10 Must-Try Vegan Restaurants in LA

I’m not vegan, but I love vegans, dining with my favorite LA friends who happen to be vegan, hanging at these cool vegan spots, and vegan food.

1. NIC’S ON BEVERLY

8265 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90048

Nic’s has one of the best lunch menus in LA, period. I have nothing but compliments for everything I’ve tried at Nic’s, but of course I have my faves: I savor every bite of their biscuits doused in a creamy mushroom gravy (must-order), the fried green tomato sandwich, and gnochetti with bolognese. Oh and forget the basic avocado toast - they have an amazing avocado crispy rice with little slices of tangerines. Perf combo. Oh and did I mention their beautiful patio? Obsessed with all of the green and the glorious tree right in the middle. Serious #backyardgoals! A home away from home and perfect for any celebration: brunch date, hanging with a group of friends, or family outing.

2. LITTLE PINE

2870 Rowena Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90039

Little Pine has a lowkey, upscale vibe. Simple and intimate with over-the-top service. We celebrated a friend’s engagement h Mac and cheese, flatbread, and crispy cauliflower were my faves - but I enjoyed everything on the menu.

3. DONUT FRIEND

Highland Park: 5107 York Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90042
Downtown: 543 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90013

Donut Friend, you are more than a friend. You are my Donut BFF, you are my Donut Family, you are my Donut Soulmate. (Try the donuts, they're the best in the world).

4. SUGAR TACO

7257 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046

I think I might like vegan tacos better than regular tacos! Sugar Taco does vegan meat RIGHT. I'm obsessed with the jackfruit carnitas. We ordered the burrito at first, but decided to add a couple of tacos too. I was also blown away by the fish taco. The fried tofu tasted just like fish. The patio is super cute. Actually, the whole restaurant decor is very fun and colorful! We love coming to Sugar Taco for a quick and yummy dinner.

5. AU LAC

710 W 1st St, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Au Lac offers Vietnamese fusion plant-based dishes with items that are gluten-free, nut-free, and or 'living food’. I really enjoyed their “octopus” dish, which is made with tenderized shiitake mushrooms battered with tapioca flour and topped with a sweet/savory tamari-sesame glazed. They also top it with a jalapeno cut like an octopus, lol. Au Lac serves many of their dishes with a very healthy and delicious black rice. I wasn’t a fan of their noodles, but the “seafood” and “meat” dishes were very tasty!

6. MODERN TIMES DANKNESS DOJO

832 S Olive St, Los Angeles, CA 90014

Ok first before we get into the food - wow I am so impressed by their HAZY IPA selection! Modern Times is like my favorite brewery. My husband and I came here for one beer and ended up staying for dinner (and more than one beer, obvi). Their bar food is so delicious!!! We really enjoyed the carne asada fries!

7. MONTY’S GOOD BURGER

In-n-out style VEGAN burger joint. Simple menu consisting of single or double cheeseburgers, julienne fries/tater tots, and a chopped Caesar salad. Burgers are made with impossible burger patties, plant-based cheese, and Veganaise. 100% vegan and 100% delicious. (If you haven't had impossible meat, you're missing out on life so stop reading this and just head over there now and LIVE.) I'm a sucker for sauce and they have a great selection. My favorite was the sriracha aioli. We were v tempted to get a milkshake because they look AMAZING, but we decided not to do it because we didn't save room... lol. Next time, I'm coming for that strawberry vegan shake.

8. CAFE GRATITUDE

Arts District: 300 S Santa Fe Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90013
Larchmont: 639 N Larchmont Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90004

Cafe Gratitude is where you go to get some positivity in your life. A healthy and delicious meal, positive affirmations, and excellent service. Each dish is named something positive like “Awesome” and when you order, you are asked to say “I am ______ (i.e. Awesome)!” Awkward? A little. But more cool than awkward. And as if that isn’t enough positivity, they have plates that say stuff like “What are you grateful for?”. SO LA.

9. RAMEN HOOD

317 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90013

Located in Grand Central Market is a 100% vegan ramen spot. The broth is super rich and creamy - made by simmering kelp and shiitake mushrooms to extract umami and combined with white miso roasted sunflower seed extract to give it that creamy texture. YUM. Don’t sleep on the vegan soft boiled egg.

10. GRACIAS MADRE

8905 Melrose Ave, West Hollywood, CA 90069

One of the first all-vegan restaurants I enjoyed in LA years ago and of course it’s in a prime location on Melrose. Was and is a place “to be seen”. GORGEOUS, gorgeous ambiance. While I admit the food is mediocre with an excess of beans in every dish, I always have a lovely time at Gracias Madre. Their cocktails, however, are NOT mediocre. Yes, that’s a huge piece of rosemary and yes, it was delicious. They’re offering canned cocktails to-go, FYI ;)