Vegan food at its best can be found here at The Veggie Grill. Their dishes are colorful, healthy, and tasty. Their salads are incredible. They look like works of art, you’ll want to take a picture before you dig in and scarf it all down. The Santa Fe Chicken Sandwich is so delicious that it’s hard to believe that it’s not chicken. LA Mag has even named it one of the best “cheap-eats” around. As if that’s not a good enough reason, then check out their website for more info about their mouth-watering dishes.

Although it’s a cheap place to eat, they also serve beer and wine, so you can dress it up a bit. Their tomato soup is perfect for a rainy day and will take you back to your mom’s home cooking. They’ve got a tortilla soup that tastes like a tamale crossed with veggies and some spices thrown in for good luck.

Best of all, you can customize your food to make it just how you want it. Vegetarianism is becoming more and more mainstream and it’s no wonder. With places like The Veggie Grill, many meat eaters will cross over to the other side. The downside? Parking is hard to find or expensive. But, hey, this is LA, what do you expect?

The Veggie Grill
www.veggiegrill.com
(323) 822-7575
8000 W Sunset Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90046
Mon-Sun 11am to 11pm

Govinda’s has got a restaurant, gift shop, and museum all in one here. Their all-you-can-eat buffet is only $7 and the proceeds go to maintaining the temple, so it’s for a good cause. If that’s not enough reason to try their buffet, their delicious food and constantly changing menu are two more reasons. They’ve got the week’s menu posted online, so you can see what’s on the menu before you go.

They’ve got a special on Sunday where customers can eat the food that has been prepared in their Deity’s Kitchen. Rice, Indian lentil soup, Chutney, Halava and other Indian dishes are on the menu. If you’re looking for some American food, they got that as well. They have a sandwich bar and even pizza.

The prices are fantastic and their mission is great, it’s all for a good cause. It’s vegetarian as well, so you know it’s got to be good for you as well. They treat their employees and customers well. You can even read a bit about the employees on their website. Definitely a five star restaurant.

Govinda’s Natural Food Restaurant
www.govindasla.com
(310) 836-1269
3764 Watseka Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90034
Mon-Sun 11am to 3pm. 5 to 8.30pm

There’s nothing like a BBQ in summer, and here at Spicy BBQ Restaurant, it’s summer year round. Cheap delicious food in a hole-in-the-wall restaurant is a perfect way to enjoy the afternoon. It’s very small and they don’t take reservations, so if you don’t want to wait, avoid the lunch hour rush and other peak times. If you do end up waiting, it’ll definitely be worth it.

Both American and Asian foods are on the menu, so you can try their barbequed spare ribs or northern Thai dishes. Ever tried jackfruit? If not, you’re in for a treat. This exotic fruit can be found on the menu. It’s a meat dish, but this being a Thai restaurant, they’ll happily make it vegetarian for you.

The outside isn’t that nice to look at and the inside isn’t anything special, but the food is fantastic. There isn’t a lot of wait staff. You might have one person doing everything, from taking your order, cooking, and taking your cash, no credit cards accepted. Multitasking is the name of the game and they seem to do it pretty well.

Spicy BBQ Restaurant
(323) 663-4211
5101 Santa Monica Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90029

Health nuts take heart, more and more restaurants are opening up that cater just for you. Cru serves raw food, which is believed to be healthier and more satisfying than cooked food. Squimish people need not worry, you’re not going to be served sushi or raw meat. Raw food refers to vegan, uncooked food, so there’s no need to worry about salmonella. Though technically not completely vegan, they do use honey, you won’t find diary in their dishes, but you will find creative and innovative dishes. Their vegan lasagna uses cashew cheese and mushrooms rather than the traditional meat and cheese filling. Once you try it, you’ll see why people say different is good.

Unlike many of the new-aged, vegan restaurants, Cru is far from pretentious and pricey. The casual, laid-back atmosphere goes hand in hand with the friendly staff. Fast service can’t be added to the list, so you might have to wait a bit for your order, but that will just give you more time to appreciate the ambience.

Don’t know what to order? Ask the wait staff, they’ll be sure to offer a couple suggestions to help you out. In addition to the lasagna, try the raw spring roll, or raw noodle bowl. There’s vegan ice cream on the menu and free truffles that the waiters pass out at the end of the meal. After your meal, you’ll feel full, but not heavy. That along with the tasty treats you’ve had to eat should be enough to convince you why Cru has become so popular among the vegan and non-vegan crowds.

Cru
www.crusilverlake.com
1521 Griffith Park Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90026
(323) 667-1551
Mon-Sun 11am to 4pm
Mon-Sun 5:30 to 11pm

While bland and boring may come to mind when you think of vegan food, Flore Vegan Cuisine located at 3818 W Sunset Blvd will have you changing your mind in a heartbeat. Laid back with sidewalk seating, the staff will happily offer you suggestions on what to order if you have a tough time making up your mind. Portions are more than generous and dressing is often included for free.

Tofu is often a staple for vegans and vegetarians alike and rightly so, because by combining it with veggies and spices, you’ll get a perfect blend that creates a wonderful dish. There’s a wide variety of veggies, such as green, beets, peppers, zucchini, and whole grain rice. Their drinks may sound a bit odd, but once you try them, you’ll be going back for more. The tonic juice is a combination of fruits and veggies and is definitely a power drink. If you’re looking for something more traditional, try the PB banana smoothie. They even have desserts, try the chocolate cupcakes, they’re divine.

The staff is young, hip and very helpful. It’s got a boho feel perhaps due to the local musicians and artists that gather there to enjoy the good food and just catch up with friends. It’s just for people watching as well; you might even spot an actor or actress there. Flore Vegan Cuisine is a great place for health conscious diners to go and enjoy a tasty meal.

Flore Vegan Cuisine
www.florevegan.com
3818 W Sunset Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90026
(323) 953-0611
Mon 11am to 4pm
Tues-Fri 11am to 10pm
Sat-Sun 10am to 10pm