Great, small vegan cafe with tasty buns and lunch boxes. I'm not personally vegan, but enjoying exploring alternatives to meals I usually eat for friends. The salted foam mocha is my personal favorite drink - there is a BOGO happy hour for their in-house juices that I would love to try in the future (Mon-Fri 4-6p I believe). read more

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It has been several years since visiting this tiny yet mighty establishment. They have an array of food options to choose from and are a lot popular than I remember several years ago. It is still a small space this time I placed my order to go. Went with the lunch combo of impossible spicy burger with their original fries, spicy mayo and hibiscus tea. Everything was delicious and a big portion, couldn't finish my fries but was happy to share that with a lunch buddy. The spicy mayo is delicious and goes great on the burger too. I will return to try some of the baos that I have not had a chance to. read more

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When you walk into Spring Cafe, just off busy Canal Street, a bright, multicolored heart greets you with the words: "Somebody in Chinatown loves you." After finally visiting, I can confirm--it tracks! I ordered the Teriyaki Quinoa Bowl with grilled chik'n and the two-bao bun special: one with braised tofu skin and the other with vegan BBQ pork. The braised tofu was subtle and balanced, while the BBQ bao was a flavor bomb--both were delicious. Spring Cafe is onto something smart. Their baos are bigger than average, and with combo offerings that include your choice of fries or hot soup, the baos aren't just sides anymore--they're the main event. And it's about time they stepped into the spotlight. read more

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This is a tiny cafe, and I note that in most cities, I would probably deduct a star for a place that offers high-sodium food and caffeinated drinks but does not have a bathroom for customers. In New York, you live with these things. I took a special they had on a braised tofu soup with noodles, which delivered abundantly on flavor and also came with a free side of rolls. Their rolls were a taro filling with a crust crisped on in a manner I had not seen before but which was mouthwatering. At least given the place's small size, it was one of the few things I got in the city that I would actually call a good deal. Those seeking a plant-based meal should expect to be satisfied. read more

Spring Cafe - Braised Tofu Skin Noodle Soup - Vegan Near Me - New York, New York

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Today I was feeling in the mood for healthy food so I went here for some vegetarian food. During the lunch rush, they were super busy and I barely managed to get a seat at their counter style seating. I went with their salt and pepper chicken bento box and a hibiscus tea. Despite the lunch crowd, I didn't have to wait too long before my food was ready. They were pushing out orders really efficiently. If you spend over $10, get a stamp card! It's 1 stamp per $10 spent. I liked how everything was packed up in a bag which made it easy to take leftovers home. The soup had pieces of tofu and mushrooms. It was quite thick and tasted like maybe hot and sour soup. In the bento box, there was broccoli with sesame oil, fried tofu and vegetable curry soup, 4 pieces of salt and pepper imitation chicken, fresh salad and a large portion of white rice with some tofu bean curd. The chicken's outer coating was very crispy and I was surprised at how similar the texture was to chicken. I also enjoyed the fried tofu pieces in the curry as it soaked up the curry flavor. It was a very filling meal as even hours later I still felt quite full. read more

Spring Cafe - Salt Pepper Vegan Chicken Bento Box - Vegan Near Me - New York, New York

The food here is AMAZING! We were so hungry and so lucky to stumble upon this place. The tofu in the burger was perfectly crispy and sauced. The braised tofu and black pepper mushroom baos were so unique -- had not tried those flavors in a bao bun before. Minor note that they have a 40 min seating max, which is fair because the space is small. I need to come back to try their smoothies and coffee drinks. read more

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When I worked in Manhattan, I used to come here all the time, and it was my favorite place. Their vegan items are all amazing, and the price wasn't too bad. The burgers were always so good, and there was such a variety. Honestly, if I didn't know that they served vegan items, I would have never suspected it. Even if you aren't vegan, this is still a wonderful place for you to try! Their employees are also so fantastic, super sweet, and explained what the items are. read more

