Vegan-friendly
Lacto
American
Organic
Bakery
Breakfast
Non-veg
Serves meat, vegan options available. Bakery and café that offers a wide range of pastries and other baked goods, ice creams, drinks, salads, soups, quiche, mac & cheese and more. Added meat to the menu March 2023. Reported closed September 2023.
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252-B E 77th St (at 2nd Ave), New York City, New York, USA, 10075
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- Outdoor seating
- Wheelchair accessible
- Accepts credit cards
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Last update on 23 Sep 2023 by kewced
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Added by Poundie on 09 Aug 2021
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28 Reviews
First Review by csailor
kale_queen
Points +474
Okay - Edit
I had the vegan egg & cheese on a biscuit. It was really good! So was the lavender latte! Would definitely go back!
Read moreUpdate: I thought this place was vegan & it’s not. They have vegan things but it’s not a vegan establishment. Unfortunate.
Updated from previous review on 2023-06-20
Poundie
They are also closed (at least temporarily) by the NYC Health Dept. -- see https://www.uppereastsite.com/innocent-yesterday-amp-zazzys-pizza-closed-by-nyc-health-department-upper-east-side/?fbclid=IwAR3FsiY791ZkKDyYsVe1mtTFQVs0pNjA6AVwTgHaLv_JEzESong9Q_W8_6U
Read moreGuest
Poundie
Points +18896
How not to run a (now no longer) vegan cafe - Edit
When this place first opened, the owners hinted on social media that this place was all-vegan. However, there was no indication in the restaurant or website itself that it was vegan (or even that it was vegetarian). Rather, their website would drop hints by saying things like “The deliciousness of Innocent Yesterday's food will defy folks to guess, is it vegan or not.” Huh? Clients of a restaurant don’t want to guess whether what they are eating is vegan or not: they want to know for sure what they are eating.
Read moreNot surprisingly, omnis who came to this café were not fooled, and would understandably be disappointed when they ordered bacon and eggs and were not told in advance that it was plant-based. Conversely, vegans like myself were leery about eating here, since nothing was clearly labeled as vegan. I was especially concerned when I noticed that they would sneak some non-vegan items into the menu (for instance, they would serve non-vegan food from the juice place next door, even after the juice place closed).
I am happy that this place no longer pretends to be all plant-based. Still, I wish their menu and website were clearer and would come right out and say that they offer meat, dairy, and eggs, along with a selection of some vegan items.
The vegan items I have had here were pretty good. Like others, however, I am still disappointed and a bit bitter that they were not more forthright from the beginning.
Updated from previous review on 2023-07-31
Pros: charming cafe/bakery, some nice vegan items
Cons: Not a forthright as one would hope
Guest
rabuco.quiroga
Points +794
They included meat in their menu - Edit
It's not worth it anymore. They included meat again and have fewer vegan options.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2023-07-22
INTJ_mara
The name is very appropriate…So sad.
Read moreGuest
moserspin
Points +24
Overpriced, unclear vegan options - Edit
They only had a very limited $35 brunch menu. They weren't offering their full menu. They had three vegan pastry options and two entree options (neither of which seemed worth the price).
Read moreGuest
vegandoc16
Points +334
Dishonest about vegan options - Edit
This place opened to great fanfare as a completely vegan cafe, and I went there many times. Not all the food was great, but enough of it was that I kept going back, and I definitely wanted to support them as an all-vegan place.
Read moreMore recently, they have added non-vegan options, but without any signage acknowledging this; you just have to ask. When I went there last weekend, the ONLY vegan baked good was a single muffin! You can get vegan muffins at just about any coffee shop.
Then I went on their website, and was shocked to see it still says "vegan" and "plant-based" all over, including on the menu. I emailed the owner, asking him to remove those words from the website as it is dishonest. He responded, complaining that the "vegan community" does not understand how difficult it is to run a business, and that if he does not offer non-vegan options he will go out of business. He flatly refused to change the website, saying many other places use those terms while having fewer vegan items than he does. In my experience as a vegan in New York for over three years, I have never seen vegan or plant-based refer to something that is not COMPLETELY free of animal products, with the exception of honey, which some people do consider vegan, though I do not.
Given this exchange, I now consider this owner to be dishonest as well as not only not being committed to a cruelty-free business, but actively complaining about the "vegan community." As excited as I was about this place, I now hope they go out of business and are replaced by another cafe that will probably not be vegan, but hopefully will at least be honest in its advertising.
Cons: Website and menu are falsely labeled as vegan, Serve many non-vegan items, Vegan items are not clearly marked
Guest
SamSultan
Points +26
Not vegan - Edit
Went from vegan to vegan with the exception of non-vegan croissants to having meat, and only a few vegan options. Used to love them.
Read moreCons: Meat
Guest
monisonfire
Points +5419
pick up a brownie! - Edit
picked up a „too good to go“-order which contained 2 cookies and a brownie. cookies & cream-cookie was absolutely delicious. the gluten free oat cookie tasted insanely buttery and wasn’t my taste. what blew me away was the brownie! super moist with chocolate chunks - what’s not to love?!
