Vegan-friendly
Italian
Delivery
Gluten-free
Non-veg
Serves meat, vegan options available. Old-world Italian restaurant established in 1908. Introduced an entirely vegan menu in 2010 that includes in-house-made seitan, vegan bruschetta, garlic bread, vegan cannolis, and more. Dedicates half of kitchen and utensils to vegan dishes. Open Mon-Sun 4:00pm-10:00pm.
59 Reviews
First Review by nailina
slo0go
Points +1884
vegan Italian! - Edit
John's of 12th Street is a wonderful Italian restaurant that serves meat. They have an extensive vegan menu of traditional Italian dishes. It's amazing. It's so hard to find vegan Italian food. John's is located right next to the famed Angelica Kitchen, but even though John's serves meat, I honestly confess that I will choose John's vegan dishes over the food at Angelica any day. Angelica is just too crunchy for me. It is veggie food of yore. I don't find the menu there particularly imaginative. Some people like it there but I just don't.
Read moreBut I digress. I have been to John's twice now. The bread they put on the table is all vegan! The avocado bruschetta is delicious but very expensive. The stuffed mushrooms are very good, though they taste as if they're filled with breadcrumbs. Most recently, I sampled the eggplant parm, the seitan parm, and the seitan mushroom marsala. Each dish came with pasta and marinara sauce, and the server gave us vegan parm for the table. Everything was excellent. My parents who are meat eaters also really enjoyed the food, so this place is great if you're with mixed company.
Last time I recall having the seitan scallopini and the seitan alla rosa. I remember it being really good. My husband remembers it being small, but based on our most recent visit, when the dishes were HUGE, I think he may be mistaken. Though this place is a little pricey, the portions and quality definitely justify the price
The restaurant has an array of vegan desserts including vegan tiramisu, but both times we have ordered the vegan chocolate cannolis, because WHERE ELSE CAN YOU FIND THAT?? Da bomb!!!!
Only downside is the restaurant is cash only (and they serve meat). Service is excellent.
Only other place I've found awesome and authentic vegan Italian food was 3 Brothers Vegan Cafe on Long Island.
Pros: delicious!, portions justify the price!, vegan cannolis!
Cons: cash only
Guest
lh0p98
Points +494
Great authentic options - Edit
Great options. Their menu has a spiel about how everyone should be able to enjoy authentic Italian food, even vegans which I think is great. The food itself could be better but I only saw maybe one other omni Italian in NYC with this much choice, so you can’t knock it. Options for starters, mains and desserts and also oat creamer available for coffees. The waiter also brought me a container of vegan Parmesan for my pasta. Pictured is stuffed mushrooms, vegan Alfredo and vegan tiramisu.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2024-04-18
Guest
mollysveganeats
Points +46
Wonderful! - Edit
Great place to bring vegan and non-vegans 😊 I’ve been with multiple friends & family and everyone always loves their meal! Definitely recommend.
Read moreGuest
daijoubou
Points +66
Fancy, delicious, more traditional. - Edit
Their vegan options (there's a fair amount of choice) are tasty and you won't feel 'left behind' at all. This place is my go-to whenever I spend time in New York City!
Read morePrices are quite high, however I think it's worth it if you can afford a fancy dinner.
Updated from previous review on 2024-01-03
Guest
CoreyS
Points +496
Old-school Italian spot - Edit
I love the neighborhood local feel. Small little OLD spot that has a dedicated vegan menu plus vegan desserts. Feels like it would be in a Billy Joel song. #Veganuary
Read morePros: Vegan menu with lots of options, Old, non-tourist vibe, Good food
Cons: I have definitely had better Italian food
Guest
jmo646
Points +35
Disappointing - Edit
I really wanted to love this place. Great “old New York” atmosphere, and awesome traditional Italian vegan menu—including many dishes that are hard to find. Sadly, the food itself was fairly bland and disappointing.
