Best Vegan Restaurants in Santa Monica
Updated June 16, 2026 · Ranked by combined rating and review volume
Where to find the best vegan restaurants in Santa Monica

SaMo Pizza stands out as a local gem, consistently delivering excellent pizza with generous portions and a friendly, passionate staff. Reviewers rave about the perfectly crafted crust and flavorful toppings on options like the BBQ chicken and Capricciosa, noting that the quality ingredients hit the spot every time. They are also praised for their accommodating service, including options for gluten-free crust and vegan cheese without extra charges.

Cafe Gratitude offers a truly unique dining experience with its locally sourced, organic vegan menu where dishes are named with positive affirmations. Diners consistently praise the delicious food, from their Medical Medium section to brunch favorites like the Yo Soy Alma and plant-based burgers, all prepared and served quickly. The restaurant also provides helpful features like scannable menus for ingredient details, making it easy for those with allergies to navigate their extensive offerings.

Big Love, formerly Frozen Fruit Co, is a dream for anyone seeking healthy yet indulgent plant-based desserts, specializing in fruit-sweetened ice cream. Reviewers consistently highlight the incredibly rich, flavorful, and filling nature of their treats, made with clean ingredients like dates and coconut. With decadent options like chocolate and pistachio, plus rotating daily specials and a standout homemade peanut butter caramel, it's a guilt-free pleasure spot with exceptional staff.

Health Nut in Santa Monica is a popular spot celebrated for its delicious and quick plant-based meals, friendly staff, and clean environment. Patrons frequently recommend their Noodlerama with poke, tuna avocado panini, and Chinese chicken salad, often enjoying the convenient outdoor seating and validated parking. While some reviews mention mixed experiences with specific soup items or customization requests, it remains a go-to for many seeking reliable and tasty healthy options.

Satdha, Plant Based Thai Kitchen, provides a sophisticated and modern setting for inventive vegan Thai cuisine. Diners frequently commend the flavorful and distinct dishes, with particular praise for the standout Catfish Eggplant, the mung bean croquettes, and the vibrant Beet Dyed Noodles. While some recent reviews note slight inconsistencies, the restaurant generally maintains a reputation for high-quality, gourmet plant-based food crafted with care.
Contenders
Places submitted by the community. The top contender with more points than #5 gets promoted.
How we ranked the best vegan restaurants in Santa Monica
Every place on this list is scored by a Bayesian weighted formula combined with a volume bonus. It rewards consistent positive feedback at scale, not just a high average rating — a 4.9-star place with 12 reviews ranks below a 4.6-star place with 800.
score = (v / (v + m)) × R + (m / (v + m)) × C + γ × log₁₀(v)
The prior m adapts to each neighborhood: it's the median review count among local candidates. So 200 reviews counts as “small sample” in dense markets like the West Village, but “solid” in quieter neighborhoods. Places with extreme review volume that clearly dominate their peers are promoted to #1. No paid placements — every spot earns its position via the public data.
Frequently asked about Santa Monica vegan restaurants
What is the highest-rated vegan restaurant in Santa Monica?
SaMo Pizza has the highest Google rating in our list of the best vegan restaurants in Santa Monica, with 4.8 stars across 928 reviews.
Which vegan restaurant in Santa Monica has the most reviews?
Cafe Gratitude has the most reviews of any vegan restaurant on this list — 2,371 ratings averaging 4.6 stars on Google.
How are the best vegan restaurants in Santa Monica ranked?
Each place is scored using a Bayesian weighted formula that combines its average Google rating with its review count. This pulls small-sample places toward the local mean — so a 4.9-star spot with 12 reviews is ranked below a 4.6-star spot with 800 reviews. Volume and consistency matter, not just an inflated average.
When was this ranking last updated?
This ranking of the best vegan restaurants in Santa Monica was last refreshed in June 2026 using the latest Google ratings and review counts. Restaurants and bars change constantly — always verify hours and current status before visiting.
Why isn't my favorite vegan restaurant on the list of best vegan restaurants in Santa Monica?
To be considered, a place needs enough Google reviews for the rating to be statistically meaningful (at least 5 reviews, ideally 25+). Newer or hyper-local spots can be excellent but score lower until enough people review them. Boundaries also matter — a spot just outside the Santa Monica area may show up on a neighboring ranking instead.