The best vegan restaurants in Los Angeles

This high-end vegan restaurant has long delighted omnivores with its flavorful, imaginative dishes, but even those who balk at the meat-like taste and texture of Impossible will find something to love on the menu of Crossroads. Chef Tal Ronnen, a favorite among celebrities like Kourtney Kardashian, reinvents meat-free fine dining with dishes like Rockefeller-style baked mushroom “scallops’’ and a comforting pasta carbonara, which comes topped with a tomato “egg yolk” that actually bursts. The Melrose flagship (there’s also one in Las Vegas), known for its white tablecloths and cozy steakhouse-esque setting, draws a fashionable younger crowd, as well as a surprisingly older, suit-clad type. Other standouts include the artichoke “oysters” and French onion soup.

Time Out tip: For a special occasion, it’s worth it to spring for the seasonal tasting menu ($175), which includes shaved truffles, champagne and a meet-and-greet with the chef.

This largely dinnertime Japanese vegan spot is a hidden gem for anyone who can appreciate flavorful, creative plant-based cuisine. At Shojin (named after the Shinto Buddhist vegan diet), you’ll find a range of inventive, all-organic dishes delivered in an intimate, upscale-casual setting with lightly playing jazz music and relaxed clientele. The restaurant also features a well-appointed patio where servers dole out a vegan white tablecloth experience fit for special occasions. Highlights include Shojin's spicy “tuna” dynamite roll, made with tofu and avocado, as well as their Purple Treasure, which swaps out raw fish for pieces of buttery eggplant on top of asparagus and carrot maki rolls.

Time Out tip: I love the house gyoza here. Stuffed with shiso leaves and vegetables, they’re deliciously eclectic—like almost everything else at Shojin.

This plant-based fast-casual restaurant in Culver City comes from Heather Golden Ray and Jenny Engel, the sisters behind Spork Foods, a vegan catering and cookbook empire. Since opening last August, Hey, Sunshine Kitchen has become one of the highest rated independent restaurants on Yelp. After one bite of food here, you’ll quickly realize why. The warm, vibrantly colored grain bowls, particularly the Mediterranean chickpea option, pack major flavor in humble packages and can be modded out to your exact specifications. The hot sandwiches and tacos made with plant-based fish, jackfruit carnitas and Beyond beef crumble hit the spot for a tasty lunch or comfort food craving. The attention to detail and overall deliciousness is on par with one of my favorite plant-based restaurants of all time: Chef Tanya’s Kitchen in Palm Springs. Grain bowls, tacos and sandwiches might not sound all that exciting, but Hey, Sunshine Kitchen is proof that you don’t need to reinvent the wheel—you merely need to perfect it.

Time Out tip: Kids and kids at heart will appreciate the plant-based mac and cheese here.

Vegan-friendly. This modern Korean restaurant in the Arts District now offers one of the best plant-based tasting menus ($115) in all of Los Angeles. Though Baroo’s Kwang Uh also serves meat and seafood, the world-trained South Korean chef puts as much thought and detail into his vegetarian and vegan options. Both require 24 hours’ advance notice, but each includes thoughtful substitutes like smoked hearts of palm, fermented radish and seasonal vegetables. The star of the show, however, is the bansang, a collection of different types of pickled and fermented vegetables served alongside a bowl of rice. It’s a direct import from predominantly plant-based Korean Buddhist temple cuisine, which Uh says Baroo derives significant inspiration from.

Time Out tip: If you love kombucha, order the non-alcoholic pairing, which features several housemade brews.

After a tenure at pre-pandemic Smorgasburg L.A., chef Tezeta “Tete” Alemayehu flipped her vegan Ethiopian food concept, T&T Lifestyle, into the brick-and-mortar Berbere, a mostly daytime Santa Monica eatery serving delicious, plant-based food. Also run by Alemayehu’s partner, Tsega-Ab “Bicko” Fenta, Berbere bills itself as an “unusual vegan restaurant,” which it is—in the best way possible. Here, Alemayehu offers an expanded menu of flatbreads, burritos and tacos, in addition to her signature Eat the Rainbow, a quartet of colorful vegetable and legume stews served with spongy housemade injera.

Time Out tip: Order the strong, citrus- and spice-infused Ethiopian coffee and tea.

