Spending time in OC feels drastically different from the rest of California, in terms of both culture and landscape. OC’s beach cities are often associated with materialistic ideals (Think Real housewives of Orange County and Botched). But if you look closer, there is a great deal of beauty that makes this place worth visiting. The beaches here are warm and inviting, with some of Southern California’s most beautiful coastline. The ocean off of Huntington Beach is often crystal clear and sparkling, and Laguna Beach’s coast offers breathtaking biodiversity, with healthy kelp forests, sea lions, and plentiful fish. Surfing, ocean swimming and free diving are some of the many water activities freely accessible to all interested in trying. Laguna Beach hosts dozens of art galleries and museums. Inland cities of Tustin, Lake Forest, Laguna Hills and Corona offer beautiful hikes through a variety of landscapes.
Despite the conservative roots of many OC cities, Orange County has surprisingly proven one of the great vegan meccas of California. Vegan food is plentiful here, and almost every city has at least a handful of exclusively vegan restaurants. Westminster, Garden Grove and Fountain Valley are home to some of the best Asian vegan cuisine in the state. “Californian” style food, featuring bowls, wraps, and Acai, is common in the coastal cities of Huntington, Newport, and Laguna Beach. Some establishments, like The Stand in Laguna Beach (founded in 1975), have been around for decades- and some are brand new as of 2023. Plant-based eating has withstood the test of time here, and you’re sure to find yourself an amazing meal during your time in Orange County.
Kensho
Price: $$
Cuisine: Sushi
Website: https://www.toasttab.com/kensho/v3
For many, fish-based sushi is among one of the most difficult non-vegan foods to give up in their transition to a plant-based lifestyle. But it’s not as difficult to replicate as you might have thought. Kensho in Westminster uses innovation and creativity to re-create your fish-based favorites, and to craft entirely new rolls. It’s difficult to find someone who won’t be absolutely blown away by Kensho’s fantastic sushi. We challenge you to try! Our favorite rolls have got to be the Caterpillar, which creatively uses thick-cut shiitake mushrooms to replicate “eel”, topped with avocado, unagi sauce and sesame seeds; and the Crunchy Cali Roll, made of “crab” sticks, avocado and cucumber topped with crunchy panko, spicy mayo, unagi sauce and green onion.
Seabirds Kitchen
Price: $$
Cuisine: Californian, brunch, variety
Website: https://www.seabirdskitchen.com/
Costa Mesa based Seabirds Kitchen specializes in cuisine on the healthier side- and they do an incredible job of making it some of the best tasting food around! Seabirds has always put a unique twist on food, with menu items like purple potato taquitos and beer battered avocado tacos. In the mood for some vegan brunch? You are in luck, because Seabirds serves brunch every weekend! Our favorite brunch pick would have to be the Chipotle Florentine, made of polenta cakes topped with spinach, mashed avocado, tofu “egg”, and smokey chipotle hollandaise all garnished with green onion. The best lunch item around might very well be the Butternut Squash Enchiladas, which are filled with butternut squash, mushrooms and spinach, and topped with creamy pasilla sauce, almond feta, radish and cilantro. Is your mouth watering yet?!
The Stand Natural Foods
Price: $
Cuisine: Variety, Californian
Website: thestandnaturalfoods.com
Seated on a hillside above beautiful Laguna Beach, The Stand has been around since 1975. Their chalk-written menu is spread over beautiful drawings of idyllic farm landscapes, and the sheer volume of options is almost overwhelming. The Stand serves up everything you can think of: smoothies, Acai bowls, sandwiches, soups, wraps, tamales, bowls, salads, burritos and more. One of the best parts of this little open-air restaurant is the Hav-A-Chips handed out with every entree. The Berry Groovy Bowl, made with acai, banana, blueberries, strawberries and apple juice, topped with granola, coconut, blueberries, bananas and strawberries, is the perfect way to cool down on a hot Laguna summer day. Grab your bowl and walk down to Thalia street beach for a breathtaking sunset. Enjoy!
Au Lac
Price: $$
Cuisine: Vietnamese
Website: https://www.aulac.com/fountain-valley
Traditional spices and cooking are used to veganize many Vietnamese classics at Au Lac. Soy, wheat, potato, peas and konjac are the bases of many house-made mock meats which can be found in Au Lac’s signature dishes. Founder Mai Nguyen made the transition to a plant-based diet to aid her in health issues she’d been struggling with. Likely one of Orange County’s earliest vegetarian restaurants, Au Lac has been around since 1997. Located in Fountain Valley, Au Lac is a critically acclaimed restaurant featured in many local publications, including the OC Register and LA Times. There’s a reason it’s so popular! Our favorite menu item? The wonton soup as your entree, followed by delicious tiramisu as your dessert. Enjoy!
