Twelve years ago, I fell in love with Au Lac and wrote a glowing review. Living on LA's Westside, I rarely make it to Downtown, so today was my first visit back since then. I can't believe it's been 12 years--and I'm so happy to say it was every bit as incredible as I remembered. My friend and I came for lunch. I ordered the vegetable pho, and she had the curry rice. Both dishes were absolutely delicious--fresh, flavorful, comforting, and beautifully prepared. Honestly, I wish we had more time because we had another appointment downtown. I would have loved to try more dishes and definitely dessert! Our server was wonderful--friendly, attentive, and incredibly professional. He checked on us at just the right moments without ever feeling intrusive. The service was as impressive as the food. The restaurant has such a warm, relaxing atmosphere. I especially loved the beautiful ceramic water cups with bird designs--they were so unique and charming. Even the water tasted wonderful! I'm thrilled that Au Lac is still thriving after all these years. If anything, the food tasted even better than I remembered. I certainly won't wait another 12 years before coming back. In fact, I was so impressed that I convinced my husband to come with me next Saturday for dinner! I've tried many vegan restaurants over the years, and Au Lac remains my absolute favorite. My favorite on the Westside is Variable Café, but if you're willing to drive a little farther, Au Lac is on another level. I can't recommend this restaurant highly enough. Whether you're vegan or not, this place is truly outstanding. Five stars without hesitation! read more

Au Lac - Vegetable Pho - Vegan Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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I came to Au Lac again to celebrate my bday with a friend before a show at the Music Center. Au Lac doesn't take reservations. My friend had the tofu, house salad. She said the house salad was better the last time she came bc the lettuce was different. She recalled it was Romaine lettuce last time. This time it was a green salad. I had the lemongrass fish which was made of soybean. It was a little too dry and rubbery for me. I kept putting it in my soup with rice to make it taste better, but ran out of soup. I won't be ordering this dish again. I took half home, cut up the soybean fish and added it to a stew. I didn't mention to my server that it was my bday, but was disappointed that he didn't even offer like regular servers do, "Would you like to see the dessert menu?" I didn't tell him it was my bday nor did I ask for the dessert menu bc I wasn't the one paying the bill. Not that I needed dessert, but it would've been nice to have been asked. When I mentioned this to another server who came by to clear our table that our server didn't even ask if we wanted dessert and that the restaurant doesn't seem to want to push its desserts, he quickly brought us a dessert menu, but my friend was already paying our bill - too late! It would've been nice to be asked earlier. I even had candles in my bag just in case we got dessert. Anyway, this server said he'll tell our server about not offering dessert. The next day I came back with another friend after a Music Center event. My server from the day before recognized me. This time he asked us at the start before we ordered or after we had just ordered whether we'd like to see the dessert menu. Huh? Ask at the END not start of a meal! Instead of embarrassing him, I told him, "No, thanks. My bday was yesterday." On this second day, my friend and I shared a Chinoise salad (delicious and refreshing!) and paella (not like a paella, a little too wet and granular for our taste, but healthy - a living food dish). We had mint and lemon water for both meals. $12 parking in the adjacent structure. Free parking passes at the Music Center if you're a season ticket holder or good luck with finding street parking. I'd still continue to occasionally patronize this restaurant when I have Music Center events bc I want to support veganism, the restaurant; however, I was disappointed with some of the food and waitstaff this weekend. I'd suggest that the waitstaff go thru customer training on when/what/how to talk to customers. Incentive from the website: join the rewards plan - 300 points for 30% off the bill and 100 points for a free dessert! I'm aiming for the free dessert!! read more

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For dinner I ordered the the Big Thunnini Roll and it was fresh with a nice mix of textures and a lot of flavor.I also tried the Siu Mai which were really good and hit the spot. I had heard good things going in and this restaurant lived up to it. read more

I am not vegan myself but this is one of my favorite restaurants in LA! Staff is friendly, food is great, and it has a nice aesthetic. My favorite was the jade juice recommended by our waiter! read more

