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Candle 79

Candle 79

(Now Closed)
Vegan and Vegetarian Restaurant and Gluten-Free Restaurant$$$$
Upper East Side, New York
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    Has a stamp of approval from The Corcoran Group and Serious Eats
    • The Corcoran Group
    • Serious Eats
Tips and Reviews icon163 Tips and reviews
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  • Harumi U.
    Harumi UAugust 24, 2014
    My favorite vegan restaurant in town and we have quite a feet of them here! Polenta fries is solid and my favorite main dish is piccata. They also have a good number of gluten free items on the menu
  • T H.heart icon on user image
    T HNovember 22, 2017
    Delicious food. We ordered the guacamole/black bean appetizer with plantain chips. Then 3 entrees: Moroccan spiced chickpea cake, wild mushroom crepe, and herb-grilled cauliflower. Awesome!
  • Marie R.heart icon on user image
    Marie RicherNovember 15, 2016
    Tasty and inventive vegan food and cocktails. Nice cozy atmosphere. But the dessert was the real star. Lemon cake with a fluffy coconut cream. It was one of the best desserts I've had in the city.
  • Jeena J.heart icon on user image
    Jeena JamesJune 3, 2019
    What a hidden gem! I want to come back to try all the other vegan options at this restaurant! We got the seitan + ginger dumplings and the za'atar roasted cauliflower.
  • Andy F.heart icon on user image
    Andy FreedmanFebruary 1, 2015
    Great for vegans and vegetarians. Impressive bar program and cocktail menu. Sit at the bar or request downstairs. Upstairs can be tight for parties of 2. Food is on-point. Try the spinach ravioli.
  • Spencer V.heart icon on user image
    Spencer VairoFebruary 22, 2015
    Beyond amazing vegan food that is luxurious and decadent while guilt free. Your meat eating friends will be impressed by their inventive and gourmet options
  • Bettyheart icon on user image
    BettyNovember 20, 2016
    I'm an omnivore that hates waiting in line for brunch. Had a lovely time: great service, solid cocktails, and highly recommend the wild mushroom crepe which was full of flavor and texture!
  • Nour H.heart icon on user image
    Nour HaddadMay 29, 2018
    We’ve been many times to this place and it’s also so delicious! Avocado ceviche was amazing, the burrito and the zaatar cauliflower!!
  • Carrie M.heart icon on user image
    Carrie MacJune 12, 2013
    Been here 25+ times
    The stuffed avocado is my go to with a side of polenta fries for the table. Everything else I have tried has been good. The Antioxidant Potion and Strawberry-Rhubarb Lemonade are my favorites juices.
  • Chelsea S.heart icon on user image
    Chelsea SargautisMarch 6, 2017
    Always head here when in the city, one of the best. Tried brunch for the first time, get the prix fixe it's a steal.
  • Douglas Elliman
    Douglas EllimanJuly 9, 2014
    An elegant and intimate Upper West Side restaurant with an extensive gluten-free menu including appetizers, entrees and desserts! We love the cannoli and chocolate chip ice cream!
  • Wendy G.
    Wendy GutierrezJuly 24, 2013
    You can't go wrong w/ANYTHING on the menu. A party of 7...1 vegetarian. everybody was impressed & loved the food. If all vegetarian food is like this, this meat lover could easily convert.
  • Halstead Property
    Halstead PropertyJuly 10, 2013
    Tempeh Vegetable Tamale combines greatness into one. The chocolate mole sauce gives a spicy yet silky effect and is balanced by the crunchy pumpkin seeds, fresh guacamole, and watermelon salsa.
  • Mafe S.heart icon on user image
    Mafe Sotillo LairetAugust 3, 2017
    Loved this restaurant! We had the butternut squash soup and the dumpling for appetizer. So delicious! As an entry I had the zucchini lasagna
  • Chel C.heart icon on user image
    Chel CastelJune 19, 2017
    I love my meat but this place is great. Everything is fresh and delicious. Can't go wrong with anything, I enjoyed everything I had both times I've gone.
  • Shannon G.heart icon on user image
    Shannon GalowskiNovember 22, 2014
    The mezze plate, wow! All the food is incredible. Highly recommend this dish, the mushroom crepe, and chipotle tempeh!
  • VegNews Magazine
    VegNews MagazineSeptember 27, 2012
    Nothing beats their tasting menu, which has included vegan nachos, house-made ravioli, Asian dumplings, Seitan Chimichurri, Seitan Piccata, grilled potato cakes, and, the grande finale, vegan cannoli.
  • Sydney Z.heart icon on user image
    Sydney ZimmermannAugust 21, 2017
    The food is delicious. Definitely a nicer place that you should be prepared to spend a bit more at, BUT WELL WORTH IT! :) Perfect for special occasions.
  • Institute for Integrative Nutrition
    Wonderful, organic, vegan meals to satisfy your appetite. If you just need something to quench your thirst, stop in for a fresh juice or a house made gingerale before doing a little window-shopping.
  • Dan R.
    Dan RadDecember 1, 2015
    If you have the chance sit at the bar and get some amazing food tips and cocktails from Amina! She'll make you a damn good drink and entertain you for hours!
  • David P.heart icon on user image
    David PujalsMay 8, 2016
    The food is just incredible. Best vegan spaghetti I've ever had in 10 years being a vegetarian.
  • GourmetLive
    GourmetLiveFebruary 9, 2012
    Food blogger JL of JL Goes Vegan recommends Candle 79. “The seasonal menu includes raw and cooked dishes ranging from an incredible grilled kale salad to my all-time favorite dish, seitan piccata.”
