Hello! I have lived in Orange County for 22 years- 5 years as a vegan- and this is my personal list of the best vegan options in orange county. Some of these restaurants are fully vegan while others have vegan options.
Comprised List
- The Plot
- Vibe Kitchen and Juice
- Mitasie Vegan Cafe
- Nice Guys
- Pholicious Noodle Bar
- Moonlight Pizza and Chicken
- HiroNori Craft Ramen
- Mo Pho Mi
- Din Tai Fung
- Nick’s
- Caló Tequila and Kitchen
100% Vegan Restaurants
The Plot
Link to website: https://theplotrestaurant.com/
Main Points: 100% vegan, sustainable, no additives or seed oils, everything made from scratch
Locations: Oceanside and Costa Mesa
About The Plot
What makes The Plot special is their commitment to reducing waste at every step. The kitchen uses every part of its ingredients, carrot tops become pest, cauliflower stems transform into pickles, and even scarps are composted to enrich the soil at local farms Their dedication to sustainability isn’t just a feel-good tagline- it is properly incorporated into every aspect of their business. What makes The Plot an even more enjoyable spot is the fact their dishes are handcrafted by their professional chefs. Each Chef pours their heart into every aspect of The Pot’s menu. Just ask your waiter when you’re there! They will tell you about the story behind the creation of the cheese on your toast or even the sauce on top of your sandwich.
The Plot’s menu goes far beyond the usual plant-based expectations and at a reasonable price. The dishes are not designed to mimic meat, but rather celebrate vegetables, legumes and grains in a innovative ways. Menu items such as Kombu Califlowery, Beet Reuben sandwich, and the spicy Korean bbq chicken showcase global influences and local ingredients, proving that “plant-based” doesn’t have to mean sacrificing flavor.
If you’re vegan, vegetarian, or just plant-curious, The Plot is worth a visit. its a place where foodies, environmentalists, and casual diners alike can come together over a shared love of great food and a healthier planet.
Price
You can expect to spend about $20-$30 USD per person for breakfast, lunch, or dinner here
Allergens
Their menu is allergen friendly and clearly lists if food items contains nut, gluten or soy. If you have any other allergies you can always consult your server and they are very friendly and helpful at The Plot
Etcetera
My favorite part about the Plot’s menu is that they have a statement at the bottom that reads “We purchase from regenerative farms, in our community, and we grow much of our produce in our gardens around and behind our flagship restaurants in Oceanside. Please ask our server if you are interested in learning more!”
Vibe Kitchen and Juice
Link to Website: https://www.eatdrinkvibe.com/
Main Points: seed oil and gluten free, everything made in house, sustainable, delicious!
Locations: Dana Point, Costa Mesa, Newport Beach
About Vibe:
Vibe Kitchen and Juice is well-known to be a health food spot with Orange County locals. This cafe is not your average juice bar- it is a wellness-driven cafe with a mission to make clean eating simple, satisfying, and downright tasty. Each of their menu items are packed with colorful, nutrient-rich options that cater to all kinds of eaters, from plant-based lovers to those who are simply trying to add a bit more green into their day.
Vibe’s entire menu is organic, gluten-free, dairy-free, sou-free, and plant-based. Which makes me love them even more.
At Vibe you’ll find items such as cold-pressed juices and smoothies loaded with superfoods and nutrients such as The Glow Up juice and Green Junkie smoothie.
The food at Vibe is nutritious, filling, and most importantly DELICIOUS. I personally recommend ordering their breakfast sandwich which is made with a house-made chickpea frittata or going for the Miso Broccoli Wrap! Everything on their menu is healthy and delicious.
Vibe truly sets itself in the community for its commitment to quality ingredients and ensuring that everything on the menu is house-made!
Whether you’re looking for a meal to fuel your morning, need a quick pick-me-up, or in need of a good meal Vibe is your spot!
Price
They are a bit on the pricier side and I tend to spend about $30 dollars a person for a entrée and drink. But remember that you are paying for high quality food items that are all house-made. They even make their tortillas, breads, patties, and sauces.
Mitasie Vegan Cafe
Link To Website: https://www.mitasiecafe.com/
Main Points: Flavorful, Fusion Blended food.
