The Best Vegan Restaurants In LA (Updated 2026): A Plant Based Dining Guide For Los Angeles

As much as I enjoy cooking at home, I do love dining out – and with all of the incredible eateries that my city has to offer, it was due time that I compiled a list of the best vegan restaurants in LA.

It should come as no surprise that Los Angeles has some of the top vegan culinary experiences that the world has to offer. Being a long-established mecca of wellness, it definitely tracks with Angelenos’ reputations that so many people here are vegan or skew more plant-based – so the demand is high, and restauranteurs are following suit.

This list is far from exhaustive – I still have plenty of spots to try in this massive town that seemingly has more vegan restaurants popping up every day. But I think this guide is a fantastic place to start, whether you’re in town for a quick visit, are newly plant-based, or are just down to try some amazing vegan food.

The Best Vegan Restaurants in LA (Plant-Based Dining in Los Angeles)

• Crossroads Kitchen (Melrose, Calabasas)
• Planta (Marina Del Rey, Brentwood)
• Pura Vita (West Hollywood)
• Thai Vegan (Santa Monica)
• The Grain Cafe (Mid-City, Redondo Beach, Van Nuys, Long Beach)
• Narita Sushi (Santa Monica)
• El Cocinero (Van Nuys)
• B&T’s Deli (Santa Monica)
• Gracias Madre (West Hollywood)
• Maciel’s Plant-Based Butcher (Highland Park)
• JOi Cafe (Westlake Village)
• Hijo de Su Madre (West LA)
• Julie Goes Green (Palms)
• Cafe Gratitude (Venice, Larchmont)
• Gokoku (Studio City)
• Shojin (Culver City)
• Wild Living Foods (Downtown)
• Hey, Sunshine Kitchen (Culver City)
• The Vegan Joint (West LA, Downtown, Woodland Hills)

Here’s a quick Google Maps list you can use to head straight to one of our favorite vegan restaurants in LA:

Without further ado, let’s get into my list of the best vegan restaurants in LA!

Crossroads Kitchen (Melrose, Calabasas)

You’ll walk into this restaurant and immediately feel transported into New York City. With warm, low lights coming from individual table lamps and beautiful tree-like light fixtures hanging overhead, intimately arranged dark wood tables nestled into upholstered booths and a killer bar, Crossroads is cozy and romantic and cool all at once, and that’s just the aesthetic. The food is another story entirely.

The menu items at Crossroads are truly delectable and up there with some of the best food I’ve ever had, period. And though there’s some tough competition, Crossroad still ranks #1 on my list the best vegan restaurant in LA.

To start, you must order their stuffed squash blossoms, a pillowy dream of creamy cheese encapsulated in a crispy squash morsel and served with marinara on the side. I also highly recommend the grilled sourdough and warm herbed ricotta with apricot glaze as your second starter. And, why not throw in a panzanella order because, well, who doesn’t love a bread salad.

Now, for the main event. This is a restaurant where you truly can’t go wrong with any one order, but I would be remiss not to make a case for the truffle mushroom pizza. The creamy garlic white sauce and gooey, melty cheese couches a magical slew of perfectly marinated mushrooms, truffle, and parmesan, all atop a fluffy dream of a crust. It’s truly spectacular and what I would call a perfect pizza. Also highly recommended: the tagliatelle bolognese. And, the truffle parmesan potatoes are a mind-bending stack of goodness that leads you to the heavens (honestly, this is also a must-order – who doesn’t want their carbs with another side of carbs). To finish, the strawberry mille-feuille: layers of puff pastry, fresh strawberries, and cream make for a perfect sweet finale for what will surely be one of the better meals you’ve had in years.

Planta

Planta is very special; and honestly, it’s tied for first with Crossroads in my book. The reason Crossroads nabs the #1 is because of the universally crowd-pleasing quality of its dishes. Planta, on the other hand, wins in creativity, hands down. Their stunning boho-coastal restaurant on the Marina is reminiscent of Miami and is a gorgeous setting to experience their remarkable food. And, as of October 2023, they’ve opened yet another fabulous location in Brentwood!

Ok, now for the good stuff. The heavy hitters on Planta’s menu that will surely blow your mind:

To start, you must order the unagi eggplant nigiri, crispy rice with spicy ahi watermelon, 1,000 layer crispy potatoes, and crab (hearts of palm) tostadas. You can’t go wrong with any of their mains or sides, but I absolutely adored the dragon roll, udon noodles with truffle cream sauce, and street corn. For dessert, we tried the dulce de leche corn cake (be sure to order it a la mode) and savored every morsel. All of that being said, you can’t go wrong with this menu – Planta is such a superb restaurant all-around that’s great for a date night or dinner with friends.

Pura Vita (West Hollywood)

Pura Vita is the place you go for damn good Italian food; not good *vegan* Italian food, but because it’s just excellent as a standalone restaurant – the food so authentic and sumptuous that the vegan part is really just an added benefit. So take your parents when they come to town, order a bottle of their organic wine, and indulge in this truly decadent food that is guaranteed to delight anyone you’re dining with.

