A Plant-Based ParadiseWillow Vegan Bistro is a dream come true for vegans seeking delicious, familiar comfort food. Their menu expertly transforms classic American dishes into exciting plant-based creations. Expect high-quality ingredients, innovative flavors, and a welcoming atmosphere – a must-try for any vegan in NYC.
Rachel Long
Delicious vegan food with great GF options :)
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Sade K
I recently switched to a pescatarian diet and took my carnivorous friend to a vegan restaurant for the first time. We had a wonderful experience there. The staff and waiter were very accommodating and patient with us while we took our time browsing the menu. If you haven't tried vegan food before, I highly recommend the Chicken Francese, cheesecake, and calamari. I would definitely return just to taste those dishes again, they were absolutely amazing. The burger was also excellent and fulfilled a craving that I had been having for weeks. However, if you're not used to vegan cheese, I suggest avoiding the truffle Mac & cheese and instead trying the buffalo chicken as an appetizer.Vegetarian options: The whole menu
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Vanilla Bean Cashew Cheesecake, Hand Cut Fries
Joy S.
this is kind of hard to write because i've been here a few times & the food was amazing & the service was even better. yesterday when i went, the food was room temp / cold and the service was no bueno. the woman who seated me and my boyfriend was rude and shady for no reason . we did not do anything to shawty & she had an attitude the whole time & my boyfriend spotter her talking about us to one of her coworkers. not sure if it's just classic racism or a little mix of transphobia in there as well (yes i am a black trans woman). the vibe was hateful lowkey but i could've gotten over that if the food was at least good and it simply wasn't. maybe it's too much for me to expect an inclusive environment from a place solely based on vegan food, but i guess that means nothing when you hire small-minded and ignorant staff. i'd hate to see this place continue to go downhill, but i'm inclined to believe that our bland food and sub par service is a byproduct of racist misogynoir at its finest. shameful but not surprising!
mvdl1990
As a vegan in an unknown city (I was on a holiday) I followed recommendations to go to Willow. In all honesty, I was skeptical when I read the extremely positive reviews about the steak. But, yes, they were so right! It blew my mind. Been vegetarian for 7 years, recently turned vegan, and in all those years, I never had a steak this good. It was a true pleassure to eat here. Nice staff and ambiance too.
Updated from previous review on 2024-04-16
AndySneap
You have to try the chunk steak , I'm still thinking about it this morning
Alexus
Ask for the allergen menu. I am an organic-plant-based-vegan & refrain from the top allergens. This restaurant checks off veganism but not the healthy side. Oyster mushrooms can EASILY NOT have soy & wheat. When you're using raggedy panko or an equivalent, yeah, wheat will be present. The food had no flavor either. Surely you didn't just rely on rolling the oyster mushrooms in panko & think that was supposed to be it. Where are the seasonigs? Breadcrumbs need to be seasoned. If you have dietary restrictions as a vegan like soy free, gluten-free, wheat free, & avoiding top allergens, this is NOT the place for you. All the entrées have soy. Gluten is heavily present here as well. Coletta is literally this same restaurant. The same chef provides food for them as well. The menu is literally the same. The in-house chefs should have been more knowledgeable when I had questions about the menu, too. The excuse that the food is prepared in another warehouse & they are just cooking it is unacceptable. You need to know what exactly has soy or an allergen for those who have allergens.Dietary restrictions: If you have dietary restrictions as a vegan like soy free, gluten-free, wheat free, & avoiding top allergens, this is NOT the place for you. All the entrées, sandwiches & soups have soy. Gluten is heavily present here as well. Ask for the allergen menu.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 1
Service: 5
Sarah Bautista
Went to Willow on Saturday night without reservations, but quickly got seated. Our server was very friendly and checked up on us a couple of times during our meal. We had the salmon tartare the French soup, the Philly cheesesteak, and chicken Frances. The best thing we had was definitely the Salmon tartar, hands-down recommend five stars. While the chicken was bland in flavor and the Philly cheesesteak had a better resemblance to a pull pork, it was still lacking in overall taste.The nights drink special was a blueberry mojito, which was okay but skimpy on the alcohol same as mule. Ended up with an old fashion which was a lot better .Over all I would like to give it another chance just because of the salmon tartar and the over feel of the restaurant , but I can’t say I will be back soon .Dietary restrictions: They do have gluten and nut free options. They are completely vegan.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 5
Fresh Williams
The Philly “Cheesesteak” is hands down the best vegan version I’ve ever had. I asked how the vegan “steak” is made and they said fermented soy and wheat. But I enjoyed the restaurant and will return.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Hand Cut Fries
Rachel Gardner
I had to delete my 5 star review from 2 years ago and leave a new one. I visited Willow last night in the cold rain. I had 2 cups of chamomile and the French onion soup to try and warm up. They did the trick! The soup was a bit salty, but it was also delicious. I decided to stay for an entree and had the chicken francese. Strong 8 out of 10. Had the mashed potatoes been hot, I would give it a 9/10. The food was good and the atmosphere was very cozy. My waitress was very attentive and helpful. I will be back!Vegetarian options: Menu is vegan.
