LA’s up-and-coming neighborhood is changing by the day, and expanding horizons with new vegan options hidden in the menus of non-vegan hot spots. A few years ago, if you were vegan, Gratitude was nearly your only option in the Arts District. Today, you can satisfy your cravings at nearly every turn—you just have to know where to look. Lucky for you, we’ve gathered our list of 12 spots to eat vegan in the Arts District.
Zinc Cafe & Market
811 Traction Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90013
Zinc is one of those rare destination dining experiences that makes you forget most of the world consumes meat. While the restaurant itself is vegetarian, almost any meal can be made vegan. From truffle fries to a selection of flatbreads and pizzas with vegan cheese options to burrito bowls and fresh salads, you don’t want to miss out. Dine at Zinc during weekday lunch service, and you’ll find a selection of freshly roasted vegetables, mushroom brown rice, and roasted cashew quinoa. You also won’t want to miss their almond milk lavender latte, and Zinc has many gluten-free options as well. Sit inside with rustic white wood detailing and grand iron chandeliers, or sit outside surrounded by olive trees next to a greystone fountain.
Go Get ‘Em Tiger
827 E. 3rd Street Los Angeles, CA 90013
Whether you’re looking for breakfast or lunch, this trendy new addition to the Arts District is a minimalist design experience. Order at the counter and choose from a few indoor wooden tables or outdoor sidewalk seating. The chickpea frittata is served with seasonal veggies and pickled beets, and Go Get Em’s Insta-famous avocado toast is served with cucumber, radish, pickled onion, and flax seed crackers on rustic sourdough. If you’re looking for a pick-me-up, choose from their artisan selection of coffees with oat or almond milk, and if you’re really looking for a treat, sip on the turmeric macadamia almond iced latte.
Wurstküche
800 E 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90013
Lunch or dinner, the atmosphere at German sausage phenomenon Wurstküche screams LA memories with friends—a place where vegan and non-vegan allies can partake in peace. In 2018, all buns were switched out for vegan buns (aside from the gluten-free option) so vegans can order the Beyond Meat-based veggiewurst on a bun with fries (note: not all sauces are vegan, so check before topping). Grab a beer or cider from their extensive curated list, and enjoy the atmosphere with a DJ playing nights.
Groundwork Coffee Co.
811 Traction Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90013
Always organic and ethically sourced, brunch is served all day at Groundwork Coffee Co. and crafted in-house. Vegan breakfast tacos are also gluten-free and made with soyrizo, scrambled tofu, roasted potatoes, bell peppers, onion, avocado, chipotle aioli on soft corn tortillas, topped with pickled red onion and pico de gallo. The Vegan BTLA is made of smoked tempeh bacon, lettuce, tomato and avocado on seeded sourdough with herbed aioli and a side of house pickles. Whether you’re in and out, or decide to stay to get work done, you may want to try Groundwork’s homemade cashew milk iced latte or vegan espresso shake. Craving something sweet? Try their vegan banana breads, muffins or brownies.
Umami Burger
738 E 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90013
One of the first mainstream carnivorous venues to adopt the Impossible Burger, Umami Burger has since expanded their selection of vegan menu items. Try the Impossible Vegan BBQ Burger with a vegan bun, miso mustard, charred green chili salsa espresso rub, smoke sweet bbq sauce, vegan coleslaw, and thinly sliced jalapeño. Or, try the Impossible Truffle Maker with a vegan bun, miso mustard, charred green salsa, truffle fondue, truffled aoli, port wine, truffle glaze, curly lettuce and tomato. Make the Impossible Classic Cheeseburger or The Original Impossible Burger vegan by forgoing the classic umami sauce and cheese or substituting for vegan cheese. Servers are vegan-educated, so when in doubt, be sure to ask!
Pizzanista!
