You've given up meat. Or perhaps sometimes you just want an extra dose of veggies. For your dining enjoyment, we've compiled a list of restaurants where vegans and vegetarians can feel at home. Some of these are strictly meat-free, while some are regular restaurants with many vegetarian options on the menu.
$ - Less than $10 per person for a meal
$$ - $10-$15 per meal
$$$ - More than $15 per meal
BEST BETS
AVANTI CAFE
$ - $$
259 E. 17th St., Costa Mesa, 949-548-2224
This small vegetarian restaurant might be nestled between a Pizza Hut and a mattress store, but it's gourmet all the way, starting with its superb selection of cheese, soups and desserts. Try the addictive house sweet potato crisps, which are thinly shaved and deeply caramelized then topped with smoked paprika.
NATIVE FOODS
$ -$$
2937 Bristol St., Costa Mesa. 714-751-2151.
This vegan restaurant at The Camp offers a list of familiar-sounding fare, like the Bali Surf Burger and Philly Peppersteak Sandwich. Natch, there's no real meat. The Native Nachos are a picturesque assortment of tortilla chips, black beans, soy taco meat, Native Cheese (made of cashews and sunflower seeds), salsa fresca, guacamole, corn and green onion garnish. They taste healthier than the usual cholesterol-rich nachos, and you don't feel like you're going to get indigestion later.
118 DEGREES
$- $$$
2981 Bristol St., Suite B5 (The Camp), Costa Mesa. 714-754-0718.
With its cheery décor and a menu of creative dishes, 118 Degrees is a rare great date spot for vegans and meat eaters alike. Instead of sugar, chef-owner Jenny Ross uses agave nectar. The "cheese" is made from a mix of sprouted nuts, herbs and spices. Nothing is heated above 118 degrees (hence the restaurant name) because of the chef's belief that digestive-aiding enzymes are destroyed with high heat. The food is surprisingly accessible. There's nothing alien about the "lasagna" – layers of vegetables with a nutty, gazpacho-like sauce that's sweet and filling.
RUTABEGORZ
$$
158 W. Main, Tustin. 714-731-9807.
211 N. Pomona, Fullerton. 714-738-9339.
264 N. Glassell, Orange. 714-633-3260.
This small restaurant chain isn't meat-free, but it's popular for its large selection of vegetarian dishes, including enormous salads. The first Rutabegorz opened in 1970 in Fullerton as a self-described "hippie joint." Dishes include Hummus with Pita Wedges, Black Bean Nachos, Veggie "Twocos" and Black Bean Tostada. Try the heavenly Havana 3 AM smoothie.
THE STAND
$
238 Thalia St., Laguna Beach. 949-494-8101.
True to its name, this vegan restaurant stands near the corner of Thalia and Pacific Coast Highway in Laguna, waiting for customers to walk up and place an order at the window. Try the tasty Potato & Guacamole Burrito ($4.95).
THE VEGGIE GRILL
$ - $$
4213 Campus Drive, Irvine. 949-509-0003.
Even veggie neophytes can feel comfortable with the all-American menu, which includes jerk "chicken," and Philly cheese "steak." This meat-free restaurant features bright red colors, wide plank wood floors, and pendant lights. Instead of using mushy tofu, the dishes here are made with savory meat substitutes, including seitan (wheat meat), and tempeh, a soy food that lightly crusts when cooked.
ZEN VEGETARIAN
$ - $$
9329 Bolsa Ave., Westminster. 714-895-3637.
Located in what looks like a former burger joint in the heart of Little Saigon, Zen provides flavorful Vietnamese and Thai-style dishes made with fake soy "meat," "seafood" and "poultry" that's so real-tasting you'll wonder, "How did they DO that?" The soups and sauces are lush with flavors of lemongrass, coriander and mint, and the thin slices of "beef" satay taste like marinated and grilled meat, with a subtle nutty flavor. Note: Cash only.
