The buzz around plant-based diets has only gotten buzzier in recent years. Some people have been spurred on to eliminate animal protein once a week, such as on Meatless Monday. Others go full-on vegetarian, but some people decide to completely eliminate animal products, including eggs and dairy, and embrace vegan eating.
For some, the decision is health-related, while others cite religious, ethical or environmental reasons, or a combination of these. Frankly, you don’t need to explain your needs and preferences to us. But while you may feel super-comfortable at the grocery store, picking your favorite brands and ingredients for vegan dishes, vegans often have to be extra-discerning when dining out, given that foods like eggs and cream are baked into so many recipes, and not just desserts. Dressings, sauces, broths and other dish components can sneakily contain animal products, especially when there’s no ingredients label to inspect.
In the Hamptons, some restaurants take the guesswork and stress out of it, offering vegan-friendly dishes and, in some cases, full vegan menus. These Hamptons restaurants give vegans more options than a plain plate of greens.
Beacon, 8 W. Water St., Sag Harbor
This waterside Sag Harbor restaurant is nearly three decades old and loved for its lively bar scene, generous wine and cocktail menu and vistas that make you feel like you’ve stepped into vacation mode, even if you’re “just” there for happy hours. Vegans can find their happy place at the dinner table. A vegan lasagna made with ingredients like zucchini, basil and yellow squash is divine.
Bell & Anchor, 3253 Noyack Road, Sag Harbor
A bustling spot by the bay, Bell & Anchor’s boasts nautical vibes and a seafood-centric menu. The latter part may not appeal to vegan diners. However, like Beacon, Bell & Anchor touts a vegetarian lasagna, made sans pasta and animal products. What you’ll get: Plenty of veggies (Yellow squash, tomatoes and zucchini), cashew ricotta for some creamy indulgence and sundried tomato marinara that manages to be tangy, savory and light all in one swoop.
Fresno, 11 Fresno Pl, East Hampton
A skylit dining room, a zinc bar and an energetic scene in the lounge make Fresno a bright spot for cocktails and dinner. A vegan favorite is the quinoa poke bowl, a filling blend of avocado, edamame, radish and a carrot-ginger vinaigrette that proves sushi-inspired meals need not be reserved for omnivores.
Page Restaurant, 63 Main St., Sag Harbor
A yellow ceiling and bountiful large windows that let the sunshine pour through give Page a bright and airy vibe, perfect for its coastal surroundings. A vegan grain bowl is on the brunch, lunch and dinner menus, and don’t be surprised if you feel tempted to have it each time — in one day. English peas, peppers, leeks, garlic, olive oil and quinoa make this dish as vibrant as Page’s interior. Although, streetside seating is also available for those who want to nibble al fresco.
Hamptons Coffee Company, Multiple Locations
A mainstay on the East End since its debut in 1994, Hampton Coffee Company offers animal-free options. The fan-favorite is the Vegan Egg Sandwich, made with JUST Egg, vegan cheese, and Beyond Meat breakfast sausage, served on locally baked Ciabatta bread. It offers a quintessential breakfast food taste in a way that meets the needs of a vegan. The Happy Wrap packs wild rice, bean salad, vegan cheese, and baby spinach into a soft flour tortilla and makes an easy beach picnic lunch. Both options are available at all seven cafes, and you can order them on the Hamptons Coffee Company app or in-store.
Estia’s Little Kitchen, 1615 Bridgehampton-Sag Harbor Turnpike, Sag Harbor
This Sag Harbor gem of a roadside café boasts Latin flair and vegan options on the breakfast, lunch and dinner menus. The vegan breakfast is available until 2:30 p.m., since it is also on the lunch menu. Feast on spinach, veggies and refritos (refried beans) on a flour tortilla for a south-of-the-border adventure. Come dinner (5 p.m. to 9 p.m.), a vegan wrap with spinach, veggies and refried beans is a light yet delightful way to end the day.
Saaz Indian Cuisine, 1746 County Road 39, Southampton
Vegan options are aplenty at Saaz. The casual Indian restaurant offers upwards of two dozen vegan dishes, many of which are also gluten-free. Start with crispy vegetarian samosa patties spiced with potatoes or Bhei Puri (spiced puff rice). A butternut squash and apple soup is worth bookmarking for fall and winter. Entrees include several dosa options, such as the Mysore masala (masala-spiced potatoes wrapped in a rice and lentil crepe) and baby spinach (rice and lentil crepe packed with sautéed baby spinach). Pizza lovers, rejoice — the Vegetable Uttapam puts an Indian spin on the Italian (and Hamptons) classic and is topped with fresh vegetables.
Naturally Good, 779 Montauk Highway, Montauk
A natural fit for vegans for three decades, Naturally Good opened its doors in 1985 and counts co-owner Lauren Mountain, who got a master’s in nutrition and dietetics from NYU, as one of its fearless leaders. Over the years, it has become a magnet for juices, salads, sandwiches and stir-fries in casual digs — the spot also stocks vegan-friendly baked goods.
Bistro Eté, 760 Montauk Highway, Water Mill
Polished, but never fussy, Bistro Eté serves up French coastal vibes without the snobbery. The restaurant is also accessible and welcoming to a wide range of dietary needs and preferences, including veganism. A zucchini spaghetti made using the squash in spiralized form will send you spiraling in the best way possible, largely due to the flavorful sauce made with tomatoes and a bouquet of fresh basil. Chef Arie made this one for his wife, Liz, who adores the smell of the restaurant’s scallop dish but is a vegetarian. The scallops are also made with mushrooms and dressed in a saffron “cream” sauce made with coconut milk. The result? A flavorful meal even seafood eaters will adore alongside their vegan pals.
Provisions Natural Foods Market and Café, 7 Main St, Sag Harbor
This health food shop, featuring a café, offers vegan-friendly items for both grab-and-go and dine-in options. For instance, guests can order a Caesar salad with vegan dressing topped with tofu. Shoppers will also find a wide selection of vegan groceries, should they want to prepare their own meals.
Bistro 72, 1830 W Main St, Riverhead, 631-369-3325
Housed in Hotel Indigo near where the forks split, Bistro 72 takes the guesswork out of ordering for vegans. There’s an entire vegan menu — you can even browse it online before entering. Vegetable flatbread, a Mediterranean plate packed with hummus, olives, feta, and pita, vegan rigatoni, and an Impossible burger are among the dishes that are nearly impossible to pass up.
Boa Thai, 129 Noyack Road, Southampton
This laid-back Thai joint, open for lunch and dinner, has a special note for vegans on its menu. TL;DR: Let them know you’re vegan, and they’ll take care of you with vegetable-based dishes like veggie spring rolls, fried rice, and tofu stir-fry. That said, the spot is beloved for its pad Thai—and there’s a vegan-friendly version on the menu that we highly recommend giving a try.
Four Oaks Café & Juice Bar, 42 Jagger Lane, Southampton
A vegan tuna salad sandwich made of chickpea “tuna.” A chorizo tofu wrap stuffed with black beans and avocado. A vegan-friendly BLTA (bacon, lettuce, tomato and avocado, for the uninitiated). These are just a few of the ways vegans can ensure they’re included in the brunch and lunch bunch at this café with patio seating in Southampton.