Locations: Lake Forest and Huntington Beach
About Mitasie
Mitasie Vegan Café is a cute, quaint café tucked in a little shopping center in Lake Forest. I have to admit this place has my heart. This was the first vegan café I visited since turning vegan. I have been returning to this café whenever I am craving something yummy and fresh. What is even crazier is the fact they were awarded oldest vegan restaurant for their Huntington Beach location which opened up in 2009! However, I tend to visit the Lake Forest location often because it is easier for me to get ot.
This cafe is a Vegan Asian Fusion spot serving primarily Vietnamese fusion dishes. Mitasie has a mix of house-made dishes and soy-meat based dishes on their menu so there is something for all types of vegans!
Must Try’s!
Some must try’s here are the Pho Noodle Soup, Satay lemongrass tofu or beef vermicelli, the kung pao soy kitchen, and the veggie spring roll appetizer.
I highly recommend checking out this place if you have the time. Not only are the staff kind and considerate in every aspect but the food is truly prepared with love and care for every single order. I have never once been to Mitasie Vegan Cafe and been disappointed
Price
You can expect to spend about 15 USD per person for one entre,.
Seating
there is limited seating at the lake forest location and during dinner time it is hard to find a spot, I would recommend going for lunch or having takeout dinner. You can always try your chances for dinner tho!
Difference in Locations
They have two other locations one in Dana point and one in Huntington. The menus differ per location although, I cannot speak about the other locations as I have not tried them personally
Nice Burgers
Link to Website: https://www.niceburgervegan.com/
Main Points: A vegan fast-food revolution, American style burgers.
Locations: Costa Mesa, Irvine, Long Beach, Stanton, Santa Ana, Mission Viejo
About Nice Burgers:
If you’re in Southern California and caravans a plant-based burger that satisfies like the real deal, Nice Burger 100% vegan (formerly known as Nice Guys) is a must-visit. The fast-casual chain is redefining vegan comfort food with charbroiled burgers, Cristy tenders, and indulgent milkshakes- all 100% plant-basedIf you’re in Southern California and caravans a plant-based burger that satisfies like the real deal, Nice Burger 100% vegan (formerly known as Nice Guys) is a must-visit. The fast-casual chain is redefining vegan comfort food with charbroiled burgers, Cristy tenders, and indulgent milkshakes- all 100% plant-based
From Passion to Plan-Based Empire
Founded in 2019 by vegan activist Don Phan, Nice Burger began as Orange County’s first all vegan charbroiled burger joint. Despite launching before the COVID-19 pandemic, the brand quickly gained a loyal following and expanded across Southern California. Phan, also behind Hug Life (OC’s fist vegan ice cream shop) and Kensho (OC’s first vegan sushi bar), envisioned making vegan comfort food accessible and crave-worthy.
What’s on the Menu?
Nice Burger’s menu is an all American nostalgic experience to fast food. There’s evertything from a bacon cheeseburger stacked with an onion ring, to a spicy chicken sandwich and even a fat side of tater tots of French fries. Are you even craving a traditional all American fast food breakfast? Nice guys has breakfast burritos and sandwiches to satisfy that American experience.
My favorite Review
Back in 2021 when I first went vegan I was in search to try my first ever 100% vegan burger. I didn’t want a mushroom patty or a veggie burger without the cheese and sauce. As I was scrolling through yelp I found a restaurant called “Nice Guys” and thought it was funny it sounded almost like the non-vegan chain Five Guys (this was before the lawsuit and they now have their name is Nice Burgers. In my heart the vegan place is still named Nice Guys). The review read along the lines of, ‘I had been coming to this place almost every other day because the burger was just that good. Then one day I was reading their sign and saw it said ‘plant-based’. I went up to the employee and asked him what that meant and the guy said it meant that everything is vegan and made with plants. I laughed because I couldn’t believe that I had been eating a vegan burger this whole time. Speaks for itself though that means its just that good even for a meat eater.’ That review was one of the main reasons I decided to try this place. Whether you’re a lifelong vegan or just exploring plant-based options, Nice Burgers delivers satisfying fast food without compromise. With its flavorful menu and growing presence, it’s a standout in the vegan fast food scene.