Au Lac - Vegan Near Me - Los Angeles, California

First time here, arrived at 5 just as they opened before a recital at the Disney Concert Hall, and asked our server Jack to feed us a meal that is gluten free (Living Food Omakase). One of us was doubtful and low-key worried about vegan and living foods--he was amazed before he was halfway through. Drinks: the ruby cold pressed juice so delicious, not too sweet; the thai tea, a desert drink with caffeine! He started us with olive cheese dip: so super delicious with the crunchy seeded crackers. The Bird's Eye Tofu, crunchy on the outside, hot and melty on the inside. And the entrees? He brought a Notrito Salad which felt alive and delicious. The Tori Katsu really blew my mind. The Octopus so crunchy ourtside, soft and chewy and flavorful inside. The yellow noodle soup, so cocoanutty and flavorful. The Jack Makhani a spicy jackfruit yumminess. So glad we saved room for dessert I love Au Lac. I love this DTLA location. Now off to walk in the Concert Hall gardens before a recital! read more

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i'm not personally a vegan, but i enjoy vegan food from time to time, and au lac is one of my favorite vegan restaurants. i love the comforting and filling fish dishes (lemongrass fish, calamari, and shrimp. the portions are perfectly sized with the perfect amount of rice and veggies. service was very professional and friendly! plus, the ambiance of the restaurant was so comforting and relaxing - what a great environment to enjoy delicious food in! i'd recommend stopping by if you're in the downtown area and looking for a family-style dinner. read more

Au Lac - Spicy Calamari, Lemongrass Fish, Salt & Peppered Shrimp - Vegan Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Surprisingly very tasty vegan/ vegetarian food. It was also my first time hearing about "living food." We ordered 4 items: - pho ga - tori katsu - basil garlic noodles - mint soup They were all very tasty read more

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A couple friends and I recently dined at Au Lac -- none of us had been there before -- and we loved it! I had the Olive Cheese Dip and the Tori Katsu, both which were an absolute delight. I also had the Cold-Pressed Ruby Juice which was refreshing and energizing! My friends had the Friend Fries, Phở Beef Ball, and Ravioli Rosa which they seemed to enjoy. Overall, I'd say Au Lac is a great spot for vegans and non-vegans alike, and I'm looking forward to my next visit! read more

Au Lac - Tori Katsu...yum! - Vegan Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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I tasted the ravioli rosa first and I really liked it. Then the spicy calamari came out and WOW. It is slightly on the saltier side, but wow my friends and I totally inhaled it. Octopus was also pretty good. The garlic basil noodles came at the end- they were mid. I think if it was the first thing I ate, it would've been really good. The dishes by themselves are good but altogether there's a different vibe when they're altogether. read more

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We came here for dinner before going to the LA Phil concert. The menu has a lot of options. When we are ready to order, the server recommended a few signature dishes. I was a little under the weather and reviewed the tea selection. I asked the waiter what certain type of tea, she said didn't know. Need to be a little more prepared. I ordered the beef ball pho and my boyfriend ordered the octopus mushroom rice. The food tasted good, and the portion is reasonable. For dessert, we tried the chocolate x tasty cake. I think the cake tastes fine but my boyfriend said it's ok, more like a homemade cake. We split our check and paid. After we left, we noticed that the restaurant charged us vee coffee and two cold pressed juices that we never ordered, an extra $28. We quickly called the restaurant about that. The good thing is they reversed it. However, I don't expect the service of the restaurant to be careless, charging items that customers did not order. May need to train your service for better service. read more

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Finally made it to Âu Lạc LA and I completely understand why this place is so respected. The atmosphere is calm and welcoming, and the food feels very intentional. I tried a mix of living foods and cooked dishes, and everything was flavorful, balanced, and thoughtfully prepared. The olive cheese dip and wild rice dishes were especially memorable, and the newer menu items were comforting without feeling heavy. This is the kind of restaurant you visit when you want more than just a meal -- it's an experience that leaves you feeling nourished and grounded. Highly recommend taking your time here. Downtown Los Angeles Plant-based | Living foods options read more

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Great little spot in DTLA . Great service and great vegan food to enjoy . We will definitely be back again !

