New York City is home to a plethora of vegan restaurants where you can sit down and enjoy a refined meal in an upscale atmosphere, just like the omnivores do. But what if you’re looking for something casual and affordable, without sacrificing flavor or atmosphere? Head to the West Village, a quietly hip, laid-back neighborhood home to three eateries serving up vegan food that’s decadently delicious.
‘Snice
‘Snice is the place to bring your friends when you want to enjoy a healthy, hearty meal together in a warm, rustic atmosphere. The restaurant’s menu is predominantly vegan and features classic sandwiches like the Philly-Style Seitan, aka Philly cheese steak, and my favorite, the Tempeh Reuben, which features fresh sauerkraut and a zesty thousand island dressing. For more inventive options, look to the the delicately spiced Curried Cauliflower Wrap with a tangy mango chutney, or try the salad menu, particularly the Quinoa Salad with avocado dressing. They also offer vegan breakfast items, and with everything on the menu ringing in at under ten dollars, you might want to come back for every meal.
Soy & Sake
Soy & Sake is the bigger, brighter sister to Red Bamboo, specializing in pan-Asian cuisine, including a full sushi menu. While the atmosphere is casual, the décor is elegant – large aquariums glow cobalt against the walls, and a length of tables along one side look out over busy 7 th Avenue South. The menu is all vegetarian, but mostly vegan: you’ll find your favorite appetizers and entrees from Bamboo, like the sweet-yet-tart Buffalo Wings, and the juicy Manhattan Burger alongside Asian-inspired stir-frys, curries, and noodles. My go-to is the Chicken Pad Thai with pineapples, or something off the sushi menu – usually the crunchy, spot-on Shrimp Tempura Roll.
Taïm
Taïm is truly a West Village gem. A tiny space that’s always packed, they serve up three different kinds of falafel, each perfectly spiced and just the right blend of crispy and soft – choose one, or try a sampling to get familiar. Pair with their incredibly fresh Mediterranean classics like tabbouleh, hummus and Israeli salad. Most of the menu is vegan, and they also specialize in fruit smoothies with creative flavor pairings. I come back for the Harissa falafel on whole wheat pita with all the works. If you enjoy bold flavors and gourmet food without the gourmet price tag, Taïm is not to be missed.
‘Snice
45 8th Avenue
New York, New York 10014
(212) 645 0310
Price Range: Under $10
http://www.snicecafe.com/
Soy & Sake
47-49 7 th Avenue South
New York, New York 10014
212 255 2848
Price Range: Under $20
http://www.soyandsake.com/
Taïm
222 Waverly Place
New York, NY 10014
212.691.1287
Price Range: Under $20
http://www.taimfalafel.com/