Read morei’d totally come back for the brownie!
Pros: delicious brownie, many vegan options
Guest
CarolinaSoria
Points +1393
Cute place for a quick bite - Edit
They offer mostly pastries but they also have some options for lunch.
Read moreI’ve had a sandwich, the Mac and cheese with added chicken (super good) and pastries to go, the donuts were good but too sweet for my taste but overall a good place!! The inside is beautifully decorated
Guest
NayeliAbrego
Points +3089
Nice café but confusing - Edit
Aside from the confusing name 😅 It is a little unclear about how much of their menu is vegan. It seems pretty much all their desserts are vegan. Fortunately, I asked them ingredient by ingredient about what we got and felt comfortable. The staff was very nice but clearly they have been given odd instructions about what they can and can't say. Anyway. It's a super cute café with a lovely vibe. The red velvet cake was... not the best. It was okay. Maybe it had been sitting there for too long. But the strawberry shortcake was EXCELLENT. Very very good and I'd like another. Seeing how we didn't get sick, it must be vegan. Right? 🤷🏻♀️
Read morePros: Confusing how much is vegan, Very cute vibe, Yummy strawberry shortcake
Guest
IngridZ
Points +491
Cute vibe but not 100% vegan - Edit
Except for croissants they are all vegan.
Read moreGuest
BipedBodhi
Points +91
Liars - Edit
These people are straight up liars and it’s gross. How the hell are you gonna open up a place and not even understand what the word vegan means
Read moreGuest
irise102
Points +1182
Cute little breakfast cafe - Edit
The restaurant offers breakfast and lunch options. Our visit was for breakfast. The decor is very pleasing and welcoming. The coffee and breakfast egg biscuit sandwich were delicious. The monkey bread was good, but a bit hard around the edges. We would definitely go back!!
Read moreGuest
SvetlanaNYC
Points +1719
Will not come back - Edit
I was super excited to find a great vegan place in my neighborhood for once but, unfortunately, was disappointed. The food was mostly just ok (avocado toast and Caesar salad), with some of it just bad so I couldn’t even finish it (BLT sandwich and cheesecake). Will not come back and wouldn’t really recommend to anyone, unfortunately.
Read moreGuest
EeshEats
Points +240
i don’t get the name but i like the place - Edit
Great vegan pastry selection—biscuits, croissants, etc. Just had bacon egg and cheese on each and thought it was very good. The pastries are on frequent rotation so you can always try something new. Last time it was strawberry shortcake, this time we got donuts and Biscoff banana pudding.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2022-10-02
Guest
GarrrliCat
Points +2119
Coffe and croissant - Edit
Due to the previous comments and cheese written all I’ve the menus and offers I was bit worried.
Read moreI asked the staff and they explain that all is vegan - egg - just egg, cheese plant base and tuna spread was made of chickpeas.
They had big choose of cakes and pastries which all of them had listed allergens and all were vegan.
I had only the the almond croissant and a coffee. Both were good, kinda mediocre.
Guest
caroline_thevegan
Points +141
Good but a bit frustrating - Edit
My friend brought me here and was excited that she’d found a vegan place for us to go. I asked if everything was vegan and was told “yes”, so I ordered confidently and didn’t check happy cow before doing so. I also saw a “100% plant based” sign, which also made me think this was an entirely vegan cafe. However, after reading all the comments on happy cow, I have my doubts. I wouldn’t go again with all the unknowns about if they know or not what veganism entails when it comes to ingredients. I hope what I had was entirely vegan (quesadilla and cinnamon roll) but I would not trust this company as a vegan.
Read moreCons: Unclear if they are vegan, Unclear website and signage
Guest
SaraNorlin
Points +3970
Impressive selection - Edit
I got the Great Lakes Salad and a grilled cheese. Both were phenomenal. The bakery case had an impressive array. I heard from a local that they had the best vegan croissants in the city but they were sold out by the time I got there in the mid afternoon. The outdoor seating was spacious and quiet for New York.
Read moreGuest
BeckyBrooks
Points +606
Phenomenal vegan food - Edit
The food was phenomenal. The vibe adorable. The sweets delectable. The coffee yummy AF. This place is perfection
Read morePros: Amazing vegan food that’s savory, A+ vegan sweets, Adorable vibes
Cons: Nothing!
Guest
Denise_marie
Points +31
Amazing - Edit
Great menu & bakery as well as a very cute space. Great spot for food bloggers
Read morePros: Unique bakery items, Great breakfast & lunch menu
Guest
Ps1978
Points +176
Good desserts, consistently slow service - Edit
I’ve been here a few times. The desserts are fun but ordering hot food has always taken way too long. It’s a shame - the concept is nice and I’d love to have a reliable place in this neighborhood!
Read moreGuest
coconutcat
Points +191
Not actually vegan - Edit
So this place is decent. However, they’re not vegan. They have dairy milk so if you don’t specify the type of milk you want they’ll give you stolen cow milk. They also have honey.
