199 8th Ave

Excellent food, delicious drinks and our server Crystal was lovely. Everything was so good, but we especially loved the calamari, the tomato soup, honey chicken skewers, and the banana pudding. We will definitely be back!

I love Willow! Chef Guy's restaurants never disappoint - the menu here has changed a lot over the years but I'm pleased with the current offerings. To drink, the Run for Error and the Herbal Haven are delicious and refreshing. The Truffle Mac is tasty and flavorful, and the Fried Chicken Sandwich and French Dip are musts. Really glad they have Onion Rings on the menu too! My favorite thing on the menu has to be Skillet Cookie - INCREDIBLE. The Banana Pudding is also fabulous - I'd order all the desserts! The vibes are casual but like all of the City Roots restaurants, the design is classy and clean cut.

Willow is one of my new favorite vegan restaurants in NYC! I've always admired Chef Guy Vaknin's work, and I'm excited to eventually visit all of his restaurants. The ambiance at Willow strikes a good balance--it feels cozy and intimate, yet open enough to enjoy an easy conversation. This makes it a great spot for a variety of occasions, whether a casual lunch or a celebratory dinner. We started with the fried pickles to share, which were tasty, though the dipping sauce could have used a bit more flavor and a thicker consistency. Next time, I'd likely try a different appetizer. For my main, I ordered the Cobb salad, which was both delicious and generously portioned--something I appreciated given the higher price point. The honey chipotle chicken skewer that came on the side perfectly balanced sweet and spicy flavors with a satisfying texture. My friends thoroughly enjoyed their burgers and even complimented the flavorful side salads. One friend opted for the fries as a side, but I found them to be fairly standard steak fries. Overall, I'm excited to have Willow as a go-to for vegan dining in the city and can't wait to bring my parents here for a meal.

The menu was fully vegan, the food was good, the service was good, and the restaurant felt 'right'. Especially happy with the soups, we had the French Onion and New England Clam Chowder. I was especially happy with the clam chowder which was actually a fairly good translation. Partner was also happy with the French Onion. Both would be ordered again. The grilled steak filet was outstanding; the Chunk Foods product was as close to a real steak as I have ever had. Served with asparagus and mashed potato it was a delight to eat. Second dish was chicken sandwich and fries; fries were excellent, perfectly cooked...nice and crispy. Chicken sandwich was...ok; given the menu options should not have been ordered. Will definitely return on a future trip.

Absolutely scrumptious dinner Don't skip the cocktails! They are inventive and tasty. I chose something with elderflower and the Mr chose an infused bourbon. We loved them both Starters was the truffle Mac n cheese to share & wow & so creamy & lots of truffle flavor! Then shared the Fried Chicken sandwich and the BBQ Brisket. Both winners but if we absolutely had to close, we'd err on the side of the Brisket. It was so incredibly flavored with a BBQ sauce that had the best afterburn. Sweet to start then the heat kicked in. YUM! Too full for dessert but we'll make sure to save room next time!

What a fun, yummy vegan restaurant! Good for large groups or intimate date night. Very friendly staff with pretty quick service. Of the dishes that we ordered I would highly recommend the French onion soup and the Smashburger. Those were one of a kind where I can't say I've stumbled the pond anything even close. If you're in the area, it's a must try.

A new favorite vegan spot: awesome food and service - the downside is that we didn't try enough things! Enjoyed the chef's other restaurant Beyond Sushi and another winning spot here. On a Wednesday evening there was plenty of seating for an early dinner. A selection of items on the menu, with a few burgers, sandwiches, appetizers and desserts. We enjoyed the BLT (tasty and a little messy to eat because of the generous filling) with salad (while small, it was NOT a salad with wilted greens and lame veggies which I appreciated) and the sirloin steak with asparagus and whipped potato (tender "meat"). Wish we had room for the desserts and appetizers. Service was very nice and attentive. A good date spot. The actual street isn't the best in terms of things around the restaurant but better than a few streets uptown. Looking forward to returning!

As a part-time Vegan, I give Willow some of the highest remarks! Nice atmosphere, great service, and delicious food. The Truffle Mac & Cheese was very tasty, but I was really impressed by the Double Smash Burger! Wasn't sure how they'd execute the egg, and if it would even be runny, but they pulled it off. From a QPD (quantity per dollar) perspective, this was a tremendous value and was definitely one of my favorite restaurants on this NYC trip.

