New York on a first trip
A list by Abhyuday Bhartia
Where we'd send a friend on their first trip to New York: pizza, bagels, sushi, soft serve and a few dinners worth booking, grouped by the part of the city you'll be in. Each note says what to order.
40 places
New York
“Lower East Side. Every dish built around a vegetable: zucchini takoyaki, pumpkin pad thai, smoked cabbage hot pot. Has vegan options; say so when you book.”
New York
“Chelsea. A bistro that leans New York: double smash burger, Philly cheesesteak, a bacon, egg and cheese sandwich, banana pudding.”
New York
“Upper West Side. A long café menu: crab cakes with golden beet salad, plantain lasagna, red bean chili with corn bread, and a counter of cakes.”
Tarrytown
“Tarrytown, up the Hudson. Marks its vegan dishes: the Root Smash Burger, a tofu scramble, a BBQ chicken bowl.”
Rockville Centre
“Rockville Centre, Long Island. Vegan and traditional pies side by side: the grandma square, the crispy cauliflower, a baked ziti pie with cashew-tofu ricotta.”
Williston Park
“Williston Park, Long Island. The whole menu is fully vegan; look for the eggplant marinara panini on the specials.”
Crown Heights
“Crown Heights. Focaccia sandwiches: the OG, Shiko's katsu, rainbow harvest, and a choco bliss for after.”
Brooklyn
“Bushwick. Pan-Asian: salt and pepper tofu, scallion pancakes, banh mi and spicy tuna avocado rolls.”
Brooklyn
“Bushwick. Ethiopian: slow-stewed sauces and greens; the beyaynetu platter is the one to share.”
Brooklyn
“Bushwick. A deli for heroes and wraps: the Cult Classic of deviled tofu egg salad with kimchi, or the Flying Saucer with cashew cheese and jam.”
Brooklyn
“Williamsburg. The Vegan, with artichokes, roasted red peppers and Violife mozzarella, and a Vegan Pepperoni.”
New York
“Chinatown. Dim sum; before 4 p.m. the special menu has vegan bao and vegan barbecue meat.”
New York
“Centre Street, at the edge of Chinatown. Bao buns, a Hawaiian burger with breaded chicken and pineapple, a hash and cheese sandwich.”
Financial District
“Financial District, five minutes from the Staten Island Ferry. The Spicy Vegan broth of shiitake, garlic and turmeric, or the kale Caesar.”
Lower East Side
“East Broadway, at the Chinatown edge of the Lower East Side. Vietnamese cooking from chef An Nguyen Hawks.”
Nolita
“Nolita. Ice cream, with a vegan line that includes vegan vanilla bean.”
New York
“Broome Street. Two vegan pies: The Vegan, with artichokes and roasted red peppers, and a Vegan Pepperoni.”
Lower East Side
“Lower East Side. The Vegan 12-inch pie with NUMU cheese and basil, vegan garlic knots, and a seasonal soft serve that's vegan too.”
New York
“Lower East Side. A deli in the old New York mould: sandwiches, bagels, breakfast burritos.”
New York
“East Village. Tofu scrambles and pancakes in the morning, manicotti and a stew of the day later, and a raw menu.”
“East Village. Spanish and Arab plates to share: paella, patatas bravas, koshari pie, fava falafel, Dubai chocolate tart.”
New York
“East Village. Kettle-boiled bagels; order the Beyond Delight: JUST Egg, Beyond meat and Stockeld cheddar with sriracha.”
Alphabet City
“East Village, a block from Tompkins Square Park. Lagusta's chocolates and confections; everything it makes is vegan.”
NoMad
“NoMad. Sushi beside dan dan noodles and kimchi baos; the unagi eggplant nigiri with miso truffle.”
Coletta Italian Vegan Restaurant
Fully veganNew York
“Gramercy. Housemade pasta: rigatoni alla Norma, penne alla vodka, butternut squash ravioli, then tiramisu.”
Le Basque French Vegan Restaurant
Fully veganNew York
“Union Square. French and Basque: mushroom paella, port beef bourguignon, escargot, and goxua for dessert.”
West Village
“West Village. Kosher Mediterranean for a proper dinner: lentil ragu, tagliatelle, a lasagna of zucchini, eggplant and spinach, halva to finish.”
New York
“Bleecker Street. Burgers and salads for an easy lunch between the park and the West Village.”
New York
“Greenwich Village, a block from Washington Square Park. Spicy noodles and chili-oil dishes.”
Chelsea
“Hudson Yards, at the top of the High Line. Mexican, and the whole menu is fully vegan.”
New York
“Chelsea. Mediterranean dinner: manti lamb pockets, eggplant and potato moussaka, khachapuri and mezze to share.”
Chelsea
“Chelsea Market, by the High Line. The vegan tahini soft serve, and halva to take home: cardamom, toasted sesame, sea-salt dark chocolate.”
New York
“Midtown, a few blocks below Central Park. The Mighty Mushroom roll, spicy salmon oshizushi, dumplings and miso soup.”
Beyond Sushi - Vegan Restaurant
Fully veganNew York
“Garment District, south of Times Square. Sushi rolls, bao and bowls; the spicy ramen with tofu, eggplant and bok choy.”
Theater District
“Theater District. Kosher-certified, nut-free, and its profits go to charity. Start with the spinach artichoke dip.”
Theater District
“Theater District. Eleven- or fifteen-course omakase: watermelon sashimi nigiri, nasu dengaku nigiri, lion's mane temaki. Book ahead.”
New York
“Upper West Side. A cone on the way back into the park; the vegan line includes vegan vanilla bean.”
Two Boots Pizza Upper West Side
Has vegan optionsUpper West Side
“Upper West Side, a few minutes from Strawberry Fields. A whole section of pies with vegan cheese: try the V for Vegan or the Vegan Mr. Pink.”
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