Vegetarian restaurants are becoming more and more popular lately, as people try to eat healthily and ethically. But whether you’re thinking of moving to Santa Monica, just passing through town, or over for the holidays, one thing’s for sure, if you’re a vegetarian you’ll absolutely love the place.
Unlike other places, this city is full of amazing vegetarian and vegan eateries from bakeries to oriental cuisine, everything that you can possibly crave and imagine has a vegan or vegetarian alternative in this city. So, chow down on a plant-based burger, or have some ravishing cupcakes, it’s all up to what you want!
Whether you make your way down our list systematically, or pick a place at random, we guarantee that you’ll love where you end up. So here’s our favorite vegan, vegetarian and vegetarian-friendly restaurants in Santa Monica – bon appetit!
The Eight Best Vegan & Vegetarian Restaurants In Santa Monica: Food Worth Waiting For!
1. Thai Vegan Restaurant
A vegan Thai place that brings flavor to every single dish they serve. With outdoor seating and exceptional service.
Think of the classic flavors that a Thai restaurant can offer you but with an all-vegan menu. Sounds amazing, right?
That’s exactly the philosophy behind Thai Vegan Restaurant in Santa Monica. Letting you enjoy the deliciousness that Thai cuisine is known for but without the added hassle of thinking about which dishes to avoid. Proudly vegan, this restaurant brings you the best of both worlds.
Thai Vegan has a great indoor-outdoor vibe that always makes for a refreshing visit. With open seating floor plans, plenty of fresh food stocked on multiple shelves, and a lot of bamboo used as decorative elements, the place’s interior is homey and comfortable.
It’s a great atmosphere to relax and unwind in, making it one of the best vegan and vegetarian restaurants in Santa Monica. It’s also very family friendly because of their professional staff, so this place is bound to make the entire family happy.
As far as the food is concerned, their Tom Yum soup, Tofu Yellow Curry, and Vegetable Tofu Fried Rice are amongst their most popular options. Plus, they make some truly delicious dumplings as well, that many locals love. So, order from these tried or tested menu items, or roll the dice and experiment with something entirely new. The choice is yours!
Thai Vegan Restaurant is open every day from 11 am to 9 pm. Making it a great lunch or dinner option for the entire family. Who said finding tasty vegan/vegetarian food in Santa Monica can be hard? This eatery proves otherwise.
Address: 2400 Main St, Santa Monica, CA
2. Chandni
A menu bursting with flavors and spice, this vegetarian-friendly eatery has been serving its specialty Indian cuisine for the last 30 years!
An Indian restaurant like no other! Serving many vegetarian dishes alongside a variety of meats and chicken dishes, there’s something for everyone at Chandni.
So, if you have members in your party that like vegetable curries and dishes, and others that always insist on meat, then they’ll find something to their liking making the entire clan happy – a perfect evening indeed!
The attention to detail that’s gone into the interior here is truly wonderful. From red tablecloths to brown leather sofas and floor-length mirrors that make the place look open and bright, everything about Chandni is special. It’s an inviting atmosphere to have a great meal in and the staff and service just add that much more to the entire experience.
With flavors, spice and everything nice, the restaurant serves up combinations that you may have never even dreamed of trying together.
Their most ordered dishes include their Char Dal, Cuddy Pakora, and Chana Masala. They also have a huge selection of flavored rice that you can pair with the above-mentioned items or have with naan bread – it’s up to you!
If it’s your first time eating at an Indian restaurant, then your server will be more than happy to assist you in making the right choice, especially if you want exclusively vegetarian options.
Chandni is closed on Monday and is open every other day of the week and on the weekends. Their timings are from noon to 9 pm, so you can drop by for lunch or dinner to taste some of their amazing food. It’s truly an unmissable eatery, and a great option if you’ve been craving some Indian food lately.
Address: 1909 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica
3. Berbere Vegan Restaurant
An Ethiopian restaurant with a vegan twist! Flavorful food, amazing service, an awesome interior and cute outdoor patio.
One of the best vegan restaurants in Santa Monica is Berbere Vegan Restaurant not only because of the flavors and variety of food they serve but also because of how warm, welcoming, and hospitable the restaurant and staff are. It’s one of those places that makes your mouth water as soon as you step inside!
