Minimal, yet delicious food options at this vegan fine dining restaurant. There didn’t seem to be a dress code, but it was upper-scale so be cognizant. The wine list is also very extensive. My favorite dishes were the tagliatelle and artichoke toast. Artichoke toast - crispy potato chips, pesto (or some sauce), and strong hint of black truffle. Delicious toast. Hen of the woods - kinda greasy, very tender mushrooms. Hard to describe the flavor, a mix of savory with slight sweetness Tagliatelle - tasty pasta with fresh vegetables. Thought the mushrooms were too raw here (texture/taste of raw mushroom ruined the other flavors), otherwise the bell pepper and cooked onion/garlic complimented the paste very well. It was creamy even without dairy. Roasted cauliflower - the cauliflower was nicely roasted (crispy tips, tender body). However the sauce wasn’t strong enough so it wasn’t very flavorful (tastes… like cauliflower). Risotto - incredibly creamy risotto (don’t know how they did this without dairy). The “lobster mushrooms” had a distinct taste, neither like lobster nor mushroom (more like a light chunk of seasoning). Overall the risotto was mostly sweet, slightly sour, and savory.

Let me preface by saying that I'm not a vegan and vegetarian, but who cares? The dishes at Avant Garden are absolutely stupendous! Every dish is presented perfectly and packed with flavor and texture. The service is also top notch and the staff are welcoming and friendly. Pro-tip: If you're a wine connoisseur then you'll definitely be in heaven. Avant Garden's selection is impressive. 💯

My wife (vegetarian who rarely eats select types of fish) and I (meat eater) visited Avant Garden last Thursday for dinner. It was an excellent experience. Service is great, the cocktails were delicious and the food was outstanding. We read the quote: "Excellent food that just happens to be vegan" and can confirm that this is the quintessential description for this restaurant. Everything tasted great, savory, balanced, and delicious. We especially loved the avocado and the cauliflower, but the risotto was delicious, and the dessert was to die for. Definitely recommended for everyone who loves great food (independent if you eat meat or not).

Highly acclaimed and hyped, but was extremely disappointed by my experience here. Most of the food we had was very very average, salvaged only by the phenomenal risotto. The service was one of the worst I've experienced in NYC. It took over an hour for the food to arrive. Most of the times, our server was absent and it took 15 mins+ after sitting down, just to get some water. When placing the order, we were told the chocolate lava cake is specially made, hence an order needs to be given 30-40 mins in advance. We accordingly did place an order in advance, but the chocolate lava cake was not even warm when we got it on our table. In terms of the rest of the food: Artichoke toast - bland and tasteless Scorched cauliflower - taste wise - Fantastic...but the cauliflower was over cooked, would crumble as soon as you attempt to put your fork on it Risotto - hands down the best I've had Tamal - nothing to brag about Overpriced, poor service and average food.

