Vegan bakery and diner making a range of sweets like vegan donuts, croissants, cookies, cupcakes, scones, and brownies with gluten-free and sugar-free options. Serves vegan diner food. Est. 2010 as Champs Family Bakery on Ainslie St and moved here in 2014. Open Mon-Sun 8:00am-12:00am.
Categories: Vegan, American, Take-out, Bakery
86 Reviews
First Review by andreacarioca
Contributions +126
Pancakes to die for! - Edit
I ordered online the night before for a birthday cake pancakes delivery to eat for breakfast the next morning however they ran out of what I ordered and so cancelled my order which really upset me to be honest. But I was so desperate for those pancakes I ended up going to the restaurant myself!! It took about an hour too but I was so desperate for the pancakes - in the end, I got a tall stack of cookie dough pancakes. I couldnt even eat all of them because there were just so many of them!! They were so filling but so good, with cookie dough bites and chocolate chips embedded in them as well as decorating the plate. There were syrup on the table, ready for my pancakes, and stickers decorating the walls and windows about veganism which made me feel at home.
Pros: amazing food, filling, big portions, great decoration
Cons: problems with ordering, ran out of food, i dont have an endless belly volume
Contributions +30
aoooo gooooood - Edit
Everything was amazing.
Contributions +16
OMGGG - Edit
What an awesome place!!!!!
Contributions +36
the food is so good - Edit
I wish I was closer by so I could come here every day! I could eat a million of the mozzarella sticks ❤️
Contributions +56
huge portions! - Edit
This is my daughters favorite place to eat when we visit NYC! You sometimes have to wait to get a table, but the food is well worth the wait! Everything I have tried is very tasty and the prices are good. They give you so much food. We all shared a few desserts as well. The only complaint is that you are squished in. Not a lot of elbow room. Staff is very friendly.
Pros: huge portions, great food!, reasonably priced
Cons: cramped space, sometimes the wait, such big portions, too full for dessert!
Contributions +26
Get it on yer list ✏ - Edit
We went here twice, TWICE.
The first time we went, we had the Philly Cheese Steak which was pretty good and the Buffalo Chik'n which was super good. The fries were nice but unfortunately a little cold on arrival. We also had a side of Buffalo Tempeh Wings, which were sooooo good, and pretty spicy so watch out, though if you're into Franks hot sauce, they're pretty much smothered in that.
The second time, I wanted breakfast, namely vegan pancakes with bacon which I have been dreaming about so I ordered the Pancake Slam. The pancakes were fantastic though unfortunately, the bacon was a little overdone. I had the seitan bacon, though apparently if you want it a little softer go for the tempeh bacon. Tofu scramble and hashbrowns with this were very good.
We also had the tater tots with bacon and cheese, delicious but could have done with a little more cheese, and we also had more buffalo tempeh wings 😂
All in all this place has a huge menu and is absolutely worth a visit. Be prepared to queue though, or at least pop your name down and head for a beer across the street at the Tradesman.
I only dropped a star 'cause of the overdone bacon and the chilly fries, other than that great, service was great too. Enjoy!
Pros: Tasty tasty food, big portions, cool vibes and nice staff
Cons: Be prepared to wait, but that's cool with me!, overdone bacon on the pancake slam, cold fries
Contributions +67
Amazing vegan eats - Edit
Great hangover grubby food with options for a healthier bite if needed. Loved it!! Will be back again :)
Pros: Vegan junk food, Great service
Contributions +26
Favorite - Edit
This was top of my "to eat" list while on vacation. Everything was so delicious. Even my cheese obsessed sister loved the vegan cheesy options. The tots with chili cheese are a must.
Pros: good food, great options , awesome service
Cons: cramped , pricey , long wait
Contributions +55
Dude this place is crazy! - Edit
This is ideal post-bar-hopping food. Do yourself a favor and get a milkshake, fries, and taternachos. The mozz sticks were awesomely cheesy but I was kinda iffy about it since it tasted like Daiya which, as we all know, is narsty. Buuutt... It worked.