The interior of this place is very modern and fresh with a refined color palette of terracotta, yellow and black. It features a lot of wooden seating benches and tables, plus they also have a cute outdoor seating patio which you can enjoy if the weather is nice. With two floors full of space and a patio, they are always welcoming people, no matter how crowded they get – and as one of the best vegetarian-friendly restaurants in Santa Monica they do get busy! So, go alone, with a friend, or with a family member, chances are you’ll all fall in love with the place.
Their food is on a whole other level too, and while the food is inspired by Ethiopia, many of the dishes are actually global! So whether you try their Tacos, their smoothies, or their sliders, every single thing they serve is made from quality ingredients full of a variety of vegetables and plant-based alternatives. Their entire philosophy is based on not sacrificing taste when you want to eat healthily, and they do deliver on that promise.
Berbere Vegan Restaurant has separate lunch and dinner service timings. They are closed on Saturday. They open on Sunday from 11 am to 4 pm. On Monday to Thursday, they open from 11 am to 3 pm and then from 6 pm to 9 pm. On Friday they again open only for lunch from 11 am to 4 pm. Leaving plenty of time for you to drop by!
Address: 510 Santa Monica Blvd, Santa Monica.
4. Margo’s Pizza Kitchen and Bar
Upscale vegan eatery with separate brunch and happy hour menus, open every day of the week!
One of the top 5 best vegan restaurants according to TimeOut, Margo’s Pizza Kitchen and Bar has the accolades to prove just how good they really are.
From their well-thought-out vegan menu to their ambiance and staff, everything works well together here – like a well-oiled culinary machine, making each visit here an evening to remember.
This place also has one of the nicest interiors on our list, with a rustic vibe going on and some exposed brick walls, a huge, big bar with high chair seating, and lovely green sofas that add just a pop of color to the whole place.
Apart from this, the centerpieces on every table make a difference when it comes to making each table feel special. It’s truly a magical place to enjoy a meal in and is perfect for date night!
Their food is absolutely divine too, each bite is known for being flavorful and aromatic with just the perfect blend of flavors. Their most famous items include their Pizzas, Tacos, Impossible sliders, and their sandwiches and wraps.
They also have a separate happy hour menu that offers you some items to nibble on and a great variety of drinks to order from. Plus, their Apple Crumble and Coconut Custard are some of the best vegan desserts in town, so make sure you try some.
Margo’s is open every day from 9 am to 10 pm, with happy hours being between 3-6 pm daily. They also have a brunch menu on most days apart from Tuesday and Wednesday, so you have many options to choose from.
Address: 534 Montana Ave, Santa Monica.
5. Earth, Wind & Flour Restaurant
Family-friendly Italian restaurant serving vegetarian and non-vegetarian food options with great ambiance and superb staff!
A hidden gem in Santa Monica, this iconic restaurant has been around since the 80s! Serving traditional Italian food with many vegetarian options, it’s a must-visit spot not only because of its food but also because of its history, heritage, and connection to the town. So, if you want to visit one of Santa Monica’s culinary landmarks, Earth, Wind, and Flour is the best place to go.
With a cheerful and warm interior including hanging plants, fairy lights, and thematic artwork on the walls, it really feels like a magical place to dine in.
There are bar side seating, booth, and tables to choose from and as this is a large restaurant that can accommodate many people, there will likely always be a place for you to join in on the festivities and fun.
Everything on the menu is made from locally sourced ingredients, made fresh from scratch, making it a great dining experience. They have a lot of vegetarian options to choose from and the most famous of these are their pizzas, beer-battered veggies, Eggplant Parmigiana, and vegetarian lasagna. Plus, their desserts are known for being amazing as well. Definitely worth saving space for those!
Earth, Wind and Flour Restaurant is open every day of the week, making it a reliable place to visit, especially when other places on our list of vegetarian and vegetarian-friendly restaurants in Santa Monica are closed. From Sunday to Thursday, they are open from 11 am to 9 pm. And on Friday and Saturday, they are open from 11 am to 10 pm.
Address: 2222 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica.
6. Vanilla Bake Shop
A local bakery offering a variety of scrumptious vegan cupcakes and desserts to go!