Avant Garden is a hidden gem. The waitress was so friendly, welcoming and accommodating. The kitchen bar seating is super fun because you see the cooks prepare everything. They are a bit shy don't expect them to start chatting with you. The wine selection is good. The Lucien Reymond Sancerre by the glass is very light and crisp. It pairs nicely with everything. My favorite dish was the Avocado. The textures and tastes were incredible. The sticky white rice with crispiness on the outside was so good. I'm not sure how they cook that, probably with some soy sauce glaze, sugar and oil but it's really nice! On top, was an avocado dome, with pickled carrot creamy paste dressing (on the avocado), topped with micro greens and crispy seaweed. The miso, soy sauce "dots" aka the sauce on the plate were very flavorful, and the peppers had a nice kick to them. The plating was really nice, and the flavors were excellent individually and together as one bite, with all the sauces/dressings. I also ordered 2 toasts: roasted beets and sunchoke. I preferred and recommend the sunchoke over the beet one. I enjoyed the way they cut the toast in little triangle slices that are easy to pick up and eat with your hands, or your fork and knife. Made easy to share as well. The beets toast was good but it's a bit earthy and the bread was softer through-and-through compared with the sunchoke, which is crispy on the outside (toasted) and soft on the inside 'layer' of the slide of bread (la mie du pain, as they describe in French). Sunchoke has pickled pear, which are quite unique and a bit crunchy. Adds some texture, with acidity from the olive purée (and the fact that the pear is pickled), pistachios (which I couldn't taste so much) and microgreens that supposedly were baby mint, but tasted nothing like mint. $17 Roasted Beets had hummus, date, sumac, chickpea, cucumber tzatziki. The hummus and crispy chickpeas paired together well in terms of texture. The tzatziki added creaminess and the dates were very subtle. The cripsy chips on top were very good (a nice addition for texture). I couldn't really taste the acidity that usually comes with sumac. Good ingredients pairing but I think the hummus (chickpeas) and beets overpower the whole toast, making it soggier than wanted and a bit too un-wow-ing to the taster. Still good, but maybe not for $17 a toast. The restaurant is small and intimate. The ambiance is dark and not too loud (I actually wish the lights were a bit brighter so I could see the beautiful food and plating better). The staff is very friendly, especially the woman with bangs (sorry I don't know her name). It's a bit pricy, I have to say. For veggies, it is expensive, even though the restaurant and ingredients are elevated produce is fresh and good quality. I recommend sitting at the bar counter. It's a nice experience. Finally, I paid cash, and did notice that the waiter didn't make the cash adjustment, giving me back change for the total bill (it would be for a credit card). That's fine because I adjusted the tip amount, but it's a small detail that customers expect to not have to mention or be ignored when we're making an effort to pay cash to help the restaurant... I'd recommend and would go back, but it is pricey.

We came on a Friday night ready to have the vegan experience of our life. However we felt the food wasn’t as good as expected. I was surprised that the toasts were served cold and not warm and toasted. Except for the cauliflower all our food was served cold which made it feel like a collection of starters and not a dinner. The food was good but not amazing. Interesting flavours. Both me and my partner agreed the best dish was the lava cake for desert. The restaurant is very small and cozy, nice atmosphere and candle light. The service was laid back, no one helped us pour wine or checked on any of the food during the meal. Overall I’d probably try a different place next time.

We came here for a birthday dinner and my girlfriend said it was the best meal she can remember having. We ordered a variety of dishes to share and absolutely stuffed ourselves. I love having a classy vegan dinner option where I don’t have to stress about the menu. It is a tight cozy space, but we had an early weekday dinner so it wasn’t busy at all. All the food was good and I’m sure they rotate their menu, but you have to try the toast if you can. Open face sourdough loaded with too many textures and flavors to even comprehend. It was amazing.

This place is nothing short of perfect. I came here twice for dinner during my week long trip to NYC, it was this good. Every dish was crafted to perfection, with a unique combination of flavors and textures, all working seamlessly together. I highly recommend the paella and hen of the woods, both spectacular! The food presentation was outstanding too. But my highest praise goes to the staff, extremely kind and generous. I can't wait to be back again!

One of the very best meals I’ve had. We ordered the avocado, artichoke toast, hen of the woods dish, and paella, with the beet cocktails. Everything was amazing - both delicious and creatively prepared. Next time we’re eager to try the carrot, pasta, lava cake, and more. The service was excellent and the decor and ambiance was beautiful. Great for groups, a date, or even a nice solo eve out, as there is very nice bar seating in addition to tables. Highly recommend!

One of the best vegan restaurants in NYC! The food here is on another level! Every plate is so unique and presented perfectly beautifully! Everything tasted delicious! Incredible combinations! We even had a chance to meet and talk to the chef himself! Juan it’s really talented and interesting person to talk to, he made us feel like home! 10/10 experience and food! We will definitely comeback next time we’re in NYC. That would be our permanent dinner place from now on!

