Breakfast is not the most important meal of the day. Brunch is. In Los Angeles, this laid-back, often indulgent meal can be enjoyed year-round on an outdoor patio, sipping cool Bloody Marys and hot matcha lattes. Given the VegNews editorial headquarters are in LA, we’re certainly biased, but after countless late mornings spent dining al fresco, we believe this city has some of the best vegan brunch spots in the country.
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Where to get vegan brunch in Los Angeles
From casual to chic and pancakes to Benedicts, here are the best vegan brunch spots (listed in no particular order) in Los Angeles.
1Planta
Located next to the picturesque marina in Marina Del Rey, this stunning restaurant is one of 13 locations of the Planta family of restaurants. Sip pink-hued beetroot lattes as you dine on chilaquiles with runny yolk Yo! Eggs, omelettes with cashew crema, French Toast with cornflake granola, and blue corn waffles with candied oranges and berry compote. Coming with a group? Make a day of it and sip on endless mimosas and sake sangria until the wee hours of the afternoon.
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2
Kitchen Mouse
This charming Highland Park eatery is replete with trailing vines of colorful potted plants, a collection of hot sauces to drizzle on your plates of breakfast tacos and scrambles, dog-friendly outdoor tables, and eclectic art. The vegetarian (and mostly vegan) restaurant is open for breakfast and lunch all week, offering everything from vegan-friendly chilaquiles to breakfast sandwiches and snickerdoodle pancakes (a can’t miss! Trust us, order one for the table.) Pair that with a soy cafe au lait and you’re set for a perfectly cheerful morning. Take a quick stroll around the corner to check out the eatery’s newer vegan bakery and sandwich spot.
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3
Gracias Madre
The atmosphere at this upscale vegan Mexican restaurant is the perfect combo of relaxed and refined. Whether you’re seated indoors or outside on the open patio, you’re bound to feel like a VIP. You’ll likely see a few bonafide celebrities, too; Gracias Madre is a Hollywood hotspot for those in show business. Not to be outdone by the ambiance, the food and beverage program here is on point. We highly recommend splurging on a brunch cocktail—this place is known for its libations. Enjoy with platters of housemade crêpes topped with strawberries, chocolate hazelnut spread, and whipped coconut cream or housemade frittatas with zucchini, jalapeno, cashew mozzarella, chipotle salsa, and black beans.
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4
Seabirds Kitchen
Located in Long Beach—about a half-hour south of Los Angeles proper—this eatery still resides in Los Angeles County. The breezy restaurant delivers outstanding eats, complete with over-the-top Birdy Marys and truly unique dishes. Our tip is to dine with a crowd and try everything, literally. If you’re dining solo, get the Biscuit Bomb, no questions asked. It comes with seasoned breakfast tofu, maple fennel tempeh, baby spinach, an aji yolk sauce, and a sweet maple drizzle on a rosemary cheddar biscuit.
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The WIld Chive
5
The Wild Chive
Another Long Beach mainstay, The Wild Chive originally began as a pop-up. Its decadent menu has earned the concept a prime corner spot on a busy street in Long Beach, just a short jaunt from the ocean. When dining here, it’s best to go big. Try the Country Breakfast, made with soft-scrambled tofu, housemade breakfast sausage, grilled cheese, home fries, onions, mixed bell peppers, baby arugula, and country gravy. The Monte Cristo and Grilled Burrizo are two other excellent choices. A nap after a trip to The Wild Chive is certainly valid.
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Pura Vita
6
Pura Vita
When you think “Italian restaurant and wine bar,” “great brunch” doesn’t typically come to mind. However, this West Hollywood and Redondo Beach restaurant knows how to flex its range by way of delivering a brunch menu just as stellar as its evening menu. The morning items are infused with an Italian touch, from the Almond Ricotta Pancakes to the Aurora Breakfast Pizza. Those with a serious appetite should look at the Buongiorno Calzone—an everything bagel-seasoned monstrosity of dough stuffed with housemade ricotta and mozzarella, tofu scramble, roasted red peppers and potatoes, caramelized onions, and jalapeños, all drizzled with cilantro cream.
