Oh New York! How I love you! For everyone who’s planning a trip to my third home: here they are! The tips for the coolest, tastiest and healthiest places to be. And there are so many of them! The city is a health-food paradise, but I did my best to narrow it down for you. Here’s a list of my favorites.

– The Butcher’s Daughter
This cute place is in Nolita, on the corner of Kenmare and Elisabeth Street. I discovered it when a friend brought me here. They use pure, vegetarian, dairy-free, local ingredients. And that’s not all; the interior is so inspiring with tiled walls, cool chairs and fresh flowers in vases. In short, going there is a must.

Address | 19 Kenmare Street (on the corner at Elizabeth Street)
Website | The Butcher’s Daughter 

– Whole Foods
This supermarket, unlike most others in the United States, is geared entirely toward healthy food. They also make sure that the products they sell are as minimally damaging to the environment as possible. In addition, a large proportion of their products come from local farming and a share of their profits is invested in sustainable energy. Wow! I’ve been going to this amazing store for years for the tastiest kombucha, salads and other ready-to-eat meals you can put together yourself. They also sell beauty products and clothing. Every time I visit a store, I fall in love all over again!

Address | Bowery 95 E Houston Street & 4 Union Square E (multiple locations)
Website | Whole Foods

On a budget? Trader Joe’s is a cheaper version of Whole Foods that only sells food.

– HU Kitchen
This place is a dream come true for people who want to put together their own plates. It’s ideal for those who don’t want to eat at unhealthy cafeterias at work or school. They sell vegetables, juices, smoothies, chia puddings, paleo cookies, gluten-free bread, meatballs, chocolate, you name it. We don’t have this kind of thing yet in Amsterdam… Anyone want to start one up?

Address | 78 5th Avenue
Website | Hu Kitchen

– Juicy Lucy
It’s so cute to see that you don’t need more than 5 square meters, some fruit and a juice press to run a juice to go business. Even when there’s a line of customers, the staff are willing to take the time to explain what the difference is between ‘normal’ juice and cold-pressed juice. Tip: the Rio Bowl is a delicious way to start your day.

Address | 85 Avenue A (between 5^th & 6^th Street) and 72 E 1^st Street
Website | none

– Greenmarket Union Square
I really love markets! There’s always such a great vibe and you end up chatting with everyone. And on top of that, you support local farmers. The Greenmarket is up and running at least four times a week at Union Square. If you’re in New York, it’s so much fun to come and take a look around here.

Address | Union Square
Opening times | Mon, Wed, Fri and Sat from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm

Photo: Nick Onken 

– Jajaja 
Delicious vegan Mexican fare! My personal favorite is the fish taco. Go go go!

Address | 162 East Broadway, New York
Website | Jajaja 

 – Le Botaniste 
This organic hot spot is located on Lexington Avenue, on the Upper East Side. One visit to this place is all it takes to make it one of your all-time favorites. At Le Botaniste, you can order bowls that you put together yourself. When I was there, I had a coconut curry with peanut butter sauce, kimchi and veggies. Heaven!

Address | 833 Lexington Avenue, New York
Website | Le Botaniste 

– The Good Sort  
This is a cozy vegan cafe that is located in the middle of Chinatown. I go for the rainbow latte (a mix of blue latte – blue algae); golden latte (turmeric and black pepper); pink latte (beets), and green latte (matcha). The food is also delicious!

Address | 5 Doyers Street, New York
Website | The Good Sort  

– Beyond Sushi 
This place serves the coolest plant-based sushi I’ve ever eaten. I always take it to go for a picnic in the park, but you can also eat in. A visit to New York isn’t complete without a visit to Beyond at Chelsea Market.

Address | Check all locations here
Website | Beyond Sushi

– Blossom 
This is a great place to have lunch with your lover or your best friend! The soy cheeseburger and the quinoa salad are my new favorites.

Address | 187 Ninth Ave, New York
Website | Blossom

– Candle 79 
A super cute restaurant with good service. I usually order the avocado BLT with tempeh bacon. So tasty!

Address | 154 East 79th St,. New York 
Website | Candle 79

–  Little Choc Apothecary 
I love Brooklyn and this crazy little place has the best crêpes that I’ve ever tasted. The burrito crêpe with avocado, black beans, coconut bacon and hot sauce… Delicious.

Address | 141 Havemeyer St., Brooklyn, NY 11211
Website | Little Choc Apothecary 

– Cha Cha Matcha 
Everything served here includes matcha – from ice cream to coffee. And the décor is also great. They make the best iced chai lattes with pumpkin. So yum! A real hot spot ; )

Address | 373 Broome St. New York
Website | Cha Cha Matcha

– Wild Ginger 
When I came here for the first time, I really had no idea that vegan food could taste so good! I had the black pepper seitan and it was so tasty. I eat here quite often with my boyfriend and we like to order a bunch of different bites to share. I never leave disappointed. And yeah… I really do love Brooklyn!

