16 Amazing Spots in NYC for Vegan Brunch or Breakfast

The scent of sweet of maple syrup and freshly brewed coffee are enough to get just about anyone out of bed for breakfast or brunch! Whether you have a full day of exploration planned or are just enjoying a day of Netflix and Chill, a triple stack of blueberry pancakes covered in rich maple syrup is sure to hit the spot, right!?

Even though it’s the most important meal of the day, finding vegan breakfast and brunch spots isn’t always easy — that is unless you’re in the vegan haven, New York City!

Whether you’re looking for a boozy brunch or a savory scramble with all the fixin’s, don’t miss these NYC vegan brunch and breakfast spots (with gluten-free options) the next time you’re in town.

This article contains affiliate links and Veggies Abroad is a member of Amazon Services LLC Associated Program. At no cost to you, I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase — this helps keep Veggies Abroad churning out free content! For an explanation of our advertising policy, click here.

Where To Find Vegan Breakfast Options in NYC

Take us to brunch with you! Share your photos on Insta using #veggiesabroad! We can’t wait to see all the tasty things you find to eat.

#1 Little Choc Apothecary

141 Havemeyer St, Brooklyn, NY 11211
Right in the heart of Brooklyn’s Williamsburg neighborhood is NYC’s first fully vegan and gluten-free creperie! As soon as you walk in the door, you’ll feel at home with their cozy and colorful seating and charming China (reminiscent of grandma’s in the cutest way possible!). The menu is filled to the brim with a selection of savory crepes, or you could get creative and build your own sweet crepe!

You can’t go wrong with a traditional favorite—vegan clotted cream with jam or go wild and make it a la mode! If you’re looking for something more berry-filled, check out their Bright Eyes acai bowl (acai, cherries, banana, date, maca, coconut yogurt, and more). It will wake you right up!

Wait, there’s more! For something really special, come back in the afternoon for a delicious afternoon tea service! I can’t think of a better way to spend the afternoon than with a spot of tea, house-made scones, sweets, and more!

#2 Jajaja

Multiple locations in Lower East Side, West Village, Hudson Yards, & Williamsburg
Interested in a boozy vegan brunch in NYC? Look no further than Jajaja! This Mexican-inspired eatery has a full lineup of delicious signature cocktails like Sangria Spritz or Matcha y Coconut!

If you’d rather start your day on a lighter, booze-free note, don’t miss their traditional almond horchata—the creamy cinnamon concoction will put a pep in your step. Their all-day brunch menu is small but mighty, featuring hearty Breaky Burritos (filled with sausage, guac, coconut queso, and beans), Pappa con Huevos, or get a little stack of Choco Dulce pancakes topped with maple butter, orange peel, and toasted almonds!

#3 Terms of Endearment

135 Metropolitan Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11249
Get ready for a jaw-dropping assortment of pastries. These little works of art are light, flaky, and buttery — everything you could want in a vegan pastry and more!

Their menu reads more like a bucket list of tantalizing creations that you must try before you die. I mean how do you choose between a traditional Fig & Prosciutto (house-made jam, prosciutto, greens, and cream cheese on a flaky croissant) or The Maple (Just Egg, BE-HIVE sausage, cheddar, greens, and maple aioli on house-made focaccia)? I don’t think you do!

Treat ‘yo self with multiple epic pastries, because trust me, you’re not going to find these anywhere else! And, don’t miss their sweet and creamy maple latte to wash it all down!

#4 The Butcher’s Daughter

Locations in West Village & Williamsburg
The beachy California vibes at this vegetarian café create a Zen-like atmosphere to put you in the perfect headspace to start the day. Kick back and relax with a Seven Minutes in Heaven smoothie (coconut, dates, almond butter, almond milk, + a special energy and vitality boost) and then carb up with a stack of gluten-free and vegan Butcher’s Pancakes topped with candied walnuts and bananas.

If you’re feeling like you need an antioxidant boost, check out their lineup of cold-pressed juices — the 13 Goddesses of Green always hits the nutrient boost spot (kale, cucumber, green apple, fennel, pineapple, thyme, and spirulina)! There is so much to love here, it’s good that there are two convenient locations!

#5 Innocent Yesterday

252 B E 77th St, New York, NY 10075
If innocence tastes this good, I never want to be guilty! This charming vegan-friendly royal blue café beckons you from the street to come in, relax, and indulge in an outstanding lineup of globally-inspired breakfast favorites.