I came here on a whim for some wifi but also wanted to try their vegan options. The wifi worked but super bad idea since they were constantly blending stuff or there were people walking behind me back and forth (given how small the place was). All the outlets were blocked with tape which was a bummer. The hibiscus tea was more on the sweet side instead of refreshing, but still good as a thirst quencher. The flavor sucked. The fries were really really good- perfectly crisp. The portobello sandwich was disappointing. The flavors just didn't pair well with the avocado, there was no cheese, and the bread was very dull. It all came together very dry. I wouldn't come here again for food or for wifi. read more

Spring Cafe - Vegan Near Me - New York, New York

Delicious and healthy! Definitely going back! Love the simple design vibe Conveniently located in Chinatown. Go to place when i want something healthier and delicious read more

I randomly stumbled upon this restaurant looking for cute cafes for lunch in the area when I found this! I was even happier as a vegetarian that it was a vegan restaurant so of course they had my favorite, beyond burgers! And ALSO impossible burgers! The menu is extensive and everything looks delicious, and they have house made ketchup which is really good. Everything is so so fresh and hot and delicious and the staff are very nice! This place deserves more love read more

Spring Cafe - Beyond burger, fries, and hibiscus tea - Vegan Near Me - New York, New York

Not much to look at from the outside, but don't let it deter you. The food here is on point - even if you're not vegan! My son suffers from Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder and is extremely picky. He had the hash brown sandwich; which he claimed was one of the best meals he's had in his life. I had the Buddha bowl - very fresh and tasty. We washed it down with Hibiscus iced tea - perfect! The food was so good I got a BBQ bao bun sandwich to go... and I should have gotten 2. Yes to everything! We'll be back, but not because of the service. The woman initially behind the counter must have been having a bad morning. "SIGN!" she demanded hostiley, thrusting the credit card authorization at me. Not one to toy with people dealing with my food, I thanked her politely; to which she had no reply. They were also a bit slow considering the fact that we looked to be customer #4 of the day and there were only a couple of other people inside. read more

Spring Cafe - Hash brown sandwich and fries - Vegan Near Me - New York, New York

The vegan tofu skin bao was absolutely delicious. It featured two thick layers of braised tofu skin seasoned with five-spice (五香), paired with flavorful pickled Chinese vegetables (酸菜) and plenty of fresh cilantro. This combination made for a deeply satisfying and authentic Chinese savory snack (小吃). Hands down, it's the best vegan bao/sandwich I've had in the city. read more

Spring Cafe - Vegan Near Me - New York, New York

Over the years since it's grand opening, it's become a staple to the Chinatown area. Right by the station, it's convenient for lunch for the surrounding businesses. Their vegetarian options never seizes to amaze me. The flavors are abundant. My go to meals are the bao combo with the drink and fries. The price point is so hard to beat, given how expensive everything is nowadays. The place is small, not meant to dine in for long periods of time. Right by the train station, it's a great drop in/takeaway spot. read more

It's hard to find "healthy" food near Chinatown - don't get me wrong, so much good food! But you know what I mean. Vegan, Asian fusion and super delicious! Right next to the Q Canal St Station and courthouses if you have jury duty etc. got the kale quinoa salad and two bao buns. Small counter space too. read more

Spring Cafe - Kale Quinoa Salad - Vegan Near Me - New York, New York

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This place is amazing! I stopped by in person once and ordered delivery another time, and both times the food was great. Braised tofu skin bao bun was fantastic, and the hibiscus iced tea was amazing. Beyond burger combo (with sweet potato fries and pineapple iced green tea) was also so good! read more

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This food is so amazing - you forget you're eating 100% vegan food. I ordered their bao buns and they're so delicious, I definitely recommend. The seating is very limited tho, thankfully I went when they were too busy. read more

