5 Los Angeles Vegan Places That Any Meat Eater Will Love

By: Taren Marsaw

In prefacing this article, it is important for me to note that I live a life with an abundance of animal products. I eat bacon or sausage with every breakfast, love a great steak, and may possibly love ice cream more than I love myself. But, I traveled to Los Angeles with vegan friends earlier this week. I thought for sure that I would leave every meal hungry and frail with my stomach chomping on the muscles in my back. I was wrong. The vegan life was not so bad! In fact, I have a few new favorite restaurants on this list:

1. Crossroads Kitchen
The vibe is sexy; candlelit rooms with wine being ordered left and right. Each appetizer made with love and flavor out the wa-zoo. But the main courses are the crème de la crème. I had the Bolognese, crab cakes and risotto. Let me just say. . . I called my mom afterwards and told her my life was different. Somehow, with each bite, the world became a better place.

2. Zinc Café & Market
Kick yourself in the mouth, then lick your ankle. That’s how the first bite of this food tastes: that bizarrely delicious. I went through the line and built my plate at this café. I had nothing but a bread roll, vegetables, and fruit: asparagus, brussel sprouts, potatoes and bell peppers, roasted to perfection, and mixed fruit. The seasoning for each side was phenomenal. I ate until I hated myself, and wanted to do it all over again the next day.

3. The Springs
This is a full out experience because it’s not solely a restaurant; it is more of a wellness lounge. The plant-based menu is filled with a wide array of pickings. The nachos are fantastic, made with almond meat. Yes, it tastes like meat. Yes, it was made from almonds. Amazing. They have a “meat-ball” type platter that is hearty and tasty, but the drinks take the cake. The teas are just as delicious as they smell . . . ask to smell their tea-scent-jars; you won’t be disappointed.

4. Gracias Madre
You’re welcome daughter. It is the best vegan Mexican restaurant in town. It is all the rave, and for good reason. Try it out and make love happen between the fork and your mouth.

5. Kreation Organic Café
Four words. They have drinkable vitamins. They have extracted the best nutrients and vitamins from your favorite fruits and vegetables and made a cocktail of herbal juices. These juices range from skin care juice-shots to antibiotics. They are delicious and can be added to a smoothie as you eat your vegan breakfast. This is one of those spots that you will tell your Uber driver to pull over for. Definitely a hit.