Time Out tip: Order the strong, citrus- and spice-infused Ethiopian coffee and tea.

Vegetarian (serves egg). Right next to Studio City’s always-crowded Easy Street Burgers, chef Shanshan Liu Estacio is serving some of L.A.’s most flavorful, affordable vegan sushi and ramen. Aside from egg add-ons, everything at Gokuku is 100% plant-based. Creations like the Salmon Lover (made with a tapioca-based fish substitute), Dynamite Shrimp and Gokoku’s take on a classic California roll would fool even the biggest sushi roll fan, and the rich, sunflower seed-based broth here is one of the best bowls of ramen in the city, vegan or not. Estacio rounds out her menu with rice plates, a killer take on garlic noodles and plenty of appetizers—and while the dizzyingly large menu might offer dozens of options for your meal, no need to worry: Everything’s pretty great.

Time Out tip: If you’re driving, the restaurant has a small customer parking lot next door.

If you’re vegan, you probably already know and love Follow Your Heart, one of the best plant-based cheese options available at major supermarkets. But did you know the brand started as a Canoga Park sandwich counter that’s still around today? Founded in 1970, Follow Your Heart Market & Café serves some of the best hippie-style vegan cuisine I’ve had anywhere in Los Angeles. The well-stocked aisles alone render it a worthwhile destination for plant-based home cooks, but the excellent café makes FYH a worthwhile pit stop for anyone in search of a great meal. Menu highlights include the baked mac and cheese, the chicken pot pie and the Nutburger, which features the increasingly elusive housemade veggie patty. To visit the café, head to the back of the market, where you can grab a table or sit at FYH’s original wooden counter, or ask to be seated on the spacious outdoor patio. Save room at the end of your meal for the delicious baked goods, including a delectable whoopie pie.

Time Out tip: The fried “chicken” (oyster mushrooms, really) and waffles, available during weekend brunch, are an absolute must-order. 

It should be said, right off the bat, that Gracias Madre is beautiful. A cross between Mexico City chic and Palm Springs casual, this vegan Mexican restaurant in West Hollywood (and Orange County’s Newport Beach) is decorated with festive cushions and tiles, a gorgeous courtyard and, inside, high ceilings and a comfortable bar. Wherever you choose to sit, order the guacamole—it’s truly fantastic. The queso fundido with warm house made cashew cheese, jalapeño, tomatoes, pico de gallo and chips is another favorite starter to share. For dessert, a more traditional option might be the flan, but the churros are the way to go, and always get them with a cup of creamy horchata latte. The bar stocks an impressive tequila selection, too—because hey, margaritas are definitely vegan.

This small West Hollywood wine bar transports you to Naples with a warm, romantic ambience and traditional Italian classics so good that you might not even notice the meatballs are made from mushrooms and lentils rather than pork and sprinkled with macadamia parmesan. Italian American chef and owner Tara Punzone has been vegan for more than 30 years, and many of her best recipes—like the black magic lasagna bursting with cashew ricotta, mushrooms and black truffle cream—are vegan conversions of her favorite family recipes. Wash down her made-from-scratch Neapolitan pizzas and pastas with a juicy bellini or biodynamic wines from Italy and around the world.

Time Out tip: If you’re down in the South Bay, you can also enjoy a slightly smaller menu at Pura Vita’s second location in Redondo Beach.

Made with minimally processed ingredients like beans, chickpeas and tofu, the deli “meat” sandwiches defy all flavor and taste expectations at this daytime-only vegan spot. Owned by namesake chef Maciel Bañales Luna and her husband, Joe Egender, the storefront offers fully plant-based takes on classics including a delicious Italian cold-cut sandwich made with vegan cheese from Follow Your Heart. Before noon, there’s a delicious breakfast burrito and French toast, and a small selection of desserts and sides (I recommend the chicharrones made with tofu skin).

Time Out tip: A cold case towards the back also offers packages of housemade deli meats, if you’re interested in bringing home a taste of Maciel’s.

