The Buffalo Girls (seitan "wings") are drenched in tangy buffalo sauce, and are even better when cooled by a dip in the accompanying vegan ranch dressing.
When a cupcake craving strikes, Mission Minis’ Vegan Banana-Maple Cupcakes are as sweet to look at as they are to eat (as proven by their appearance on Food Network’s Cupcake Wars).
Mmm, Quesadillas de Calabaza. Warm butternut squash and caramelized onions fill two fluffy tortillas, while the house-made cashew nacho cheese and pumpkin seed salsa make this dish entrée-worthy.
Packed full of the best soy chicken in town, avocado, potatoes, tomatoes, onions, hummus, pickles, and tahini, the Soy Chicken Shawarma gets its unique kick from a generous dash of hot sauce.
A popular lunchtime indulgence, a Mushroom Seitan Cheesesteak from Jay’s (make sure to ask for vegan mayo and add avocado) is messy, tasty perfection, overflowing with piles of thin-sliced faux meat.
This super-popular brunch spot always has at least one vegan entrée on the menu, and it's always stellar. Example: sweet potato-butternut squash hash with a spinach-mushroom-asparagus scramble. Woot!
This quirky bar hosts Vegan Drinks events (last Thursday of each month!) and has an extensive tater-tot menu. Might we recommend the sweet-potato rendition? Its fried pickles are also legendary.
Critics' darling Mission Chinese Food has A+ vegan options, but the Tiger Salad always wins. This roll packs Chinese herbs and crunchy lettuces, drizzled with hot chili oil and turnip vinegar.
Sorbet’s cool and all, but a scoop of Bi-Rite’s vegan chocolate-coconut ice cream is heaven on a hot day.
A hot bowl of pho can't be beat, but vegan versions can be tough to find. Sunflower Vietnamese Restaurant makes a version packed with veggies and tofu—add hoisin sauce and Sriracha.
The Vegetarian BBQ Chick Sandwich is loaded with cabbage slaw, pickled red onions, jalapeños, and faux chicken slathered in barbecue sauce. Just hold the aioli to go dairy-free.
The aptly titled Vegan Thing—an impressive mound of potatoes, guacamole, vegan cheese, and salsa—cures hangovers better than an Alka-Seltzer. Plus, vegan milkshakes!
The dosas at this all-vegetarian South Indian eatery are massive, but good enough to be wolfed down in a single sitting. Top pick: The Onion Masala Dosa, flanked by three different chutneys.
The vegan Japanese restaurant's namesake dish (the Cha-Ya Roll) is a sushi roll stuffed with asparagus, avocado, yam, and carrots, battered and tempura-fried, then drizzled with a sweet sauce.
Nicky's Polenta goes south of the border with the addition of salsa ranchero and black beans, while a side of stir-fried veggies and cabbage salad helps this dish err on the side of healthy.
Worker-owned Arizmendi’s Bakery vegan chocolate-mint cookie deserves a giant nod for being about a rich morsel of cocoatopia, like a peppermint patty on steroids.
Papalote blew minds after whupping Bobby Flay on Food Network’s Throwdown, and for good reason. Their soyrizo burrito makes mouths water, and the taqueria is famed for its unbeatable salsa.
For fine (but trendy) dining, Beretta can't be beat. This cozy restaurant has some of the best cocktails in the city, and will substitute vegan cheese or sausage onto any of their killer pizzas.
Missing the batter-dipped goodness of French toast after going egg-free? Fear no more, for Sunrise Restaurant has the best vegan French toast we’ve ever had, with a dollop of fresh fruit on top.
