Wednesday, March 8, 2017

Where to Eat Vegan in Orange County California


If you are attending Natural Foods Expo at the Anaheim Convention Center this week or just visiting Orange County in general, you'll be pleased to know that there are many vegan restaurants to visit! Since I live here, I decided to create a list of vegan and vegan-friendly restaurants for visitors. I'm gearing his list more towards my vegan friends that are in town for the Natural Foods Expo West at the Anaheim Convention Center, so I've organized everything with that starting point in mind. Unfortunately there aren't that many vegan options within walking distance of the convention center or at the convention center itself (besides all the samples at Expo West and a few scarce vegan options), so you will need a car (or a Lyft) to get to most of these places around Orange County, but they are well worth it!

Before we get started, I did want to mention a few things. I've compiled this list by frequenting some of these restaurants myself, but I've also gathered information from Yelp and Google listings. I haven't been to all of the restaurants listed, so always double-check with the staff which dishes are vegan when visiting, as things may change.

Also, the list below isn't completely comprehensive - I'm sure I've missed some vegan restaurants and there is no way I could ever add in every single restaurant that offers vegan options (the list grows every day). I think the list is pretty expansive, but if you know of any vegan restaurants or vegan-friendly restaurants I've omitted, let me know in the comments below so I can get them added!

I've ordered the list below in two categories, the first is strictly all-vegan restaurants, in order of distance from the Anaheim Convention Center (the closest restaurants are listed first, with the city the restaurant is located in and approximate distance from the convention center noted). The second list includes restaurants in Orange County with vegan options. This isn't a complete list (because that list would be HUGE!), but will give you more than enough options when you are visiting Orange County! 

Vegan Restaurants in Orange County:

 Vegan Pizza

Vegan Pizza (Garden Grove, CA, 1 mile from the Anaheim Convention Center) - This vegan pizza place also has calzones and the best vegan corn dogs! Seating is limited, so take your order to-go (they also offer delivery within a few miles)! It is really close from the Anaheim Convention Center. Read my reviews on Vegan Pizza here and here

Loving Hut (Garden Grove, CA, 1 mile from the Anaheim Convention Center) - In the same shopping center as Vegan Pizza! I haven't been to this particular location, but I do appreciate there being more vegan options in the Anaheim area!

Thuyen Vien (Anaheim, CA, 1.5 miles west from the Anaheim Convention Center) - This vegan restaurant serves up delicious and very reasonably priced Vietnamese food in a no-frills space. Check out my review!

Healthy Junk

Healthy Junk (Anaheim, CA, 3 miles north from the Anaheim Convention Center) - Vegan comfort food in a modern food court-style space and a close drive from Expo. 

Hoa Sen Vegetarian Restaurant (Garden Grove, CA, 4 miles south from the Anaheim Convention Center) - I have not been here yet, but I've heard good things about this vegan Vietnamese spot! Their menu looks expansive and mouth-watering!

Blue Bowl (Orange, CA, 4 miles south east from the Anaheim Convention Center) - This place specializes in superfood acai bowls and is all-vegan (no sneaky honey here, they use vegan bee-free honey)! They have lots of choices and toppings for variety and open every morning at 7AM (note: they are closed Sundays). 

Hug Life (Garden Grove, CA, 4.5 miles south from the Anaheim Convention Center) - This new vegan ice cream spot offers an interesting array of flavors and dessert creations, plus they are open later so you can get a sweet pick-me-up after a long day at the convention center!

Thien Dang Vegetarian (Garden Grove, CA, 6 miles south from the Anaheim Convention Center) - This vegan restaurant serves authentic Vietnamese foods and banh mi (sandwiches), pho and other Vietnamese soup bowls.

Au Lac (Fountain Valley, CA, 8 miles south from the Anaheim Convention Center) - This upscale vegan restaurant caters to raw vegans and has some truly gorgeous dishes and elixirs! Read my review!

Freesoulecaffe (Tustin, CA, 8 miles south from the Anaheim Convention Center) - This vegan restaurant is a bit pricey, but I usually like what I order. If you want to treat yourself they serve breakfast (waffles, pancakes, baked goods) until 11AM, panini, burgers and sandwiches after 11AM, and pastas and pizzas after 5PM. Read my review!

Veggie Grill

Veggie Grill (multiple locations, closest location is in Irvine 10 miles south from the Anaheim Convention Center) - This vegan chain is seriously off the hook! It is the vegan restaurant I frequent the most, where I can either get a healthy salad or splurge on a Beyond Burger!

Quan Long Hoa Vegan (Westminster, CA, 10 miles south from the Anaheim Convention Center) - Small restaurant serving Vietnamese vegan food like pho, bowls, and more.

Cinnaholic (Brea, CA, 11 miles north from the Anaheim Convention Center) - All vegan cinnamon rolls with a dizzying array of topping options! The original is in Berkeley, but they are starting to open up many more locations (yay!).

