17 eateries a downtown vegetarian will love
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Whether it’s for health or conscience, Downtown Los Angeles is home to many vegetarians, vegans, pescatarians, ovo-lacto vegetarians, raw-organics and those who just don’t like eating meat - including both of us here at angelenic.
Ralphs, Grand Central Market and the weekly farmers’ markets offer great produce options, but sometimes you just aren’t in the cooking mood.
Surprisingly, only one local restaurant is specifically vegetarian, but all the venues on this list offer colorful, flavor-packed vegetarian dishes that we’ve discovered from trial-and-error.
While there are enough dining options around to keep us all full, I’d eat a 16 oz. rare T-bone steak to get a Native Foods here in Downtown.
Like always, if we’ve missed anything, let us know in the comments!
Historic Core
Lost Souls Cafe
The beloved coffee house in Harlem Place Alley now serves light cafe food, with a delicious hummus-and-mixed greens sandwich. Do yourself a favor and take home a pound of the dark roast whole beans while you’re there. You won’t be sorry!
Blossom Restaurant
Vegetarian pho chay (rice noodle soup) comes with a mixture of tofu, mushrooms, onions and sprouts in a delicious broth. Vegetarian curry, fried rice, egg rolls, spring rolls, crepes and fritters (also comes with a veggie-friendly sauce) round out the options at this Main Street Vietnamese staple.
Warung Cafe
Indonesian small plates at a midrange price. Mixed greens, papaya and tofu salad, baby vegetable crudit�s, cold noodles in a peanut sauce with scallions, shiitake miso soup with tofu and veggie dumplings in a chili vinaigrette… Hungry yet?
Pitfire Pizza
There may be nothing tastier than fire-roasted vegetables on freshly made pizza crust, covered in extra tomato sauce. Pasta and hearty soup options are available as well.
Pete’s Cafe
The Hellman Burger (veggie patty!) is the way to go at Pete’s when you’re with all your friends. Be sure to specify no aioli if you’re vegan. Reader Noah Stone also suggests the “light and flakey” vegetarian quiche.
El Pueblo/Chinatown
El Paseo-La Golondrina
These two restaurants are so similar they might as well be listed together. Both offer delicious veggie burritos as well as veggie fajitas that are almost confectionery.
Authentic Thai
Our favorite Thai restaurant in Downtown also serves up vegetarian-friendly dishes such as pad thai with tofu (made without egg upon request). Other options we recommend are the flavorful tofu dishes (with garlic pepper, kung pao, or sweet & sour and spicy cashew nut), vegetable curry and their two vegetable soups.
Full House
Chinatown isn’t known for its vegetarian options, with storefronts lined with hanging smoked ducks and menu options heavy on the pork and beef. Full House is no exception, as they offer only a handful of vegetable dishes on a Cheesecake Factory-sized menu.
If you’re craving Chinese food, though, go for either the Chinese broccoli with black bean sauce or mixed vegetables (served in a spicy garlic sauce).
Little Tokyo / Arts District
Mr. Ramen
One of the lesser-known ramen houses on “Ramen Row” (East First Street in Little Tokyo), vegetarian broth may be substituted in any bowl. Curry-flavored ramen gets good reviews. Also, try the vegetarian gyoza! Ramen noodles may or may not be made with egg. Be sure to ask.
Curry House
As the name implies, Curry House specializes in curries and… Japanese spaghetti. It may sound unnatural, but trust us on this.
Vegetable curry with potatoes, mushrooms, carrots, green beans and corn
Vegetable Italian spaghetti in a tomato sauce made with tomatoes, bell peppers, mushrooms, onions and corn; and Vegetable Japanese spaghetti is the same as their Italian version but in a soy-based sauce
Zip Fusion
Would bibimbop by any other name not be as spicy? Actually, yes. The “Zip Fusion Bowl” is made with a less spicy sauce than the Korean home-style dish. Served with tofu (and you get a selection), vegetables and rice in a burning hot stone bowl. Vegetable tempura is another choice.
South Park
Mode (Closed Until Further Notice)
With an a la carte menu full of veggies such as bok choy, beets, carrots, haricot vert, parsnip, potatoes and spinach, piecing together a healthy meal at any hour of the night is easy. We highly recommend the ravioli a la Parisienne and mixed green salad with goat cheese.
Bunker Hill/Financial District
Bonaventure Brewing Co.
