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Vegan
American
Organic
Beer/Wine
Take-out
Catering
Upscale sister restaurant to Candle Café. Vegan organic cuisine presented in a two-floor dining oasis with an organic wine and sake bar. Brunch on Sunday. LAST DAY DEC 31, 2019.
134 Reviews
First Review by Poundie
Conniemm
Points +2073
Disappointing - Edit
I was disappointed by Candle 79. I had heard about it for years and was expecting to have my socks knocked off. Instead, I felt I paid a high price for ordinary food.
Read moreI shared the mushroom crepes and pizzetta with a friend. The food wasn't bad, but was under seasoned and especially disappointing for what we paid for it.
The atmosphere was pretty, however, I would skip this place and visit another vegan restaurant in the city.
Pros: pretty atmosphere
Cons: expensive, food not that tasty
Guest
Ludmila
Points +58
fabulous - Edit
Absolutely wonderful food. It will be a challenge but try to leave some space for a dessert. Vegan canolli are beyond fantastic.
Read moreCons: can get a little too crowded
Guest
robertandrewsmith
Points +93
Organic, Seasonal, Fresh & Delicious - Edit
Happy Cow said this was the closest vegan restaurant to the museum. Why not go, right? Reviews look great!
Read moreThere is a Gluten Free menu, which I used to order my meal. It had a wide selection of food, drinks, and dessert.
The food quality and preparation expertise was well above any expectation. Everything arrived hot, cooked for its perfect flavor.
The meal was so delicious, my friend and I barely spoke when we were eating. You won't be disappointed.
Pros: great menu(s) and meals!
Cons: seating was uncomfortable.
Guest
MarieHarker
Points +39
Superb meal - Edit
Lovely restaurant. We sat upstairs and had plenty of room. Service was attentive but not over fussy. Brilliant to have so many choices. I had guacamole timbale, cauliflower and chocolate and peanut butter mousse. All delicious.
Read morePros: Large portions, attentive service.
Cons: Pricey but worth it
Guest
McBernstein
Points +250
Candle 79 did not disappoint! - Edit
Loved the upstairs seating by the window. Very attentive staff & asked if there were any allergies, which we thought was great, thoughtful for guests. Terrific menu, lots of options. We had the artichoke special, empanadas, Seitan piccata, wheat balls in a great tomatoes sauce...all delicious.
Read morePros: Great ambiance , Great menu & Delicious food , Nice wine, specialty drinks & desserts
Guest
amelia3599
Points +274
INCREDIBLE - Edit
try the mushroom crepe I loved it!❤️❤️❤️
Read moreGuest
Meepz
Points +154
Overall solid - Edit
The service was fantastic, and the Seitan skewer appetizer was hands down our most favorite Seitan in NYC. The Seitan Piccata and Moroccan Spiced Chickpea cake were tasty but nothing crazy.
Read morePros: Expensive
Guest
WFPBatarian
Points +226
Excellent vegan in upscale restaurant - Edit
Excellent vegan food in an upscale environment perfect for business dinners or date night. Large, creative menu. Highly recommend although pricey for everyday.
Read moreGuest
aslietman
Points +75
Delicious! - Edit
So many great choices! The mushroom crepes with arugula shaved fennel and beet salad were fabulous and I don’t usually like beets! My husband had the biscuits and gravy which he found really tasty. We also tried the Benedict with tempeh bacon and potato cake and cauliflower Hollandaise - really delicious. We carried out empanadas to try at home (can you tell we live in an area without a ton of vegan choices?!) and while I haven’t had mine yet, my husband said it was really good. We will be going back to Candle 79 next time we’re in NYC.
Read morePros: Great food, stylish ambience, good service, Reservations through Open Table
Guest
dayzd89
Points +69
Pricey But Worth It - Edit
Even though I found Candle 79 rather pricey, it was definitely worth it. I went with my girlfriend last year and I knew it was going to be a splurge for the both of us. I enjoyed the food, although I will say that I didn't find most of the menu very original or authentic, so that disappointed me a little. I was expecting more creativity in the dishes. The appetizers and entrees were delicious and quite filling. I don't think I will be returning, though.
Read morePros: Lovely ambiance , Beautiful setting, Attentive service
Cons: Lack of originality in menu, Very pricey for common dishes, Could use more creativity with dishes
Guest
CasaraCurtis
Points +68
favorite place - Edit
I cannot put into words how amazing the flatbread with mushrooms was!!! Also the dessert crepes were so delish!! Was a very expensive place but food was worth it!