My husband and I love Willow! We always go there on my dad's birthday so I can get their vegan steak. I have also had their delicious French onion soup, and the breakfast burger. All so delicious!!

Yet another City Roots/Chef Guy offering to love! Willow takes the "comfort food" concept to a whole new level. To be honest, what is comfort food to most is not comfort food to me (I dislike mac and cheese and most casseroles and don't love burgers), but here I was comforted by everything I ate! Probably no one thinks of a cheese board as traditional comfort food, but by gods, Willow's cheese board inspires what is instrumental to that feeling of coziness-- satiation. As an ensemble, each cheese selected offers an array of umami, tanginess/brightness and creaminess vs more toothsome. I absolutely loved it (the blue is especially exquisite) and even the gluten-free crackers are not an afterthought. I might have liked them even more than the crostini. Start with this and share, though I can't say I wouldn't come here and get one for my main course. I ordered a BLT and the perfect salad to accompany it. The sandwich is served on soft sliced whole grain bread and is piled high with bibb lettuce, housemade succulent bacon, avocado and tomato. It deserves a spot in the BLT hall of fame. Willow's ambiance lends itself to a good date night, but I also saw a large group dining in (space is large and open but not as big as my favorite City Roots' spot, Anixi). Acoustics allow you to hear the person across from you, which is nice. The cocktail list is intriguing (and I had a sip of my friend's thoroughly unique Willow Wonka-- try if you are more adventurous!) but I stuck to a Montepulciano. Although I do prefer the Mediterranean and Italian offerings of Anixi and Coletta (minus the chunk steak and chicken skewers offered there) and Anixi's ambiance is the ambiance of my dreams, I'm glad to put Willow on regular rotation especially when I'm in Chelsea.

With a busy and often unpredictable schedule, I'm always on the lookout for dining spots that offer both efficiency and high-quality food. Willow Vegan Bistro fits the bill perfectly, providing a seamless experience without compromising on flavor, freshness, or presentation. From the moment I walked in, I was greeted with prompt and friendly service, ensuring that I could enjoy a delicious meal without long waits. Their thoughtfully curated menu, featuring elevated plant-based takes on comfort food classics, makes it easy to choose a satisfying meal quickly. Whether you're stopping in for a quick lunch or winding down with a relaxed dinner, Willow delivers a consistently excellent dining experience that caters to both time-conscious individuals and those looking to savor every bite.

If you're craving classic American comfort food with an upscale twist, you must visit Willow in Chelsea! This vegan gem offers a menu that's 100% vegan and certified kosher, but what really blew me away was how spot-on the flavors and textures are. From the salmon crudo and New England clam chowder to the steak fillet, every dish was a culinary masterpiece. They looked and tasted just like the real thing--so flavorful, so satisfying. Truly exceptional! And shoutout to Ian, our server, who made the dining experience even more memorable with his top-notch service. We'll definitely be back for more! We ordered: -Lychee Pom Pom -Dragon's Den -Salmon Crudo -New England Clam Chowder -French Dip -Grilled Steak Fillet -Banana Pudding -Strawberry Cheesecake Follow @spinx17 for more NYC Food recs!

My meat loving friend gave me the liberty of picking the restaurant for our girls night out. When I told her it would be vegan she almost had a heart attack but decided to try it since she insisted on me selecting the restaurant. To her surprise, she loved the entire order and questioned if it was all vegan. Yes, the entire menu IS VEGAN! Let's begin with: Food: we ordered the Mac and Cheese, calamari, steak and potatoes, a burger and cocktails. Everything was flavorful and cooked with love. We both kept saying "oh my GAWWWWWD" in disbelief of how delicious the food was. They were well balanced flavors and textures that mimicked the real thing. The drinks were also exceptional! Service: Our waitress was attentive and had an extensive understanding of the menu. She made the recommendations and we were pleased with her choices. We gave her a nice tip! Ambiance: Intimate and good for conversation. The only con was that the AC was not working properly so we broke a sweat as we enjoyed the food. I'm summary, my meat loving friend and I enjoyed our meal and she said she would return. That innitself is a surprise. This place is a must!

As a meat eater, I was pretty satisfied with the food here! I didn't miss the meat at all. I came with my friend who's vegetarian and she enjoyed it too. Our waiter was so kind and attentive! Our favorite dish was the fried calamari, had same texture and taste as the real thing.

