Best Vegan Restaurants in Laguna Beach (Local Favorites + Hidden Gems)
- Liz Jurkowski
- 20 hours ago
- 3 min read
Vegan-Friendly Laguna
If you're looking for the best vegan restaurants in Laguna Beach, here’s the good news:
You don’t need to try very hard.
Laguna has always leaned into that healthy, outdoorsy, wellness lifestyle, and that translates beautifully into plant-based dining. While there aren’t a ton of fully vegan restaurants, there are plenty of vegan-friendly spots where you’ll find thoughtful, delicious options.
As someone who lives here and eats out often, I’ve found that Laguna is one of those places where you can just wander into a restaurant and still find something that works.
But if you want to plan ahead (especially in the busy summer months), here are the places worth building your trip around.
Best Vegan-Friendly Restaurants in Laguna Beach
Zinc Cafe & Market
Vegan and Vegetarian Restaurant
If you only go to one place, make it this one.
Zinc has been a Laguna staple forever, and it’s the closest thing we have to a fully plant-based restaurant. It’s vegetarian with tons of vegan options, and the setting is just as good as the food.
Think:
Garden patio dining
Fresh, seasonal ingredients
Soups, salads, sandwiches, and vegan desserts
It’s casual, it’s beautiful, and it’s very Laguna.
Active Culture
Juice Bar & Smoothies
This is one of those places that just fits Laguna Beach perfectly.
Active Culture is built around clean, healthy eating, with options for vegan, gluten-free, and pretty much every dietary preference.
What to expect:
Smoothie bowls, wraps, and salads
Clearly labeled vegan options
Casual, walk-in, post-beach vibe
This is a great stop after a hike or beach morning.
Urth Caffé
Coffee & Tea
If you want a great brunch or coffee stop, this is a go-to.
Urth Caffé offers a wide range of organic, vegan, and gluten-free options.
Perfect for:
Coffee + plant-based milk options
Vegan pastries and light meals
People-watching in downtown Laguna
It’s usually busy, but for good reason.
Rasta Taco
4.2•Mexican
This is one of those fun, unexpected spots.
Rasta Taco blends Mexican and Caribbean flavors, and they offer vegan burritos, tacos, and salads.
It’s:
Casual
Flavorful
Great for a quick lunch
Adonis Mediterranean Grill
Mediterranean
For something different, this is a solid option.
Adonis Mediterranean Grill offers plenty of naturally vegan dishes like falafel, hummus, and stuffed grape leaves.
It’s not exclusively vegan, but it’s easy to eat that way here.
Taco Loco
Note: If you’ve heard about Taco Loco, it was a longtime Laguna favorite known for its vegan options but it closed in 2023 after decades in town. Like a lot of classic Laguna spots, it’s missed by locals, but there are still plenty of great plant-based options throughout the area.
Bonus: Fully Vegan Restaurant Worth the Short Drive
Vegan•Open
If you want a fully vegan dining experience, this is the place.
It’s about a 20-minute drive from Laguna, and it’s worth it.
100% plant-based menu
Creative, elevated dishes
Great for lunch or dinner
🥑 What It’s Really Like Eating Vegan in Laguna Beach
Here’s the honest take:
Laguna isn’t a “vegan destination” in the way that LA or Portland is.
But…
It’s incredibly easy to be vegan here.
You’ll find:
Restaurants that are flexible and accommodating
Menus that naturally include plant-based options
A culture that already leans toward wellness and sustainability
There are currently dozens of vegan-friendly restaurants in the area, even if only a few are fully plant-based.
Tips for Vegan Dining in Laguna Beach
Most of your best options are within walking distance of Main Beach and Forest Avenue.
Go Early in Summer
Lines build quickly, especially at places like Zinc and Urth.
Ask! Menus Are Flexible
Many places will modify dishes to be vegan, even if it’s not listed.
So, is Laguna Vegan-Friendly?
Laguna Beach might not have a huge number of fully vegan restaurants, but what it does have is even better:
Beautiful places to eat
Fresh, thoughtful menus
A lifestyle that naturally supports plant-based living
And honestly, that’s what makes eating here so enjoyable.
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