SEE ALSO: TOP 10 AVOCADO TOASTS IN LOS ANGELES
10. Gracias Madre
Gracias Madre is one of the best vegan restaurants in Los Angeles. Chef Chandra Gilbert knows how to turn Mexican-inspired cuisine and locally grown organic ingredients into flavorful vegan favorites – you would never guess you are eating vegan food! Nestled in the heart of West Hollywood, Gracias Madre is a popular lunch spot as it serves good food and great drinks in a beautiful garden setting. The plating is immaculate, and the service does not disappoint. Everything you would want in a full meal is to die for here – from your appetizer to your main course to dessert. Pro tip: go at lunch to get the Chef’s Lunch Tasting Menu deal for $20/person including 1 starter, 2 entree items, and dessert! Pictured from top to bottom: Uno Bowl (their most popular menu item), Chips & Guacamole, and Coliflór Frito with a NA Lemon/Agave/Hibiscus snow cone drink. Gracias Madre (8905 Melrose Ave, West Hollywood // 323.978.2170)
9. Drink Houz
Drink Houz is a wellness cafe located in the Westlake neighborhood of LA. They have a great variety of smoothies, juices, bowls, salads and more to choose from, and there are definitely some hidden gems on the menu, like the root vegetable and tea lattes (pictured above). There is seating inside but this makes for a great grab and go work day lunch as well. Order a Hearty Polenta bowl, which comes with polenta, parmesan, roasted tomatoes, sauteed spinach, houz pesto, and a runny egg with a Nourish Juice to stay energized and focused, because nobody wants a carb coma! For our full review on Drink Houz, click here. Drink Houz (3231 W Temple Street, Los Angeles // 213.378.0529)
8. Moon Juice
Moon Juice, now with 3 locations throughout Los Angeles (Melrose Place, Venice and Silverlake) is your one-stop shop for those healthy boosts that can heal or cleanse you. Juices, tonics, milks, shots, alchemizers, cleanses…Moon Juice has it all! Anything to help you with your inner and outer beauty and wellbeing. All of their plant-sourced alchemy products are 100% natural and aimed to give you a fresh new way of life through the guidance of the Moon Kingdoms. The stores are bright, modern and clean to match the clean branding of the product itself. Young, healthy employees greet you, share their experiences with the product and are free to answer any questions you have. You can even order them for an event you are planning and they will create a custom menu for you. Moon Juice (Venice Location: 507 Rose Ave, Venice // 310.399.2929)
7. Dune
Hands down the best falafel and hummus in Los Angeles, this low key mediterranean cafe with locations in Venice, Downtown, and Atwater Village is not one to be looked over. Coming from the same owner who opened Elf (another great healthy spot in Echo Park, open for dinners only), the menu offerings are somewhat simple and straightforward, bursting with fresh and bright flavors and made with 100% organic ingredients. Dune will satisfy cravings for meat & non meat eaters searching for a healthy bite to eat, with chicken and lamb offerings in their sandwiches and plates. Come here for a fun lunch with a friend, then enjoy a walk around your surroundings in any of their three locations – they are all located in super walkable and fun parts of town! We highly recommend the hummus & lamb plate (pictured)! Dune (Atwater Village Location: 3143 Glendale Blvd, Los Angeles // 323.486-7073)
6. Sage Plant Based Bistro
One of the best meatless menus in LA, Sage Vegan Bistro expansive menu is inspired by a love for gardening, food and cooking. They have three locations across LA- Culver City, Echo Park, and Pasadena. Helpful tip: if you’re going with a large group, the Culver City location has a much bigger seating area than the Echo Park location! They have an imaginative and hearty menu, and you can finish off your meal with a scoop of Kind Kreme- cashew, almond milk, and coconut based ice cream. So good! We recommend the Miso Rainbow Bowl, Cauliflower “Wings,” and the BLTA pizza–oh, that BLTA pizza. The tempeh bacon is almost better than the real thing. Sage Plant Based Bistro (Culver City: 4130 Sepulveda Blvd, Culver City // 424.228.5835)
5. Flower Child