Price
you can expect to spend about thirty dollars a person here for a meal which includes a burger, side, and a shake or drink. for fast-food in America nice guys is on the pricier side HOWEVER it is well worth a stop
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Vegan Friendly Restaurant’s
why choose vegan friendly over 100% vegan restaurants?
Now there are plenty more restaurants in Orange County that are 100% vegan however, I believe some of the best vegan cuisine can also be found in non-vegan restaurants. Living with a non-vegan family it is common that I find myself in restaurants with limited options. Some of these restaurants made a spot on this list due to their phenomenal vegan options.
Pholicious Noodle Bar
Link to website: https://pholiciousnoodlebar.com/
Main Points: Vietnamese, women and family owned, fresh ingredients, immensely flavorful.
Location: Lake Forest
About Pholicious Noodle Bar:
Pholicious Noodle Bar is a female owned Vietnamese cuisine Restaurant nestled in the heart of Lake Forest. Although not 100% vegan there are plenty of delicious options.
Why eat at Pholicious compared to some other vegan friendly places?
Pholicious noodle bar is run by a chef that has over 20 years of experience in fine dining. This chef brought their experience to create a more traditional, family-oriented dining experience for locals. The restaurant also refuses to compromise on quality and bases their vegetables off of the season of the year. They even refuse to use MSG in their broth to ensure genuine flavors.
What are the vegan options?
Pholicious noodle bar offers a wide range of vegan options that are typically difficult to find in Vietnamese resturants.
- Tofu spring rolls
- these are difficult to find as an appetizer in regular Vietnamese restaurants
- Veggie Pho with Veggie broth
- finding a pho place that uses veggie broth is like finding a needle in a haystack. Pholicious noodle bar has perfected vegan pho and I cannot get enough!
- Tofu Lo Mein
- divine dish with lots of noodles, vegetables, and sauce
- Banh Mi with special Sauce
- It is insanely difficult to find vegan banh mi anywhere in Southern California, but I have finally found one! On their menu it is labeled as vegetarian banh mi with tofu, vegan butter, and pickles. It makes me so happy they specify they use vegan butter as I don’t have to ask anymore questions. Keep in mind this is not as traditional because the vegan butter replaces the traditional mayo. BUT IT IS SO GOOD.
- Vermicilli veggie bowl with tofu (Bun Chay Tofu)
- vegan again! so hard to find but it is a divine option.
If you ever have the chance to enjoy the vegan dishes of Pholicious noodle soup I highly recommend making a stop here.
Price
You can expect to spend about 15 dollars a person here for one plate, if including appetizers than around 20.
Moonlight Pizza and Chicken
Link to website: https://www.yelp.com/biz/moonlight-pizza-and-chicken-fountain-valley
- Moonlight Pizza and Chicken does not have a physical website. I would recommend downloading yelp to be able to view the menu.
Main Points: Authentic Armenian food, mom and pop shop, divine and heavenly food.
Location: Fountain Valley
Quick Note: As a vegan do not let the name deter you from giving this place a shot!
About
ok so this restaurant is a hidden gem in Orange County. It is the one place I take all my friends to due to the insane quality and flavor that is served here. This restaurant does have vegan options, although slightly limited every. Option. Is. Divine. I am not exaggerating when I say this food is heavenly.
Why this place is special and you should highly consider going
This hidden gem is owned by an Armenian woman. Her son occasionally comes in to help stone oven-bake all the pizzas. She offers a lunch and dinner buffet, each buffet at the price of 12-13 dollars per person. The food she serves at the buffet are all traditional Armenian/ Mediterranean. Armenian food is hard to come by in Orange County and oh boy does this place go above and beyond on flavor.
What can a Vegan eat here?
The buffet is well kept and clean. Nothing in the buffet is labeled but I have been many times and I have personally been shown by the owner what is vegan. She will also gladly show anyone who asks!