Vegetarian (serves egg). Located across the street from the Silver Lake Erewhon, this longtime meat-free Thai restaurant is beloved by vegetarians and vegans across the city for its massive menu and rich, bubbling curries. Soy-based chicken, beef or duck substitutes pepper the soups, stir-fries and noodle dishes, and the deep-fried orange chicken is perfect for anyone craving a cruelty-free taste of Panda Express. While most of the menu is vegan, a few signatures contain egg, like the signature snap pea salad, which combines the thinly sliced veggies, cashews, onions and carrots in a chili tamarind dressing and tops everything off with coconut cream, crispy shallots, dried chilies and a fried egg. 

Time Out tip: If you’re willing to pay an extended range fee, Bulan Thai has one of the largest delivery ranges in the city on DoorDash.

This all-vegan restaurant in Reseda and Cerritos hits all of the high notes of Vietnamese cuisine, minus the need for animal products. You can barely taste the difference, aside from some textural shifts, in Vinh Loi’s selection, including delicious “shrimp” and lemongrass grilled “duck” rolls. Chef-owner Kevin Tran delivers the same beautiful blends of aromatic herbs and long-simmered meaty flavor (courtesy of plenty of mushrooms) in Vinh Loi’s bun bo hue and “beef” pho. For dessert, look to Vinh Loi’s cheesecake, cake slices and cookies; they’re just as delicious as the savory menu offerings, which include plenty of fusion items.

Time Out tip: If you’re craving a banh mi, the ones at Vinh Loi will hit the spot.

At most of L.A.’s Middle Eastern restaurants, the only substantial, filling option for vegans is falafel, the deep-fried balls of herb-and-chickpea dough that often come out dry and tasteless. (You can also make a meal of rice, bread, sides and dips, but that’s not always what you’re in the mood for!) The only place in Los Angeles you’ll find plant-based “lamb” and “beef” kebabs is this homey Eagle Rock eatery located in a former diner. Served with creamy hummus, cucumber salad, a whole roasted green pepper, basmati rice and naan, the soy-based imitations capture all of the flavor and 90 percent of the texture of the real deal. BeeWali’s menu also features a handful of straightforward curries, a well-executed Daring chicken shawarma and excellent cheeseburgers that use their housemade “lamb” patties. The reason to make a trek here, however, is the kebab, whether you’re opting for the generously portioned plates, the lunch-friendly bowls or a handheld wrap.

Time Out tip: Among BeeWali’s burger options, my favorite is the Western cheeseburger, which comes topped with vegan bacon and barbecue sauce.

After learning he was prediabetic in his mid-20s, Gregory Owens decided to go vegan—and put his own twist on his mother’s Yucatecan recipes in the process. One thing led to another, and the self-taught chef founded Hijo de Su Madre as a food truck in 2019. Now, he and his wife Amber run this no-frills strip mall joint in West L.A., where you’ll find tacos made with flavorful jackfruit-based cochinita pibil, playful banh mi-inspired tofu and deep-fried Baja “fish” (quinoa-battered daikon radish). All tacos can also be made into heftier burritos or grain bowls, but you’ll likely want to save room for Owens’s other Yucatecan specialties, like mushroom-stuffed cabbage rolls, papadzules (egg-stuffed rolled tortillas) and sikil pak, a traditionally vegan Mayan dip made with pumpkin seeds. Owens also offers occasional one-of-a-kind tasting dinners—subscribe to Hijo de Su Madre’s email newsletter for updates.

Time Out tip: First-timers should order the sampler platter, which includes a longaniza and potato taco, a cochinita pibil tamale and a panucho—a thick bean-stuffed tortilla topped with a medley of mushrooms and vegetables.

Vegetarian (serves egg). Long before plant-based meat substitutes became mainstream, the San Gabriel Valley has maintained a small but compelling collection of Chinese and Vietnamese eateries catering to the traditionally vegetarian Buddhist diet. Among them is Vege Valley, a vegan-friendly restaurant in a San Gabriel strip mall serving excellent soy-based mock meats and all manner of stir-fried Asian vegetables, including hard-to-find long xu cai (chayote shoots). Most items on the menu are vegan and some of those that aren’t can be made vegan; just ask your server. Other menu highlights include the mock fish in bean paste sauce, mock kung pao shrimp and the shredded “pork” with bamboo shoots.

Time Out tip: During lunch hours, Vege Valley also offers a trio of reasonably priced combo meals, all of them well under $20.