Strait up delish! I hope to go back tomorrow! Magical!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Truffle Mac and Cheese GFO, French Onion Soup, Salad
Manuela Pichler
Exceptional! We only had time for lunch at our visit to New York and glad we picked Willow, the food was delicious and I wish we could have tried more of it! But I'm sure we will be back. I had the Philly Cheesesteak sandwich and it was out of this world delicious!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
NathaliaBermudez
I've been to Willow many times and each meal is a delight. The service staff are exceptionally nice, helpful and attentive to food allergies. Every dish we try is my new favorite. I come here with my husband who is not a vegan and he also loves it. A definite all-around people pleaser kind of meal.
Ma General
The food is just not that great. I ordered the calmari and the nashville chicken sandwhich and was just very disappointed especially after seeing the reviews.My calmari was undercooked and chewy, the pieces that were cooked were great but it was only a few.I was actually very frustrated with the nashville chicken sandwhich. This is not a Nashville hot sandwhich, this is a bufflao sauce chicken sandwhich. It has that vegan after taste as well. I actually really hate buffalo sauce and had I known it would taste like it, I would not have ordered it (I love me some Nashville hot chicken which is literally just hot chicken, no buffalo). Please change the name of rhe sandwhich because its false advertising and I wasted my money!!!My server was sweet but i was too much in a rush to complain about how terrible the food was. Save your money and buy the chikn and use buffalo sauce at home
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 4
kay money
Jay and Mia are the absolute best! Could not have had better service. Jay makes incredible drinks and Mia is so welcoming and gives the best service.
A Plant-Based ParadiseWillow Vegan Bistro is a dream come true for vegans seeking delicious, familiar comfort food. Their menu expertly transforms classic American dishes into exciting plant-based creations. Expect high-quality ingredients, innovative flavors, and a welcoming atmosphere – a must-try for any vegan in NYC.
Delicious vegan food with great GF options :)
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I recently switched to a pescatarian diet and took my carnivorous friend to a vegan restaurant for the first time. We had a wonderful experience there. The staff and waiter were very accommodating and patient with us while we took our time browsing the menu. If you haven't tried vegan food before, I highly recommend the Chicken Francese, cheesecake, and calamari. I would definitely return just to taste those dishes again, they were absolutely amazing. The burger was also excellent and fulfilled a craving that I had been having for weeks. However, if you're not used to vegan cheese, I suggest avoiding the truffle Mac & cheese and instead trying the buffalo chicken as an appetizer.Vegetarian options: The whole menu
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Vanilla Bean Cashew Cheesecake, Hand Cut Fries
this is kind of hard to write because i've been here a few times & the food was amazing & the service was even better. yesterday when i went, the food was room temp / cold and the service was no bueno. the woman who seated me and my boyfriend was rude and shady for no reason . we did not do anything to shawty & she had an attitude the whole time & my boyfriend spotter her talking about us to one of her coworkers. not sure if it's just classic racism or a little mix of transphobia in there as well (yes i am a black trans woman). the vibe was hateful lowkey but i could've gotten over that if the food was at least good and it simply wasn't. maybe it's too much for me to expect an inclusive environment from a place solely based on vegan food, but i guess that means nothing when you hire small-minded and ignorant staff. i'd hate to see this place continue to go downhill, but i'm inclined to believe that our bland food and sub par service is a byproduct of racist misogynoir at its finest. shameful but not surprising!