Read morePros: Atmosphere, Menu options
Cons: Bland food
Guest
Poundie
Points +14013
Old-world elegance - Edit
This is a historic, century-old Italian restaurant, elegant (waiter served, silverware, cloth napkins, candlelight, etc.) yet not unreasonably priced. Though an omni restaurant, they offer many vegan items, prominently displayed. I admit I prefer the vegan food in the nearby all-vegan restaurants: the vegan dishes I tried here (seitan parmagiana, garlic bread, spaghetti and meatballs, cannolo, cappuccino) I frankly found to be so-so at best.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2023-12-08
Pros: Huge portions, many vegan items, elegant, but not unreasonably priced
Cons: The vegan food I have had here is so-so
Guest
tinyveganmama
Points +94
Meh! - Edit
None of the food was actually tasty😒love that they’re trying but I thought it was terrible vs. what I cook at home!
Read morePros: Atmosphere
Cons: Tastes awful, I don’t think they’re vegan…
Guest
coldlittleheart
Points +48
So many vegan options - Edit
We went to John's of 12th Street after a friend recommended it, it was a meal out for my husband's birthday the day before flying back to the UK. We weren't disappointed. This restaurant has vegan options, yes, it has a whole vegan menu! They also have dedicated cookware and kitchen utensils for the vegan dishes which is above and beyond most omni restaurants. I had their Seitan Parmigiana w/ Vegan Cheese and it was simply delicious. Huge portions too, so if you plan a visit, make sure you go on an empty stomach. I wish I could have tried desserts but I couldn't even finish my mains.
Read morePros: Huge vegan menu and good prices, Dedicated kitchen utensils/cookware for vegan food, Quick service, authentic atmosphere
Cons: None
Guest
NayeliAbrego
Points +2727
A lovely night out - Edit
Perfect for a romantic date night! LOVE the vegan meatballs, and the fact that they're not trying to imitate meat. They're just so delicious. I also really loved the Seitan Parmesan. Such a cute atmosphere and an extremely friendly staff.
Read moreNote: I wasn't a huge fan of the cannoli... they were tasty enough, but didn't really taste like cannoli. If you're looking for a vegan version of authentic cannoli, I don't recommend 😅
Updated from previous review on 2022-12-09
Pros: Delicious Italian food, Very friendly staff, Romantic atmosphere (evening)
Guest
NWatlington
Points +667
John’s of 12th Street - Edit
Classic Italian restaurant offering many vegan options. Everything is clearly labeled. I didn’t feel scared of cross-contamination as the menu states that everything is cooked separately. The food was 8/10 and the cannoli was 11/10. Not sure if this is the best vegan italian in the city but in a nutshell, I’d go back.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2023-06-29
Guest
VeganCarson
Points +312
Fine but not amazing - Edit
Ragu and meatballs were amazing. Garlic bread, Alfredo sauce, and cannoli were underwhelming. Appreciate the whole vegan menu section, but it wasn’t a home run.
Read moreGuest
veganbtw3000
Points +28
Keep looking - Edit
I bet you can find better vegan italian food NYC.
Read moreThe alfredo was literally just coconut milk. Definitely don’t order this.
Portions for seitan parmigiana too small.
Sauce is so-so.
Decor needs an update.
Quiet restaurant.
Very good service.
Vegan caesar was not worth it.
FYH powdered cheese.
Updated from previous review on 2023-05-04
Guest
eligbutler
Points +84
Authentic Italian! So good!!! - Edit
I’ve come here twice and both times have enjoyed not only the delicious food, but the atmosphere and service as well! Both times I have gotten the vegan ravioli with red sauce and everytime it is so delicious. Great dessert menu as well. I love coming here with non-vegan friends and family because there’s something for everyone!
Read morePros: Whole separate vegan menu!!!, Great atmosphere
Guest
thetravelingvegan
Points +1090
Classic Italian fine dining with dedicated vegan menu - Edit
Classic Italian fine dining with dedicated vegan menu. You can get all the classics here eggplant Parmesan, veal Parmesan made from seitan pasta Alfredo. Vegan meatball doesn’t have impossible or beyond meat but made from whole food. The marinara sauce is spot on. I thought the Alfredo sauce was a little on the sweet side, and it’s made from coconut milk. The service is top-notch. Nice and noisy, cozy, fast paced and fun. The restaurant has a 100 year history. Very passionate and capable staff. Don’t miss it!
Read moreGuest
tmcdveg
Points +271
This is what NY dining is about - Edit
Authentic Italian food and atmosphere. Feels like you are transported to another time. Everything I've tried here is 10/10. Owners and staff are very friendly.
