While French cuisine has a reputation for being meat- and cheese-heavy, that’s beginning to change. Paris is now home to nearly 1,000 vegan-friendly restaurants, according to HappyCow, and more than 80 of those are fully vegan.
But if the French capital is a little too far to travel right now, good news: there is plant-based French cuisine in the US, too. New York City is home to two restaurants where you can enjoy fully vegan French fare, and there are several plant-based pâtisseries across the country.
Craving a croissant or maybe some hearty coq au vin? Let’s dive in. Bon appétit.
Vegan French restaurants and patisseries in the US
Delice & Sarrasin
1 Delice & Sarrasin
New York, NY
Back in 2015, Délice & Sarrasin began as a crêperie. Founder Christophe Caron was craving the classic French indulgence, so he teamed up with his parents, Yvette and Patrick Caron, to open a spot where he could enjoy them himself—without any animal products. Today, Delice & Sarrasin has evolved into a full-fledged bistro specializing in plant-based takes on some of France’s most indulgent, meat-heavy dishes.
Menu highlights include Escargots Beurre Maître d’Hôtel, featuring oyster mushroom “snails” in parsley garlic butter. There’s also Foie Gras Végétal made with tahini pâté, Coq au Vin with vegan chicken legs and Parisian mushrooms, and Boeuf Bourguignon with slow-cooked plant-based beef. Craving something sweet? Head to the bakery case for buttery vegan croissants, pain au chocolat, mille-feuille, and more.
Find it here
Le Basque
2 Le Basque
New York, NY
Basque cuisine blends the culinary traditions of northern Spain and southwestern France. It’s typically rich in meat and seafood, but thanks to Le Basque in New York City, plant-based diners can experience it, too. Led by Chef Guy Vaknin, a former Shark Tank contestant and founder of the vegan restaurant group City Roots, Le Basque is designed to evoke the charm of a classic French café. The menu features plant-based takes on Basque and French favorites, including Wild Mushroom & Truffle Croquettes, Steak Tartare, and Escargot made with wood ear mushrooms. Stopping by for brunch? Don’t miss the Steak Croissants.
Find it here
Chaumont Vegan
3 Chaumont Vegan
Los Angeles, CA
An offshoot of Chaumont, Chaumont Vegan has two locations in Los Angeles, one in Beverly Hills and another in Santa Monica, with a third on the way in Westwood. Each aims to “redefine the art of French baking through a vegan lens” and offers plenty of classic French pastries, including the croissant. Choose from several varieties, such as almond chocolate, matcha, and rose water. If you’re after something heartier, there are also vegan omelets, vegan egg and cheese croissants, and the universal favorite, avocado toast.
Find it here
La Vie Vegan Instagram / Rebecca Sharp
4 La Vie Vegan
Saint Charles, MO
Founded by French native Natacha Douglas, La Vie Vegan in Saint Charles offers a fully vegan, French-inspired menu that blends French and American cuisine without using any animal ingredients. If you’re stopping by for brunch or lunch, you can choose from a range of hearty mains, including salade Niçoise with vegan bacon, classic French onion soup, and both savory and sweet crêpes. You’ll feel transported to France, thanks to the French newspapers, tiny French flags in each dish, and mini Eiffel Towers on the tables.
Find it here
Orange & Blossom
5 Orange & Blossom
Portland, OR
Portland is one of those places where, if you have a craving, you can probably find a vegan version pretty easily. So, of course, it has a plant-based pâtisserie. Orange & Blossom offers a wide range of entremets, pastries, and sweet treats, including brioche, olive oil cake, cookies, and meringue tarts, all made with ingredients sourced from local Oregon farms.
Find it here
Délice de Bernay
6 Délice de Bernay
New York, NY
From the team behind Délice & Sarrasin, Délice de Bernay brings a focused, pâtisserie-first approach to New York’s West Village with a menu that blends classic technique and modern plant-based indulgence. The pastry case runs deep, from crisp croissants and pain au chocolat to more elaborate builds like mille-feuille and fraisier cake layered with strawberries and cream. It’s not all tradition, though. Options like chocolate-dipped croissant éclairs and cookie dough–filled croissants keep things playful and interesting. And if you’re looking for something savory, the truffled croque monsieur and cream cheese and caviar-stuffed Petrossian croissant make it just as appealing for a quick lunch as it is for a morning pastry run.
Find it here
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Charlotte is a VegNews editor and writer based in sunny Southsea on England’s southern coast.
Dining and Cooking