The Wheel of Life (Irvine, CA, 11 miles south from the Anaheim Convention Center) - Dishes with a Southeast Asian flair like curries and pad thai are served in a casual setting. 

Mitasie (Huntington Beach, CA, 13 miles south from the Anaheim Convention Center) - Vietnamese fare like rice dishes, noodle soups, and much more are served here (don't skip the garlic rice!).

Vegan Nirvana

Vegan Nirvana (Huntington Beach, CA, 13 miles south from the Anaheim Convention Center) - Come for the UFO art, stay for the delicious food! Read all about it in my review!

Seabirds Kitchen

Seabirds Kitchen (Costa Mesa, CA, 13 miles south from the Anaheim Convention Center) - This is my favorite restaurant in Orange County! If you can make it on Saturday or Sunday, they serve brunch until 2PM. Whenever you go, you MUST order the purple taquitos! If you don't get dessert here (though it is highly recommended) you can pop by Good Town Donuts or Cafecito Organico (review) for some vegan donut options! Read my original review from when they first opened!

Native Foods

Native Foods (Costa Mesa, CA, 13 miles south from the Anaheim Convention Center) - A vegan chain that offers appetizers, salads, burgers, wraps, bowls, and sandwiches. It is in a cute little center with fun shops, but the parking lot can get pretty bad. It is across the street from Seabirds Kitchen!

Cafe Gratitude

Cafe Gratitude (Newport Beach, CA, 17 miles south from the Anaheim Convention Center) - Vegan food and drinks in a bright and beautiful space. If you don't mind the hokey affirmations and somewhat slow service, this is a good place to splurge and unwind after a long day. They also have locations in LA. Check out my review!

Vegilicious (Huntington Beach, CA, 18 miles south from the Anaheim Convention Center) - This cozy eatery provides organic and vegan curries, ramen, sandwiches and more. Great for stopping by if you are on your way to the beach in HB.

Bodhi Tree 

Bodhi Tree Cafe (Huntington Beach, CA, 20 miles south west from the Anaheim Convention Center) - This vegan restaurant is close to the Huntington Beach's Main Street and pier, so you can eat and take a stroll! They serve delicious Vietnamese-inspired dishes and have a space large enough to host a big group.

The Stand Natural Foods (Laguna Beach, CA, 24 miles south west from the Anaheim Convention Center) - This walk-up a block from the beach serves up fresh smoothies, juices, simple burritos, sandwiches, and more. It has a laid-back hippie vibe and is perfect when visiting Laguna and grabbing something to snack on before hitting the beach. 

Restaurants in Orange County with Vegan Options:

Chipotle (multiple locations, closest in Anaheim is 2.5 miles north from the Anaheim Convention Center) - The vegan options are marked on the menu, and while you can opt for a veggies-only bowl, burrito, or tacos, I almost always get the delicious Sofritas, which is organic shredded tofu braised with an assortment of chili and spices. In a burrito with their brown rice, black beans, veggies, salsa, and guacamole, it is heavenly!

Kareem’s Restaurant (Anaheim, CA, 3.3 miles north from the Anaheim Convention Center) - Clearly marked vegan options on the menu, including falafel, babaganoush, hummus, tabouli, soup, and more! Plus it is so close to the convention center!

Mead's Green Door (Orange, CA, 4 miles east from the Anaheim Convention Center) - This cafe has vegan pastry options, coffee drinks, juices, smoothies, plus lunch options like sandwiches, pizzas, and more (all with vegan options) in a cute, friendly space. They open at 6AM on weekdays and 8AM on weekends so you can get your goodies before starting your day!

Aunt Yese's (Garden Grove, CA, 4 miles west from the Anaheim Convention Center) - This homey breakfast place has a whole section on its menu devoted to vegan items, like breakfast tacos, soyrizo burritos, hashbrowns, pancakes, sandwiches, and more!

Mother's Market (multiple locations, closest in Santa Ana is 5 miles east from the Anaheim Convention Center) - This natural foods market has lots of vegan options so you can stock up on food and snacks, plus they have a sit-down restaurant with lots of vegan dishes, plus a deli and a juice bar!

Scoops OC (Santa Ana, CA, 6 miles south from the Anaheim Convention Center) - This ice cream shop offers several vegan options that change regularly. 

Green Bliss (Fullerton, CA, 7 miles north from the Anaheim Convention Center) - This vegetarian cafe serves organic, farm-to-table food majority sourced from local vendors and has fair-trade coffee, smoothies, loose leaf teas, plus homemade vegan pastries! Not everything is vegan, but a good selection is and everything is clearly labeled (even their gluten-free options!).

Rasoi Curry Point (Tustin, CA, 8 miles south from the Anaheim Convention Center) - I JUST found out about this place that offers vegan Indian options and can't wait to try it out! For lunch they even have an all-you-can-eat special (with vegan options)!

