Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Avant Garden

    4.4 (505 reviews)
    Closed 5:00 pm - 11:00 PM
    Updated 2 weeks ago

    Avant Garden Photos

    Business Info

    AVANT GARDEN ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Intimate
    Romantic
    Dogs allowed

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - Avant Garden

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Artichoke Toast
    Tina A.

    Highly recommended for these three items alone pictured that were out of this world scrumptious! Service was stellar and very informative. Atmosphere candlelit.

    Paella
    Ash B.

    Wow, I'm actually surprised that I haven't reviewed Avant Garden because this is officially my third time eating here. Yes, I've come back 2 more times after my first, and I can safely say anytime they do a tasting menu, it's worth a gander. Last time I had their Thanksgiving prix fixe dinner and this time I had their Jain Celebration dinner. Each dinner was so fresh and flavorful. My favorites were the avocado toast with romanesco purée, the Gigli, and the scorched cauliflower. Good value for money too -- 6 courses (including dessert) for $65 pp. already looking forward to their next prix fixe!

    Chocolate lava cake
    Katrina M.

    Avant Garden is the cutest little secret garden restaurant/bar, the entrance is amazing with all the curling roots and vines. I came here with a party of 5 after we failed to get a reservation at a different vegan restaurant and I'm so glad we visited because it was a wonderful experience! We tried so many delicious things (everything was a hit!) but I'm putting my favorite first - the risotto! So creamy, so umami, my platonic ideal of a risotto: mushrooms, watercress, balsamic pearls and basil oil. The creamy dishes are where this vegan restaurant shines. We also got: - Crispy brussel sprouts (shallot & balsamic vinaigrette, pears, cranberries, sesame seeds, arugula) - Fig toast (citrus ricotta, balsamic pearls, red watercress) - Scorched cauliflower (toasted garlic, fried capers, cauliflower puree) - Celery root pasta (shaved black truffle, shiitake velour, gremolata) - And for dessert, chocolate lava cake! (rosemary & porcini ice cream, brûlée banana with basil powder). (Porcini ice cream sounded interesting/odd but it really only tasted like rosemary - I enjoyed it, my cousin did not ) - "sober curious" mocktail with blackberry and ginger Our server was friendly (despite frequently accidentally hitting his head on one of the flower shaped hanging lamps!) and everyone enjoyed the meal (and I was the only vegan, so this is high praise coming from a group of omnivores). I hope to visit again the next time I am in the city!

    Tamal
    Vishnu G.

    This was a really great meal. I split five dishes with a friend. Fig Toast - nice blend of fresh and fruit flavor, with little pops of intense flavor from the balsamic vinegar pearls. Hen of the woods - I had this dish at one of the other restaurants in this group, and it didn't disappoint a second time. I'm impressed by the variety of ways of using a mushroom - grilled, pureed, and pickled. Rich, but with elements to cut through and bring it into balance. Celery root pasta - creamy and creative presentation. I was almost expecting a noodle when I bit into it, but it is a celery root. Good, but not the most memorable. Tamal - another dish I have had elsewhere. The mole is rich and complex. The tamal itself isn't as fluffy as I remember it being. The other elements add freshness and tartness to cut through everything. Paella - definitely my favorite. Tons and tons of flavor in the rice and the dabs of sauces, and the artichoke is cooked buttery soft. My friend got the Strawberry Fields Forever cocktail, which she enjoyed. Ironically, that drink won't be staying for much longer as they convert over to the summer menu. The total bill came out to $186 with tax and tip. This definitely puts it in the splurge category, but I think that it's well worth it.

    Menu
    Vicki C.

    Very nice environment to be in. Almond cake turned out to be our favorite item of the evening, but I also enjoyed the fig toast and the hen of the woods.

    Paella
    Zack W.

    TLDR- overpriced, middling service, vegan in the most boring way possible The interior was nice, but the meal overall was pretty disappointing. Our server tried to upsell us, recommending way more dishes than we needed. The dishes themselves were kinda bland and uninspired. Yes, an entire head of roasted cauliflower is technically vegan. But at $60 a person I would expect something more inventive. My vegan friends also noted that vegan no protein; the lack of tofu, chickpea, or seitan dishes meant almost the entire menu was just veggies, which were not stellarly prepared nor filling.

    Sunchoke toast
    Camsie M.

    By far one of the best vegan meals I've ever had. Ranks in the top meals period. The food is stunning. The menu is inventive. The service is friendly and personable and just the right amount of attention. The vibe is so cute and on theme. The standouts for us were the cauliflower, the risotto and the special chocolate lava cake. The toasts were incredible and everything was also so beautiful.

    Artichoke
    Santosh M.