Hug Life
Price: $
Cuisine: Ice cream
Website: https://www.wildseedsf.com/
How does one describe Hug Life? Discovering this ice cream (and more) shop for the very first time is a mind-blowing experience for long term vegans. And it’ll blow non-vegans out of the water, too! Hug Life has locations in Garden Grove, Orange and Long Beach. They not only call themselves non-dairy, but go as far as to take the stance of being “anti-dairy”. Heaping scoops, endless toppings and add-ons like waffle cones, brownies and cookies make Hug Life hard to top. The very best part just might be their creative flavors, which are constantly being introduced. The Thai Tea, Pumpkin Spice and Reese’s Peaces might very well take the cake. Bring a big appetite, and enjoy!
Vegan Galaxy
Price: $$
Cuisine: Californian, variety
Website: https://vegangalaxyrestaurant.com/
You may have noticed Vegan Galaxy while driving down Beach Boulevard in Huntington Beach by its alien-themed logo. Overlook this place no more- it is well worth a stop! Walking into Vegan Galaxy is a visual experience- bright murals of jellyfish, sea creatures and aliens cover the walls as you walk back through this narrow restaurant. The atmosphere is funky and fun, and you’ll soon notice the creative names behind every entree. Our favorite dish by far is the Ultimate Liberation: these crispy fish-free fillet tacos topped with fresh cabbage, Pico de Gallo, cilantro, and Chipotle sauce, served on corn tortillas with lemon wedges. Portion sizes are generous, and the food is fantastic. Enjoy!
Chicana Vegana
Price: $$
Cuisine: Californian, Mexican fusion
Website: https://chicanavegana.com/
Chef Jasmine Hernandez is the creator of this Mexican-Californian fusion restaurant. Located in Fullerton, Chicana Vegana is a women owned and operated family business specializing in burritos, tacos, burgers, melts and vegan breakfast. Some items are veganized classics, like the Mcdonald’s-style breakfast sandwich, the “Mexmuffin”. Our recommendation? The wet burrito, lathered in red sauce and vegan sour cream, is to die for. Enjoy!
Good Vibes
Price: $$
Cuisine: Variety
Website: https://www.goodvibeshb.com/menu
This downtown Huntington Beach spot is brand new, but already proving its popularity among locals. When we say “variety”, we mean it! Good Vibes serves everything from burgers and pho to tacos and acai bowls. And they somehow manage to make it all taste incredible. Our pick? The Hot Chick’n sandwich served on a brioche bun with garlic aioli sauce is simply the best. No matter the mood, Good Vibes probably has the dish you’re craving!
Mitasie
Price: $
Cuisine: Asian Variety
Website: https://www.mitasieco.com/
Huntington Beach restaurant Mitasie is one of the oldest vegan establishments in Huntington Beach. With an impressively expansive menu, Mitasie serves dozens of Asian variety dishes. Vietnamese and Thai make up the predominant genres of the food. And it’s all priced reasonably! The fresh spring rolls are simply incredible. The savory peanut sauce pairs perfectly with the lettuce, mint, avocado, soy-shrimp, soy-ham, vermicelli, and bean sprouts. We recommend ordering this and a nice Thai tea while you try to decide what to order for your entree!
Native Foods
Price: $$
Cuisine: American, variety
Website: https://nativefoods.com/locations/orange-county/costa-mesa/
The Camp in Costa Mesa is a unique outdoor shopping center to take a stroll in. Crochet “sweaters” line every pole, native plants line the sidewalk, and sculptures of trees stand alongside the real ones. But the best part about visiting The Camp is that it’s a perfect excuse to get lunch at Native Foods! This fun, rustic restaurant offers unique fountain drinks like Lavender Lemonade and American-style dishes. Bowls, handhelds, and tasty sides are its specialty. Every dish here is delicious, but we especially recommend the nachos, the meatball sub, and the well-seasoned, crispy sweet potato fries. You’ll love it!
Chelsea Pinkham
Chelsea Pinkham is a long-time animal advocate, rescuer, and humane education writer. Chelsea studied Communications & Journalism with a minor in Environmental Science at Sonoma State University. She has been vegan for thirteen years, since she discovered the treatment of animals on farms in middle school. Outside of Vegan Unlocked, she works for a nonprofit farmed animal sanctuary, authors humane education children’s books, and has personally rescued, fostered and transported over 1,000 animals. She enjoys camping, hiking, learning about animal behavior, and traveling the world on a low budget!
