16 Plant-Based California Dishes That Are Changing The Game
California stands at the forefront of plant-based culinary creativity. Skilled chefs across the state are turning classic favorites into vegan masterpieces that win over even the most committed carnivores.
Imagine inventive seafood alternatives or rich, dairy-free Italian dishes – proof that plant-based cuisine can delight the taste buds while staying kind to the planet.
1. OG Ramen with Vegan Egg at Ramen Hood
The star of Grand Central Market serves up a sunflower-seed–based broth (seasoned shoyu-style) so rich and complex you’d swear it simmered for hours.
What steals the show is their famous plant-based “egg” – a marvel of culinary science with a convincing white and runny yolk.
Every slurp delivers comfort without compromise, making this bowl a consistent highlight in LA food guides.
2. Carbonara Pizza at Wildseed
I’ll never forget my Italian grandmother’s horrified expression when I told her about vegan carbonara. Then I brought her to Wildseed, and she became a convert!
This San Francisco hotspot creates pizza magic with truffled faba-milk béchamel, sweet peas, fermented garlic, and smoky tempeh “bacon.”
The crisp crust provides the perfect foundation for this creamy, umami-rich reinvention of a classic.
3. Cacio e Pepe at Pura Vita
House-made pasta twirls in a peppery, dairy-free cream sauce that captures the essence of this Roman classic without a drop of actual cream.
The secret lies in Pura Vita’s cashew-based cheese that melts and coats each strand perfectly.
This West Hollywood trattoria proves Italian cuisine doesn’t need dairy to deliver comfort and satisfaction, making it one of LA’s most beloved vegan pasta destinations.
4. “Chronic” Roll with Chickpea “Tuna” at The Plot
Last summer, I convinced my sushi-loving brother to try The Plot’s Chronic Roll. After one bite, he put down his chopsticks and said, “You’re kidding me. This isn’t fish?”
This Oceanside gem transforms humble chickpeas into convincing “tuna” while lion’s mane mushrooms stand in for crab.
The zero-waste, chef-driven restaurant proves that sustainable, plant-based sushi can rival traditional seafood versions in both flavor and texture.
5. Hot Shrooms at Donna Jean
Mushrooms transform into crave-worthy comfort food in this San Diego favorite. Chef Roy Elam’s signature dish features crispy, spicy fried fungi tossed in house-made sauce that delivers just the right balance of heat and tang.
Served alongside cool dipping sauces, these addictive morsels have earned a dedicated following at this beloved vegan mainstay, converting even the most devoted chicken wing enthusiasts.
6. Bò Lúc Lắc (“Shaking Beef”) at Au Lac
Downtown LA’s plant-based Vietnamese institution delivers a masterful seitan interpretation of this classic dish.
Tender, wok-seared seitan pieces absorb the caramelized sauce, creating a perfect balance of sweet, savory, and tangy notes.
My Vietnamese coworker says it reminds her of family meals growing up, though her grandmother would be shocked to learn it contains no beef at all.
7. Shojin Dynamite Roll at Shojin
Culver City’s all-vegan, gluten-free sushi restaurant creates magic with plant-based ingredients. The Dynamite Roll arrives at your table unassuming, then transforms with a tableside torch that caramelizes the sweet sauce.
Meanwhile, their spicy “tuna” on crispy rice delivers that perfect textural contrast between crunchy base and tender topping, making you question everything you thought you knew about seafood.
8. Birria Tacos at El Cocinero
Jackfruit and mushrooms simmer for hours in rich, aromatic consomé until they develop the tender, shreddable texture that birria fans crave.
The Van Nuys taquería serves these treasures on corn tortillas with all the traditional fixings.
Dunk each taco into the ruby-red consomé for the full experience that proves Mexican cuisine can be faithfully recreated without animal products.
9. Jackfruit Carnitas Tacos at Gracias Madre
When I first took my carnitas-loving dad to Gracias Madre, he couldn’t believe the tender, flavorful meat in his taco wasn’t pork.
The West Hollywood hotspot transforms young jackfruit into convincing carnitas through careful seasoning and cooking.
Organic, locally-sourced ingredients elevate these tacos beyond mere substitution into something special that shines during their popular Taco Tuesday specials.
10. Monty’s Double at Monty’s Good Burger
Two Impossible patties stacked with melty plant-based cheese, crisp lettuce, tangy pickles, and secret sauce on a perfectly toasted bun.
This LA cult favorite has expanded to multiple locations while maintaining the quality that satisfies serious burger cravings.
The fully vegan menu extends to thick, creamy milkshakes that would fool any dairy lover, making Monty’s a go-to for plant-based comfort food.
11. Big Zac at Plant Power Fast Food
San Diego-born Plant Power Fast Food created the ultimate plant-based answer to the Big Mac.
Layered with two savory patties, special sauce, lettuce, dairy-free cheese, pickles, and onions between a triple-decker sesame seed bun, this burger satisfies fast food cravings without the guilt.
The Ocean Beach location continues serving this iconic sandwich alongside fries and shakes in a 100% plant-based fast food experience.
12. House Special Noodle Soup at Vinh Loi Tofu
Reseda’s legendary vegan Vietnamese restaurant has perfected plant-based protein over decades.
Their signature soup arrives steaming with housemade tofu “meats” swimming alongside fresh vegetables and chewy noodles in aromatic broth. Owner Kevin Tran often greets regulars by name, suggesting personalized soup variations.
This San Fernando Valley institution proves that plant-based Vietnamese cuisine can be both authentic and innovative.
13. Cast-Iron Mac & “Cheese” at SunCafe Organics
Growing up, mac and cheese was my ultimate comfort food. SunCafe’s version brings back that childhood joy without dairy.
Quinoa pasta bakes in a bubbling cashew-tomato sauce until the edges turn perfectly crispy in a sizzling cast-iron skillet.
This award-winning dish from the Studio City cafe proves that plant-based comfort food can surpass the original, delivering nostalgia and nutrition in each creamy, satisfying bite.
14. “I Am Magical” Black Bean Burger at Café Gratitude
The enduring signature dish at this long-running vegan brand delivers substance beyond its whimsical name.
A hearty black bean patty provides a satisfying base, while cashew-macadamia cheddar adds rich creaminess.
Served on a house-made vegan brioche bun with all the fixings, this burger has maintained its popularity at both Larchmont and Venice locations, proving that plant-based burgers don’t need to mimic meat to be magnificent.
15. Spicy Noodle Soup at Golden Era Vegan
San Francisco’s Civic Center district houses this unassuming Vietnamese treasure that locals protect like a secret.
Their spicy noodle soup delivers complex flavors that develop from hours of simmering vegetables and herbs rather than meat.
The rich, aromatic broth cradles rice noodles and plant-based proteins with just enough chili heat to warm you on foggy San Francisco days, making this humble soup a daily staple for many regulars.
16. Sea Palm & Root Vegetable Strudel at The Ravens Restaurant
The Stanford Inn’s restaurant creates this iconic Northern California dish using locally foraged sea palm from the Mendocino coastline.
Delicate pastry envelops the unique sea vegetable alongside seasonal root vegetables, creating a dish that truly represents California’s natural bounty.
I still remember watching the sunset over Big River while savoring this strudel – a perfect marriage of fine dining technique and plant-based ingredients in a breathtaking setting.