    Avant Garden offers a quintessential East Village experience with its intimate, dimly lit atmosphere and rustic-chic decor. It's the kind of spot that feels sophisticated yet cozy, making it perfect for a date or a birthday celebration. The service was excellent--attentive and well-paced--and they even added a thoughtful touch with candles for our dessert. As a non-vegetarian, I found the food to be a bit of a "good but not mind-blowing" experience. The presentation is stunning; the roasted cauliflower and the shishito-topped toast looked like works of art and were clearly made with high-quality ingredients. While the flavors were clean and creative, I did find myself missing the savory depth I'm used to with animal proteins. If you're a vegan, this is likely a five-star destination, but for a meat-eater, it's a solid, well-executed meal that's worth a visit for the vibes and the artistry alone.

    Elva H.

    Price is reasonable. Service wasn't the best but acceptable. For total of 9 dishes costing $80 each for table of 4. They do charge a bottle opening fee of $35. Worth to try their hot dishes and toast. Environment and decoration was nice.

    Avocado
    Adrienne C.

    I wasn't sure how much I'd like a vegan restaurant as an omnivore who skews carnivore but loved my visit to Avant Garden. The vibe was very trendy and the food left me satisfied on all fronts. The entrance is very cool, it looks like are headed into a forest with twigs and branches artfully arranged around the entrance and interior. Inside it is moody and dimly lit. I would get everything again except the tamal which I don't think I would enjoy even as a non-vegan offering: Special - squash soup - outstanding, some how had a smoky bacon flavor Avocado on crispy rice - I could eat another of these right now! Mushroom toast - very tasty, could not get enough of the mushrooms Mushroom risotto - excellent, buttery feel despite no butter Tamal - didn't love Chocolate lava cake with mushroom ice cream - very tasty, and not at all too sweet Overall, good service. Not Michelin star worthy, but we never felt like we were waiting too long for attention. Good value for the price! $200 for two with a cocktail and a mocktail in NYC for 7 food items felt like a decent price. They participate in the inkind app so great way to accrue or spend points too!

    Mushroom
    Alisa J.

    Loved the food! The best vegan food I've ever had! Service was ok. Ambiance was romantic and really ethereal. The sunchoke toast was delicious. Perfect mix of textures and perfect for sharing. The mushroom toast was great as well. The grapes on top were a cool idea. The risotto was rich but not heavy. The paella was incredible!! Presentation was on point and I love artichokes and olives so this was perfect! The red pepper sauce was also delicious. The rice could've been crispier was my only complaint. The dessert was rich but not heavy. Flavors were interesting as well. Would highly recommend this restaurant for all people non vegan and vegan! They do use lots of nuts in their dishes though if that is a concern.

    Ambience
    Anne-Marie N.

    We were really struggling with finding something yummy for dinner because we had many dietary requirements, but then we saw Avant Garden. It was a bit early, so we were the first people to the restaurant. It was so cozy and cute. The staff were so helpful and friendly. It was suggested we order 5 dishes to share, due to indecision we chose 6. So we had a decent sampling of the menu. While everything was plant based, it was decadent. Each thing we ordered was rich and tasty. By far the best plant based restaurant I've ever eaten at. The staff was also super helpful in ensuring we knew what ingredients were in each dish & accommodated any additional modifications if needed. Would definitely return. Highly recommend.

    Outside
    Brianna B.

    Avant Garden is one of Overthrow Hospitality's concepts that happens to Michelin Star and pretty affordable (well, for a Michelin Star spot). We quite enjoyed our dinner here, despite a few hiccups: example, one of our items never made it to the table until we reminded the staff about 3 times. I started with the Poppy Gibson drink which was absolutely delicious and well-balanced: not too sweet. 2 of us split 5 different dishes: -Tamale: one of my favorites of the evening, as it was so flavorful and that mole sauce was exceptional. -Brussels Sprouts: incredible and the perfect flavor profile with the tangy and sweet sauce. They were also cooked nicely. -Avocado Crispy Rice: loved! -Celery Root Pasta: this dish had so much potential because the sauce was amazing, but the celery root used for the pasta kind of killed it a bit - it was a bit crunchy and regular pasta would've been better here. -Fig Toast: we were not a fan, as the ricotta was a bit too tangy and watery. For dessert, I had the Lava Cake which was fabulous and everything I was looking for. However, it does take 30 mins to bake and I ordered it at the end of our meal. However, our waitress brought my friend her dessert and had forgotten to put in my lava cake....so cue another 20 minute wait (it was worth it, but still). Overall, our meal was solid and I would likely come back.

    Avocado with carrot ginger dressing on crispy rice with miso glaze and blistered shishito.

    See all

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Iulia M.

    Iulia M.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Iulia M.

    Iulia M.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Iulia M.

    Iulia M.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Alisa J.
    243
    2065
    7163

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 7
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Iulia M.

    Iulia M.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of M A C.
    2
    16
    0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Iulia M.

