The Best Plant-Based Restaurants and Bars in Los Angeles
All of the flavor, none of the meat
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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!
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 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.