- Fasolia( Green Bean Stew)
- Pilaf rice
- Roasted veggies
- hummus
- tabouleh (parsley salad)
- red bean salad
- chickpea salad
- marianted cabbage
- Dolma
The list might be small however, the food is so good you will be going back for third or fourths depending on how much you can consume
As a vegan this is one of my favorite local spots in Orange County to eat. Not only is it fairly priced but you are also supporting a small business.
The restaurant is quite hospital and emits an old American vibe of yellow menus on the wall and multicolored carpet. The woman who owns the place is so sweet and has you pay only when you are finished and satisfied with the buffet.
If you are not interested in the buffet you can also take the food to go. The to go option is only one size and a big portion.
I highly recommend trying the fasolia, dolma, and the red kidney bean salad. I promise no one will be disappointed when dining at Moonlight Pizza and Chicken.
Price
you will most likely spend around 12-15 dollars a person here if you choose the buffet. Choosing individual items is slightly more expensive and you can expect to pay around 15-25 per person.
HiroNori Craft Ramen
Link to website: https://hironori.com/menu
Main Points: Japanese, everything made from scratch, ramen.
Locations: Irvine, Sand Canyon, Orange, Tustin, Long Beach
About
HiroNori Craft Ramen in San Diego offers a standout vegan ramen experience that rivals its meaty counterparts. Their Vegan Ramen features a rich sesame miso broth, crafted from five types of miso imported from Japan, delivering a deep umami flavor. The dish is topped with charred broccolini, tofu, corn, bean sprouts, baby kale, and a drizzle of chili oil, creating a harmonious blend of textures and flavors .
The noodles are made in-house using premium Japanese flour, ensuring a perfect complement to the hearty broth . The combination of ingredients results in a satisfying and flavorful vegan option that stands out in the ramen scene.
While the restaurant is small and can have a wait, the quality of the vegan ramen makes it well worth the visit.
Price
You can expect to spend about 18 usd for the bowl of ramen.
Mo Pho Mi
Link to Website: https://www.mophomi.com/
Main Points: Vietnamese, family-owned, delicious.
Location: Costa Mesa
About
Another pho place!? Yes of course, I might be biased and pho might be one of my favorite dishes but pho is just so good I had to add another one.
Unfortunately Mo Pho Mi has less vegan options but I had to include this place in the list because their pho is just that good. I believe I have visited around 15 times back in 2024 from months august to December.
Vegan Menu Options
The only vegan options here will be the vegetarian stir fry with rice noodle and the vegan pho with veggie broth. They also have a thai tea with oatmilk!
The vegan options are so filling and so worth it.
Din Tai Fung
Link to Main Websites: https://dtf.com/en
Main Points: Chinese, fine-dining, high-quality, insane food experience.
Locations: in Orange County
- Anaheim – in downtown disney!
- Arcadia
- Brea
- Costa Mesa
- Irvine
Oh. My. God. If there is one place on this list that you must visit it has to be this one.
About
Din Tai Fung servers traditional mix of Taiwanese and Chinese food and is most famous for their Xiao Long Bao (soup dumpling) [not vegan]. However, Din Tai Fung servers up some divine vegan food that are must try’s.
Vegan Menu Highlights
- vegan dumplings
- their vegan dumplings are filled with a flavorful mix of spinach, glass noodles, jicama, mushrooms, and tofu. They’re juicy, savory, and wrapped in the same delicate handmade skin din tai fung is famous for
- vegan wontons
- same filling as the dumplings but shaped as a wonton and served in a chili oil, soy sauce mix. This is my personal favorite and I never dine here and not order a plate of these.
- Sautéed string beans
- a cult favorite, these green beans are wok-tossed with garlic and seasons to perfection. Completely vegan and absolutely addictive.
- Sautéed spinach, or bok choy, or cabbage, or broccoli, or kale.
- all very yummy and vegan. I cannot get enough of all these dishes but i always have to be careful to only choose one or two or else ill get too full
- Cucumber salad
- almost everyone orders this as its crisp cucumbers marinated in a slightly sweet and tangy dressing- a refreshing way to start the din tai fung experience.
- Vegetable fried rice or noodle
- what is nice about these dishes is you can ask your server to remove the egg from them then they are completely vegan and veggie packed! but most importantly delicious!
