Plant Based Dining That's Good for the Soul

Support these African American-owned businesses that offer vegan-friendly places to commune, break bread and celebrate the city's cultural heritage.

For more than a decade, Chef Azla ran her eponymous restaurant, Azla, which was one of the only Ethiopian restaurants outside of LA’s Little Ethiopia district. She recently changed direction to focus on catering and special events.

Lemel Durrah, the force behind Compton Vegan, spun his local food delivery phenomenon into food truck gold by hard work and a knack for creating delicious, nutritious comfort food. Look for the truck rolling through the city, promoting Meatless Mondays at 4269 Crenshaw from 7pm-11 pm and keep up on Instagram to get a plate full of baked beans, collard greens, mac-n-cheese, and jackfruit-based "ribz."

High-vibration comfort food beyond our wildest foodie dreams is being made right now at Crystals Soul Cafe (12823 Avalon Blvd., Los Angeles 90061). Vegan shrimp plates! Cajun po' boys! Fried chick'n and buttermilk blueberry waffles! Peaches cobbler crumble! The duo behind Crystals grow their own herbs and fruits for their fresh juices and just announced new menu item called the Backyard Boogie Soul Plate which features one-of-a kind Lion's Mane Ribs along with BBQ shrimp, truffle chive potato salad, smoked black-eyed peas and fire-roasted fresh corn.

While it's not entirely vegan, Earle’s on Crenshaw (3864 Crenshaw Blvd, Los Angeles 90008) is an iconic family-owned business that has offered an extensive vegan menu for years, with chili dogs, burgers, smothered fries and desserts guaranteed to make the mouth water.

Since launching Hugh's Hot Bowls in May 2020, rapper-chef Hugh Augustine has been profiled in the Los Angeles Times, Bon Appetit and more. The fourth-generation Leimert Park native serves up 100% plant-based comfort food for just $10 per Soul Bowl (red beans & rice, greens, yams, mac & cheese, cornbread muffin). Follow @hughshotbowls on Instagram for Augustine's upcoming pop-ups like Hot & Cool Cafe, Besties Vegan Paradise and Black Market Flea.

LaRayia Gaston is the force of nature behind the fresh juices and whole food plant-based meals in her namesake bodega in Westlake (2713 W 6th St., Los Angeles 90057). Her heart extends beyond its walls to her non-profit Lunch On Me, which feeds thousands of vegan meals to homeless people in Venice, Watts and Compton at her once-a-month block parties. 

Note: Besties Vegan Paradise (4882 Fountain Ave, Los Angeles 90029) is the only store in California to carry Lunch On Me's Love Without Reason drinks as well as Compton Vegan’s Ranch Dressing.

Certified raw vegan/living foods chef Ian Martin first studied the art of vegan cheese-making at Juliano’s Raw and Matthew Kenney’s MAKE, then launched his line of creamy probiotic tree nut cheeses and schmears. Misha's Kind Foods is now beloved at farmers’ markets across the city. Misha's non-dairy cheese spreads come in many delicious flavors and are available at retail stores like Besties Vegan Paradise, MillCross Coffee Bar & Kitchen, Larchmont Village Wine and more. Misha's has a kosher certification, as well.

Rahel (1047 S. Fairfax Ave, Los Angeles 90019) serves up flavorful authentic Ethiopian food, all vegan all the time, right in the heart of L.A.’s Little Ethiopia district. Get your lentils and greens on with any of the many combo platters, experience a coffee ceremony and pick up a Vegan Power shirt as a souvenir. Gluten-free injera available, too!

Originally started as a catering business with a mission to provide “access to good quality, healthy food,” Stuff I Eat (114 N Market St, Inglewood 90301) is now a staple of Inglewood, known for its generous brunch platters, organic and gluten-free-friendly lunches, and astounding desserts by the effervescent soon-to-be-cookbook author Chef Babette.

The brown bags of delectable soft-baked cookies distributed across the country are actually made at Uncle Eddie’s Vegan Cookies, a family-owned and operated bakery in Glendale. Brothers Jeffrey and Robbie Jacobs are often seen repping the business at events like Eat Drink Vegan.

The big food truck with the cartoon cheeseburger logo can be found on street corners all over LA. Friends Kori Vines, Kendall Patterson, Phillip Bennett, and Naeem Outler - all former NCAA athletes - they say their mission at Vurger Guyz is simple: “changing lives one bite at a time.” One bite of their Beyond Meat burgers and tacos will have eaters everywhere looking to get #Vurgerfied. Follow @vurgerguyz for their latest stops.