BODAI Vegetarian 菩提 Introduce
In the bustling and often overwhelming landscape of Midtown Manhattan, BODAI Vegetarian 菩提 offers a rare and welcome sense of tranquility. Located at 135 E 50th St, this vegetarian restaurant is more than just a place to eat; it is an experience designed to transport you to a world of peace and serene beauty. The restaurant’s atmosphere is described as being akin to a "luxurious temple," with beautiful table settings and elegantly plated dishes that are a feast for both the eyes and the palate. This unique blend of a cozy, trendy environment with an upscale feel makes it a standout destination for those seeking healthy and consciously prepared meals.
BODAI is a dedicated vegetarian restaurant with a focus on healthy and vegan options. It is a place where craftsmanship is evident not just in the food, but in the decor and even the utensils used. The food presentation is a major highlight, with each dish thoughtfully arranged to create a piece of art. The menu offers a variety of flavorful dishes, with mushrooms often featured prominently. The a la carte and tasting menu options provide a wide array of flavors and textures, ensuring that no dish feels repetitive. The service is described as attentive, contributing to the overall peaceful and pleasant dining experience. This commitment to detail and a serene ambiance makes it a special spot for a romantic dinner or a quiet solo dining experience.
While the experience is highly praised for its beauty and tranquility, a few reviewers have noted some aspects to consider. Some find the portions to be on the smaller side, which may not be as filling for a large appetite, especially for a meat-eater exploring vegetarian cuisine. The pricing is also noted as being on the higher side, which some feel requires more elevated ingredients to fully justify. However, the artistry of the dishes, the serene environment, and the attentive service are consistently highlighted as a worthy trade-off for the price and portion size. This is a place you go for the overall experience and ambiance as much as you do for the food itself.
BODAI Vegetarian 菩提’s location at 135 E 50th St, New York, NY 10022, places it in the heart of Midtown East, a neighborhood known for its business centers and proximity to major landmarks like Grand Central Terminal and Rockefeller Center. This makes it a convenient spot for professionals in the area looking for a sophisticated dinner option. For those traveling by car, paid street parking is available, though it can be limited and challenging in such a dense part of the city. Given its central location, it is easily accessible by public transportation, including several subway lines that service the area. Its discrete storefront and peaceful interior provide a much-needed sanctuary from the hustle and bustle of the surrounding streets.
The services offered at BODAI are focused on providing a high-quality dine-in experience.
- Dine-in: The primary service option, with a strong emphasis on a seated, table-service experience.
- Table service: Attentive and prompt service is provided, ensuring a smooth dining experience from start to finish.
The dining options are centered around dinner and dessert, making it an ideal choice for an evening out. The restaurant’s focus on table service and a curated dining experience is a key part of its appeal, distinguishing it from more casual or fast-food vegetarian establishments. The availability of a restroom is a simple yet essential amenity that contributes to the comfort of the patrons.
BODAI has several key features and highlights that make it a standout choice for vegetarian dining in New York City.
- Healthy and Vegan Options: The restaurant is a haven for those seeking delicious and healthy plant-based meals, with a menu full of flavorful vegetarian and vegan dishes.
- Peaceful and Serene Atmosphere: The ambiance is a major highlight, with patrons describing it as a tranquil escape from the city.
- Beautiful Presentation: The dishes are meticulously and beautifully plated, turning each meal into a work of art.
- Cozy and Trendy: The decor and setting are both cozy and stylish, creating an inviting and modern dining environment.
- Popular for Dinner & Solo Dining: Its quiet and elegant nature makes it a perfect spot for an intimate dinner or a peaceful solo meal.
The focus on a mindful dining experience, where the food is visually appealing and the environment is calming, is a significant part of BODAI’s appeal. It is not just about the food; it is about the holistic experience.
For those who wish to experience this unique dining spot, here is the contact information:
Address: 135 E 50th St STORE, New York, NY 10022
Phone: (917) 463-7997
Mobile Phone: +1 917-463-7997
So, why is BODAI Vegetarian 菩提 the vegetarian restaurant worth choosing? In a city with countless dining options, BODAI offers a truly unique and elevated experience. While it may not be the place for a large, boisterous group or a budget-friendly meal, it excels at providing a serene, artistic, and deeply satisfying dining experience. It is a place for a special occasion, a quiet escape, or a thoughtful solo meal. The dedication to beautiful presentation, the peaceful atmosphere, and the attentive service all contribute to an experience that goes beyond simply eating. It’s an ideal choice for those who value the art of dining and seek a quiet, peaceful, and healthy meal in the midst of a hectic city. The positive feedback on its unique dishes and the overall ambiance confirms that for a certain kind of diner, BODAI is an exceptional and highly recommended destination.
BODAI Vegetarian 菩提 Details
Service options
- Dine-in
- Delivery
Popular for
- Dinner
- Solo dining
Offerings
- Healthy options
- Vegan options
- Vegetarian options
Dining options
- Dinner
- Dessert
- Table service
Amenities
- Restroom
Atmosphere
- Casual
- Cozy
- Trendy
Payments
- Credit cards
Parking
- Paid street parking
BODAI Vegetarian 菩提 Photos