Read moreAlso they use Just egg which I can buy in the supermarket. Wish they had more made-in-house meals.
If you’re looking for an outstanding vegan bakery, try Brooklyn Whiskers.
I went back again (third time) to try their many baked goods. Prime example of something that looks good but tastes gross. It was really sad. They’re croissants and donuts were good. The cake and cupcakes were not.
Updated from previous review on 2021-10-22
Pros: Lots of vegan options , Tasty and generous portions, Nice space
Cons: Not vegan , Not that original
coconutcat
Do you have dairy that you sell to people? If you have dairy your business is neither vegan nor plant-based. Dairy is not plant-based.
Read morecoconutcat
If you have honey made from bees and milk made from cows that you give to “insistent patrons,” you are not a vegan business. Maybe chat with some vegan businesses all over NYC and ask about how they approach “insistent customers.” One approach is to say, sorry we don’t sell that. Your approach harms cows and bees, which is why you should not be listed as vegan on this app. When I was sitting in the cafe, I heard a worker offer honey to a customer. Another time I was there, a worker offered dairy milk to a customer. The “back of the kitchen” must not be too far. I
Read moreBipedBodhi
I hate places like this..... have never went to clementine and never will, even after ridding themselves of the dairy behind the counter. It’s disgusting that this place is advertising as vegan/plant based
Read morecoconutcat
Agreed!! I’ve gone several times and the food just plain old sucks too. P
Read moreBipedBodhi
Yea, as soon as we saw the dairy in the fridge, we left. Id never support disgraceful liars with my money. There’s enough vegan spots in this town
Read morecoconutcat
Terrible.
Read moretronzocat
I just called and they said they were 100% vegan.
Read moreBipedBodhi
They’re liars. I gave them the benefit of the doubt. I should of taken a pic of the whole milk behind the counter and upload it
Read moreBipedBodhi
It’s already reported to Happy Cow, that’s why it’s listed as vegetarian. Hate this green washing cash grab nonsense. SO DISRESPECTFUL to the animals and vegans and activists everywhere
Read moreRobertHenryWraith
Thanks for pointing this out! I just asked if everything was vegan and they said YES! Why are people like this?!?
Read moreBipedBodhi
I’m doing a play rn. And an actress told me she was vegetarian since she was a kid, and I used to be very judgmental against vegetarians.... but I gave her the benefit of the doubt... backstage, last night, she was telling some other actor she’s a pescatarian 🙄🙄🙄🙄 she ALSO said.. on her 30th birthday (if she’s still alive [her words, not mine]), she’s meeting her friend in some city for a burger and steak. WHY.gov/org/WTF
Read moreRobertHenryWraith
And I just spotted Nutella behind the counter which they said they use in their mochas?!?
Read moreBipedBodhi
UPLOAD PICS, bro!!!! People out here, doubtin us and trusting these liars over a 10yr vegoon activist smdd
Read moreGuest
csailor
Points +978
Vegan cafe with good options - Edit
For the pastries- I’ve had some really good things like the gingerbread cupcake, almond croissant, etc and other things that aren’t my favorite (the Oreo cheesecake. It has banana in it? which was not good..). I tried the bacon egg and cheese on a croissant which was very tasty.
Read moreAlthough the menu’s wording makes it confusing whether it is fully vegan or not, the owner has assured that it is fully plant based. Glad to hear they are committed to changing wording in the menu for clarity. And I like that they added a plant based sign to clarify.
Updated from previous review on 2022-01-17
Guest
travisamiel
Points +241
Adequate - Edit
For the prices charged, I was hoping to be really surprised and thrilled by the food. Unfortunately I found my BEC teeny and just so-so tasting, and my friend’s avocado toast was piled well but just a single slice😡
Read morePros: Tasty, familiar, and pleasing options, Satisfying pastries
Cons: Pricey, Small portions
Guest
rhondaf
Points +30
Completely delicious. - Edit
Crunchy, flaky croissants, generous BLT, excellent variety.
Read moreGuest
courtney.explore
Points +126
SO GOOD - Edit
This place is a must! Their pastries and sandwiches are SO GOOD! Just wouldn’t get their coffee!
Read morePros: All Vegan, Great atmosphere
Cons: Expensive , Bad Coffee
Guest
50%Dakini
Points +860
Great start! - Edit
Visited three weeks after opening, so ice cream options were not yet available although listed on menu. Good selection of vegan pastries, small bites, and coffees/teas. Solid if unremarkable food, very good pastries. The monkey bread comes in a huge slice!
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2021-08-30
Guest
GF Cookie Monster
Points +1388
Great desserts - Edit
GF chocolate chip cookies & brownies were outstanding. Super convenient location, close to the #6 train. Everything in this neighborhood is overpriced, so pricing is reasonable compared to everything else in the area.
Read morePros: Mix of regular food & dessert, Gluten-free options, Although signs don't say it, everything is vegan
Guest
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