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    Willow Vegan Bistro

    4.5 (491 reviews)
    Closed 4:30 pm - 10:00 PM

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    WILLOW VEGAN BISTRO ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Trendy
    Romantic

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    Ponzu Glazed Salmon
    Rachael M.

    Excellent food and service. I wish they had outdoor dining but it's tough in that spot on 8th Ave. The arugula salad, salmon, spicy tuna tartare, and chocolate hazelnut dome were all excellent. I want to come back for sandwiches.

    Korean Buttermilk Fried Chicken Sandwich
    Jennifer S.

    Our dinner reservation at Willow was largely made in response to our LOVE of Le Basque and Coletta, as all three of these restaurants are part of the City Root Hospitality group. And, there are more to explore!!! Willow is another notch on their belt as it delivered everything we wanted based on previous experiences. The restaurant is quaint and cozy - in other words much smaller than the others previously mentioned. The staff was accommodating and gracious and paid great attention to each table, making certain water was filled and the food was satisfying. We ordered the crab Rangoon to start and what a perfect choice. These were stunning and made even more perfect by the sauce accompanying them. I moved onto the brisket in bbq sauce served with Parmesan fries. The bbq sauce was a Rita's bit overwhelming and the fries seemed more traditional for the Parmasean seasoning didn't come through. It was a good dish although not one I would be running back to order. The brisket was super tender though! My husband had the Korean fried chicken sandwich with an upgrade of onion rings - delicious!! The rings were both crispy and tender as was the sandwich. For dessert we actually asked our waitress to surprise us because we could not choose - there were too many amazing choices!! She did not do us wrong! We had the banana pudding with wafer cookies and it was AMAZING! The appetizer and dessert (paired with their special iced latte) are well worth the trip and made the experience a delight. Once again the City Root Hospitality group did not disappoint!!

    Alyssa K.

    Willow Vegan is phenomenal! We actually travel from Jersey just to eat here -- that's how good it is. Chef Guy (who also owns several other amazing NYC vegan spots) is constantly raising the bar, and it's refreshing that you can actually see him at the restaurant. He's hands-on, engaged, and clearly passionate about what he does -- not an absentee owner at all. The food is out of this world. The French Dip is amazing, the Double Cheeseburger is superb, and even the fried pickles appetizer is ridiculously good. It's truly elevated comfort food at its finest. The menu changes from time to time, but it never matters -- everything they make is consistently delicious. I find myself craving Willow often! The ambiance is beautiful -- stylish but comfortable. You can dress up or down and feel right at home either way. The cocktails are creative, balanced, and clearly well thought out. The service is always top-notch -- attentive, friendly, and professional. You can tell everyone is well-trained and takes pride in creating a great experience. We've never had an issue with parking (which says a lot for NYC!) and the vibe is perfect for a date night, birthday, or anniversary. Honestly, I have nothing negative to say. Willow deserves a 5-star rating time and time again. If you haven't been -- go. You'll thank yourself later!

    Clarissa G.

    Everything was great! The place is clean and cute. The staff were super friendly and knowledgeable. Most importantly the food was delicious! I had my first vegan poached egg and was blown away.

    Irene T.

    We went for dinner and had Cornbread with Garlic Thyme butter & French Onion soup to start & the Ravioli & a Grilled Ceasar Salad with Plant Based Chicken added. The food was absolutely incredible - amazing quality and taste. The staff, service and ambience were all superb. We can't recommend it enough! Bring your non-Vegan friends- they will love it too. Hard to believe it't 100% plant based. Kudos to the chef, staff & owners in creating this amazing food that also helps human health, animal welfare & our environment/planet. PS the cocktails & mocktails were outstanding as well.

    Crispy Gochujang Mushroom Burger
    Tori N.

    I'm not vegan but I met some friends here and the food is very tasty. The atmosphere is a little dark in the restaurant, but there is a little table lamp that gives off enough light. The service was really good, and our waiter was very attentive. We got the cheese plate, onion rings, mushroom burger, grilled Caesar salad with ponzu steak, and the salmon. My friend who ordered the salmon said it felt like the fish he missed, and it tastes pretty close to the real thing to me. My salad was good but pretty watery, and the steak tasted more like a pulled pork which is an option on the menu. It's overall a great option for vegan food.

    Valencia J.

    Where is the 6 star!!! Omg I had the most amazing experience here. From the friendly service from Teddy to the comfortable seating. The music is a perfect blend of classics. Loud enough to hear but not loud enough to disturb or to not have a conversation. The food taste amazing!!!! Nothing bad touched our table. Walter the chef and Amazing Teddy will see us again soon.

    Herbal Haven & Rum for Error Cocktails
    Brianna B.