BODAI Vegetarian 菩提 Location
BODAI Vegetarian 菩提
135 E 50th St STORE, New York, NY 10022, USA
BODAI Vegetarian 菩提 Reviews
ingredientsmushroomspricepresentationtasting menucourseplatingwork of artculinaryappetizer
★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1The restaurant is like stepping into another world, feel like I’ve entered a luxurious temple. Tables are beautifully set and the dishes are beautifully plated. Everything was flavorful but as a meat eater, it just feels like the meal is missing something. It amount of food was just too little and needed something more substantial. I cannot see any guy being anywhere near full with a veggie meal this size. I few dishes stood out to me like the starting appetizer and the soup. The rest were just okay. They need more elevated vegetarian ingredients to justify this price point. And can definitely try a little harder with the dessert.
July 18 · Jing YangSerene, peaceful dining environment. Service attentive, but pacing was a little too quick - maybe because we were the only party in the restaurant. Craftsmanship came through in the decor, food presentation and even the utensils and plates. Lot of mushrooms no doubt but no dish felt repetitive of another. Standout was the millet. Portions are a bit small.
August 03 · Brantley HawkinsThis place is a must go. I went in with little information and I recommend doing the same. All I knew was that it was an affordable set menu of vegan Chinese food, and it exceeded all my expectations. The presentation of the food is outstanding and the whole restaurant exudes class and ambience. There are only 6 seats, which creates an intimate atmosphere. I liked all of the food, and many of the courses were delicious and intriguing, with a complex interplay of textures.
June 13 · Javier KohenBodai is New York's hottest new plant-based restaurant that nobody is talking about. Dining there is an experience. They are reservation only, and you pay in advance when you book. The restaurant is small with only about two tables, so the experience is intimate. When you enter, you are transported to a whole world that makes you forget you're in Midtown Manhattan.We LOVED our experience here. We appreciated that the menu is focused around natural ingredients like mushrooms and vegetables and fresh herbs. And more mushrooms. (Lots of mushrooms lol. But each one unique and not overly mushroomy.) The first course was a real work of art, with five individual bites, each representing a different flavor (sour, sweet, bitter, spicy, and salty) - kind of like five amuse-bouche bites. The rest of the courses spanned a diversity of flavors and textures from the crowd-pleasing sweet and sour "riblets" made of pear and tofu skin to the clean, refreshing zhajiang noodles to the incredible Nepali mushroom with pepper sauce. There wasn't a miss among them. We ate every bite and felt satisfied by the end, though overall it is a light meal. Each dish is meticulously crafted to be equal parts delicious and beautiful. We were charmed and fascinated by every course that emerged. Many (most?) of the dishes featured ingredients I had never tried before or even heard of, such as cauliflower mushroom and peach gum.This experience begs comparison to dining at Eleven Madison Park. Both are plant-forward rather than fake meat-forward. Both are impressive and delicious - honestly pretty similar overall. At $99 per person, Bodai feels like a much fairer price for such a luxurious and unforgettable experience. We would love to return in a few months when the menu has changed over!
July 26 · LaurenWhat a truly unique and intimate experience! The space is cozy and reservation-only, which makes it feel extra special. Dominic, our server and ‘guide,’ made us feel like VIPs from the moment we arrived—he welcomed us at the door, pulled out our chairs, and was incredibly attentive throughout the entire meal. He shared the history and origin of each dish with such passion, turning dinner into both a culinary and cultural journey. Every course was beautifully plated, bursting with flavor, and featured ingredients we had never tried before. Even my husband, who isn’t vegetarian, thoroughly enjoyed it. An unforgettable dining experience we can’t wait to repeat!
August 31 · Jennie Jariel
More restaurants near me

407 Park Ave S, New York, NY 10016, USA

Lexington Ave &, E 28th St, New York, NY 10016, USA

160 E 28th St, New York, NY 10016, USA

115 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10016, USA

50 E 28th St, New York, NY 10016, USA

116 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10016, USA

132 E 28th St, New York, NY 10016, USA

401 Park Ave S, New York, NY 10016, USA

118 E 28th St, New York, NY 10016, USA

44 E 28th St, New York, NY 10016, USA

28 E 28th St, New York, NY 10016, USA

108 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10016, USA
Categories
Top Visited Sites






Trending Dining Insights Posts