They recently made a shift to being vegan-friendly and with that it appears that their menu has changed but not updated online. In the morning, you may be able to find a variety of breakfast sandwiches, creamy coconut yogurt parfaits, along with a massive selection of freshly baked pastries, donuts, muffins, and more.

#6 Urban Vegan Kitchen

41 Carmine St, New York, NY 10014
This funky little vegan café proudly proclaims, “I once was blind, now I’m vegan,” along with loads of other fun sayings that create their playful vibe that carries into their food. Their menu is filled with so many quirky things, I mean who doesn’t want a Rich Boy (popcorn fried seitan, Old Bay seasoning, marinated kale, avocado, house-made remoulade, and more)!?

Their brunch lineup is just as fun and delicious — golden Belgian waffles covered in maple syrup, fully loaded breakfast sandwiches with crispy tofu, shitake bacon, and hollandaise aioli, or a savory tofu scramble. They’re also known for their irresistible cocktails—you can’t leave without a sweet Marquito—this Puerto Rican coconut eggnog is delicious year-round!

#7 PS Kitchen

246 W 48th St, New York, NY 10036
Sophistication is key at this chic little spot just outside of the hustle and bustle of Time’s Square. Sadly, brunch is only served on the weekends, but it is well worth the wait!

This is the perfect spot to meet up with friends and catch up over a plate of Tuscan Toast (sourdough toast topped with house-made tofu ricotta, sun-dried tomato pesto, a sweet balsamic reduction, and much more) or go sweet with their delicious French toast topped with strawberries and blueberry compote. Their brunch menu is small, but what it lacks in size it makes up in flavor! 

#8 Delice & Sarrasin

178 W Houston St, New York, NY 10014
Ooh, la, la! The authentic French cuisine at this charming family-owned café will transport you to the streets of Paris. Even if you can’t make it there for brunch (you really should try very hard, trust me), make sure you pop in just to enjoy a cappuccino with their house-made orange crème Brulee!

For brunch, you will be in awe of their amazing lineup of delicious crepes from the Leonardo De Vinci (French Ratatouille with house-made cashew cheese) or the sweet kiss of La Suzette (Crepe flambé with orange, lemon, sugar, cashew butter, and Grand Mariner). And, if you’re not interested in an authentic French crepe (how could you not be?), check out their cleverly concocted scrambled eggs with a crumbled crab cake, sautéed spinach, and avocado—these guys are amazing in the kitchen!

Whether you’re craving something savory or sweet, they will have just the thing to hit the spot! One last note, all of the crepes, can be made gluten-free too!

#9 PLANTA Queen | NoMad

15 W 27th St, New York, NY 10001
Every Saturday and Sunday, this chic spot serves up a small but mighty brunch menu alongside bottomless mimosas and sake sangria — is there a better combo?! The vegan brunch menu features some of their signature Asian flair with dishes like XO Mazeman (noodles with snow pea shoots, egg, and XO sauce), or go for traditional American brunchy faves like a giant cinnamon bun covered with sweet chai icing or golden banana waffles topped with toasted peanuts!

There are no wrong decisions when you dine at PLANTA! One excellent side note, the restaurant chain is expanding in NYC! Keep your eyes peeled for locations in Soho and Williamsburg.

#10 Modern Love 

317 Union Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211
When you’re in Brooklyn on the weekend, you can’t skip visiting Modern Love. This vegan café has cornered the market on classic comfort food that you’ll dream about long after you’ve left!

Their brunch menu features house-made buttermylk waffles, crispy oyster shrooms and grits, and their famous Mac & Shews bowls! Along with an irresistible lineup of food, they also have a full bar serving up specialty cocktails (don’t miss the rosé mimosas), spiked mylk shakes, and coffee.

#11 Ladybird

111 E 7th St, New York, NY 10009
If you’re looking for somewhere special to enjoy a weekend vegan brunch feast, look no further than Ladybird. Once you settle into their plush booths and see their mouthwatering lineup of beautiful food, you might not want to leave!

Their brunch menu features classic favorites amped up like Matcha waffles covered in blueberry compote, decadent French toast made with Challah and custard, or bacon, egg, and cheese on steamed bao buns. You’ll also want to pair your delicious meal with one of their fantastic cocktails; may I suggest a Ladybird Reunion (Lillet rosé with rose, lemon, basil simple syrup, passionfruit, and Tiki bitters)?