Address | 226 East 51st St. Bet. 2nd & 3rd Aves, New York
Website | Wild Ginger 

– Ellery’s Greens 
Local, Organic, Sexy, Healthy! I always head here whenever I’m really hungry. A great place in the West Village for a date or with a group. I’m head over heels for the chickpea fries and the butternut squash lasagna. Winner!

Address | (1) 33 Carmine Street, West Village, NYC 10014 and (2) 1 Randall’s Island, New York, NY 10035
Website | Ellery’s Greens 

– Alchemist’s Kitchen 
I already mentioned this store in my vlog. It’s a green store – literally and figuratively. The whole store is geared toward healing the Earth, plants and people. You can eat here, read, buy the highest quality herbs and downstairs they even have a ‘spa’ where they offer massages and vitamin injections and where you can make use of their infrared sauna.

Address | 21 E 1st St, New York, NY 10003
Website | Alchemist’s Kitchen

– Package Free Shop 
This is a store that supports bringing your own bags and eliminating plastic packaging. I think it’s such a great initiative and after having shopped here a couple of times, I started to realize that the amount of plastic we use really is unnecessary. It’s a hip store and is for sure a must-see if you’re in New York.

Address | 137 Grand St, Brooklyn, NY 1124
Website | Package Free Shop

– The Nue & Co
Looking for a store that specializes in supplements, but don’t feel like heading to the standard drug store? At The Nue & Co they sell supplements made of organic foods that don’t include any unlisted additives – you’ll know exactly what you’re putting in your body. The personnel is extremely knowledgeable and very willing to assist you. So interesting!

Address | 401 Greenwich Street
Website | www.thenueco.com

– Uncle Boons
I love Thai food! This fun, traditional Thai restaurant in Nolita has the most flavorful curries, the freshest mango salad and the tastiest drinks. It’s like being in a restaurant on the other side of the world. Go for the full experience and order the Golden Tiger (a drink made with tequila, which, in Thai culture helps bring happiness and wealth). Do you dare? ; )

Address | 7 Spring Street
Website | www.uncleboons.com

– Rintintin
Rintintin is the kind of place that you feel like going to every day. They boast a big menu – from brunch to late-night snacks. I ordered the avocado toast and a tasty lemon-verbena tea. It’s also a great place to sit, among all the plants, with reggae music in the background. Definitely worth a visit.

Address | 14 Spring Street
Website | www.rintintinnyc.com

– Brodo
As broth is the newest food trend in New York, I just had to try this place out. They sell broth in to-go mugs. At the street-side counter, you can choose which ingredients you’d like to add to your standard broth and there you go! Your very own, tailor-made, warm cup of soup. Delicious to take with you on a stroll through the streets of NYC.

Address | 200 1st Avenue
Website | www.brodo.com

– Saltwater Coffee
As we all know, Australians know a thing or two about coffee. At Saltwater Coffee, you can experience the Australian coffee ritual: ‘drink good coffee and relax with good company’ first hand. Think of it as a little escape from the busy city streets. Order a delicious oat milk latte or go for something a little more special… What about the black charcoal vanilla chai? Exciting!

Address | 345 East 12th Street
Website | www.saltwaternyc.com

– Umami Burger
This burger chain has several locations in New York, which is a very good thing. They have the tastiest, 100% plant-based burgers and sweet potato fries in the city. Need I say more?

Address | 225 Liberty Street, Suite 247
Website | www.umamiburger.com

– Inscape
A place to chill out in the heart of Manhattan. Their modern studio is beautiful and has great vibes. You can also purchase all sorts of fun goodies here link crystals, stones, adaptogens (link) and books. They offer an app to help guide you through at-home meditation, which is super handy. I really like their ‘Deep Breath’ class – especially after a busy workday!  

Address | 45 West 21st Street
Website | www.inscape.life

– The End Brooklyn – plant alchemy tonic
Oh my. This small, but fantastic place is juice heaven! They serve only local products and sell snacks made by friends of the owners. And, what’s more, all the (specialty) coffees are made with plant-based mylk.

Address | 522 Metropolitan Ave
Website | thendbrooklyn.com

– Sunday in Brooklyn
Brooklyn has gained another great place in addition to The End: Sunday in Brooklyn. This big restaurant serves traditional, American pancakes with maple syrup and a truly delicious matcha latte. Everything here is made with love. It’s a must go. And not only on Sunday. ; )

Address | 348 Wythe Ave, Brooklyn
Website | www.sundayinbrooklyn.com

– Gem NYC
This restaurant, just around the corner from my place, gives you the feeling that you’re eating in the chef’s own home. So, if you’re looking for a place to celebrate a very special occassion, this is the place to be. You can also come by in the morning for a cup of coffee and homemade baked goods to enjoy as you watch the city wake up.

Address | 116 Forsyth Street
Website | www.gem-nyc.com

Do you have a favorite place that didn’t make the list? Let me know via the comments below.

X, Rens