Vegan hotspots in Los Angeles

America isn’t the first country that comes to mind when thinking of vegan cuisine. The country’s motto is big, bigger, biggest, and this very much applies to its fast food chains, with their massive servings of buffalo wings, fried chicken and a variety of other meat-based dishes.

But vegan cuisine is clearly on the rise in many parts of America, most notably in more progressive states such as California.

This article focuses on Los Angeles, which has some of the country’s best vegan diners. In addition, you can find handy tips on preparing for your trip to the United States, such as applying for an ESTA.

Vegan restaurants in LA

Los Angeles has no shortage of vegan eating establishments; it has fancy vegan restaurants, quiet little shops where you can get a quick bite and even street stalls. You can start the day off with a delicious breakfast at café Gratitude.

How about some buckwheat pancakes with fresh fruit or a healthy superfood bowl? Be sure to try one of the special coffees with homemade almond, coconut or oat milk. This should give you all the energy you need for a tour of the city or a nice stroll along Venice Beach!

For lunch, we recommend Veggiegrill, a restaurant that can be found at various locations in the city. The restaurant only serves vegetarian dishes that still look like typical American dishes, such as burgers, sandwiches, salads and tacos.

You can pre-order at Veggiegrill and pick up your dish, so if you’re short on time and want to see as much of Los Angeles as possible, get your vegan meal on the go.

In the evening, lovers of Mexican cuisine should pay a visit to Tocaya Organica, an atmospheric restaurant with numerous vegan options. From salads, to soups, burritos and quesadillas, you’ll quickly find yourself overwhelmed by the sheer amount of choices they offer.

If you’re more of an Italian fan, Maccheroni Republic offers a delicious plate of homemade pasta. Ayara Thai has several options for vegan curries, noodles, wok and rice dishes.

Vegan shops and grocery stores

Shopping in LA can also be done entirely vegan, for example at BESTIES Vegan Paradise, a true paradise for vegans. Here you can find egg substitutes, vegan cheese, ice cream and various vegan pastries.

Erewhon Market is also an absolute must during a stay in Los Angeles. The shop has local, organic products and most products come without packaging. If you’re not one for restaurants, the wide range of fresh vegetables found here easily allow you to prepare your own homemade vegan meals.

Preparing for a trip to LA: ESTA or visa application

Any trip to the United States, regardless of the state you are travelling to, requires either an ESTA or a visa. Unlike a visa, you can easily apply for the ESTA online. This generally only takes a few minutes and the ESTA is usually approved within 3 days.

What’s more, the ESTA is quite a bit cheaper than the US visa, and can be paid for in more ways as well (such as with PayPal).

Tourists and business travellers generally meet the requirements for usage of the ESTA. However, the ESTA is really just meant for leisure trips and business trips to the United States. You can’t study or work in the USA on an ESTA.

An ESTA allows you to stay in the United States for up to 90 days. Generally, this is more than enough to see most of the highlights in Los Angeles.

However, if you want to stay in America for longer than 90 days, for example to explore vegan hotspots in other states, you need a US visa. This requires an appointment at the embassy, as well as an interview with an embassy employee.

*This post in sponsored by e-visa