Spring Cafe - Vegan Near Me - New York, New York

Im a frequent patron and wanted to review. This is a fully vegan eatery. I tried most of their popular menu items over the years and they're consistent but the portions did get bigger on some items. I ordered the braised tofu and bbq pork skin bao buns with kale smoothie. Their buns are bigger than used to be but I'm not complaining. It used to be served with their signature sauce but I think you have to request with a fee. It's worth it but I ate without. The bbq bao is slightly sweet and the braised tofu is savory as always. I'm surprised I ate them both. Worth it. The kale smoothie was delicious and smooth. I feel like I'll get a detox after. The space is petite but has indoor seating and colorful decor. Nice music playlist and professional staff. No restroom, there's sanitizer at the condiments station next to waste basket. read more

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Where was this place when I was working near by? I whole vegan cafe. I tried their bbq baos and its soo good. I definitely need to come back for their other menu items. They have variety of options from burgers, sandwiches, and bento boxes. Definitely need to try all. read more

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Bao buns excite me, brightening my soul. Sadly, these pockets of fun left my party wanting. We sampled the Braised Tofu Skin and Black Pepper Mushroom as our Pick Two, yet very little morale was boosted in such exploits. Cozy, clean and courteous. Service was quick, ambiance cucumber-level-chill, but food? I was indifferent to the chewable calories presented. Personally I wouldn't return for a bite, but I can understand why you'd give Spring Cafe a spin. read more

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VEGAN BAO BUNS!!! I must say, since my sister moved back to NY, she and the girls have discovered so many unique and interesting places. After walking around, we ended up in this part of town and my nieces were truly hyping up this spot. My favorite bao bun spot here has a vegan one, but this one had multiple options: braised tofu skin, ginger vegan chicken, black pepper mushroom, and vegan BBQ pork. I decided to get the ginger one, and my gosh... flavorful, fluffy, and delicious. They have a bunch of other wonderful things too, like teas, smoothies, fries, hash browns, burgers, desserts... it's quite a spread. I don't remember the specific tea I got, but it was really good. There isn't much seating inside, so be prepared to go. But if you do manage to get a seat inside, lucky!! Yeah, if you happen to be vegetarian / vegan and love Asian cuisine, this place is definitely for you. read more

Really love this small vegan spot in Chinatown located conveniently right off canal street and next to the train entrance. In fact probably one of my favorite places for reliably yummy food. They have a great selection of quick vegan items such as bao buns that come in many flavors, vegan burgers, bento boxes and salad bowls. Menu is innovative and unique. Love the braised tofu skin gua bao (favorite), ginger chicken gua bao and black pepper mushroom gua bao! So flavorful and goes perfectly with the steamed bun. It's a great snack and 2 for $8. Love love love their salt and pepper mushrooms. So tasty & crispy, and the seasoning is perfect. I also really enjoy the various bento boxes which gives you a great variety of items. Everything tastes comforting and homemade :) vegan hot & sour soup is also hard to find as it usually has egg, but they have a delicious version here. Service is always great and very friendly. It is a small spot and small counter seats only; mostly a take out spot. Love this little vegan spot and will keep supporting ! Have been here many times :) read more

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I absolutely love this place. I always stop in for lunch. If you're someone like me and you love asian flavors and flavorful tofu and imitation meat you will loveeeee this place. I always get a bento box which offers so much food and feels healthy too. The tofu skin is so delicious along with the texture of the curry tofu. The soup is so warming and feels like home in a cup. The service is incredibly quick. The workers are very nice. This is one of those places that I will probably eat at forever, very rare for me considering I love trying new things. I think someone who isn't even vegan/vegetarian would love this place. If you've ever thought tofu is bland, try this place and come back to me. read more

I work near Spring Café an love this place!! All drink and food items are delicious and healthy. The team members are friendly and share ideas for recommendations, if you are undecided. I enjoy staying to eat or stopping in quickly for to-go items. Spring Café is a terrific gem for everyone! read more

There are some solid options here for a quick lunch. I had the braised tofu bento which came with two vegetable sides, rice, and soup. Each of the items was very tasty, and it was an enormous quantity of food for $13. read more

Very cute café in the middle of China town. A few bar top seats inside and tables outside. To be fair I only had a fresh pressed juice (Love Fresh Juice) but it was delicious! Staff was pleasant. They were able to adjust my drink accordingly, as I took out lemon and added ginger. I would definitely recommend this place. read more