I think I may have just ordered the wrong thing but I was pretty disappointed with the Birder Bowl. It was very one-dimensional and was literally just tofu, rice, and a mushroom sauce- no other vegetables. The thai ice tea was pretty good though and unique, with a strong coconut milk taste. There's many other things on the menu that looked delicious so I may just try again next time; this is a great place for vegetarians! The restaurant is beautifully decorated and service was great. They do validate partially for parking now in the lot behind. Make sure you get a parking ticket from the attendant. At the restaurant, ask for validation- you should get $4 off your restaurant bill and then they'll stamp your parking ticket for an additional $3 back. We ended up paying around ~$7ish for parking for 2 hrs. Parking lot is CASH ONLY. No wait on a Sunday at 12 pm. read more

Au Lac - Birder Bowl Mapo Tofu - Vegan Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Came here to celebrate my friends birthday Really nice atmosphere for that it's a very spacious beautiful place and the service was excellent Wonderful variety of unique vegan food It was so hard to decide what to get I had the pho beef ball soup and my friend had a flavorful tempeh dish Really enjoyed the choconut x-tasy The gluten free baklava is more nutty than traditional baklava yet still very nice There's parking underneath I wish I knew that cause I circled around the downtown area for a bit Would go there again for the dessert for sure read more

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Happy place for sure. All perfect from check in to service. Chix sal was nice and the Pho. Whoooo. The tools rock. Thanks. read more

Au Lac - Roll. - Vegan Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Always a great dining experience. Great selection of delicious vegan options and outstanding customer service. The servers go above and beyond to make sure you get the best experience possible and are always so attentive and welcoming. Definitely recommend this restaurant as a place where you will not be disappointed. read more

$12 for parking Came here for their crispy mushrooms which is easily the most favorite item I also got the soft tofu stew Compared to the one in Westminster this is more of a fusion place than authentically Vietnamese read more

One of my fave vegan places in DTLA; service is always friendly and the food is tasty. And, the vibe is slightly fancier, so good for meetings. I always enjoy the clay pot and the portion is enough for 2 meals. Parking is convenient with the garage downstairs, but not free. read more

Au Lac - Vegan Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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It was a great experience. The place has a great LA night view in the background. With a full belly, you should walk around. It's quite romantics. We ordered three dishes, and they were all delicious. My favorite was the garlic rice noddles and octopus. Also, their Thai tea is quite special as well. It's worth a try. I am not vegan, but I would come back if I visit LA. People here are nice and welcoming. It's a perfect spot for dates. Good luck with business. You guys should consider opening up one in SF. I will definitely visit often. read more

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Incredible plant-based spot for a beautiful birthday dinner!! Friendly staff and amazing service with a personalized birthday message on my vegan cake! read more

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I have been at this restaurant a few times before, having performed here with my sketch group and also coming for dinner before seeing shows at Center Theatre Group. Each time I've come the waitstaff has been super friendly, and the food amazing. So, when planning a little birthday lunch for my mom's 81st birthday, this was one of the first places I thought of. My mom lives in south LA and we live in the valley, so after picking her up, we wouldn't have to travel far to eat. Although we planned to arrive to the restaurant at 2, traffic was horrible and we arrived at 230pm. After looking for parking, I dropped the fam off at 2:40 so they could sit and look at the menu while I found parking. I get a text from my husband saying they closed at 3 so hurry. This was news to me, as I thought they closed at 5. I found parking and rushed in at 2:48, to see my family outside the restaurant. Perplexed, I went in to ask if we could still eat, as it wasn't yet 3pm. No wait staff came to the front to greet me, so I walked in a bit and asked the waiter if it was okay to eat. The waiter said we close in ten. I said I thought the website said you closed at 5. I must have read it wrong. I understand, but it's not 3 and we came a bit of a distance and it's my mom's 81st birthday. The waiter, whose name is Jack, offered to ask the kitchen if they would still make food. I said yes please would you ask? While Jack was asking, another waiter asked me if I had been helped. I told him yes, that Jack was asking the kitchen if we could still have lunch. This waiter says, we're closing in 10. I'd like to have lunch too. And walks away. Yes, with shade. Jack returns and says it's fine as long as we can order within a few minutes of getting the menu. I say great and we all come in. The 2nd waiter takes our order with the least amount of personality he possibly can, and the whole lunch is slightly awkward and we're not able to truly enjoy ourselves with the feeling of "we better hurry up and eat" lingering. By the time we ordered and received our food (which was delicious as usual) , there were still 4 other groups of customers there, and we actually left the restaurant within a minute or two after the last customers before us. Also, no one came around to ask how our food was and if we needed anything. I'm giving 3 stars because this experience didn't quite sit right with me. Yes, it was near closing, but your doors weren't closed and there was no sign saying last call/order at 2:45 or anything like that. I feel like once the kitchen approved making our lunch, customer service should have been at its peak for paying customers, who gave no attitude and tried to be as polite with the ask as possible. It was not. I still tipped 25%, because Jack (waiter 1) was polite and my 81 old mama who I was celebrating raised me that way, but I'm not sure I'll patronize them again. read more