To order: the baked ricotta with grilled ciabatta is the essential starter on Pura Vita’s menu. For the main course, you can’t not order the carbonara – it’s just sensational and I would travel far and wide for this dish; with smoky and sweet shiitake bacon, creamy romano cheese, and their famous ‘avocado egg,’ it has the classic richness that you want out of a carb0nara without the inevitable heartburn that comes with its non-vegan counterparts. My other favorite menu items: the Pura Vita salad, lasagna pura (traditional lasagna), black magic lasagna (with pesto, mushroom, and black truffle cream – w0w), their capricciosa pizza, San Gennaro pizza, and Bianca diavolina pizza. I’ll say it once and I’ll say it again, (and again and again) Pura Vita is, hands down, the best vegan Italian restaurant in LA.

Thai Vegan (Santa Monica Main St. + Santa Monica Mid-City)

If I had to choose an easy, delicious, and healthy takeout spot to order takeout from every week, I would choose Thai Vegan over and over. I’ve been ordering from this place even B.V. (before vegan) and have come to love it (and eat it) even more since I made the transition to being fully vegan. It’s a no-frills kind of place and is more takeout-centric, but so incredibly consistent, satisfying, and flavorful.

And in terms of curries, they just don’t get any better than Thai Vegan’s: I oscillate between the green and Massaman curries but have been partial to the nutty sweetness of the latter these days. As for noodles, their pad thai is phenomenal, with their soy sauce noodles (pad see ew) coming in at a close second. Also, their vegan orange chicken is incredibly tasty, as are their spring rolls, tom kha and tom yum soups (my go-to for when I’m feeling under the weather – it heals all). If you’re craving Thai, then search no further than Thai Vegan for the best vegan Thai restaurant in LA.

The Grain Cafe (Mid-City, Redondo Beach, Van Nuys, Long Beach)

You guys. I love enchiladas. I’ve eaten many enchiladas in my 33 years on this planet. But The Grain Cafe’s enchiladas…dare I say, might be the best I’ve ever had?! I’ve always been a sucker for an enchiladas verdes combo plate, specifically; the limey salsa goodness atop cheesy, melty, soft enchiladas, with rice and beans on the side and fresh tortilla chips to scoop it all up with – it’s just *peak* comfort food for me. And the Grain Cafe just does it all so perfectly, IMO. And while their Mexican food is excellent, they also have an expansive menu that will satisfy literally any craving; they have everything from pancakes and waffles, to sandwiches and burgers, to salads and truly exceptional desserts (their coconut cake is a also must-order).

Sushi Vegan (Inside Thai Vegan, Santa Monica)

It was about time that a vegan sushi spot opened in Santa Monica, and Narita does not disappoint in the least. I was craving sushi one night and remembered that this place had recently opened, so I opted for their caterpillar roll (pictured), California roll, and miso soup. All were fantastic, but my favorite was actually their simple California roll which uses a chickpea mash for their “tuna” – it’s delicious and really hits the spot; this roll, alone, earned them a top ranking among the best vegan restaurants in LA.

El Cocinero (Van Nuys)

The thing about vegan Mexican is that it often falls into the “fancy” category, at least here in LA. But El Cocinero has managed to carve out its niche as truly the best authentic, no-frills Mexican joint in the Valley, bar none, and even the biggest carnivores out there love this spot – because the flavors, textures, and fast-casual dining experience are just everything you want out of a traditional Mexican restaurant, irrespective of the meat component.

Their birria (pictured above) is the best I’ve ever had – and you have to order the three tacos dorados stuffed with this saucy, fresh, jackfruit-based filling. The super nachos with cheesy refried beans, cashew cheese, pico de gallo, chipotle crema, cashew crema, avocado crema, and pickled jalapeños are a must-order, too. We also tried their mulita with vegan chicken and quesadilla with asada – but you clearly can’t go wrong with any order at El Cocinero, this place is a true gem. It easily earns its title as my top vegan Mexican street food restaurant in LA.

B&T’s Deli (Santa Monica)

I’m a lucky gal having B&T’s deli – a delightful, fully plant-based deli – within walking distance from my apartment. The owners are lovely people that are always there chatting with customers, and the restaurant has this homey, neighborhood feel that is just so welcoming. What’s better: their sandwiches are jaw-droppingly good. B&T’s really lets their fresh, locally-sourced vegetables and incredible sauces be the stars of the show, which I always appreciate (they don’t use faux meats). I’ve tried at least half of the sandwiches on their creative, extensive menu, and have yet to try one that isn’t drop-dead delicious.

JOi Cafe (Westlake Village)

JOi Cafe is such a gem. I tried it for the first time when I visited a friend in Westlake who had been raving about it, and was taken aback by the extensive menu and incredible quality of the food. I had their ‘Beast Burger’ which was truly spectacular – with grilled mushrooms, onion jam, provolone, lettuce, tomato, and thousand island, it was a truly perfect burger. They also have an exceptional assortment of desserts – I’ve only been twice but purchased their JOi Balls both times – they’re these yummy morsels of vegan cookie dough (pictured above) and I find myself craving them constantly.

