Urban Vegan Kitchen NYC 🍔 (Guide)
What is Urban Vegan Kitchen?
Urban Vegan Kitchen is a famous restaurant. It is in New York City. 🗽 It is in the historic West Village. (On Carmine Street). ( It is a 100% vegan restaurant. Every single item is 100% plant-based. 🌱 This is a "vegan paradise." It is a "safe haven" for vegans. But it is also famous... ...for non-vegans! Why? The food is amazing. And the vibe is even better. This is not a "health food" restaurant. This is not a "salad and juice" spot. This is vegan comfort food. This is "soul food." This is delicious, "happy" junk food. (In the best possible way!). (
The "Vibe" (The #1 Reason to Go) 🎶
This is the most important part. UVK is not a "stuffy" restaurant. It is not a "quiet" place. It is a VIBE. The vibe is 1990s Hip-Hop. 🎤 When you walk in, the music is playing. (Wu-Tang, Biggie, Tupac). (The walls are covered in graffiti art. The decor is cool, urban, and fun. This is a "date night" spot. It is a "brunch with friends" spot. It is a "celebration" spot. It is fun. It is loud (in a good way). It is a party. It is a 10/10 experience.
The Food: 100% Vegan COMFORT
Let's talk about the food. The food is 100% vegan. But this is not "health food." 🚫 This is not a "salad" spot. This is COMFORT FOOD. This is "soul food." This is "happy food." TThis is "junk food" (in the best way). This is the food you crave. But made 100% from plants. It is heavy. It is rich. It is savory. And it is delicious. This is the spot you take your "meat-eater" friend... ...to prove that vegan food is amazing. They will be shocked.
The "Must-Try" Menu Items (The "Stars") 🌟
The menu is big. It can be overwhelming. Here are the "all-stars." The "must-try" dishes.
1. Chick-Un & Waffles (The #1 Dish) 🥇
This is the "cover star." This is the #1 dish. This is what you see on Instagram. It is a vegan "chicken" and waffles. It is a "soul food" classic. The "Chick-Un": The "chicken" is amazing. It is made from seitan. ("Seitan" is "wheat meat." It is a high-protein, chewy, "meaty" base). ( The seitan is perfectly seasoned. It is "shreddy." It is "meaty." It is coated in a crispy, fried batter. This is a 10/10 vegan fried chicken. The "Waffle": The waffle is a classic Belgian waffle. It is fluffy. It is crispy on the outside. It is 100% egg-free and dairy-free. The "Finish": It is topped with vegan butter. 🧈 And it is served with maple syrup. This is the perfect "sweet and savory" combo. The crispy, salty "chicken"... ...with the sweet, fluffy waffle... ...is a 10/10 flavor explosion. You must try this.
2. The "Uptown" Burger 🍔
This is their classic "cheeseburger." It is a "smash-style" burger. The "Patty": They often use a "Beyond Meat" patty. (Or a similar high-tech, "bleeding" patty). ( The "Cheese": A slice of melted vegan cheese. (Usually a cheddar-style). ( The "Sauce": It has their house "special sauce." (A vegan "Big Mac" style sauce). ( The Verdict: It is a perfect, "greasy," delicious... ..."fast-food" style burger. But 100% vegan. It is amazing.
3. The "Wings" (Chick-Un Wings) 🌶️
These are a 10/10 appetizer. They are not "cauliflower" wings. (They have those too, which are great!). ( These are "meaty" wings. They are made from seitan or soy protein. They are crispy. They are "chewy." They are very realistic. You get to choose your sauce. Like a real "wing" spot.
- BBQ Sauce: A classic sweet and smoky.
- Buffalo Sauce: A spicy, "Franks Red Hot" style sauce. (Served with vegan ranch!). (
4. The Vegan Mac & Cheese 🧀
This is a vegan "holy grail" item. A good mac & cheese is hard. UVK nails it. The "Cheese" Sauce: The sauce is not "fake" cheese. It is a "whole-food" sauce. It is made from cashews. (Or potatoes and carrots). ( It is blended with nutritional yeast ("Nooch"). (This gives it the "cheesy" flavor). ( The result is a super-creamy, thick, "velvety" sauce. It is amazing. The "Topping": The "pro" move. It is topped with... ...toasted breadcrumb "bacon bits." (Smoky, salty, crunchy). ( This is one of the best mac & cheeses in NYC.
5. The Brunch Menu (The Weekend) 🥞
UVK is famous for its brunch. (On Saturdays and Sundays). ( This is the "comfort food" main event. The menu is huge. They have:
- Vegan "Chicken" & Waffles (The star)
- Vegan Pancakes & "Sausage"
- A Tofu "Scramble" (The "vegan egg")
- A "Breakfast Burrito"
- Vegan "Philly Cheesesteak" (Amazing)
The "Cons" / The Reality Check ⚠️
The spot is 10/10. But let's be realistic. It has three "cons."
1. It is NOT Health Food. (It's Heavy!)
This is the biggest "con." (It is also a "pro"). ( This is not a "clean" or "whole-food" diet. This is not a "salad" spot. This is heavy, rich, "comfort" food. It is often fried. It is high-fat. (Vegan fats). (It is "processed." (Seitan, vegan cheese, etc). ( It is "junk food" (in a good way). It is a "treat" meal. Do not come here if you want a light salad. You will be very disappointed.
2. The Price (It's NYC) 💸
This is not "fast food" cheap. This is "West Village, NYC" pricing. The "Chick-un & Waffles" is 20+. This is normal for a 100% vegan, specialty... ...sit-down restaurant in Manhattan. But you must be prepared. It is not a "10" meal.
3. The Space (It's Cozy/Small)
This is a "West Village" spot. It is not a giant "chain" restaurant. It is "cozy." (A polite word for "small"). ( It can get very crowded. And loud. (Because of the music/vibe). ( This is part of the fun! It is a "high-energy" room. But if you want a "quiet, private" meal... ...this is not the spot.
The "Safe Haven" (Vegan vs. Vegetarian) ✅
This is the final, key point. Why is this place so "relaxing" for vegans? It is a 100% VEGAN restaurant. 🌱 This means it is a "Safe Haven." You can relax. You do not have to be a "detective." You do not have to ask: "Is this made with butter?" 🧈🚫 "Does this have hidden cheese?" 🧀🚫 "Is this made with chicken broth?" 🐔🚫 "Does this have fish sauce?" 🐟🚫 "Does this have honey?" 🍯🚫 You are 100% safe. Every item is 100% plant-based. This also means it is a Vegetarian's Paradise. Everything is 100% vegetarian. (No meat, no fish, no rennet). ( This is a place you can take anyone. Vegan, vegetarian, or meat-eater. And they will all leave happy.
Conclusion: The "Must-Visit" Comfort Spot
Urban Vegan Kitchen is a 10/10 spot. It is a "must-visit" in NYC. It is a "destination." It is NOT a "health food" spot. It is a COMFORT FOOD spot. It is "soul food." The Vibe: 10/10. (90s Hip-Hop, fun, loud, cool). ( The Food: 10/10. (Rich, heavy, delicious, vegan junk food). ( The "Must-Try" List:
- Chick-Un & Waffles (The #1)
- The "Wings" (Buffalo or BBQ)
- The Vegan Mac & Cheese