Established in 2016 and quickly expanding, Planta was founded with the idea that dining should be an indulgent pleasure without guilt. Their menu and atmosphere demonstrate that vegan restaurants can still offer delectable fare while remaining healthy. With locations in Williamsburg, NoMad, and Queen (with another opening soon in SoHo), this NYC chain is one to watch!
Veggie-Focused Dishes
Williamsburg branch of popular chain restaurant offering plant-based cuisine that has quickly gained favor among even avid meat eaters, featuring seasonal offerings with no processed meat substitutes like Beyond Beef crumbles or Impossible “meat,” instead using legumes, vegetables, and grains to craft dishes that taste precisely like their carnivorous equivalents.
Some of the most sought-after dishes at The Bird include baked “crab” handrolls with hearts of palm and spicy vegan mayo, eggplant sashimi with watermelons, ahi nigiri, and Singapore noodles with yuba bean sprouts and asparagus. For group dining experiences, there’s also the Dragon’s Den subterranean lounge, which serves both a la carte dining and private functions.
A Charming Brunch Spot
Williamsburg offers an abundance of great brunch spots, and more keep popping up each month. One recent addition is the Baby Blues Luncheonette, which radiates charm with its baby blue booths, old-school photos, and memorabilia lining its walls. They serve a small but satisfying menu, including signature items like the Eggs Rothko (brioche with melted cheddar and perfectly runny egg) or tofu scramble dishes.
Good Thanks is an Australian cafe with a minimalist aesthetic, perfect for getting work done over coffee or an excellent meal. Their banana bread with honey butter, avocado toast with smoked labneh, breakfast sandwiches, juices, and cocktails such as the refreshing coconut marquito are sure to please.
A Local Must-Try
Planta Williamsburg marks its debut location in New York after opening spots in Miami and Toronto. Offering fresh cold-pressed juices or mixed-in cocktails or mocktails (such as Herb Your Enthusiasm ), Planta offers healthy yet playful beverage offerings such as “Herb Your Enthusiasm,” featuring berry kombucha with hibiscus-infused gin, lime, pineapple and herb syrup for guests to choose from. There is also an underground lounge known as Dragon’s Den, where guests can dine a la carte and enjoy refreshments and snacks from their menu!
Chef David Lee and his team’s restaurant prepare all dishes using only fresh produce, legumes, grains, and spices rather than synthetic additives or dyes. Baked “crab” hand rolls or eggplant-and-watermelon ahi nigiri may look similar to meatier versions but won’t contain artificial flavors or chemicals.