#12 Blossom 

507 Columbus Ave, New York, NY 10024
This innovative vegan restaurant is known for its refined and stylish fare, which includes a special weekend brunch! Every Saturday and Sunday, diners flock here to enjoy savory tofu Florentine, huevos rancheros, or sweet stacks of fluffy pancakes.

In addition to being fully vegan, this restaurant is also ready to please gluten-free and nut-free guests! While waiting for that stack of irresistible pancakes, don’t forget to order a Bellini!

#13 Caravan of Dreams

405 E 6th St, New York, NY 10009
One last weekend brunch spot to round out this list! This organic, vegan restaurant is also Kosher and offers a prix fixe brunch menu every Saturday and Sunday, that includes a main dish, salad, juice, and coffee or tea.

Their entrée options include hearty breakfast burritos stuffed with purple potatoes and smoked tofu to golden berry pancakes topped with a grilled banana! If you don’t want to do the prix fixe option, all of their brunch entrées are also available a la carte. This spot is also very gluten-free friendly! 

#14 Brooklyn Whiskers

1037 Broadway, Brooklyn, NY 11221
This purrfect Brooklyn vegan café loves cats and cruelty-free fare — is there a better combination? I’ll answer that for you, nope! Whether you’re looking for a quick breakfast or to sit and savor something hearty, they’ve got tons of options!

Everyday you can wander in here for a selection of savory and sweet toasts on house-made bread, hearty Tex-Mex inspired breakfast bowls and burritos, stacks of fluffy pancakes topped with berry compote, and much more! On top of that, they also have an irresistible lineup of house-made pastries, oat bars, and donuts on the weekend.

#15 Ras Plant-Based

739 Franklin Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11238
When you’re looking for a flavor party on a Saturday or Sunday morning, there is no better place to go in Brooklyn than Ras! This vegan Ethiopian restaurant is helping people get their day started with some “very traditional” Ethiopian dishes and some that are “kinda not.”

For a first visit, you can’t skip over their traditional lineup. All of the dishes are unlike any other brunch dish you’ll find in NYC — jackfruit kitfo, enkulal firfir, and more! Once you’ve sampled at least one traditional dish then you’ve got to check out the “kinda not” section. It’s full of all the traditional things you could want to get your day going — thick-cut French toast, Ethiopian-style loaded burritos, and more!

#16 Ro’s Diner

197 Meserole St, Brooklyn, NY 11206
The Brooklyn vegan community mourned when the kind of vegan comfort food, Champs closed at the beginning of 2023, but what we didn’t know was it would soon re-open as Ro’s!

Inside this little diner, guests pack in for a hearty dose of vegan comfort food. Your taste buds will faint at the sight of their thick-cut French toast covered in whipped cream, giant waffle sandos, and buckets (seriously, buckets) of fluffy pancakes. This is the place to start out your day big — forget diets and calorie counts, just enjoy! 

NYC Hotels with Vegan-Friendly Breakfast Options

If you don’t have time to make it to one of those fantastic vegan cafes, don’t fret! These NYC vegan-friendly hotels have options on their breakfast menus to help you get fueled and out the door.

Arlo Soho

231 Hudson St, New York, NY 10013
Start your day with a sausage, egg, and cheese sandwich, acai bowl, or overnight oats at this trendy Soho hotel. If you’re looking for snacks, they’ve got those too, just check out their onsite bodega. One other bonus, this spot is also eco-friendly!

Book Your Stay

1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge

60 Furman St, Brooklyn, NY 11201
A stay here not only offers lovely views of the East River and Manhattan skyline but it’s also vegan-friendly and sustainable. It’s one of the few LEED certified hotels in NYC! In the morning you can start your day with overnight oats, avocado toast, along with other healthy vegan eats.

Book Your Stay

1 Hotel Central Park

1414 6th Ave, New York, NY 10019
Just as vegan-friendly and sustainable as the Brooklyn the location, just in Central Park! Enjoy waking up with a giant bowl of peanut butter chocolate oats, fruity coconut yogurt parfait, or chia pudding at this eco-conscious spot.

Book Your Stay

Need More Travel Planning Help in NYC?

Hopefully, this lineup of vegan brunch and breakfast spots in NYC helps get your day started, but you’re going to need more than breakfast spots! To plan your full vegan NYC adventure check out these guides and articles.

The Ultimate Vegan Travel Guide to NYC
The Vegan Bakeries and Dessert Spots in NYC
The Best Spots for Vegan and Gluten-Free Food in New York City
The Best Things To Do in NYC
Vegan-Friendly Hotels in NYC