14 Best Vegan Restaurants In Los Angeles

For decades, Los Angeles has been an epicenter of plant-based dining. The '60s brought about The Source, the city's infamous vegetarian-centered eatery with a spiritual vibe and cult following (via Eater Los Angeles). It was loved by a unique combination of local hippies and A-list celebrities. Then, in the '70s, The Spot emerged onto the scene. Serving up colorful plant-based dishes three meals a day, it's the oldest continuously operating veggie eatery in the city. 

Fast forward to 2018 when PETA dubbed L.A. the most vegan-friendly city in the nation (via PETA). The animal rights organization praised the west coast metropolis for its variety of plant-based eateries, grocery store options, and even school lunch menus featuring vegan choices. Though the pandemic saw the closing of many restaurants in 2020, there is still an abundance of veg-friendly spots to enjoy throughout the city.

With the new year in full swing, we've compiled a list of the city's top plant-based joints sure to satisfy your hunger without treading on animals or the planet. No matter where in the city you find yourself or what kind of budget you have for dining out, there's a vegan restaurant in Los Angeles waiting for your order.

If you finish your meal from Herbie Burger with clean hands, you're doing something wrong. Just try to eat one of its giant made-from-scratch mushroom and black bean burgers, stacked high with veggies and dripping with the restaurant's signature Herbie sauce. One bite into that fluffy, buttery vegan brioche bun, and you'll be licking your fingers. Make your way through cheesy tots, crispy oyster mushroom "wings," succulent buffalo tofu tenders, and the irresistible vegan elote. Coated with herbs, vegan mayo, and cashew cotija cheese, the perfectly charred corn kernels will melt in your mouth. Then pick up a fork and dig into cole slaw, vegan mac and cheese, or charred broccoli. Whatever you order, you'll be back for more.

Folks looking for lighter fare can choose from the Herbie Greens menu. These hearty, vegetable-forward options put other burger joints' salads and wraps to shame. Try the house "toonah" — Herbie's homemade vegan flaky, creamy chickpea version of tuna salad — on a bed of greens or in a spinach flour tortilla. For a smoky, savory delight, dine on the BLAT wrap. Bursting with thick-cut tempeh bacon, greens, tomatoes, and avocado, it's California cuisine at its finest. Order delivery online, or pick up your lunch or dinner in Culver City. And don't forget the napkins!

Get your 'za on with Cruzer Pizza's 100% vegan menu. Located in the heart of Hollywood, Cruzer serves Italian casual classics like pizza, calzones, cheesy breadsticks, caesar salad, and chicken parm sandwiches — all for plant-based eaters. Fans go wild for Cruzer's delicious al dente dough, which comes in regular, thin, thick, and whole wheat. Cruzer even caters to the wheat-averse crowd, offering gluten-free crusts and pasta.

In addition to pizza favorites like Margarita, Hawaiian, and Buffalo chicken, try some of Cruzer's more exotic offerings like the wildly named Quarrygirl.com. This white pizza features olive oil and garlic instead of red sauce topped with vegan sausage, hearty portobello mushrooms, and sweet basil. Need some spice in your life? Order the Indian Kima, featuring vegan ground meat, hot jalapeños, and mouthwatering Indian herbs. Or channel your inner — yet reformed — carnivore to chow down on the meat pizza. Loaded with plant-based ham, sausage, and pepperoni and a hearty helping of Daiya cheese, this pizza's so good, you'll forget you're eating vegan. Oh, and marinara lovers, there's a calzone or plate of spaghetti and faux meatballs with your name on it. At Cruzer, no one will judge if you lick the plate clean.

Sherman Oaks treasure O'cado offers a full menu featuring richly flavored Mediterranean and Latin-inspired dishes alongside an extensive list of vegan craft beer and sustainable wines. Whether you're hopping in for Happy Hour, enjoying a leisurely lunch, or sitting down for supper, O'cado sells small bites and big plates to suit every palate. Snack on vegan ceviche tostadas made with cauliflower, hearts of palm, and avocado, or split a giant German pretzel. The cashew cheese and lemon chipotle sauce give this classic item a tangy twist. 

No vegan menu is complete with avocado toast, and O'cado's uniquely spiced version includes roasted pepitas on a thick slice of artisanal bread. Fill up on the O'cado Buddha bowl — a bed of baby kale and quinoa topped with roasted butternut squash, brussels sprouts, broccolini, and cauliflower drizzled with sweet-and-spicy maple chimichurri sauce. Order a tray of tacos for the table, or tantalize your tastebuds with the BBQ jackfruit sliders and a side of onion-poppy seed slaw. While you savor a lemon tart or slice of peanut butter ice cream cake for dessert, you can sip one of O'cado's creative cocktails or indulge in a flight of wine. With an astonishing variety of food and beverages in rotation, O'cado may just become your go-to vegan haven.