Read morePros: 1/2 the menu is vegan, food you won't find elsewhere, traditional NY Italian
Guest
IwaWella
Points +1249
Italian - Edit
Really great decor , ambiance, service and the food was great too. The vegan cannoli was amazing too !
Read moreGuest
EeshEats
Points +221
Would be 5 stars but happy cow doesn’t allow - Edit
Excellent food, top tier service, extensive vegan menu. Happy Cow doesn’t allow 5 stars for non vegan/veg restaurants, which is only reason this is a4 star review. Homemade pasta is fresh & delicious. Caesar salad was super good—they use mushrooms to imitate the anchovy flavor.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2022-04-11
Pros: Generous portions, Well flavored food , Authentic Italian food and ambience
Guest
StanleyNY
Points +35
John’s - Edit
So good! Love the wheat balls
Read moreGuest
CiaraSalinas
Points +126
Best Italian I've ever had - Edit
Literally the best meal I have ever had. The sauce and pasta was on point. The desserts were beyond amazing and the service was exceptional. I wish I could give this place 5 stars. Literally coming back to New York just for this place.
Read morePros: Whole vegan menu, Fresh food, Dessert
Guest
·X·
Points +18979
John’s of 12th Street - Edit
This place is so vegan friendly that it’s mind blowing! Apparently this is a very old well-established Italian restaurant, so is pretty amazing to see that they’ve got such a large vegan menu.
Read moreI had the vegan seitan parmesan and loved it. It also came with delicious spaghetti. The avocado bruschetta appetizer was super delicious. And the vegan garlic bread was tasty. The staff even brought out a shaker with vegan parmesan! High five to this restaurant!
Guest
SamAnthony
Points +1700
Five Star Italian American Food! - Edit
Wow! This place has been on my list for years but I usually go to all vegan places (there are so many in NYC, after all!), so i hadn't made it yet. Boy have I been missing out!
Read moreThere is an entirely separate vegan menu (on the back of the regular menu that everyone is given) and everything sounded amazing. I was having a hard time choosing and our lovely waiter gave me some recommendations. I got the seitan scallopini with marsala wine sauce and it was bomb! My mom (not vegan) got the vegan ragu and parpardelle (sp?) and was super impressed. We also shared a vegan Cesar salad and vegan mango sorbet (housemade!)
It was all incredible and a lot of food. I ended up taking home leftovers from both our mains and my partner polished them off, saying how impressed be was. Which is saying something as he grew up with Italian American food!
The setting was more upscale but still down to earth if that makes sense? There were plenty of ppl there on special occasion type dinners and others that had just stumbled in, like my mom and I.
Definitely recommend getting a reservation though as we only managed to get a non-reserved table cuz it was early (5:30 pm on a Friday). Everyone else coming in after us had a reservation!
It's on the pricier side (mains were $20-28), but i feel like for the quality, homemade-ness, portions, and atmosphere, as well as location, the prices were more than fair. Not a place I can afford regularly but will absolutely be back for a special occasion.
Pros: Separate vegan menu, Everything is homemade , Nice setting
Cons: Pricey
Guest
MEW
Points +378
100+yr old Italian restaurant in NYC with a vegan menu - Edit
Vegan menu: We had the ravioli, the eggplant parm, Caesar salad, garlic bread, and tiramisu. Everything was exceptionally tasty.
Read moreNote: substitute the sautéed escarole instead of the pasta that comes with your order
Updated from previous review on 2021-06-26
Pros: Excellent vegan menu, Staff and ownership, The food!
Guest
talakoala
Points +729
Solid - Edit
Solid Italian American cuisine with tons of vegan options.
Read moreGuest
LauraHSisson
Points +36
Solid Italian food - Edit
You can’t rate non vegan restaurants 5 stars, but this place had 5 star worthy vegan ravioli and tiramisu
Read moreGuest
jayluhx
Points +1462
Good food! - Edit
Probably not the best restaurant around, but they have some solid vegan choices. Great to go with non vegans
Read moreGuest
LynnCVoss
Points +226
Would Be 5 Star if Allowed - Edit
Delicious authentic Italian food. What I love about John’s is they have a separate vegan menu so I don’t have to negotiate vegan options. The menu is diverse and the food is delicious. Enjoy.
Read morePros: Separate vegan menu , So delicious , Atmosphere
Cons: none.
Guest
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