooklyn (Williamsburg)
Wonderful space with absolutely delicious vegan food owned by the amazing Isa Chandra. So many gluten-free options & definitely worth the trip to Brooklyn. I celebrated my birthday here & ordered the Mac & Shews!
Bar Verde (Lower East Side)
Another amazing plant-based Matthew Kenney restaurant but this one is Mexican & right next door to Double Zero listed above. Try the hearts of palm ceviche with plantain chips & jackfruit barbacoa tacos for dinner! Promise you won’t be disappointed!
Le Botaniste – Food & Wine Bar (Upper East Side)
Entirely plant-based & entirely gluten-free, meaning everything on the menu is game! If I ever open a restaurant it would be like this. It’s an incredibly charming apothecary theme casual café style with amazing food that feels home cooked. Try the spicy chili sin carne or vegetable tajine!
Candle 79 (Upper East Side)
Upscale, innovative vegan food. Every dish is truly a work of art. THIS is high quality vegan fine dining. Try the Moroccan Spiced Chickpea Cake!
Seasoned Vegan (Harlem)
Top-notch 100% vegan soul food. I looooove the vibe here & the story behind the restaurant. Looking for vegan collard greens, mac & cheese, a po’boy sandwich or crawfish? This is your spot! They are gluten-free friendly & everything is labeled (which I love) but don’t have gluten-free bread for the sandwiches or gluten-free pasta for the mac & cheese. Try the crawfish in garlic basil sauce, the sweet potato soufflé or smothered chikn!
Champs Diner (Williamsburg)
Great concept with all-vegan American diner comfort food. Looking for a milkshake/sundae, pancakes, burger or a diner breakfast fix? This is your spot! Not for those on a diet but it’s definitely a once in a while treat with some gluten-free options. Every menu item is food porn…try the tatertachos & classic 8 milkshake!
VSPOT Organic (East Village & Park Slope)
Latin vegan comfort food. This is the place if you want empanadas, arepas, tostadas, tacos or burritos. They are gluten-free friendly & I usually opt for the nachos or tostadas!
Quick/Café-Style & Bakeries
Orchard Grocer (Lower East Side)
All-vegan supermarket & NY-style deli with soft-serve. If I’m in the area I always have to pop in & see their plant-based cheese selection. You can’t go wrong with anything here, try the entire menu!
&pizza (Flatiron & Nomad)
They call themselves an “anti-establishment establishment” & are Chipotle-style pizza spot where you can get as many toppings as desired topped with unique sauces for a great price. They offer vegan cheese & a great gluten-free crust. Try the gluten-free crust with spicy marinara, roasted chickpeas & every vegetable in sight drizzled with fig balsamic!
Dig Inn (many locations)
Obviously there are locations all over the city for this modern grab-n-go build your own bowl café. They have something on the menu for everyone: vegan, gluten-free, meat eaters, etc. The menu is seasonal & they support local farmers (<3). This is one of my favorite quick lunch spots. Their brussel sprouts are life-changing when they’re in season but everything on the menu is delicious!
The Little Beet (Midtown West, Midtown East, NoMad, The Pennsy Food Hall)
Another grab-n-go build your own bowl café except this one is 100% gluten-free (aka Disneyland for us gluten-free folk) but the best part is you can’t even tell it’s missing the gluten! They are vegan friendly but also have great options for meat eaters. The menu is seasonal, local & fresh…all my favorite things. They also have some unique menu items like spirulina flecked brown rice. Whichever bowl combo you choose try the hibiscus pickled onion as the garnish!
by CHLOE. (many locations)
Hip, very popular all-vegan café with delicious baked goods. They are popping up everywhere in NYC (for good reason) & have a ton of gluten-free options. Try the guac burger, air baked French fries with beet ketchup & a gluten-free chocolate chip cookie for dessert!
Candle Café East & West (Upper East Side & Upper West Side)
I’ve only been to the location on the Upper East Side but it’s a very chill, juice bar/café vibe. They have delicious juices & such a wide range of great dishes! Try their mezze plate to start & I always opt for the good food plate for my entrée so I can pick & choose 4 side dishes as my meal!
Hu Kitchen (Union Square)
No weird ingredients is what they pride themselves on! Meaning nothing processed – 100% gluten-free, no corn, soy, canola oil, etc. They are very paleo friendly as well! If you haven’t tried their chocolate before it’s amaaaazing. That’s how I originally heard of them. You can get anything from meatloaf to paleo pumpkin French toast along with amazing wines, coffees & desserts!
Beyond Sushi (Union Square, Chelsea Market, Midtown West, Financial District)
100% unconventional, vegan sushi. This is such a different concept I’ve ever seen before for sushi! They include unique ingredients like black rice, mango & saffron chickpea puree, just to name a few. Every time I stop by I usually opt for the seasonal role!
Terri (Midtown East, Chelsea, Financial District)
Vegan fast food done right. Anything on the menu is a go! They had a cheese burger with potato chips insider at one point that I couldn’t stop coming back for. Their breakfast burrito (they offer a gluten-free wrap) is great at any time of day & their smoothies are a real treat. You can even purchase bottles of their house made vegan sauces – hellllloo buffalo sauce & ranch! They also have some delicious baked goods.
The Cinnamon Snail (Financial District & Food Truck locations)
Food truck, quick vegan comfort food. This is not a place for anyone dieting but good news, they do offer a few gluten-free options which can be hard to find at vegan comfort food restaurants. All of their menu options are truly food porn. Try the bourbon hazelnut ganache French toast (GF) or kimchi fries!
Peacefood Café (Union Square & Upper West Side)
Cute, cozy vegan café with great raw vegan options. They have sandwiches, juices/smoothies & baked goods. Gluten-free friendly! I love coming here after my weekend yoga classes. The staff is sweet, great prices & did I mention…desserts?! Try all the baked goods they’re amazing!
Tu-Lu’s Gluten-Free Bakery (East Village)
Entirely gluten-free bakery with an amazing menu but I love the coffee cake! Note their items are not vegan but they do have a lot of dairy-free options.
By the Way Bakery (Upper East Side & Upper West Side)
A 100% gluten-free & dairy-free bakery. They have amazing cakes, brownies, cookies, muffins, & are one of the only bakeries you can get a baguette or challah from as well. Try anything & I’m sure you won’t be able to tell any gluten or dairy is missing! 😉 Note their items are not vegan & do contain eggs.
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