Los Angeles is heaven for vegans — seriously, aside from the vegan scene in NYC, I have never met a city this vegan-friendly! And, I’m not talking about just restaurants (which are plentiful and amazing), there are vegan grocery stores, clothing brands, and spas — see, I told you it was vegan heaven!
No matter how much time you have, it won’t be enough to explore all of this deliciousness fully, and that’s ok because you’re going to want to come back (even if you only have one day in LA you’ve got to go!). So, now the difficult question is, where do you start?
This vegan guide to Los Angeles will help you with everything — where to eat, the best things to do (not just another rundown of all the tourist haunts), where to stay, and more! Everything you need to plan an epic adventure is right here, so let’s get started!
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Is LA Vegan-Friendly?
Los Angeles is one of the most vegan-friendly cities in the US. There are so many vegan and vegan-friendly spots that I don’t think you could ever get the ALL in one guide — fantastic, right? So, make sure you pack stretchy pants because eating your way through LA’s vegan food scene is a full-time job! You’re not going to be disappointed.
Important Tip: There are many awesome vegan dining options, but it can be a little overwhelming! I suggest pinning some or all of these suggestions from this guide on your Google Map so that when you’re out and about, you can see what options are near you!
Don’t Miss This One-of-a-Kind Vegan Dinner Party
The Best Vegan Restaurants in Los Angeles
Vegan Comfort/Globally-Inspired Food in LA
You’ll find a mix of awesome options at these vegan restaurants. From loaded nachos to stacks of sweet chocolate chip pancakes and everything in between!
Nic’s on Beverly
8265 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90048
What’s on the menu: All American fare for lunch, and dinner + comfort-food focused weekend brunch specials all in a stylish setting.
Flore Vegan
2943 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026
What’s on the menu: weekday breakfast, sandwiches, tacos, pizza, and bowls — a little bit of everything!
Sage Plant-Based Bistro & Brewery
1700 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026
What’s on the menu: weekday breakfast +a massive mix of small bites, pizza, tacos, salads, and more!
Café Gratitude
Multiple locations throughout LA
What’s on the menu: a health-focused take on comfort food delivered with positive affirmations — don’t skip the coconut calamari. They also have a weekend brunch menu.
The Butcher’s Daughter
1205 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice, CA 90291
What’s on the menu: vegetarian café with weekday breakfast options + a globally-inspired dinner menu with pizza, pasta, Asian, and veggie-forward dishes.
Margot’s Plant-Based Santa Monica
1534 Montana Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90403
What’s on the menu: Daily brunch menu + a mix of comfort fare — burgers, burrito bowls, tacos, pizza, & more.
Real Food Daily
414 N La Cienega Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90048
What’s on the menu: All-day breakfast + pasta, ramen, calzones, sandwiches, & more.
Rahel Ethiopian Vegan Cuisine
1047 S Fairfax Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90019
What’s on the menu: traditional Ethiopian cuisine without the meat!
Seabirds Kitchen Los Feliz
2138 Hillhurst Ave Suite B, Los Angeles, CA 90027
What’s on the menu: house-made comfort food, free of any junk, with soy-free, nut-free, and gluten-free options.
Crystals Soul Café
12823 Avalon Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90061
What’s on the menu: vegan soul food — truffle mac-n-cheese, lions mane catfish, shrimp po’boy, and more!
Beelman’s
600 S Spring St, Los Angeles, CA 90014
What’s on the menu: comfort food and small bites — buffalo wings, chick’n tacos, bowls, loaded frankfurters, & more.
My Vegan
1759 Colorado Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90041
What’s on the menu: Fusion of Asian flavors with global inspiration — Pad Thai, chick’n carbonara, orange chick’n, biryani, & more.
The Vegan Joint
Three locations in LA
What’s on the menu: you’ll find a little bit of everything — nachos, crispy spring rolls, BBQ jackfruit, and more.
Wild Living Foods
760 S Main St, Los Angeles, CA 90014
What’s on the menu: mix of raw and cooked items that are mostly vegan (a couple items have honey) — smoothie bowls, tacos, bowls, salads, and more.