  • Lauren P.heart icon on user image
    Lauren PappFebruary 7, 2015
    Awesome vegetarian and vegan options. Don't miss the nachos for an appetizer. They were better vegan but better than many meat nachos I've had.
  • Institute for Integrative Nutrition
    "Wonderful, organic, vegan meals to satisfy your appetite. If you just need something to quench your thirst, stop in for a fresh juice or a house made gingerale before doing a little window-shopping."
  • Lala L.
    Lala LopezMarch 13, 2013
    Who says that there's no fine dining for vegetarian/vegan food? Candle 79 has a sumptuous menu. Try the housemade ginger ale. Not raw but want to dabble? Try the live zucchini enchiladas, omg.
  • Ernesto G.heart icon on user image
    Ernesto GutiérrezMay 30, 2016
    Probably the best upscale vegan restaurant I've been to. Try the BBQ burger with polenta fries or the Spaghetti and wheatballs.
  • Jacob A.heart icon on user image
    Jacob AronoffJune 4, 2018
    The empanadas are mind blowing, can’t believe they’re vegan! The crepes here are also very tasty
  • Christina N.heart icon on user image
    Christina NawabiJune 24, 2015
    Veggie burger was delicious - also my first time trying polenta and it was amazing!
  • Sujay S.heart icon on user image
    Sujay ShahFebruary 22, 2015
    Amazing vegan dishes, meticulously prepared and presented. Good portions and well balanced flavors to cure your hunger pangs!
  • Christian D.heart icon on user image
    Christian DickmannApril 19, 2015
    I really enjoyed the Burrito. The Mexican brownie was the highlight of the lunch though! Staff was very friendly, helpful and fast.
  • Athleta
    AthletaOctober 14, 2011
    Hungry? You’re just steps from New York City’s vegan fine-dining landmark, Candle 79, and the more casual Candle Café, which makes a mean tempeh BLT. -- Melisse Gelula, Well + Good
  • Pauline S.
    Pauline SchreiJanuary 6, 2015
    The mushroom risotto, Reforestation cocktail, and Mexican Chocolate brownie are incredible. Great for a date. Calm ambiance.
  • Jennifer T.
    Jennifer TarrSeptember 25, 2011
    Gluten-free heirloom tomato and zucchini lasagna with cashew ricotta is to die for! Great staff, great atmosphere a definite must try for any vegan/vegetarian new yorker!
  • Jackson Harris
    Jackson HarrisDecember 9, 2015
    Best vegan restaurant I have ever been to in New York! Forget about the meat and embrace some plant based dinner!
  • Amelia B.
    Amelia BienstockJune 19, 2011
    Been here 5+ times
    I usually get a special because I want to keep coming back to this place again and again and know I could get the regular menu any time. Today's avocado corn soup was AMAZING.
  • Julia G.heart icon on user image
    Julia GélioMarch 15, 2017
    the chimichurri seitan is honestly the best thing I've ever had in my life ❤ Candle 79 is amazing!
  • Natasha V.
    Natasha VoraFebruary 16, 2013
    The Grilled Seitan Chimichurri skewers are the best thing in the world. Seitan Piccata was also phenomenal. Best birthday dinner!
  • Adrienne B.
    Adrienne BorgersenApril 6, 2010
    One of my absolute fave vegan places in the city. Never had a less than fabulous meal here. Excellent wines, too. Well worth every penny (I don't think it's that expensive). I so wish they deliver
  • Dino M.
    Dino MoralesFebruary 26, 2012
    The Spaghetti with Wheatballs was out of this world. I am having dreams about the cannolis with a scoop of coconut ice cream w/chocolate chip ice cream.
  • Rebecca B.
    Rebecca BrooksJuly 31, 2012
    Been here 10+ times
    They have an amazing gluten-free menu. I recently went gluten-free and was delighted that I can still enjoy the fine, fine dining at Candle 79!
  • Bitches Who Brunch
    Bitches Who BrunchOctober 16, 2015
    The Bitches Say: A. A lovely, healthy brunch option for indulging your taste buds, but not at the cost of your waistline. Read more
  • Lilyheart icon on user image
    LilyFebruary 28, 2016
    Great for both vegans and non vegans! Classy and nice inside with plenty of options for all meals.
  • VeBox
    VeBoxMarch 23, 2013
    C79 is a fantastic place to start a night out in Manhattan. Try the Seitan Piccata for an example of the dish done right.
  • Hilary R.heart icon on user image
    Hilary RowlandApril 10, 2013
    Been here 5+ times
    Absolutely incredible brownie (organic, gluten free and vegan!) Soooooo by far the best brownie I've ever had.
  • Sylvainheart icon on user image
    SylvainOctober 29, 2014
    Everything. Even the dessert are unbelievable. One of the best vegan restaurant I know.
  • Jenny G.
    Jenny GregoryFebruary 9, 2014
    One of the 10 best vegetarian restaurants in New York according to Gothamist and recommended for Valentine's Day by Clean Plates
  • Quentin B.heart icon on user image
    Quentin BurgessJanuary 27, 2017
    Very welcoming environment when you walk in. However, our waiter wasn't on his A game with us. No introduction to specials, which he told his other tables about.
  • Mark D.
    Mark DoskowDecember 15, 2011
    No better fine dining vegan experience in the world. Perfect for a special occasion or nice night out. Also Brunch is amazing!
  • Karen M.
    Karen MatzJanuary 1, 2014
    Excellent vegetarian menu with gluten free options! They never disappoint! Reservations recommended!
  • Desander M.
    Desander MásMay 2, 2016
    Excellent food. You would be hard pressed to know it's vegan. Wines are organic - good not great.
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