Veganism in Los Angeles: Decline or evolution?

 

Read the original version in French here.

 

Several high-profile closures have caught people's attention. Little Pine, Moby's iconic vegan restaurant in Silver Lake, closed in 2022. Hart House, the vegan fast-food chain launched by Kevin Hart, shut down all of its Los Angeles locations in 2024. Meanwhile, Sage Vegan Bistro, a longtime staple of the local vegan scene—particularly in Pasadena—abandoned its fully vegan concept.

Other establishments have also disappeared or changed direction. In Highland Park, the German vegan restaurant Hinterhof closed its doors. It was replaced by Wolfie's, another well-loved vegan restaurant, which also failed to survive. Today, the space is home to Kiez, a German restaurant that is no longer exclusively vegan but still offers several plant-based dishes. This shift perfectly illustrates the current transformation of the market: rather than serving an entirely vegan menu, many restaurateurs are now choosing to incorporate plant-based dishes into a broader offering.

The trend extends beyond these examples. Native Foods, one of California's pioneering vegan restaurant chains, has dramatically reduced its footprint. Its Los Angeles locations closed several years ago, and today only one California location remains, in Palm Springs.(Editor's note: Native Foods also still operates restaurants in Glendale, Colorado, and Chicago, Illinois.)

Does this mean veganism is in decline in Los Angeles? Not necessarily.

In reality, the movement appears to be evolving rather than disappearing. Many Angelenos continue to eat plant-based diets but no longer dine exclusively at 100% vegan restaurants. Instead, they increasingly choose traditional restaurants that offer excellent vegan options. Today, it's far easier than it once was to find a vegan dish at cafés, Mexican restaurants, Asian eateries, California-inspired restaurants, or even fine dining establishments.

This creates an interesting paradox. On one hand, some fully vegan restaurants are struggling to survive. On the other, plant-based food has become far more visible and accessible. Veganism is no longer simply a niche lifestyle embraced by activists—it has become part of the everyday eating habits of a growing segment of the population.

For Emily, a vegan resident of Los Angeles, "Even though the number of 100% vegan restaurants has declined in recent years, Los Angeles still has a vibrant vegan scene and an incredible variety of options across many neighborhoods."

For Ana, a longtime vegan who has lived in Los Angeles for years, the decline in exclusively vegan restaurants is undeniable. "I think vegan restaurants need our support. If I have the choice, I'll always choose a vegan restaurant," she says. She also acknowledges the practical reality behind restaurants that serve both vegan and non-vegan dishes. "It's much easier when you're going out with a group to choose a restaurant where everyone can find something they want, including people who eat meat or other animal proteins."

Plant-based food becomes mainstream

According to Ana, the biggest shift over the past few years has been the integration of plant-based cuisine into mainstream restaurants. "People are much more aware now of what plant-based eating actually is. Before, when you said 'vegan,' many people simply pictured tomatoes or salad. Today, people have a much better understanding of what vegan food can be."

Erik, another Los Angeles resident, has also noticed changes in the city's culinary landscape since the pandemic. "There are definitely more plant-based options everywhere, but it's still a relatively niche dietary and ethical choice," he says.

While he agrees that omnivore restaurants now offer far more vegan dishes than before, he still prefers fully vegan establishments whenever possible. "I still choose vegan restaurants whenever I can because traditional restaurants often have a lot of cross-contamination, which can create health issues for some people."

This concern is shared by many members of the vegan community, although not every vegan considers cross-contamination equally important. Los Angeles therefore remains an exceptionally vegan-friendly city. Influential restaurants such as Crossroads Kitchen continue to thrive and even expand. Café Gratitude, vegan bakeries, specialty grocery stores, and countless plant-based food brands remain deeply rooted in the local landscape.

Veganism and the ethical debate

Alongside its culinary evolution, the ethical conversation surrounding veganism remains very much alive.

In April 2026, singer Billie Eilish, herself a vegan, reignited the debate during an interview with Elle magazine. Her comments quickly went viral : "Eating meat is inherently cruel. Two things cannot coexist: 'I love animals. I love all animals so much,' and 'I eat meat.' You can't do both. Sorry. You can eat meat if you want. You can love animals. But you can't do both."

 

 

 

 

 

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Her remarks sparked widespread discussion and served as a reminder that, beyond dietary choices, veganism continues to raise important ethical and environmental questions that remain central to public debate.

Perhaps the real question is this: Is veganism declining in Los Angeles—or has it simply become so commonplace that it no longer needs to exist exclusively through specialized restaurants?

A movement taking root

In 2026, one trend seems clear: veganism is not disappearing—it is spreading.

Rather than remaining confined to fully vegan restaurants, it is becoming increasingly integrated into Los Angeles' broader culinary scene. Less visible as a separate movement, it may actually be becoming more deeply embedded in the daily lives of Angelenos.

California's wellness capital appears to be entering a new era—one in which plant-based food is no longer the exception, but simply one option among many, available almost everywhere.

 

E.F.