Au Lac - Cornbread tres leches cake with a little happy birthday in powdered sugar? - Vegan Near Me - Los Angeles, California

The service was great and the food was tasty but wasn't memorable. I couldn't recall what I ordered but had pics! I still would rather do regular Vietnamese than a vegan place. But if you're vegan and you have a show to catch this is a nice place to try. Parking can be a little tricky. $12 cash on the other side entrance and under the building. read more

Au Lac - Faux calamari and shrimp - Vegan Near Me - Los Angeles, California

If you're a vegan, eat here. If you're not a vegan, DEFINITELY eat here!!! The way Au Lac recreates dishes is nothing short of wtf??? Trust me. I say this and th "spicy calamari" comes to mind, but go and try different dishes for yourself. You won't be disappointed. The staff is fantastic and the meals come out in record time, no matter what you get. It's a large space and I hear they have live music from time to time, or I may be wrong, or those times may have passed, but I know I saw a piano. Eat here. You'll LOVE it. read more

Hands down one of the best plant based / vegan restaurants we have ever eaten at. This is casual plant based fine dining at its best. And while not cheap, it is an extremely good value. Their dishes are creative, well balanced, and extremely well made. Shout out to Aryeh, our waiter who was knowledgeable, helpful, kind, and on top of things. read more

Just ok for me, kinda pretentious Garlic noodles was a little over cooked, noodles were broken up and shortened, I don't know why. Taste was decent though, but not really with the price. Bbq pork rolls were also not bad, but with vegan food, it just feels like I'm paying a lot for we'll presented veggies Service was ok. Some appeared to be masking their deep unhappiness with life, or just that they're better than you. Then again, maybe it's just me, but it was the vibe. read more

4 stars because finding the right parking entrance was NEARLY impossible delicious fake shrimp and the longevity soup (forgot the exact name) was a pleasant surprise. The tres leches was a hard miss, but overall, the food was fantastic and services incredibly on top of it! read more

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Each and every time the food is flavorful and delicious! Especially if you are a plant based eater like myself you will appreciate the care in preparedness and the seasonings, mouth watering! I absolutely love this place, especially the cook! It has a nice romantic ambiance as well. read more

Excellent fresh vegan food with lots of gluten free options! The shrimp were excellent and my carnivorous son loved them! read more

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I was really impressed and so were the people in my party! I had the Pho beef. I also tried that sushi roll and friend fries! Amazing! Egg roll was pretty good too read more

The food is amazing and the ambience is upscale. However, on our last visit we asked for the check four times and got walked away from all four times with promises to be right back. We were in an urgent rush to catch an important show and we were pretty upset when all the tables near us were getting helped while we're were frantically trying to pay and leave. My dining partner was quite livid and decided not to leave a tip, which I disagreed with but it's his prerogative to decide that based on his perception of the service received. Unfortunately, the next day he saw the restaurant wrote in their own tip on his bank statement. The lesson: keep your receipt and check your bank statement after visiting. read more

