At Crossroads on Melrose, chef Tal Ronnen is elevating vegan fare to an artform. Since 2013, the team there has been turning out some of the most inventive and intelligent meat-free food in Los Angeles, making it not only a haven for the upper echelon of vegetarian fine-diners, but for anyone curious about how important (and delicious) vegan food can be.

Echo Park's Elf is a bistro gem that just so happens to not serve meat. Chef David Martinez finds easy ways around animal proteins in ways you won't even notice, like hearty tagines with curried potatoes or plates of gnocchi piled high with shaved asparagus and mint.

Matthew Kenney's newest vegan restaurant in Los Angeles is a Venice stunner with one hell of a back patio. Good-looking types flock to the Abbot Kinney address with alarming regularity, though the comfort of the place — and the ease of the meatless food — make it a destination for just about anyone.

Holding it down for the South Bay is the much 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.

Sushi-craving vegans are lucky to have Shojin, where spicy tofu replaces tuna in the restaurant's take on sushi. Beyond rolls, there's even a vegan ramen burger to assure there's a little something for everyone (well, at least every vegan).

With inspirational names and beautiful people all around, it's easy to fall in love with the plant-based lifestyle at Cafe Gratitude. The healthy-eating mini-chain of all-vegan options turns out some of the most popular meat-free food in the city, with thousands of meals served weekly.

This humble Palms corner shop sports four other outlets around town. The fare is on the eclectic side, with everything from burritos and Southeast Asian curries to salads and burgers. There's a bit of everything on the menu, which should make it easy to please your vegan friends.

Silver Lake's Flore vegan restaurant is what happens when you remove the stigma of vegan food and just decide to make a casual neighborhood restaurant. The menu is full of reasonably-priced takes on American comfort food, all done with a meatless bent and a casual smile from your server.

Although the Santa Monica branch of Real Food Daily has shuttered, the outlet on La Cienega in West Hollywood has been a standby for Hollywood hip kids who appreciate the restaurant's dishes like tempeh bacon, vegan nachos, and salads.

Echo Park has come to love Mohawk Bend, thanks to its large indoor-outdoor space, lean on California craft beer, and dual vegan and non-vegan menu. Regardless of where you stand on the side-by-side menus, you'll likely end up with a plate of the insanely popular buffalo cauliflower.

Not only did Moby decide to open an all-vegan, all-day restaurant on a humble stretch of Silver Lake, he did so by actually showing up to neighborhood council meetings and working with locals on what's best for the area. The result is a charming music box of a restaurant doing breakfast through dinner, with all proceeds going to various animal rescue causes.

If you're looking to skip meat but craving affordable dishes packed with flavor, Satdha Thai in Santa Monica can't be beat. The fried catfish eggplant with red curry paste is a must with its flakiness reminiscent of actual battered catfish. Finish off the meal with the sticky rice and mango and you'll be craving it both again next week.