Don't blink, or you might miss the best Thai fusion joint in Los Angeles. My Vegan is a tiny but mighty plant-based restaurant tucked away in a strip mall in the Eagle Rock neighborhood. With forty years of vegan cooking expertise, the team behind My Vegan proves that you can take animal welfare seriously without sacrificing taste.

My Vegan's commitment to healthy, delectable menu expands beyond vegan versions of traditional Asian dishes like orange chicken and pho. Grab a napkin and rip into RIPP, a.k.a. Rest in Peace Porky, a tangy vegan short rib dish served with a side of creamy cole slaw. Veggie lovers will delight in the a la carte hot kale bowl and spicy green beans, eggplant, and mushrooms. Order noodles or rice — or ask for a burger. My Vegan has awesome between-the-bun options like a savory homemade lentil patty, spicy vegan chicken, as well as the Impossible burger. Add some creaminess with homemade cashew nut cheese, and you're in burger heaven.

You can even start your day at My Vegan with yummy strawberry, blueberry, or banana pancakes drenched in 100% maple syrup. Add a satisfying side of Just Egg or a classic Impossible sausage sandwich. More than just great food, the fast, friendly service makes eating at My Vegan a no-brainer.

Did you know that the third largest source of methane comes from food waste rotting in landfills (via U.S. Department of Agriculture)? That's why Sage Vegan Bistro's executive chef Mollie Engelhart takes 100% of food scraps from all four restaurants across the City of Angels to create compost that feeds her organic regenerative farm. When you order a plate of Sage's best-selling cauliflower wings, you know the stem and leaves of that plant will be returned to the earth to grow more vegetables. Eat well and do good — that's the Sage Vegan Bistro way.

Sage's menu takes inspiration from global cuisines, letting you enjoy food from around the world without expelling emissions from your air travel. Head down to South America with the Brazilian burrito stuffed with plantains, mushrooms, black beans, brown rice, and spiced with jalapeños and habanero vegan cream cheese. Hop over to Italy for some baked eggplant "farmesan." Layered breaded eggplant, homemade marinara, cashew alfredo, and Follow Your Heart mozzarella make this vegan Italian dish something even Nonna would approve of. Want to imbibe while you eat your planet-friendly meal? Sage pairs its woman-owned and locally brewed beers with items on its plentiful menu. An order of jackfruit crab cakes will perfectly complement your afternoon drink. At Sage Vegan Bistro, you can fill your belly and keep carbon in the ground. What's not to love?

Whether you're in Pasadena or West Hollywood, Real Food Daily offers Angelenos delicious organic plant-based comfort food. Sure, you can behave by ordering the fresh and satisfying Real Food salad, featuring roasted sweet potato, garbanzo beans, quinoa, and buttery macadamia parmesan. But you could just as soon load up on cheeseburger egg rolls brimming with Impossible crumbles, tangy dill pickles, and creamy vegan chipotle aioli and ranch.

Nosh on classic Californian grilled avocado toast served with microgreens on thick-cut ciabatta, or give your jaw a workout with the triple-decker club sandwich. Crispy breaded seitan and tempeh bacon turn this deli delight into a vegan must-have. For weekend brunch, you can nosh on breakfast pizza sans gluten. The ranchero sauce, smoked cashew mozzarella, and tofu scramble make this dish a winner. The spot also offers gluten-free pancakes with a unique butterscotch sauce for those craving a sweeter meal. Wash it all down with a homemade coconut ice cream and hemp milkshake sweetened with agave syrup. 

veSTATION aims to shatter the stereotype that vegan food tastes bland. With cuisine inspired by the flavorful delights of the Far East, including Thailand, Japan, Malaysia, and Vietnam, the restaurant delivers on its goals. Plant-based eaters often flock to Asian restaurants because the menus can often accommodate their lifestyles. But many dishes, like drunken noodles and pad see ew, often include fish and oyster sauces, making them off-limits for vegetarians and vegans alike. At veSTATION, diners can indulge in a variety of sweet and savory fried rice and peanut-y pad thai without any animal products. You can even choose a protein of your liking to enhance your dish. The spot offers an impressive variety including organic tofu and tempeh, soy chicken, soy pepper steak, and soy fish. Or, just stop by for a treat like creamy black rice pudding topped with lotus seeds and taro or a warm banana roti covered with silky vegan vanilla ice cream.