Au Lac - Octopus, delicious and generous portion. - Vegan Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Au Lac DTLA feels less like a restaurant and more like a training partner. This is a place that understands food as fuel, hydration as strategy, and atmosphere as motivation. If you think in terms of workouts, recovery, and tomorrow's goals, you'll feel immediately at home. The Juices (Ruby & Golden): Both are exceptional, and both serve different purposes in the athletic lifecycle. Golden juice brings it with ginger and energy. It wakes you up cleanly and decisively. No crash, no nonsense. This is "lace up and go" juice. Ruby juice is sweet, smooth, and deeply satisfying. It feels restorative, almost indulgent, but still squarely in the health-forward lane. They come in beautiful, reusable glass bottles, which I now stockpile and reuse for coffee and other drinks to go. Practical, elegant, and aligned with a lifestyle that values intention over waste. The Burrito: This burrito is serious business. So hearty, so filling, that even as a big eater I couldn't finish it in one sitting. I brought half home, and somehow it tasted even better later, which tells you everything you need to know about the quality and balance of flavors. The shell deserves special mention. A gorgeous green wrap with real texture and flavor, not just a neutral delivery system. Thoughtful, athletic food from the outside in. Dessert (Raw Baklava): Light, clean, and surprisingly satisfying. Sweet without being heavy, indulgent without undoing your day. Exactly how dessert should feel when you still care about tomorrow morning. Bar Seating & Atmosphere: The bar area was alive. Fit, attractive people refueling, talking about upcoming athletic endeavors, training plans, and what they're building towards. It felt like a crossroads of ambition and recovery. Motivating without being performative. Details Matter: Even the water pitcher was beautifully presented. Calm, elegant, and intentional. Small touches, but they add up to a space that respects the experience. Race Route & Community: Au Lac proudly supports the annual Downtown Los Angeles Turkey Trot, and the restaurant sits directly on the race route. Overall: Au Lac DTLA is what happens when nutrition, performance, and community align. You don't leave feeling stuffed. You leave feeling ready. -- City Stage Fueling strong bodies, clear minds, and a city that moves. read more

Au Lac - The main course - Vegan Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Always come To Au Lac before attending a show at the center theatre group and have had nothing but great experiences every time we go. The food is excellent and our favorite is the Raviola Rosa. It was surprising that this was a vegan Asian fusion restaurant. All is yummy and the service is excellent. read more

Always kept an eye on this place and we finally decided to give it a try today. Came and left wondering why we haven't tried it sooner we were surprised by the huge selection of vegan options that the two of us got four plates which needless to say was more than enough food but somehow we still finished everything (very full) Food was really tasty and you could tell that the flavors and textures were carefully thought through Dishes we tried: - Kale Sea Salad: very flavorful and the kimchi was a nice touch to the salad - Siu Mai Dumplings: delicious and came with 6 pieces a good sharing plate! - Garlic Basil Noodles: tasty with lots of textures and whole garlic cloves i liked it (my S.O. really liked this one) - Tori Katsu: a vegan chicken katsu, that they did a really good job of making. Crunchy exterior, soft tender center and tasted so good. - Magic mushroom elixir (tea): slightly sweet from the coconut and earthy from the mushrooms. actually liked this a lot. (teas come in pots so you can order one for two people) - They also give you large pitcher of infused water which i thought was a really nice touch one thing i noticed with this restaurant was that everything tasted fresh and flavors were innovative yet still went naturally together with no weird after taste, oh and lots of textures! we went on a thursday night and there was a few tables and a decent amount of togo orders but only one server. yet our server was still super chill, composed, and attentive! he was definitely busy which was not his fault and always made time to come check up on us ambiance felt nice, played chill music, interior felt modern yet homey and the bathrooms were clean even though we were super full we didn't feel "heavy" or food coma after. just felt like good clean food. would definitely come back! although next time we'll be sure to order one less dish to save room for dessert! read more

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Tucked away in a plaza, wouldn't know it was there if we hadn't looked on Yelp! Service was friendly and fast, priced normally and everything was fresh. The stand out of the meal was the shrimp, I've NEVER had a shrimp alternative that tasted so close to the real thing, it was insanely good. The bbq rolls were good and the dipping sauce was very tasty. Enough to share. The garlic noodles were probably my least favorite just because i was getting full and there was an odd smell that i couldn't place with eating this dish. It wasn't a bad order, the smell just didn't match what i was eating so i was a little thrown off. Good place if you want a small bad before something in the area and are looking for a meal on the vegetarian side. read more

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This place had such an interesting menu that we had to try it! Wow the dining area is beautiful and elegant. The servers were attentive, and the food came out quickly. The friend fries were interesting, but I'm not sure I would order them again. I think they would be better with ketchup instead of salsa. Lemongrass fish was a large amount of food and delicious. Not quite the texture or taste of real fish, but I loved the ingenuity! The garlic basil noodles were delicious as well with lots of flavor. This is a great spot for vegetarians and vegans. We'll be back to try more items! The only annoying part is parking. There's a structure for $8 the first hour and $12 max. read more

