Good eats in the neighborhood of the Fashion District and Historic Core of Downtown LA

Woodspoon Brazilian Grill serving nearby loft apartments for rent in LA
CategoriesArts & Culture DTLA Local Food & Dining Lifestyle Tips & Tricks
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(Only) The top 10 restaurants near 8th and Spring in DTLA

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If you find yourself planted at the intersection of Spring and 8th in Los Angeles, you might be tempted to think that the only options for a meal are a hotdog cart and a taco truck. But fear not, my hungry friends, for within a quarter-mile radius of this urban residential intersection lies a veritable smorgasbord of culinary delights.

Woodspoon: Stylish but simple Brazilian spot known for yuca fries, chicken pot pies and its famous red (and white) sangria. Focused on the multicultural influences of Brazil’s Minas Gerais region, Woodspoon’s Natalia Pereira, mixes up a melting pot of African, European, and Amazonian influences. Start your dinner with an assortment of Brazilain street foods like potato croquettes, coconut dumplings and grilled prawns with lime and salt.

LALA’s Downtown: This restaurant is a carnivore’s dream – the Argentinain kind. LALA’s serves up giant portions of meat that will have you feeling like a prehistoric beast. Sorry vegans, even the veggies are stewed in chicken-stock. Just be prepared to unbutton your pants before digging in.

Wild Living Foods: This spot is the perfect place for all of your plant-based needs and much of the menu is raw. The food is delicious and healthy, but just be warned that you may leave feeling a little too virtuous. And here’s the zinger – you won’t have to go far for a star-sighting here. The establishment is owned and operated by Project Runway and RuPaul’s Drag Race star Santino Rice

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Beelman's Pub between 6th and 7th on Spring St DTLA

Sugarfish Sushi: This staple Los Angeles sushi spot is always packed and for good reason. The fish is fresh and the rolls are perfectly curated Nozawa style. Just be prepared to race your fellow diners for the last piece of tuna, and they don’t take reserations.

Joes Pizza: Another staple in Los Angeles, Joe’s pizza joint is perfect for a quick bite on the go. The slices are large and the toppings are piled high. Just be prepared to burn your mouth, as the cheese is always piping hot. Friday and Saturday night’s the place is jammed, so be prepared to wait up to an hour for your made-to-order pie. The club goers on Spring Street keep this place hopping until the bars close

Tocaya Modern Mexican: This growing Los Angeles chain serves up some of the best tacos in the area and they have vegan options for everything on the menu. The flavors are bold and the portions are generous. Just be prepared to get your hands dirty on Taco Tuesday. Those tacos are stuffed to the gills and at $2, you will be too.

Silverlake Ramen: This cozy spot serves up some of the best Asian-inspired dishes around. The noodles are perfectly cooked and the broth is out of this world. Just be prepared to slurp loudly and they have an excellent vegan ramen to round out the meal for everyone.

Il Café Broaday: This quaint little spot serves up some of the most delicious coffee on the block. The baristas are friendly and the atmosphere is cozy. Il Café has one of the most amazing avocado toast offerings in Los Angeles – and that’s saying a lot for the discerning SoCal appetite for our famous fatty green fruit.

il Café Broadway close to the many loft apartments for rent in LA
il Café's cozy street-side patio on Broadway and 9th

Beelman’s Pub: Located just north on Spring Street in the heart of the historic core, Beelman’s boasts one of the largest patios in DTLA, full bar and kitchen, big screen TVs, Happy Hour and a filipino-inspired all vegan bar-food menu.

Kreation Juicery and Avoholic Bar: This spot serves up some of the most refreshing and healthy drinks around. The smoothies are packed with fruits and veggies and are sure to give you a boost. Just be prepared to pay a premium for the privilege.

In conclusion, Spring and 8th street may not seem like a culinary paradise at first glance, but fear not, foodies! This area has a variety of restaurants that will satisfy any craving, whether it’s modern Mexican, cheesy pizza, Brazilian, SoCal cafe, Filipino-inspired bar food, smooties and açai bowls or just a steamy bowl of ramen. So, don’t let the hotdog carts fool you, dig in and enjoy!

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CategoriesDTLA Local Food & Dining Lifestyle Tips & Tricks
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6 Downtown Los Angeles carnivorous restaurants that offer plant-based options

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Downtown Los Angeles is a vibrant and diverse area, offering a wide variety of dining options for local Downtown loft-dwellers following a plant-based diet. Guests and visitors can also find an authentic DTLA experience for vegans, vegetarians and carnivores alike. 

