The Best Vegan Restaurants in Los Angeles

Plant-based diets are spreading like agave, and Los Angeles is fortunate enough to have vegan hotspots in every neighborhood. Wherever you may find yourself in this expansive city, the best fruits, veggies and nuts are never far away. Whether you're celebrating World Vegan Month in November, or just scrolling for the best vegan restaurants nearby, here are our picks for the best vegan restaurants across Los Angeles.

Tucked away in the Downtown LA Promenade Plaza, Âu Lạc (710 W 1st St., Los Angeles 90012) is an upscale gem that offers imaginative raw and Vietnamese fusion dishes. Starters include Egg Rolls (vegan wrap, jicama-taro veggie filling, vegan fish sauce), "Friend Fries" (yucca root, pink hHimalayan salt, bay leaf, chirmol sauce) and Salt & Pepper Shrimp - lightly battered vegan shrimp sautéed with red cabbage, jalapeño and cilantro.

Entrees feature Lemongrass "Fish" (nori-wrapped soy fish seasoned with lemongrass and pan-seared), Garlic Basil Noodles (rice noodles, apple sage vegan sausage, baked garlic cloves, lacinato kale, pine nuts) and Mai Bánh Mì with shredded tofu and kelp noodles, soy pork roll, pickled daikon, carrot, vegan mayo, housemade nut pâté, jalapeño, cucumber and cilantro on a Vietnamese-French baguette.

Voted Best Vegan Grocery Store in America by the VegNews Veggie Awards, Besties Vegan Paradise (4882 Fountain Ave, Los Angeles 90029) has a food scene that also makes this East Hollywood spot a popular local eating establishment.

Besties prides itself on being "the only ethical vegan grocery store in the world" - their products are 100% manufactured by ethical vegan brands that share their commitment to equality. They often spotlight Black-owned, woman-owned, LGBTQ-owned and local brands.

Living up to their name, Besties offers their own $8 daily lunch special combo that includes a vegan "Vrank" (hot dog), chips & soda - they also make some of the best vegan soft-serve in town.

For celeb spotting or a swanky night out, Crossroads Kitchen (8284 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles 90046) is the place to be. Opened in March 2013 by Chef Tal Ronnen (whom Oprah called “the best vegan chef in America”), Crossroads features a 7-course Dinner Menu that includes a glass of champagne, signed Crossroads cookbook, and a meet & greet with the chef as he shaves truffles tableside for the 5th course.

Reservations for groups up to six are a must. The elegant private dining room is available for up to 20 guests and features an original Toulouse-Lautrec print.

Green Table (5998 W. Pico Blvd, Los Angeles 90035) lives up to its name with 100% organic fresh, whole foods in the Fairfax District. Juices, smoothies, bowls, paninis, and Daily Specials like Falafel Quiche, the Pasta of the Day, and Classic Lasagna make Green Table perfect for any food-centered meet-up. Plenty of gluten-free options, a filler-free almond milk and a fully stocked pastry case guarantee something for every healthy mindset.

Dubbed "the vegan McDonald's" by TikTokers, Mr. Charlie's (612 N. La Brea Ave., Los Angeles 90036) is the brainchild of Charlie Kim, who opened his plant-based version of the Golden Arches as a pop-up on Valentine's Day in 2022. The menu stars the Not a Hamburger, an Impossible patty with pickles, onion, ketchup and mustard; the Not a Cheeseburger adds vegan cheese; and the Double Not features two patties and vegan cheese slices. The Frowny Meal offers a choice of Not a Hamburger, Not a Cheeseburger, Double Not, Not a Chicken Sandwich or BigChuck; with four Not Chicken Nuggets, fries and drink.

For every vegan who ever wished for a veggie-based equivalent of In-N-Out, Monty's Good Burger is here to help with locations in Echo Park, Koreatown and Culver City. Founder Nic Adler made the dream a reality with a simple menu of decked out Impossible burgers, fries, tater tots, shakes and a vegan Caesar salad - all served under the banner of a cool logo (the restaurant's canine namesake), along with a consistently slamming soundtrack and streetwear-style merch.

