If you find yourself in the Santa Monica area running errands or just soaking up the salty air and upbeat vibes, you’re going to want to stop at Margo’s Restaurant & Bar for a bite to eat. It’s a trendy neighborhood spot on the corner of Montana Avenue and 16th Street that features a gorgeous dining room, full bar, dog-friendly patio–and most recently, an all-vegan menu. That’s right, Margo’s Santa Monica is now fully vegan!

Why Did Margo’s Go Vegan?

To us avid plant-eaters, the question, “Why did Margo’s go vegan?” is kind of a no-brainer. Veganism has taken the world by storm and people are starting to realize the endless list of benefits the diet offers—including the impeccable flavors and textures that can be achieved in the realm of plant-based cooking.

After closing the restaurant for a few months during the winter, the Margo’s team thought about revamping their concept. Michael Misitch was brought on as bar manager and he encouraged the rest of the group to explore a plant-based menu, as he thought Montana Avenue was lacking vegan options.

With that, Executive Chef Mike Garcia started to experiment in the kitchen! “My objective was to create dishes that resembled food that we’re familiar with as omnivores. During my first tasting, I executed about 15 dishes and was thrilled that most of the dishes were well received by my taste testers. After that day, we realized we could have a hit with plant-based and decided to go all-in,” shared Garcia.

The Vegan Food Menus at Margo’s

There are two different vegan food menus at Margo’s—one for brunch, one for dinner! Both are 100% vegan (with gluten-free options) and are crafted by Executive Chef Mike Garcia with comfort food and nostalgia as the primary menu inspiration.

The brunch menu, which is continuing to grow and evolve, includes a plethora of flavorful sweet and savory dishes. For something sweet, try the PB&J Pancakes, Overnight Oats, or Bourbon Banana French Toast with coconut whipped cream on top. For something on the savory side, choose between the Breakfast Burrito, Breakfast Sandwich, Chilaquiles, Margo’s Classic Scramble, and the Montana Grain Bowl which includes Impossible kebabs, scrambled JUST Egg, and vegan feta, among other flavorful ingredients.

The dinner menu at Margo’s enlists a great selection of appetizers, mini bites, and full-size entrees! Something great about this spot is you can come and try a bunch of smaller dishes at an affordable price. For instance, you can buy one Impossible Slider for $6, one Chorizo & Potato Taco for $5, and an order of French Fries, Crispy Chickpeas, or Margo’s Nachos for the table. It really is the perfect way to get the full experience. Oh, and did we mention they serve horchata ice cream-filled Choco Tacos?

The Vegan Drink Menu at Margo’s

Just like the food menu, the vegan drink menu at Margo’s is absolutely stellar. From wine and beer to specialty cocktails and mocktails, there’s a beverage for every person and occasion! Bartender and mixologist Michael Misitch heads up the cocktail program with a stellar lineup of drinks that range from refreshing and fruity to spicy and tangy. The “Ay Wey!” was a VegOut favorite. It’s made with mezcal, mango, lime, and habanero—with the option to choose your spice level.

Visit Margo’s Santa Monica

You can visit Margo’s Santa Monica at 1534 Montana Avenue, Santa Monica, CA 90403. Brunch is served on Saturdays and Sundays from 10am-4pm and dinner is served daily from 5-10pm, with a special happy hour menu from 5-7pm. For more information, visit MargosSantaMonica.com or follow @margossantamonica on Instagram.