Step into this purple-hued, plant-filled Compton oasis for some of the most deliciously indulgent plant-based cuisine in Los Angeles. Soul food staples like barbecue ribs, fried chicken and macaroni and cheese are delightfully veganized, mostly with the aid of mushrooms rather than processed meat substitutes. On my visit, I enjoyed the Cajun spiced deep-fried oyster mushrooms, which come with sides of tender, umami-rich collard greens and red beans and rice. The lion’s mane “ribs” offer the sweet, smoky flavor of barbecue, and a convincing enough texture to sate the average omnivore. Crystals Soul’s small staff handles takeout orders while presiding over the handful of tables, which means the wait for your food after ringing up your meal can stretch to half an hour or more. If you’d like your food to be ready more quickly or upon arrival, I recommend calling in advance before heading over.

Located in a former Chinese restaurant (you can spot it by the entrance’s unique circular archway), this vegan Cal-Italian restaurant in Sherman Oaks comes by way of San Diego. The pizzas and pastas here make for top-notch plant-based comfort food, but there are a few healthier options like the “really good” salad made with roasted garlic vinaigrette and shaved housemade mozzarella. Vegan or not, you’ll want to drink the sunflower seed-based garlic butter, which comes with Donna Jean’s house bread, and you can’t go wrong with any of the desserts, which use coconut cream for that oh-so-dreamy dollop of whipped cream on top. While the menu is on the smaller side, everything’s so delicious that I can’t think of a single thing at Donna Jean’s I don't recommend.

Time Out tip: For pleasing a crowd—vegan or otherwise—Donna Jean’s is one of my top picks for hosting a large group.

Vegetarian (serves egg). With reasonable prices, flavorful cooking and a charming dining room, it’s no surprise that Kitchen Mouse has stuck around in Highland Park for so long. Run by punk-singer-turned-chef Erica Daking, the vegetarian café and bakery—with a separate walk-up window in Mount Washington—serves delicious buckwheat pancakes, a selection of grain bowls and other thoughtfully executed brunch fare. While eggs are still available as an add-on, the entire menu is meat- and dairy-free. Popular items include the Buffalo Bowl (which tops black beans, mashed yams and braised greens with buffalo sauce and cashew cheese) and the Psychedelic Daalipop (red lentil daal paired with curried mushrooms and garlic herb chapati). Both the newer bakery counter and nearby walk-up window also offer tasty, fully plant-based bagels, pastries, cookies and sandwiches.

Time Out tip: On Friday and Saturday nights, Kitchen Mouse also opens for dinner service (5–9pm) with a small menu of cocktails and small plates.

At most taco joints, plant-based fillings are typically limited to mushrooms or nopales. Both are acceptable, if not entirely texturally fulfilling, options. For a truly impressive array of vegan tacos, head to El Cocinero in Van Nuys. The no-frills strip mall joint uses jackfruit and a handful of old-school soy products to successfully imitate the crunch of chicharrón, the pull-apart nature of carnitas and even the juicy chewiness inherent to al pastor. Pile your choice of plant-based protein into tacos, a burrito or even a basket of nachos topped with vegan cheese. A newer quesabirria taco made with jackfruit offers the same spicy, rich flavors of traditional birria without any of the meat, plus an excellent consommé on the side. Our only complaint? The slightly limited hours—El Cocinero only opens from 1pm to 8pm, Tuesday through Sunday.

Time Out tip: If you’re feeding a crowd, El Cocinero’s affordable catering menu includes trays of “meat,” taco platters, burrito trays and more. Just be sure to place your order at least a day in advance.

Vegetarian (serves egg). For a flavorful, plant-based Vietnamese lunch in the San Gabriel Valley, look to this longtime vegetarian restaurant in El Monte. Aside from egg noodles, almost everything on the menu is vegan (and marked as such), and the animal product-free “fish” sauce dressing will impress even those familiar with traditional nuoc chấm. On my visit, I enjoyed the summer rolls made with mock shrimp, mushroom-based pho and imitation Hainan chicken made with bean curd. Other highlights of the menu include the bun bo hue—a lemongrass-rich soup—and any vermicelli bowl or rice plate that features the surprisingly satisfying imitation ham.

