I visited Los Angeles for a week, spending most of my time in the Venice & Santa Monica areas where you can easily find plant-based options at any and every restaurant. And GOOD plant-based food, which is why I felt I needed to share all the spots I hit up and some of my favorite menu items.
Erewhon Market
I’m sorry, Whole Foods who?! Erewhon, the natural foods grocery store of Los Angeles is Disney Land for the health conscious consumer. I could’ve spent all day in this place, but I kept it to only two trips a day…LOL. This lavish supermarket has everything from organic produce, healthified packaged goods, pre-made organic soups, juices and smoothies packaged in glass bottles and mason jars to a fabulous “hot bar” where you can find gluten-free, vegan and vegetarian freshly made options. When (not if) you go, you have to get a combo plate with their Buffalo Cauliflower. I can’t even begin to explain how amazing it is. Stay tuned….I will be recreating this recipe. Oh, and have you ever seen a grocery store that offers valet parking? That just goes to show the cliental of this place. And keep your eyes peeled for celebrities. My friend and I ran into Bachelorette, Hannah Brown here.
Gjelina
Authentic Italian cuisine offering locally-sourced, produce-forward food located in the heart of Venice on Abbot Kinney Boulevard. Walk by this place in the morning and you’ll feel like you are in Florence, Italy with locals sitting outside sipping their espresso with a pastry or pizza (yes, at 10 am) in hand. The plant-based eater I am, I ordered the Heirloom Cucumber salad and Mixed Mushroom Pizza (I’m obsessed with mushrooms so this was perfect for me). The cucumber salad was quit unique dressed with a citrus vinaigrette and garnished with dill, mint and sunflower seeds. The addition of the sunflower seeds was such a great compliment helping to balance out the citrusy tang of the dressing. The waiter actually recommended I save the excess dressing to dunk my pizza crust in. The pizza I ordered naturally comes without cheese, so its perfect for vegans or those who avoid dairy. Oh, and make sure to order a glass of orange wine… I think that’s what you’re supposed to do in California.
Gjusta
This place is the “sister” deli-bakery-café of Gjelina. You walk into this place and the smell of freshly baked bread hits you in the face (not a bad thing). Gjusta offers vegan and gluten-free bread options that you can order by the loaf, half loaf or slice. You can also sit outside for breakfast, lunch or dinner at their beautiful and aesthetically pleasing garden café.
Plant Food + Wine
One of the famous plant-based chef, Matthew Kenney’s many restaurants also located on Abbot Kinney Boulevard in Venice. I was overwhelmed with this entirely vegan menu because I wanted to order one of everything. I honestly don’t think you could go wrong with anything on the menu but I must say, the Raw Heirloom Tomato + Zucchini Lasagna as well as the Coconut + Banana Cream Pie are two MUST TRIES. Each layer of the raw lasagna contains pistachio pesto (who’s aroma filled the entire room), sun-dried tomato marinara and a macadamia ricotta. The nuttiness from the pesto, slight sweetness from the sun-dried tomatoes and creaminess from the “ricotta” completed every crunchy bite of the raw zucchini. I also started with the Kimchi Dumplings that had the lightest dumpling wrapper filled with such satisfying umami flavor. Okay, so back to that Coconut + Banana Cream Pie. I will say, I’m partial to anything banana, BUT this pie was actual crack and was served with mouth-watering salted caramel ice cream. After my friend and I nearly licked the plate, we contemplated ordering another (and another order of the raw lasagna). It took everything in us to control ourselves. I’ll be back for sure… and next time I’m going for brunch!
New Deli
Since we are on the subject of Matthew Kenney, this is another one of his spots in Venice. This vegan deli is superior to any other deli I’ve been to. One item you must try is the Carrot Lox Bagel. I’m not sure how they do it, but the carrot is so tender with such a smoky flavor that you could trick anyone into thinking it is actual lox. This was the perfect sized bagel (not too big, not too small) and the caper and dill garnish leveled the entire thing up. There was an explosion of flavor with each bite. Ugh, I could really go for one right now. Oh, and not food related, but when you step out of the store, walk across the street and down to the beach.
Great White
This is a bold statement because everywhere I ate in LA was truly amazing, BUT Great White was my favorite. There…I said it! Maybe it was the young/hip vibe, the infamous Venice sign located across the street or perhaps the eggplant fries and falafel wrap that I ordered twice when I was there for the week. I think it was probably all of the above. I went for brunch one day and decided to go back for dinner another night because I loved it that much. Both times, I started with the eggplant fries and had the falafel wrap as my main. The eggplant fries are both sweet and savory. Someone walking by the table actually thought they were churros because they are drizzled with sweet date molasses. The fries come to the table piping hot with a perfect crisp coating and juicy center. Now for the falafel wrap… do I dare say it was the best falafel I’ve ever had?! The wrap comes out warm and pressed with their crispy, bright green falafel, crunchy pickled vegetables and a green tahini sauce on the side that you must drown your wrap in. Also, make sure to order a drink….whether that be a coffee, cocktail or beer. They come in the cutest shark branded cups, glasses and cans…definitely Instagram worthy!
Nobu Malibu
Jump at any opportunity you have to go here. Even if you have to go at 11 am haha. Honestly, not for the food, but the ambiance alone. Nobu is located directly on the beach where you can daydream watching the huge Pacific Ocean waves crash while simultaneously stuffing your face with crispy rice. If you are vegan or plant-based, ask for the crispy rice with avocado instead of the traditional tuna. I also ordered a vegetable roll, which okay, might have been the best one I’ve had and a greens salad dressed with a scallion ginger dressing.
Malibu Farms
Another great spot in Malibu located directly on the pier. I personally recommend going in the evening so you can watch the sunset as you are dining. This place is especially great for anyone with dietary restrictions (vegan, vegetarian or gluten-free). We started with hummus and crudités, which actually tasted very similar to my hummus recipe found in my e-book, From The Ground Up. My friend and I then shared the cauliflower steak served with a mouth-watering chimichurri sauce and vegan sour cream as well as the hearts of palm linguine that had such unique ingredients like fresh jalapeños, peppery arugula and fresh cherry tomatoes tossed in a marinara sauce to keep it vegan. They also have vegan ice cream that I recommend getting for dessert. Ours came out with a strawberry on top… closest we got to “Strawberry ice cream in Malibu”.
Salt & Straw
If you know me, you know I have a love affair with Van Leeuwen vegan ice cream. I naturally had very high expectations trying the vegan ice cream at Salt & Straw and they were met and I think maybe even exceeded. The vegan mint chocolate chip made with a coconut milk base was to die for! You walk by the storefront located on Abbot Kinney Boulevard at any hour of the day and can smell the sweetness. So sorry I don’t have a picture…I ate it too fast to snap a pic.
Pressed Juicery
Another spot on Abbot Kinney Boulevard (yes, it’s a happening place). Try pressed for a plant-based soft served ice cream sundae.
Fruit Cart on The Santa Monica Pier
Such a tourist move, but you won’t regret it. Stop at any of the fruit carts located along the Santa Monica Pier for a large cup of fresh juicy melon, tropical fruits and a sprinkle of Tajin seasoning if you so wish for just $10.
I don’t have to say “I hope” because I KNOW you’ll enjoy these places if you try them!
