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Ubuntu’s charred okra salad with pigeon peas, red kidney beans, and a passionfruit vinaigrette.
Ubuntu.
Wonho Frank Lee

23 Essential Los Angeles Vegetarian Restaurants

LA is a mecca for meat-free dining

by Virali_Dave and Eater Staff Updated
18 comments / new
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Ubuntu.
| Wonho Frank Lee
by Virali_Dave and Eater Staff Updated
18 comments / new

Los Angeles’s vegetarian and vegan dining scene is as diverse as it is delicious, with a mix of restaurants serving up a range of cuisines. The city’s wave of casual, plant-based restaurants keeps expanding in surprising ways, turning heads and changing the minds of anyone who thinks this genre is far from innovative. The spots highlighted below serve thoughtful menus that feature well-made, vegetarian-friendly dishes that stand up to any omnivorous restaurant in the city. Here now are 23 of the essential restaurants in Los Angeles to find a delicious meal that happens to be vegetarian or vegan, presented from north to south.

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El Cocinero Restaurant

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El Cocinero has some of the best vegan Mexican food in the Valley, if not all of LA. Housed in a Van Nuys strip mall, this fast-casual restaurant has various plant-based meat options available to add to tacos, burritos, quesadillas, tortas, loaded fries, and nachos. Standouts include the impressive al pastor and the birria, plus the nut-based flan for dessert.

6265 Sepulveda Blvd UNIT 12, Van Nuys, CA 91411

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Joi Café

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Serving up plant-based meals in Westlake Village, Joi Café has big breakfasts, salads, and large plates like burgers, sandwiches, tacos, and chili and cornbread. The coffee drinks are also noteworthy, and the lavender latte is among the best in the area.

2855 Agoura Rd, Westlake Village, CA 91361
JOi Café.
JOi Café.
Virali Dave

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Gokoku Vegetarian Ramen Shop

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This casual Studio City gem lets customers create their own ramen bowls and platters, along with colorful and flavorful bento boxes. Opt for the bowl chock full of bok choy, broccoli, jicama, mushrooms, and a wonderful kabocha squash “gravy.”

4147 Lankershim Blvd, Studio City, CA 91602
(818) 505-8113
(818) 505-8113

Hot Tongue Pizza

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Alex Koons not only developed the blistery, airy, thin-crust pies at Hot Tongue Pizza; he also sometimes acts as its delivery driver, bringing his creations to diners’ doors. Order the white pie with a garlic-olive oil base, or the buffalo with broccolini, shiitake bacon, a drizzle of agave, and fresh parsley.

2590 Glendale Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90039
(323) 741-0180
(323) 741-0180
A pizza with buffalo sauce and broccolini.
Buffalo pizza
Courtesy of Hot Tongue Pizza

Bulan Thai Vegetarian Kitchen

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Yoga fanatics and Silver Lake/East Hollywood locals show up in droves to longstanding Bulan Thai, where the spicy, sweet, and sour flavors that characterize Thai cooking make eating meat-free easier than ever.

4114 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90029
(323) 913-1488
(323) 913-1488
Fake chicken skewers at Bulan Thai Vegetarian Kitchen in Silver Lake, California.
Bulan Thai Vegetarian Kitchen
Bulan Thai Vegetarian Kitchen [Official Photo]

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Vegan AF

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Vegan A.F. founder Chanel Goodson serves savory vegan egg rolls and loaded fries from her bright pink food truck. There’s a uniqueness to her food apparent in dishes like loaded Nashville hot fries with vegan shrimp. Vegan A.F.’s Instagram page shows where the truck will pop up next.

7951 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046
Vegan A.F. food truck parked on Melrose Avenue.
Vegan A.F.
Matthew Kang

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Ubuntu

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Ubuntu began serving West African plant-based dishes on Melrose Avenue this August. The menu includes smaller plates, like curried jollof arancini and charred okra salad; larger courses, like the the Senegalese-inspired jackfruit yassa; desserts like the plantain cardamom tart; and cocktails like the sobolo sangria.

7469 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046
(323) 433-4141
(323) 433-4141
Grits with vegetables at Ubuntu restaurant in Los Angeles.
Fonio grits with oyster mushrooms, umeboshi, and Old Bay Seasoning.
Wonho Frank Lee

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Crossroads Kitchen

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At Crossroads on Melrose, chef Tal Ronnen elevates vegan fare to an art form. The team has been turning out some of the most inventive and thoughtful meat-free food in Los Angeles since opening in 2013. Crossroads is not only a haven for vegetarian fine-diners, but for anyone curious about how delicious vegan food can be.

