When you think of South Asian food—like Indian, Pakistani, Bengali, or Nepali dishes—you might picture creamy sauces and juicy meat. But guess what? At Dera Restaurant, located at 7209 Broadway in Jackson Heights, we’re showing everyone that desi food (that’s what we call South Asian food) can be super yummy and plant-based! We’re a vegan restaurant in Queens, New York, and we’re changing how people enjoy these flavors.
Queens is a big mix of people and foods from around the world. You can find vegan restaurants in Queens and even cool spots in Astoria. But Dera is special because we take old recipes and make them new for people who don’t eat meat or dairy. In this blog, we’ll tell you how we turn regular desi dishes into vegan treats and why you should visit us.
A Long History of Tasty Food Meets Plant Power
We’ve been making food at Dera Restaurant since 1971! We’re in Jackson Heights, and in 2004, our owner Mohammad, Mohammad Saif Ullah Nagra, made us even better. Now we’re called “Dera Restaurant and Sweets.” What’s so cool about us? We’re not just old—we feel like a big family party from Punjab (a South Asian place) and have food for vegan people, too.
We don’t only serve vegans, but we have lots of dishes that work for people who don’t eat meat or dairy. From rice to bread, we make food that’s full of flavor and feels good to eat. We’re one of the best vegan restaurants in Queens because we keep the old tastes but make them fit in today’s world.
Yummy Vegan Foods on Our Menu
Let’s talk about our food—because that’s the best part! Our menu at Dera is like a big hug from South Asian cooking, and vegans will love it. Here are some of the best plant-based foods we have. (Tip: Ask us to make sure there’s no dairy or meat in them, just to be safe!)
1. Vegetable Pulao: Super Tasty Rice ($12.00)
Picture a plate of soft rice with pretty yellow saffron mixed with veggies like peas, carrots, and green beans. We spice it up with cumin and cloves, which make it smell amazing. Our vegetable pulao is perfect for vegans—it’s light but fills you up. Add some sour pickle on the side, and it’s a winner. Vegan restaurants in Queens don’t get much tastier than what we make!
2. Plain Naan: The Best Bread Ever ($2.00)
Naan is a soft, warm bread. We make it in a clay oven, so it’s a little crispy on the edges. If you ask us to leave out the butter (called ghee), it’s totally vegan. You can eat it with sauce or just by itself—it’s that good! We love how simple stuff like flour and water can turn into something awesome at Dera.
3. Chana Masala: Chickpea Magic
This dish is about chickpeas cooked in a spicy tomato sauce with ginger and other fun spices. We call it Chana Masala, and it’s already vegan if we skip the dairy. It’s full of protein and tastes good, especially with our vegan naan. If you’re checking out vegan restaurants in Queens, this is a reason to visit us.
4. Vegetable Biryani: A Rice Adventure
Our Vegetable Biryani is like a treasure chest of rice and veggies. We mix basmati rice with carrots, beans, and peas, then add spices like cinnamon and bay leaves. It’s vegan if we keep it dairy-free, and it’s so good you’ll want seconds. We love making this for our guests!
5. Vegetable Curry: A Mix of Veggies
Our Vegetable Curry has all kinds of veggies—like cauliflower and peas—in a spicy tomato sauce. You can ask us to make it vegan; it tastes big and bold. It’s fun to eat many plants and enjoy desi food simultaneously. We’re proud to serve this to our vegan friends!
6. Jalebi: Sweet and Crunchy Treats
Dessert time! Jalebi is a twisty, golden snack soaked in sweet syrup. We make it vegan because it’s just flour, water, and a little saffron—no dairy needed. It’s crispy, then sweet, and so fun to eat. It’s a perfect way to end your meal with us at Dera.
7. Dal Fry: Lentils Full of Flavor
We specially cook lentils for our Dal Fry. It’s a bowl of soft, yellow lentils mixed with spices like cumin and garlic, all fried up in a pan. When we leave out the butter, it’s vegan and still super tasty. It’s warm and goes great with rice or our vegan naan. We love seeing people smile when they try it!
8. Aloo Gobi: Cauliflower and Potato Party
Our Aloo Gobi mixes potatoes and cauliflower cooked with spices like turmeric and coriander. It’s a dry dish, not too saucy, but packed with flavor. Ask us to make it vegan, and it’s perfect for a light meal. It’s a fun way to show how yummy plants can be.
9. Bhindi Masala: Okra That Rocks
Okra might sound funny, but our Bhindi Masala makes it a star! We cook okra with tomatoes, onions, and spices like cumin. When we skip the dairy, it’s vegan, and it’s a little spicy and a lot delicious. It’s one more reason we’re proud of our plant-based menu.
10. Aloo Palak: Potatoes and Spinach Team Up
Potatoes and spinach sound basic, right? But our Aloo Palak makes them special with spices like turmeric. It’s creamy, yummy, and vegan if you ask us to skip the cream. It’s warm and cozy, showing that a vegan restaurant in Queens, New York, can make old recipes work for everyone.
Why We’re Different from Other Vegan Restaurants in Queens
Queens has lots of places to eat vegan food. There are trendy spots in Astoria and small places all over. So why are we so cool? We stick to real South Asian tastes while making food for vegans. Some vegan places offer boring stuff like salads, but we offer spicy, exciting dishes worldwide.
Think of our smoky ovens, big family feel, and yummy spices—we have all that without meat. Vegans and meat-eaters can eat together at Dera and both be happy. We fit right in in Jackson Heights, where many different people live. We think we’re even better than some vegan restaurants in Astoria Queens because we’re so unique.
What It’s Like to Eat with Us
Coming to Dera feels like visiting a friend who loves to cook. We’re open from 10:00 a.m. until midnight (or 1:00 a.m. on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday), so you can stop by anytime. Our team is super nice, and the smell of spices immediately makes you hungry.
It’s great for vegans because you can ask us for what you want. No dairy in your curry? We’ll do it. Bread without butter? Easy! That’s why we’re a top pick for choice for New York. We offer vegan restaurant catering so you can bring our food to a party or event. We love helping people enjoy our flavors anywhere!
Hey, Plant-Loving Food Fans!
If you want a vegan restaurant in Queens, New York,k that’s full of flavor, we’re waiting for you at Dera! We show that desi food doesn’t need meat or dairy to be awesome—it’s all about the spices and the love we put into it. Whether you’ve been vegan forever or want to try it, we have something for you.
Next time you’re near Jackson Heights, stop by 7209 Broadway. Get some of our Vegetable Pulao, rip apart some vegan naan, and grab a Jalebi for dessert. Or try our Dal Fry, Aloo Gobi, or Bhindi Masala—there’s so much to pick from! You’ll leave happy and full, with a big smile from all the tasty food we make. Have you ever tried vegan South Asian food? Come to Dera and tell us what you think—because in Queens, vegan eating just got a lot more fun with us!
