In case you missed it, the East Village’s Cadence is one of the hottest restaurants in the country right now. So says The New York Times, and a host of other publications celebrating the restaurant. It also happens to be a vegan restaurant in New York City serving vegan soul food.

Helmed by the talented executive chef Shennari Freeman, this is one restaurant you’ll want to try in NYC. Just be sure to make a reservation because it’s getting more buzz than Eleven Madison Park.

We’ve tried everything on the menu, and there’s truly nothing that isn’t utterly fantastic. But, unless you’ve got extra room, a large fridge or a host of people to share dishes with, you’ll need to narrow it down.

And that’s where we come in. We’ve narrowed down what to order at Cadence just in case ordering the entire menu isn’t an option.

5 dishes to order at Cadence in New York City

1. Wedge Salad

Not all salads are created equal. And, the Wedge Salad is by far one of the best we’ve had. Freeman’s magical salad features crisp lettuce, chewy oyster mushrooms, tomatoes and peaches. It comes drizzled with buttermilk ranch. It’s the perfect salad, and we’re really not one to hype salads. Order this and you won’t be disappointed.

2. Potato Salad

This potato salad will take you back to the summer BBQ days. Freeman’s using red potatoes and mixing in chives, dill and pickles in a creamy vegan mayo to dole out this appetizer/side. We love the dill and chives in there and how simply, yet flavorful the potato salad is.

3. Palm Cake

Growing up in Maryland, we’re suckers for veganized crab cakes. The palm cake at Cadence is one of the best we’ve had — vegan or not. The cake features hearts of palm and chickpeas with a light, crispy crust. It comes with chipotle aioli slaw and we recommend adding a little scoop of it to the cake when you take a bite for a burst of all the flavors.

4. Southern Fried Lasagna

Freeman’s piece de resistance is her Southern Fried Lasagna. It’s exactly what you think it is — lasagna that’s been fried. But, once you break the crispy exterior, it’s filled with a creamy pine nut ricotta, spinach and a gorgeous red wine bolognese that pairs oh-so-well with one of the reds from their all Black-owned wine list.

5. Maple Buttermilk Cornbread

Whatever you do, save room for the cornbread skillet at this vegan restaurant in New York City. We joke that you don’t need dessert if you get the cornbread because it’s a perfect mix of sweet and savory. Served piping hot with a dollop of bee-free honey butter and seasonal jams, even if you’re full, chances are you’ll finish this treat.

122 E. 7th St., New York, 10009; Weds. – Fri.: 5 p.m. – 11 p.m., Sat.: 2 p.m. – 11 p.m, Sun.: 2 p.m. – 10 p.m.

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