Since 2015, Avant Garden has been one of New York City’s best destinations for upscale vegetarian and vegan dining. Perfect for date nights, birthday dinners, or special occasions, this East Village gem features moody lighting, reclaimed wood, velvet banquettes, and a romantic atmosphere. Guests enjoy a seasonal menu of elevated plant-based dishes, natural wines, and craft cocktails. Avant Garden is an Overthrow Hospitality restaurant. “This is excellent food that just happens to be vegan.” – Michelin Guide
Refined vegan dishes & global wines served in a snug, brick-walled eatery with a branch chandelier.
Address and Contact Information
Address: 95 Avenue A, New York, NY 10009
Phone: (833) 328-4588
Website: https://www.avantgardennyc.com/
Menu Photos
Order and Reservations
Reservations: resy.com
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Related Web Results
Avant Garden | Upscale Plant-Based Restaurant
Overthrow Hospitality | Award-Winning Vegan Bar & Restaurant …
Avant Garden | Upscale Plant-Based Restaurant (@avantgardennyc)
Reviews
The artichoke presentation alone is a showstopper. Perfectly cooked, layered with flavor, and plated beautifully. It’s rich without being heavy and balanced in a way that makes you slow down and actually appreciate what you’re eating. The cucumber and radish dish was bright, refreshing, and incredibly clean. Light but full of texture, with that subtle acidity that keeps you coming back for another forkful.
One of the standouts for me was the roasted cauliflower. Deeply caramelized, crisp on the outside, tender inside, and sitting in that silky sauce that pulls everything together. It’s bold without being overpowering. Every dish feels intentional. You can tell the kitchen cares about composition, contrast, and presentation. Even the dessert was impressive. Not overly sweet, beautifully plated, and a perfect way to close out the meal.
Beyond the food, the atmosphere feels intimate and refined without being stuffy. It’s the kind of East Village restaurant you’d confidently bring someone to, whether it’s a date night, dinner with friends, or an out-of-town guest who thinks Manhattan dining is all hype.
As someone who spends most of his time walking through Manhattan neighborhoods for real estate, I’m always paying attention to the places that define a block. Restaurants like Avant Garden are part of what makes this area special. The energy, the creativity, the detail. It’s the same reason people fall in love with living in Manhattan in the first place.
If you’re looking for one of the best plant-based restaurants in Manhattan, especially in the East Village, Avant Garden is absolutely worth experiencing.
The cozy, stylish interior drew me in, so I ordered a Peach Toast and a cocktail (forgot the name). The cocktail was fine, but the mix of peach and nuts on the toast didn’t really work for me.
Next time, I’d like to try their dinner menu instead.
Overall, not a cheap night out, but the ambiance and service were great and the hot items (the paella and risotto) were even better.
Pro tip: check them out on InKind and save some $.
My only complaint is that it’s very hard to see in the restaurant since it’s so dark. Also, I wouldn’t say that this restaurant is very accessibility-friendly as there’s no elevator or anything to the second floor and the staircase is quite narrow. Also, the actual space is very small so it would be hard to fit a wheelchair or any other accessibility devices, should you need them.
Edit: the restaurant apparently has alternate, downstairs seating that is fully accessible for guests who use mobility devices. I would call in advance if that is a concern for you to make sure you get the correct seating.
I had been looking forward to trying Avant Garden for a while, and it absolutely lived up to the hype. We celebrated a birthday here and every dish we tried was bursting with unique, fresh flavors. From the mushroom toast to the avocado in the salad, the cauliflower entrée, and the molten lava cake — each plate was beautifully crafted and memorable.
The celery root pasta was the only dish that didn’t quite work for me, but overall the experience was outstanding. Portions are generous, so I’d recommend starting small — contrary to the server’s suggestion.
They also offer a great selection of drinks, including non-alcoholic wines, which was a thoughtful touch. The space is intimate with warm, cozy decor. It’s located on the first floor and can be a little tricky to find, but well worth it once you arrive.
Highly recommended for anyone who appreciates creative, plant-based cuisine.
If you can’t manage all because you’re worried you will fill up for the next plate they are happy to wrap so you can take away .. which is great . Definitely recommend to the vegan vegetarian or anyone interested in pushing their culinary discoveries .