A Vegan Day NYC
While all of NYC was cramming to get into the Hamptons for Memorial Day weekend, we spent our Sunday heading out of the Hamptons into the city for a very important appointment for our 16 year old’s final custom prom suit fitting and pick up. Although we were tired from a lovely night of celebrating the start of the summer season in the Hamptons with friends and from the very early wake up call, still we were excited boarding an early morning Ambassador bus with our Sag Town coffees in hand while the rest of the world is just waking up. Navigating NYC as vegans we thought we would share what we ate and discovering cozy spots to escape the weather while enjoying some incredible food along the way.
We booked seats on the Hamptons Ambassador departing from Sag Harbor early in the morning. The skies were gray, temperatures unexpectedly chilly for Memorial Day weekend, and rain tapped against the windows almost the entire ride into the city. Instead of letting the weather ruin the day, we leaned into it. Rainy New York days have their own kind of charm — bustling sidewalks under umbrellas, warm cafés glowing through foggy windows, and the perfect excuse to linger over good meals and drinks.
Vegan NYC: Brunch at Jack’s Wife Freda
Our first stop after arriving in Manhattan was brunch at Jack's Wife Freda near Union Square. The restaurant had that signature cozy energy that makes you want to stay awhile, especially on a cold rainy morning. The smell of coffee and fresh bread filled the space, and every table seemed to be recovering from the long holiday weekend in exactly the same way we were.
After a night of cocktails and celebrations with friends the evening before, I was craving something fresh, bright, and green. I ordered the Kale Greek Salad without feta to make it vegan, and it was exactly what I wanted. The salad was made with hearty kale, crisp cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, pickled red onions, and salt-cured olives tossed in a tangy red wine vinaigrette. It was refreshing but still satisfying enough for a substantial brunch.
We also shared an order of french fries because honestly, rainy days and fries are one of life’s simplest pleasures. Perfectly crisp and salty, they paired surprisingly well with the fresh salad and endless cups of coffee.
One of the highlights of brunch was trying bites of my husband’s Mashed Avocado on Seeded Bread, another vegan-friendly option on the menu. It was topped with cherry tomato jam, pickled carrots, and za’atar, creating a combination that was earthy, savory, bright, and slightly tangy all at once. The seeded bread added incredible texture and made the dish feel hearty without being heavy.
The bottomless coffee was another major win. Our cups were constantly refilled right up until we left, which made it easy to linger and stay warm while the rain poured outside.
Vegan NYC: Pizza at Ace’s Pizza Rockefeller Center
After brunch, we spent a few hours wandering around the city, ducking into shops and slowly making our way through Midtown as the rain continued. One thing I love about New York is that even bad weather does not slow the city down. The streets were still packed with people carrying shopping bags, hurrying into bookstores, or crowding under awnings waiting for crosswalk lights to change.
By late afternoon, we were ready for something comforting and warm, so we stopped at Ace's Pizza at Rockefeller Center for a late lunch.
As vegans, one of the best surprises is discovering restaurants that thoughtfully offer vegan cheese options rather than treating plant-based diners like an afterthought. We were thrilled to see vegan cheese available on the menu and immediately ordered the Mushroom Pizza.
The pizza featured shiitake and cremini mushrooms topped with a garlic olive oil drizzle and porcini dust. It was deeply savory and comforting — the kind of meal that feels especially perfect on an unseasonably cold rainy day in New York City. The mushrooms were rich and earthy, while the garlic olive oil gave the pizza warmth and depth without feeling too heavy.
The vegan cheese melted beautifully and complemented the mushrooms perfectly. Sometimes vegan pizza can feel like a compromise, but this absolutely did not. Every bite was flavorful, satisfying, and exactly the comfort food we wanted after spending hours walking through rainy streets.
Afternoon Coffee Break at Birch Coffee
No NYC day trip is complete without coffee, so after more shopping and wandering uptown, we stopped into Birch Coffee for an afternoon reset.
There is something about escaping into a warm coffee shop during a rainy New York afternoon that feels cinematic. The windows were fogged from the cold weather outside, people sat tucked into corners reading books or typing on laptops, and the smell of espresso filled the entire space.
We both ordered flat whites made with oat milk, and they were absolutely perfect. Smooth, creamy, and strong without being bitter. Oat milk has become such a staple in coffee culture that finding great vegan coffee options in the city feels effortless now, which is something I never take for granted.
The stop at Birch Coffee gave us a chance to slow down for a bit before the evening portion of our trip. We sat for awhile watching people come in from the rain, warming their hands around coffee cups while the city buzzed outside.
Ending the Day at Peter Dillon’s Pub
As evening approached and it was time to head back toward our Ambassador pickup location, we still had some time to spare before boarding the bus back to Sag Harbor. Rather than standing outside in the rain, we found ourselves at Peter Dillon's Pub, which ended up being one of the unexpectedly memorable stops of the day.
The pub had such a warm and friendly atmosphere. It felt relaxed, welcoming, and refreshingly unpretentious after a full day in the city. We ordered a dirty martini, an Old Fashioned, and sparkling water and settled into a cozy table while waiting for our ride home. Sometimes the best travel memories are not the major attractions or elaborate meals, but simply sitting somewhere comfortable with someone you love while the weather outside turns gloomy.
The drinks were excellent, the atmosphere was friendly, and it ended up being the perfect final stop before heading back to the Hamptons.
Final Thoughts
This rainy vegan day trip to NYC reminded me that some of the best travel days are not perfectly planned or filled with sunshine. Sometimes they are built around simple pleasures: warm coffee, comforting food, cozy restaurants, rainy walks through Manhattan, and finding vegan options in places you might not expect.
From fresh brunch at Jack’s Wife Freda to comforting mushroom pizza at Ace’s Pizza, creamy oat milk flat whites at Birch Coffee, and cocktails at Peter Dillon’s Pub, every stop felt like its own small escape from the weather.
By the time we boarded the evening Hamptons Ambassador back to Sag Harbor, tired and full after a long day in the city, the rain was still falling outside the windows. But somehow that only made the day feel even more memorable.
