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10 Vegan Restaurants You Need to Try in Brooklyn
The best plant-based spots in the borough.
While more people in the United States are going vegan, the dietary change is still a big choice for almost everyone, mostly because you still have a plethora of things to consider.
Are you truly ready to let go of your favorite meat-filled meals? Are you ready for the flood of potential ignorant questions family and friends will likely send your way? Are you prepared to maybe skip social events like BBQs?
One of the hardest parts about going vegan is simply finding foods that are right for you. As more studies reveal the benefits of a vegan diet, like reduced risks of heart disease, people are increasingly inspired to make the switch––it just might take more planning than you think.
Brooklyn-based freelance writer Noella Williams, who covers food, went completely vegan in May 2019, after months of slowly phasing animal products out of their diet. Williams said they always had plans to go vegan “later in life,” but after having a heavy burger from a local restaurant in their hometown, they knew it was time for a change.
“I got a Quarter Pounder without knowing what that is, and it was awful—like, I felt terrible,” they said. “I felt so nauseous and so heavy. I was like, OK, I gotta cut red meat on my diet.’”
Williams has a few suggestions for how to ease into veganism. First, start slowly removing meats and dairy from your diet. Take it one kind of meat- or dairy-based product at a time.
“I cut off red meat. From there, it was chicken. Then, a few weeks later, it was seafood. And then I started replacing dairy products,” Williams said. It’s completely fine if it takes a few months.
Next, Williams suggests eating at places that serve food you’re familiar with to see if you even like dishes you could be potentially making at home.
“You can look on Yelp. You can look on Happy Cow,” they said. “It’s nice when you have familiarity to know, I know I can get a certain dish, because this is something I grew up with.”
For some, going vegan may seem daunting, but starting small can be an insightful experiment. With an array of vegan options now available, it’s easier than ever to try new flavors and foods. Whether you’re a seasoned vegan or just curious, World Vegan Day, which is observed on Nov. 1, is the perfect opportunity to explore plant-based living.
To celebrate the day, we put together a list of vegan-friendly spots that make it easy to explore veganism.
Healthy as a Motha Caribbean Plant Cuisine
Where: 234 Union Ave.
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Healthy as a Motha, located in Williamsburg, serves 100 percent plant-based Caribbean vegan food that’s perfect for people who love classic Dominican dishes with a twist.
I first came across this spot at a food festival and couldn’t wait to make a trip to North Brooklyn for myself to try more of their menu. The standout dishes for me are the sweet plantain boat, the curry chik’n wontons, and the beef empanadas. They all tasted like dishes I’d had before, but elevated.
Aunts et Uncles
Where: 1407 Nostrand Ave.
Aunts et Uncles is a popular cafe vegan veterans will be familiar with. Based in Flatbush, they serve dishes that are perfect if you love comfort foods like mac and cheese and burgers. I ordered the fruit of heirloom pasta. In addition to the tender linguine noodles, the dish really stands out because the roasted tomatoes and herbs add a surprise spicy kick. If you love seafood and are looking for a replacement, you should definitely try the lobster roll, made with the palm tree vegetable known as the heart of palm.
Slutty Vegan Brooklyn
Where: 690 Fulton St.
No vegan spot in Brooklyn is having more fun with naming their menu items than Slutty Vegan: One Night Stand, Sloppy Toppy, and Fussy Hussy burgers, Hooker fries. It’s probably the easiest place to see if you’re a fan of plant-based meats like vegan bacon and vegan beef because you’ll be testing them through solid comfort food.
Bunna Cafe
Where: 1084 Flushing Ave.
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I’d recommend hitting up Bunna Cafe in Bushwick with a friend or two if you love or want to try Ethiopian food. Every time I’ve gone to or ordered from Bunna, I’ve switched up what I include in my beyaynetu order. For first-timers, I’d recommend the yatakilt alicha, which consists of cabbage, potatoes, carrots, coriander, and turmeric, and the yater kik alicha—yellow split peas cooked in onion and other spices. I also can’t stop dreaming about the lentil sambusas.
Ras Plant Based
Where: 739 Franklin Ave.
Ras Plant Based is a solid vegan spot in Crown Heights. The mostly vegetable-based menu has some of the same items as Bunna, like a platter filled with caramelized and sauteed veggies and injera, but they set themselves apart through options like their lentil burger.
I suggest that burger, plus the veggie sambusa and the Mercato platter, which includes spiced ground chickpeas, stir-fried cabbage, carrots and bell peppers, and collard greens with onions. Again, I also recommend going with a friend and sharing a platter, family-style, since the proportions are hefty.
Ital Kitchen
Where: 1032 Union St.
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If you’ve ever been curious about what a Rastafarian diet could look like, pop over to Ital Kitchen in Crown Heights. The menu is a perfect balance between vegetable-focused dishes and hearty ones. The sweet plantains, garnished with sugar and cinnamon, are the ideal starter before digging into the rich “noxtails,” a spin on the classic oxtail.
Next Stop Vegan
Where: 88 Livingston St.
Many people assume vegan food is bland, but the menu at Next Stop Vegan, in Brooklyn Heights, is the exact opposite. From a variety of flavorful empanadas to the filling moro de guandules, every dish kept me eager for the next bite. And while tackling the large sweet-and-spicy oyster mushroom burger might require a game plan, it’s absolutely worth it.
JJ’s Southern Vegan
Where: 579 Meeker Ave.
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If you’re looking for a satisfying, fast-food-style vegan fix, JJ’s Southern Vegan is the perfect spot. They offer comfort classics with familiar sides like creamy mac and cheese and crispy fried pickles, as well as hot, fresh sandwiches like the Classic, which comes with hen of the woods mushrooms, pickles, and a spicy remoulade, and will last through lunch and dinner.
Seitan’s Helper
Where: 2 Morgan Ave.
As New Yorkers, we love deli sandwiches. If you’re considering going vegan, know that you don’t even have to give them up. At Seitan’s Helper, in Bushwick, I ordered the Triple Threat, which comes with mortadella, salami, pepperoni, cheese, banana peppers, and roasted red peppers. You’ll definitely notice a difference between the “meats” here and regular meat, but mixed with the peppers and the mayo, the spicy flavor justifies the chance you might be taking.
Screamer’s Pizzeria
Where: 685 Franklin Ave.
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Trying to decide if vegan pizza is for you? Try Screamer’s Pizzeria in Crown Heights. Though I wish the crust of the mushroom and sausage pizza had a little more flavor, the gooeyness of the cheese and seasoning of the “seitan” sausage more than made up for it.
