The 10 Best Vegan-Friendly Restaurants in Venice, California
A plant-based heaven to appease even the most carnivorous of tastebuds.
Los Angeles may have one of the richest histories of vegetarian and vegan popularism, dating back to the first raw vegan restaurants in 1918. Now Venice is now considered by many the epicenter of health-conscious foodies in the sprawling LA metropolis. This is where the original muscle beach and Gold’s Gym started, where Happy Cow has its roots, where the Whole Foods has a dedicated vegan grill.
In Venice, the raw vegan influencer Matthew Kenney is dominating not just vegan restaurant lists but garnering attention city and world-wide. Then there’s Travis Lett’s non veg’n Gjelina that takes its inspiration from his roots of being served a macrobiotic vegan diet at home. If you’re vegan, you’ll be able to comfortably ask whether the soy-based cheese has casein in it. If not, well, you might actually start to enjoy your vegetables.
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A compendium of Eater LA, Happy Cow, and LA Weekly articles and reviews, as well as insights from Philz baristas and first-hand insights were scoured to leave you with an overall impression of the best veg’n eats in Venice. Let’s get to it.
Vegan and Vegetarian Restaurants
1. Plant Food + Wine
(V) The brainchild of Matthew Kenney, opening in 2015. If you’re looking for chic gourmet vegan cuisine that pairs delightfully presented plant-based dishes underneath fig trees on a back patio off of the Abbot Kinney mainstay then you’ve found the place of your dreams. $31–60.
2. Fala Bar
(V) A falafel and burger shop that offers a quick and cost effective alternative for everyone. Discover the definition of “good food that just happens to be vegan” with different flavors of falafel and veggie burgers — try the sweet potato or pumpkin for starters. Under $10.
3. The Butcher’s Daughter
(Veg) Hailing from NY is the newbie on this list, having only been established in 2016. Options include the normal health food fare such as avocado toast, kale caesar salad and vegan wood-fired pizzas (vegan cheese per request), although Happy Cow reviews seem to indicate that the vegetarian café is still undergoing some growing pains. Also on Abbot Kinney. $11–30.
4. Cafe Gratitude Venice
(Veg) The all organic health centric food brand originating from SF has its second LA location on Rose Ave between Santa Monica and Venice. Expect a wait to discover vegan milkshakes and coconut bacon — most food is vegan except for desserts that may contain honey. $11–30.
Vegan-Friendly Restaurants
5. Figtree’s Cafe
Want a beach patio breakfast? Rise and shine to make it to Figtree’s half off breakfast special everyday between 8 and 9am. The cafe is ovo-lacto vegetarian-friendly and can make several options vegan with their tofu, soy milk and soy cheese options. $11–30.
6. Tocaya Organica
An organic Mexican restaurant with veg’n options like pea protein, tofu, and vegan cheese. A relaxed atmosphere with indoor/outdoor seating — small tacos but the locally sourced and vegan-on-request fare make it worth it, not to mention its proximity to the beach. Pro tip: try the bowls for a more filling meal. $11–30.
7. Kreation Organic Cafe
A juicery first cafe that serves veg’n options and some packaged meals to go, such as breakfast omelets, cold & hot tapas, and grain bowls. In the mood for sweets? They also serve Saints & Sinners (vegan, gluten-free) desserts as well. $9 juices, $10–14 bowls.
8. Shima
Feeling a little adventurous? In the mood for sushi? Check out Shima’s borwn rice sushi rolls in a cozy location. Find some vegan rolls and sides here if you can’t make it to Shojin. $31–60.
9. Bahn Mi
This understated Vietnamese sandwich shop in a strip mall made Eater’s essential Venice restaurants for Winter ’17. Speedy service and good prices make up for the location. $11–30.
10. Locali Venice
A convenience store sourcing all local ingredients and can make any of their offerings vegan. Try out the vegan reuben, the bad ass breakfast burger or the vegan coconut froyo. $11–30.
The Edible Project helps you find food tailored to your lifestyle. Know anyone with dietary restrictions? We’ve just launched a free dietary concierge service in LA! Call or text +1 (315) 533–4253 to find where you can eat in LA — we’ll do all the work for you, just let us know your restrictions. | sign up for the beta | free diet guides 😮 | @edible_project 📸
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