The Vegan Joint
Three locations throughout LA
What’s on the menu: classic breakfast and lunch options — chocolate chip pancakes, fried tofu, burgers, nachos, and more.
Love.Life
8900 Venice Blvd. Ste. 101, Culver City, CA 90232
What’s on the menu: health-focused, whole food dishes that limit unnecessary oils, added sugar, and sodium. The menu is well-marked for dishes free of soy, nuts, and gluten.
Vegan Asian Restaurants in LA
Oftentimes you’re stuck with just vegan Pho and a cucumber avocado roll — not in LA! There is a great mix of Thai, Japanese, Chinese, and more!
Ramen Hood
317 South Broadway Street, Los Angeles, CA 90013 (Inside Grand Central Market)
What’s on the menu: creative mix of ramen from spicy garlic to cold and smokey + savory small plates like Togarashi tater tots.
Shojin
12406 W Washington Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90066
What’s on the menu: upscale Asian fusion that is organic, gluten-free, macrobiotic, and free of artificial ingredients. First-time visitors shouldn’t miss the chef’s tasting menu.
Lotus Vegan
4715 Lankershim Blvd, North Hollywood, CA 91602
What’s on the menu: veganized classic Thai dishes made with gluten-free soy chick’n, shrimp, or beef, as well as seitan.
Âu Lạc LA
710 W 1st St, Los Angeles, CA 90012
What’s on the menu: veggie-forward Vietnamese cuisine with a little inspiration from other Asian flavors.
Vegan Mexican & Tex-Mex Restaurants in LA
It’s hard to say no to a burrito loaded with carne asada and covered in mole, right? These LA Mexican spots have everything you could want and more.
De Buena Planta
1118 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice, CA 90291
What’s on the menu: casual plant-forward Mexican spot with small bites, mezcal, and tequila cocktails.
Sugar Taco
7257 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046
What’s on the menu: authentic veganized Mexican dishes — carne asada (seitan), jackfruit carnitas, creamy queso, and more.
Doomie’s NextMex
1253 Vine St # 8, Los Angeles, CA 90038
What’s on the menu: fast-casual Mexican eats with a bit of global inspiration — flautas, Korean BBQ bulgogi, chile relleno, and more.
Cena Vegan
242 N Ave 25 #210, Los Angeles, CA 90031
What’s on the menu: authentic Mexican street food — giant tortas, burritos, tacos, and more.
Gracias Madre
8905 Melrose Ave, West Hollywood, CA 90069
What’s on the menu: classy veggie-forward Mexican-inspired eats with an extensive Mezcal list + weekend brunch.
Vegan Fine Dining Restaurants in LA
If you’re looking for somewhere special in LA, look no further than these two sophisticated vegan spots.
Crossroads Kitchen
8284 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046
What’s on the menu: a small plates menu of classic dishes like lentil tempeh piccata, artichoke oysters, eggplant short ribs, and more.
Plant Food + Wine
300 South Doheny Drive Los Angeles, California (inside the Four Seasons Hotel)
What’s on the menu: locally sourced and seasonal veggie-forward dishes — avocado tikka, kelp noodle cacio e pepe, along with natural wines.
Vegan Italian Restaurants & Pizza in LA
Welcome to the land of delicious carbs and forget about just a bowl of spaghetti! Get ready to enjoy carbonara, Bolognese, wood fired pizza, and so much more.
Pura Vita
8274 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90046
What’s on the menu: a complete veganized Italian feast with endless pasta options, salads, and weekend brunch.
Double Zero
1700 Lincoln Blvd, Venice, CA 90291
What’s on the menu: creative mix of wood-fired pizzas, a small pasta selection, and gluten-free pizza options.
Hot Tongue Pizza
2590 Glendale Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90039
What’s on the menu: thin crust and Detroit-style specialties loaded with veggies, almond ricotta, pesto, and more.
Julie Goes Green
11140 Palms Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90034
What’s on the menu: a full lineup of traditional pasta, pizza, and small plates.