Crafted Donuts (Fountain Valley, CA, 8.3 miles south from the Anaheim Convention Center) - This placed used to be known as Donut Bar (the same that is in San Diego and Las Vegas), but has since switched their name. Luckily, they still offer an assortment of vegan donuts! My review back when they were Donut Bar.

Zombee Donuts

Zombee Donuts (Fullerton, CA, 9 miles north from the Anaheim Convention Center) - They usually only have a few vegan donut options, but for fellow spooky vegans out there this a-gore-able bakeshop filled with zombie decor is too much fun to pass up! Two severed thumbs up! Check out my review here!

Sensitive Sweets (Fountain Valley, CA, 9 miles south from the Anaheim Convention Center) - This bakery specializes in gluten free, dairy free, egg free, vegan, soy free, nut free, and allergy-friendly desserts. The majority of their offerings are vegan, but a few contain honey. All of their cakes, cupcakes, brownies, and breads are baked fresh with organic ingredients, no preservatives and no trans-fats.

Zpizza (multiple locations, closest in Tustin is 9 miles south east from the Anaheim Convention Center) - This pizza chain has vegan cheese and sausage, and you can build your own vegan pizza or order my fave, the Berkeley Vegan Pizza, which comes vegan as-is.

Ike's

Ike's Love and Sandwiches (Fountain Valley, CA, 10 miles south from the Anaheim Convention Center and Newport Beach, CA, 13 miles south from the Anaheim Convention Center) - They have some delicious vegan sandwich options! My fave is the vegan James and the Giant Peach (vegan cheese, Ike’s Yellow BBQ, vegan fried chick'n) on a Dutch Crunch roll!

Kabuki Japanese Restaurants (multiple locations, closest in Huntington Beach is 10 miles south west from the Anaheim Convention Center) - This sushi place offers multiple vegan options - selections are marked vegetarian, but are vegan, even the spicy tofu on crispy rice is vegan (they use vegan mayo).

Fresh Brothers Pizza (multiple locations, closest in Irvine is 10 miles south from the Anaheim Convention Center) - This pizza place offers vegan wings (deep fried Gardein, but daaaaang are they good!), vegan dipping sauces, plus vegan pizzas (my fave is the vegan cheese and sausage pizza!).

Mendocino Farms (multiple locations, closest in Brea is 12 miles north from the Anaheim Convention Center) - This sandwich place serves multiple seasonal vegan options - I love their vegan banh mi and BBQ tempeh sandwiches. They also have vegan side salads available, including a yummy vegan potato salad. 

Donuttery

The Donuttery (Huntington Beach, CA, 14 miles south from the Anaheim Convention Center) - My favorite donut place in Orange County with vegan options! The humongous vegan apple fritter is a MUST as is the vegan peanut butter and jelly donut! My reviews HERE and HERE!

Tacos Cancun (Costa Mesa, CA, 15 miles south from the Anaheim Convention Center) - A cute little hole-in-the-wall offering vegan options including tacos, burritos, fried ice cream, horchata, and more!! My go-to's are the vegan horchata and the veganized asada fries! Check out my review!

Local. Healthy Tapas and Sake (Costa Mesa, CA, 15 miles south from the Anaheim Convention Center)  - This tapas-style restaurant serves small appetizer-sized bites as well as vegan ramen! Not everything is vegan, but there are lots of vegan options. This is right across the street from Tacos Cancun. 

Secret Spot (Huntington Beach, CA, 18 miles south west from the Anaheim Convention Center) - Right near the beach, this super-casual eatery is great for picking up a quick burrito, wrap, or sandwich and enjoying it on the beach. Not everything is vegan, so be sure to double-check when ordering.

True Food Kitchen

True Food Kitchen (Newport Beach, CA, 18 miles south from the Anaheim Convention Center) - This large restaurant is beautifully bright on the inside and would be fantastic for a big group outing. The menu is seasonal, but there are always vegan options to be found and the servers are always really knowledgeable about the vegan options.

Pizza Rev/Blaze Pizza/Pieology - All three of these are build-your-own pizza places that carry vegan toppings (like cheese)! They all work the same way in that you go through an assembly line and tell the servers what you want on your pizza. Most are familiar with vegan toppings and most are clearly labeled. I lumped all three together since they are the same kind of pizza place, but they are all tasty if you happen to find one in the area you are in! They have multiple locations across Orange County.

Want more? Check out my 5 Must-Try Vegan Options in Orange County!

Going to Disneyland or California Adventure? Check out vegan recommendations from the Disneyland Vegan, the Vegan Cowgirl, and Disneyland's veg food fact sheet for vegan options! My vegan go-to's at Disneyland include the vegan gumbo in a bread bowl in New Orleans Square, Mickey pretzels throughout the park, and Dole Whip by the Enchanted Tiki Room!

1 comment:

  1. If your exploring Costa Mesa, Nourish Organic is another amazing vegan restaurant. They serve the best vegan chai as well!!
    Check them out! https://www.nourishayurveda.org/

    ReplyDelete

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