First and foremost I don’t want people to think service is an issue here because the waitstaff is top tier. And the atmosphere is great. But that’s where the positives end. Let’s start with the food. It seems like the effort goes into plating. When the food comes out it looks great. But somewhere along the line it misses on flavor and texture. The pasta was like paste and was served with what was supposed to be smoked mushrooms that ended up being just raw mushroom. The paella was pretty mushy as well. The grain served under the roasted carrots was like a salt bomb. Although I have to give credit for the chocolate cake… I’m not a sweets person but my girlfriend loved it and the bites I took were pretty good. The last thing I will say, and my girlfriend has a pic of it, there was these little gnats. We were by the window so it may be where we were seated but just choose your seat knowing that you may get a little buzzing friend or two trying to share your meal with you.

I would come back again as the food is innovative and delicious, especially the avocado and broccoli. However, the Lava cake was quite ordinary (even somewhat disappointing) with overly sweet chocolate sauce and the cake that was too dry and plain. This item will not be something that I would order again.

Absolutely exceptional service and dining experience! My favourite place in New York so far! If you are vegan or vegetarian this place is a must visit! The Service was seriously the best service I’ve ever had in my life. There was not one moment I felt like the service could have been better! The only thing is with such an incredible restaurant I feel it deserves to be in a location with an incredible view or something. Everyone here should get a raise because it was seriously exceptional! Thanks for the incredible experience! 💖

Came here for my wife’s birthday, one thing I thought was nice was they had a birthday card on table for her. Food was Great! Love the Flavors! Staff was very attentive. They poured our wine and water never once had to worry about a refill. Food came in a timely manner, one dish after the other. Also as each dish was placed on the table they explained what was in each dish. Small cozy place but not too small I counted 32 indoor seats. They also have outside dinning. I was impressed with the food ,service, and diversity of staff. Will definitely be back they are on my list of my Top vegan spots! Can’t wait to see the new location.

One of the best restaurants I’ve been to in a while!!! I had an amazing night with my friend there. Neither of us is vegan but we heard so much about Avant Garden that we wanted to try it ourselves. They didn’t let us down! The reservations are currently limited to 90 minutes which is totally reasonable given the circumstances. The staff was end-to-end very attentive, friendly and helpful! The concept is to share the dishes and the recommendation for 2 people is 4 dishes. We went for the toast with artichoke and for the Cremini mushroom one. SO GOOD! Furthermore we shared the scorched cauliflower and the house made spaghetti. Delicious!!! Especially the cauliflower was mind blowing. To finish our dinner we did the tiramisu which was very different than the regular version of it but we loved it! Overall wonderful experience: beautiful restaurant, fantastic staff and incredibly delicious food. Will definitely go back! Can’t wait to try more!!

Absolutely loved this place! Intimate vibes with incredible food. Everything is plant based and served tapas style. I went in a group and I highly recommend getting a few people together or sharing plates on a cute date night. So many incredible dishes to try! Some favorites included the spaghetti, hen of the woods, cremini toast, and the almond cake - but everything was amazing!

Fantastic service, knowledgeable staff and most importantly delicious food! Everything was super tasty, the cauliflower in particular was a highlight for me and the almond cake dessert. Highly recommend

Wonderful gracious attentive service with the most delicious vegan food imaginable. The paella was particularly amazing and innovative. We also liked the appetizers and toast. Don’t miss the avocado salad. It is unlike anything you’ve had elsewhere. Engaging staff suggested excellent wine and beer to accompany our meal

Loved the food and service. The atmosphere is not really my thing to be honest. Given that the food is very beautiful and upscale this venue feels very dusty and worn to me. But still enjoyed the evening with friends.

I went there with my vegan friend (I'm not), and we thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience. The interior is dark and very cozy, the service was great, and we took all the recommendations from our server. Everything was delicious, filling, and beautiful. Can see it as a great date spot.

Had a fantastic time last night!!! While nervous to go my cousin (our resident gluten free vegan) insisted and I have no regrets. I’ll be thinking about that risotto for the rest of my life!