    I love Willow! Chef Guy's restaurants never disappoint - the menu here has changed a lot over the years but I'm pleased with the current offerings. To drink, the Run for Error and the Herbal Haven are delicious and refreshing. The Truffle Mac is tasty and flavorful, and the Fried Chicken Sandwich and French Dip are musts. Really glad they have Onion Rings on the menu too! My favorite thing on the menu has to be Skillet Cookie - INCREDIBLE. The Banana Pudding is also fabulous - I'd order all the desserts! The vibes are casual but like all of the City Roots restaurants, the design is classy and clean cut.

    Pulled BBQ Brisket Sandwich
    Brian S.

    Great food and great service. Was shocked to see how comparable the brisket sandwich was to the real deal.

    Elie T.

    Very comfortable restaurant with good vibes with all drinks half off during happy hour 4-6pm. Service was slow so deducted a point. We also tried their French dip sandwich which had "cheese" and "steak". For a vegan sandwich, it was not bad. You can def tell it's not meat but it had good flavors. The fries that came with it was just ok. Decent vegan spot with good drinks.

    Cobb Salad (GF)
    Alexa R.

    Willow is one of my new favorite vegan restaurants in NYC! I've always admired Chef Guy Vaknin's work, and I'm excited to eventually visit all of his restaurants. The ambiance at Willow strikes a good balance--it feels cozy and intimate, yet open enough to enjoy an easy conversation. This makes it a great spot for a variety of occasions, whether a casual lunch or a celebratory dinner. We started with the fried pickles to share, which were tasty, though the dipping sauce could have used a bit more flavor and a thicker consistency. Next time, I'd likely try a different appetizer. For my main, I ordered the Cobb salad, which was both delicious and generously portioned--something I appreciated given the higher price point. The honey chipotle chicken skewer that came on the side perfectly balanced sweet and spicy flavors with a satisfying texture. My friends thoroughly enjoyed their burgers and even complimented the flavorful side salads. One friend opted for the fries as a side, but I found them to be fairly standard steak fries. Overall, I'm excited to have Willow as a go-to for vegan dining in the city and can't wait to bring my parents here for a meal.

    Calamari
    Sue G.

    The food and the service were Amazing I highly recommend.! Everything we ate was delicious from calamari and onion rings and are main course . We went tonight Friday to Coletta, and we loved it. It's always great to be able to enjoy wonderful food and both restaurants were amazing.

    Honey Chipotle Chicken Skewers
    Mary L.

    Love the ambience, service was quick , food were delicious , mind you prices are on the expensive side and I wasn't crazy for the cocktails , happy hour is from 4pm- 6:30pm *Beet avocado tartare and Yuzu spicy tuna tartare were delicious and I couldn't stop eating the malanga root chips *crispy calamari : I was amazed , tasted like the real deal without the fishy smell , it was served hot and crispy . *crispy crab ragoons: just order it ! It blew my mind *crispy Philly cheeesesteak: taste good (I only say this because I had the ragoons first , so everything else doesn't matter) *double smash burger with avocado and eggs : it had a clean taste , but I'm more used to messy real beef burger , the rest of my friends liked it *whiskey BBQ brisket frites : amazing and delicious ,and tender . My friend ate all the remaining BBQ sauce with fries *Dijon Pepper Flank steak : soooo yummy !!! Soft and full of flavors . But I don't care for the lentils *cheese grits and hen: Nah I didn't like it , plain , almost flavorless , none of my friends liked it. *honey chipotle chicken skewers : soooo yummy , full of flavors *ponzu glazed salmon : presentation was beautiful but salmon was super fishy , more fishy than real salmon , and I didn't care for red quinoa. We were too full to order desserts . Maybe next time

    Banana Pudding

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    Page 1 of 13

    Ask the Community - Willow Vegan Bistro

    How is the noise level? Is the music played at a high volume? My daughter has sensory issues and can't go anywhere that has a high noise level. The food sounds fantastic so we would love to try it.

    I also avoid loud restaurants, and Willow was fine for me and I would go back. There was music, it just wasn't loud. That said, to make sure for your daughter's sake, you might want to poke your head in at the time of day you're thinking of going. I… Read more

    Have they improved their gluten free offerings recently?

    Is there anything that can be made allium-free (no onion, no garlic)?

    Also would like to know if my onion/garlic allergy can be accommodated here?

    Our server said she had a list of ingredients to check. Certain items can be avoided or modified, from our experience.

    Are there gluten free options?

    I believe some salads can be modified to be GF, and some sides like fries are GF. Most of the menu is not though, but the waitstaff are very knowledgeable and I'm sure can tell you exactly what is GF or not. There is a lot of alternative meats… Read more

    I have a few friends who follows fodmap diet. Do you have any menu item that doesn't contain garlic, onions, or any allium vegetables?

    Are any gluten free options offered?

    ' gluten free ' is not mentioned at all on their menu

    Does Willow allow BYOB?

    This is Willow Vegan Bistro. Thank you for reaching out! We are not able to allow BYOB at this time. We will be able to offer wine and beer very soon.

    Is there heated outdoor seating?

