It’s clear by now that there’s no shortage of healthy food in Los Angeles. But while everyone can smash an avocado these days, there are a few local restaurants that take clean eating to the next level.
Healthy and truly delicious? Yep, these places check both boxes. Your brain will think you’re indulging, while your body will thank you for being so health-conscious. When you’re ready to experience the best of both worlds—we’re all about in LA—eat here first.
CAFÉ GRATITUDE
image via Karen Farber | Yelp
Café Gratitude’s large menu is filled with plant-based, organic, self-affirming food that will not only wow your taste buds, but also leave you feeling Grateful/Awesome/Liberated (the list goes on…) depending on what you order. If you’re not sure what to get, try the Whole/Macrobiotic Bowl — it’s a fan favorite. And with several locations all over LA, you can find that Grateful/Awesome/Liberated feeling no matter where you are.
REAL FOOD DAILY
image via Real Food Daily | Facebook
“Never diet, just eat real food daily” — the slogan says it all. Tasty, creative, healthy food is what you’ll find on the menu at Real Food Daily, making it easy to eat well and indulge at the same time. Try the newest addition to their menu: Heart of Palm Tacos with jicama tortillas. Got a hankering for pizza? Their vegan mushroom truffle version is one for the books. Options are the name of the game here, and with an outpost in LAX Terminal 4 (along with WeHo and Pasadena), you can take a piece of RFD wherever you go!
M CAFÉ
image via @c_where_to_go | Instagram
Clean eaters, rejoice! M Café is a restaurant with locations in Beverly Hills and Hollywood that focuses on macrobiotic cuisine. From grilled salmon Caesar salads to teriyaki whole grain bowls, they’ve got something to satisfy every craving. And if you’re in a rush, grab a bento box or sushi from the deli.
TOCAYA ORGANICA
image via Tocaya Organica | Facebook
Healthy food doesn’t always mean salads and quinoa — thank goodness. And Tocaya Organica proves just that with their modern, organic Mexican food. They offer a healthier take on Mexican classics, and almost everything on the menu is customizable based on your dietary needs or preferences. If you are craving a salad, you won’t find run-of-the-mill ones here. Dive into their flavor-packed namesake salad with your choice of protein and cheese — you can thank us later. Maybe the best news? There are several Tocaya Organica outposts across LA with more on the way, so chances are, there’s one close to you.
KYE’S
image via Kye’s Montana | Facebook
What happens when a molecular biologist sets out to create healthy food for her son’s picky palate and food sensitivities? That’s how the pure deliciousness that is Kye’s was born. Kye’s specializes in the “KyeRito” — sandwiches packed with organic, local, and nutritious ingredients, minus the bread. They’re instead wrapped in nori, collard greens, or romaine. If that’s not your thing, you can get your meal in a bowl. Really, everything on the menu is wholesome and fresh, but we especially love The Macro and Chicken Curry dishes. As the name suggests, you can find Kye’s on Montana in Santa Monica.
FORAGE
image via @whitneyaronoff | Instagram
Forage is a Silver Lake favorite, so you know it’s good. It’s an intimate, family-owned spot that focuses on fresh, seasonal (yet affordable) food — it really doesn’t get much better than that. The menu changes every day based on Chef Kim’s seasonal farmers market finds, but you can bet it will be delicious (and beautifully crafted).
KREATION ORGANIC
image via Kreation Organic Kafe & Juicery | Facebook
With three kafes on top of countless more juiceries, Kreation is a convenient and fun spot to get a healthy meal. We suggest one of their famous kebab plates or a Jungle Bowl packed with a day’s worth of fruits and veggies (trust us — it’s delicious). And if you’re not close to one of their kafes, grab a juice, smoothie, or a healthy grab-and-go meal at a juicery near you.
SUNCAFE
image via Marissa R. | Yelp
A peaceful oasis in Studio City, SunCafe is the place for a truly satisfying meal that also happens to be vegan. Their entire menu (that spans brunch, lunch, and dinner) is 100% plant-based, dairy-free, and made from scratch with organic, seasonal, non-GMO ingredients, so no matter what your heart (and belly) desires, it’ll be the freshest of fresh. If you want to keep it light, try their Sweet Kale Shake — it’s a mean green dream. If you need something more substantial, the Legendary Kale Colossus salad is a local favorite. And when you want to splurge just a little, we suggest you try the Super Sun Nachos. They’re that good.
