Watch CBS News

Best Raw Vegan Spots in LA

best raw vegan 118 degrees COVER
With Los Angeles restaurants offering raw vegan dishes that even a hardcore carnivore would love, the only question is where to eat which day of the week. Take a look at some of these delicious top choices for raw fare that makes you feel as good as it tastes. Raw vegan is the way to go for a healthy and delicious meal.
best raw vegan 118 degrees
(credit: Jack Burke/DiversionsLA)

118 Degrees
18636 Ventura Blvd
Tarzana, CA 91356
(818) 660-1118
www.118degreesla.com

118 Degrees is a hip raw vegan spot that eschews everything but plant-based cuisine modeled around nuts, seeds, fruits, veggies, and sprouted grains. What's the result? Fantastic flavor and clean food that energizes and rejuvenates. Try the pistachio pesto stuffed mushrooms or crisp cucumber salad made from cucumber, corn, sprouted quinoa and tahini cheese topped with a light lemon vinaigrette. The raw lasagna is great, too, hearty with layered zucchini, tomato, macadamia nut ricotta and sweet basil marinara, with basil cheese and marinated portobello mushrooms.

best raw vegan SunCafe
(credit: Jack Burke/DiversionsLA.com)

SunCafe
10820 Ventura Blvd
Studio City, CA 91604
(818) 308-7420
www.Suncafe.com

While the menu isn't entirely raw, there are many delightful raw offerings at SunCafe, a beautiful vegan spot in the heart of Studio City. The shady patio at this bungalow-turned-restaurant is the perfect spot to indulge in some super delicious Sun Bruschetta made up of sweet cherry tomatoes, basil, garlic, and cashew ricotta on raw sunflower & buckwheat "bread," with a rich balsamic reduction. Or try the raw Lettuce Leaf Tacos featuring SunChorizo, cashew cheese, pico de gallo, avocado and mouth-watering basil ranch. Another option: take home the restaurant's Raw Boxed meals, containing raw foods that boost the immune system and reduce cancer risk. Gluten free, too.

best raw vegan cafe gratitude
(credit: Jack Burke)

Cafe Gratitude - Larchmont
639 N Larchmont Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90004
(323) 580-6383
Additional Locations In Venice, and in DTLA
www.Cafegratitude.com

Like SunCafe, not everything on the menu at the charming Cafe Gratitude is raw, but this vegan mainstay has plenty of raw options. One favorite: "HAPPY," a raw mediterranean wrap made up of raw falafels, zucchini cilantro hummus, spinach, red onion, tomato, cucumber, red pepper harissa sauce, garlic tahini dressing, and live sun-dried tomato wrap, capped with a yummy side of hemp seed tabbouleh. The "HEARTY" raw organic pizza is an amazing alternative to the take-out pies you may be used to scarfing down in front of the television. And whatever you do, don't forget the beverages. The housemade ginger Kombucha and rosewater lemonade are not just raw, they are out of this world delicious.

best raw vegan - sage
(credit: Sami U./Yelp)

Sage
4130 Sepulveda Blvd
Culver City, CA 90230
(424) 228-5835
www.Sageveganbistro.com

Sage bistro is a beautiful spot with a large patio and a wide array of vegan treats. On the raw side of things, try the gourmet nut cheese with raw vegetable crackers or the kale cucumber salad made with massaged kale, carrot, cucumber, jicama, celery, apples, lemon wedges, and topped with hibiscus dressing. This airy indoor/outdoor westside spot has a number of tasty raw vegan options. The house Kombucha and green juices here are pretty fantastic, too.

Best raw vegan au lac
(credit: Au Lac)

Au Lac
710 West 1st St
Los Angeles, CA 90012
213-617-2533
www.aulac.com

Au Lac serves up a creative vegan menu that includes a variety of flavor-filled raw vegan dishes with an Asian flare. Offerings include delightful appetizers like Crimini Pesto, featuring stuffed mushrooms with Thai basil, pine nuts, sprouts, and bell peppers, and soups like the Humanese, with its cilantro flax broth, coconut, avocado, and tamari. Main course? Try the Cali Roll wrap, nori sushi with fresh coconut, dulse, pine nuts, cucumber, and bell pepper.

Genie Davis is a multi-published journalist, novelist, and screenwriter. She lives near the beach in Los Angeles. See more on: CBSLA | eco-exist.com | geniedavis.com | DiversionsLA | Twitter.
View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.