Vegan in Los Angeles: The Ultimate Local’s Guide

This story was published pre-Covid. The restaurants mentioned below are currently open for takeout and/or delivery, unless otherwise specified.

The City of Angels’ vegan roots run deep. A century ago, the nation’s first raw vegan restaurant chain (The Eutropheon) opened up here. The historic Follow Your Heart Cafe has been around since 1970, and there are now more vegan and vegetarian eateries in California than in any other state. Options in Los Angeles are so plentiful that finding the choicest spots can get overwhelming. Sure, there’s the convenience of the ubiquitous Veggie Grill (which we love dearly, by the way). But what if you want to go beyond? To get an authentic feel for vegan Los Angeles, we sought out the wisdom of local experts. Stephanie Lundstrom edits videos at the West Hollywood-based animal rights organization Mercy for Animals and chronicles her food obsessions on Instagram. Jacky Wasserman owns the cult vegan Los Angeles apparel brand BEETxBEET (pronounced “beat by beat” — she’s been DJing since the age of 16). Here, Stephanie and Jacky show you where to eat and chill in LA.

Let’s start with the obvious: Breakfast! 

Stephanie: The Grain Cafe in Mid-City has my all time favorite breakfast dish — their egg and bacon bagel. It’s right by our house, making it extra temping to stop in since they serve breakfast all day! I don’t know how they cook the tofu (the egg) but it’s working, and whatever sauce they use is to die for. My other favorite breakfast item is the biscuit from Moby’s restaurant Little Pine in Silverlake. I love me a yummy carb and this one comes with maple butter and strawberry jam. Dogs are allowed on the patio so, like, why would anyone sit inside?

Jacky: I took my non-vegan dad to Little Pine when he was in town, and he wanted to go back the following weekend. Between the two visits, we shared the Lemon Poppyseed Pancakes, French Toast, Breakfast Scramble, Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup. Also, I’m a sucker for chai lattes and they’ve got one that hits the spot. All of their profits are donated to animal rights organizations. Another place on the Eastside would be Flore Vegan. They have a nice selection of breakfast items that don’t disappoint, like the Chicken & Waffles and Blueberry Pancakes.

Which farmers markets should we hit up?

Stephanie: Jacky and I try to make it to the Larchmont Farmers Market every Saturday to get our fruit. Once we got berries from there and from Whole Foods to compare the taste and were blown away by how much more flavor the farmer’s market berries had. 

Jacky: At the Hollywood Farmers Market, the Ridiculous Baking Co sells all vegan pastries and breads. They usually make a sausage biscuit sandwich that sells out early. Dave’s, the only vegan Korean vendor I know of, is also there. India Sweets and Spices is a small grocery in Highland Park offering a plethora of hard to find Indian spices and products. They also have a great buffet that is super affordable and has a good selection of vegan dishes and sides.

Must-try grab & go?

Stephanie: M Cafe on Melrose is a full service restaurant with a little grab and go case of salads, wraps and treats. They have this macrobiotic tempeh wrap that I love. Pair it with a side of kale salad in peanut dressing and BOOM, you have a winning lunch.

Jacky: One of my favorite spots to have meetings or pop in for a quick bite is Green Table Cafe in Mid-City. One of my favorite things here is the Lasagna or the B…Loved Panini. And the Tiramisu and fruit tarts are a must! I also love Stamp Proper Foods in Loz Feliz which has lots of vegan options and delicious smoothies. My favorite is the Palm Springs Poolside — perfect after a hike in Griffith Park. Yeastie Boys Bagels food truck is usually posted up outside of Stumptown Coffee downtown during the week. They have a vegan bagel sandwich on an everything bagel with sprouts, red onion, and sun dried tomato spread called The Mishka. Its name is inspired by Greg Rivera, the vegan co-owner of the streetwear brand Mishka, which I think is rad!

We need nature and self-care. What’s our plan?

Jacky: One of my favorite hiking trails is Los Leones Canyon Trail in the Pacific Palisades. It’s a great workout and has a great view of the ocean. Not too far from that hike is Lake Shrine Meditation Garden where you can take in the gorgeous plant life as you stroll around the lake or sit quietly with your thoughts. [Note: the meditation center is open in accordance with covid protocols.] I’m not the kinda gal who gets her nails done on the reg, but every now and then when I’m feeling a self-care moment coming on, I’ll hit up Base Coat because they are non-toxic and use vegan nail polish! The foot massage included in the service is a plus. [Note: the nail salon is open in accordance with covid protocols protocols, please see their site for more details.]

Stephanie: My friend Kate rides her bike everywhere and sees the city through a whole other lens. She has taken me on the most beautiful urban hikes and walks. One of most memorable was in Franklin Canyon Park, where we lingered until dark and found ourselves surrounded by the croaking of frogs.

Let’s pivot to pizza.

Stephanie: Oh pizza pizza pizza. I’m all about this perfect food, and if you think pineapples don’t belong on pizza, never talk to me or my dog again. Cruzer holds a special place in my heart. They are all vegan, never charge me for a side of ranch and are just plain yummy. They are mostly a take out place, so call it in and pick it up for the perfect Netflix and chill kinda night.

