LAGuide
The Best Vegan Tacos In LA
photo credit: Jessie Clapp
Going plant-based doesn’t mean you can’t partake in one of LA’s greatest traditions: eating delicious tacos whenever you want. These days, you’ll find a wide array of vegan Mexican restaurants serving creative spins like tender jackfruit carnitas, smoky mushroom al pastor, and an artichoke “fish” taco that blows other versions out of the water. Here's our guide to the best vegan taco spots in LA.
photo credit: Jessie Clapp
Many late nights in Hollywood end at a taco truck, which is not always the friendliest option for plant-based needs. But luckily, there's Doomie's NexMex, which makes delicious tacos on fresh tortillas, which happen to be vegan, too. Open until midnight (1am on weekends), this strip mall spot has soy and mushroom-based carnitas that are braised until meaty, as well as a spectacular “shrimp” taco. It’s drizzled with a tangy, lime-drenched vegan crema, and you can't tell it's not tender shellfish.
photo credit: Jessie Clapp
Hidden in that two-story strip mall on the corner of Westwood and Olympic that hasn’t changed its decor since 1987, Hijo De Su Madre is a casual, counter-service vegan Mexican spot with a strong dose of flair. They’ve got a banh mi-style taco with seared tofu, a bratwurst taco inspired by LA street dogs, and a deep-fried avocado taco called the “Phat Hass.” The best things here come from the Yucatan-inspired side of the menu, including a fantastic spicy-sour jackfruit cochinita pibil topped with black bean and corn salsa. Our only issue is that the plant-based meats here are so juicy, the soft corn tortillas end up clinging to life by the time you finish. Still, we’d send anyone here for a satisfying and affordable lunch in West LA—vegan or otherwise.
photo credit: Jessie Clapp
One of the more established plant-based taco vendors in LA, Cena Vegan has a cult following for its seitan-based “meats,” like pollo asado, carne asada, and al pastor that are marinated using family recipes and grilled for smoky flavor. We’re also big fans of their saucy jackfruit barbacoa and their tofu skin birria tacos, which come with a side of vegan consomme for messy dipping. Along with tacos topped with guacamole, salsa, and pickled red onion, they also do giant oversized tortas, and nacho boats covered in a river of chipotle cashew cheese. You’ll find Cena popping up at various breweries around LA (check their Instagram), at Smorgasburg on Sundays, or doing pickup orders nightly from their kitchen space in Lincoln Heights.
photo credit: Jessie Clapp
Sugar Taco is the type of casual Mexican spot you visit to devour a platter of loaded nachos, a burrito, and goblet-sized chamoy margarita, minus all the dairy and meat that usually comes with it. There are also a few tacos on the menu at this West Hollywood spot, including seitan carne asada and jackfruit carnitas coated in a thick, savory sauce. Maybe the sauce is there to mask the vegan meat’s chewier texture, but we’re still fans of its tangy BBQ-like flavor. You know you’re not eating real meat, but these tacos are well-seasoned, come on warm corn tortillas, and the salsas aren’t half bad, either. Get the churro donuts, too.
photo credit: Jessie Clapp
We’ve long relied on Tlayuda LA in East Hollywood to kickstart our mornings with strong Mexican coffee, a pile of chilaquiles, and maybe pillowy memela every now and then, but their vegan mole tacos are still our lunchtime go-to. Made from hibiscus flowers stewed in their signature mole, the saucy filling is mildly tart, sweet, and nutty and has a similar texture to pulled pork. We also love the lightly charred homemade corn tortillas that bring a nice chew to every bite and the sharpness from the raw onion on top. Along with a few vegan tacos options, you’ll also find vegan potato flautas and a vegan chipotle torta.
El Cocinero is a barebones strip mall spot in Van Nuys that makes every Mexican lunch option under the sun, including tortas, mulitas, and good tacos (all vegan, of course). The soy-based asada looks and tastes like gyro meat, and the saucy jackfruit birria has a nice smokiness, but isn’t anything truly noteworthy. However, we strongly recommend a trip here just for the excellent al pastor tacos. The adobo marinade is extremely flavorful, with lots of sweet pineapple and chile heat, and we dig the tangy salsa that comes on the side. El Cocinero currently operates as a takeout spot, so maybe use the hood of your car as a table if you can’t wait to get home before diving in.
photo credit: Tocaya Organica
This self-described “modern Mexican” mini-chain—which serves tacos, bowls, and burritos with a general health food bent—started out in Venice and now has locations all over SoCal. The non-vegan options here are fine, but where Tocaya shines is the plant-based portion of its menu, including the most convincing cashew-based queso dip we’ve ever tasted and a stellar maitake mushroom ceviche that wouldn’t be out of place at a fancy tasting menu restaurant. If you want tacos, get the spicy vegan picadillo filling. Think of Tocaya as a cheaper, more convenient (and much tastier) version of places like Gracias Madre and De Buena Planta.