As a vegan in an unknown city (I was on a holiday) I followed recommendations to go to Willow. In all honesty, I was skeptical when I read the extremely positive reviews about the steak. But, yes, they were so right! It blew my mind. Been vegetarian for 7 years, recently turned vegan, and in all those years, I never had a steak this good. It was a true pleassure to eat here. Nice staff and ambiance too. Updated from previous review on 2024-04-16
You have to try the chunk steak , I'm still thinking about it this morning
Ask for the allergen menu. I am an organic-plant-based-vegan & refrain from the top allergens. This restaurant checks off veganism but not the healthy side. Oyster mushrooms can EASILY NOT have soy & wheat. When you're using raggedy panko or an equivalent, yeah, wheat will be present. The food had no flavor either. Surely you didn't just rely on rolling the oyster mushrooms in panko & think that was supposed to be it. Where are the seasonigs? Breadcrumbs need to be seasoned. If you have dietary restrictions as a vegan like soy free, gluten-free, wheat free, & avoiding top allergens, this is NOT the place for you. All the entrées have soy. Gluten is heavily present here as well. Coletta is literally this same restaurant. The same chef provides food for them as well. The menu is literally the same. The in-house chefs should have been more knowledgeable when I had questions about the menu, too. The excuse that the food is prepared in another warehouse & they are just cooking it is unacceptable. You need to know what exactly has soy or an allergen for those who have allergens.Dietary restrictions: If you have dietary restrictions as a vegan like soy free, gluten-free, wheat free, & avoiding top allergens, this is NOT the place for you. All the entrées, sandwiches & soups have soy. Gluten is heavily present here as well. Ask for the allergen menu.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 1
Service: 5
Went to Willow on Saturday night without reservations, but quickly got seated. Our server was very friendly and checked up on us a couple of times during our meal. We had the salmon tartare the French soup, the Philly cheesesteak, and chicken Frances. The best thing we had was definitely the Salmon tartar, hands-down recommend five stars. While the chicken was bland in flavor and the Philly cheesesteak had a better resemblance to a pull pork, it was still lacking in overall taste.The nights drink special was a blueberry mojito, which was okay but skimpy on the alcohol same as mule. Ended up with an old fashion which was a lot better .Over all I would like to give it another chance just because of the salmon tartar and the over feel of the restaurant , but I can’t say I will be back soon .Dietary restrictions: They do have gluten and nut free options. They are completely vegan.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 5
The Philly “Cheesesteak” is hands down the best vegan version I’ve ever had. I asked how the vegan “steak” is made and they said fermented soy and wheat. But I enjoyed the restaurant and will return.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Hand Cut Fries
I had to delete my 5 star review from 2 years ago and leave a new one. I visited Willow last night in the cold rain. I had 2 cups of chamomile and the French onion soup to try and warm up. They did the trick! The soup was a bit salty, but it was also delicious. I decided to stay for an entree and had the chicken francese. Strong 8 out of 10. Had the mashed potatoes been hot, I would give it a 9/10. The food was good and the atmosphere was very cozy. My waitress was very attentive and helpful. I will be back!Vegetarian options: Menu is vegan.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: French Onion Soup
Restaurantji Recommends
Strait up delish! I hope to go back tomorrow! Magical!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Truffle Mac and Cheese GFO, French Onion Soup, Salad
Exceptional! We only had time for lunch at our visit to New York and glad we picked Willow, the food was delicious and I wish we could have tried more of it! But I'm sure we will be back. I had the Philly Cheesesteak sandwich and it was out of this world delicious!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I've been to Willow many times and each meal is a delight. The service staff are exceptionally nice, helpful and attentive to food allergies. Every dish we try is my new favorite. I come here with my husband who is not a vegan and he also loves it. A definite all-around people pleaser kind of meal.
The food is just not that great. I ordered the calmari and the nashville chicken sandwhich and was just very disappointed especially after seeing the reviews.My calmari was undercooked and chewy, the pieces that were cooked were great but it was only a few.I was actually very frustrated with the nashville chicken sandwhich. This is not a Nashville hot sandwhich, this is a bufflao sauce chicken sandwhich. It has that vegan after taste as well. I actually really hate buffalo sauce and had I known it would taste like it, I would not have ordered it (I love me some Nashville hot chicken which is literally just hot chicken, no buffalo). Please change the name of rhe sandwhich because its false advertising and I wasted my money!!!My server was sweet but i was too much in a rush to complain about how terrible the food was. Save your money and buy the chikn and use buffalo sauce at home
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 4
Jay and Mia are the absolute best! Could not have had better service. Jay makes incredible drinks and Mia is so welcoming and gives the best service.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5