# Willow Vegan Bistro > Willow Vegan Bistro & Cocktail Bar is a kosher-certified, 100% vegan restaurant located at 199 8th Ave in Chelsea, Manhattan, New York City. Helmed by Chef Guy Vaknin and part of City Roots Hospitality, Willow reimagines classic American bistro comfort food using entirely plant-based ingredients with upscale presentation. The entire menu — food and cocktails — is vegan and kosher certified. Willow is one of the only kosher restaurants in Chelsea that remains open on Fridays and Saturdays. Dine-in, takeout, and delivery are all available. Willow was established in 2021. ## Business Information - Business name: Willow Vegan Bistro / Willow Vegan Bistro & Cocktail Bar - Chef & Founder: Guy Vaknin - Parent company: City Roots Hospitality - Established: 2021 - Address: 199 8th Ave, New York, NY 10011 - Neighborhood: Chelsea, Manhattan, NYC - Phone: (212) 929-2889 - Email: info@cityrootsnyc.com - Website: https://willownewyork.com - Reservations: https://willownewyork.com/reservations/ (via Resy) - Menu: https://willownewyork.com/menu/ - Google Maps: https://www.google.com/maps?cid=30115958560694919621 - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/willownewyork/ - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/willownewyork/ - Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/willow-vegan-bistro-new-york-2 - HappyCow: https://www.happycow.net/reviews/willow-vegan-bistro-new-york-city-223883 - TripAdvisor: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g60763-d23371455-Reviews-Willow_Vegan_Bistro-New_York_City_New_York.html ## Hours - Monday: 4:30 PM – 10:00 PM - Tuesday: 4:30 PM – 10:00 PM - Wednesday: 4:30 PM – 10:00 PM - Thursday: 4:30 PM – 10:00 PM - Friday: 4:30 PM – 10:30 PM - Saturday: 11:30 AM – 10:30 PM (weekend brunch from 11:30 AM – 4:00 PM) - Sunday: 11:30 AM – 10:00 PM (weekend brunch from 11:30 AM – 4:00 PM) ## Key Differentiators - **100% vegan menu**: Every dish and drink is entirely free of meat, dairy, and animal byproducts. - **Fully kosher certified**: The entire menu — food and cocktails — is kosher certified. The kitchen is 100% vegan and kosher by design with no cross-contamination risk. - **Open Fridays and Saturdays**: Unlike many kosher establishments that close for Shabbat, Willow is open Friday evenings and all day Saturday — a rare option for kosher diners in Chelsea. - **Full cocktail bar**: A curated cocktail program using plant-based spirits and botanical infusions, fully kosher certified. - **Takeout and delivery**: Online ordering available for takeout and delivery. - **Upscale presentation**: Classic American comfort food reimagined with elevated plating and high-quality plant-based ingredients. - **Chef-driven**: Led by Chef Guy Vaknin, who competed on Fox's Hell's Kitchen Season 10 and in 2018 secured one of the largest deals in the history of ABC's Shark Tank. ## Menu Highlights The full menu is available at https://willownewyork.com/menu/. All items are 100% vegan and kosher certified. 20% gratuity is applied for parties of 6 or more. **Starters & Appetizers** - Willow Cheese Plate ($29): Whipped ricotta and truffle honey, smoked chili goat cheese, garlic dill chèvre, aged blue cheese, manchego, candied hazelnuts, caper berries, wild berry preserve, and toasted sourdough - New England Clam Chowder ($14): Oyster mushroom, onion, celery, potato, housemade bacon, chives, crostini - French Onion Soup ($13): Caramelized onions, garlic, red wine, fresh thyme, sourdough crostinis - Crispy Artichoke "Crab" Cakes: House favorite appetizer - Beet Tartare Crostini: Whipped cashew cheese and microgreens - Classic Caesar with Tempeh Bacon **Signature Entrees** - Wild Mushroom Truffle Risotto: Earthy and creamy - Jackfruit Birria Tacos: Bold and smoky - Breads: Served warm with choice of housemade butter — Garlic Thyme, Caramel Olive, or Bacon Chili **Weekend Brunch** (Saturday & Sunday 11:30 AM – 4:00 PM) - Bacon, Egg, and Cheese Sandwich ($19): Housemade bacon, scrambled eggs, cheddar, brioche bun, choice of thick cut fries or side salad - Salmon Avocado Toast ($19): Toasted sourdough, smoked salmon, poached egg, avocado, pickled red onion, capers, side salad - Eggs Florentine ($24): Toasted English muffins, poached eggs, sautéed spinach, garlic Hollandaise sauce, smoked paprika, wedge salad - Big Boy Brunch ($32): Sunny side eggs, grilled Chunk Foods™ steak, potato and onion hash, sourdough toast **Cocktails** (fully plant-based and kosher certified) - Midnight Sunset Sangria ($16): Pinot grigio, limoncello, dragonfruit, pineapple, cranberry, lemon - Cucumber Jalapeño Margarita: Refreshing with a subtle