8284 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA
(323) 782-9245
(323) 782-9245
Crossroads Kitchen appetizer vegetables on a slate plate.
Crossroads Kitchen
Crossroads Kitchen [Official Photo]

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APB

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Melrose bar APB, or A Plant Bar, serves a range of cocktails along with vegan fare, including plant-based sushi from Niku Nashi, Japanese fried chicken, vegetable spring rolls, and more. There are also dishes like the spicy tuna with crispy rice, perfectly crunchy french fries, and matcha cheesecake. It also goes down easy when accompanied by a solid cocktail like the lychee martini.

7302 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036
(323) 463-9438
(323) 463-9438
An English-style new restaurant and bar called APB at evening.
APB
Rob Stark

Mazal

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There are plenty of meat-free options at this vegetarian Israeli joint, including a range of dips and spreads, bourekas, cumin beets, Moroccan carrots, and more.

110 N San Fernando Rd, Los Angeles, CA 90031
(323) 576-2138
(323) 576-2138

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Olivia Restaurant

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Olivia serves a range of cuisines from chef Mario Alberto (Laurel Hardware). There are some dairy-free and gluten-free options too, making the menu friendly to a wider range of folks with different dietary preferences and restrictions.

205 S Vermont Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90004
(213) 277-1723
(213) 277-1723

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Thien Tam Vegetarian Restaurant

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The key to excellent Vietnamese vegetarian fare is a killer mock nuoc cham (fish sauce vinaigrette), and nobody makes it better than the folks at Thien Tam. Dig into platters of broken rice prettied with seasoned wheat gluten molded into various forms, as well as classic noodle soups that manage to satisfy without any animal byproducts.

10345 Garvey Ave, El Monte, CA 91733
(626) 579-1050
(626) 579-1050

Also featured in:

Rahel Ethiopian Vegan Cuisine

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Some cuisines naturally skew vegetarian-friendly, and Ethiopian food is no exception. At Rahel’s, they avoid all mentions of tempeh or soy-based meats and emphasize slow-cooked stews with spices that radiate flavor. Take a piece of injera and dip it right into Rahel’s greens with garlic and pepper, split lentil stew, or the house specialty banatu with fresh tomatoes, peppers, garlic, and onions.

1047 S Fairfax Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90019
(323) 937-8401
(323) 937-8401
An assorted platter from Rahel Ethiopian Vegan Cuisine in Los Angeles, California.
Rahel Ethiopian Vegan Cuisine
Rahel Ethiopian Vegan Cuisine website

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Au Lac

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Head here for Vietnamese vegetarian fare by chef Mai Nguyen. Regulars sing high praises for the restaurant’s salt and pepper yam “shrimp” and garlic basil noodles. For those heading to the Walt Disney Concert Hall, Au Lac is the perfect vegetarian-friendly stop for a pre-show meal.

710 W 1st St, Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 617-2533
(213) 617-2533

Also featured in:

Un Solo Sol

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Directly across from Mariachi Plaza in Boyle Heights sits one of LA’s best plant-based spots. The walls are filled with multi-hued murals and just outside are incredible views of Downtown, which is the perfect backdrop for eating pupusas, tacos, pozole, nopales with rice and beans, along with a North Indian chole or Persian stew.

1818 E 1st St, Los Angeles, CA 90033
(323) 269-8680
(323) 269-8680
Un Solo Sol
Un Solo Sol
Un Solo Sol [Official Photo]

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Green Green Trees: Your Vegan Kitchen

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Green Green Trees: Your Vegan Kitchen is a longtime dream realized for chef-owner Carol Tsang. Her family owned a restaurant in Taipei, and she’s continuing the family tradition in West Covina serving fried rice, pho, noodle soups, and porridge in a brightly painted dining room.

4141 Nogales St B107, West Covina, CA 91792
(626) 667-8880
(626) 667-8880

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Cafe Gratitude

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With three existing locations in the Southland, Cafe Gratitude has an extensive menu that pulls from a wide range of cuisines, serving up meat- and dairy-free fare plates that are hearty and delicious. Even with a fairly big menu, it’s rare to find a dish that misses at this popular plant-based space.

512 Rose Ave, Venice, CA 90291
(424) 231-8000
(424) 231-8000

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The Butcher's Daughter

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There are plenty of vegetarian options at the Butcher’s Daughter, plus some vegan and gluten-free choices too. Rather than focusing on substances that mock meat, dishes here celebrate seasonal produce in all its glory. But those looking for Impossible options will still find the meat sub on the menu too.