This place is an absolute gem. When we were walking up to the restaurant, we realized it was a hole in the wall. The door and entryway was hidden but once inside, it was like a little getaway. It was mysterious and magical. There were tree branches and fairy lights. It almost felt like we were going into a magical forest. Once we got inside, the ambience was soothing and intimate. The chaos of NYC was hidden away from this charming restaurant. The waiters are absolutely amazing and pay attention to detail. The food was impeccable and delicious. The presentation of the food was exactly how I imagined— creative, on theme, and beautiful. We got the Sunchoke toast, soarched cauliflower, and cremini mushroom spaghetti. All delicious and without flaw. Beautifully executed in its delivery and flavor. We left feeling full and happy. I wholeheartedly recommend this restaurant. Excellent job.

I've been there twice (several months apart) and both times that was a hit. The food is amazingly delicious, it's hard to describe it, as you just need to taste it. Quite simple ingredients, but the outcome is fantastic. We had scorched cauliflower (twice), smoked carrot, different toasts and colds. Lava cake for dessert (yummy) and really good french Rosé. I'm very happy that people can experience vegan food of such taste and quality. It's a bit pricey, but hey, it's New York. Staff is very nice and helpful. Definitely coming back. Thank you!

Delicious vegan food!! The atmosphere was super cute and the servers were very friendly. Highly recommend

Absolutely delicious! Went few days ago with a friend who made the reservation. I've been vegan for 10 years - and I'm from Paris - and it's on my top list of best vegan restaurants I've tried. And the staff were very kind. I told a waiter that the dressing from the Baby Gem Salad was so delicious (I don't miss any animal products but Ceasar salad dressing sometimes!) and he gave me some in a little container when we left! So kind. I enjoyed putting it in a salad the next day! Will try the new locations next time for sure.

It’s my first time trying a vegan restaurant. It’s not bad. The toast was crispy but too hard for me. The homemade spaghetti was kind of flavorless . Paella was my favorite.

Food was soooo good, and all vegan. We really enjoyed it. Great tasted and textures. Heads up: it smells like frying in the room.

Good was delicious! 100% recommend hen of woods if you’re a mushroom lover! My boyfriend who is not vegan or vegetarian loved the experience! The Brussels sprouts with fig and cranberries was such a wonderful combination of savory, salty, citrus and sweetness. Highly recommend coming here if you ever get the chance! The almond cake had such a rich texture and the apple sauce was sweet and sour which yummy!

Not a vegan. The food here was a treat. We ordered too much to be honest (2 plates per person was recommended and we would have been full at 6 between 8. Highlights were the sunchoke toast, the Brussels sprouts, and the scorched cauliflower (has a kick - which I found delightful but too much for some of my dining companions). The wines are very reasonably priced for the quality. Service was incredibly warm and knowledgeable. Definitely not just for vegans, a great spot for anyone who wants healthy, hearty, tasty eats in a nice atmosphere.

Wow! I never thought vegan food was so good. Everything was very flavorful and well prepared with lovely presentation. We had a late reservation and the servers were nice but very dry. However, I would dine here again for sure!

I can’t say enough good things about Avant Garden! Everything was absolutely incredible. We were a group of four and ordered 8 dishes to share which was the perfect amount of food, and each dish was more delicious than the last! I especially recommend the avocado dish and the pasta. Truly to die for. We ordered both cake options to finish because we couldn’t resist and both were amazing!

The food is unspeakably good. The staff is so helpful and kind. The atmosphere is moody yet inviting. This place is an absolute gem.

The food was great, the service and outdoor dining atmosphere was equally as good. I highly recommend the roasted beet toast and the paella. Their almond flour cake and ginger cake were also tasty.