    Iulia M.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Iulia M.

    Iulia M.

    Wow, Daria, your review made our day! Please come back soon!

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Bob A.
    106
    1
    1

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of D Z.
    3
    570
    29

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Iulia M.

    Iulia M.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Kim T.
    5
    66
    53

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 13

    Ask the Community - Avant Garden

    Does the new location have outdoor seating?

    Hi, Chad! Not yet; starting next month.

    Are there items on the menu that are allium-free(no onion, no garlic)?

    Is formal attire required? And must we reserve for a party of two on a Tuesday?

    Hi Ia! We encourage dressy casual but all are accepted as they are! Reservations can be made by visiting us at www.overthrowhospitality.com. We accept reservations for up to 10 guests in a party. I hope this answers your questions and you can join… 

    Is Avant Garden 100% vegan? Or is there any dairy or honey used in the food?

    It's 100% vegan.

    Are reservations required?

    No but Thursday - Sunday I'd make a reservation if you're more than 2

    Do you have gluten free bread?

    View All 9 Questions

    Sentir - Sikil Pak Salmon

    Sentir

    4.6(134 reviews)
    1.1 miFlatiron

    Absolutely love everything about this place! Decor was beautiful, it's spaced out and the bar is…read morepretty. The steak tacos 11/10, shrimp tacos 11/10 & al pastor 11/10!!!! Flavorful, not over stuffed or under stuffed but the perfect amount. Our bartender Shaike (misspelled it) was the absolute best !!! Makes a bomb cocktail & very attentive!!! We will be back

    I've been to Sentir twice, and it's been one of the best nyc restaurants I've been to in a long…read moretime. It just has that something-special quality- there's a good premise (veg/vegan mexican food makes so much sense), nice ambience, extremely yummy drinks, and a solid vibe. The first time I got a reservation with a friend; the second time I walked in and sat solo at the bar. Both times I had very friendly, helpful service. I've tried tacos (with vegan chorizo, don't see it on the menu at the moment), a quesadilla, and if I remember right, the fried mushrooms. They were all great - the tacos were amazing. And both times I/we got the churros, which are FIRE - I'm not even a dessert person but I highly highly recommend getting them if you like churros / cinnamon / chocolate at all. This is a lovely spot for a date, friends' hangout, parents in town, but maybe a little small to expect a big group to fit nicely. It was loud but not too loud. Expensive for sure but it feels really nice, not just a regular overpiced spot. And I'm not a vegetarian (neither is my friend), so take that into account.

    Photos
    Sentir - Wall decor

    Wall decor

    Sentir - Tamal de Carne

    Tamal de Carne

    Sentir - Albóndigas

    See all

    Albóndigas

    Willow Vegan Bistro - Cultured Cheese Board

    Willow Vegan Bistro

    4.5(498 reviews)
    1.5 miChelsea
    $$$

    I've experienced all kinds of vegan restaurants and thought i couldn't be surprised anymore until…read morehere. There were some truly unique options including vegan steak. There were so many options that we ordered 2 more entrees to go. The service was fast and it's definitely more of an upscale feeling to the place. We had reservations but it wasn't too busy. Might not have been necessary but don't take a chance on missing out.

    SERVICE - located in Chelsea…read more - spacious interior with tables for groups of 2-4 people - reservations are not required though could be helpful if you do not want to risk waiting - great service! our waiter provided us with comprehensive descriptions of the dishes and drinks - food served relatively quickly - ambiance good for a semi formal meal MENU - french American bistro food - all vegan/vegetarian - slightly pricey FOOD - French dip (7/10): vegan grilled steak with provolone cheese, goat cheese, caramelized onion, and horseradish aioli on a toasted baguette served with a side of au jus dip and fries. This sandwich is usually not something that is available vegetarian so i was curious to see the flavors and textures. The steak is chewy and meaty so if you are not a fan of faux meat then i would proceed with caution. I enjoy the cheeses here as they are unique and different from each other. The sandwich overall was okay though not my favorite sandwich ever. - smoked Mac and cheese (7/10): macaroni with smoked goat cheese, cheddar, mozzarella baked in a cast iron skillet and topped with vegan pancetta and breadcrumbs. This was a cozy appetizer especially on a cold day. The flavors of the cheese are rich and smoky with a hint of saltiness from the pancetta and breadcrumbs. I would have liked it to be a larger portion and offered as an entree. WOULD I GO BACK? Maybe. I liked the ambiance and the option to try dishes that are usually meat heavy but the cuisine is not my personal favorite.

    Photos
    Willow Vegan Bistro - Inside

    Inside

    Willow Vegan Bistro - Lamb Burger

    Lamb Burger

    Willow Vegan Bistro - Cocktails at Willow

    See all

    Cocktails at Willow

    Avant Garden - newamerican - Updated September 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...