ALSO TRY
AU LAC
$$ - $$$
16563 Brookhurst St., Fountain Valley. 714-418-0658.
An older Little Saigon restaurant with mostly vegan Vietnamese and Chinese vegetarian food. The restaurant also has a raw vegan kitchen. Dishes include Salted Tofu With Lemon Grass ($5.50) and Grilled Soy "Fish" With Special Sauce ($11.95). Raw kitchen prices range from $3.95 to $21.95 (for appetizers to entrées).
BODHI TREE VEGETARIAN CAFE
$ - $$
501 Main St., Suite E, Huntington Beach. 714-969-9500.
Vietnamese vegan items. Examples include Jicama Spring Rolls and Salmon Skin Salad. The cafe also has vegan ice cream.
CAPTAIN MAURIS COUNTER CULTURE
$
149 Avenida del Mar, San Clemente. 949-498-8098.
Healthful smoothies, vegetable juices, soups, sandwiches and veggie burgers, such as the Life Extender Sandwich and Portofino Veggie Burger.
FORTUNE COOKIES RESTAURANT
$ - $$
11151 Los Alamitos Blvd. Los Alamitos, 562-493-0058.
Chinese food with several vegetarian options, including Tofu With Spinach, Sweet & Sour Tofu and Stir-fry Spicy String Beans. The menu gives the healthy-minded some insight on what they're ingesting, with number of calories, carbohydrates, protein, total fat and fiber listed for each of the dishes.
GOOD MOOD FOOD CAFE
$
5930 Warner Ave., Huntington Beach. 714-377-2028.
Specializes in natural raw foods, offering breakfast, lunch and dinner. Food is mostly vegan. The chef can warm up items or cook foods on request. Menu samples: "Tuna" Sandwich made with greens, sunflower seed pate, carrot and celery strips, dill and tomato sauce, and almond mayo.
THE GYPSY DEN
$- $$
2930 Bristol, Costa Mesa. 714-549-7012.
125 N. Broadway, Santa Ana. 714-835-8840.
Food for vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike in an artsy, laid-back atmosphere. Menu sampling: Roast Turkey Sandwich, Veggie BLT, Spicy Bean Burger and Vegetable Lasagna.
MOTHER'S MARKET & KITCHEN
$
19770 Beach Blvd., Huntington Beach. 714-963-MOMS.
2963 Michelson, Irvine. 949-752-MOMS.
225 E. 17th St., Costa Mesa. 949-631-4741.
24165 Paseo de Valencia, Laguna Woods. 949-768-MOMS.
The restaurant inside this health-conscious grocery store offers vegetarian and vegan options like the Soy "Chicken" Taquitos.
SIDNEY'S CAFE
$ - $$
108 W. Wilshire Ave., Fullerton. 714-525-5111.
Vegan/vegetarian restaurant serving pastries, salads, soups and sandwiches like Sweet Potato Muffins and Chocolate Chip Cookies, Not-Chicken Salad, and Not-Ham and Swiss on Rye. The cafe also serves peanut butter vegan dog biscuits.
THE WHEEL OF LIFE
$$
14370 Culver Drive, Suite 2G, Irvine. 949-551-8222.
Vegan Thai restaurant with a large menu of meatless items, including Cashew Chicken, Sweet and Sour Pork, and Sizzling Seafood.
WHOLE FOODS MARKET
$
2847 Park Ave., Tustin. At The District at Tustin Legacy, at Barranca and Jamboree Road. 714-566-7650.
The organic grocery behemoth has prepared-foods departments where customers can pick up quick bites. Vegetarian options include Orzo with Roasted Carrots and Dill, and Butternut Squash with Caramelized Onions.
ZINC CAFE & MARKET
$
3222 E. Coast Highway, Corona del Mar. 949-719-9462.
350 Ocean Ave., Laguna Beach. 949-719-9462.
Vegetarian breakfast and lunch items include the Zinc Burger.
