Organic Vegan Eateries in the East Village We Love

Just because you’re eating vegan food, doesn’t mean your taste buds have to be dumbed down. As a vegetarian I am often frustrated with the ambiance and food at most vegan/ vegetarian restaurants that is, before I moved to New York. I used to find, more often than not, that vegetarian cuisine consisted of a hockey puck of an imitation burger on a defrosted bun with greasy fries in a place with peeling paint and stuck up trustafarians spooning in lentils. I have listed below my favorite East Village restaurants that cater to a well-balanced vegan/ vegetarian diets and healthy living that will even satisfy your meat-eating companion.

Caravan of Dreams

405 East 6th Street
212-254-1613
Photographer David La Chapelle called this restaurant his, “Home away from home.”? Its delectable dishes cater to both raw foodists and vegans alike. The ambiance is quite eclectic with tapestries and if you dine in the evening or at brunch on the weekends, there is usually a band serenading you while you sip your made to order fresh fruit juices. My favorite dish is their “Live Nachos”? - crispy flax seed chips topped with almond sour cream, guacamole, and salsa. The fact that Caravan of Dreams offer yoga classes as well as delicious meals make it a one stop shop for healthy living.

Angelica’s Kitchen

300 East 12th Street (bet. 1st and 2nd Aves.)
212-228-2909
This is the best bang for your buck in regards to great vegan cooking. I frequent Angelica’s the most out of any of these restaurants. If you are a people watcher you’ll be delighted that the restaurant has floor to ceiling windows that look out on to 12th Street. I don’t think anyone should leave the restaurant without trying the Angelica’s Cornbread (wheat free) with the carrot ginger spread. ALWAYS look over the specials of the day because there will be something that will make you second-guess what you really want to eat. It’s not a scene but don’t be surprised if you see Mike D from the Beastie Boys is eating a dragon bowl or Moby sipping his tea.

Quintessence

263 E. 10th Street (bet. Ave A and 1st Ave)
646-654-1823
Living foods (known popularly as raw food) is made out of nuts, vegetables, fruits and grains and not cooked above 118 degrees. I always suggest Quintessence to people who are curious to try raw food. It’s best, if you are not used to eating raw food, to get an appetizer and a main course to fill you up. For bargain raw/ living food eating (something you don’t hear of everyday) stop by between 11:30 am and 3:00 pm during the week for Quintessence’s $10.00 lunch combo which includes a main dish, a salad and fresh apple cider or herbal tea.