A Vegetarian Tour Of NYC
There are a lot of reasons why I love to travel. Challenging yourself, learning about a new culture, meeting interesting people... it goes on. However, one part of travelling that can get compromised is a healthy diet. With a 6-day trip to New York City upon me, I brought it upon myself to prove that with a little research and a sixth sense for pressed juices, you too can keep your clean-eating habits while leaving your 'hood. Here is a list of my top 5 favourite vegetarian/vegan-friendly restaurants in the Big Apple:
1. The Butcher's Daughter
Where: L.E.S (Lower East Side)
What I got: Green smoothie (young coconut, kale, almond butter, all dat goodness) and NYC breakfast bagel with avocado and vegan bacon.
The Butcher's Daughter happened to be directly beside the apartment we were staying in, and even if I hadn't stumbled upon their delicious Instagram feed previously, the bright yellow doors and chairs would have been hard to ignore. A favourite of Adrian Grenier, the tiny interior of this locally sourced vegetarian haven is covered with leafy green plants, and the staff is exceptionally friendly. Grab a smoothie or go for dinner, and if you're on the go make sure to check out their marketplace shop right beside the restaurant.
2. Jack's Wife Freda
Where: SoHo
What I got: Grilled halloumi and a couscous salad complete with homemade mint-infused lemonade, mustard-encrusted tofu with spaghetti squash.
Another favourite in the Instagram community, Jack's Wife Freda was at the top of my must-visit restaurant list. Founded with her grandparents in mind, the owner has nailed the pared-down homey design aesthetic of a cozy lunch spot with a twist. Colourful dishes contrast with the cutesy menus used as placemats, and the delicious food ties together the whole thing. This is a definite recommendation for breakfast or lunch- and see if you can spot Tash Oakley or low-key hipster rockstars that seem to frequent this spot.
3. Juice Press
Where: All over Manhattan
What I got: The Detox smoothie- young coconut, acai berry, avocado, mint, plus more goodness.
This organic, tiny juicery is basically a badass, actually good-for-you version of Booster Juice. They're all over the city, and if you're willing to shell out $8-10 for a smoothie, you can fortify your morning with a buttload of ingredients you would never actually buy for your own kitchen, and the feisty New Yorkers that work there are very knowledgeable. The almond butter-coffee-date concoction was mighty fine as well.
4. Peacefood Café
Where: Upper West Side
What I got: Chickpea fries, raw lasagna, raw coconut cheesecake
If you were to picture a stylish vegan, partly raw food café with an emphasis on local produce and organic ingredients, you would likely be imagining peacefood café. Everything on the menu is vegan and a lot of it isn't even cooked. Now, how did it taste? My dad got the vegan cheeseburger and it was fantastic (don't knock it 'till you try it); and the raw lasagna, albeit lacking cheese factor, was refreshingly delicious. They have a whole gluten/sugar/dairy free dessert selection here, which is phenomenal. For now I think it's best to leave raw vegan cooking to the pros, so I recommend for you to go out on a limb when travelling to try out some of this trendy cuisine!
5. Sweetgreen
Where: LES
What I got: Make-your-own salad and a beet-lemon-ginger juice.
Oh man, Sweetgreen... Where to begin. Sweetgreen is sort of like pita pit but for exceptionally amazing, organic, seasonally & locally sourced salad concoctions. You can make your own, or choose from a handful of seasonal selections. My salad contained: quinoa, chopped kale, cucumber, tomatoes, roasted mushrooms, spicy broccoli, corn, avocado and a lime-cilantro-jalapeño vinaigrette. Damn! You might think that a trendy joint like this may cost a pretty penny, but a giant tasty salad that kept me full all day cost $10. With kombucha on tap and a variety of stews, soups and grain bowls, I HIGHLY recommend all you mindful-foodies to pay Sweetgreen a visit.
There you have it! 5 top-notch health-freak approved destinations for your next trip to NYC. And for all you intrepid travelers; take a little effort into finding such gems before settling for that $5 hot dog at Grand Central station.
Erika Preece
Photo credit: Tripadvisor