THE BUTCHER’S DAUGHTER
image via @onecreativehead | Instagram
Don’t let the name fool you — the only thing this Venice restaurant is butchering are veggies. The Butcher’s Daughter is an all-in-one juice bar, café, and “vegetable slaughterhouse” in a gorgeous, relaxed venue straight out of Pinterest. If you go for brunch—and we suggest you do—try The Best Egg Sandwich or the Spicy Kale Caesar. And for the adventurous crowd, be sure to order one of their unique mimosas, which include ingredients like kale and cucumber.
LITTLE PINE
image via Little Pine | Facebook
The brainchild of musician Moby, Little Pine is a vegan bistro with tasty dishes like sriracha-glazed Brussels sprouts and king trumpet scallops made of mushrooms. The restaurant has a cool rustic vibe that will make you feel like you’re in a chic ski lodge rather than in Silver Lake. Undeniably, it’s the perfect spot for weekend brunch with friends. And the best part besides the eats? 100% of their profits go to protecting animals. In other words, dining at Little Pine is an all-around win-win.
FLOWER CHILD
image via Shirly C. | Yelp
Settled just off the ocean in Santa Monica, Flower Child makes eating clean and green oh-so-easy. The two-story restaurant offers plenty of seating, and the food is as light and colorful as the restaurant itself. Try the Mother Earth bowl or the Strawberry Fields salad, and be sure to pair it with a glass of kombucha — it’s on tap!
SAGE VEGAN BISTRO
image via Sage Vegan Bistro | Facebook
Sage offers organic, locally-sourced, and plant-based fare in a fun, unpretentious environment. As the restaurant puts it, “We are the place where you can bring your date at night and your momma in the morning.” A place that can pull double-duty like that? Sign us up! While you’re there, give the Banh Mi Tacos or the Mole Bowl a try. Bonus: if you’re not near one of their restaurants in Culver City, Echo Park, or Pasadena, they’ve got a food truck you can rent for events!
BONDI HARVEST
image via Bondi Harvest | Facebook
Tucked away in an industrial part of Santa Monica, Bondi Harvest is serving up Aussie-style beach vibes and healthy breakfast and lunch eats. From the bowls, eggs on toast, and flat whites to the laid-back feel and hospitality, we’d say it’s as close to the Land Down Under brekkie culture as you can get in LA. The breakfast burrito is hands down the all-time fave among locals, but whatever you choose, get ready to celebrate fresh and flavorful fare.
HONEY HI
image via Honey Hi | Facebook
The aromas of healthful (mostly veggie) bowls and gluten-free sourdough toasts inspired by international cuisines fill this little café in Echo Park. Behind Honey Hi are two best friends, one a holistic nutritionist who created a menu in collaboration with local farmers and artisans, so there’s no denying each dish is made with the utmost care and highest standards. Must-haves include their Miso Bowl and Sweet Potato & Avocado Toast — gluten-free, refined-sugar-free, GMO-free, and delectable. A neighborhood mainstay that makes eating “craveable, sustainable, comfort food” easy? Count us in.
SQIRL
image via @datsmonica | Instagram
What started as a simple jam operation has sprouted into a full-fledged, highly-coveted Silver Lake breakfast and lunch joint. It’s the one with the long line down the block, and for good reason. Their farm-to-table dishes are as tasty and satisfying as they are innovative and Instagram-worthy. The poster child for Sqirl is arguably the Sorrel Pesto Rice Bowl filled with local, sustainable, and organic ingredients along with bold flavors. But The Hash and Buckwheat Pancake put up some stiff competition. We don’t blame you if you try it all (at once).
TRUE FOOD KITCHEN
image via True Food Kitchen | Facebook
Inspired by the philosophy that food should make you feel better, True Food follows the principles of Dr. Andrew Weil’s anti-inflammatory diet (aka vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free). But don’t let that fool you — indulge in dishes like Cashew Pad Thai and Lasagna Bolognese and feel good about it. Like some wine to go with your meal? No problem (and it’s sustainable!). And with Oprah’s recent investment in the eatery, we’ll bet it’s only going to get better. Find the ever-growing chain in Santa Monica, Pasadena, and El Segundo.
BY CHLOE.
image via by CHLOE. | Facebook
This Silver Lake fast-casual hot spot is redefining what it means to eat well. Their 100% plant-based and certified-kosher menu, made up of whole, real, and locally-sourced ingredients, speaks for itself. With made-to-order menu items like The Guac Burger and Matcha Kelp Noodles, you’ll keep coming back for more — vegan or not.
**Updated by Katherine Chang, October 2018