In winter, comfort food reigns supreme. But lately, New York City has been all about the vegetable.

From entirely vegetarian kitchens to menus that give veggies some serious attention, restaurants all across the city are proving that the days of bland tofu and tempeh are in the past.

Too often, chefs get a pass on making boring vegetables and theyre only expected to exercise their creativity with meat, said chef Amanda Cohen, whose vegetable restaurant Dirt Candy was so popular, she recently relocated from an 18 seater in the East Village to a Lower East Side spot thats triple the size. We want to show that cucumbers can be roasted, that onions and chocolate are an amazing combination and that vegetables can be just as fun, exciting and decadent as anything else.

Forget meat heres where to eat vegetarian in NYC right now.

This new health-conscious eatery is not vegetarian, but it is veggie (and nutritionist) friendly. Find dishes like chips made from flax, chia, sunflower and pumpkin seeds (and served with butternut squash hummus), appetizers like baby beets and apples and market crudit with green goddess, smoked vinegar and sesame ranch dressings. There are also main courses like quinoa tagliatelle and cauliflower steak (pictured). 10 Downing St., 212-675-4350, cafeclovernyc.com (Credit: Cafe Clover)

In its new, larger location, this innovative vegetarian has a full bar, a larger wine list and expanded menu, which includes new dishes like a cabbage hot pot with smoked cabbage broth; pulled, pickled, and jerked carrots on a carrot waffle; and mapo eggplant, which comes with eggplant flan. Pictured: carrot meringue pie. 86 Allen St., 212-228-7732, dirtcandynyc.com (Credit: Evan Sung)

This small Lower East Side spot has a vegetable focus, including an entirely vegetarian lunch menu. There are healthy items like the jicama salad, kale salad and a chia seed breakfast pudding. Pictured: Poached eggs, Parmesan broth, lemony kale and rosemary croutons. 100 Stanton St., 212-260-3950, elreynyc.com (Credit: FACEBOOK/ El Rey Coffee Bar & Luncheonette)

Locally-sourced food is the name of the game at this SoHo spot that looks like a rustic farmhouse retreat. Theres an emphasis on sustainable seafood and oysters, but theres also a whole section of the menu dedicated to vegetables to share, including roasted butternut squash (pictured). 527 Broome St., 212-390-0327, chalkpointkitchen.com (Credit: Chalk Point Kitchen)

One major plus of this vegetable-focused venue at the ever-crowded Eataly market is that it tends to be a little less packed than others during peak times. Based on the seasonal produce for sale at the market, the dishes spotlight whatevers freshest. 200 Fifth Ave., 212-229-2560, eataly.com/nyc-le-verdure (Credit: Virginia Rollison)

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Where to eat vegetables in New York City right now