The Grove is a little bit like an adult playground, just with Teslas and maybe even the occasional paparazzi. Like any trip to the playground, you’re going to work up an appetite after a little while. Plus, let’s be honest, The Grove can be a bit exhausting, which is why we’ve compiled a list of places you can reference when you’re ready to get your grub on in and nearby The Grove that offer more than just a salad as a vegan option.
The Cheesecake Factory
It may come as a surprise to many that this worldwide chain has more than a few substantial vegan options on the menu. For an appetizer, you can order french fries (always a safe bet), avocado toast, or soy-glazed edamame. For a salad, order their Vegan Cobb Salad. And as far as entrees, your best bet is to go with Evelyn’s Favorite Pasta — just ask to replace the butter with oil and hold the parmesan. This rigatoni pasta features vegan pesto, sun-dried tomatoes, pine nuts, and a variety of veggies!
Umami Burger
Just a few years ago, Umami Burger was lacking in vegan options. But now they’ve stepped it up with three Impossible Burger options, two of which are entirely vegan and one of which can be made vegan. One of the vegan options is an espresso-rubbed barbecue burger with coleslaw, jalapeno slices, and sweet barbecue sauce while the other is an indulgent truffle burger complete with truffle fondue, truffle glaze, and truffle aioli. Wow, that’s a lot of truffles! Stop by for a high-end burger & fries experience that’s as indulgent, comforting, and nostalgic as it should be.
Groundwork Coffee Co.
Not only does Groundwork serve up organic and locally roasted coffee with a variety of milk alternatives available, but they also have a quite a few delectable vegan pastries, including banana bread, cinnamon rolls, and banana cookies. That’s not all though, because they also even offer a vegan espresso milkshake, which, if you couldn’t guess, is vegan ice cream blended with fresh espresso! Stop by Groundwork for your daily kick of sweets and craft coffee.
Halo Top Scoop Shop
This ice cream brand is known for making ice cream that’s light in calories — perfect for all those LA dieters out there — and they offer a few non-dairy, vegan flavors! Their kiosk at The Grove features non-dairy cookie dough, chocolate, and toasted coconut flavors.
Deano’s Gourmet Pizza
Located in the maze that is The Original Farmers Market lies Deano’s Gourmet Pizza, a small pizza stand that offers vegan cheese and has inherently vegan crust. So head there to order a cheese pizza with vegan cheese, one of their all-veggie pizzas with vegan cheese, or one of their vegan-friendly pastas!
Pressed Juicery
Stop by Pressed Juicery for fresh cold-pressed juices or one of their signature frozen juices, which are a bit like sorbet, only they’re made with fresh juices, dates, and cashews. Their frozen and fresh juices are a pleasantly cold treat for a warm day.
Sprinkles Cupcakes
Before we get your hopes up, Sprinkles only has one vegan option, but it’s so sweet, tender, and fluffy, so it’s beyond worth including in the list. Ask for their vegan red velvet cupcake, which is topped with coconut cream frosting for a confection that’ll leave worries in the past and elevate you to a higher state of being.
Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar & Grill
A sushi spot isn’t usually a vegan’s number one food choice, but Blue Ribbon has a fair amount of satisfactory vegan options from sushi rolls (Maki), entrees, and appetizers. Some highlights include their cucumber salad with ponzu sauce, spicy edamame, enoki mushroom maki, avocado maki, and vegetable udon.
Blaze Pizza
Blaze is kind of like the Chipotle of pizza restaurants, and they don’t slack on vegan options. This build-your-own pizza chain has crust and red sauce that’s automatically vegan, along with vegan cheese, popcorn chick’n (tofu), and a plethora of vegetables and seasonings to complete your masterpiece. A combination that’s to-die-for is a pizza with red sauce, extra vegan cheese, popcorn chick’n, roasted garlic, sautéed onions, chopped garlic, oregano, and a barbecue sauce drizzle!
Chipotle Mexican Grill
You’re probably no stranger to Chipotle, but we’d be amiss if we didn’t include it on the list, as they’re a staple for anyone in need of a vegan meal in a pinch. To order like a pro, get your burrito bowl filled with choices like rice, beans, fajita vegetables, and guacamole, which is free with fajita vegetables — and ask for extra tortillas on the side, which are always free!
Veggie Grill
Most LA-liens are already familiar with Veggie Grill, but if you’re not, let’s give you a quick introduction: Veggie Grill is a 100% plant-based fast-casual chain that has Beyond Meat burgers, crispy fried chicken, cauliflower wings, and other fast food favorites you may be missing out on. A trip here can cure you of your deepest fast food cravings.
We hope that because of this list, you’ll have an arsenal of vegan choices to pick from in a moment’s notice the next time you visit The Grove because in LA, you’re never far from an accessible meal.