    No outdoor seating.

    Are there gluten free options?

    Yep

    View All 11 Questions

    Franchia Vegan Cafe

    Franchia Vegan Cafe

    4.0
    (1.1k reviews)
    1.0 mi
    $$

    It's rare to come across a fully vegan Korean restaurant so I was so excited to try this place!…read moreAbsolutely loved everything we ordered here! Brought my non-vegan friends and they all enjoyed the meal as well! Sweet Corn Cilantro Pancake - came in 4 pieces which made scaring easy Popcorn Shrimp - was a favorite on the table Kimchi Jjigae - this was so flavorful and so delicious Naengmyeon - this was my personal favorite because I love cold noodles and I haven't been able to find a vegan version before! Vegetarian 'Duck' Bibimbap - can never go wrong with Bibimbap, this was filling! The ambiance is super cute! Perfect for a date night and the service was quick and friendly. Will definitely be back!

    We went to Franchia Vegan Cafe at 12 Park Ave and it was absolutely top notch. The restaurant is in…read moreMurray Hill, and it feels like such a great find if you're looking for a really special vegan Korean / Asian-inspired restaurant in Manhattan. The space was super clean, calm, and had a vibe that felt authentic to the cuisine. The staff was also incredibly friendly, knowledgeable, and fast, which made the whole experience even better. But the food is what really blew me away. I got the Korean Wild Green Tea First Picked, and it was unreal. Yes, it had that beautiful green tea character, but it was so much more layered than that--smooth, complex, almost naturally sweet, and honestly one of the most memorable teas I've had anywhere. I also ordered the iced matcha latte, and it was easily the best matcha latte I've ever had: no grittiness at all, just incredibly smooth, creamy, and perfectly balanced. We also had the baby dumplings in spicy sauce, popcorn shrimp, fried Manchurian cauliflower, spicy kimchi pancakes, Peking duck baos, and the duck rice bowl. Every single dish was excellent. I'm still baffled by how well they nailed the shrimp texture--seriously impressive. The flavors across the board were rich, creative, and satisfying without feeling heavy. If you're in Murray Hill and want a standout vegan lunch or dinner, or you're just looking for one of the best plant-based restaurants in Manhattan, Franchia is absolutely worth going out of your way for. Highly recommend.

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    Inside
    Inside
    Soft Tofu with Kale in Ginger Sauce
    Soft Tofu with Kale in Ginger Sauce
    Franchia Vegan Cafe

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    Vegan On The Fly

    Vegan On The Fly

    4.7
    (302 reviews)
    1.3 mi
    $$

    Absolutely loved EVERYTHING we got, best Mac n cheese I have had so far and love love love that…read moreeverything is vegan . I wish if we could dine there - we got there around 8:40pm and the dining area was already closed . We just got lucky that we walked to Bryant park and had the dinner, AMAZING. Must try all

    I returned to NYC and gave them another try. I ordered the Jerk Chicken Salad with extra garlic…read moresauce, no tomatoes - $18.98. Got a side of harissa sauce and a Pineapple Ginger juice. I loved the fact that their chicken is gf. It's a simple salad with just the romaine lettuce, red onion, and sauce (comes with tomato too but I omitted them), but it's a hearty portion and I figured the grape leaves (which are supposed to come with it) would make it worth the near $20 price point. Well, they didn't give me any dolmas at all, and I totally forgot about them until later. I checked before writing this and their online menu definitely still says the salad comes with grape leaves, so they can't (shouldn't) say that it has changed. I LOVE dolmas, so their omission has left me a tad vexed. Aside from grape-gate, the salad itself was tasty. The jerk chicken didn't taste like real island jerk, but it had some spice and it was very good. I did feel that the salad was missing something. I went back and asked if I could buy some avocado, but they didn't have any. I guess it just needed those M.I.A. dolmas. 6/10 That Pineapple Ginger juice was the truth!! I wish I'd bought a dozen to bring on the plane. It tasted freshly made and the ingredients also tasted fresh. No canned or packaged pineapple or ginger, judging by the taste. 10/10 My habibi ordered the Impossible Chopped Cheese. He is FAR from vegan, but he's a good sport when it comes to trying it out, and he keeps it 100 all the time. That being said, he said that he really liked his sandwich. He was impressed! Sadly, I didn't get a shake this time (as much as I wanted to - I have instant regret), but I did notice that they're now using the big boba straws - perfect for their delicious thick shakes!! Big UPS to them for listening to their customers! (In my previous review, I expressed the inadequacy of the eco-friendly paper straws.) FYI - no bathrooms, even for their customers. That sucks. I'll be back again for another meal. Striving for that top notch experience, which I believe they can and will deliver. Third time's the charm, right?

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    Vegan On The Fly
    Nashville Hot Sandwich
    Nashville Hot Sandwich
    Vegan On The Fly

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    Willow Vegan Bistro - vegan - Updated June 2026

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