- Vegan Bao
- oh my god, this are fluffy balls of perfection. A must order for vegans dining here.
There is more on the menu that is vegan but these are some fan favorites. A pro-tip for dining here is clear communication. Din tai fung is known for its attention to detail, and their staff is usually very helpful when it comes to dietary restrictions. Don’t hesitate to let them know you’re vegan when you order- they can guide you and ensure your dishes are prepared accordingly.
Price
Dining at din tai fung can be pricey about 50 dollars a person but the high level of craftsmanship and signature quality makes it a memorable experience that you will never forget. I have dined with din tai fung over 20 times now and I still cannot shut up about it.
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Upscale Restaurants: Limited Vegan Options
In Orange County there are not any upscale vegan restaurants as those tend to be in the bigger cities like San Diego or Los Angeles. However, there are a few upscale restaurants in Orange County that provide vegan options upon request. After visiting a few I have decided that the two listed below are phenomenal in the aspects of flavor profile, consistency, and quality. I am adding these to the list as I feel they are well worth any vegan’s time to visit. Note: Din Tai Fung is an upscale restaurant as well but since there are so many vegan options I decide to not add it to this category.
Nick’s
Link to website: https://nicksrestaurants.com/nicks/
Main points: American, high-quality food, fine-dining.
Locations: in Orange County
- Laguna Beach
- San Clemente
- Newport Beach
About Nick’s
Nick’s is a classic American comfort food with a contemporary twist. The food at Nick’s is primarily non-vegan however, the two vegan options they have are phenomenal. Nick’s is an excellent spot for a vegan traveling with non-vegan friends or family.
What’s on the menu
The two vegan options must be request made vegan to your server but they follow as
- Kale and Quinoa salad without the Parmesan cheese and add avocado!
- Spicy Thai bowl without the grilled chicken and add avocado
both options at Nick’s will leave you happy as the restaurants never falters on quality or flavor
price
Plates range from 15 to 50 dollars. Meat based options will be more pricier. The price you pay will certainly reflect the quality served and it is well worth the dime.
Location explanations
Nicks has two classical American restaurant locations; one in San Clemente and one in Laguna beach. Both are top quality.
However, do not get nicks confused with south of nicks. South of nicks is a take on Mexican food.
Caló Tequila and Kitchen
Link to website: https://calokitchen.com/
Main points: Mexican, high-quality, fine-dining.
Locations:
- Laguna Niguel
- Costa Mesa
About Caló
Caló is a restaurant that offers a contemporary twist on traditional Mexican cuisine, emphasizing high-quality ingredients and exceptional service.
Menu
Calo is not a vegan restaurant but there is one item that can be made vegan and that is the veggie tacos.
there is also the guacamole and chips and salsa appetizers that are vegan. Note: the black bean dip IS NOT vegan.
It is understandable that a vegan may find traveling to one restaurant for only one dish to be worth it. However, I would argue that this dish is worth the trip. I have visited for these veggie tacos over ten times already. Whenever friends or family come to visit calo is one of the restaurants my family always makes sure to book a reservation for.
Price
Calo is pricier because it is an upscale restaurant. The quality of ingredients is superb and well worth the price. You can expect to spend around 23-50 dollars a person here
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Ending Notes
I truly believe in the quality, consistency, and flavor of all these restaurants. I hope that you were able to find something for you and if you give one a try I am certain you will enjoy it.
Honourable Mentions
- Min’s Dumplings; Mission Viejo
- chinese, vegan options
- small business
- Tacos de Birrieria Estilo Guadalajara; Aliso Viejo
- mexican, one vegan option (veggie tacos)
- small business
- Active Culture; San Clemente, Laguna Beach, Long Beach
- Vegetarian Cafe with many options!
- health food, whole ingredients
- warning: they do use sunflower oil in some sauces
- Freesoul Cafe; Tustin
- fully vegan
- New American food
- The Wild Chive; Long Beach
- fully vegan
- Comfort food, breakfast and brunch
- Sura Korean BBQ Tofu House Restaurant; Long Beach
- korean, vegan menu with lots of options
The Vegan Vaca 
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