HOME > Chowhound > Los Angeles Area >


Cheap & Healthy LA?

I'm looking for good deals on healthy food in the LA area (I'm in the Cedars-Sinai/West Hollywood area)...I'm a vegetarian, & am having a hard time stomaching (pardon the pun) the $15-or-so bill to get something that is good for me...

Any ideas? THANKS!

  1. Click to Upload a photo (10 MB limit)
  1. The original comment has been removed
    1. Follow Your Heart Cafe in Canoga Park
      Rahel veggie in Little Ethiopia on Fairfax
      Mani's cafe on Fairfax

      2 Replies
      1. re: Diana

        Real Food Daily on La Cienega. Joan's on Third has a lot of roasted veggies and soups--not cheap, though. Urth caffe on Melrose could work.

        1. re: holleygolitely

          definitly second RFD. nothing on the menu is over 15 and you can get the filling real food meal (which potentially could be 2 meals) for about $13

      2. If you like Indian food , there is India's Sweets and Spices which is cheap and portions are big. It is vegetarian indian in Venice/Culver city area.

        Also there is Bharat Bazaar which is a clean well kept indian vegetarian place. Compared to India's more "hole in the way" atmosphere. Staff is also nicer..last time I went to India's Sweets and Spices I kept smiling at the counter lady , but she didn't give me a smile back...at the end she finally forced a half smile.

        I think portions seem to better at India's Sweets and Spices , but you have to deal with the elements more.

        Bharat Bazaar
        11510 W Washington Blvd
        One block West from the DMV
        Los Angeles, CA 90066
        (310) 398-6766

        India's Sweets and Spices
        9409 Venice Blvd
        Culver City, CA 90232
        (310) 837-5286

        1. Erewhon market on Beverly has a pretty decent salad and soup bar that is healthy and semi inexpensive. I haven't been impressed by the deli but you can't really screw up soup and salad.
          Vegan Glory on Beverly isn't bad either but even though it's vegetarian, it's questionably healthy.
          i've been having the same problem and have had to resort to cooking at home with my weekly farmers market finds.

          1. sante la brea

            Sante La Brea
            345 N La Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036

            4 Replies
            1. re: goodhealthgourmet

              I like Sante as well as its sister location on San Vicente, A Votre Sante.

              Newsroom Cafe is close to you, but isn't necessarily cheap.

              Ed's Coffee Shop on Robertson does great egg whites and sides, including non buttered, plain grits.

              Mao's Kitchen has vegetarian substitutes as well as is very accommodating of dietary requests.

              Hugo's has cheaper and more expensive options... the mung bean combos are particularly interesting.

              Jinky's is another good option.

              M Cafe de Chaya (not my favorite but lots of ppl love it)

              Truly Vegan and California Vegan both are cheap

              Even Famima has some healthy cheap options, as does Baja Fresh, Chipotle, or La Salsa offering rice, beans, and salsa for a cheap, tasty fresh meal.

              1. re: Emme

                where was my head? i can't believe i forgot hugo's!

                1. re: goodhealthgourmet

                  i almost didn't include it because i usually can't get out of there for under 15 bucks including tax and tip! but it's definitely worth it, IMO... just like i think the whole foods or ralph's (in certain locations) salad bar is worth it.