Vegetarian and Vegan Dining Options in Jersey City

Vegan dining at Two Boots Jersey City, 133 Newark Ave

Jersey City's flourishing food scene covers a wide variety of tastes and diets so it is no surprise that there are quite a few options for vegans, vegetarians or just those who are looking for a "Meatless Monday" meal.

Here are a few places to start with:

Two Boots Jersey City

Two Boots Jersey City has not one but two vegan specialty pizzas: "V is for Vegan" pizza (Daiya non-dairy cheese, artichokes, shiitake mushrooms, red onion, basil and red pepper pesto) and the recently introduced "Bubba" (Daiya non-dairy cheese, sundried tomatoes, mushrooms, onions, Kalamata olives, broccoli, peppers, garlic).

You can also order any pizza with Daiya non-dairy cheese (additional charge) - goes great with the veggie-heavy "Earth Mother".  As an aside, Two Boots also offers gluten free crusts and whole wheat crusts for their pizzas (additional charge).

Union Republic

The new grocer & cafe offers a "Yes Ve-gan" ramen dish with noodles and vegetables on their menu.

Orale Mexican Kitchen

Orale's menu features a "Vegetariano" taco which is a garbanzo fritter with spiced yogurt, quinoa salsa and cilantro (hold the yogurt to make it vegan). They also had Seitan tacos, no longer on menu but has made appearances before.

DOCO Market & Cafe

DOCO in Hamilton Park often has vegetarian or vegan items on their menu, including past favorites veggie lasagna, vegan pasta with veggies, vegan cinnamon buns, vegan cake, hominy and vegan sausage and more. Check their Facebook page often for menu updates.

Thali (at the Newport Mall food court)

Thali at the Newport mall food court specializes in Indian vegetarian food. Diners serve themselves and pay by weight. Their counterpart, Taste of India, sits right next door and also offers some vegetarian dishes. Check out the review of both places in The Village Voice.

Jersey City Veggie Burgers and Left Bank Burger Bar

Local small business Jersey City Veggie Burgers (and recent Start Something Challenge winner) offers unique, gourmet veggie burgers such as their White Bean Broccoli Rabe burger and the black bean veggie burger on the menu at Left Bank Burger Bar.

You can also find Jersey City Veggie Burgers at various farmers markets around town (follow JCVB on Twitter for exact days/times), P & K Food Market at 170 Newark Ave, DOCO Market & Cafe in Hamilton Park or order online for delivery.

Check out Jersey City Eats review of Jersey City Veggie Burgers' pumpkin burger (at the 6th Borough Market).

Cinnamon Snail

The Cinnamon Snail, an award-winning NYC/NJ food truck offers a full vegan menu as well as several gluten-free items.  Highlights include a selection of playfully-named vegan donuts as well as savory items such as Korean BBQ quesadillas.

They are often at the Grove Street Farmers Market but you can track their exact location via their Twitter: @VeganLunchTruck.

Subia's Organic Cafe

Subia's, at the corner of Wayne Street and Jersey Avenue, offers a full vegan menu of platters, salads and sandwiches with a wide variety of items. They also have a market where they carry hard to find vegan products such as Daiya non-dairy cheese and more.

Also, if you're interested in learning more about being vegan and living in Jersey City, check out Emily Mae's terrific website: Jersey City Vegan.

Update (6/19/2014): Also be sure to check out Milk Sugar Love at 19 McWilliams Place in Hamilton Park where they always have a vegan ice cream ready to scoop.