1205 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice, CA 90291
(310) 981-3004
(310) 981-3004

Also featured in:

Simply Wholesome

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The menu at Simply Wholesome has gone through many changes since 1992, but consistently makes it possible for varying tastes to get a good meal. With options like the Jamaican spinach patty, omelets, and a regular rotation of vegetarian soups, there’s something for everyone at this longstanding business in View Park/Windsor Hills.

4508 W Slauson Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90043
(323) 294-2144
(323) 294-2144
Simply Wholesome in View Park, California.
Simply Wholesome
Wonho Frank Lee

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Modern Shaman

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In the middle of Uptown Whittier is Modern Shaman Kitchen. Opened in early 2020, owners Kimberly Harlan and Michael Kachoeff make jackfruit nachos and oyster mushroom po’ boys for loyal locals whether vegan or omnivore, and occasionally host a yoga class on the patio.

6744 Greenleaf Ave, Whittier, CA 90601
(562) 789-1111
(562) 789-1111

Rajdhani

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This “vegetable restaurant” on Pioneer Boulevard is famous for its 10-course Gujarati-style thali buffet. It’s a steam table-less affair where waiters dish up flaky breads, hearty lentils, tangy curries, and even dessert tableside, until you say mercy.

18525 Pioneer Blvd 2nd floor, Artesia, CA 90701
(562) 402-9102
(562) 402-9102

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Green Temple Vegetarian Restaurant

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Holding it down for the South Bay is the beloved Green Temple. Nestled in a hidden courtyard in Riviera Village, the quaint patio offers plenty of feel-good vibes along with its insanely delicious tofu sauce, white lasagna, and pies.

1700 S Catalina Ave, Redondo Beach, CA
(310) 944-4525
(310) 944-4525

Seabirds Kitchen

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Seabirds Kitchen in Long Beach — or the original Costa Mesa outpost — produces fresh and hearty dishes like purple potato taquitos, grilled mushroom tacos, and a Korean-inspired jackfruit bibimbap bowl. It’s all served in Seabirds’ beachy dining room, which is less than a mile away from the ocean.

975 E 4th St, Long Beach, CA 90802
(562) 317-5545
(562) 317-5545
A waffle with fresh fruit from Seabirds Kitchen.
Seabirds Kitchen
Seabirds Kitchen [Official Photo]

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El Cocinero Restaurant

6265 Sepulveda Blvd UNIT 12, Van Nuys, CA 91411

El Cocinero has some of the best vegan Mexican food in the Valley, if not all of LA. Housed in a Van Nuys strip mall, this fast-casual restaurant has various plant-based meat options available to add to tacos, burritos, quesadillas, tortas, loaded fries, and nachos. Standouts include the impressive al pastor and the birria, plus the nut-based flan for dessert.

6265 Sepulveda Blvd UNIT 12, Van Nuys, CA 91411

Joi Café

2855 Agoura Rd, Westlake Village, CA 91361

Serving up plant-based meals in Westlake Village, Joi Café has big breakfasts, salads, and large plates like burgers, sandwiches, tacos, and chili and cornbread. The coffee drinks are also noteworthy, and the lavender latte is among the best in the area.

2855 Agoura Rd, Westlake Village, CA 91361
JOi Café.
JOi Café.
Virali Dave

Gokoku Vegetarian Ramen Shop

4147 Lankershim Blvd, Studio City, CA 91602

This casual Studio City gem lets customers create their own ramen bowls and platters, along with colorful and flavorful bento boxes. Opt for the bowl chock full of bok choy, broccoli, jicama, mushrooms, and a wonderful kabocha squash “gravy.”

4147 Lankershim Blvd, Studio City, CA 91602
(818) 505-8113
(818) 505-8113

Hot Tongue Pizza

2590 Glendale Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90039

Alex Koons not only developed the blistery, airy, thin-crust pies at Hot Tongue Pizza; he also sometimes acts as its delivery driver, bringing his creations to diners’ doors. Order the white pie with a garlic-olive oil base, or the buffalo with broccolini, shiitake bacon, a drizzle of agave, and fresh parsley.

2590 Glendale Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90039
(323) 741-0180
(323) 741-0180
A pizza with buffalo sauce and broccolini.
Buffalo pizza
Courtesy of Hot Tongue Pizza

Bulan Thai Vegetarian Kitchen

4114 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90029

Yoga fanatics and Silver Lake/East Hollywood locals show up in droves to longstanding Bulan Thai, where the spicy, sweet, and sour flavors that characterize Thai cooking make eating meat-free easier than ever.