Jacky: Purgatory Pizza has a pie named after iconic lesbian group Tegan and Sara called “Vegan And Sara.” All of their vegan options have interesting toppings, and they have a punk rock vibe which is up my alley.

Most reliable dinner spot in town is…

Stephanie: My go to is usually Araya’s Place for Thai. I’m a Thai food freak, and they have the best Pad Thai. It’s super tiny inside, so I recommend a reservation. Also, Rahel Ethiopian Vegan Cuisine never lets me down and it’s great for large groups.

Jacky: If you’re looking for great date ambiance or a $20 CDB cocktail (worth it), then Gracias Madre is your place [Editor’s note: currently only open for pickup/delivery]. Otherwise, Pura Vita is the new vegan Italian restaurant that will keep you coming back for more.

What about the sweet stuff?

Jacky: PBJLA has old fashioned Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwiches made with the crusts cut off in these delicate round pockets stuffed with love. They have interesting flavor combinations and make all their jams and butters from scratch! And everything is vegan. They’re located in Grand Central Market downtown, which is a fun place to walk around.

Stephanie: As a sugar addict, I feel qualified to speak on this topic. Magpies Soft Serve has some pretty unreal vegan flavors, my favorite being Pandan. They switch it up every month and always have anywhere from 4-6 vegan flavors at any given time. Also a new vegan donut place just opened in DTLA called Donatsu and they have some really exciting flavors like Creme Brûlée, Ube, and Samoa.

Any fun happenings to put on our calendar?

Stephanie: On Tuesday nights, York Blvd in Highland Park turns into a vegan’s dream. On the sidewalk between Donut Friend, a vegan build-your-own-doughnut shop, and a bar called Block Party, a handful of vegan vendors pop up for the night. You can usually find Cena Vegan with burritos and tacos, Señoreata serving up Cuban food, Madame Shugah with ice cream cookie sandwiches, along with a bunch of others. If you’re over 21, you can take your food into Block Party and play shuffle board on the back patio. [Note: while the restaurants are open for takeout and delivery, the street pop up is on hold.]

Jacky: Vegan Street Fair started up a weekly Sunday event with rotating vendors in North Hollywood, which I’ll be a part of throughout the year. There’s also Green Saturday, a small marketplace usually held in Long Beach. [Note: both events are on hold.]

Where can we eat really good Mexican Food?

Jacky: I love the enchiladas at Un Solo Sol in Boyle Heights. They have a lot of vegan options and make the vegan food in a whole separate side of the kitchen!

Stephanie: Having lived in San Francisco for three years, where vegan burritos were half my diet, I found LA to really be lacking in this area. That is, until I discovered the massive burritos from Vegatinos. They pop up all over LA at different events. If you need a burrito fix, this is your place. [Note: Vegatinos is no longer in operation.] And my heart belongs to all things Todo Verde. The owner, Jocelyn Ramirez, is focused on making healthy and amazingly flavorful food. I took my Mexican grandparents to try her cuisine, and they couldn’t get enough. My favorite is the Ceviche, made from heart of palm, but I also love her Jackfruit Tacos and mole. They just finished a massively successful crowd funding campaign to open a brick and mortar in south LA so they can share plant based food with folks who have not had much access to this way of eating and all its benefits. [Note: Todo Verde is currently focused instead on offer online cooking classes.] 

Which Los Angeles makers should we support?

Jacky: Thought you’d never ask! You can visit me at local vegan events around town — check out the listings on our site. Some other cool shops to support in Los Angeles are Vegan Scene (Female owned), MooShoes, GALERIE.LA (Female and Black owned, but not all vegan just FYI). And markets and popups include Renegade Craft Fair, Unique LA, The Rose Bowl Flea Market, Melrose Flea Market, and Shepard Fairey’s art gallery Subliminal Projects . [Note: MooShoes currently has its NYC location open and online retail; Vegan Scene is online only; GALERIE.LA is open by appointment only and online; Melrose Flea Market is open with covid restrictions; Renegade is currently canceled; Unique LA is open with covid restrictions; Rose Bowl Flea Market is currently closed.]

Time to donate our time. Where should we volunteer?

Stephanie: I suggest visiting Saving Grace, about an hour outside of Los Angeles. They have the cutest miniature ponies, two fluffy cows and lots of fancy chickens, goats with some serious sass and lots of other adorable animals. Make sure you ask to see Janet the Basset Hound — she’s a snuggler. The sanctuary is run by Erich and Kathy, a couple who used to volunteer at another sanctuary and wanted to open their own to dedicate their lives to caring for, and loving, animals in need.

Jacky: Burrito Project Los Angeles has different chapters around the city where you get together in a group and make vegan burritos to then pass out to the homeless as a team.

Keep up with Stephanie Lundstrom’s adventures at @sapling_vegan and follow BEETxBEET at @beetxbeet.