The 8 Best Plant-Based Restaurants in California

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With the increasing number of people going vegan, vegetarian, or even pescetarian, the rise of plant-based restaurants has also been underway for a while. Plant-based restaurants are known to have some of the unique items on their menus, packed full of flavor with different types of textures, all made to satisfy your rumbling stomach. With not even strictly vegetarians trying out this culinary sector, we now find ourselves lost amidst a mountain of delicious-looking restaurants, the choices quite literally overwhelming us. While there is no way to cover all of them, here is a list of the best plant-based restaurants in California. 

Best Vegan/ Vegetarian restaurants in LA

Crossroads Kitchen

Opened in 2013, Crossroads Kitchen has been adding its twist to plant-based food, creating the most inventive and innovative dishes. This outstanding restaurant not only targets vegans, vegetarians, and flexitarians but also omnivores, believing that plant-based dishes can be enjoyed by just about anyone. 

Enjoy their mouthwatering Mediterranean dishes, with a menu that brings regular changes, each one better than the previous. Dinner at one of the best vegan restaurants in Los Angeles will leave you more than satisfied; that is a guarantee. 

Ramen Hood 

While searching for the best vegetarian restaurants in Los Angeles, you might stumble upon this gem called Ramen Hood. Created by Ilan Hall, as some of you may know from Season 2 of Top Chef, he now runs the stall of incredible vegan ramen located in Grand Market Central. Experience the rich broth made from sunflower seeds, including other flavors on the menu, such as garlic, spicy, and original ramen.

Best Vegan/ Vegetarian restaurants in Santa Monica

Más Veggies Taqueria

Launched in 2021, Más Veggies Taqueria has all your favorite Mexican Classics’ plant-based versions. Considered to be one of the most delicious vegan restaurants in Santa Monica, whatever you decide to order here will undoubtedly be something you will end up loving. Conscious Mexican food can be a little hard to find, which is why Más Veggies Taqueria is here! With Tacos, burritos, nachos, and bowls with 5 different flavors, all more enticing than the other. Head on over to Santa Monica to get a hold of these incredibly enticing dishes.

Best Vegan/ Vegetarian restaurants in San Diego

Donna Jean 

Welcome to Donna Jean, one of the best vegan restaurants in San Diego! This is where you will get a taste of what plant-based food can offer if made right, that is to say, an explosion of flavors and a plethora of yummy textures. Donna Jean’s rustic and elegant atmosphere enhances the delicious experience you will get and is also the perfect place for date night with your sweetheart. Even if you are not vegan or vegetarian, this plant-based restaurant might become one of your favorite vegan dining spots in San Diego.

The Plot 

While some plant-based restaurants can end up disappointing, The Plot will always find a way to satisfy your hunger. This lively, welcoming restaurant chain was created to push food quality boundaries by serving amazing dishes you won’t find anywhere else. Arguably one of the yummiest vegetarian restaurants in San Diego, a single visit to The Plot will get you running back for more! A bonus with this restaurant is that if you have friends who simply do not like vegetarian foods, they can help themselves to the non-plant-based menu. 

Best Vegan/ Vegetarian restaurants in San Francisco

Nourish Café

San Francisco has an extensive list of incredibly delicious-looking restaurants, including healthy restaurants and plant-based eateries. Nourish Cafe is among the best vegan restaurants in San Francisco, practicing sustainability and high taste. This is where you will taste organic foods used with non-GMO ingredients to give you the most wholesome and healthiest dishes ever. 

Wildseed

Wildseed is one of the busiest and liveliest restaurants in the Bay Area, where seasonally-driven dishes are what you will find. Incorporating Northern California’s freshest and most seasonal produce, the resulting dish is a hearty, satisfying meal. Wildseed is one of those restaurants that will make you forget that you are eating fully plant-based foods, as they are close to the original flavors and textures. The Meyer lemon cheesecake is one of those items known for being so cheesy it makes people question whether or not it is actually plant-based. 

Shizen Vegan Sushi Bar

As a pescetarian, eating sushi is no problem, but vegans must look for alternatives to satisfy their sushi cravings. Shizen Vegan Sushi Bar is the perfect place if you still need to get the taste of sushi as a vegetarian or vegan, using local, seasonal ingredients and various sushi techniques. The chefs at this plant-based restaurant use tapioca, mountain yam, konjac, bean curd, and other ingredients to mimic the taste of animal products, in this case, seafood. There are so many items to choose from, with every roll created with expertise and care. 

So, if you are ever wondering if California is a good place to go vegan, you should take a look at this list. The options are endless, and while we sadly could not include every single plant-based restaurant here, this is a great way to start your discovery of California’s vegan side. Full of yummy dishes just waiting to be gobbled up.