Top Five Best Vegan Restaurants in Orange County
While many people enjoy eating their one-pound burger, pepperoni pizza or steak, others try to avoid consuming animal food products and prefer to be vegans or vegetarians. Nowadays, it is easier than ever to observe a vegan or vegetarian diet because there are now restaurants all over the country that serve foods suitable for their special diet.
Vegetarian and vegan diet is not as boring as you may think it is. There is more to foods sans animal products than merely plain fruits and vegetable salads. In Orange County, you can find a number of restaurants where vegetarians and vegans can hang around. And you will be surprised at the delicious foods they serve, which completely put a twist to the ordinary vegetable and fruits you may have known.
Below are five restaurants that standout:
1. Au Lac (16563 Brookhurst St., Fountain Valley, CA 92708)
For vegans who are open-minded and would like to try authentic Vietnamese dishes, Au Lac is a place to visit. They have a great selection for starters, entrées, salads, soups, desserts, teas and juices, which are guaranteed to be flavorful and certified vegan. When you visit this place, try their raw rainbow pie because it is one of their bestsellers. Aside from the food, Au Lac is also known for its friendly customer service.
2. Veggos (23615 El Toro Rd, Lake Forest, CA 92630)
If you like casual dining, Veggos is a great place to hang around. This restaurant offers dairy-free, gluten-free and sugar-free foods from appetizers to desserts, prepared by its certified raw-vegan in-house chef. Many of the foods in their menu cost less than $10 so it is a great place if you are dining on a budget. Aside from their humus sandwich and other delicious burgers, many patrons visit Veggos for their smoothies and shakes, which are a must-try.
3. Avanti Cafe (259 E. 17th St., Costa Mesa, CA 92627)
Avanti Café was founded on the philosophy of its owners that you can eat well and live well. This restaurant features flavorful and healthy vegetarian dishes and many vegan options. It also offers a variety of beverages and drinks including wine, ale, beer, coffee and tea. You could visit this place for a snack or a meal and be able to satisfy your hunger at a very affordable price. They also serve pizzas and tacos. In addition, they also make vegetarian and vegan cakes for special occasions.
4. Healthy Junk (201 Ctr St Promenade, Unit B, Anaheim, CA 92805)
You may not like everything on their menu but you will surely come back the second time around once you visit Healthy Junk. Healthy, gluten-free, vegan and vegetarian dishes are all in their menu. Their burgers and pizzas are standouts. It is also nice to spend some time in their open and clean dining space which has a patio. This establishment is also pet friendly so you could bring here your dog for some vegan bites. And there have been many reviews about the friendliness and superb service of their crew.
5. Freesoulcaffe (191 E Main St, Ste 1B, Tustin, CA 92780)
A newly established vegan restaurant, Freesoulcaffe has already made a good reputation among its customers. The moment you enter the restaurant, you will feel at ease because of its quaint and cozy atmosphere. This is one of the best places to visit if you are a vegetarian, a vegan, or someone who is just trying to make healthier options. They serve 100 percent high quality, natural and plant-based ingredients without honey, eggs and dairy products in all their dishes. They have a wide array of choices for organic salads, soups, entrees, burgers, sandwiches, pizzas, pastas, pies and desserts that are freshly made every day. Although a bit pricey compared to the other restaurants on this list, it deserves a spot in the top five for the quality and delicious food they offer as well as the nice restaurant ambiance and quality service.
It is encouraging that many restaurants in Orange Country serve a wide selection of healthy foods. Whether you are a meat-eater, a vegan, a vegetarian or a thriving vegetarian, you will surely find a good selection of foods in any of these noted restaurants.