Los Angeles is a major vegan hub. Earlier this year, the Southern California metropolis was named one of the world’s Top 10 Vegan-Friendly Cities by HappyCow. In fact, the City of Angels consistently ranks among the platform’s top cities for vegans, and for good reason.
Jump to the restaurants
According to HappyCow, Central Los Angeles alone is home to 652 vegan-friendly businesses, 61 entirely vegan restaurants, and 145 various vegan businesses. But while vegans may be spoiled for choice in LA, the high cost of living can often be a barrier to venturing out to try new, plant-based eateries.
“The overall cost of living in Los Angeles is 8% higher than the state average and 50% higher than the national average,” Minal Zaheer reports for Yahoo! Finance. “Housing costs contribute significantly to this disparity, being 20% higher than the state average and an alarming 137% higher than the national average. Additionally, transportation costs are also 25% higher than the national average,” Zaheer continues.
Despite the higher-than-average cost of living, Los Angeles is home to a plethora of restaurants offering plant-based dishes, whole meals, and desserts for under $15.
Eat at these Los Angeles restaurants for $15 or less
Dine on a budget at these vegan and vegan-friendly restaurants.
Everytable
1Everytable
With more than 30 locations across Southern California, Everytable is on a mission to redefine affordable, nutritious fare. Operating on a grab-and-go model, Everytable offers scratch-cooked, chef-crafted meals that cater to a number of diets—plant-based included. Current offerings include Ginger Orange Tofu Buddha Bowls, Cauliflower Romesco, Thai Red Curry With Veggies, and Vegan Yakisoba Noodle Salads. You can even indulge in a sweet, plant-based Lemon Blueberry Cookie.
At Everytable, prices vary by location to ensure local communities are able to afford the restaurant’s offerings. In South LA locations—where the first iteration of Everytable was founded—prices range between $6.95 and $7.95 for entrées. Find it here
Besties Vegan Paradise
2Besties Vegan Paradise
Voted Best Vegan Grocery Store by VegNews readers, Besties Vegan Paradise is more than a place for all of your plant-based groceries. The market and community hub also offers a selection of hot eats including gourmet sandwiches, hot dogs, and a rotating menu of creamy vegan soft-serve.
They’re known to offer a number of bites to eat at highly competitive prices throughout the year. In August, they partnered with Upton’s Naturals to offer $5 vegan gyros throughout the month. During the month of May, Besties offered a $5 Steak-unn Cheese Sandwich made with Unlimeat’s barbecue sliced beef, and in March, the vegan grocery store put $5 Calamari Po’ Boys made with Jinka fried calamari on its menu. Every Monday, you can also get a taste of Bestie’s award-winning soft serve for just $1.
Stay up to date with Bestie’s latest discount offerings by following them on Instagram.Find it here
Mr. Charlie’s
3Mr. Charlie’s
Immediately after opening its doors to the public back in 2022, Mr. Charlie’s took TikTok by storm. Dubbed the “vegan McDonald’s” for its vegan take on the fast-food giant, Mr. Charlie’s found fans among Hollywood stars such as Lizzo and former NBA player John Salley. However, the viral chain wasn’t without its critics, with many criticizing the chain for its pricing.
Mr. Charlie’s, however, took note and would go on to launch Not a Hamburger Mondays. Every Monday, customers can purchase a Not a Hamburger (a vegan burger made with an Impossible patty, onions, pickles, ketchup, and mustard) for just $0.99. Note: there is a limit of two per customer. Find it here
Mama’s International Tamales
4Mama’s International Tamales
While not an entirely vegan restaurant, Mama’s International Tamales offers an extensive plant-based menu of Latin American fare. For a taste of Salvadoran cuisine, opt for the vegan pupusas served with a side of salsa and tangy curtido (a cabbage slaw relish). Each pupusa will cost you $6.49, and two are usually enough to keep us satiated. Other mains include burritos, taco combo plates, enchiladas, tortas, and more—most of which are priced between $11.99 and $13.99.
And with a name like Mama’s International Tamales, you can bet there are plant-based tamales on offer. Choose between sweet corn, cheesy jalapeño, jackfruit verde, jackfruit rojo, and mole with cactus and potatoes. Each will run you $6.29, and the cheesy jalapeño is available for $6.79. Upgrade to a tamale combo—which comes complete with rice, beans, and salad—and pay $10.99.Find it here
Love Amaro Pizzeria
5Love Amaro Pizzeria
Sometimes, we’re hit with an insatiable pizza craving, but we’re not necessarily craving an entire pie. For moments like this, head to Love Amaro Pizzeria. Recognized by the Los Angeles Times’ coveted Best of the Southland awards, this entirely vegan pizzeria offers pizza by the slice through its walk-up window on Venice Beach. Choose between classic options such as pepperoni and margherita alongside more innovative offerings including Hot Honey Pineapple, The Mac’ N Cheese Pie, and Bacon Cheeseburger. A 10-inch slice goes for anywhere between $7 and $9. Find it here
Peet’s Coffee
6Peets’ Coffee
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and at Peet’s Coffee, you don’t have to go without. The chain’s Everything Plant-Based Sandwich features a Beyond Meat Breakfast sausage, Just Egg patty, and even comes complete with dairy-free cheddar cheese—all nestled between two everything bagel thins. It’s currently available for $6.65. Pair with a simple coffee beverage and you’re within the $15 budget.Find it here
Extra Market Inc.
7Extra Market Inc.
This plant-based café, market, and gallery, lives up to its name. At Extra Market Inc., you’ll find an extensive selection of American comfort food classics, and a number of them are priced under $15. For just $5, you can enjoy a smashburger or a juicy vegan hot dog. For $10, bite into a grilled cheese sandwich made with fan-favorite Grillo’s pickles. Other offerings include a hot chicken sandwich; chili cheese fries; and a bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich.Find it here
Hey, Sunshine Kitchen
8Hey, Sunshine Kitchen
This plant-basd paradise is the number one women-led restaurant on Yelp, meaning Angelenos just can’t get enough of Hey, Sunshine Kitchen. Bowls are the name of the game here, and all eight options come in just under $15 at $14.95 each. For the same price, you can also build your own custom bowl.
In the mood for a sandwich? Choose between the Crispy Chicken, Mediterranean Chickpea, Hot Chicken, and Classic Cheeseburger, all of which will cost you $12.95. For something lighter, opt for the tacos, ranging in price from $6.50 to $7.50.Find it here
Un Solo Sol
9Un Solo Sol
The extensive, entirely vegan menu at Un Solo Sol offers global bites from around the world with a prominent focus on Latin American dishes. Here, you’ll find a vast array of dishes available for under $15. Wraps ranging from al pastor to falafel will run you $11.44. Enjoy a salad for $8.32 or dig into a hearty bowl of pozole for the same price. Find it here
All Vegan Franks
10All Vegan Franks
This ghost kitchen offers a number of comfort food favorites for under $15. The Basic Frank, made with the Impossible Hot Dog, will cost you just $5. For $10, you can go for the Classic Corn Dog. Gourmet dogs such as the Elote Frank, Chili Cheese Frank, and Chicago Frank are available for $13. In the mood for a burger? A classic Impossible smashburger will cost you $10, and other burger options will run you just $13.Find it here
For more plant-based stories like this, read:
Jocelyn Martinez is an Associate Editor at VegNews living in Los Angeles, CA.