Ok but the frieeeeessss! are actually PERFECT. Literally THE MOST PERFECT FRIES.
Also A for it being a safe space for everyone, complete w gender neutral bathrooms (bc being vegan is an intersectional issue and they realize that!)
They are the champs of the vegan diner game.
Pros: dank af, filling, big portions
Cons: do I need to even say this? pricey., heavy food, not for light eaters
Contributions +130
Loved this Place - Edit
I loved this place. I wish I lived closer to dine there more often. They do tend to be very popular, so expect to wait for a table, especially in the morning on the weekend.
Contributions +44
amazing - Edit
Visited Champs Diner today ! Had the best egg Benedict !!! Milkshakes are great ! Buffalo wings are pretty spicy . Even though I love "spicy" it was too spicy for me . So if you order make sure you tell them if you don't want it to spicy . Love everything there ! Thank you !
Contributions +22
LOVE THIS PLACE MORE THAN LIFE 😂😅 - Edit
The BEST selection of vegan food I've ever seen, and the milkshakes were TO DIE FOR!!! I almost wanted to get two shakes per meal. I travelled all the way to Brooklyn from the Upper East Side of Manhattan to eat here twice on my two free days in NYC. SO worth the trip.
Pros: amazing food, best shakes in the world, super friendly staff
Cons: not the healthiest food, but who cares!!! love it!
Contributions +28
We need Champs Diners everywhere - Edit
No vegan place I've ever been to has had this wide a selection of vegan foods that you actually want to eat. I want to eat everything on the menu. Great for all meal options, breakfasts are filling and delicious, try the breakfast burrito or any of the pancakes or slams.
Any time I'm in New York you'll find me here more than a few times, loving the vibe and service, and working my way through the menu.
Pros: Amazing food selection, All meals covered, Price is decent
Cons: None
Contributions +24
it was ok - Edit
I had the mozzarella stick the mac and cheese. They were ok not amazing but ok. Then I had the philly cheese steak nope didn't like it i did enjoyed the pulled pork it was really good.
Contributions +28
THE BEST BEST BEST - Edit
Wow! Just Wow!!! I followed champs on Instagram and dreamt of going. I went to NY this month and one of my top things to do was to go to this place. I dragged my ovni friends along. We all had amazing food! The philli cheese steak sandwich was amazing! My ovni friend said it was one of the best he had tried and he is very picky with his meat - they were all very impressed. We had hotdogs and mac and cheese. All great! Can't wait to be back in NY and eat there again!
Pros: amazing food - all vegan , traditional dinner
Cons: far from the traditional touristic spots , not possible to book in advance
Contributions +54
Best Vegan Restaurant on Earth!!! - Edit
As I lay dying, my last mental energy available will be devoted to eating at Champs in Brooklyn with my children. Their Reuben is unsurpassed, their shakes are divine, their breakfast satisfied a 15 year old vegan-food skeptic and the service is inscrutable. This is beyond comfort food, this is so damn comfy, I fell asleep and floated up to Nirvana and had *dream food*. I am looking for an arpatment on Meserole St, so I can be here more often. If time and space collapse, I'll let out a final gasp for Champs. You are certainly number one. You win at Vegan. Please franchise.
Pros: All vegan., Awesome Music/Staff (Hipsters)., Perfection.
Cons: Ruined me for all other Vegan spots., I am prone to overeating here., I will cry if it ever changes.
Contributions +166
Yummy - Edit
Great pancakes with choco chips, shakes, etc. Friendly efficient service, very clean too.
Contributions +60
best vegan food in New York - Edit
This is the place to be. I live on Long Island and drive over an hour and a half to come here every time, and it's more than worth it. The food is great. Many vegan restaurants have great food but a limited menu. That's definitely not the case with champs. There are so many different options it's overwhelming. You can find almost everything a normal diner would have on this menu. Depending what time you go, parking can sometimes be an issue, and there may be a bit of a wait for a table. Plus when you're done you can go right around the block to Dun-Well for some amazing donuts.