While it may seem daunting to find meat-free options at carnivore establishments, with a little bit of creativity and know-how, it’s entirely possible to enjoy a delicious and satisfying meal without compromising your dietary choices. We’re going to show you how, and give a few examples of Downtown LA cuisine that won’t leave you feeling hungry – or missing out on the culture.

First things first, don’t be afraid to ask for substitutions or modifications to menu items. Many restaurants are more than happy to accommodate special requests, and you’d be surprised at how easy it is to make a dish plant-based. For example, instead of ordering a meat-based burrito, ask for it to be made with beans or tofu instead. Or, if you’re at a steakhouse, ask if they have a vegetarian option such as a portobello mushroom steak. One simple tip to remember at steakhouses is the bountiful salad bar with plenty of pastas and starchy vegetables. Most plant-based eaters can fare quite well at even the most rustic of steakhouses.

Another great way to eat plant-based in Downtown LA is to seek out ethnic cuisine. Many cultures have a rich tradition of plant-based dishes, such as Indian dal, Ethiopian injera, or Vietnamese pho. Not only will you be able to indulge in delicious meat-free options, but you’ll also get to experience the flavors and traditions of different cultures.One of the most offensive options you can offer a vegan at a carnivore restaurant is a salad. Today’s plant-based eater wants a hearty meal, and ethnic cuisine serves up some of the most hearty dishes a plant-based aficionado could desire.

VURGER-GUYZ food truck – 788 S Grand Ave Los Angeles

If you’re looking for a quick bite, look for food trucks and street vendors. For the most part, many of them offer vegan and vegetarian options such as falafel, veggie burgers, or tacos with mushroom or jackfruit fillings. In general, these options are not only delicious but also easy on the wallet.

Finally, don’t be afraid to try new things. Many carnivore establishments are starting to incorporate plant-based options on their menu, so don’t be afraid to ask your server about them. And who knows, you might even discover a new favorite dish. To get you started, we’ve carved out a few nearby restaurants that offer plant-based options among their carnivorous menu items.

Yuko Kitchen, the eponymous Japanese restaurant owned by a sushi chef, makes several plant-based sushi rolls, an amazing peanut-sauce tofu rice bowl with the usual edamame plant-based finger-food. Wash it all down with a Yuko favorite, mint lemonade.

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Woodspoon, located at Main and 9th is a Brazilian restaurant that doesn’t shear slabs of meat right at your table. While they do serve many animal-inspired creations (like their famous chicken pot pie) restaurateur, Owner and chef Natalia Pereira often has a plant-based soup, and her veggie grill is a very hearty meal, especially when paired with her yuca fries or fried plantains. The only modification you’ll need to ask is – hold the farofa, it’s made with egg.

Silverlake Ramen, recently added their downtown location and they have a vegan ramen that already on the menu. There’s also a great tofu rice bowl that comes in two sizes, so if you’ve got an appetite, this will hit the spot. Of course, add an order of edamame and you’re all set.

Tocaya Modern Mexican, actually boasts a menu that starts off vegan with extras allowing your carnivorous dinner guests to add on the animal proteins and cheese they prefer. For vegetarians, carnivores, the health-conscious and purists alike, Tocaya has got something for everyone, and it’s right across the street from Downtown LA’s Whole Foods Market.

Little Llama Peruvian Tacos on Main St in Downtown Los Angeles

Little Llama, Peruvian Tacos takes the exotic ingredients and flavors of classic Peruvian dishes and serves them up in familiar, accessible and beloved formats: TACOS, BURRITOS AND TOSTADAS! They can whip up a plant-based version of each, and their order of chips and guac is one of the most hearty servings in downtown.

Suehiro Cafe, perhaps the most carnivorous of all, this family-owned Japanese restaurant in nearby Little Tokyo has served mouth-watering dishes from tonkatsu to their beloved House Special for over 40 years. Unfortunately, neither of those is vegan, but their extensive menu already has plenty of starters and noodle dishes that come-as-they-are, already vegan.

Vurger Guyz, ok – this one is completely vegan, but their burgers (vurgers) and double vurgers are certain to fool you. They won’t give out their faux-meat recipe, so nobody knows whether they’re Beyond, Impossible or just beyond impossible, but they taste just like one of those flame-grilled small-town hamburgers you’d get at the Frosty stand stand on the corner. If your timing is right; they might have their deep-fried Oreo sundae, but they sell out quick.

In conclusion, while it may seem challenging to eat plant-based in Downtown LA, with a little bit of creativity and know-how, it’s entirely possible to enjoy delicious and satisfying meals without compromising your dietary choices. So, go forth and explore the diverse culinary landscape of Downtown LA and discover all the delicious meat-free options it has to offer just around the corner from your Downtown Los Angeles loft.

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