Juliana Jaskot Juliana Jaskot | August 30, 2021 | Food & Drink,
No need to settle for boring salads anymore. Check out these plant-based restaurants and taste the endless mouth watering options.
Café Gratitude
Nothing tastes as good as healthy feels and that’s exactly how diners feel after eating at Cafe Gratitude in Newport Beach. Executive chef Seizan Dreux Ellis’ commitment to being grateful for food, the earth and human company is illustrated through his food made with only the freshest ingredients. For lunch fare, explore Liberated featuring basil kelp noodles or Glorious, a blackened tempeh wrap. 1617 Westcliff Drive, Newport Beach, 949.386.8101, cafegratitude.com
Gracias Madre
Gracias Madre is a go-to for plant-based eaters who have an appreciation for great Mexican food. Start dinner off with the guacamole and chips, followed by the coconut meat tacos and guava cheesecake for dessert. And come thirsty—Gracias Madre boasts an extensive agave-based spirits menu. 1617 Westcliff Drive, Newport Beach, 949.386.8100, graciasmadre.co
Nourish Wellness Cafe
Inspired by the Ayurvedic approach to life, Nourish Wellness Cafe strives to make each experience delicious and healthy. Each dish is carefully curated by master Ayurvedic chef Prakash Jagadappa to achieve maximum digestibility. As a nonprofit, Nourish believes that giving back will contribute to an overall healthy community. Try the chickpea wrap and taste the artistry of chef Jagadappa. 714.617.4001, 1170 Baker St., Ste. G2, Costa Mesa, nourishayurveda.org
Seabirds Kitchen
Fresh fruits and vegetables are the stars of Seabirds Kitchen’s menu as it pushes the boundaries on vegan cooking to elevate the way restaurateurs experience plant-based meals. With a focus on using seasonal and organic ingredients, each meal is guaranteed to surpass all expectations. Order the al pastor taco or the saltado quesadilla to let the culinary adventure begin. 2930 Bristol St., Costa Mesa, 714.549.2584, seabirdskitchen.com/
Taste of Beauty
Vegan cooking takes on fine dining at Taste of Beauty. Newly opened, this Asian fusion restaurant provides visitors with an elegant way to try new vegetarian and vegan dishes. Order the vegan tasting menu and enjoy a nine-course meal, which expands the palates of its guests. Each course is distinctive and special in its own way and is the perfect way to introduce meat-lovers to an alternative way of eating. 18420 Brookhurst St., Fountain Valley, 714.587.9113, thetasteofbeauty.com
VEG’D
Eat good. Do good. Feel good. That is the motto of VEG’D. Celebrity chef Matthew Kenney created VEG’D with the goal of making plant-based eating available to all people. The menu consists of breakfast sandwiches, burgers, bowls and more that can be grabbed via drive-through for a fresh meal on the go. 280 Bristol St., Costa Mesa, 714.760.4026, getvegd.com
Veganixima
Head over to Veganixima Restaurant for a plant-based spin onto Tex-Mex food, where flavor and quality is a top priority. Begin your meal with the loaded nachos—corn tortilla chips topped with Follow Your Heart cheese, pico, guacamole and soyrizo. For the main dish, try the pozole rojo, a traditional Mexican dish that will leave you satiated and bring back memories of mom’s homemade pozole. 146 S. Main St., Unit Q, 714.363.3060, Orange, veganixima.business.site
Photography by: Jennifer Schmidt/Unsplash