Best Vegan Restaurants in Lower East Side (10002)
3 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: January 2026
Our Top Pick
Jajaja Mexicana
All-vegan Mexican menu with big flavors and a party-ready room.
Notable Picks
8.8
Jajaja Mexicana is a plant-based Mexican restaurant where colorful plates, creative tacos, and a deep mezcal list pull in crowds from beyond the neighborhood. The space feels bright and social, leaning more toward fun group dinners and brunch than quiet, lingering meals.
Must-Try Dishes:
Grande Nachos, Buffalo Flower Tacos, Chorizo Burrito
What makes it special: All-vegan Mexican menu with big flavors and a party-ready room.
#2
May Kaidee
8.4
An all‑vegan Thai restaurant offering plant‑based renditions of classic dishes like curries and stir‑fried noodles — flavorful, fresh and often gluten‑free. Its cozy, inviting atmosphere and friendly service make it a go‑to for those craving Thai comfort food minus the meat.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pad Kee Mao (drunken noodles), Panang curry with brown rice, Tom Yum soup
What makes it special: Authentic Thai vegan dishes inspired by the owner’s Bangkok street‑cart roots.
8.3
Orchard Grocer is an all-vegan deli and grocery that turns out creative sandwiches, bagels, and soft serve from a narrow Lower East Side space. Plant-based takes on lox, fried chicken, and deli salads draw both vegans and omnivores looking for quick, satisfying sandwiches without animal products.
Must-Try Dishes:
The Edith, The Georgina, The Monty
What makes it special: A fully vegan deli and market specializing in inventive plant-based sandwiches.