Avant Garden

I really enjoyed my experience here. The food was quite delicious and so were the drinks. As a vegetarian, it was great to have food that was vegetarian friendly, but also still very creative and filling. Sometimes that combination can be difficult to find.

My only complaint is that it’s very hard to see in the restaurant since it’s so dark. Also, I wouldn’t say that this restaurant is very accessibility-friendly as there’s no elevator or anything to the second floor and the staircase is quite narrow. Also, the actual space is very small so it would be hard to fit a wheelchair or any other accessibility devices, should you need them.

Edit: the restaurant apparently has alternate, downstairs seating that is fully accessible for guests who use mobility devices. I would call in advance if that is a concern for you to make sure you get the correct seating.

Just off Tompkins Square Park and on the second level, this enchanting vegan restaurant offers reprieve from the chaos of Ave A with its warm and inviting ambiance. The food is served family style—so expect to order a bunch—they recommended 9 for 4 people (which, be warned, can get really expensive quickly with most dishes being $20+). The toasts were yummy, as were the drinks and the cold items like the Hen of the Woods, but I’m coming back for the paella and the risotto—they both are must-haves and tasted DEVINE. It’s amazing how far vegan food has come.

Overall, not a cheap night out, but the ambiance and service were great and the hot items (the paella and risotto) were even better.

Pro tip: check them out on InKind and save some $.

I stopped by early evening on the weekend out of curiosity.

The cozy, stylish interior drew me in, so I ordered a Peach Toast and a cocktail (forgot the name). The cocktail was fine, but the mix of peach and nuts on the toast didn’t really work for me.

Next time, I’d like to try their dinner menu instead.

Incredible atmosphere, excellent service and the cocktails are to die for. Most of the food was mind blowingly good, especially the lava cake. However the tamal mole dish was not what we expected flavour and texture wise. Everything else was killer, try the Mini Vacay and the Gibson cocktails! Highly recommend.

One of the most plant-forward and innovative menus in NYC

I had been looking forward to trying Avant Garden for a while, and it absolutely lived up to the hype. We celebrated a birthday here and every dish we tried was bursting with unique, fresh flavors. From the mushroom toast to the avocado in the salad, the cauliflower entrée, and the molten lava cake — each plate was beautifully crafted and memorable.

The celery root pasta was the only dish that didn’t quite work for me, but overall the experience was outstanding. Portions are generous, so I’d recommend starting small — contrary to the server’s suggestion.

They also offer a great selection of drinks, including non-alcoholic wines, which was a thoughtful touch. The space is intimate with warm, cozy decor. It’s located on the first floor and can be a little tricky to find, but well worth it once you arrive.

Highly recommended for anyone who appreciates creative, plant-based cuisine.