Stay happy and healthy, join Flower Child on your journey to food enlightenment! Located just off the 3rd Street Promenade in Santa Monica, this True Foods Kitchen offshoot has a little more of a local to California feel in their farmers market inspired location. Plenty of seating (there’s an upstairs!), and a free parking garage across the street (so many bonus points for having this in LA). Mix and match different foods to make a custom plate, or go with a “Forbidden” Rice Bowl (add the chicken) or Rebel whole grain wrap. Grab a juice to go and walk out to the beach for some sunshine! Flower Child (1332 2nd St, Santa Monica // 310.382.2901)
4. True Food Kitchen
Memorable and delicious, True Food Kitchen offers a wide selection of vegan, vegetarian, gluten free and organic options, along with options for those following a Paleo or Mediterranean diet. There are several locations across LA- Pasadena, Santa Monica, and El Segundo. Their healthy menu has permanent and seasonal offerings, so you can always try something new on each visit. The open kitchen allows you to watch them making your food so you can see there’s nothing secret about the way they prepare their dishes! It’s hard to pick a favorite, but the Ancient Grains bowl and Poke bowls (both pictured above) are definitely some great choices for first timers. Pair it with a freshly made juice (like the pineapple, orange, honey and coconut water juice pictured, yumyumyum) and you’re in for a treat! True Food Kitchen (Pasadena Location: 168 W Colorado Blvd, Pasadena // 626.639.6818)
3. Botanica Restaurant & Market
Botanica meets and exceeds expectations with food looking good and tasting good. The open, airy restaurant looks like it’s straight out of a design magazine, with a cute little market area in the front where you can grab a pastry and coffee to go, or sit down inside to the right of the market or out back in their patio space to enjoy your food amongst flowers and sunshine. Each dish is given every attention to detail, and you’re guaranteed a picture perfect meal whether you’re just ordering a fruit & grains breakfast bowl (pictured above) or a simple green salad. A tip: instead of just getting the side of Banana Buckwheat Bread, go even bigger and get the Ghee Toasted Banana Buckwheat Poppyseed Bread. It’s served with macerated fruit atop a citrus-ginger-cardamom yogurt, and it’s unforgettably good. Botanica Restaurant & Market (1620 Silver Lake Blvd, Los Angeles // 323.522.6106)
2. Kitchen Mouse
Don’t be mislead by this super cute, cozy, off the beaten path cafe in Highland Park- their menu is seriously good, and if you go during peak hours you might have to wait in a line going out the door! Luckily it moves pretty quickly and there’s plenty of seating inside and outside. The menu is 100% vegetarian, and mostly dairy/gluten free, and has a kids section (with a kids playroom in the back), so they are very food allergy and family friendly! Sip on some tea in one of their signature green mugs and dig in to some of their famous gluten free pancakes for breakfast or snack on some moros cakes (pictured above) for a hearty and healthy lunch. If you’re in a rush, stop by their new market TOPO next door, which is entirely plant based, to get a sandwich or salad to go! A little fun fact- there are cute vintage cookie jars decorating the shelves throughout the entire restaurant- they belonged to the owner’s mother, who had over 2,000 cookie jars at one point! Kitchen Mouse (5904 N Figueroa St, Los Angeles // 323.259.9555)
1. Cafe Gratitude
Perhaps one of the most recognized healthy food spots in Los Angeles, and for good reason. There are three locations in LA- Larchmont Village, Venice, and Downtown LA and they’re open from 8am-10pm daily– cheers for all day healthy eating! The menu consists of 100% organic, plant based dishes with names to remind you to stay “Glorious” and “Grateful” — all of the names of their dishes are affirmations, and when you order you have to say “I am ____”[whatever the menu item is named]. It might seem a little silly at first, but it is a nice reminder to promote positive thinking and inspire conversation with the rest of your table. They believe that eating clean is easy and enjoyable, and their food is definitely enjoyable with something for everyone- Mexican, Thai, Asian, there’s something for every palate. Little tip- go on Tuesdays for an all day Taco Tuesday Happy Hour menu! We love the “Zen” Matcha Limeade paired with the “Sharing” Nachos. Also pictured: The “Magical” black bean burger. Cafe Gratitude (Arts District Location: 300 S Santa Fe Ave, Los Angeles // 213.929.5580)
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