Consumer demand for vegan food has increased drastically in recent years and experts predict that it will continue to grow. According to a new report, the global vegan food market could reach $31.4 billion by 2026! These numbers are huge and allow a lot of growth for companies in the plant-based food industry including meat and dairy substitutes. It has also come to light that animal agriculture is contributing to the ongoing climate crisis. Most importantly, evidence has shown how factory farms are not humanely treating their animals. I have watched videos and it is truly horrific how they treat these innocent animals. Consumers, especially millennials are waking up to this and are wanting alternative options.
Los Angeles quickly hopped on the plant-based train and now more and more restaurants are opening catering to vegans and vegetarians. There are so many options – from traditional American, Mexican, Italian, Mediterranean, Japanese and Asian. Even fast-food chains are starting to add Impossible or Beyond meat to their menus. Eating plant-based is not a fad, it is here to stay!
Please note that I am personally not vegan, however, I am currently eating an 85% plant-based diet. I have a deep passion for eating foods that are cruelty-free and reduce my carbon footprint. Over the past couple of months, I decided to try one new plant-based restaurant every week and put together a list of all my favorites. Here is the first list of my current favorite 12 vegan restaurants.
1. Montys
Monty’s Burgers is one of my favorite plant-based burgers in Los Angeles. Featuring artisanal burgers made from locally sourced ingredients, house-made sauces, and the plant-based Impossible™ patty, Monty’s Good Burger creates a hamburger for both vegans and meat-eaters. Monty’s Good Burgers require 75-80% less environmental resources than animal meat.
My Recommendations:
– Montys Good Burger
– Animal Style Fries (off-menu)
– Chocolate or Strawberry Milk Shake
2. Nics On Beverly
Nic’s On Beverly is my favorite upscale vegan restaurant featuring all of your comfort favorites with a full cocktail bar. Vegan food and booze always sound like a good idea! They have a beautiful patio which makes it the perfect spot for brunch on the weekends or date nights. Their menu items change depending on if you go for brunch, lunch or dinner so check before you go.
My Recommendations:
– Tempura Avocado Tacos
– French Onion Soup
– Falafel Sliders
– Dagwood Burger
– Gyoza
– Blueberry Pancakes/Waffles
3. Gracias Madre
Gracias Madre is the first vegan Mexican restaurant that I have ever tried and will always be one of my favorites. My best friend Grace is obsessed with this restaurant so I always bribe her with eating at Gracias Madre so I can see her! I love the mission behind the company. “Gracias Madre truly an expression of who we are – it represents our deep love of and reverence for food, our commitment to health and sustainability, our unconditional love for our multicultural family and community, our devotion to the Earth and the divine feminine, and our commitment to raising consciousness on the planet.” – Gracias Madre
My Recommendations:
– Guacamole with chips
– Gorditas
– Bowl Uno
– BLT Wrap
– Flautas de Camote
– CBD Margarita
– Snow Cone Margarita
4. Julie Goes Green
If you know me well then you will know that I could easily live off of pasta, pizza with ranch and garlic bread. Julie Goes Green makes all of these dishes vegan style, cooking up the best plant-based Italian food in Los Angeles. Sisters and founders Shellie and Julie both have compassion for nature, animals and the environment. I also love that they use biodegradable containers for food items, and most of the internal decor is composed of recycled material.
My Recommendations:
– Meatball Sub Sandwich
– Italian Salad
– Hawaiian Delight pizza
– Pink Sauce With Mushroom Pasta
5. Vegan Glory
I have been eating at Vegan Glory since I first moved to Los Angeles in 2010. At the time, I was not vegan or even knew what it meant to not eat meat. Vegan Glory was conveniently close to the place I used to live, delivered and was consistently delicious. I love Thai food and I love delivery service so they automatically became one of my favorites. Vegan Glory is super casual, located in the same parking lot as The UPS Store and a $20 dollar haircut salon. The menu has all of your favorite Thai dishes with a full range of appetizers, entrees, and desserts that are strictly vegan and organic whenever possible.
My Recommendations:
– Veggie Dumplings
– Spring Rolls
– Tom Kah Soup
– Yellow Curry (I get mine with pineapple added)
– Green Curry
– Sweet & Sour Vegetables
– Fresh Young Coconut
6. Sugar Taco
Located on Melrose Avenue, Sugar Taco is a fairly new plant-based Mexican restaurant that opened the summer of 2019. Their personal motto is, “Saving The World One Taco At A Time,” and that is something I can personally get behind. I love restaurants that believe in serving good food but also have good ethics and truly care about our planet. The inside of Sugar Taco looks like a traditional Mexican restaurant with a rainbow of vibrant colors. Their tacos are by far the best flavorful vegan tacos I have ever had.