Vegan Bars in LA
Just looking for a fun place for a drink? Don’t miss these two vegan bars in Los Angeles!
Junkyard Dog
4330 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90029
What’s on the menu: vegan sports bar with an all-American menu of loaded salads, burritos, scrambles, & more.
A Plant Bar (APB)
7302 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036
What’s on the menu: This is LA’s only 21 and up vegan bar that features sophisticated cocktails, beer, wine, and creative Japanese fare by Niku Nashi.
Vegan Fast Food Restaurants in LA
If you’re looking for a giant loaded burger, fried chick’n sando, or cheese-covered French fries, you’ll find it and more at one of these epic vegan fast-food inspired spots!
Honeybee Burgers
345 N La Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036
Don’t miss: the Chick-a-Bee Nashville-style fried chick’n sandwich!
Doomie’s Home Cookin’
1253 Vine St # 9, Los Angeles, CA 90038
Don’t miss: the buffalo French fries topped with ranch!
Monty’s Good Burger
Multiple locations throughout LA
Don’t miss: a giant loaded cookie milkshake!
Vegan Hooligans
718 S Los Angeles St suite B, Los Angeles, CA 90014
Don’t miss: toasted tater tot egg burrito!
Plant Power Fast Food
776 Vine St, Los Angeles, CA 90038
Don’t miss: the Big Zac burger!
Mr. Charlie’s
612 N La Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036
Don’t miss: a classic Frowny Meal (a fun, veganized take on the McDonald’s Happy Meal)!
Vegan AF Food Truck
888 S Hope St, Los Angeles, CA 90017
Don’t miss: the Buff AF spicy roll
Vurger Guyz
788 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90014
Don’t miss: a classic Vurger with a side of crispy sweet potato fries!
Hart House
8901 S Sepulveda Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90045
Don’t miss: the Deluxe Hot N Crispy Chick’n and an Oreo shake!
Vegan Bakeries & Ice Cream in LA
Obviously from the photos you can tell we like sweets! I mean, I needed to properly research as many treats as possible for this Los Angeles vegan guide, right?! Also don’t miss this comprehensive lineup of 13 spots for vegan sweets in LA too!
Erin McKenna’s Bakery
Location in Santa Monica & LA
What’s on the menu: everything is gluten-free and vegan — cinnamon rolls, cookie sandwiches, cupcakes, and more.
Dear Bella Creamery
1253 Vine St # 12, Los Angeles, CA 90038
What’s on the menu: creative house-made ice cream that can be enjoyed on its own as a cookie sandwich, sundae, milkshake, or cake.
Chaumont Vegan
145 S Beverly Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90212
What’s on the menu: traditional French bakery with a massive lineup of pastries, cakes, and other breakfast items.
Just What I Kneaded
2029 Blake Ave #104, Los Angeles, CA 90039
What’s on the menu: giant cinnamon rolls, pop tarts, cookies, and more!
Yoga-urt
2211 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026
What’s on the menu: creative soft serve flavors and smoothies. Everything is vegan, gluten-free, soy-free, kosher, and organic.
Cake Girl
2100 1st St, Los Angeles, CA 90033
What’s on the menu: cupcakes, cookies, donuts, and more — everything is gluten-free, soy-free, and nut-free.
Vegan-Friendly Hotels in LA
Surprisingly, there isn’t a vegan hotel in LA (I am sure it’s coming), but these spots have varying levels of friendliness!
Four Seasons Beverly Hills
300 Doheny Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90048
This luxury hotel brand wants to make sure its vegan guests don’t go hungry by adding five vegan options to their poolside Cabana restaurant menu. The hotel partnered with an LA-based company, Spork Foods, to create the menu. In addition to the new plant-based options, the hotel has also been a leader in promoting sustainability initiatives across all of its properties and enacting initiatives to support the communities where the hotels are located.
