Get Jean-Georges involved, and going meat-free gets as easy as ABC! After a much anticipated, long-delayed wait, Jean-Georges Vongerichten finally opened his first all-vegetarian restaurant ABCV in February 2017. I remember when the famous French-New-Yorker chef first announced his project for the third ABC venture – in 2014! Whatever took so long for ABCV to see the light, it was worth it: Jean-Georges found the perfect recipe to make New Yorkers rave for veggies with a capital V!

ABC Kitchen is amongst my all-time favorite restaurants, and what I consider to be the ultimate New York dining spot. ABC Cocina is my go-to for a margarita girls’ night out. In both restaurants though, most of my favorite dishes are the veggie-based ones. And I’ve already expressed how I love discovering vegan restaurants, so needless to say I couldn’t wait to try out ABCV. Jean-George’s newest venture has the signature ABC vibe and carefully curated, large contemporary space. ABCV’s design details are even more eye-catching that its sister restaurants, with a mainly white toned open space that feels classily minimalist despite the few eccentric pops of color and extravagant chandeliers. The decor sets the tone of what’s to come: it’s modern, it’s fresh, it’s clean.

Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner daily (brunch on weekends)

ABCV Dining room

Closing down the dinner service 

abcv nyc dining room

Lively brunch scene

The best way to describe the food at ABCV is with their own words: take a breather – “plant based, non gmo, sustainable, artisanal and organic whenever possible, locally and globally from small & family farms, towards plant based intelligence, through creativity and deliciousness”. 😯  You get the picture, ABCV is healthy, trendy vegetarian dining at its best.

Tacos made super healthy

Tacos made super healthy with lettuce cups

ABCV’s very extensive breakfast, lunch, brunch, and dinner menus are almost fully vegan (or can be) apart from a handful of dishes. The New York famed chef has made a habit of going vegetarian at least once a week, one of the many things I have in common with the fellow Frenchie! Jean-Georges is a chef of renown so there are obviously no vegan fads served, but a wide array of perfected, fresh plant-based dishes. ABCV is especially popular for being the spot for super healthy morning breakfast and mid-afternoon power lunches, with all the clean eating faves: the matchas, the chias, the kombuchas, and all that jazz!

ABCV "Light & Fresh" vegetables (upper-clockwise): Green Chickpea Hummus with Thai basil ($13); pine nut and lemon, harissa, dried apricot ($14): Stems and sprouts with garlic, basil, sunflower and lemon ($14)

“Light & Fresh” vegetables (upper-clockwise): Green Chickpea Hummus with Thai basil ($13); pine nut and lemon, harissa, dried apricot ($14): Stems and sprouts with garlic, basil, sunflower and lemon ($14)

ABCV NYC brunch spread

Brunch spread – don’t go without ordering a Dosa and the Sweet Potato Bowl (both $18)

ABCV NYC brunch spread

Fresh Steamed Tofu ($18) & veggies for brunch

ABCV NYC lettuce cups

Always on the menu – the Avocado Lettuce Cups, toasted cumin, serrano & lime, pepitas ($15)

ABCV NYC coconut yogurt

For breakfast or brunch: coconut yogurt, stone fruit, pistachio granola, market berry compote, honey ($18)

ABCV Whole Roasted Cauliflower, with turmeric-tahini and pistachios ($17)

1 of the signature dishes & must-orders: Whole Roasted Cauliflower, with turmeric-tahini and pistachios ($17)

ABCV whole roasted cauliflower, with turmeric-tahini and pistachios

Whole Roast Cauliflower with the poured warm turmeric-tahini

ABCV Stems and sprouts with garlic, basil, sunflower and lemon ($14)

Stems and sprouts with garlic, basil, sunflower and lemon ($14)

abcv Slow Roasted Beets, dijon, avocado puree, chili aioli, pickles, lovage ($13)

Slow Roasted Beets, dijon, avocado puree, chili aioli, pickles, lovage ($13)

