Vegan NYC: Planta Queen
There’s something uniquely cinematic about spending a night in New York City before an early morning flight. The city hums a little differently in the early evening—still electric, but softened around the edges. With an early flight out of JFK looming the next morning, I decided to lean into the moment rather than rush it. One night in the city deserves something special, something indulgent yet comforting, and for me, that meant an early vegan dinner at Planta Queen for happy hour.
Planta Queen has long been on my mental shortlist of “reliable-but-exciting” vegan restaurants in NYC—the kind of place you recommend confidently to non-vegans and still crave yourself. Located in NoMad, Planta Queen blends upscale Asian-inspired cuisine with a chic, buzzy atmosphere that feels equally suited for date night, solo dining, or a celebratory cocktail at the bar. That night, bar seating felt exactly right.
Sliding into a seat at the sleek, stylish bar, surrounded by warm lighting, and glossy finishes, I immediately felt at ease. There’s an intentionality to Planta Queen’s design—luxurious without being stuffy, cool without being cold. It’s the kind of place where dining alone feels not just acceptable, but chic and I can’t wait to come back with friends and family.
Starting with a Cocktail: LYCH PLEASE
I began the evening with a cocktail—because if you’re going to treat yourself before a 5 a.m. airport run, you do it properly. The LYCH PLEASE arrived first: a beautifully balanced mix of gin, hibiscus, lychee, lemon, and pineapple.
Lightly floral, gently sweet, and refreshingly citrus-forward, this cocktail was both playful and polished. The lychee gave it a subtle tropical softness while the hibiscus added depth and color, making it feel special without tipping into overly sweet territory. It’s the kind of drink that disappears faster than you expect—dangerously smooth, but refined enough to savor.
As I took my first sip, watching bartenders assemble cocktails with quiet precision, I felt that familiar Planta Queen magic settle in: the feeling that vegan dining doesn’t require compromise here. Not on flavor, not on atmosphere, and certainly not on indulgence.
Sushi and the Vegan Transition
Sushi is, without question, one of the hardest things to give up when going vegan. For many people, it’s not just the fish—it’s the ritual, the textures, the balance of rice, acid, umami, and richness. For a long time, vegan sushi alternatives felt like a pale imitation: cucumber rolls, avocado rolls, afterthoughts rather than stars.
Planta Queen changes that narrative entirely.
Their sushi program is one of the strongest arguments for plant-based dining in New York City. These are not “vegan versions” meant to approximate the original—they’re thoughtful, creative, and deeply satisfying dishes in their own right.
SPICY TUNA MAKI ROLL: A Standout Star
The Spicy Tuna Maki Roll was the dish I was most excited about, and it absolutely delivered. Made with ahi watermelon, avocado, toasted coconut, and panko, this roll is a masterclass in texture and flavor.
The watermelon “ahi” is expertly executed—marinated and prepared in a way that gives it body and umami, without pretending to be something it’s not. It’s juicy, savory, and tender, providing that elusive “bite” that so many vegan sushi attempts miss. The toasted coconut adds subtle richness, the avocado brings creaminess, and the panko lends a light crunch that ties everything together.
What impressed me most was how emotionally satisfying this roll was. Sushi was genuinely one of the most difficult foods for me to leave behind when transitioning to a vegan lifestyle, and this roll scratched that itch completely. It wasn’t nostalgia—it was pleasure. Every bite felt indulgent, balanced, and deeply craveable.
If you’re vegan and skeptical about sushi, or dining with someone who thinks plant-based sushi can’t possibly compare, this is the roll you order.
SPICY CRAB HANDROLL: Comfort with a Kick
Next up was the Spicy Crab Handroll, made with hearts of palm, spicy mayo, and ponzu. Handrolls have an inherent intimacy to them—meant to be eaten immediately, still warm from the rice, crisp from the nori.
This one hit all the right notes. Hearts of palm are a brilliant stand-in for crab when handled properly, and here they were tender, slightly sweet, and perfectly dressed. The spicy mayo added richness and heat, while the ponzu brought brightness and acidity, cutting through the creaminess and keeping each bite lively.
It’s comforting food elevated—familiar enough to feel grounding, but refined enough to feel special. The balance of flavors was spot-on, and paired beautifully with the lingering notes of my cocktail.
KIMCHI BAOS: Bold, Messy, and Delicious
To round out the meal, I ordered the Kimchi Baos, filled with chick’n fried mushrooms, gochujang, and pickles. If the sushi was elegant and composed, the baos were playful and unapologetically bold.
The buns were soft and pillowy, cradling crispy fried mushrooms that had real heft and crunch. The gochujang delivered a deep, fermented heat, while the kimchi and pickles cut through the richness with tang and bite. This is a dish that encourages you to get a little messy—and rewards you for it.
There’s something deeply satisfying about ending a meal with a dish like this: warm, spicy, comforting, and just indulgent enough to feel like a treat. It felt especially fitting on a night when I was leaning into comfort before an early morning departure.
The Bar Experience: Solo Dining Done Right
One of the most underrated aspects of Planta Queen is how welcoming it is for solo diners. Sitting at the bar, I never felt rushed or overlooked. The staff were attentive without hovering, knowledgeable without being performative, and genuinely warm.
There’s an ease to the service that makes you want to linger—another cocktail, maybe another roll—though practicality eventually won out given the early flight ahead. Still, the experience felt complete, unrushed, and intentional.
Why Planta Queen Works
Planta Queen succeeds because it doesn’t frame itself as a “vegan restaurant” first. It’s a restaurant, full stop—one that happens to be entirely plant-based. The focus is on flavor, technique, and experience, not substitution or restriction.
For vegans, it’s a dream: a place where you can order freely without scanning menus for limitations. For non-vegans, it’s an invitation—a demonstration of how exciting, indulgent, and satisfying plant-based dining can be.
In a city as saturated with dining options as New York, that’s no small feat.
A Go-To Spot for Vegan Dining in NYC
As I stepped back out into the city night, full and content, I couldn’t help but feel grateful for places like Planta Queen. Restaurants that don’t ask you to compromise. That meet you exactly where you are—whether you’re celebrating, traveling, or just looking for a good bite.
For anyone seeking excellent vegan food in NYC, especially those craving sushi that truly delivers, Planta Queen is a must. It’s stylish without being pretentious, indulgent without being heavy, and innovative without losing sight of what makes food satisfying in the first place.
That night, Planta Queen was exactly what I needed: a reminder that vegan dining can be luxurious, comforting, and deeply delicious—no sacrifice required.
If you find yourself in New York with a few hours to spare, a bar seat waiting, and an appetite for something special, Planta Queen is well worth the stop.