4114 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90029
(323) 913-1488
(323) 913-1488
Fake chicken skewers at Bulan Thai Vegetarian Kitchen in Silver Lake, California.
Bulan Thai Vegetarian Kitchen
Bulan Thai Vegetarian Kitchen [Official Photo]

Vegan AF

7951 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046

Vegan A.F. founder Chanel Goodson serves savory vegan egg rolls and loaded fries from her bright pink food truck. There’s a uniqueness to her food apparent in dishes like loaded Nashville hot fries with vegan shrimp. Vegan A.F.’s Instagram page shows where the truck will pop up next.

7951 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046
Vegan A.F. food truck parked on Melrose Avenue.
Vegan A.F.
Matthew Kang

Ubuntu

7469 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046

Ubuntu began serving West African plant-based dishes on Melrose Avenue this August. The menu includes smaller plates, like curried jollof arancini and charred okra salad; larger courses, like the the Senegalese-inspired jackfruit yassa; desserts like the plantain cardamom tart; and cocktails like the sobolo sangria.

7469 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046
(323) 433-4141
(323) 433-4141
Grits with vegetables at Ubuntu restaurant in Los Angeles.
Fonio grits with oyster mushrooms, umeboshi, and Old Bay Seasoning.
Wonho Frank Lee

Crossroads Kitchen

8284 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA

At Crossroads on Melrose, chef Tal Ronnen elevates vegan fare to an art form. The team has been turning out some of the most inventive and thoughtful meat-free food in Los Angeles since opening in 2013. Crossroads is not only a haven for vegetarian fine-diners, but for anyone curious about how delicious vegan food can be.

8284 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA
(323) 782-9245
(323) 782-9245
Crossroads Kitchen appetizer vegetables on a slate plate.
Crossroads Kitchen
Crossroads Kitchen [Official Photo]

APB

7302 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036

Melrose bar APB, or A Plant Bar, serves a range of cocktails along with vegan fare, including plant-based sushi from Niku Nashi, Japanese fried chicken, vegetable spring rolls, and more. There are also dishes like the spicy tuna with crispy rice, perfectly crunchy french fries, and matcha cheesecake. It also goes down easy when accompanied by a solid cocktail like the lychee martini.

7302 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036
(323) 463-9438
(323) 463-9438
An English-style new restaurant and bar called APB at evening.
APB
Rob Stark

Mazal

110 N San Fernando Rd, Los Angeles, CA 90031

There are plenty of meat-free options at this vegetarian Israeli joint, including a range of dips and spreads, bourekas, cumin beets, Moroccan carrots, and more.

110 N San Fernando Rd, Los Angeles, CA 90031
(323) 576-2138
(323) 576-2138

Olivia Restaurant

205 S Vermont Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90004

Olivia serves a range of cuisines from chef Mario Alberto (Laurel Hardware). There are some dairy-free and gluten-free options too, making the menu friendly to a wider range of folks with different dietary preferences and restrictions.

205 S Vermont Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90004
(213) 277-1723
(213) 277-1723

Thien Tam Vegetarian Restaurant

10345 Garvey Ave, El Monte, CA 91733

The key to excellent Vietnamese vegetarian fare is a killer mock nuoc cham (fish sauce vinaigrette), and nobody makes it better than the folks at Thien Tam. Dig into platters of broken rice prettied with seasoned wheat gluten molded into various forms, as well as classic noodle soups that manage to satisfy without any animal byproducts.

10345 Garvey Ave, El Monte, CA 91733
(626) 579-1050
(626) 579-1050

Rahel Ethiopian Vegan Cuisine

1047 S Fairfax Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90019

Some cuisines naturally skew vegetarian-friendly, and Ethiopian food is no exception. At Rahel’s, they avoid all mentions of tempeh or soy-based meats and emphasize slow-cooked stews with spices that radiate flavor. Take a piece of injera and dip it right into Rahel’s greens with garlic and pepper, split lentil stew, or the house specialty banatu with fresh tomatoes, peppers, garlic, and onions.

1047 S Fairfax Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90019
(323) 937-8401
(323) 937-8401
An assorted platter from Rahel Ethiopian Vegan Cuisine in Los Angeles, California.
Rahel Ethiopian Vegan Cuisine
Rahel Ethiopian Vegan Cuisine website

Au Lac

710 W 1st St, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Head here for Vietnamese vegetarian fare by chef Mai Nguyen. Regulars sing high praises for the restaurant’s salt and pepper yam “shrimp” and garlic basil noodles. For those heading to the Walt Disney Concert Hall, Au Lac is the perfect vegetarian-friendly stop for a pre-show meal.