Willow Vegan Bistro is located in the heart of Chelsea and they have several other restaurants in their group. This vegan place did not disappoint! I was able to make a reservation same day to sit at the bar. Getting there is no issue; I took the one of the A C or E trains downtown and got off at 14th/8 Ave, then walk up a few blocks and you're there. The food was exceptional and perfect. They have a great variety of options including steak and caviar! I opted for the French onion soup which was SO GOOD. Some of the best I've had. I also got the BLT club. It was good but kinda messy to eat. But the vegan bacon was thick cut so it was super good. The prices are so fare compared to most NYC places. I paid $30 for my meal for both entrees. Definitely put Willow on your NYC bucket list

This is our favorite restaurant in NYC! It was the first restaurant my boyfriend took me to before relocating to NYC! This is our go to for our special occasions!

I love Willow Vegan! I especially love the the food and loved meeting Jhomar and Zuzu! They are awesome...Very professional, friendly, welcoming and make you want to come back!

The food at willow it really good! One of my favorites places to visit at the city! The team make you feel comfortable and the service at the bar it's the best one!! Tasty drinks and food

I ordered delivery. Food was fresh and delicious. Delivery was fast. Menu with lots of options. The BLT is great.

What's not to like. Everything we ordered from the clam chowder, the mac and cheese, steak entrée, chicken entrée and the chocolate chip cookie with vanilla ice cream was absolutely delicious. Seriously, the flavor and texture of everything we ate was spot on. Good location for a date. Metered parking on the main road (8th ave) or free parking the side streets.

Really bad. Honestly nothing was good. The mac and cheese tasted artificial. The mushroom calamari had no salt was undercooked so it was so chewy. The clam chowder was the consistency of water it was so gross. The French fries had no salt and didn't taste fresh or hand cut. The mashed potatoes tasted artificial as well. Truly disappointing as I'm a vegan blogger and was excited to try this place but cannot recommend to not come here enough. The quality is not good. Service also wasn't good. They noticed we ate pretty much nothing and just laughed it off.

Wish i could have loved it more but as a vegan, this was not the best food in ny ive had. Have to say the cookie skillet was absolutely amazing, but the truffle mac and cheese and french onion soup were alright at best. Good, but nothing special. Staff was super observant and helpful & the inside decor was really cute Probably would only return for dessert :)

I had a reservation for 4 on a Saturday night. Staff were very nice. We started with the calamari and Mac and cheese. We liked the Mac and cheese. It had some fried bits that felt like bacon. I tried the Smashburger, Sweet Dreams, and Banana Peel. The cocktails were sweet and nice but didn't feel strong. Overall, the food was a bit salty and the flavors didn't blow me away. Their replications of meat in texture and color were interesting. It's a nice option for vegans and vegetarians who want alternative versions of conventional dishes. In contrast, it's an interesting place to try for meat eaters.

Loved my vegan burger! The patty was meat like and I liked the "egg" better than actual eggs lol Service was good, they accommodated my request and was nice. It was such a busy night and the space between tables were so tight. There were not a lot of room to move around your arms, so you feel like you have to be extra careful when moving your body.

It's a small cozy spot with great service and food. I started with the calamari(not pictured), the lobster roll and the buffalo chickn. The calamari and buffalo chickn was really good and while being vegan they did a great Job with flavor and texture. The lobster roll was decent but it gave me more of a tuna vibe than lobster but still enjoyable. I got the French dip which is essentially a "steak sandwich with provolone" I thoroughly enjoyed this and the fries. It was seasoned well. My sister got the Chick'n Francese. I tried it but wasn't impressed by this. I'm not a fan of brown gravy but I'm sure there are people who'd enjoy it. I also tried a passion fruit margarita which was good and the banana pudding (not pictured) for dessert and let me tell you that banana pudding was sooo good. I will definitely be returning.

This is our third time at willow. I just had to drop a review because I was amazed at their lamb burger and bbq steak brisket. How do you make plants taste like lamb??? I have no idea, but they did it. And I feel like the steak got even better with this bbq sauce. Service was fine, nothing to note. Ambiance is kind of dark and moody, ideal for dates, classy hangouts with friends, hangouts with coworkers.

Such a great place! Went for my bday, tried going last year and due to a street festival never made it. Such a nicely decorated restaurant, very relaxed there. The food was phenomenal, the staff were super friendly. Our waiter, Ian went above & beyond to make our experience extra special! He brought over my dessert w a candle and the entire restaurant sang happy bday to me. What a magical feeling! We will go back for sure!

