Los Angeles has quietly become one of the most exciting cities for plant‑based dining, with chefs and restaurateurs reimagining global cuisines through a veggie lens. From the artful vegan sushi at Shojin in Culver City to the high‑end tasting menus at Crossroads Kitchen and Baroo, and cozy neighborhood spots like Hey, Sunshine Kitchen and Berbere, this list of seven restaurants captures the breadth of what LA’s veggie scene offers today. Whether you’re craving Ethiopian stews on fluffy injera, soulful Korean temple cuisine, or a creamy tonkotsu‑style ramen, these seven destinations will satisfy both dedicated vegans and curious omnivores alike.

The Rise of Veggie Dining in Los Angeles

Just a few years ago, “plant‑based” dining often meant limp salads or tofu stir‑fries, but LA’s restaurants now showcase vegetables as the stars of the show. Food critics note that chefs are drawing on global traditions—from Italian fine dining to Korean temple cuisine—while harnessing local, seasonal produce to create menus that surprise and delight.

The result is a city where veggie restaurants aren’t just alternatives; they’re destinations in their own right.

1. Crossroads Kitchen (Beverly Grove)

Crossroads Kitchen kicked off the city’s vegan fine‑dining revolution when it opened in 2013 under chef Tal Ronnen. Located on Melrose Avenue, its Mediterranean‑inspired menu features house‑made pastas, “seafood” towers, and artichoke “oysters” that even non‑vegans rave about.

The $98 tasting menu is a study in texture and balance—think silky tortelli and seasonal ragù—while wine pairings introduce you to small Italian vineyards rarely seen on LA wine lists. The dining room, with its leather banquettes and polished wood floors, feels more like a chic European brasserie than a plant‑based outpost. Crossroads remains a proving ground for what vegan cuisine can achieve at the highest level.

2. Shojin (Culver City)

Shojin is where Japanese omakase meets macrobiotic philosophy—an intimate vegan sushi and ramen sanctuary tucked into a Culver City strip mall. Diners settle into candlelit tables as jazz hums in the background, awaiting delicate maki rolls, “spicy tuna” dynamite bites, and bowls of ramen in a creamy, sunflower‑seed broth that rivals any tonkotsu in the city.

The 12‑piece omakase dinner is pricey but worth every dollar, weaving seasonal vegetables and shiso leaves into precision‑cut pieces that look as beautiful as they taste. Shojin’s Zen approach to service and setting—wood accents, soft lighting, thoughtful plating—makes each visit feel both special and restorative.

3. Café Gratitude (Larchmont Village & Venice)

Café Gratitude is a local institution whose two LA locations fill up daily with folks seeking bright, affirming dining experiences. Here, dishes carry names like “I Am Thriving” grain bowls or “I Am Glorious” soups, and the décor—whitewashed walls, succulents on every ledge—mirrors the menu’s sunny optimism.

The raw cacao smoothie bowl, dotted with fresh berries and granola, tastes as vibrant as it looks. Weekend brunch draws lines out the door for avocado‑topped toasts and chia puddings, while weekday happy hours offer discounted small plates like almond burrata and seasonal tapas. Café Gratitude isn’t about a single standout dish—it’s about a mood, a community, and a holistic approach to plant‑based wellness.

4. Hey, Sunshine Kitchen (Culver City)

In a city often celebrated for slo‑paced fine dining, Hey, Sunshine Kitchen is the counterpoint: fast, fun, and unpretentious. Founded in 2023 by sisters Jenny Engel and Heather Golden Ray, this casual eatery channels the founders’ cooking‑school roots into grain bowls, tacos, and sandwiches that land with serious flavor.

The Mediterranean Chickpea Bowl—griddled patty, pickles, tahini drizzle—packs a satisfying crunch and tang, while the plant‑based “fish” taco (crispy battered jackfruit) fools even seasoned seafood lovers. Bright murals and upbeat music set the tone, inviting you to order at the counter and grab a seat at communal tables. Hey, Sunshine Kitchen proves that vegan comfort food can be both healthy and downright addictive.

5. Baroo (Arts District)

Baroo elevates Korean Buddhist temple cuisine into a polished, multi‑course tasting menu experience in Downtown’s Arts District. Since reopening in 2023 under chefs Kwang Uh and partner Park, the restaurant has fine‑tuned its plant‑based offerings to a $110‑per‑person tasting menu showcasing fermented kimchis, wild mountain greens rice, and the signature bansang—a colorful array of pickles and fermented vegetables served with rice.

Courses are named after stages of human life in Buddhist philosophy, and the hushed dining room, decorated with handwritten prayers, feels like a Zen retreat. Baroo’s serene vibe and deeply considered flavors make it a go‑to for special occasions—or any night you want to feel transported.

6. Berbere (Santa Monica)

Berbere brings vegan Ethiopian cooking to Santa Monica’s Boulevard for daytime diners craving communal, family‑style meals. Chef Tezeta Alemayehu transformed her Smorgasburg pop‑up into a brick‑and‑mortar oasis in 2021, serving injera‑wrapped stews, flatbreads, and tacos with authentic berbere spice blends.

The must‑order “Eat the Rainbow” platter piles lentil, split‑pea, and collard green stews on spongy teff injera; finishing sips of citrus‑spiced coffee underscore the Ethiopian influence perfectly. Berbere’s bright, airy café space—complete with family‑style seating and pet‑friendly patio—captures the warmth of Ethiopian hospitality, making it a neighborhood favorite.

7. Gokoku Vegetarian Ramen Shop (Studio City)

Studio City’s Gokoku is proof that vegan ramen can stand shoulder‑to‑shoulder with LA’s best non‑vegan bowls. Chef Shanshan Liu Estacio crafts a sunflower‑seed broth laced with over 20 natural ingredients, resulting in a rich, creamy base that clings to generous bundles of noodles.

Beyond ramen, their vegan sushi rolls—Salmon Lover, Dynamite Shrimp—are so convincing you’ll do a double‑take. The spacious dining room and friendly service make Gokoku a reliable spot for everything from quick lunches to late‑night noodle cravings. It’s an ingenious fusion of Japanese technique and plant‑based creativity that keeps Studio City diners coming back.

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Final Thoughts

These seven veggie restaurants showcase how Los Angeles continues to redefine plant‑based dining—not as a niche, but as an essential part of the city’s culinary identity. From high‑end tasting menus to grab‑and‑go grain bowls, each spot tells a different story of innovation, community, and genuine love for vegetables. Next time you’re in LA, skip the usual suspects and dive into these veggie havens—you just might leave converted. Buon appetito!