Health trends come and go, but one that has been steadily gaining traction in recent years is plant-based eating. Whether for health or ethical reasons or sustainability, there has been an increase in those looking for meatless options when dining in or out. While some people are adopting fully vegan diets, others are simply wanting to decrease the amount of dairy or meat they consume each week. Either way, finding an abundance of vegan options can sometimes be difficult. If you’re in New Jersey, start by checking out these 25 restaurants offering full vegan menus.
Good Karma Cafe – Red Bank, NJ
Loaded with plenty of tasty vegan dishes, Good Karma’s standard menu features mac and cheese drizzled with creamy sriracha and topped with crispy coconut “bacon.” Weekly specials are also available at the Red Bank, New Jersey vegan restaurant, like a Southern fried tofu sandwich. Check out both its OG location on East Front Street and Karma 2 Go right down the street.
Buffalo Tempeh Mac and Cheese from Good Karma Cafe in Red Bank, New Jersey / Photo via @goodkarmacafenj
Veganized – New Brunswick, NJ
With its self-described “modern interpretation of vegan cuisine,” Veganized is a great go-to restaurant for anyone looking for a meatless meal in New Jersey—after all, this spot does have 4.5 stars on Yelp. Try dishes like the “Righteous Rueben” sandwich, “Pasta and Neat Balls” and “Mackin’ Cheeze.” The menu covers almost all of the classics and features a list of cocktails to go along with it.
Leaf – Haddonfield, NJ
Looking for a vegan date night option? Leaf is serving up beautifully plated dishes like almond-crusted tofu with a lemon caper sauce and familiar favorites like ravioli. The restaurant also offers wines from the local Cedar Rose Vineyards in Millville, New Jersey and vegan desserts, such as beignets and tiramisu.
Luna Verde – Bradley Beach, NJ
Luna Verde is dishing out vegan Mexican eats that make it easy to forget everything is plant-based. There’s plenty of protein alternatives to choose from like seitan Asada burritos, al pastor chimichangas and soy chorizo nachos. Pro tip: Before heading over, check out their Instagram to find out when they’re serving the limited special, vegan birria tacos.
Vegan quesabirria and birria tacos from Luna Verde in Bradley Beach, New Jersey / Photo via @lunaverdeveganmexican
Simply Green Cafe – Ramsey, NJ
Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, Simply Green Cafe is the all-vegan equivalent of a traditional diner. The menu features items like a vegan buffalo chicken wrap, tofu-based mozzarella sticks, French toast stuffed with raspberry cream cheese and even chicken parmigiana. Simply Green is an excellent option for those easing their way into meatless eating.
Blueberry Cafe – Newark, NJ
Blueberry Cafe is a full juice and smoothie bar that also serves daily soup selections along with a rotating lunch and dinner menu. This Essex County New Jersey restaurant has its own set of vegan specials to choose from each day, like Taco Tuesday, Wellness Wednesday and Pasta Fridays.
Goodbeet – Westmont and Ocean City, NJ
Eating vegan doesn’t mean you have to skimp out on the desserts, and Goodbeet is well aware of that. The flagship location in Westmont offers both eats and treats, courtesy of its very own bakery right next door. At The Beet Creamery, you’ll find cookies and brownies, specialty donuts, ice cream and more. And while the full bakery experience isn’t available at the Ocean City location, the menu of salads, burgers and sandwiches is still worth a visit.
Vegan donuts at The Beet Creamery in Westmont Township, New Jersey / Photo via @thebeetcreamery
Veggie Heaven – Teaneck, Denville and Montclair, NJ
Stop by one of Veggie Heaven’s three New Jersey restaurants for a vegan take on Chinese takeout. Here you can get plant-based versions of classics like pork fried rice, General Tso’s chicken and even vegan Peking duck. The large menu gives you plenty to choose from.
Subia’s Vegan Cafe – Jersey City, NJ
Chicken nuggets, Philly cheesesteak, banana walnut waffles and a breakfast wrap filled with tofu scramble, are just a few of the staple items at Subia’s in Jersey City. The cafe offers loads of favorites that make eating vegan easy. Be sure to stop by on a nice day and grab a table at its sidewalk seating.
Grounded for Life Cafe – Clinton, NJ
Grounded for Life Cafe’s “Fakin’ Egg n Chez Bagel” is the most New Jersey thing a vegan can ask for—unless of course, you ask for it with “saltpepperketchup.” Made with Just Egg, vegan cheddar and grilled tempeh, this sandwich is just one of the many items on the menu at Grounded for Life that you’re sure to love.
A vegan bacon, egg and cheese on an organic bagel from Grounded for Life in Clinton, New Jersey / Photo via @grounded.for.life.cafe
Coffee & Cornbread – Montclair, NJ
Montclair’s Coffee & Cornbread serves a fully organic breakfast and lunch menu along with a fully vegan menu, making it easy to please both non-vegan and vegan eaters. At the restaurant, choose from plant-based burgers, sandwiches, salads or even vegan pancakes to pair with a cup of organic, locally-sourced coffee from Cabana Coffee in Wayne, New Jersey.
Plant Base – Jersey City, NJ
Not only does Plant Base offer a menu of both seasonal sit-down and grab-and-go foods, but it’s also a bodega that emphasizes zero-waste. The latest lunch menu includes tacos, wraps, bowls and pizza. After lunch, shop for organic foods from pasta to housemade cleaning products.