Food was good. Service was a little below average, and it would be nicer if service was better. honestly for a vegan place it tastes really good. I get that the price is a bit high compare to normal type of places in nyc where you can get bang for your buck, but for some reason Vegan places are mostly expensive. This one on the other hand is price around the average of what vegan places charge. Anyways now into the food. I got the Hawaiian Burger! The burger tasted good for Vegan place and I have to admit it was unique. The pine apple in the burger really made the pop in the burger. Flavor wise it was good overall! Their hibiscus drink was very refreshing as well. It tasted a bit unique with bubbles and some foam at the top. ambiance was average for a takeout. Overall it's good for something Vegan and a healthy lifestyle. read more

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Amazing vegan food here. Good mix of western and Asian influences on the menu. I got the Hawaiian chicken burger - the chicken cutlet was perfectly crispy, the pineapple sauce was fun, the burger was big. The mushrooms were SO worth the extra $3 - would totally get again. I tried a few bites of everything my husband got too: ginger chicken bao, tofu skin bao, and fries. Everything he ordered was delicious too. He liked the tofu skin bao more, I liked the ginger chicken more. The fries are also amazing, a hard choice between fries and mushrooms. Also love how you can pick your sauce for the sides: ketchup, spicy mayo and sweet mustard. I drizzled some spicy mayo onto my Hawaiian chicken burger and it definitely elevated it. The tea is yummy too, we both got semi-sweet. Server was really friendly and kindly gave us a box and bag for our leftovers. Keep in mind the cafe is really small and has no restroom, though they do have WiFi and lots of bar seating for such a small space. Can't wait to go again and try their noodles. read more

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what we ordered: Hawaiian vegan burger combo (side & drink) $15.95 Vegan ham egg and cheese combo (side & drink) $16.95 Vegan bbq pork bun $5.5 . Cant believe its all vegan?!?! This spot serves a variety of delicious options to choose from and its also great food for a quick bite as well. The Hawaiian burger is definitely one of my faves- it has pineapple in it! Both savory and sweet. You've definitely need to try the salt pepper mushrooms as the side, its crispy and just incredible. I honestly would not be able to tell that its vegan. Overall, amazing spot and the sweetest staff read more

Spring Cafe - Vegan Near Me - New York, New York

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Spring Cafe offers tasty and affordable Asian-inspired food that makes a great carryout or delivery meal. I first became aware of this place when Instagram influencers were raving about their delicious bao buns. The bao buns are a must: the Tofu Skin and BBQ Pork are my favorites. The menu also features bowls, sandwiches, and my favorite: the bento box. I LOVE their bento box concept: you get a hefty portion of rice, a protein, soup, and 2 sides: the tofu curry (insanely delicious) and their vegetable of the day, usually broccoli. Everything in the box is so flavorful, including the broccoli! I like the Salt and Pepper "Chicken" (think crispy chicken strips). I love how affordable they are for what you get as well: you get an entire satisfying meal for around $12. 5 stars! read more

Spring Cafe - Salt Pepper Vegan Chicken Bento Box - Vegan Near Me - New York, New York

I got the papaya salad again today. I added my own fish sauce and I must say, it is the most delicious papaya salad ever. The papaya and carrots are meticulously julienned, so fresh and crisp, I can appreciate the work it takes to make this salad. I do love the beyond meat on top instead of regular beef. You will not get this anywhere else, so it's worth bringing your own fish sauce. I would add a bit of hot sauce also. I also got the salt and pepper mushrooms again, this time with agave mustard. Omg, I could have sworn I was biting into a McDonald's chicken nugget with the honey mustard dip. I believe the mushrooms are fried and this might not be the most calorie-conscious snack. I wonder if they could air fry it? If so, I would get it more often. But kudos on the delicious agave mustard-- tastes just like McDonald's honey mustard. I did notice that there was a lady having some hot and sour soup. I ordered the soup here once and it tasted too sweet. They added tomatoes, which I do not like in my hot and sour soup. I like a vegetarian hot and sour soup, like the one at LuAnne's Wild Ginger on Broome Street. Just my feedback. If you like tomatoes in your hot and sour soup, this is for you. read more

