Vegan Guide to Newport Beach, California
Being plant-based in Orange County is easy. It’s knowing where to go that’s hard. Having lived in Southern California for four years, I can attest that things are very spread out and most people drive to get places, which means you rarely just stumble into your new favorite restaurant or cafe.
So here it is: a go-to list of places in Newport Beach that are vegan or vegan-friendly.
Vibe Organic Kitchen
Vibe Organic Kitchen owns the plant-based vibes with their 100% vegan menu and gluten-free menu. Everything is delicious, so come hungry and come often (if you can).
We shared a rainbow of dishes, and I suggest you do the same.
Macro bowl: roasted butternut squash, black lentils, steamed kale, sliced avocado, beet hummus, turmeric kraut, tahini drizzle, nori, and hemp seeds
Loaded breakfast biscuit: chickpea frittata with sliced avocado, pickled radish, salsa-verde, cashew cream cheese, on a homemade jalapeño cheddar biscuit.
Berry bliss smoothie: blueberries, strawberries, bananas, hemp seeds, dates, strawberry chia jam, coconut milk
Meet-the-Source chocolate Bliss Ball
Fermentation Farm
I so wish this place also existed in San Francisco. Fermentation Farm celebrates gut health with all of its in-house and locally-made products. Highlights include the bone broth bar (with all the toppings), and the refrigerator packed with tangy homemade coconut yogurts, krauts, sauces, kombucha, and cheeses.
They host classes to teach about the art of fermentation. It’s membership based, so for a $5 one month fee or $25 lifetime fee you get a discount on all the products in the store.
Sustainability is a core part of their business so make sure to bring your own bag, as they don’t provide any in the store. For refills, you can bring your own jar or growler, or purchase a reusable one in the store. You can even return used jars from here which they will sanitize and give you a credit for.
Sidecar Doughnuts
Best. Doughnuts. Ever.
Sidecard Doughnuts are not cheap (they will set you back $3-5 per doughnut) but they are worth it. They have classic cake doughnuts, fun seasonal doughnuts, and even specialty vegan or gluten free doughnuts.
We shared Sidecar’s Vegan Apple Cider of My Eye: a vegan apple cider doughnut with granny smith apples and apple pie spiced sugar. We also shared the Choc-A-Lot, which is the signature raised ring topped with a house made chocolate glaze and Valrhona Chocolate cocoa nibs.
Kit Cafe
Kit Cafe cafe has a great cafe vibe. It’s well lit, has good wifi, comfortable chairs, and the food and beverages are tasty. We each got an oat-milk matcha latte, and I was able to get some work done on my blog here.
Gracias Madre
The food at Gracias Madre is so good, that you won’t even realize it’s 100% plant based.
Highlights from the menu included 1) young coconut ceviche 2) “crab cakes” made of hearts of palm 3) esquites fritos (corn with salsa verde, almond cotija cheese, chili powder, lemon, and micro cilantro) 4) chile relleno with black bean mole and truffle corn 5) jackfruit mixiote tacos with cashew crema and pickled cabbage