Dine in at veSTATION's Sherman Oaks location, or pick up your lunch or dinner to enjoy at home. veSTATION's friendly and accommodating staff are more than happy to help keep designated meals free from gluten as well. Using vibrant ingredients and fresh local produce whenever possible, veSTATION's urban organic kitchen will make you love and believe in their delightful vegan food.

Part of chef Matthew Kenney's global empire, Plant Food + Wine answers the question — what would haute cuisine look like if no animals were involved? This high-end, culinary spot located in Venice provides patrons with a multi-sensory dining experience. Not only does the innovative menu regularly shift to offer local, seasonal selections, but so does the restaurant itself. The large outdoor dining area is available year-round and uses heating lamps to make it tolerable for thin-blooded Southern Californias. Ensconced by olive and fig trees, the outdoor area is also an active garden for Plant Food + Wine's kitchen. Part of the adventure of dining here is connecting the food you're eating to nature.

No upscale restaurant would be complete without an extensive list of organic and sustainable wines. Sip a glass, or crack open a local beer or cider, while dining on gourmet vegan dishes like kelp noodle Cacio e Pepe or merguez-style tempeh and root vegetable puff pastry. Want to enjoy satisfying vegan eats while globetrotting? Plant Food + Wine also has a location in Lima, Peru. With a worldwide presence that proves vegetables and fruits are worthy of the highest honors, Matthew Kenney is indeed bringing plant-based cuisine mainstream.

Sure, many ramen noodles are vegan, but vegan ramen broth is another story. Thankfully, Ramen Hood, helmed by "Top Chef" winner Ilan Hall, came to the rescue of LA vegans by bringing the Japanese comfort food to Downtown's Grand Market Central. In lieu of the traditional fish-based dashi stock in ramen, Ramen Hood features two house broths — rich sunflower seed and smoked onion. A hearty helping of king oyster mushrooms in every ramen bowl provides additional umami. Each bowl is accented with fresh-cut bok choy, scallions, and bean sprouts, and you can even add a vegan soft-boiled egg topping. You won't believe your eyes or tongue. Order your ramen spicy, garlicky, hot, or, as cold noodles sans broth.

Open for lunch every day of the week and dinner Thursday through Sunday, you can dine in and chat up a stranger sitting at one of the cafeteria-style tables spread among the market. Or you can just stop by to grab some ramen for later. Ramen Hood sells five packs of noodles and broth, perfect for a quick dinner or stocking the freezer. Add your own veggies, and boom — restaurant-quality vegan ramen at home, any time or day.

For those nights when you absolutely don't want to cook but have no idea what you want to eat, Green Leaves has anything your hungry belly could desire. The formidable menu here boasts an array of delicately spiced Thai cuisine, with a hefty focus on meat alternatives. Maybe you're humming for spicy soy shrimp soup. Or maybe you want to sink your teeth into a soy-pepper steak dinner. Or perhaps salty and sweet is your thing, and you gotta have fried soy chicken and pancakes. Spaghetti? Yep. Burritos? Uh-huh. Burgers? Absolutely. Your wish is Green Leaves' command.

For more plant-forward eating, order the Cha Cha pumpkin dish, a warmly spiced medley of vegetables and cashews served with a side of wild rice. Or, try a Thai twist on your greens with the tossed salad. Topped with glass noodles, shredded beets, shiitake mushrooms, and tofu, it's a flavorful, textured delight. Just don't judge Green Leaves by its nondescript dining room in Los Feliz. We promise — the food here is anything but.

Say ciao to the first 100% plant-based Italian restaurant and wine bar in America. The brainchild of vegan chef Tara Punzone, Pura Vita first opened in West Hollywood, then expanded the chain to include a pizzeria next door, later opening a third location in the South Bay. All three restaurants serve southern Italian cuisine using organic, sustainable, and clean vegan ingredients.

Come for weekend brunch to savor Pura Vita's queen cornetto croissant stuffed with tofu, shiitake mushroom bacon, and cashew mozzarella. Return the following week to experience a taste of the sea, vegan-style. Pura Vita makes a homemade Sicilian-style tuna melt and turns king oyster mushrooms into scallops for the linguini del mare. Don't miss the polpettine, a marinara-covered mushroom-lentil meatball dusted with macadamia nut parmesan.