My Recommendations:
– Three Taco Plate
– Nachos With Guacamole
– Street Corn
– Churro Donuts
7. Crossroads Kitchen
Crossroads Kitchen is one of the most upscale vegan restaurants in Los Angeles and is loved by vegans, flexitarian’s, omnivores and meat-eaters. Tal Ronnen, founder and chef of Crossroads and author of the New York Times Bestseller The Conscious Cook, became known nationwide as the chef who prepared the meals for Oprah Winfrey’s 21-day cleanse. I personally love to eat here for lunch since they have their Impossible burgers and mac & cheese.
My Recommendations:
– Kale Caesar Salad
– Mac & Cheese
– Impossible cigars
– Baby Beets & Citrus Salad
– Impossible Burger With Fries
– Tagliatelle With Bolognese
8. Shojin
Shojin is a vegan, macrobiotic, gluten-free, organic Japanese restaurant, known for their creative sushi rolls and hearty ramen. Located on the 3rd floor of the Little Tokyo Shopping Center, I would absolutely call Shojin a hole in the wall. Jun Matoshiro, the executive chef was born in Hiroshima, Japan and trained in traditional Japanese cuisine. He is now dedicated to using organic ingredients that boost your immune system while still maintaining Japanese traditions. One thing I love about Shojin is that instead of using wheat-based faux meats, Shojin uses tofu and tempeh, along with an interesting range of veggie and grain substitutions.
My Recommendations:
– Shojin Shiso Gyoza
– Spicy “Tuna” On Krispy Rice
– Sweet Orange “Chicken”
– Baked Crab Hand Roll
– Shojin Dynamite Roll
– Pirates Of The Crunchy
– Miso Ramen
9. VOWBurger
If you love In-N-Out as much as I do then you will love VOW Burger. I would consider them the vegan version of In-N-Out. They even make animal style fries with curly fries, cheese, special sauce, and grilled onions. Yum! Their menu is very simple: breakfast sandwiches, burgers, fries, and milkshakes. Vow burger is not only dedicated to sustainability for our planet but they are also dedicated to fighting hunger in Los Angeles. For every meal purchased, they donate one to LA Food Bank.
My Recommendations:
– VOW Burger + Cheese
– VOW Style Fries
– VOW Cheese
– VOW Vanilla Shake
10. Read Food Daily
Real Food Daily is one of the O.G’s of plant-based restaurants in Los Angeles, serving a creative and nutritionally balanced menu. Every time I fly out of LAX with American Airlines, I always grab food-to-go at Real Food Daily since I trust their food quality. This is also a restaurant that caters to vegans and non-vegans alike since their menu has everything from salads to nachos to burgers to custom-made bowls. Seven years ago, my best friend Jay and I would go get massages at Wat Po Thai Spa and then eat nachos at Real Food Daily twice a month. This is when I was not a vegetarian but simply loved how delicious the food was. My all-time favorite vegan brunch is from Real Food Daily -The Weekender Breakfast: choice of pancakes or French toast, tofu scramble with melted cashew cheese, tempeh bacon, choice of hash browns or fruit.
My Recommendations:
– The Weekender Breakfast
– Breakfast Burrito
– Nachos
– Buffalo Tater Tots
– The BTLA Wrap
– Veggie And Greens Bowl
11. Veggie Grill
Veggie Grill is a staple fast-casual plant-based chain that has been a longtime favorite for both vegans and meat-eaters. I know some of the restaurants I wrote above are actually quite expensive to eat frequently so that is one of the reasons why I like Veggie Grill. They have made eating plant-based affordable and appealing to all eaters. Veggie Grill is always keeping things fresh by creating seasonal specials and changing up their menu.
My Recommendations:
– Mondo Nachos
– Buffalo Wings
– Buffalo Mini Wrap
– Santa Fe Crispy Chikin’ Wrap
– Mac-N-Cheese
– Cauli-Mashed Potatoes & Gravy
12. Fresh On Sunset
I was driving on Sunset one day when I saw a new restaurant had opened, Fresh. I ended up stopping in for take-out since I was on my way to the airport and wanted to eat something healthy. The inside of Fresh is super chic with circular velvet booths and a full bar, smoothies, and fresh juices. Upstairs, the seating and walls are light pink with another bar, making it the perfect millennial hangout. Fresh is definitely a great addition to West Hollywood!
My Recommendations:
– Dragon Fries
– Fresh Hummus
– Buffalo Cauliflower
– Eat Your Greens Salad
– Buffalo Wrap
– Bbq Burger
– Strawberry Swirl Smoothie
