NYC Heated Vegan Dining Guide
Finding a dope plant-based restaurant in one of the best restaurant scenes on planet Earth, relatively easy. Finding good eats with good heat, little trickier. Blend the two & you’ve got yourself one sticky situation. Freeze or feast? That is the question. With spring around the corner comes the promise of warmer temps, but don’t store away the sweaters just yet, New Yorkers. As you know, the nights will remain nippy for a bit yet. Don’t fret – we have just the spots to keep you comfy.
Buddha Bodai (Chinatown)
Our number one pick is a hidden treasure we’re hesitant to unearth, but it’s just too good to keep to ourselves. Nestled under the bright lanterns of Chinatown, Buddha Bodai is best in show. With your own little enclosed pod, not only is privacy on point but you’ll also have a heater all to yourself. Not to mention that the food is so on point you won’t realize it’s vegan. With an assortment of gluten-free options, you could easily get order overwhelm. So let’s just squash that right here right now. Here are the don’t miss dishes:
We love starting off with the Triple Mushroom Spinach Soup. It’s light, its super veggie-forward, and it’s packed with meaty mushrooms. The next pick flies under the radar: the Mushroom Congee. Marked by it’s simplicity, congee is a rice porridge typical of a Chinese breakfast. Laced with the most delicate little mushroom strings & the gorgeous umami flavor that comes along with them, all you need is a quick douse of soy sauce (ask for gluten-free) & your taste buds will jump for joy. Onto the Fresh Triple Mushrooms – another unexpected all-star. With a rich white wine flavor, this one is reminiscent of a chicken piccata. Weird comparison, but taste & see what we mean.
Best for last: The Ginger Pine Nut Rice & Shredded Shitake Mushroom with Broccoli. Where to begin. Hang on, must stop salivating first. The rice is unlike any other fried rice you’ve come upon. The pine nuts lend a distinct toasted quality, whereas the ginger gives a bright kick. As for the shredded shitakes… imagine the crispiest sesame chicken of your life. Now instead imagine a beautiful tender mushroom beneath that perfect tempura slathered in a rich brown sauce. The combo of the two together should be illegal it’s so insane. Sold? Thought so.
Double Zero (East Village)
If Buddha Bodai wins “Most Intimate”, Double Zero wins “Best Heat in the City”. We went on perhaps the coldest day of the year, with temps near 20 & please god let’s not talk windchill. So when we say the heat is on point, we mean it. The brag doesn’t stop there, though. The food is unbelievable. It’s truly some of the best Italian in the city – and it just happens to be vegan & almost entirely gluten-free/gluten-optional.
The Castelvetrano Olives seem like an unnecessary pick, but if you consider yourself even remotely an olive connoisseur, you want these in your mouth. Buttery, luscious, each unique in flavor. We also ordered the Funghi Agrodolce, Antipasto Salad, Butternut Pasta, and Eggplant Parm (request gluten-free). All were amazing but it’s the Baked Meatballs that steal the spotlight. Somehow quinoa & beans merge to transform into a classic meatball just like Grandma’s. Not mad at it.
We could lie & say the meal stopped there, but the food was so good that we got a couple pies to go. The Truffle Cashew Cream & Basil Sunflower Pesto pizzas – both with the gluten-free crust option. They were eaten on the way home. They didn’t stand a chance. That said, if you’re looking for warmth & comfort with an upscale vibe, look no further.
Divya’s (East Village)
Divya’s easily steals “Most Romantic”. There’s just something about their set-up that drips with intentionality. You may still need to bundle a bit, but tables are positioned under heaters within a semi-enclosed street-side patio. Maybe take it as an opportunity to inch closer to your date, or to freak out your friend.
The food itself also feels thoughtful in a way most restaurants just cannot mirror. There’s no better way to express it other than to say you can taste the love. Corny but true. If you’re doing dinner, the prix fixe is the way to go. Not just because it’s a steal compared to going a la carte, but also because it allows you to get a bit of everything – and trust, you want everything. We went with the Italian & Indian options, with a little creative ordering.
Started off with the Vegan Mozzarella Plate & Creamy Vegetable Soup. How sunflower seeds were turned into the most delicate melt-in-your-mouth mozzarella, we may never know. One thing is for sure though, your non-vegan companion won’t know the difference. The soup was a deeply pleasant surprise; the name doesn’t do it justice. Imagine a rich split pea with that signature smoky quality. Not to be missed.
For mains we got the infamous Vegetable Curry & Vegan Lasagna. The curry never disappoints with it’s rich creamy cashew sauce & traditional kick. The Lasagna, on the other hand, left us breathless. How?? Just how? It was somehow like eating a cornucopia of roasted veggies & a decadent Italian classic at the same damn time. The sauce that comes on the side is the real game-changer. Who knew that salty rich lasagna would meet its match in a sweet raisin-based sauce. You heard that right. Yes, opposites do attract.
We couldn’t pass up the Rose Chocolate Mousse for dessert. The creaminess is unmatched. “You sure this is vegan?” Don’t worry, it’s a question the waitstaff is used to hearing. Is there a sexier combo than rose & chocolate? The answer is no. Obviously, the Pecan Chocolate Cookie also had to happen. A bit heartier than a typical chocolate chip cookie, the sorghum & amaranth flour base makes for a denser, more nourishing dessert option. It’s the type of cookie you want to pretend can pass as breakfast, but no need to make-believe. You’d have to be able to save it & that’s never going to happen. Pair it with one of their stunning teas & you’re officially ready for turndown.