For a more sit-down and sip-adult-beverages experience, get to brunch on the lovely patio at Adler's full service restaurant, Nic's on Beverly (8265 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles 90048).

Burgeoning plant-based restaurant chain PLANTA opened its first LA location, PLANTA Cocina (4625 Admiralty Way Ste. 104, Marina Del Rey 90292) in May 2023. Enjoy views of the marina and dive into signatures like Mafaldine Pasta Verde and Truffle Kamameshi; and the Latin-inspired Street Corn, Queso Fundido, Croquetas and "Crab" Tostada with hearts of palm, cabbage slaw, tomatillo, chipotle and cashew crema. Sushi selections include Ahi Watermelon Nigiri, Unagi Eggplant Nigiri and Dragon Roll with tempura broccoli, spinach, avocado and spicy unagi sauce.

The first 100% organic plant-based Italian restaurant and wine bar in the US, Pura Vita (8274 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood 90046) does traditional Italian dishes right. A surprising number of gluten-free options makes this a nice night out for even the most sensitive of eaters. For take-out, don't miss their Pura Vita Pizzeria next door. And save room for dessert - the raspberry coulis-topped chocolate fudge cake is made for sharing.

Owner-chef Tara Punzone opened a third Pura Vita location in Redondo Beach, featuring traditional pastas, Neapolitan pizzas and a full bar with beachfront outdoor dining and gorgeous sunset views.

Rahel (1047 S. Fairfax Ave, Los Angeles 90019) serves quality authentic Ethiopian food in the heart of the Little Ethiopia neighborhood. The sambusa appetizers are crisped to perfection, and combo platters like the nine-item Veggie Paradise and Hudade Special are meant to be shared. Groups should sit in the indoor hut and order the Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony for the full experience.

The first all-vegan restaurant in Thai Town, the women-owned Salaya (5185 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles 90027) serves up a plant-based Asian fusion menu with favorites like extra hot Thai Jerk Wings, Pad See Ew, Prik Khing Fried Rice, Crispy "Fish" Panang Curry, Orange "Chicken" and Spicy Cashew Nuts.

Satdha (2218 Lincoln Blvd, Santa Monica 90405) makes some of the best Thai food on the Westside. The 100% plant-based menu makes every palate happy with Northern Thai dishes, different from what's found at many of other Thai vegan restaurants across the city. Try the khao soi (Thai curry ramen), beet-dyed noodles or "catfish" eggplant for a taste of something special.

Shojin (333 S. Alameda St. Suite 310, Little Tokyo Shopping Center 3F, Los Angeles 90013) is perfect for a vegan date night, offering gluten-free, macrobiotic vegan sushi in a fine dining setting in Little Tokyo. A second location opened in Culver City in March 2013. The extensive menu of flavor-popping creations and a large selection of sakes are sure to please even the pickiest palates. It's reassuring to see their promise of "no chemical preservatives, no artificial color and no chemical seasonings" on the menu.

Recent Executive Chef's Specials include a Nigiri Moriawase Plate and Yuba "Kakuni" - braised “pork belly” made from yuba tofu skin with simmered Japanese hearty vegetables.

This vegan soul food / Cal-Mex restaurant in Inglewood serves up fresh comfort cuisine and "to-live-for" raw desserts. European-style communal tables, art by locals on the walls, and signatures like the Organic Soul Food Sampler Plate make Stuff I Eat (114 N Market St., Inglewood 90301) a mouthwatering experience. Chef Babette embodies the healthy vegan lifestyle and her menu is an extension of her vivacious spirit.

In an unassuming strip mall deep in the heart of Reseda, sits the small but mighty Vinh Loi Tofu (18625 Sherman Way, #101 Reseda 91335), a Vietnamese vegan joint so beloved that regulars like NBA legend John Salley often let owner Kevin Tran order for them. Just tell him what flavors or textures you’re in the mood for and he’ll suggest something "better than what’s on the menu." Tran's motto "I Pick, You Eat" was recently featured on limited edition tote bags.