Lotus Vegan

4715 Lankershim Blvd, North Hollywood, CA 91602

Affordable, delicious, and great service. What more can you ask for? Located on Lankershim Blvd. in North Hollywood, Lotus Vegan has been a mainstay in the local vegan scene for years. They specialize in organic Thai food with no MSG or white sugar, and have a wide-ranging menu from a flavorful BBQ beef wrap to a mouthwatering orange chicken dish (both soy). Other popular items include curry, tofu and chicken satay, fresh rolls, and papaya salad. Gluten-free items are clearly labeled on the menu and spice level can be personalized in most dishes. Hours are 11:30 am-3:30 pm and 4:30 pm-9:30 pm, except Monday, when they are closed.

Leo’s Superfood Bakery & Deli

8262 Louise Ave, Northridge, CA 91325

Leo’s is the perfect choice for anyone who wants to eat healthy and/or according to a certain diet. They specialize in vegan, paleo, keto/low-carb, raw, and gluten-free with a separate menu on their website for each. Located in Northridge, Leo’s is an unassuming former donut shop with just a handful of tables. The menu includes gorgeous house-made raw vegan cheesecakes and tiramisu, gluten-free superfood pizzas, and a wide range of healthy breakfast and lunch items. We recommend the pesto tofu scramble wrap and homemade brownies, which are tasty and not overly sweet. Leos offers delivery and catering options.

Fun fact: Leo is short for Paleo, or as David, the friendly British gentleman who owns and runs this bakery and deli says, “my Pal, Leo”.

Follow Your Heart Market & Café

21825 Sherman Way, Canoga Park, CA 91303

Located in Canoga Park since 1970, this vegetarian and vegan market café is a must-visit destination in The Valley. It’s the same brand that brings the popular vegan mayo, Vegenaise, and many other plant-based products like VeganEgg, salad dressings, and cheese. The Follow Your Heart Café, located in the back of the market, boasts an extensive and allergen-noted menu which includes a variety of sandwiches, burgers, salads, breakfast favorites, smoothies, and comfort foods. Their website even includes a fully gluten-free menu and an “oil, salt, and sugar-free” menu. Check the café’s Instagram and Facebook regularly for daily dinner specials and events.

Vinh Loi Tofu

18625 Sherman Way #101, Reseda, CA 91335

This vegan Vietnamese restaurant is a treasure in the San Fernando Valley. Check out their plethora of faux-meats, including duck, fish, squid, shrimp, ham, and tuna. Try these mock-meats in generously portioned soups, spring rolls, subs, and noodle and rice dishes. Favorites are the Kevin #1 Soup and Tofu Robot Soup, which have flavorful broths and are named after the owner. Vinh Loi Tofu is closed on Tuesdays.

Krimsey’s Cajun Kitchen

12900 Victory Blvd, North Hollywood, CA 91606

Krimsey, a Louisiana native, brings authentic Cajun cuisine with a vegan twist to North Hollywood. Krimsey’s opened in 2017 and quickly became a favorite amongst vegans and non-vegans alike, who craved a bit of southern hospitality in Los Angeles. From the live Cajun music played on Thursday evenings to the mismatched homey décor, Krimsey’s brings the Louisiana spirit to The Valley. The menu includes Cajun classics like hush puppies, gumbo, jambalaya, po’boy sandwiches (using battered hearts of palm in place of the traditional seafood), and beignets. Menu items are marked for level of spiciness and common allergens. On the weekend, stop by for brunch and mimosas between 8:30 am and 2 pm.