Time Out tip: Yes, you can order delivery and takeout from here, but I recommend dining in at Thien Tam for best results. 

Oftentimes, plant-based broths taste like an afterthought at traditional ramen joints, which is why vegans from across the city flocked to Ramen Hood when it first opened inside Grand Central Market in 2015. Nowadays, it’s easier than ever to find a compelling vegan option at your local ramenya, but Ramen Hood still satifises with a thick sunflower seed broth and seven different ramen options topped with oyster mushrooms, nori, scallions, bean sprouts and hearty noodles. A vegan egg, made from soy milk and nutritional yeast, can be added for $2—and while it doesn't taste exactly like an egg, it's pretty close. There are a few sides available as well, like crispy broccoli sitting in a pool of soy chili glaze, and togarashi tater tots. But the ramen is the star here, and well worth the try.

Time Out tip: In the summers, I gravitate towards the Cold Ass Noodles, which come seasoned with black garlic and chili oils in lieu of hot broth.

Run by chef and vegan activist Wo’se Kofi, this Black-owned daytime spot in South L.A. serves flavorful mixed plates and other creative items that’ll keep you coming back for more. The plant-based Jamaican-style patties that first put Kofi on the map back in Baba’s catering days are generally only available by the dozen and via preorder, but they’re well worth the advance planning for dinner parties and family gatherings. Walk-ins can savor the Welcome Plates, which come with fried cauliflower, rice and beans, curried vegetables, kale salad, steamed purple cabbage and your choice of macaroni salad or (my recommendation) hot mac-and-cheese. Nutrient-dense and homey, it’s the kind of meal that won’t weigh you down afterwards. Other options include tacos, smoothies, sandwiches and “bachos,” which consist of thick corn chips topped with chopped mushrooms, beans, salsa, kale salad and cashew cheese.

Time Out tip: Order ahead if you’re in a hurry—the food here can take awhile.

While Fairfax’s Little Ethiopia is full of vegan-friendly eats, Rahel is the area’s sole fully plant-based restaurant. Owner Rahel Woldmedhin was the original founder of nearby Messob before opening her vegan eatery, which eschews imitation meat and instead focuses on vegetable-rich stews accompanied by injera. In addition to yemisir kik wot (split lentil stew), yeshiro alicha (chickpea stew) and yedinch wot (potato stew), there’s a nice selection of combination dishes that bring diners' favorites sides together. The best way to end the meal is with Rahel’s vegan cheese cake—and perhaps a special Ethiopian juice, like telba (made from flax seed) or besso (made from barley).

Time Out tip: From 11am to 3pm, Rahel offers an all-you-can-eat lunch buffet.

This casual strip mall gem in Santa Monica serves some of the most flavorful and unique vegan cuisine on the Westside—a part of town where there’s already plenty of plant-based dining options. You’ll find mild versions of takeout staples here, inckuding massaman curry, green papaya salad and various stir-fries, but I think where chef-owner Gunn Pankum truly shines is with the more creative dishes like beet-dyed noodles and cashew-“tuna” endive cups. Rather than cater to every diner, the former head of Silver Lake’s Bulan Thai—also on this list—serves a curated menu of refined Southeast Asian specialties that just happen to be completely plant-based. Other crowd favorites include the catfish eggplant and the Southern Thai fried chicken (made with lion’s mane mushrooms). 

Time Out tip: Ask your server for any daily and seasonal specials, which is where the chef really flexes her creative muscles. 

This plant-based upscale-casual chain has landed in L.A., bringing the same resort-chic design and pressed watermelon nigiri that’s made Planta a hit in Toronto, NYC and elsewhere to Marina del Rey and Brentwood. While the MDR location is ostensibly more Latin-focused (hence the Cocina modifier), the truffle kamameshi and tasty sushi and yakitori offerings are still the strongest items on the menu. How does Planta compare to other major players in L.A.’s vegan dining scene? While not groundbreaking by any means, the tasty cuisine and sophisticated ambience add up to an excellent Westside dinner destination—and a great vegan special-occasion eatery.

Time Out tip: Stop by either location during happy hour (weekdays 3–6pm and Friday to Sundays, 8:30pm to close) for steeply discounted cocktails and snacks like queso fundido and chicken-fried mushrooms.