What a gem of a place, single handedly made our NYC trip memorable. Now we will have to keep returning to the city to enjoy this awesome food. The avocado and brussels in appetizers are to die for. The spaghetti in mains is an amazing celebration of food. As a vegan, I am so happy to have experienced this culinary spectacle. To the owners of Avant Garden - please open up one in Dubai :)

Very delicious great attentive service all around and Sherif and Amanda were very nice. I heard the owner also has other vegan places and I'm curious as to what his favorite dishes are.

The food was amazing. The place REALLY SMALL, I didn't feel safe in there, we couldn't stop hearing people conversations because the tables are 10 inches apart. I would love to go to this restaurant is a bigger space the $200 dinner will be more worth it. I recommend take out.

Food served as a shared meal and was absolutely delicious. It's a very small space, therefore we had to eat al fresco which was not cool on an extremely busy sidewalk. Next time take out!

The BEST place in a Brooklyn for party !!! Great team work and always amazing artists there 🙌🏻 ✌🏻 👍🏻 💪🏻 👌🏻 🗽 🇺🇸 😎

Spectacular food. Just wow!! We had the Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, paella, spaghetti and the celery and each and every one was spectacular. I am vegan + allergic to sesame pistachio and cashews are they were very accommodating with allergies. Would recxomend chefs table cuz it's really cool watching your meal being cooked.

So my experience in this restaurant was little bit disappointment , that restaurant rated as the best one here in NYC , the service definitely perfect but unfortunately I didn’t found any desire to finish one of the popular meals .. yhey tried to be too sophisticated is the taste of the meals and The taste not much to each other… it’s definitely a place that I will consider to give it a second chance…

Beautifully presented and delicious meals which cast ingredients in a new light.

Food was delicious. Great service. Perfect for a date night.

This is a good restaurant which seem to take vegan fine dining quite seriously with the way they are made and presented. The carrot dish was just great. The paella which we tried was however, a miss personally for me. (Chunky mushroom and a ? Fried flower to top the special rice). The portions are small and overpriced IMO. The outdoor seating does have a really nice ambience.

Went for my birthday dinner, it was okay. They recommended getting 4 plates to share. We ordered the Brussels sprouts, beet toast, and paella. The first two were delicious but the paella was way too rich and earthy. The sauces were kinda gross. We barely ate any of it (pictured). We were offered sparkling water, not realizing the bottle was going to be $20! Overall overpriced and not the greatest experience for what we paid for a birthday dinner.

What a vegan treat. The quality of food here is exceptional. My favourite was either the roasted carrot 🥕 which was phenomenal or the almond cake which was light and delicious

I came here for dinner with my friend and overall had a nice experience. We shared all 3 dishes "hot" dishes which included: >Brussel sprouts: not actually listed on the menu but my friend ordered it and they were delicious! Perfect balance of crispy outside texture with soft cooked inside and caramelized something topped off with a spiral of something else (lol I don't ask just consume). >Celery root: also delicious and creamy but also loved the presentation. Also an elegant combination of crispy and creamy textures with flavors you just have to close your eyes and chew to experience the full range of savory. >House made spaghetti: my favorite dish, I know I'm basic. It tasted like truffle to me, but not overwhelmingly so. The level of creaminess blew me away and I had to remind myself that I was sharing the dish. The staff was friendly and accommodating even when they had to re-make a dish due to a food allergy. The atmosphere is cozy and intimate with soft synth-pop music playing in the background, candle lights and modern/rustic décor. It is a small restaurant but don't let it deter you from experiencing an unforgettable vegan menu with flavors that tasted nostalgic yet unfamiliar.

Went here for our anniversary dinner. MTA was running behind schedule so couldn’t get there on time but the hostess was very understanding and accommodated us. The first thing that hits you when you enter is the beautiful ambience and open kitchen! They have the chefs table that gets you to watch how the chefs are cooking and the best part is the chefs will serve the food and explain what goes into each of it. We ordered artichoke toasts, mushroom toast, roasted cauliflower and avocado. Everything was unique in its own way and extremely delicious. We ended our dinner with a chocolava cake- oh em gee! It comes with a torched banana! So tasty😇