Read moreGuest
Tamy
Points +3407
Decent - Edit
Stopped here for lunch when I visited the MET and I have to say I was not impressed.
Read moreThe staff was friendly and eager to help, but menu items featured too many artificial and store bought vegan items such as daisy cheese. If I go to a restaurant it’s not to be served cheap, nutritionally deficient, processed garbage. Especially at these prices!
Nothing on the menu sounds particularly appetizing. A lot of words to describe dishes that are nothing special. I ended up ordering the make your own bowl dish with miso tofu, grilled oyster mushrooms, Brown rice, and grilled broccoli and cauliflower. I was very hungry and the waiter assured me this was a large, filling dish. It wasn’t.
The dish lacked flavor and felt like they just threw all these espérate ingredients on a plate rather than combined them into some sort of dish. Only the mushrooms had flavor, although they were soaked in oil, as was the broccoli and cauliflower. On the menu the brown rice was said to be somehow seasoned, it tasted like nothing to me. Plain brown rice. The tofu was nicely grilled, but oily and flavorless. The sauces that came with the dish were the only saving element, but the dish still felt like something my most culinarily inept friends would whip up for me, not like something I’m paying $22 for.
After my meal I was still hungry, so I thought of ordering dessert, until I saw desserts cost the same as an entree and would probably be as disappointing.
There is so much good vegan food in NYC to waste your time and money at a place like this. Avoid!
Pros: friendly staff
Cons: Too expensive, Use a lot of processed ingredients , Bad food
Guest
Veganlauren
Points +122
great food; great service. - Edit
They have soy and gluten free options. The three cheese starter was one of my favorites. I have had this in different places (LA, Las Vegas and San Francisco), but candle 79 is the winner. The servers were very professional and attentive. The smoothie and “kombrewcha” were very good, actually better than expected. The price is relatively reasonable for fine dining. The entrees were excellent, very approachable appetizing. The layout was cozy without being on top of one another. Highly recommended for your next special night.
Read morePros: excellent service , good location, great tasty food , quick and attentive service
Cons: no very handicap accessible
Guest
BridgetSimon
Points +116
my favorite restaurant! - Edit
This is the best of the best for gormet vegan food in an intimate, romantic setting. The food is always phenomenal. Service is top notch.
Read morePros: all vegan and delish
Cons: none.
Guest
anatling
Points +30
a delight find - Edit
This restaurant will turn anyone to a vegan. Such an amazing atmosphere topped with great food...no, the best vegan food we’ve ever had!
Read moreGuest
MikeLXXXVIII
Points +165
Possibly my favourite Vegan Restaurant in NYC - Edit
I never forget the amazing food I had at this place. Had Seitan Skewers, Sorbet and some traditional Italian dessert. Everything tasted wonderful and was very satiating.
Read moreUsually I get disappointed with up scale restaurants but this one actually delivers quality. The price you pay for once is worth it and the portions are decent. If you happen to be in Upper Manhattan or close to Central Park, this is a must place to visit!
Pros: Food, Quality, Service
Cons: Distance, A bit pricey
Guest
cookiem
Points +5952
Exquisite vegan dining - Edit
The moment you walk into this restaurant, you know you've reached the pinnacle of fine vegan dining. The lighting, the decor, the tables, the chairs, the staff, the kitchen and the plates of food passing you by as you gawk.
Read moreThe reason I consider Candle 79 to be at the top of the vegan dining scene is simply because of the attention to detail from start to finish in every course. Really though, it's probably because of the phenomenal plated desserts made in house. It is a rarity to have vegan restaurants trained and talented enough in their staff's abilities and chef's capabilities to make time for such luxurious vegan creations. It's not just frozen dessert out of a container or tofu cheesecake. Here, it's housemade ice creams and seasonal sorbets. It's fruit desserts with fresh fruit and well seasoned crusts and/ or crumble. It's decadently smooth and rich chocolate based desserts that don't make you wish for real dessert- it is as real as it gets here.
The other course that I always find essential for fine vegan dining is the salad selection. Here, they separate appetizers from salads! Yes! This is what I feel is the right way to go- salad is it's own vegan course! Appetizers are small bites to be shared! Guacamole timbale bite or two per person, then one or two bites of another appetizer, then a kale or arugula or spinach or mesclun based salad with nuts, seeds, fresh seasonal vegetables and legumes. Done. I also appreciate that their salads could serve as a meal for those with smaller appetites.
