Vegan-friendly restaurants on Long Island: 5 spots to try
At 3 Brothers Vegan Cafe in Copiague, executive chef-co-owner Jay Astafa's Caprese appetizer features house-made cashew millk mozzarella with tomatoes, basil and aged balsamic. Credit: 3 Brothers Cafe
Eating out while eating a plant-based diet has gotten easier, as a growing number of Long Island restaurants offer vegan options.
Here are some places where vegans can find something good to eat:
TASTE OF AFRICA, 1747 Deer Park Ave., Deer Park, 631-522-1118, nytasteofafrica.com
Chef Isaac Asare and his wife, Gloria Yeboah, serve the fare of their native Ghana. A vegan roster includes such choices as curry vegetables, rice and beans, spinach stew and fried yams.
MAOZ VEGETARIAN, Roosevelt Field, Garden City, 516-747-7576, maozusa.com
In the Dining District of Roosevelt Field is this vegan-friendly kosher spot, part of a chain with origins in Amsterdam. Choices include a pita pocket with falafel balls, soy-based vegan shawarma, hummus, and, for dessert, vegan rice pudding.
3 BROTHERS VEGAN CAFE, 1038 Montauk Hwy., Copiague, 631-464-4328, 3brothersvegancafe.com
Long Island vegans now have a restaurant entirely their own, thanks to one ambitious 23-year-old. Chef Jay Astafa goes so far as to make his own vegan cheese from cashew milk. Standouts on his plant-based menu include oyster mushroom calamari, Buffalo cauliflower, arancini (Italian rice balls), a classic Caesar salad, eggplant Parmigiana and seitan piccata.
THE PURPLE ELEPHANT, 81B Fort Salonga Rd., Northport, 631-651-5002, thepurpleelephant.net
Chef David Intonato's marina-side eatery has a section of its menu devoted to vegan dishes. Among them are grilled souvlaki marinated seitan skewer, "Gonzo's surfer bowl" with bamboo rice, quinoa, chickpeas, vegetables and ginger coconut curry sauce as well as a "rainforest" burger made with brown rice and black beans.
3 BROTHERS PIZZA CAFE, 75 Merritts Rd., Farmingdale, 516-755-1100
Vegan chef Jay Astafa's father, Andy, runs this Farmingdale pizzeria with a separate special menu almost identical to the one served at 3 Brothers Vegan Cafe in Copiague.