Don’t be fooled by the sports bar name, this Bonaventure Hotel hotspot’s food menu is as diverse as its clientele. Besides the usual salad options, BBC serves up artichoke ravioli, veggie burgers, bruschetta and six vegetable side dishes. I’m pretty sure the beers are fully vegan as well.
Fashion District
Tiara Cafe
The popular Fashion District eatery helmed by chef Fred Eric now offers dinner on select nights of the week. Their lunchtime menu offers a selection of creative salads, non-meat sides and a veggie burger. Their vegetarian dinner menu is an even bigger treat with options like grilled setain, setain wrap, fried green tomatoes and veggie pizzettes. The food is sensational.
Colori Kitchen
You can always count on an Italian restaurant for their pasta dishes. Colori Kitchen is no different, and after you see their bargain dinner prices the food will taste that must better. Order a penne arrabiata with broccoli for a traditional dish with a spicy kick.
Koreatown
BCD Tofu House
If you haven’t discovered BCD Tofu House, you’re missing out on some seriously delicious Korean grub. The 24-hour restaurant offers of the best kimchi and soon tofu this side of the Pacific. While many dishes are served with hints of meat, vegetarians can safely opt for the vegetable soon tofu, seasonal bibimbob or tofu vegetable salad.
BCD also has a location at 12th and Main that offers morning and afternoon hours only.
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17 comments
Thanks for the tip about Mr. Ramen! I’m not a vegetarian, but I’ve been looking for a decent ramen place that has non-pork-based broth.
Managed to finally get over to Mode late last night to try it out. Very late. Very very late. 5:30 a.m. to be exact.
I ended up eating a lovely vegetarian meal, their goat cheese ravioli pan-fried in butter, French style, with a smattering of veggies on the side.
Quite good, but I am a meat-eater from the old school, and only eat vegetarian dishes by accident on occasion. Still, I would recommend it.
I ate my ravioli in a darkened pre-dawn empty restaurant, as chill out music softly played on the p.a. and the first buses of the morning zoomed up Olive Street. Spooky.
Well, it was empty except for myself, one server and one chef.
Gil’s is in the Stillwell Hotel on Grand and 9th and is an Indian place. I can’t believe this was missing from the list.
Awesome! Thank you for this. I’ve been avoiding Ramen Row because I assumed everything was beef stock. I’ll check out Mr. Ramen today.
The vegetarian quiche at Pete’s is the most wonderful quiche I’ve ever had. So light and flaky, and it comes with a side salad with a bizarrely tasty balsamic vinaigrette.
Another standby for me is the eggplant panini at the Groundwork on Traction.
Robert, thanks for the suggestion. This list was by no means a comprehensive compilation of every restaurant that has good veggie options.
I actually went to Gil’s on one of my first dates with my partner and wasn’t that impressed with it. I’ll give it another try soon and report back.
The list was awesome guys! I wanted to also recommend the Tierra Cafe inside a small food court that’s on Wilshire between Flower and Figueroa. They make a mean tortilla soup.
Rich:
I discovered Gil’s last year and really think the flavors there are exceptional. I have to say the onion naan is like dessert. It is very different from other naan’s I have had…the masala sauce is also excellent. It seems most of the clientel are Indian (a good thing).
I also have to second Tierra Cafe on Wilshire between Flower & Figueroa. They are on the 1st floor of a large building that has a food court…they are stricly vegetarian with some vegan options. On Sundays, they have a vegan buffet. I love their food….so good…..they also serve veggie breakfast.
Thanks for the info on Tierra. I had no idea another vegetarian restaurant existed in Downtown!
hey you forgot mendocino farms. they’re only open for lunch but they have a bunch of both vegan and veggie options. i should know i’m there lowly hostess!
Wood Spoon at 107 W. 9th St., also offers a grilled vegetable plate, complete with all of the Brazilian side dishes: rice, black beans, and collard greens.
re:gil’s — i’m vegetarian and i agree that gil’s is hit or miss — but i recommend their shahi paneer.
sorry, it’s not exactly vegetarian… seems folks are very confused what vegetarian means. ugh.
Attention Vegans: The Pete’s Cafe veggie burger bun is not vegan friendly. It is made with milk.
Is Shojin in Little Tokyo still open?
Nikki: Judging by their website, I’d say yes. Be sure to call though. http://theshojin.com/
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