If it were possible to do half stars on Yelp, my rating would be 3.5 stars. Perhaps what I ordered wasn't the best thing on the menu. I did like it, but I didn't love it. What I did like is that the portion size is generous and very filling. What I didn't like so much is that the flavors were pretty average.

Definitely expensive but a stellar meal. We were a large party on a time crunch. We had several appetizers, each amazing. I had a dirty martini, made as filthy as I like! They were welcoming and attentive. We tried nearly the whole menu and some desserts and were not disappointed. They even had a vegan over easy egg and it was so so neat. Never experienced anything like it. The French dip was easily mistakable for the real deal. Would definitely go back.

Best vegan lunch spot. Hands down. That is all. Great service, great food, & great atmosphere. Very lunchy. I'm not vegan, I'm not even vegetarian, & i found everything surprisingly super tasty.

Willow was an amazing experience! The food was delicious, and I was impressed by the variety of vegan options on the menu. The staff was friendly and attentive, making the dining experience even better. The cheese board and Chicken Francese is must-try! And for dessert, their options were heavenly. If you're looking for a great plant-based dining spot in the city, Willow is definitely worth a visit!

I really liked the ambiance and interior. Service was okay. We made a weekend lunch reservation, but they had a lot of availability for walk-ins at the time. Unfortunately, I was not crazy about the food. For context, I am not vegan, but my diet is primarily plant-based since I am lactose-intolerant and don't enjoy cooking with meat. I ordered the Philly Cheesesteak with Cajun fries because I love mushrooms and I really liked how they incorporated it in this dish! However, it was very salty and at the end of it felt very heavy with the amount of "cheese". I also wished the Cajun fries had more seasoning. My friend ordered the Buttermilk Fried Chick'n with garlic and parsley fries, but did not finish his food because it was bland and dry.

This is our second dining experience with Willow, we invited friends visiting New York. Reservations thru Resy is so convinient! We got to try more on the menu but was not able to take photos of all. We were seven people dining, seated comfortably in a large table, got our food in timely manner, our server was attentive, thank you! We have also been ordering thru Grabhub and specially love the Barbeque burger and Lamb burger!

Vegan foodies will want to try this restaurant if you're ever in Chelsea, NYC. The food options like lamb burger or New England Clam chowder are now added to my expanding vegan food options. I didn't have a reservation and wanted to dine and the host was kind to accommodate though only at the bar. I enjoy sitting at the bar so I was fine with this solution. Do make a reservation if you're planning to come here with a group or couple. The food here is fresh and delicious and the waiter or in my case the bartender will explain ingredients if you have questions or curious about a dish on the menu. They do have a full bar with specialty cocktails as well if you must get your drink on. My only peeve to management is to, ensure the counter at the bar is always clean and wiped at all times before seating customers and between courses. I enjoyed my food options here and will definitely be back.

I wanted to try a new vegan spot in the neighborhood and gave Willow a try! I really liked the ambiance and the beautiful portraits of the willow trees around the seating areas. I ordered a coffee (great taste!) and the buttermilk chicken sandwich with cajun fries. The fries were great, but I wasn't a huge fan of the "chicken" the patty got a bit soggy but I did like the sauce and avocado on it. My friend ordered the philly cheesesteak and I wish I would of ordered that instead! I will probably come by again to try it!

Delicious vegan food!!! Everything tasted so good. Good service. Beautiful atmosphere. I highly recommend!!!

OMG hands-down, the best vegan food I've ever tasted. I came to visit New York for work, and ran into this place. What a beautiful gem. I had the mac & cheese, which was phenomenal, and then I had the steak and mashed potatoes, which was by far the best vegan steak I've ever had!! The chef has worked his magic and the steak tasted exquisite. I'll definitely be coming back and hoping that they open up something on the West Coast. Rita was my server and she was phenomenal, offering suggestions that were spot on. I highly recommend this place to anyone, vegan or not, to come and taste the exquisite food. Will definitely be back.

