The Best Plant-Based Restaurants and Bars in Los Angeles

All of the flavor, none of the meat

Backyard Boogie Soul Plate at Crystals Soul Cafe
Backyard Boogie Soul Plate | Photo: Crystals Soul Cafe

Wellness is a way of life. And of course that includes what you eat. For visitors and locals alike, Los Angeles offers a buffet of plant-based dining options, from vegan brunch to hearty burgers and pizzas to haute cuisine. We've got vegan food trucks on every corner, bars serving vegan happy hour bites, and even non-dairy soft serve ice cream. Read on for the ultimate guide to vegan restaurants and bars in LA.

Backyard Boogie Soul Plate at Crystals Soul Cafe
Backyard Boogie Soul Plate | Photo: Crystals Soul Cafe

Plant-Based Dining Good for the Soul

These Black-owned restaurants offer vegan-friendly places to commune, break bread and celebrate the city's cultural heritage.

For more Black-owned LA businesses to support, start HERE.

Box of a dozen donuts from Donut Friend
Photo: Donut Friend

Bakeries

It’s an embarrassment of richness here in Los Angeles, with vegan sweets in every neighborhood. Whether you’re dairy-free, gluten-free, sugar-free or nut-free, LA’s specialty bakeries have plant-based desserts suitable for every taste.

Brunch at Crossroads Kitchen in Calabasas
Brunch at Crossroads Kitchen | Instagram: @crossroadskitchen

Brunch

After a hard work week or late night of fun, break bread in one of LA’s herbivore-friendly establishments. Sunday is brunch day, as they say—but sometimes Saturday, too.

Vegan Cheeseburger at Burgerlords | Photo:  Jakob Layman
Vegan Cheeseburger at Burgerlords | Photo:  Jakob Layman

Burgers

With Carl’s Jr. offering a Beyond Burger and Umami and Fat Burger advertising the Impossible Burger, vegans have an embarrassment of riches in LA. Whether you just want an alternative on Meatless Monday or you like your summer sandwich meaty, beany, or tasting of vegetables, there’s a grill near you, ready to serve.

Vegan Chili Cheese Dog at Earle's on Crenshaw
Vegan Chili Cheese Dog | Photo: Earle's on Crenshaw

Hot Dogs

Let’s be frank—food can always be served with a side of compassion and this city has plenty of that to go around. Chow down on LA’s best plant-based hot dogs during the summer or any time of year.

Nacho Boat by Cena Vegan at Smorgasburg LA
Nacho Boat by Cena Vegan | Photo: Smorgasburg LA

Food Trucks

There’s a food truck for every taste in this city and many - including Downtown Dogs, India Jones Chow Truck, and Green Truck on the Go - have decent plant-based offerings. But there are a handful of businesses offering cuisine specifically for the hungry vegan on-the-go. Catch them if you can!

Mango Sticky Rice ice cream at Dear Bella Creamery
Mango Sticky Rice | Photo: Dear Bella Creamery

Ice Cream

Vegan ice cream—yes, it’s a thing that sweet dreams are made of, and we are swimming in it here in Los Angeles. We ate our way through the city to find 10 places where you can keep your cool while being kind and cruelty-free.

Vegan pizzas at The Luggage Room
Vegan pizzas | Photo: The Luggage Room

Pizza

Every season is pizza season, right? Between the abundance of imaginative chefs and beautiful produce available here year-round, there are vegan pizzas aplenty in Los Angeles. Even chains like Lucifer’s, Z Pizza, Blaze, Pizza Man and Whole Foods are keeping vegan cheeses on hand for dairy-free customers. Mangia!

TKO Curry Soup at Vinh Loi Tofu
TKO Curry Soup at Vinh Loi Tofu | Photo: Vinh Loi Tofu

Vegan & Vegetarian Restaurants in the Valley

At one time not so long ago, vegetarian and vegan restaurants were mostly seen as a wasteland for alfalfa sprouts, sprouted grains, faux proteins, and mushy casseroles—all within the confines of patchouli-laced air. Times have changed and now diners in the San Fernando Valley have a global fusion of vegetarian and vegan choices at varying price points with bold flavors, inventive recipes, and top-shelf ingredients. Even "faux" proteins have upped their game and carnivores are coming along for the ride. Check out this list for some of the best in the 818.

Vegan sausages at Wurstküche
Vegan sausages | Photo: Wurstküche

Vegan Bar Crawl

No need to settle for a basket of questionable tater tots when bar-hopping with omnivores. Los Angeles chefs and proprietors are whipping up first-rate plant-based party food for all to enjoy. Educated bartenders can assist with pairings, alerting one to which wines and beers are vegan, too.