Sign at Lan Cafe in New York City

  • CLOSED: Lan Cafe
    (13)
    8

    Closed

  • White Vegan
Vegan
Delivery
Take-out
Vietnamese

Vietnamese cuisine using vege mockmeats, plus baguette sandwiches, and fruit shakes. Small, cozy space. Reported closed to HappyCow, May 2015.

Venue map for Lan Cafe
© OpenStreetMap contributors

13 Reviews

First Review by squirrelgirl

Avatar slo0go

slo0go

Points +1884

Vegan
02 Feb 2014

Small place, okay food

I grew up in Flushing as an omnivore, so I miss Vietnamese food sometimes. I really want to like this restaurant, but whenever I go, I always leave thinking the food was just, "meh." I enjoy the familiar flavors, but I always think there's something missing....

The last time I went was a Friday night. There was only one server. It's a pretty small place, but I got the feeling that he was overwhelmed. It took forever for our food to come out.

Cons: Mediocre food, Service not always great

Avatar SikkepikChan

SikkepikChan

Points +27

Mostly Veg
01 Aug 2014

GOOD FOOD!

The Food was really fresh and good! Service also, only when serving food was a bit slow, if you have all the time to eat then this is a perfect spot to have dinner. Will come here more

Pros: fresh, service, good taste

Cons: slow kitchen, small

Avatar VeganLin

VeganLin

Points +94

Vegan
04 Mar 2013

Great Pho

I visited this restaurant when I was in NYC to attend the Vegetarian Festival. I could not get in the first day due to large crowds so visited some local restaurants as an alternate choice. I chose Lan Cafe for dinner. It is a small place, the waiter was friendly and the food was good. I ordered the Pho based on a recommendation and enjoyed it. The portion was perfect for dinner and filled me up. I did not feel the need to order anything else and was quite satisfied. I would return when visiting NYC again.

Pros: Excellent Pho, Friendly service, Convenient hours

Avatar jerryh8

jerryh8

Points +28

Vegan
04 Mar 2013

My fav vegan restaurant in NYC

I have been eating here for at least ten years. This place is perfect. I keep waiting for them to mess up in some way. It hasn't happened yet. Sometimes they are not open the posted hours and that leads to disappointment. But once I am inside, all is good.

Pros: good value, excellent good

Cons: not always open as posted

Avatar Poundie

Poundie

Points +14021

Vegan
02 Jul 2012

Run of the mill, but nice

This is a small Vietnamese vegetarian restaurant. If it were not vegan, I sense that this would be nothing special--but it is indeed a real treat ot find a Vietnamese vegan place. The decor is very plain, with wooden chairs and tables; the place is small, and the food is OK. The price is good, however, the service is quick, adn the atmosphere is relaxed--it seems particularly suited to a student clientele. Although I feel there are some far greater vegetarian restaurants in the area, sometimes I just want something simple, quick, and cheap--and this fits the bill.

Pros: nice price, Vietnamese vegan

Cons: not gourmet, not fancy

Avatar cavedroid

cavedroid

Points +31

Vegan
20 May 2012

A great vegan lunch spot!

I went to Lan Cafe to try the Pho and started with an appetizer of the Rice Crepes which were very tasty but the presentation was lacking. The Pho was also good but I wont say it was the best I have had in the city. This seems like a wonderful place to grab a quick bite or have lunch but it's size and decor makes it less ideal to use as a spot to impress. Where there menu shines is in the selection of faux meats. I think there is something for everyone at Lan Cafe but I went in with super high expectations which affected my experience. I will have to return to try more on the menu. It's definitely worth checking out.

Pros: selection, attentive staff, tasty food :)

Cons: small space, food presentation

Avatar veggiegoth

veggiegoth

Points +217

Vegetarian
01 Apr 2011

nice lunch spot

haven't been to Lan in a long time but i have always enjoyed what i ate there. good baguette sandwiches with mock meats. small place but comfortable.

Avatar Lanky

Lanky

Points +404

Vegetarian
05 Jan 2011

Good Pho

We didnt try many things, just the pho and the summer rolls, but both were good, with the correct herbs.
Definitely worth a visit if you're in the area.

Avatar enRoute

enRoute

Points +1413

Vegan
05 Sep 2010

simply amazing place

this is one of the city's great "speciality" (almost) vegan places. the pho is extraordinary, the owners are humble and friendly... baguettes are awesome, if you haven't been there just go and enjoy the best and only Vietnamese veg place around.

Pros: mind-blowingly delicious, mmmmmm, wow

Cons: space is no-frills

Avatar cookiem

cookiem

Points +5871

Vegan
15 Oct 2008

Authentic Vietnamese!

This place if probably the only place I have been to that can compare with Pacific Seaboard veg Vietnamese. Even though it is nestled among many Indian restaurants, it holds its own! Althought not a fan of mock shrimp, I ate all of the mock shrimp that came with the papaya salad. As one of my fav Vietnamese dishes, they did not disappoint. The veggies were very fresh with the vermicelli, but the seitan was a bit rubbery. Summer rolls, yes, they are lovely and summery. The small operation is homey but cozy and welcoming. They are not pushy and appropriately nice. I miss West Coast Vietnamese food! This place definitely hits the spot though and I can't wait to go again! The clientele includes people of all sorts, so it doesn't appeal to only veggies, if you know what I mean. The prices are very reasonable and the portions generous. With that said, you will still eat everything because it's so good! If you like Vietnamese, you will appreciate and adore this veg option!

Pros: Fresh, Authentic, Flavorful

Cons: Cash only?, Small, Patience req'd

Avatar philjdomm

philjdomm

Points +945

Vegan
09 Jun 2008

Vegan Vietnamese

finally, i can eat Pho with vegetable broth and baguette sandwhiches with mock food.

Avatar condekedar

condekedar

Points +9409

Vegan
08 Sep 2007

Fabulous, light, atypical food

Lan Cafe offers friendly service and excellent prices for unusual, tasty dishes. Their coconut-potato soup was simple and good; I loved their tofu curry and green papaya salad. The tastes were spicy, but subtle, and completely different from Thai or Chinese cooking styles. If you're looking for a delicious change of pace in a great environment, I strongly recommend Lan Cafe.

Pros: Unusual, Service, Fresh

Avatar squirrelgirl

squirrelgirl

Points +74

Vegan
23 Feb 2007

Stunningly good!

Always fans of vietnamese food, we were thrilled to find Lan Cafe, where we didn't have to beg to have the traditional nuoc mam (fish sauce) left OUT. The restaurant boasts 2 buddhist altars - so, no worries here, since everything is strictly vegan, AND the food exceeds the best vietnamese dishes we've had anywhere else! Funky, cozy, unpretentious dining room, lightly scented with incense-and the 2 times we ate dinner cheery vietnamese music was playing. Barbequed seitan was outstanding, as was hot and sour soup and rice noodles with spring rolls. The true dilemma was that everything we saw delivered to other tables was just as aromatic and beautiful as our own food - 2 visits wasn't enough to explore the extensive menu. We'll be back on our next NYC visit - that is, if we can still get seats - this place will fill up fast once the good word is out!

Pros: amazing vietnamese vegan!, cute and funky decor, sweet chef and staff!

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