For a gourmet pizza experience, visit the pizzeria in WeHo or the restaurant in Redondo Beach. Created using homemade vegan cheeses and unique ingredients like BE-Hive pepperoni and Calabrian chilis, Pura Vita even offers gluten-free options. Order a glass — or two — off of Pura Vita's extensive red or white wine choices for the full East Coast Italian-American dining experience. Salute!

Whether you're in Long Beach or Los Feliz, fly on over to Seabirds Kitchen for some locally-grown vegan grub. The classic, plant-forward dishes here sparkle thanks to the eatery's refreshing and unique combinations of tastes and textures. Plus, Seabirds makes everything from scratch in-house, including vegan meat alternatives and cheeses, guaranteeing the freshest food around. Forget regular roasted brussels sprouts. The Seabirds menu features them perfectly burnt, dressed with zingy lime, dijon, cayenne, and fried garlic. And you haven't had nachos until you've had them Korean-style. Crispy organic corn tortilla chips serve as the base for spiced jackfruit, chipotle sour cream, almond feta, and ancho salsa. Even old-school grilled cheese gets a serious upgrade here. Slathered with cashew gruyere spread and creamy basil avocado sauce, this gooey goodness will transport you back to your childhood.

Seabirds also offers one of the most diverse vegan weekend brunch menus in all of Los Angeles. Go beyond basic vegetable scrambles and egg-free pancakes with the chipotle florentine. This pan-seared polenta is loaded up with organic spinach, avocado, and smokey chipotle vegan hollandaise. The biscuit bomb dish explodes with an irresistible combo of sweet and savory flavors. It features chewy maple-fennel tempeh, drizzled with aji yolk sauce and maple syrup, paired perfectly with a fluffy rosemary and cheddar biscuit. Whatever you order at Seabirds Kitchen, you'll be flapping your wings in delight.

One of the oldest vegan restaurants in SoCal, Âu Lạc has served plant-based Vietnamese fusion since 1997. The founder, Mai Nguyen, turned to vegan food as part of her holistic journey to health. She creatively transformed textbook meat-centric dishes into meals so memorable, her patrons didn't even miss the animal products. In 2001, Nguyen teamed up with Chef Ito, incorporating his novel methods for preparing food. Âu Lạc's menu today features dehydrated, blended, and cultured raw nuts, grains, and veggies, setting this downtown restaurant apart from its peers.

Seafood dishes, sans actual seafood, come to life on Âu Lạc's menu. The calamari — made with breaded eryngii mushrooms, sauteed peppers, and vegan dipping sauce — provides the almost rubbery bite of octopus. Sushi lovers will swoon over the big thunnini maki roll made with no-kill tuna and a fiery mayo. Âu Lạc even leans into seafood fusion with dishes like living paella, a wild rice dish spiced with citrus-saffron and packed with fresh veggies.

Brunch or lunch with Âu Lạc Tuesday through Sunday, or return later in the day for dinner services. While you're there, try the rainbow flan. This vegan version of this egg-and-cream dessert derives its sweetness from palm sugar and chilled layers of blueberry, raspberry, mango, coconut, and even kale. Whether you dine indoors or out, Âu Lạc's singular cuisine will keep you coming back for more.

Vegan Mexican food is currently experiencing a renaissance, especially in Southern California. According to NPR's food writer Gustavo Arellano, this may be in part because, historically, most indigenous Mexican food was within a plant-based diet (via KQED). Only with the arrival of the Spanish did the meat dishes that define Mexican food today enter North American cuisine.

Doomie's NextMex bridges the old and new worlds by specializing in house-made vegan meat replacements created from tons of creative ingredients, but never jackfruit. Doomies' savory and sweet vegan al pastor rivals the tenderness and taste of pork you'd find roasting on a spit at a local street vendor. The vegan chicken tinga gets its kick from a smokey chipotle seasoning. Try the thinly sliced vegan asada steak or order your tacos bulgogi style, flavored with fruity Korean soy sauce. Doomies compliments these faux meats with decadent, vegan cheeses and soft corn tortillas. Got a hankering for fried food? Try the chimichangas, the flautas, the chile rellenos, or even the fried fish tacos. Order your burrito regular style or wet — drenched in enchilada, queso, and crema sauces. Up the ante even more with NextMex's spicy, chocolatey mole.

This Hollywood hole-in-the-wall is part of a triad of vegan restaurants, including Doomie's Home Cooking right next door. After you've filled up on Mexican, walk a few paces to order the infamous vegan peanut butter and bacon burger. We'll call that your dessert.