O’cado

14568 Ventura Blvd, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403

Opened last year, O’cado is one of The Valley’s newest plant-based restaurants and bars. They offer Latin and Mediterranean-inspired American fusion dishes like jackfruit street tacos, crispy buffalo cauliflower, quinoa tabouli salad, butternut squash toast, and the Impossible Burger (featuring smoked vegan gouda and house bacon). Friendly waiters explain to newbies that some dishes are considered “shared plates” like the incredible cashew mac n’ cheese with house-made bacon bits and balsamic glazed Brussels sprouts. Of course, this is just a suggestion. We won’t blame you if you eat the whole dish yourself. Make sure to ask about dessert specials like cheesecake and choco-peanut banana pie, but get there earlier in the day. They go fast! Happy hour is 3 pm-6 pm Monday through Friday.

Hugo’s Restaurant

12851 Riverside Dr., Valley Village, CA 91607

Originally a butcher shop in the 1970’s, Hugo’s Restaurant has become a popular vegan and vegetarian-friendly mainstay in the West Hollywood and Studio City neighborhoods. Hugo’s proudly serves house-made veggie burgers and pasta from a menu that aims to please all eaters. Favorite dishes include the cinnamon swirl French toast (vegan option), vegan mac n’ cheese (cashew and sunflower seed sauce), and Reuben sandwich, which features house-made rye bread, and vegan salami and mozzarella. Most dishes on the menu can be ordered gluten-free and egg dishes can be made with tofu at no additional charge. Hugo’s Restaurant in Studio City is open 7:30 am-10 pm on weekdays and 8 am-10 pm on weekends, with the full menu available until 4 pm. If you’re in the mood for something fast and casual, make sure to stop by Hugo’s Restaurant’s counter service spin-off, Hugo’s Tacos, across the street. Grab a vegan taco, burrito, or nachos, and a house-made non-dairy soft serve Frozato for dessert.

The Vegan Joint

20855 Ventura Blvd, Woodland Hills, CA 91364

The Vegan Joint, a Thai restaurant with four locations in the Los Angeles area, is a “minority woman-owned business” offering a large menu of affordably-priced Thai classics. Dishes range from curries and noodle entrees to veganized American breakfast classics such as pancakes and breakfast burritos. If you’re in the mood for Mexican food, you can also find tacos, quesadillas, and nachos in the appetizer section of the menu. One of our favorite dishes at The Vegan Joint is the oriental tossed salad, topped with grilled shiitake mushrooms and warm bean noodles and tofu. The Woodland Hills location is small and easy to miss when driving by, but worth a stop!

SunCafe

10820 Ventura Blvd, Studio City, CA 91604

The 100% vegan menu at SunCafe is sure to excite both your indulgent and healthy desires! They proudly make most items from scratch—including cheeses, chorizo, mayo, and butter—and have won numerous awards for sustainability and vegan cuisine. Some of our favorite menu items include the Super Sun Nachos (raw option-jicama chips), the 25-layered Rainbow Au Gratin with King Oyster Mushrooms in a Wine Sauce, the Tempeh Burger, and their superfood shakes. If you’re in a rush on a weekday between 11 am and 3:30 pm, try the $12 “quick lunch” which features dishes that can be made within 5 minutes. On the weekends, we love SunCafe’s brunch—including items like the Bagel & Schmear (carrot lox and house cream cheese) and Sun Florentine—on the dog-friendly patio!

World Empanadas

1206 W Magnolia Blvd, Burbank, CA 91506

This family-run business specializes in savory and sweet Argentine empanadas, which can be bought freshly baked or take-and-bake. Empanada options include quinoa and lentil, soy chorizo, pinto beans and rice, mixed berry (sweet), and our favorite, mushroom and cashew cheese. World Empanadas also has weekly specials, including the vegan Massaman Curry empanada, which will be available at the Vegan Street Fair on March 23rd and 24th in North Hollywood. If you’re feeling hungry, order a combo meal and get two empanadas with your choice of a drink (they are working on a vegan horchata!) and one of three vegan sides—tortilla soup, chimichurri pasta salad, or green goddess salad. Before leaving World Empanadas, pick up some house-made vegan pasta, which comes in four shapes and is sold by the pound to be cooked at home.