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.
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302 E 12th St (at 2nd Ave, East Village, Manhattan), New York City, New York, USA, 10003
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Last update on 10 Jan 2020 by Vegan_Jules
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66 Reviews
First Review by nailina
MoreCowbellChelle
Points +36
Bland American Italian - Edit
The service was excellent! I’ll start with the good. They have a large vegan menu but the food was bland. I ordered the garlic bread and eggplant parm. Yes, it had decent vegan cheese but the sauce was like something sweet and from a jar. There the plenty of Italian restaurants all over the city and this one was a disappointment. The portion was so big and unnecessary. My friend got the chicken parm and felt this was equally bland so it doesn’t seem like a scenario where it’s just the vegan section of the menu. Sorry John’s.
Read morePros: Large vegan menu , Great service , Good cocktails
Cons: Bland food , Tiny bathroom
Guest
ChloeCollins
Points +414
So many options - Edit
I love this place, they have a large vegan menu and they even have Follow Your Heart Parmesan shakers! I’ve tried quite a few dishes and my favorites are the chickn parmesan, the cannolis, and the caesar salad. The minestrone soup was not my favorite and I found the raviolis to be just okay! This is a nice upscale option and the service is always great.
Read morePros: Delicious, Lots of Options
Guest
kirsten94
Points +122
Incredible - Edit
The food was delicious, restaurant is really cool and staff were great. I had the vegan Caesar salad, meatballs and spaghetti, garlic bread and tiramisu and it was some of the best food we had on our trip.
Read morePros: Vegan meatballs
Guest
chels2ocean
Points +1136
Great food - Edit
I was actually impressed with the vegan menu at this place. I tried the eggplant parmigiana and it was excellent! They also bring a whole bottle of follow your heart parmesan and leave it at the table to use as much as you please which I thought was super cool! The vegan tiramisu did not look as I expected it to at all (it's like a mousse) but it was DELICIOUS. Came here with another vegan but this would be the perfect place if you have omnis that don't want to go somewhere all vegan.
Read moreGuest
WillLarche
Points +275
We had our wedding reception here - Edit
Was a dream. Just amazing. And so great for mixed vegan and nonvegan company.
Read moreGuest
TableTrotter
Points +72
Great atmosphere with full vegan menu - Edit
Picked the vegan tortellini - was good but not amazing in a sense. However would recommend if you have no vegan eaters with you!
Read morePros: Amazing place , Good service , Many options
Cons: Slightly pricey, Nothing crazy
Guest
lilygauthier
Points +316
amazing!! - Edit
this place was great!! 🍝 has a separate vegan menu, which is on the back of the regular menu & there are tons of vegan dishes to choose from. i went for the bruschetta to start, vegan eggplant parmigiana for main and the vegan cannoli for dessert. the bruschetta was so delicious & tasted so fresh, the tomatoes were so sweet 🍅! the vegan eggplant parmigiana was also a hit. i loved the tomato sauce, the vegan cheese was decent and the restaurant even has vegan parmesan cheese which you can sprinkle on your dish. the only thing i would say could be improved with the eggplant parmigiana is that the coating of the eggplant went quite soggy from the tomato sauce, but other than that it was lovely. the vegan cannoli was good! i have never tried a proper cannoli, so not sure what it's meant to taste like but the vegan version was yummy! the portion sizes are big here and we left feeling very full, but also very satisfied. would definitely come back ☺️
Read morePros: separate vegan menu, multiple vegan options, cosy & intimate atmosphere, friendly staff, vegan parmesan cheese
Cons: eggplant coating abit soggy
Guest
lh0p98
Points +500
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 +96
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 +527
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 +41
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 +15256
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 +101
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 +2987
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 +699
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 +320
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 +103
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 +1171
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 +282
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 +21078
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
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