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Food & Garden
Our Favourite Sustainable Restaurants Serving Organic & Local Dishes in LA
As restaurants are open in LA for both indoor and outdoor dining, we thought we’d have our editor, Taylor (an LA native), share some of her favourite restaurants in the city, all of which are sustainably minded and focused on sourcing all organic and local ingredients!
Plant Food + Wine
Located on Abbot Kinney in Venice, Plant Food + Wine is one of the most beautiful restaurants in LA. The outdoor patio is incredibly romantic and there is something on the menu for everyone. The entire menu is plant based and the drinks list has a great selection of natural wine. A perfect choice if you are fully vegan or trying to show someone plant-based eating is just as fun!
Rustic Canyon
Possibly my favourite restaurant in LA, Rustic Canyon in Santa Monica, creates some of the most exciting vegetable dishes alongside organic and local meat and fish. Their seasonal menu is inspired by local ingredients from small and sustainably run farms in California. The team at Rustic Canyon are some of the friendliest people you’ll find, and they make you feel at home immediately. Make sure to order the incredible Berries + Beets with a glass of organic orange wine and have a seat outside in the back for a truly wonderful evening.
Destroyer
Located on a quiet street in Culver City, Destroyer is my go-to for breakfast or lunch. They always use organic wherever possible, and you can really taste the quality of the ingredients in every dish. The team at Destroyer always come up with unique and delicious vegetable-based dishes – the sourdough sunchoke waffle and honey roasted mushrooms are not to be missed!
Gracias Madre
When in LA, this plant-based Mexican restaurant is a must visit. Gracias Madre’s entire menu is plant-based, and they only use local and organic ingredients. Even their agave spirits are from small batch and independent producers in Mexico. Their wine list is also one of my favourites in the city, as they have a wonderful array of biodynamic, organic, and natural wines from small wineries.
Botanica
You can’t beat this restaurants tag line – “Vegetables, cocktails, natural wine, and good times” – what more does one want? Founded by food writers and editors, Botanica in Silver Lake is focused on local and sustainable sourcing and cooking. Their vow is that you’ll never find refined sugars, processed foods, or products of industrial agriculture at their restaurant. You’ll only find delicious, organic, local, and healthy dishes!
Orto
Orto, Italian for “Vegetable Garden,” is my favourite Italian restaurant in LA. With a focus on local ingredients, Orto’s menu is inspired by what they can find at the Santa Monica farmers market and what they can grow on their beautiful patio. All of their dishes are simple yet delicious, and the quality of the ingredients are part of the reason. Plus, their entire wine list focuses on sustainable and organic producers. Grab a table on their patio under the string lights and next to their organic herb garden!
Double Zero
Matthew Kenny’s casual plant-based pizza and pasta restaurant in Venice is a must visit. Double Zero serves vegan pizza alongside sustainable and biodynamic wines. Everything is sourced locally and seasonally, and they make all their own vegan cheeses. The perfect restaurant for a quick slice and glass of orange wine!
Melody Wine Bar
This neighborhood wine bar serves some of the best natural wine in town alongside rotating pop ups hosted by different chefs. Melody Wine Bar is a super fun and comfortable atmosphere, that makes you feel like you’re just hanging out in a friend’s garden. Some nights you’ll find the incredible team behind De La Nonna, a traveling pizza pop up that moves around the city throughout the week. Other nights you’ll find Malli, a Mexican inspired Jewish pop up by Elizabeth Heitner, who cooks up some of the most colorful (and delicious) cuisine in town.
Tilda Wine
This natural wine bar in Echo Park is the perfect place to meet friends for some incredible wine and delicious appetizers, designed to go perfectly alongside wine. Tilda has wine from all over, but they are focused on showcasing natural Californian wines, which can be hard to find. At this wine bar, you’ll discover bottles you’ve never heard of before, which is why it is always such a fun experience. Simply check out their Instagram before popping by to see what they’ve got open that day!
Or if you're staying in, try our favourite Californian wines for home delivery!
Based in San Francisco, Rock Juice offers a private sommelier service bringing you a curation of natural, organic and biodynamic wines. At Rock Juice ‘natural’ means wine made from organically grown grapes with minimal — and often zero — added sulfites. Free from other additives and technological tricks from the vineyard to the cellar, Rock Juice sources natural wines from small producers around the globe, ensuring transparency throughout the supply chain.
