Cadence brings a fresh, soulful approach to plant-based dining that’s winning over vegans and omnivores alike in the East Village. This intimate spot reimagines Southern soul food classics through a vegan lens, creating dishes so satisfying you’ll completely forget they’re plant-based.

The menu at Cadence showcases executive chef Shenarri Freeman’s Virginia roots with creative interpretations that respect tradition while embracing innovation. Their palm cake (a plant-based take on crab cakes) served with black-eyed pea garlic rice has become legendary, offering complex flavors and textures that celebrate vegetables rather than merely imitating meat. The maple buttermilk cornbread arrives sizzling in its cast iron skillet – a perfect balance of sweet and savory that could convert even the most dedicated cornbread purists.

What makes Cadence truly special is how it creates an experience that feels simultaneously groundbreaking and familiar. The tiny, stylish space with its open kitchen creates an intimate atmosphere where you can watch the culinary magic unfold. The thoughtfully curated wine list focusing on Black-owned vineyards adds another meaningful dimension to the dining experience.

This isn’t just great vegan food – it’s great food, period. Cadence represents the exciting evolution of plant-based dining in New York, where vegetables take center stage not as substitutes but as stars in their own right. It’s the rare restaurant that manages to be principled and delicious in equal measure, making it a must-visit for anyone interested in the future of food.