2019 E 7th St, Los Angeles, CA 90021
Vegan pizza by the pie and by the slice! And if that’s not enough, they deliver. With their customizable options, you can mix and match the slice of your choice, even topped with vegan pepperoni. Order a plain vegan slice, or be “extra” and go for the Vegan Supreme Jesus pie with tomato sauce, Daiya vegan cheese, vegan pepperoni, vegan sausage, vegan bacon, green peppers, Kalamata olives, mushrooms, red onions, spinach, garlic, and fresh tomatoes. Gluten free? Don’t worry—they have an extensive list of gluten-free options for you. Oh, if you’re there on a Sunday, don’t forget to order their vegan mac ‘n’ cheese.
Urth Caffe
451 S Hewitt St, Los Angeles, CA 90013
Order a vegan pesto sandwich, or substitute any cheese with vegan cheese. If you’re in the mood for a pie, order the Pizza Primavera with vegan Monterey Jack cheese, heirloom mix tomatoes, poached asparagus, Kalamata olives and grilled artichoke hearts on 100% vegan pizza crust. For dessert, try the vegan chocolate or vegan pumpkin pie, paired with an oat milk latte. On your way out, don’t forget to grab a vegan chocolate chunk pecan or a vegan oatmeal-raisin cookie.
Es Todo Vegan Street Food
1809 E 7th St, Los Angeles, CA 90021
This newly-opened vegan street food cafe in a hidden alley of the Arts District is the newest venture from chef Sarkis Vartanian and is 100% plant based. Choose from the Cult Burger with an Impossible patty topped with Follow-your-heart Cheddar, grilled onions, organic mixed greens, tomatoes, dill pickles and “special secret sauce.” Or, order the Barbacoa Burrito with house barbacoa plant-based meat, grilled onions, organic veggies, biryani rice, tomatoes, mixed greens, corn, peas, carrots and chopped red onions on a toasted tortilla.
Grow DTLA
300 S Santa Fe Ave Ste C, Los Angeles, CA 90013
A grocery store with a serious vegan selection. The deli section is packed with vegan options from the vegan tofu salads, vegan soba salad, vegan buffalo tofu wrap, or vegan spaghetti bolognese. Did we say vegan? On weekdays, order one of the best vegan burritos in town between 5:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. with housemade salsa and guacamole. On your way out, grab some Rob’s Vegan Probiotic Puffs or vegan cheese cassava chips. If you’re in the mood for dessert, check out their almost floor-to-ceiling vegan ice cream freezer.
Van Leeuwen Artisan Ice Cream
300 S Santa Fe Ave, Suite R, Los Angeles, CA 90013
A vegan food list in the Arts District would be remiss not to mention Van Leeuwen, with their selection of famous vegan ice cream flavors made from scratch in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. Choose from chocolate, chocolate chip cookie dough, cookie crumble strawberry jam, cookies and cream swirl, mint chip, peanut butter chocolate chip, salted caramel, and toasted coconut blondie. Top with vegan chocolate sauce or vegan coconut whip. If you need a pick-me-up, and of their artisan espresso drinks can be made vegan.
Cafe Gratitude
300 S Santa Fe Ave Ste A, Los Angeles, CA 90013
A vegan staple of the Arts District, Cafe Gratitude has been on the vanguard of the vegan LA scene. Start your meal with a heaping serving of black bean nachos, stay for ancient grain flatbread or the chickpea frittata with spicy cashew aioli, and finish with coconut panna cotta. Not in the mood for a full-meal? Sit at the juice bar and sip Gratitude’s classic Sweet Greens Juice with freshly pressed pineapple, cucumber, spinach, cilantro and lime. Insider tip: Head to the back of the restaurant for a quick-service to-go coffee station and bakery, stocked with clean beauty essentials and Moon Juice dusts.
Amazebowls
300 S Santa Fe Ave Ste A, Los Angeles, CA 90013
Interested in the “big bowler life”? What started in 2013 as a food truck parked at USC has now become an LA phenomena serving vegan bowls and smoothies. Start with a base of pure organic blended fruit, and choose from a selection of bowls including Dragon Bowl-z with organic pitaya, strawberries, bananas, pineapples and a squeeze of lemon; or Bowldak Yellow with turmeric powder, fresh ginger, bananas, pineapples, mangos and hemp milk. If none of those suit you, build your own!