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Stopped in here randomly on my way to get my phone fixed on canal. I am not a vegan, or even a vegetarian, but the menu looked interesting and delicious, and the shop looked tidy and friendly. I ordered two bao sandwiches (braised tofu and tofu skin) based on the counterperson's recommendation. That plus a drink was $14- standard for lunch these days. The sandwiches were very good- fluffy and warm bao buns and the fillings were super tasty. The tofu skin roll was especially nice. We are not talking health food here. Fried and crispy and savoury goodness, but small enough not to feel too guilty about. (Note that they do indeed have healthy options in the form of salads and bentos and smoothies and such). Sat at a counter. Room for maybe six people in there. Comfortable and bright and cheerful and entertaining to watch the bustle and hustle out of the window on Center st. I could definitely see them expanding in the future. My intention initially was to go to one of the traditional bakeries on canal for dumplings or buns, but my body was craving something a little less greasy and grimy. (There's a time and a place, right?!) Anyway: I recommend if you're in the area. read more

I came here for lunch on a Thursday afternoon. It was right around 12 so it was decently busy with a mixture of people waiting to order, waiting for pick-up, and people eating in. The shop is pretty small with limited seating if you wanted to eat here. Food: Spring Cafe is a fully vegan establishment with Asian inspired food. I ordered the two bao bento with the mushroom bao, bbq "pork" bao, fries and a hibiscus tea. This may very be the best bbq pork bao I have ever had, vegan or not. All of the items were absolutely delicious. I was not expecting much from the fries, but they were wonderfully crispy. Service: The cafe is a quick service place where you order at the counter and they call your number when ready. The cashier was friendly when I ordered. The food came out quickly. TL;DR - delicious baos w/ quick service read more

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Two bao buns are good enough for dinner. I got the Braised Tofu Skin Bao Bun-- a staff recommendation. It arrives warm and wrapped in the cutest packaging. The flavors are savory, sweet, and so satisfying. I was a pickled mustard green hater but she makes such a tactful entrance in the bao bun. And do NOT forget the tofu skin. The sugar peanut (essentially ground candied peanut) really brings this home. If you sit at the tables facing the street, there's great people-watching opportunities. read more

Spring Cafe - For this week only, they have a BOGO deal with their Beyond Burger and Hawaiian Vegan Burger! Ends 5/12! - Vegan Near Me - New York, New York

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The vegan chicken salad was really good-- the ingredients are definitely quality, the vegan chicken is super crispy, and the agave mustard dressing was pretty unique. I thought the bao buns were good, but my sister LOVED them and wouldn't stop talking about it after, so to each their own. Overall would recommend! read more

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Buyer beware- if you're a real vegan and into fresh produce and whole food plant based, this is not the place for you. If you're transitioning or vegan es que like interested in vegan food but fine with fake meats, this is the place for you. This place has mainly fast food and fake meats with very little gluten free or soy free options. For the neighborhood I would say they are doing a good job bringing healthy options but could use more WFPB. The staff was friendly and knowledgeable and good at advising about food allergies. It's fast food so if you are interested in that can be helpful. The owner and her family follow the Tao temple diet, so no garlic, chili, etc. Had a decent salad here, the quinoa bowl, or the only thing I could actually eat here. read more

Everything was delicious and they even have vegan fish fillets! FOOD: Black pepper mushroom bao bun: it was the best. so tasty! Braised tofu skin bao bun: liked the flavor combo. the pickled mustard greens mixed with the braised tofu skin will leave you wanting more. Ginger vegan chicken bao bun: soooo good and delicious! I love the ginger paste. Vegan bbq pork bao bun: it was okay... Vegan chicken nuggets: it's warm and crunchy on the outside and the inside is just right with a subtle hint of crabmeat. got mine with spicy mayo sauce, however it was not needed since the the nuggets were just right. MISC. INFO.: - Their seating is limited to 40 minutes. - Get their punch card if your order is $10 or more. Each $10 purchases is equivalent to a stamp on your card... so $20 purchase would be 2 stamps. - They have burgers, sandwiches, bao buns, salad, bowls, bento boxes, smoothies, juices, vegan cake, coffee, and more... read more