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Just What I Kneaded
7Just What I Kneaded
Don’t tell Just What I Kneaded founder Justine Hernandez to stay in her lane—she’ll create a Pop-Tart after you, shaming your unsolicited advice by way of sweet pastry glaze. Yes, this Frogtown bakery is known for its sweets (including those political Pop-Tarts), but it does so much more. In addition to cinnamon rolls, danishes, and giant cookies, this café offers a full savory menu of, stuffed breakfast burritos, crunch wraps, and all-day breakfast bowls along with a robust espresso program. There’s a good amount of seating outside, so fill your pink pastry box before the goodies run out, then linger a while over a soy milk latte and herbed biscuit sammie.
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Crossroads Kitchen
8Crossroads Kitchen
Chef Tal Ronen is heralded for bringing the white tablecloth to the LA vegan dining scene. Known for its swanky dinner menu and celebrity clientele, Crossroads brings that same chef mentality to its brunch menu. Try the items made with Impossible meat (did you know that the Impossible sausage we know and love was crafted in Crossroads’ kitchen?) or try chef-created plates such as the Khachapuri—a traditional Georgian pastry stuffed with cheese and egg, reincarnated in a vegan kitchen. The Janns Bagel and Chicken & Waffles are also solid choices.
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Sarah McLaughlin
9Spoke Bicycle Cafe
Located on the bustling bike path along the LA River in the Frogtown neighborhood, this popular outdoor eatery doubles as a community hub, hosting live shows, a bike repair shop, and local flea market crawls … all while serving a very vegan-friendly meal. Go for the tofu scramble plate complete with buttered locally baked bread, crispy potatoes, and blistered tomatoes, or opt for the Breakfast Bun where seasoned tofu scramble is nestled onto a griddled soft bun.
Find IT HERE
SunCafe Organic
10 SunCafe Organic
If it’s wholesome, organic food you’re after, head to Studio City for a hearty, nourishing, soul-cleansing meal at SunCafe Organic. Every weekend, the eatery serves a delicious, and unique, brunch menu, which features options like Sun Florentine with tempeh bacon, The Mac & Cheese with quinoa pasta, and a Sausage Potato Skillet, with Beyond Meat Sausages, bell peppers, and rosemary potatoes.
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11 Modern Shaman
Located in Whittier, Modern Shaman was inspired by the traditional Andean shamans of Peru and Bolivia. All of its menu options have been mindfully crafted with the planet, and your tastebuds, in mind. Its small plates are perfect for brunch—check out options like Cajun Blackened Shrimp Tacos, Vegan Menudo, and Jackfruit Nah-Chos.
Find it here
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12 The Butcher’s Daughter
Don’t be fooled by the name, The Butcher’s Daughter is all about plants. It has two Los Angeles spots, in Venice and West Hollywood, and both offer a special weekend brunch menu. Treat yourself to indulgent options like the Lemon Lavender Waffle (with vegan whipped cream!) and the Classic Butchers Burger with a beet and akua kelp patty. Note: this is a vegetarian spot, so watch out for eggs in some of the dishes.
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The Grain Cafe
13 The Grain Cafe
At The Grain Cafe, which has one spot in Los Angeles, as well as one in Culver City and another in Long Beach, expect to find plenty of vegan, organic dishes, laden with the flavors of Mexico (specifically the region of Oaxaca). If you want to keep it simple, the brunch menu includes plenty of classics, including oatmeal, granola, and an English muffin with tofu egg and cheese, but you can also opt for the Huevos a La Mexicana, which is loaded with tofu scramble, onions, bell peppers, jalapenos, black beans, and tortilla chips, or the super hearty Breakfast Burrito, which comes complete with tempeh bacon.
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For more on vegan California hot spots, read:
Sarah McLaughlin (@sarahmclaughlin) is the New Products Editor at VegNews and is always on the search for the newest innovations in plant-based food.