Freehand Los Angeles
416 W 8th St, Los Angeles, CA 90014
This unique boutique hotel is located right in the heart of downtown LA. Each of its onsite restaurants offers vegan options from falafel to burnt eggplant with green beans, mint, and parsley. Each room and space throughout the hotel are unique and designed to showcase the eclecticness of LA. Another bonus is that dogs are welcome (up to 75 lbs.), and an onsite fitness center is available.
citizenM Downtown LA
361 S Spring St, Los Angeles, CA 90013
There isn’t a colossal dining menu (you’ll find a few snacks) at this modern hotel, but it is one of the few properties in LA that is pursuing a LEED certification. The citizenM brand is working hard to be kind to the planet. It has a laundry list of initiatives, some of which include: the use of green electricity, a no-single-use plastic policy, water conservation, local community, and charity support, along with much more.
The Best Things To Do in Los Angeles
This Los Angeles vegan guide covers a mix of fun things that anyone will enjoy, along with a couple of things every vegan can’t miss — you won’t find these in other lists — I promise, I looked!
Go Hiking!
The first thing you think of when you think of LA probably isn’t hiking, but there are plenty of gorgeous places to check out to take a break from the city’s hustle.
The first spot and maybe the most scenic is Los Leones in the Topanga State Park near Santa Monica, this is one of the lesser know hikes in LA. The trail is tucked back into a neighborhood at the dead-end of a cul-de-sac; as you’re driving, you might think you’re in the wrong place; just keep going! You can park on the street but check out the signs because some are no parking, and they do tow in the area. The hike is about 5 miles round trip and weaves through a lush canyon that overlooks the Pacific Ocean — it is pretty challenging because most of it is uphill, and the terrain is loose and rocky but well worth it for the view. After the hike, stop by Juicy Ladies on Sunset Blvd. for a peanut butter or coffee smoothie — it was ridiculously delicious!
The second spot is Runyon Canyon; locals say tourists go to Griffith Park and locals (and celebrities) come here. A paved trail circles the base of the mountain, and east and west trails snake through the canyon and provide great views of LA. Multiple trail options range in length from just under a mile to over 3 miles. If you choose to do the east or west trails, be prepared to really climb — I definitely felt this hike the next morning.
One note, if you see ads for tours to hike the Hollywood sign, skip the tour; you can do it easily on your own! There is no reason to spend $30 on it.
Visit the best vegan grocery store in the US — Bestie’s Paradise
Locations in East Hollywood and Venice
There aren’t many places where you’ll find a fully vegan market — absolutely everything in the store and at their café is vegan. This is the best spot to check out for harder-to-find items like vegan shrimp, seasonal specialty items like chocolate Easter eggs, and so much more! I just kept wandering and re-wandering the aisles because it was so fun to be somewhere that totally caters to vegans!
Eat your way through LA’s vegan street fair — Vegan Exchange
5300 Bakman Ave, North Hollywood, CA 91601
Here is another vegan hotspot that you can’t miss! Every Sunday, Vegan Exchange takes over Bakman Ave. in North Hollywood and fills it with a slew of amazing vegan vendors — loads of tasty food options, cosmetics, clothing, and more! And, what’s even better than a street filled with everything vegan? The street fair is free!
Have a laugh at The Groundlings
7307 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046
Don’t miss a show at The Groundlings if you enjoy comedy. There are quite a few comedy options throughout LA, but this one was suggested to me by a local because it’s the best place to be surprised by a celebrity comedian who has come to test out new material — how fun is that?
Go on a tour and learn a little history
If you’ve read any of my other guides, you know that I always suggest a tour. If it’s your first time in LA, this is the perfect way to learn more about the city and get suggestions on what to do and see from a local (those are always the best!). I always like to learn a little history; I am not into the celebrity scene but lucky for you (and me), there are plenty of tour options depending on your interests!
See where movies are made at Paramount Studios or Warner Bros. Studios
Truth be told, I am not a huge movie buff, but I found the tour of Paramount Studios really interesting! You get a behind-the-scenes look into how many famous movies have been made, including checking out studios and sets and getting up close to costumes and props that have been used. It was fascinating to learn how they created amazing scenery right in a parking lot — I’ll never watch a movie the same again!
