New York City voted top US city for plant-based eating
Plus, Species Unite’s top five vegan restaurants across the city, from plant-based sushi eateries to meat-free burger joints.
New York City has been named the top city in the United States for plant-based eating, according to new research as part of a wider initiative to find the “coolest” North American city. Chicago and Los Angeles also rank high in the 2025 list, coming in second and third respectively.
San Francisco, Las Vegas, Houston, San Diego, Seattle, Washington, and Boston, which had between 500 and 815 vegan-friendly restaurants each, make up the top ten vegan-friendly US cities. The research was conducted by British gambling company, Betway, using information from sites including Tripadvisor and World Population Review.
Home to at least 2,420 vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free restaurants citywide, from eateries serving plant-based burgers, pizzas, and sushi, to fine-dining establishments offering vegan caviar, New York City’s meat-free scene caters to many different tastes. Here are five of Species Unite’s favorites:
1. Eleven Madison Park
This Michelin-stared fine-dining restaurant offers guests the option of a full-tasting menu, a five-course menu, or a bar menu, all of which feature vegetables taking center stage. Their new spring menu, which launches in May, features highlights like asparagus, peas, strawberries, radishes, and a variety of fresh lettuces and greens.
Incredibly, the restaurant's menu was previously famed for its elaborate animal-based dishes, including butter poached lobster and lavender honey glazed duck, until, in 2021, co-owner and highly acclaimed chef, Daniel Humm, made the decision to remove meat from the menu, citing the pandemic, as well as our unsustainable food system.
Credit: Eleven Madison Park
2. Jajaja Mexicana
This plant-based Mexican restaurant is a New York City favorite with four locations that can be found in the Lower East Side, West Village, Hudson Yards, and Williamsburg. The popular chain’s menu features the likes of vegan chicken tacos, plant-based chorizo burritos, melted dairy-free queso nachos and turmeric cauliflower bowls, as well as an extensive curated drink menu of Mexican beers on tap, tequila, mezcal and specialty craft cocktails.
Credit: Jajaja Mexicana
3. HanGawi
At this high-end Korean food restaurant, much attention is given to the health benefits of the 100% vegan menu. You’ll find ‘bulgogi’ rice bowls, spicy baby dumplings stuffed with tofu and vegetables, organic maitake mushrooms with spinach, kimbap (Korean vegan sushi rolls), and more. so much Diners can also enjoy a relaxed atmosphere in the busy heart of NYC.
Credit: HanGawi
4. Slutty Vegan
Voted among the best 100 burger joints in the US, Slutty Vegan has attracted a large fanbase with vegans and meat-eaters alike, in part due to its bold, clever marketing. The Black-owned and women-led burger chain launched in 2018 and currently operates eight locations nationwide including its New York hub in Brooklyn. Its menu offers eye-catching options like the ‘Fussy Hussy’ plant-based burger, or the ‘ Hollywood Hooker’ on fries, loaded with vegan beef, which have attracted epic long lines of people ready for the experience of getting “sluttified.”
Credit: Slutty Vegan
5. Beyond Sushi
Serving up 100% plant-based sushi across multiple New York locations, Beyond Sushi offers a fresh, creative take on conventional sushi. Options include an extensive list of sushi such as the ‘Philadelphia Maki Roll’ made up of white rice, cucumber, vegan cream cheese, plant-based salmon, white sesame, and seaweed caviar, or diners can choose other kinds of dishes like the ‘Miso Glazed Pork Skewer’ or ‘Crab Rangoons’.
Credit: Beyond Sushi
Want more tips on how to get started on your plant-based journey? Take Species Unite’s free Plant-Power Challenge for 30 days to discover everything you need to know. Sign up here.
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