The entrees are delicious, but I'm usually waiting for dessert and just going through the motions of eating to reach that goal. Don't get me wrong, they have delectable choices including a daily pasta, seitan dishes, spaghetti and wheatballs, a rice or couscous or quinoa dish, a live/raw dish and a few other tasty dishes to highlight the season's bounty.
They also have beverages galore to quench anyone's thirst. Some of them can serve as courses themselves. An aperitif or cordial, coffee or cappuccino, juice or smoothie, or just a beer- you're covered.
Also, just remember that the staff is knowledgeable beyond the menu, which doesn't mark common allergens or foods to be avoided. There are plenty of options if you avoid gluten or soy or nuts, just ask. The staff is attentive and patient, waiting to clear courses when you look done, and waiting to bring new courses after clearing the prior course.
Order happily and heartily, but still, you'll be back!
Pros: Vegan, Plated desserts, Salads
Cons: Expensive
Guest
Zhenli
Points +87
waste of time and money - Edit
It saddens me to write this, but hugely disappointed in quality. Menu looked very intriguing. Seasoning is definitely off, too much oil/sauce to hide bland I ingredients
Read morePros: drinks are interesting
Cons: pricey, boring, messy
Guest
770veg
Points +4030
wow! - Edit
First off, I am really impressed with this place for multiple reasons! I have visited for both brunch and dinner and both times were great! The decor and ambiance are great. The staff are very attentive and nice. And the food is absolutely spectacular. I feel like you could pick anything on the menu and be happy!
Read morePros: beautiful food presentation , great specials, lovely staff
Guest
Nicoral
Points +30
Best vegan food I've ever eaten! - Edit
I loved the atmosphere in this restaurant. The servers were extremely quick and attentive. AMAZING selection of vegan items to choose from. The richest tasting, most delicious food I've ever eaten. And amazing desserts! My only complaint is that I purchased an expensive martini (strawberry flavour) and it tasted more like cough syrup than a delicious drink.
Read morePros: Alllll the vegan options , DELICIOUS food, attentive and fast service
Cons: maybe not the best drinks
Guest
MyGreenTongue
Points +478
Fancy Vegan Restaurant - Edit
A nice place to go for a fancy lunch or dinner. They have a nice selection of menu options but are all quite pricey. We enjoyed everything we had but wasn't the best vegan food we had in New york. It's a nice place to go for a special occasion.
Read morePros: All vegan
Cons: bit pricey
Guest
KaitlynnGill
Points +1639
Can't go wrong - Edit
Seriously can't go wrong here. Love this place. I always order the sietan piccata. It is my ultimate favorite. Warm ambience, romantic and intimate. Date night!
Read morePros: Amazing food, Great ambience
Cons: Small, Could use a facelift
Guest
monandeclan
Points +184
The culinary highlight of our NYC visit - Edit
After a long day of 5th Avenue window shopping and a 9/11 walking tour, we arrived at Candle 79 for our reservation and were seated politely and promptly. It's very freeing to walk into a vegan restaurant and be able to order anything off the menu. So nice, that we wanted to order one of everything! Beckie, our waitress, was very pleasant throughout the meal, guiding us with choices and some of her favorites on the menu. She even supplied us with a couple of other local recommendations.
Read moreMy husband and I split the avocado salad and and appetizer which were very good. My husband ordered the mushroom crepes and I ordered the grilled cauliflower steak with risotto. Both dishes were delicious and beautifully plated. We shared a chocolate peanut butter dessert which was decadent.
Pros: Excellent service, Variety in menu, Delicious food
Cons: Pricey
Guest
KathiKie
Points +70
delicious! - Edit
One of the best vegan restaurants I ve been!
Read moreGuest
KarlaO
Points +254
Very nice place to celebrate something special - Edit
My husband and I love this place. He is not Vegan and absolutely loves the food. Our favorites among many things are the polenta fries and the seitan piccata. Great ambiance and wine list.
Read morePros: Elegant, Awesome staff
Cons: Pricey
Guest
DianaCVasquez
Points +35
Simply delicious - Edit
I visited this restaurant one month ago, and it was a great experience, the food was delicious, a got the best crepe I ever had tried
Read morePros: Food, Maitres
Cons: Price it was expensive
Guest
traveljunkie00
Points +291
expensive - Edit
We got the fixed menu for Thanksgiving and the dishes were hit or miss. Everything was at least decent, but I feel like the bar is raised when you're paying over $100 (w/tip and tax) for vegetables. We were also crammed into a corner next to a large group. The wait staff was amazing, and the overall experience was fine, just not worth the price tag.
Read morePros: wait staff, good food
Cons: price
Guest
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