New Jersey may be one of the smallest states in the US, but it is undoubtedly one of the best to visit. From its beautiful beaches to its bustling cities, there is something for everyone in the Garden State.
Home to some of the most beautiful beaches on the East Coast, you can find all sorts of great storefronts on the boardwalk in Atlantic City. If you are looking for something more serene, look no further than Cape May and its peaceful stretches of sand.
If you are a connoisseur of music, New Jersey boasts a thriving music scene. Many bands, including Bruce Springsteen, Whitney Houston, and Bon Jovi, originated from here. As such, you can find street performers and amazing shows all throughout the state. If you prefer theaters more than concerts, You can find Broadway shows testing out productions at different venues throughout the state.
Historically, New Jersey played an important role in the Revolutionary War and in the Industrial Revolution. As such, you can find many historical sites and museums that have been established. Some of these include the Liberty Bell Center and the Thomas Edison National Historical Park.
Even with all of the other culturally diverse aspects of New Jersey, the food is by far the most famous. So what’s it like being vegan in New Jersey? You’ll be thrilled to find that plant-based food is incredibly popular here. From delicious pizza to subs New Jersey is a foodie paradise, and they have no shortage of vegan fare! Finding vegan options in New Jersey is a breeze.
Here are the best vegan restaurants in New Jersey.
Brick City Vegan
Price: $$
Cuisine: American
Website: https://www.brickcityvegan.com
If comfort food is your style, Brick City will be your first stop for vegan food in New Jersey. The Brick City Vegan is a really popular vegan spot to grab some grub. Their motto is “Being vegan is easy” because of their delicious menu items that are genuinely approachable by anyone. You can find some amazing vegan inspired American cuisine here that is both eye-catching and mouth watering. The Chick’n biscuit is an amazing vegan take on an American breakfast meal, and I highly recommend it. Outside of that, you can find fries, slaw, philly cheese steak sandwiches, and much more! Located on Broad Street Retail 1 in Newark, this is a great place to stop for food if you are passing though!
Veganized
Price: $$
Cuisine: Casual American
Website: https://www.veganizedfoods.com
Nestled in New Brunswick, just west of the Raritan River off of Hwy 27, you can find the Veganized restaurant. It’s eclectic atmosphere is breathtakingly relaxing and the food is truly delicious. You can expect to find a more casual dining experience here with dishes like the BBQ Skewers made from grilled seitan. Along with the skewers, there are grilled oyster mushrooms, nachos with dip made from black beans, mouth watering pizza, and of course your choice of different salads. The menu is quite large, so expect to take a moment to choose your favorite!
Veggie Heaven
Price: $
Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
Website: https://www.orderveggieheaven.com
Asian food is a staple for vegan food in New Jersey. You can’t go to New Jersey and miss out on the amazing Asian vegan cuisine as well. At Veggie Heaven, you won’t have to. You can find all of your asian-inspired favorites and more here. Their spring rolls and steamed dumplings are absolutely mouth-watering. You can also find Crispy seitan strips, noodles, fried dumplings, and so much more. As with Veganized, you can expect to take a while to choose your favorite, the menu is massive! Veggie Heaven is located in Teaneck, NJ off of Cedar Ln.
Happy Vegans – Çiğ Köfte
Price: $
Cuisine: Contemporary
Website: https://www.hapyvegan.us
Feeling like a more traditional diner experience? Look no further than Happy Vegan. While the ambience is relaxing and familiar, the food is 100% vegan and 100% delicious. The hummus here is nothing short of amazing, and the staff is very friendly, so your experience will be amazing throughout your visit. At the Happy Vegan, you can find broccoli bites, falafel sandwiches, vegan gyros, and even some refreshing smoothies. If you want a more American inspired meal, their menu doesn’t disappoint here either. You can find vegan burgers, and even delicious vegan hotdogs! You can find the Happy Vegan in downtown Clifton on Main Avenue.
Lovin Today
Price: $
Cuisine: Contemporary with Asian-Inspired dishes
Website: https://lovin-today.business.site/
Wanting some diversity in your meal? Lovin Today has that and more. If you are in the mood for a delicious and healthy smoothie or a protein shake, you have options for a refreshing cold beverage. Along with their smoothies, you can also find vegan chicken sandwiches, noodle bowls, soups, and so much more. If you are coming through, and you are a spicy food lover I recommend grabbing a bowl of their spicy mushrooms, they are seasoned perfectly! You can find Lovin Today in Ledgewood, nestled between the intersection of Highway 10 & 46.
Gaia & Loki
Price: $$
Cuisine: New age vegan fare
Website: https://www.gaiaandloki.com/
Gaia & Loki is something different, at least in the local vegan community in downtown Jersey City. You can find this gem on Grove Street, next door to the CityMD Urgent Care center. The food here is a new age take on old dishes. You can find house-made soups, chili, tartare, mac & cheese, and more. The pasta here is mouthwatering in itself, but if you are not an italian food lover, the menu is massive and will definitely have something that would fit your tastes. You can expect a clean and vibrant atmosphere here, along with some very helpful and friendly staff.
While these restaurants aren’t necessarily 100% vegan, we want to applaud them for making a fantastic effort in creating vegan options on their menus. Here are our top vegan friendly restaurants in New Jersey.
Cava
Price: $$
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Website: https://www.cava.com
Located in Jersey City, right beside the Hudson River at the border of New Jersey and New York, Cava boasts an impressive Mediterranean menu. While this might not be completely vegan, they have a huge selection of vegan-friendly meals that are sure to satisfy even the most picky eaters. Many of the meals do require substitutions, but the staff is extremely helpful, so please make sure to check with them while you are ordering to ensure the ingredients are all vegan. You can expect to find salads, pitas, and more along with some very refreshing drinks.
LuLu’s Artisanal Cafe
Price: $$
Cuisine: Bakery & Cafe
Website:https://www.lulusartisanalcafe.com
If you are passing through downtown Montclair, NJ, I recommend paying a visit to LuLu’s Artisanal Cafe. You can find this nook off of Bloomfield Avenue. This is primarily a vegetarian cafe, but they do have a good selection of vegan options. Their bakery options are truly mouth watering, and there is no short selection! Even so, I really recommend their Key Lime Pie shake, which is completely vegan and requires no substitutions. It’s extremely flavorful and refreshing. If you pay this delicatessen a visit, you can expect to find baked goods, shakes, popcorn, sliders, pasta, and so much more. You can even buy some cashew dough butter to-go if you want to have some at home.
Vegan Unlocked
Vegan Unlocked is a community resource dedicated to opening the locks on every obstacle preventing people from adopting a plant-based lifestyle. We’re working to break down barriers and share our knowledge with the public about affordable, accessible and delicious vegan foods!