Check out the gorgeous gardens + more at The Huntington Library
Just 5.5 miles away from Pasadena’s Rose Bowl Stadium in the quaint Los Angeles suburb of San Marino is where you will find an urban oasis — the Huntington Library. While its name would make you think it’s just a library, it’s so much more. Wander beautifully maintained desert gardens filled with over 2,000 species of succulents or an expansive Japanese-inspired garden complete with a babbling brook and a variety of bonsai.
You could easily spend an entire day admiring the beauty of the Huntington botanical gardens, but you will also find an art museum and a library that is considered one of the world’s greatest independent research libraries — home to over 11 million items, some dating back to the 11th century.
If you plan to visit, you need to book ahead of time — adult tickets are $25 during the week and $29 on weekends. It is open between 10:00 am to 5:00 pm for non-members, and parking is available on-site, but the lot fills up fast, so plan ahead.
Visit The Getty Museum
1200 Getty Center Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90049
If you only have time to visit one museum in LA, check out The Getty. It is well known for its permanent art collection, including pre-20th century European paintings, drawings, and sculptures from artists such as van Gogh, Renoir, and Rembrandt.
Aside from a mix of art inside the museum, visitors also enjoy four outdoor gardens and prized city views. One other bonus to visiting — admission is free! But you do have to pay for parking which will run you about $20.
How to Get Around Los Angeles
Do I Need to Rent a Car in LA?
The first thing you’re probably wondering is, do I need to rent a car in LA? Well, that depends; but most likely, the answer is yes, with one caveat, what do you plan to do?
If all of your activities are in downtown LA and Hollywood, you can probably get away with using public transportation and a service like Lyft or Uber. Still, if you plan to go to Venice, Santa Monica, etc., you’re really going to want to have a car.
If you’re going to rent a car in LA, check out Lyft! You might think that Lyft was only a ride-share company; well, they do both (in select cities). Just open up your app, and in the bottom right corner, there is a key that will take you to all of the locations that offer Lyft rentals; from here, you can easily reserve the car.
The best part is that Lyft gives you a discount on your first rental and gives you an additional discount depending on how many days you rent —up to 50%. This was a huge money saver for us. Rentals for 5 days were, on average, about $500-$600; we got a hybrid through Lyft for $250!
Using Public Transportation in LA
If you decide to forgo renting a car and stick to public transportation, you have a few options with their metro, light rail, and buses. Check out LA’s metro trip planner before you start your adventure to see the best route to take. Another resource is Car-Free LA, the tourism board’s campaign to help visitors ditch cars and easily get to all the major sites and hidden gems that the city offers.
There are 6 metro lines that cover a cross-section of LA and a ton of bus lines — more often than not; you’ll probably hop on the metro to get to a general area and then need a bus to get the rest of the way. If you’re coming from Culver City and need to get to Hollywood or downtown for an event, the metro is a lifesaver for avoiding traffic.
A one-way fare is $1.75 (an additional $.75 is added if you’re taking the J Line (Silver) or Express Bus Lines 460, 487, 489, 501, 550, and 577), a 1-day pass is $3.50, and a 7-day pass is $12.50. You can pay with exact change on the bus, but to ride the metro, you need to pay with a TAP Card which is $2 and can be purchased online or at TAP vending machines located at metro rail silver and orange line stations.
Looking for More Vegan-Friendly Help in California?
Now that you know all the vegan hot spot in LA, you might be curious about the rest of California! Be sure to check out these other vegan-friendly cities! Plenty of suggestions on places to eat and things to do.
15 Spots for Vegan Food in San Francisco that You Can’t Miss
How to Spend One Day in San Francisco
8 Gorgeous Big Sur Hiking Trails You Must Explore
Must See Sights & Things To Do in Big Sur
Vegan Guide to Monterey, Carmel by the Sea, & Pacific Grove
Vegan Bakeries, Ice Cream, & Donuts in San Francisco