Why Cadence is NYC’s Best Vegan Southern, Soul Food Restaurant

Cadence in NYC’s East Village is where Southern comfort food meets plant-based creativity. Created by the talented Executive Chef Shenarri Freeman, this 2x James Beard-nominated restaurant is making waves with its innovative take on traditional Southern dishes. Imagine smoky grits, savory collard green wraps, and fried lasagna rolls —all made entirely from plants. At Cadence, you don’t have to be vegan to fall in love with the food; you just need to love great flavor.

What’s special about Cadence is how it honors the essence of Southern cooking while embracing the power of plants. Chef Shenarri takes classic soul food recipes and gives them a fresh, vegan twist that’s both delicious and satisfying. It’s more than just food—it’s a celebration of what’s possible when you approach cooking with creativity and care. Whether you’re a longtime vegan or just curious, Cadence offers a dining experience that feels like a warm, Southern hug.

As more people explore plant-based diets, Cadence stands out by showing that vegan food can be every bit as rich, hearty, and flavorful as traditional dishes. It’s exciting to see Southern cuisine evolve in this way, and Cadence is leading the charge with dishes that make you rethink what plant-based cooking can be. So, come hungry and leave inspired—because at Cadence, the future of soul food is here, and plants are leading the way.

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📍Locations: East Village, NYC
🎶 Sound Editor: Jennifer Emens

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Meet the coolest food makers! Food. Curated. is a James Beard Award-Winning food series, by Brooklyn-based filmmaker Liza Mosquito de Guia, dedicated to amplifying stories of unique, small-batch food makers and chefs in New York City and beyond. Bringing fresh, inspiring insights into the craft of food every month. We support women, POC, LGBTQIA+, Asians, minorities, and anyone looking for an ally within the industry. All good food has a story...

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[MichaelJohnson-ipxr]

I've been a vegan for 27 years.I would love to go there.

[ninarross]

Ate here twice last time I was in NYC! Everything on the menu is delicious & creative plus the staff and ambiance is lovely! Will def be back!

[katriciajacobs]

Putting this on my list for the next time I’m in NYC!

[Iamtangyd]

I’ve eaten here….truly an incredible experience

[pa]

I had an amazing meal at this restaurant!!!

[hotbluflame]

Me: What’s in the collard greens wraps?

Her: Greens, beans, potatoes, tomatoes, YOU NAME IT!

[robyndaye]

Next time I'm in New York I will definitely go to this restaurant

[TheeGiovanna]

The food here is really good. A treat for sure❤

[RescueAlwaysOfficial]

I really like that their cookware is stainless steel!!

[RescueAlwaysOfficial]

Great food! Great discussion!

Thanks for sharing!

[bernaw.]

I cant wait to try this Vegan Restaurant .

[amirat]

Looks amazing, can't wait to try!

[Miss_Ann]

As a vegan, so glad she is cooking real food!

[td]

Chawl...holla...unfortunately I'm from the va too! YIKES !! Gurrl, happy for you that you GOT the HANG NAIL outta DER !!! LOL
Chawl, your place looks good...do you have a cook book out or do you have a tic tok or youtube channel that I can check out...
Hope you and your family take care in the NYC (I married a queens guy, lived there eight years...thank the LORD I'm outta DER TOO, LOL) !!!

[livelovelaugh]

The dishes look delicious. And I like the fact that vegetables are used instead of meat.
The only con is using frying as the main cooking method.

[colleencook]

This food looks delicious! I would definitely eat here but there’s nothing healthy about deep-fried and there’s nothing wrong with soy. I Suggest following Chef AJ, Dr. McDougall, Dr. Neil Bernard these are all vegan doctors that will give you some great tips and what is actually healthy.

[reneegardner]

You lost me at frying in sunflower oil, one of the most unhealthy oils to consume.

[diamondbolton]

Unlike chromosomes ingredients are the only thing you can be sure of the outcome. Hidden ingredients like iodine

[davebow]

EVERYTHING Candace made looks insane yummy! But Please STOP calling food/culture that came from enslaved West Africans "Southern".
Before USA was a country the enslaved Africans made up the majority of the population in the South. And they brought many things from West African culture that USA calls "American" . This "American" label was done by design and intention with the sole purpose to remove the rich history and contributions made by people who USA could not and would not recognize as full human beings because the Europeans settlers had done such terrible atrocities against them for centuries in the USA. Africans literally built the USA. There would be no All American food like peanut butter and jelly without the W Africans as they introduced -peanuts to USA. Including collard greens, hot peppers, hot sauce, okra ( aka gumbo), rice, a "Po Boy" sandwhich got the name because it was slaves that created much of the food that Americans have been trained to call " Southern". And the most lucrative creation of them all- Fried Chicken, (The English, French, Spanish ), did not have a tradition of deep frying chicken. Europeans went to African Middle East, and Asian for spices. There was little variety of spices in Europe by comparison to Africa. It always makes me wonder if Col Sanders took his "11 herbs and spices recipe " from a African Woman who cooked all of his meals in Kentucky. He became a legend "she" not only didn't get a dime, but she was never acknowledged. And don't even get me started on "Peri Peri" chicken chain which claims "their" chicken comes from traditional reciepes from Portugal. The word "Peri" comes from the South African Igbo language.

[Cavemanfarmchef]

i was a vegetarian for about 3 days. was driving west across the country. i think i was in missouri or mississipi. i forget. it was 2009. stopped at a little restaurant, asked if there was anything vegetarian. nope. had the salmon. haven't tried to eat as a vegetarian since.