ABCV market carrots, stone ground nut and seed butter, chilies, lime

Market Carrots, stone ground nut and seed butter, chilies, lime

ABCV Market Carrots, stone ground nut and seed butter, chilies, lime

2nd order of Market Carrots – loved the stone ground nut and seed butter

ABCV Chanterelle, spring onion, asparagus, yuzukosho, egg ($17)

Chanterelle, spring onion, asparagus, yuzukosho, egg ($17)

ABCV White Asparagus, hearts of palm, vanilla, basil ($17)

White Asparagus, hearts of palm, vanilla, basil ($17)

ABCV Warm Crimini and Morel Mushrooms with Sherry Vinegar, Garlic, Tarragon ($17)

Warm Crimini and Morel Mushrooms with Sherry Vinegar, Garlic, Tarragon ($17)

ABCV Wild Mushroom Burdock Boodles, tempeh, pickles ($18)

Wild Mushroom Burdock Boodles, tempeh, pickles ($18)

abcv Beluga Lentils, chili oil and black vinegar, new potatoes, broccoli stems, cilantro ($13)

Beluga Lentils, chili oil and black vinegar, new potatoes, broccoli stems, cilantro ($13)

fried wild rice, spring vegetables, fermented carrot & turmeric, cilantro 1

Fried wild rice, spring vegetables, fermented carrot & turmeric, cilantro ($16)

soup dumplings

Morel Wonton, spring vegetables, aromatic broth ($21)

ABCV Fresh Spinach Spaghetti, broccoli, kale, preserved lemon, garlic, parmigiano, saffron crumbs ($18)

Fresh Spinach Spaghetti, broccoli, kale, preserved lemon, garlic, parmigiano, saffron crumbs ($18)

For any meal of the day, it’s the buzzing spot for a satisfying light veggie meal with celebrity spotting written all over it. The scene is filled with beautiful people, yogis and models (I was sitting next to Gisele – she had the “Beauty & Wellness” tasting menu FYI! #youarewhatyoueat). Dishes are creative, colorful and on the light side, with a wide variety of vegetable ingredients. There really is something for everyone. ABCV is great for groups, with all dishes made for sharing, so come with your mindful-eating friends and have as much of the menu as you can, mixing up cold and warm plates and leaving room for their surprisingly addictive vegan matcha crème brulée dessert.

Many gluten-free options available

ABCV desserts

Selection of desserts – the Vegan Matcha Crème Brûlée ($11) is the highlight

I particularly enjoy ABCV‘s beverage offerings, with great refreshing cocktails, restorative tonics, and cold pressed organic juices of course. Not to mention the shakes which taste like dessert (get the Pollen +). And of course their wine list focuses on (take another breather) natural, ecological, organic and biodynamic viticulture.

Takeouts for weekday breakfast and lunch only

Like all ABC establishments, the reservation system can be slightly arrogant (although the service is incredibly friendly and accommodating). Getting a table at ABCV is a lot easier but still requires some anticipation, and I recommend calling rather than just relying on online booking. But you don’t necessarily need a seating to enjoy the best of ABCV – the restaurant is also a great spot for takeout, for breakfast, lunch or a healthy snack (and I love their walk-in bar seats at the entrance). This would totally be the sort of place I would make of daily takeout habit of if I lived in the neighborhood (and has become my habitual pit-stop post-infrared sauna next door)!

Highly attractive space, highly attractive people, and an substantive vegetable-focused menu that will make you feel… highly attractive! Like its peers, ABCV has become a true New York staple, and a favorite for all vegetarian and health-conscious New Yokers. Along with Avant Garden, ABCV has become my go-to for a healthy, flavorful plant-based meal that will never make me miss the meat.

abcv dining room

Open daily for:
Breakfast: Mon-Fri 8am-10:30am
Lunch: Mon-Fri 12pm-3pm
Dinner: Sun-Wed 5:30pm-10:30pm, Thurs-Sat 5:30pm-11:00pm
Brunch: Sat-Sun 11am-3pm