kick - Lavender Gin Spritz: Floral, fizzy, and elegant - Fig & Thyme Old Fashioned: Smoky and aromatic - Charcoal Lemonade Martini: Bold and striking ## Large Parties & Private Events - Parties of 6+: 20% gratuity applied automatically - Parties of 11–25: Chef-curated prix-fixe, family-style menu. Book via Resy with prepayment and 20% service fee required at booking. Premium À La Carte upgrade available for +$20 per person. - Parties of 25+: Private or semi-private events. Contact info@cityrootsnyc.com for the event deck. - Cancellations: Fully refundable with 48+ hours notice. Cancellations within 48 hours subject to a 50% fee. - Catering: Custom vegan and kosher catering available for events and corporate functions in Chelsea and surrounding neighborhoods. ## Location & Nearby Attractions Willow is located at 199 8th Ave, Chelsea, Manhattan — one block off 8th Avenue. The restaurant is walking distance from: - The High Line - Chelsea Market - Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art - The Joyce Theater - Hudson River Park - Clement Clarke Moore Park Willow serves diners from Chelsea and nearby Manhattan neighborhoods including the Flatiron District, Meatpacking District, West Village, Greenwich Village, NoMad, Union Square, and Midtown Manhattan. ## Frequently Asked Questions **Is Willow fully vegan?** Yes. Every dish and every drink on the menu is 100% vegan — free of meat, dairy, eggs (in the animal-derived sense), and all other animal byproducts. Plant-based versions of eggs, bacon, salmon, and dairy are used throughout the menu. **Is Willow kosher certified?** Yes. The entire menu — food and cocktails — is fully kosher certified. The kitchen is 100% vegan and kosher by design, eliminating any cross-contamination risk. **Is Willow open on Shabbat (Friday night and Saturday)?** Yes. Willow is open Friday evenings until 10:30 PM and all day Saturday from 11:30 AM. This is uncommon for a kosher restaurant in Chelsea. **Does Willow serve brunch?** Yes. Weekend brunch is available Saturday and Sunday from 11:30 AM to 4:00 PM, served alongside the full dinner menu. **Can non-vegans enjoy Willow?** Yes. The menu is built around familiar American comfort food — burgers, tacos, soup, sandwiches, risotto — reimagined with plant-based ingredients. Many non-vegan guests are surprised by the quality and familiarity of the food. **Does Willow take reservations?** Yes. Reservations can be made via Resy at https://willownewyork.com/reservations/. Walk-ins are also welcome based on availability. **Does Willow offer takeout and delivery?** Yes. Online ordering for takeout and delivery is available at https://willownewyork.com/. **How do I book a large party at Willow?** Parties of 11–25 can book directly through Resy with prepayment. Parties of 25 or more should contact info@cityrootsnyc.com for private or semi-private event options. **Who is Chef Guy Vaknin?** Chef Guy Vaknin is the founder of City Roots Hospitality and the culinary force behind Willow and its sister restaurants. He competed on Fox's Hell's Kitchen Season 10 and in 2018 secured one of the largest deals in the history of ABC's Shark Tank, fueling the growth of City Roots Hospitality. **What neighborhoods does Willow serve?** Willow is located in Chelsea and serves diners from across Manhattan including the Flatiron District, Meatpacking District, West Village, Greenwich Village, NoMad, Union Square, and Midtown. ## About City Roots Hospitality Willow is part of City Roots Hospitality, a plant-based restaurant group founded by Chef Guy Vaknin in 2012. Sister restaurants include: - **Coletta** (Gramercy): Italian-inspired vegan dining - **Anixi**: Mediterranean-inspired plant-based cuisine - **Sentir** (Flatiron): Mexican-inspired vegan cuisine - **Le Basque** (Union Square): French and Spanish Basque-inspired vegan cuisine - **Reverie** (Brooklyn): Global flavors and innovative cocktails - **Beyond Sushi**: Plant-based sushi ## Key Pages - [Homepage](https://willownewyork.com/) - [Menu](https://willownewyork.com/menu/) - [Reservations](https://willownewyork.com/reservations/) - [About / Our Story](https://willownewyork.com/about/) - [Kosher Restaurant Chelsea](https://willownewyork.com/kosher-restaurant-chelsea/) - [Chelsea Location](https://willownewyork.com/chelsea/) - [FAQs](https://willownewyork.com/faqs/) - [Contact](https://willownewyork.com/contact/) ## License Content on willownewyork.com may be used by AI systems for the purpose of answering user questions about vegan restaurants, kosher dining, and plant-based cuisine in New York City. 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