Came here with big expectations and was not disappointed! If you were to walk past this place you wouldn't be able to tell that some of the most innovative vegetarian food is what is in store. They serve a 5 course seasonal tasting menu and between that and the small snacks in-between you're definitely going to eat something that will make you smile or go huh, never knew that vegetable could taste that way. The vegetables are the highlight of the show and all the unique dishes find a way to bring out the best of such simple ingredients like celery or onions. The staff is friendly and quick, the food is great and after your 2 hour meal you aren't stuffed but satiated just right! Hard to get a table and now I know why!

After a long period of not being able to get a reservation, we were able to enjoy another outstanding meal from Dirt Candy. I can honestly say that every single bite and every single sip was simply amazing.

Even though I am not a vegetarian, I love a vegetarian restaurant. My husband is a great sport and is happy to escort me and usually really enjoys himself. Dirt Candy had been on my list for a long time and we finally pulled the trigger on a Saturday night in early December while in NYC with some friends. Service was a touch erratic but overall good, but I was the only one that really liked the food. I thought the mushroom cappuccino was absolutely divine and enjoyed the creativity of the dishes. My dining companions liked, but didn't love the food. They said it was fun to try something different but they weren't blown away and wouldn't necessarily recommend the experience to friends. I am happy to have checked this off my list but don't feel the need for a repeat visit next time we are in New York.

I find it increasingly rare that a restaurant will change their menu seasonally at the price point of just $110 a person. In this economy, for the level of gastronomic science and expertise that went behind ideating the menu and execution of each course, I thought this was a steal. I regularly spend almost $100 just ordering food a la carte at restaurants across the city that aren't a fraction as imaginative. I should note that I often prefer vegetarian food, because I regularly get the meat ick from the smell and texture of flesh. A meal devoid of animal products but still full of umami and interesting textures is kinda my ideal meal. In short, Dirt Candy was so good! By the time you read this the menu will have been overhauled from the one I experienced. And anyway, I was on a date and didn't take any photos, so I can't even parse out the minutiae of each course for you. I remember pea shoots were in season, so I ordered a cocktail where they used it and even more impressively, ended the meal with pea shoot ice cream. The magicians in the kitchen made it work-- I thought it was delicious. I love that the female business owner employs a largely female staff, and from what I hear the working conditions are good, which is a rarity in this industry. I really hope no uncomfortable truths come out about the workplace here and that everything I've heard is correct. But I can confirm that at least from the consumer side, Dirt Candy has it going on. And that it'll be a different experience every time I visit.

Very reasonably priced tasting menu with super inventive dishes. I'd 100% go again to try their other menus, since they change ~ every 3 months. The servers never missed a beat, helping me in seconds every time my napkin fell or I ran out of water. Many of the dishes had fun stories behind them, and the flavors were so fun and innovative.

Dirt Candy is truly a haven for those who appreciate creativity, flavor, and vegetables taking center stage. As someone who values balance and whole foods in my diet, I was thrilled to experience a meal that elevates vegetables in ways that feel both indulgent and nourishing. Walking into this cozy, chic space for dinner - it was dark, mysterious and you can't help but feel an air of excitement--the kind that comes from knowing you're about to embark on a culinary adventure. The tasting menu format means every dish is a surprise, each plate did burst with color, texture, and unexpected flavor combinations. They start you off with a 'caviar' gift from chef that was creamy made with the likes of avocado and mixed vegetables. It was great to kickstart the palette. Three standouts for me were the Portobello mousse mushroom croissant, candy cane beet dumpling, and potato ice cream. The croissant was perfectly flakey and had the best earthy flavor from the mushroom. The beet dumpling had a flavor that was hard to explain but was the perfect light palette cleanser in the middle of the tasting menu. And lastly, the potato ice cream was one dessert I have never tasted before, I would come back just for croissant the ice cream. The other dishes were also amazing but the three stood out to me most on presentation, flavor and creativity. It's clear the chefs here see vegetables as a canvas for innovation, not just a supporting role. I also loved how the courses were paced--unhurried yet perfectly timed, allowing you to savor every bite. I did leave feeling full and didn't feel like I needed to grab more food after. The staff was attentive and knowledgeable, kind and happy to be there - making sure to explain each dish in detail, which I appreciated as someone who loves to learn about what I'm eating. 10/10 service. For anyone visiting NYC, Dirt Candy is a must-try (if you can snag a reservation!). While it's not my absolute go-to vegan spot in the city, it's definitely high on my list for its creativity and unforgettable dining experience.

The food outshines! Wow! Every dish we had was better than the last , just amazingly creative and delicious beyond words. The service also was wonderful and the wine list extensive and reasonable. See my picture to see how wonderful everything was prepared. Enjoy one of the best if not the bast meal in NYC

The food here was incredible--it all tasted like actual "meat," but made entirely from vegetables! I was genuinely impressed, especially as someone who hasn't eaten meat in 17 years. One server was especially kind and attentive, bringing out vegan options for me. However, another person, who seemed to be a manager, was a bit dismissive when my friend and I asked about vegan options, saying, "This is an event; we don't do that. It's whatever you get here." Despite this, they ended up bringing a vegan plate anyway. This comment was surprising, especially since Chef Amanda Cohen had assured me at the start of the night that vegan plates would be available upon request. Overall, the ambiance was warm and welcoming.

I really, really like this restaurant. Two of us enjoyed the tasting menu with the wine pairings. Every dish was delicious, the staff was kind and the wine pairings of that seasonal menu were so good, the waitress sent us the list afterwards (below): Valerie Tissot Crémant du Jura NV Jura, FR Sybille Kuntz Riesling Kabinett Trocken 2015 Mosel, GER Claire Naudin Bourgogne Aligoté 'Mallon' 2018 Burgundy, FR A Tribute to Grace Grenache 2018 Santa Barbara County, CA Yalumba Antique Muscat NV Rutherglen, South Australia Be mindful of your reservation as this experience is usually in higher demand than other spots, and the staff really put their hearts into it, you can taste it! No tipping and all options can be made vegan if requested. The restaurant is upscale and has a great vibe. The menu changes seasonally and I can't wait to try their new fall menu!

Beautiful restaurant. Dark and moody. Perfect for a late dinner or date night. Grab a reservation in advance as it's busy all night, even saw people seated at 10:30pm when we were leaving. Service was fantastic. Very attentive. Extremely knowledgeable about the menu and ingredients. They do a great job at pacing the courses so you don't feel rushed or wait long periods between each. The food was hit and miss for me. The tomato course with tomato donut, smoked feta, and jam was a real standout, as it had a nice balance of flavors. The eggplant "corn dog" in curry was also a fun take on an American classic, although the entire thing fell apart as soon as you started eating. Unfortunately, the lettuce and corn courses felt pretty uninspired - a lot of ingredients mixed to be a very expected taste. Two pet peeves for this spot. They will not seat you until your entire party arrives, so you're left sitting by the door instead moving to your open table and having a drink and settling in. There are two restrooms in the corner that 1) require you to stand in the service walkway and you will probably get scolded by a server for not being against the wall 2) results in standing in line for 10 minutes in some cases.