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Came by here to grab a quick bite to eat and for to-go. I tried 2 of their most popular baos the Vegan BBQ Pork Bao Bun and the Braised tofu skin bao. I haven't had many vegan restaurants so having a vegan-type bao was definitely a unique experience for me. The Vegan BBQ Pork Bao Bun was pretty good. It's definitely more on the stronger side of the end with the sauce and flavor. The bbq flavor was more of a smoky and tangy feel with sweetness infused into it as well. I did not mind it and it tasted pretty good. The Braised Tofu Skin Bao Bun was pretty good as well. The tofu skin itself was nice along with the veggie's added acidity and a bit of sourness to it. Not too used to these types of flavors so if you are not a big fan of this profile, I would end up sticking to trying maybe something else on the menu or the bbq pork. The staff was friendly and had a couple of seats if you want to dine in for a little bit. Great unique spot and addition in the Chinatown area. read more

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In every Chinese menu, there will always be 1 daish called Buddhist delight or Lo Han Chai. Buddhists have been preparing vegetarian food for hundreds of years. And now, Spring Cafe has a whole menu of vegetarian food. This place rocks. I walk in. It's very clean and organized. Its a small take out place but if dining alone, you can sit on a bar stool and eat quickly. This place makes me think of hong kong; crowded but cute. It is so small it fills up quickly. This place is popular and fills up during the lunch rush but they are also very organized. I love seeing a great operation running. I discovered this place through my Meal Pal subscription, and I tried 2 things. The tofu skin bento is pictured. This was awesome! Braised Tofu skin is the preparation for traditional mock duck. But wait, the Bento still has 3 other sections. The mock duck was over some salad with romaine and onions. Then there was rice with a minced tofu on top, Sesame broccoli and finally a fine mild chinese curry with a great sauce and carrots, potatoes and cute tofu cubes. The other lunch offer I tried is the zha zhang noodles with salad which was also excellent. It was wheat noodles with shredded red cabbage, carrots, and cucumber with a great spicy sweet, soy-based brown sauce. This was very memorable. It looked like a healthy vegetarian school lunch. One can dream, right? read more

Spring Cafe - Tofu skin bento with curied tofu, braised tofu skin over salad. Sesame broccoli, chinese sweet and sour pickled bok choy and minced tofu. - Vegan Near Me - New York, New York

Note: their door sign shows updated hours but it's not reflected on Yelp. Just an FYI to anyone showing up at night. 10:45am-7pm ---- The baos were soft and fluffy, but held everything together well! My favorites were: Bbq pork: not what I was expecting from a Hk style bbq pork. This one had a bold flavor almost like alcohol in the sauce, but what stood out to me was the CRUNCH, a nice light crisp in the vegan pork. Braised tofu skin: this one had the most complexity in terms of filling. Strong, pungent nostalgic flavor of pickled veggies, braised tofu skin and a surprising crunch of peanuts and white sugar. The mushroom black pepper I wanted to like but there were no other toppings in it to contrast the savory texture with some refreshing greens. Same with the ginger scallion chicken - I wanted to like it but I think it needed more of the ginger scallion, and some extra fresh scallion and maybe fresh cabbage. Their menu looks great though, and it's refreshing to see a fully plant based menu for these yummy Hk style flavors. read more

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Spring Cafe is a fantastic vegan spot with a wide range of delicious options. The flavors are vibrant, and every dish is thoughtfully prepared. Highly recommended for anyone seeking tasty, plant-based meals in a welcoming atmosphere. read more

Spring Cafe - Menu - Vegan Near Me - New York, New York