Excellent! Will definitely visit again! Even as a non vegan! Cool decor too :) Food and ambiance are both A+

If you say you don't eat vegan, you'll think again after eating here! Cute, chic NYC restaurant like you'd expect in Chelsea. It's all vegan, all the time, but the menu is plentiful, the food is filling, and the service is impeccable! My calamari (oyster mushroom) tasted like the real thing: Served hot and a healthy portion size for one (or more to share). The garlic broccolini was sautéed just right with the right amount of crunch, and the right amount of garlic. The Chardonnay, served cold and a generous pour for lunchtime. This place was on my "must visit" list while in NYC for business, and I'm so glad it didn't disappoint!

We stumbled upon Willow and it was one of the highlights of my trip to NY, so much so that we went back again before we left! Twice in 4 days! We absolutely loved the crispy calamari and the salmon crudo - the Cobb salad was so generous, and the dressing on it was flavorful and fresh! The flavors were so delightful with everything we ate and the cocktails were delicious too! If you love good food, and especially if you're vegan, you've got to come here!

Love a good vegan meal and this place can take my money! The service is awesome! Kudos to the bartenders and waitress & host of tonight! Without it, it would just another location. The food was really good. My friend and I ordered the willow "crab" cakes for appetizer, and for entrees; 'scallop' cacio e pepe and the Porcini Chick'n Marsala. I missed the flavor of chicken marsala and the vegan option did not disappoint. The flavor, taste, smell, and even feel of the chick'n Marsala felt clean, delicious, filling, and dangerous good. I even ordered more sauce, because I could probably eat that for days and not be tired of it. The polenta that came with my dish, was okay, lacked a bit of flavor. Now the dessert is enough to make me run 2 miles and back to eat it again. We ordered the vanilla bean cashew cheesecake. That first bite of the cheesecake with chocolate drizzle and the truffle, made me want to kiss the chef. It was too good to be true. We ate it slowly and savored every bite. For drinks we had the Orange Caramel Bourbon, Cucumber Basil Smash, and the Strawberry/Pomegranate special. Those drinks hit the spot and lit up our night. Can't wait to plan to go back and have another epic dinner, with amazing service and kind people.

Today 6/7/24, I went to the restaurant and ordered the Lamb burger with onion rings, grill asparagus and a cup of banana pudding... The lamb burger I give it two thumbs up the grill asparagus I give it two thumbs up though banana pudding is good but it's too sweet for me and the onion rings were overcooked and hard, but seasoned well and tasted good it was just too hard for me.

It was good, id go again.. but I could tell the waiter seemed annoyed we didnt order more food and drinks.

Great presentation, staff are friendly, food is great! The ambiance is very nice as well.

Firstly, I am so thankful that this restaurant was open on thanksgiving day. The ambiance was pretty and our server was really nice. While explaining the menu she mentioned it was the sister restaurant of Beyond Sushi which is one of my favorite restaurants in New York City. For starters, we ordered zalmon tartare and it was beyond of imagination. Going to American restaurants we have always seen something like that but could not try it since it had salmon. But we finally got to try it as it was vegan. The taste of chips and the tartare and the presentation were excellent. For the main course, we tried "Scallop" Cacio e Pepe and it was excellent. Never tried such delicious spaghetti ever. And it was so creamy that you couldn't make out it was vegan. My husband ordered Buttermilk Fried Chick'n and it was good too. He felt it was a bit dry but the chick'n tasted good. Cajun-flavored fried was nice. For cocktails, we tried apple crisp which was nice. But the most refreshing drink I have ever tried was cucumber basil smash. It was just delicious. Would love to visit the restaurant and other sister restaurants they have because Guy Vaknin creates magical recipes.

I really enjoyed the food here. It's a small space so a little crowded but it was after all a Friday night. We had an amazing food experience. I wanted to try everything but obviously, no can do. However, by the time my sandwich arrived, I was already stuffed from all the goodies that we ordered prior to the main meal. The staff were friendly and courteous. My hubby is not vegan but he enjoyed everything we ordered. I will definitely be returning to this spot in the near future.

The mac n cheese was amazing, the sandwiches not so much... Prices were hefty and will likely not return because of it.

Willow is one of my favorite restaurants in Manhattan - and I am not a vegan. The smash burger, the cobb salad and the honey chipotle chicken are all out of this world. They change the menu every few months it seems and it just keeps getting better and better! My only recommendation is to improve on the french fries, they aren't that great. The service is always wonderful and the staff are so nice!

Had a great time for a night out for a birthday occasion but our waiter Ian, really made everything worthwhile. It was surprising how attentive and respectful he was being the only waiter in the entire restaurant, he deserves the biggest raise. Thank you so much !