Where to Eat Vegan in Los Angeles: 7 Must‑Visit Plant‑Based Restaurants & Cafés
Los Angeles has long been known for its health-conscious, progressive food culture — and in recent years its vegan and plant‑based dining scene has flourished. Whether you’re after refined fine dining, comfort food, brunch bowls or global flavour, LA offers a rich spread of vegan options. Below are some top spots to explore.
1. Crossroads Kitchen — Elegant Mediterranean‑Inspired Vegan Fine Dining
What it is: Crossroads Kitchen stands out as a landmark of vegan dining in Los Angeles. Founded by chef Tal Ronnen, it offers a Mediterranean‑inspired menu with small plates and refined dishes — ideal for both committed vegans and curious omnivores.
What to try: Dishes like artichoke “oysters,” fried “calamari” mushrooms, and creative pasta or vegetable-based mains that manage to feel indulgent yet clean.
Why it stands out: Crossroads blends sophistication with approachability, elevating plant-based food so it feels worthy of a classy night out — perfect for date nights, celebratory dinners or anyone wanting vegan food that rivals traditional fine dining.
2. Café Gratitude — Uplifting, Soul‑Food Vibes With Plant-Based Comfort Food
What it is: Café Gratitude is a well-known vegan/wellness‑oriented restaurant chain on the West Coast, with two L.A. locations serving up hearty, soul‑nourishing plant‑based meals.
What to try: Comforting bowls, wholesome salads, sandwiches with jackfruit or tempeh “bacon”, creamy plant‑based “bacon” or “cheese” alternatives, and indulgent vegan desserts.
Why it stands out: It’s a forgiving, accessible entry-point for those new to veganism — or just in the mood for nourishing, comforting food. The vibe is upbeat and welcoming, making it ideal for brunch, lunch or relaxed dinners.
3. Au Lac DTLA — Pan‑Asian Vegan Dining With Heart & Soul
What it is: According to local vegan guides, Au Lac DTLA ranks high among LA’s top vegan spots. It offers a pan‑Asian, plant‑based menu with raw dishes, creative entrées, and a relaxed yet vibrant setting.
What to try: Vietnamese-style dishes, fresh raw entrees, pho or rice‑based meals reinvented for plant‑based eaters, and inventive vegan versions of Asian comfort foods.
Why it stands out: For those seeking variety beyond Mediterranean or American-style vegan food — perhaps craving Asian flavours and lighter, fresh meals — Au Lac DTLA offers a refreshing alternative. Great for dinner or a relaxed meal downtown.
4. Buddha’s Belly Vegan (or similar local vegan staples) — Reliable Everyday Vegan Comfort
(Note: Some older vegan staples in LA have closed or changed — but there remain reliable, consistently popular plant‑based restaurants that serve nourishing everyday meals.)
What to expect: A menu mixing familiar comfort dishes — hearty mains, bowls, plant‑based meats or “cheese” alternatives, family‑style meals or shareable plates.
Why it stands out: For many locals and visitors, having a dependable vegan spot for casual meals is a blessing. Whether you’re coming after work or hosting friends with mixed diets, these unpretentious vegan eateries offer flavour, warmth and consistency.
5. Vegan‑Friendly Chains & Accessible Eats — For Easy, Everyday Vegan Meals
Los Angeles’ vegan scene isn’t just about fine dining or boutique cafés. Chains and accessible eateries make plant-based eating feasible for many lifestyles. According to reviews and local rankings:
Vegan-friendly chains with multiple vegan dishes or whole menus are part of LA’s broader vegan ecosystem.
These spots serve those who want something quick, affordable and reliably vegan — ideal for busy days, casual lunches, group meals or when travelling in mixed‑diet groups.
6. The Rich Diversity — From Mediterranean to Asian, Comfort Food to Soul Bowls
One of the strengths of L.A.’s vegan scene is how diverse it is. As local vegan restaurant guides note: the city offers plant‑based Mexican‑style food, pizzas, Asian cuisines, soul food, fast casual comfort, high‑end tasting menus, and more.
This variety means:
Vegan dining is rarely limiting — you’re as likely to find a rich, decadent comfort meal as a clean, nourishing bowl or a fine-dining tasting menu.
Mixed‑diet friends and non‑vegan guests often find something to enjoy — which makes dining socially more inclusive and relaxed.
Whether you’re after indulgence, wellness, creativity or simplicity — there’s usually something for you in L.A.
Quick Guide — Where to Go, Depending on What You Want
Craving / Mood Go To…
Elegant fine‑dining vegan night out Crossroads Kitchen
Comfort food, brunch or soul‑food vibes Café Gratitude
Fresh, pan‑Asian vegan dishes downtown Au Lac DTLA
Casual, everyday vegan meals (mixed diets/friends) Vegan‑friendly chains or reliable plant‑based eateries
Variety – from pizza to soul bowls to global flavours Explore the diversity across L.A.’s vegan restaurants
Quick, affordable, accessible vegan food Vegan‑friendly chains or casual cafés
Reflections on L.A.’s Vegan Dining Scene
Los Angeles remains one of the top vegan‑friendly cities in the world — ranked third globally by a major vegan‑community platform in 2025.
What stands out most is not just the number of vegan venues, but the breadth of styles. From upscale tasting menus to comfort food, raw cuisine to pan‑Asian bowls, LA’s vegan offerings mirror the city’s cultural and culinary diversity.
Another strength is accessibility — not just in affluent neighbourhoods, but across many parts of the city, making plant‑based eating approachable for locals, travellers, families or solo diners alike.
Finally, L.A. seems to honour the idea that plant‑based eating isn’t one style — it’s many. Whether someone seeks healing, indulgence, community or creativity, there’s often a place, a taste, a vibe that fits.
If you find yourself in Los Angeles and curious about vegan dining — whether you’re ethically committed to a plant‑based lifestyle, transitioning, or simply open-minded — these restaurants offer a strong starting point. From refined Mediterranean dining to soul‑food comfort, pan‑Asian flavours, and accessible everyday meals, LA invites you to explore, taste and enjoy without compromise.
For a thoughtful vegan food journey, you might start with a stylish dinner at Crossroads Kitchen, treat yourself to a soulful brunch at Café Gratitude, enjoy a fresh pan‑Asian meal downtown at Au Lac DTLA, and leave room for spontaneous exploration through the city's varied vegan‑friendly eateries.
Camilla Clare is a naturopath, nutritionist and plant‑rich living advocate committed to holistic wellbeing. Through Camilla Clare Holistic Health, she guides clients and readers toward conscious, nourishing lifestyles — integrating evidence‑based nutrition, emotional balance and compassionate, whole‑food choices.