710 W 1st St, Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 617-2533
(213) 617-2533

Un Solo Sol

1818 E 1st St, Los Angeles, CA 90033

Directly across from Mariachi Plaza in Boyle Heights sits one of LA’s best plant-based spots. The walls are filled with multi-hued murals and just outside are incredible views of Downtown, which is the perfect backdrop for eating pupusas, tacos, pozole, nopales with rice and beans, along with a North Indian chole or Persian stew.

1818 E 1st St, Los Angeles, CA 90033
(323) 269-8680
(323) 269-8680
Un Solo Sol
Un Solo Sol
Un Solo Sol [Official Photo]

Related Maps

Green Green Trees: Your Vegan Kitchen

4141 Nogales St B107, West Covina, CA 91792

Green Green Trees: Your Vegan Kitchen is a longtime dream realized for chef-owner Carol Tsang. Her family owned a restaurant in Taipei, and she’s continuing the family tradition in West Covina serving fried rice, pho, noodle soups, and porridge in a brightly painted dining room.

4141 Nogales St B107, West Covina, CA 91792
(626) 667-8880
(626) 667-8880

Cafe Gratitude

512 Rose Ave, Venice, CA 90291

With three existing locations in the Southland, Cafe Gratitude has an extensive menu that pulls from a wide range of cuisines, serving up meat- and dairy-free fare plates that are hearty and delicious. Even with a fairly big menu, it’s rare to find a dish that misses at this popular plant-based space.

512 Rose Ave, Venice, CA 90291
(424) 231-8000
(424) 231-8000

The Butcher's Daughter

1205 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice, CA 90291

There are plenty of vegetarian options at the Butcher’s Daughter, plus some vegan and gluten-free choices too. Rather than focusing on substances that mock meat, dishes here celebrate seasonal produce in all its glory. But those looking for Impossible options will still find the meat sub on the menu too.

1205 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice, CA 90291
(310) 981-3004
(310) 981-3004

Simply Wholesome

4508 W Slauson Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90043

The menu at Simply Wholesome has gone through many changes since 1992, but consistently makes it possible for varying tastes to get a good meal. With options like the Jamaican spinach patty, omelets, and a regular rotation of vegetarian soups, there’s something for everyone at this longstanding business in View Park/Windsor Hills.

4508 W Slauson Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90043
(323) 294-2144
(323) 294-2144
Simply Wholesome in View Park, California.
Simply Wholesome
Wonho Frank Lee

Modern Shaman

6744 Greenleaf Ave, Whittier, CA 90601

In the middle of Uptown Whittier is Modern Shaman Kitchen. Opened in early 2020, owners Kimberly Harlan and Michael Kachoeff make jackfruit nachos and oyster mushroom po’ boys for loyal locals whether vegan or omnivore, and occasionally host a yoga class on the patio.

6744 Greenleaf Ave, Whittier, CA 90601
(562) 789-1111
(562) 789-1111

Rajdhani

18525 Pioneer Blvd 2nd floor, Artesia, CA 90701

This “vegetable restaurant” on Pioneer Boulevard is famous for its 10-course Gujarati-style thali buffet. It’s a steam table-less affair where waiters dish up flaky breads, hearty lentils, tangy curries, and even dessert tableside, until you say mercy.

18525 Pioneer Blvd 2nd floor, Artesia, CA 90701
(562) 402-9102
(562) 402-9102

Green Temple Vegetarian Restaurant

1700 S Catalina Ave, Redondo Beach, CA

Holding it down for the South Bay is the beloved Green Temple. Nestled in a hidden courtyard in Riviera Village, the quaint patio offers plenty of feel-good vibes along with its insanely delicious tofu sauce, white lasagna, and pies.

1700 S Catalina Ave, Redondo Beach, CA
(310) 944-4525
(310) 944-4525

Seabirds Kitchen

975 E 4th St, Long Beach, CA 90802

Seabirds Kitchen in Long Beach — or the original Costa Mesa outpost — produces fresh and hearty dishes like purple potato taquitos, grilled mushroom tacos, and a Korean-inspired jackfruit bibimbap bowl. It’s all served in Seabirds’ beachy dining room, which is less than a mile away from the ocean.

975 E 4th St, Long Beach, CA 90802
(562) 317-5545
(562) 317-5545
A waffle with fresh fruit from Seabirds Kitchen.
Seabirds Kitchen
Seabirds Kitchen [Official Photo]

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