Gracias Madre (West Hollywood)

Gracias Madre is the original *cool* vegan restaurant in LA, and I love them for it. They’re always packed, and for good reason – their food is objectively awesome, the vibes are great, and you’re guaranteed to have a perfect experience here (it’s a great date spot, too). My favorite are their enchiladas verdes with soy chorizo, potato, tomatillo salsa, sautéed greens, and avocado. I also love their potato pimiento flautas (pictured above), empanadas, and little gem salad. They also make a great margarita.

Maciel’s Plant-Based Butcher & Deli (Highland Park)

Maciel’s Plant-Based is such a dream of an establishment. They’re a full-service deli, serving up entirely plant-based meats that are all made in-house. I’ve only tried the Flores sandwich so far (pictured above), but it was exquisite – Mexican “ribs” with arugula, pickled onions, and mayo on ciabatta – I’ve been dreaming of re-ordering this sandwich since I first tried it several months ago. I’m excited to work my way through their extensive menu of cold and hot sandwiches, breakfast burritos, desserts and beyond. They also sell their vegan meats and cheeses a la carte, as well as traditional deli sides, so it’s a great place to stop before a picnic.

Julie Goes Green (Palms)

Julie Goes Green is another hidden gem in West LA and so deserving of a spot on this list of the best vegan restaurants in LA – it’s a tucked-away spot in an unassuming strip mall, but who needs a fancy restaurant when your food is objectively this great. They have a small dining area but I tend to opt for takeout with this place because it’s kind of the best comfort food that you want to enjoy on your couch, in PJ’s, while watching a movie. You know the vibe.

If I had to choose a favorite menu item, it’d have to be the California Sunshine pizza with house pesto, cashew cream sauce, mozzarella, avocado, tomato, mixed greens, vegan bacon, and ranch drizzle. I also love their buffalo cauliflower, minestrone soup, Italian salad, and Feisty Buffalo pizza. I also hear that their pink sauce penne pasta with mushrooms is stellar.

Cafe Gratitude (Venice, Larchmont)

Cafe Gratitude gets major points for being one of the O.G. vegan restaurants in LA., and they pride themselves on working with local farmers that use regenerative practices. They have fantastic bowls, pizzas, and salads, and they have a great rotating seasonal menu. I also love the ‘Fuerte,’ which is basically a super clean, vegan version of a crunchwrap supreme. Their chickpea vegan quiche is also excellent (pictured above).

Shojin (Culver City)

Shojin is a fully vegan, organic, macrobiotic, gluten-free, and refined sugar-free Japanese restaurant that very evidently cares about serving high-quality, plant-based fare. You must order the baked “crab” hand roll, it’s my favorite menu item I’ve tried so far. The king oyster yakitori skewers were so flavorful and tender, as well. Their dynamite roll was great, with spicy tofu and avocado topped with torched spicy mayo and dynamite sauce, as was their baked “crab” hand roll. The “pirates of the crunchy” was also a fun order, with crunchy garbanzo beans and tempura flakes mixed with spicy mayo on top of an avocado, cucumber, and shiso herb leaf roll.

Wild Living Foods (Downtown)

Wild Living Foods is such a unique place. Their food is all organic, scratch-made, gluten-free, and raw – making it probably the most nutrient-dense place to dine in DTLA. I’ve tried the alfredo pesto pasta and Aztlan bowl (with pumpkin seed chorizo and creamy chipotle dressing – wow), and both were very tasty, filling, and I left there feeling so well-nourished. Their desserts – from tiramisu, to cinnamon rolls, to house-made ice cream – all looked fantastic, as well.

Hey, Sunshine Kitchen (Culver City)

Hey, Sunshine is a wonderful new addition to the vegan restaurant circuit – its women-owned (by sisters, no less), non-GMO, and mission-driven – what more could you ask for in a fast-casual vegan restaurant? I loved their BBQ Tofu Bowl (pictured), as well as their caesar salad and chocolate chip sprinkle cookie.

The Vegan Joint (West LA, Downtown, Woodland Hills)

The Vegan Joint is another fast-casual vegan restaurant in Los Angeles that deserves a lot of praise for its extensive, versatile menu – they do everything from Thai, to Mexican, to American – and I’ve never ordered anything there that I didn’t like. Their pumpkin curry is so good, as is the veggie soup, tofu scramble breakfast burrito, and crispy veggie spring rolls (they really do it all)!

Phew! That’s a wrap on my list of the best vegan restaurants in LA.

If you’ve made it this far into my list – well – you’re probably hungry; so use that Google map above to find an amazing restaurant near you, stat. Thank you for coming along on this very long, albeit worthwhile journey that has resulted in what is certainly my longest blog post to date, and yet it’s probably the most fun I’ve had while writing a post. Taste-testing my way around the best vegan restaurants in LA hasn’t been too bad, either 🙂

Taking stock of all of the remarkable plant-based food options we have in this city has been such a heartening reminder of the growth we’re seeing in the vegan food space. I hope you try each and every restaurant on this list, and please leave a comment below if you visited any of these spots or feel free to share any that I may have missed!

If you haven’t already, be sure to check out my posts on the best vegan restaurants in Sonoma County, Monterey County, Santa Barbara, London, and Paris.