Living on the Veg – LBI and Manahawkin, NJ
Living on the Veg first opened on Long Beach Island in 2005, and last month launched a brand new location in Manahawkin. The all-vegan New Jersey restaurants serve a wide variety of salads, sandwiches, wraps and bowls, in addition to fresh-pressed juices and smoothies. Try favorites like the “Tu-No Melt” and the “Avocado Tempeh Melt.”
Sandwich from Living on the Veg in LBI / Photo via @caresmotivation
Vegans of Seitan – Linden, NJ
Vegans of Seitan is all about comfort food. Deep-fried buffalo cauliflower bites, Italian hot dogs, fried chicken and a burger topped with macaroni and cheese are just some of the vegan comforts found on their standard menu, with even more daily specials offered at this Linden, New Jersey restaurant.
Crust & Crumble – Asbury Park, NJ
While Crust & Crumble isn’t entirely vegan, the pizzeria does offer a large menu of vegan apps, pasta and pizzas. Vegan pizzas are available in large and personal sizes, including classic and specialty pies. With vegan and traditional options, it’s perfect for groups that include both those that are meatless and meat-lovers.
Vegan AF – Jersey City, NJ
Vegan AF in The Heights neighborhood of Jersey City has a menu that covers breakfast, lunch, dinner and even brunch. The long list of sandwiches and burgers includes a jalapeno and guacamole burger, pulled barbecue jackfruit and hot dogs like “The Mexican Dog” with chipotle sausage, avocado and pico de gallo.
Vegan AF in the Jersey City Heights / Photo via @thefoundrygirljc
Alt Eats – Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ
If you’re all about the avocado toast, Alt Eats has options from standard to elevated. The “Mango Tango” features smashed avocado with lime, mango, cilantro and red onion on crostini. Or try one of the four vegan mac and cheese offerings ranging from classic to truffle to buffalo to Mississippi topped with homemade red lentil chili.
Seed to Sprout – Avon-by-the-Sea and Fair Haven, NJ
Serving breakfast all day and vibrantly colored sandwiches and bowls, Seed to Sprout’s two New Jersey restaurants in Avon-by-the-Sea and Fair Haven have a lot to offer vegan eaters. The cafe has tofu “eggs”’ like the “Loaded Breakfast Scramble” with tomato, arugula, caramelized onions, coconut bacon and homefries drizzled with a cashew cheese sauce. Or try their bright “California Beet Burger” with avocado and pickled onion.
Green Fusion – Ridgewood, NJ
Green Fusion serves both vegan and vegetarian options, and most of the menu can be made either way. This eatery has everything from Buddha bowls to pizza topped with crispy barbecue cauliflower—just ask for dairy-free cheese to make it vegan. And if you need a place for special occasions, Green Fusion offers dine-in and to-go menus for most major holidays.
Huevos Rancheros Breakfast Pizza from Green Fusion in Ridgewood, New Jersey / Photo via @greenfusionnj
Kaya’s Kitchen – Belmar, NJ
Kaya’s Kitchen has more vegan options than most people could imagine. There is marinated seitan flank steak, jambalaya, create-your-own veggie burgers and more. Plus, it’s BYOB and features live music and poetry readings. If you’re not in Belmar, you can check out sister vegan restaurants in New Jersey. Kaya’s Cafe in Asbury Park and Planted Plate in Princeton.
Alternative Plate – Lake Como, NJ
If missing out on pork roll (or Taylor Ham, whatever you want to call it) is your biggest fear about eating vegan, Alternative Plate has the answer. Try the “Vegan Pork Roll Egg N Cheez” or the loaded version which adds plant-based sausage and bacon to get your fix.
Salt + Seed – Hoboken, NJ
Originally opened in Jersey City’s District Kitchen Food Hall, Salt + Seed is currently hosting their first-ever dinner series pop-up at Hudson Tavern in Hoboken. Every Tuesday through June, diners can reserve their spot for an elevated three-course dinner that’s entirely plant-based. Although the menu is set to change every two weeks, recent offerings have included truffle ricotta toast and crab cakes made from hearts of palm.
Hearts of palm crab cakes from Salt + Seed / Photo by Abby Montanez
Vegans Are Us – Vineland, NJ
Vegans Are Us in Vineland, boasts about its 100 percent vegan menu. With everything from plant-based burgers to shrimp, they cover all the bases of vegan soul food. Try their shrimp po boy or spicy crispy chicken sandwich. And they have a full breakfast menu that includes chicken and waffles, grits and pancakes.
Frenchtown Fresh – Frenchtown, NJ
A plant-based cafe, juicery and market, Frenchtown Fresh has an abundance of choices. Whether you’re looking for a hearty smoothie or an easy meal, they have lots to choose from. Try the pumpkin pie smoothie made with coconut milk, banana, pumpkin puree, maple syrup and spices. Or just keep it simple with grilled cheese.
Northern Soul – Hoboken, NJ
If finding a bar for both your vegan and carnivorous friends alike is your mission, then Northern Soul is the place to go. With a menu of equal parts meat and plant-based, this eatery has options to please your whole circle. Grab a cocktail and try their tofu mignon or buttermilk fried “chicken” sandwiches. Or, share a plateful of buffalo, BBQ or sweet chili cauliflower bites.
Cauliflower bites with sweet chili sauce / Photo via @eastcoastadri
Have you been to any of the vegan restaurants in New Jersey? Let us know in the comments below.
About the Author/s
New Jersey native that loves reading on the couch in pajamas, exploring new places and cooking at home. Interested in writing about food, fashion and culture, all while sipping a tall glass of cold brew.
1 comment
This is awesome. I see some day trips I’ll be taking this summer.