Updated from previous review on 2016-06-26
Pros: amazing food, so many options, located near other vegan places
Cons: street parking, sometimes crowded
Contributions +83
I will never have diner withdrawals again! - Edit
Champs is the most authentic vegan diner, but honestly better than any diner I ever went to pre vegan life! The food is unreal, but take it slow because they know how to fill you up!!!
I have been here on multiple occasions, mostly at dinner time. I mean who doesn't love breakfast for dinner! The menu has a variety of offerings from breakfast and dinner items on their evening menu, which makes it super hard to decide. But I personally am addicted to the tempeh wings (buffalo style) and the mozzarella sticks! Two fav appetizers but you really cannot go wrong.
The diner style interior makes for an awesome authentic experience and it is a fun place to take a non vegan friend and make them drool! ;)
Pros: Authentic , Amazing menu , Delicious vegan milkshakes
Cons: Beware -- food sits heavy! , Staff is not overly friendly , Pricey
Contributions +38
My favorite place in NYC - Edit
Definitely my favorite place in the city. So many good options. Just amazing. Took me forever to choose what to eat because everything seems amazing, and the staff were really nice. Definitely coming back!
Pros: Great variety of vegan diner foods. , Great music playing in the background., The staff were really nice and helpful.
Contributions +36
The best junk food - Edit
I love going to Champs whenever I'm in the neighborhood. It's the best vegan junk food I have had. I haven't had anything there that I disliked.
Pros: Absolutely delicious, Good variety of foods, Cool style
Cons: Bad cell service
Contributions +151
Recommend eating in - Edit
Diner take-out is always a little sad, not Champs' fault. Good, solid vegan diner food, as you'd expect, with mid-level ingredients. I recommend the poutine! And grateful for neighborhood delivery.
Contributions +38
Really fun diner experience - Edit
Had heard a lot about this prior to my trip to New York and really wasn't disappointed. Tofu scramble was the best I've tasted, and the pancakes were amazing. Really nice to have the american diner experience, as it's always nice to try veganised versions of local traditions when you visit a different country.
Pros: Brilliant tasting food, Great coffee
Cons: Popular, so busy
Contributions +33
King of Brunch - Edit
We came here last Saturday for the first time. There was no doubt, we just had to come again this week! So we did.
What a magnificent little brunch gem. My personal favorite are the pancakes with blueberries, chocolate chips, butter & maple syrup. True bliss. What can I say, just so well-done! Intensely tasteful, fresh blueberries, great texture pancakes.
Staff is fast and friendly. Decor is really nice and funny. Ambiance is all in all just welcoming.
There is quite the wait though, we had to wait for about an hour. However, totally worth it!
Pros: Amazing food, Plenty brunch options, Welcoming ambiance
Cons: Waiting time
Contributions +22
Best Vegan Diner Food - Edit
I go to Champs very often with my boyfriend. To the point where the waiters know us. My boyfriend isn't vegan and he loves Champs. I strongly recommend the seitan asada fries and the tempeh wings!
Contributions +32
Best brunch in Brooklyn! - Edit
I love the tofu scramble sooooo much, always our first stop in Brooklyn!
Pros: Delicious food!
Contributions +14
Food like a Champ! - Edit
I visited today with my two sons and a friend. I'm the only vegan at the table but had adventurous foodies with me who were willing to try vegan food. I also have to add that I'm a super picky eater so I was a bit skeptical on how the food would taste. I had pancakes with tempeh sausage n bacon with tofu scramble n potatoes.... can I say delish! My family also loved their meals which included hash browns, cowgirl chili, cookie dough pancakes and waffles. All incredible! If we didn't know it was a vegan spot, we would think it's regular food!
The staff is super friendly and attentive. I read reviews where it's cash only but they did accept our credit card.
We will definitely return as I have a few other food items I'm looking forward to trying. Btw....as others have stated, the food is not only delicious but super filling. Love at first bite.
Pros: Delicious food, good value, Friendly staff, Nice vibe
Cons: Small space
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