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Good food and generous portions but the service is unprofessional and inattentive. When we arrived to the downtown restaurant, we waited at the front door for a long time, before anyone acknowledged us. We noticed this was the case for several diners that followed us. The restaurant had a large group dining during our visit. We waited about an hour for our food. We understood that the restaurant was busy, but when we asked two different servers for updates, both said they would provide updates and then they never returned. After our food arrived, no one was checking on our table, and we had to flag down our server to receive the check. We really enjoy the food at this restaurant, but we probably won't return. read more

I came here with friend before a W Disney concert hall concert on a Sunday afternoon. We had a lunch reservation. I had the veggie pho and the Eggrolls. The Eggrolls were very good and the pho broth was flavorful. I was a bit disappointed with the cleanliness of the place. The restroom was not clean despite being one of the first customers of the day and also there was a long strand of hair on my chair. Ambience is chic and trendy however. Thus my four star rating would turn into five if they improved the hygiene of the restaurant read more

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Girlfriend and I chose to hit up Au Lac for our Valentine's Day dinner. We knew that Valentine's Day is the busiest day of the year for restaurants, so we were expecting there to be delays. Admittedly, there were a few hiccups which are completely understandable for a night such as this. Long story short, our table was forgotten about and it took a few for our server to show up, but Aryeh (who I presume to be the manager) saved the night by providing excellent service and taking the initiative to make our experience special. From the moment you walk in, you're struck with awe by how beautiful the interior looks, from the aesthetic layout of the decor to the exquisite chandelier hanging from the ceiling. A host warmly greets you and escorts you to your table. You're provided a menu and wonder what all the sophisticated entree names could mean. The server guides you through the menu and answers any questions you have. FOOD Salt & Peppered Shrimp ($14) - Satisfyingly crispy and incredibly seasoned. The texture of the "shrimp" vegan meat is not exactly realistic, but the crisp outer batter makes up for it. It's served under a bed of deliciously seasoned sauteed cabbage and cilantro. Big Thunnini Roll ($21) - Don't be fooled by the pictures. This roll really is big. It's about twice the thickness of your typical rolls. It tastes decent but I'd recommend getting something else because it doesn't have the wow factor that the other dishes here have. Garlic Basil Noodles ($19) - Pretty decent. Garlicky and flavorful, but still light and not overpowering. I love that they give you whole cloves of garlic in it! Vee Coffee ($7) - I drink coffee often and this was pretty good! Choconut X-tasy - We received this for free as an apology for keeping us waiting too long. As our server was handing us the plate, they hyped it up by describing how delicious it was. When we tried it for ourselves, it definitely lived up to the hype. It's like 4 individual mini-sized chocolate cakes with a cherry on top. Very yummy but not overwhelming like many desserts can be sometimes. Eating this felt like a nice finishing touch to our meal. read more

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Unexpectedly delightful. I am not vegan but we chose this restaurant for the location near the Music Center, literally across the street from Disney Hall and The Music Center. Also, I hear there is parking underneath the building though I am unfamiliar with it. I quite enjoyed the food and the relaxed ambiance. There are a few other entrees I definitely wish to try on future visits. Let the server know if you have a curtain time to meet. read more

I really wanted to like this place, but I feel the taste of the various vegan dishes were just too inconsistent to fully enjoy this relatively pricy meal. The ambience, service, and location are great, so I just really wish I enjoyed the food more. The fact that this restaurant is not just a vegan restaurant, but a restaurant that serves "meat" dishes that you didn't realize are actually vegan ingredients, is central to its identity. As a result, while I recognize that I may not be the target audience not having any dietary restrictions, I would say this restaurant was quite disappointing going off of taste alone, and not just of their meat-alternative substitute ingredients. The menu here is quite wide-ranging, and my friend & I tried the Pho, Siu Mai, and "Octopus" (Shitake Mushrooms). While these dishes weren't necessarily bad-tasting, I just found the taste to be quite bland and not that memorable at all except for knowing that it was alternative-meat, which was a bit disappointing given that every item on their menu is ~$20+. read more

Au Lac - Vegan Near Me - Los Angeles, California