Next Stop Vegan: What’s Vegetarian Editorial Review

Next Stop Vegan proves you don’t have to give up Caribbean comfort food to eat plant-based. Located at 88 Livingston St in Downtown Brooklyn, this 100% vegan restaurant has been transforming traditional Dominican and Caribbean dishes since around 2022. Everything on the menu is plant-based, including the sauces, proteins, and desserts. In early 2026 the team rebranded to NSV Creative Caribbean Kitchen to make it clear the food is for everyone, not just vegans, but the kitchen and its commitment to all-vegan cooking haven’t changed.

What’s vegan and vegetarian at Next Stop Vegan

The entire menu is vegan. There’s no need to quiz your server or scan for symbols. Every dish, from the stewed proteins to the house-made sauces, skips animal products entirely. The kitchen is dedicated to plant-based cooking, so cross-contamination risk from meat is essentially zero. That’s a genuine rarity in the Caribbean food scene, where lard, chicken stock, and seafood typically show up in even the most vegetable-heavy dishes.

Signature dishes to order

The Sweet and Spicy Oyster Mushroom Burger is the bestseller, and it earns the title. The mushroom gives you the chew and umami you’d expect from a good burger, with chipotle sauce, sweet plantains, and mixed greens piled on a toasted pretzel bun. Served with fries, it’s a full meal.

Beyond the burger, a few dishes stand out. The Mofongo, made from fried plantains mashed with garlic and olive oil, is a Dominican staple done right here. Sancocho, the traditional healing stew, shows up on the menu as a plant-based version that holds its own against any meat-based original. The Mac N Cheese Empanada is a crowd favorite, and the rotating Empanadas of the Day are worth asking about when you arrive. For something a little different, the Calamares Fritos made from king oyster mushrooms is a creative move that works surprisingly well.

How to order

You can walk in Tuesday through Thursday between 11am and 9pm, Friday and Saturday until 11pm, or Sunday until 10pm. The restaurant is closed on Mondays. Delivery is available through Grubhub and Uber Eats if you’re not in Downtown Brooklyn. The kitchen recently shifted to full sit-down service, so reservations are recommended if you’re planning a weekend visit. The space is on the smaller side but has a lush, island-inspired vibe that makes it a nice spot for a longer meal.

What to watch out for

A few reviewers have noted that menu availability can vary, and some items may be sold out during busy periods. The restaurant is on the compact side, so it gets busy on weekends. Portions tend to be generous, which is a good thing, but plan accordingly if you’re ordering for one. Gluten status of individual dishes isn’t well-documented publicly, so if you have celiac disease or a gluten allergy, confirm with the kitchen directly before ordering. The rebrand to NSV Creative Caribbean Kitchen is recent, so you may still see it listed under the old name on delivery apps and maps.

Is Next Stop Vegan worth it?

Yes, especially if you’re looking for plant-based food that actually tastes like the real thing. The kitchen doesn’t settle for bland substitutions. It leans into bold Caribbean seasoning, textured proteins from mushrooms and jackfruit, and traditional cooking techniques that give the food its cultural authenticity. It’s Black-owned, women-owned, and Latinx-owned, and the team clearly takes pride in what they’re making. With a 4.8-star Google rating across nearly 1,000 reviews and consistent praise for both food quality and service, this one has earned its reputation. If you’re in Brooklyn and want a fully vegan meal that doesn’t feel like a compromise, Next Stop Vegan belongs on your list.