Sometimes looking for vegan snacks can be a frustrating task, as not many bakeries offering a vegan alternative. However, in Santa Monica, they’ve thought of it all because Vanilla Bake Shop offers some of the best vegan baked goods that you can find in the state, making it a must-visit for anyone craving a fantastic cupcake.
All their offerings are on display so you will walk in and start craving cupcakes straight away!
It’s a luxurious-looking café that uses a lot of white but does so tastefully. They don’t have any indoor seating and desserts are usually picked up to go, so just drop by whenever you get a chance and take some of their amazing vegan cupcakes for your evening snack.
Their most famous vegan items are those cupcakes, which they make in a variety of flavors. Apart from that they also make a great vegan Chocolate or Vanilla Bean cake. They also have other individual desserts that are vegan as well, so just ask at the counter and they’ll point you in the right direction.
Vanilla Bake Shop is open every single day, so whenever you get a craving for anything sweet, head on over. They’re open from 10 am to 7 pm, every day apart from Sunday when they are open from 10 am to 6 pm. We’d advise going early so that they have everything in stock, it is a very popular bakery after all!
Address: 512 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica.
7. Monty’s Good Burger
A vegan burger joint where everything is 100% plant-based! With lots of sides and milkshakes to choose from as well.
A vegan burger joint is sometimes quite difficult to find but Monty’s Good Burger in Santa Monica will always be a reliable option for those looking to get their burger fix but with a 100% plant-based patty. It’s also open till late – sometimes even midnight! – so there’s plenty of time to catch a burger and enjoy their food.
With a bright, red, white, and blue interior that matches its logo, Monty’s is a great place to dine in. They have limited seating with some outdoor space as well, so it can get a bit crowded, but in order to get one of the best vegan burgers in town, it’s worth the wait. Monty’s is also pet friendly, so bring along your four-legged buddy and enjoy their wares together.
Their most famous item are their burgers of course, which you can get in a single or double patty, depending on how hungry you are. You can also get a Chopped Kale Caesar Salad as a side or some fries. Their milkshakes are also very popular amongst locals.
Monty’s Good Burger is open seven days a week, so there’s no excuse not to show up and have a good time! It’s open every day from 11 am to 11 pm, apart from Thursday Friday, and Saturday when it’s open from 11 am to 12 am. On those days, why not have a burger as a midnight snack!
Address: 123 Broadway, Santa Monica.
8. Tocaya Organica
Mexican fast-casual eatery serving some fantastic vegan and vegetarian options perfect for a family meal out!
Mexican food doesn’t always have to be greasy and heavy because Tocaya Organica rethinks the way Mexican food can be made with healthier alternatives. From fresh veggies to other locally sourced ingredients, this eatery brings flavors and a unique twist to traditional Mexican cuisine, making it one of the best vegetarian-friendly restaurants in Santa Monica.
The interior is very sophisticated and elegant. Done in sea green and brown hues, everything about this restaurant is picturesque, so make sure you take tons of pictures, especially against their lit-up feature wall. With bar and table seating to choose from, there’s more than enough space to fit everyone, no matter how crowded it gets.
Their food is also pretty spectacular. Their salads, bowls, tacos, and burritos all have vegan options and come with an abundance of vegetables that everyone can enjoy. Apart from that they also have the option to make your own bowl which is great if you’re super specific about what you want.
Whether you make your own bowl or get one of their premade meals, everything is fresh, hot, and delicious. You just can’t go wrong with Mexican food that’s made as well as the food is here!
Tocaya Organica is open every day of the week, from 10:30 am to 10 pm, making it a reliable place to show up, regardless of the day or time. Plus, they also have happy hours every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday that last from 3 pm to 6 pm. So, if you want to enjoy a couple of drinks with your food, you know when to go!
Address: 507 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica.
The Best Vegetarian Restaurants In Santa Monica: Final Thoughts
That’s everything we have for today, guys! Our selection of some of the best vegetarian restaurants in Santa Monica.
We really hope you find some fantastic places on this list and have a wonderful time whether it’s with your family or friends. There are plenty of amazing vegetarian-friendly places in town, so make sure you try as many as you can!