Vegan Mexicana: A Plant-Powered Fiesta
When the aroma of spice mingles with tradition, a culinary revolution takes place — and it can be found right in our community. Let’s explore three Long Beach restaurants where traditional Mexican recipes embrace the offerings of nature, inviting us to savor every plant-powered bite.
PlanTita’s Kitchen
1950 W Willow St. Long Beach, CA 90810
Closed Mondays, open 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday
Photos by Olivia Peay (@__avvs__).
Moved by a love for traditional flavor and culture, PlanTita’s Kitchen will leave your tastebuds dancing with delight. Their menu is a testament to creativity and sustainability, featuring an array of dishes that pay homage to classic Mexican favorites. Customers can choose between six light to hearty proteins, including mushroom al ajillo, which are braised wild mushrooms, and baja shrimp: beer-battered morsels with diced pineapple. PlanTita’s Kitchen offers cultural staples like elote, queso-loaded nachos, tacos and pozole verde, but reimagined through the lens of a plant-based philosophy. The Flauta Plate is a local favorite and one of their house specials: an ensemble bathed in velvet sauces and guacamole, filled with cheesy potatoes and jackfruit carnitas. The dishes at PlanTita’s Kitchen are not just for our tastebud’s ecstasy, but for our heart's contentment – where a celebration of bold flavors, cultural heritage and the opportunity of a plant-based living are possible.
Cena Vegan
456 Elm Ave., Ste K, Long Beach, CA 90802 (inside Partake)
Closed Mondays, open 11:30a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, 11:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, and 11:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Friday through Saturday
Photos by Olivia Peay (@__avvs__).
Rich in flavor and tradition, Cena Vegan’s dishes tantalize your palate while nurturing a connection to the roots of Mexican culinary artistry, evident in their plentiful meals and mouth-watering spices. Their plant-derived meats include al pastor, carne asada, carnitas, birria, grilled chicken and barbacoa – all of which can be added to their variety of entrees. Enjoy their crunchy “Nacho Boat” that is covered in beans, lettuce, tomato, guacamole and salsa, topped with your choice of meat. Burritos, tortas, tostadas and bowls offer customers a chance for customization while blending the richness of Mexican flavors with the wholesome goodness of plant-based ingredients. For those looking for a little something extra, the restaurant offers agua frescas, horchata and their “Big Vegan Cookie”: a palm-sized baked good of dark chocolate and pecans. Cena Vegan also offers ready-to-eat portions for larger groups, allowing your loved ones to indulge in their offerings.
The Grain Cafe
4403 E Fourth St. Long Beach, CA 90814
Open every day from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Photo by The Grain Cafe.
A staple to the Long Beach vegan community, The Grain Cafe is a Mexican-inspired eatery where tradition and compassion will converge on your plate. Inside the restaurant, you’ll find a symphony of colors and Mexican-style adornments – a reflection of the rich heritage the restaurant’s owners hold dear. Open for every meal of the day, The Grain Cafe offers a wide variety of dishes to suit your every craving. Their Chilaquiles are made with crisp tortilla chips, avocado and tofu egg, drizzled in salsa and housemade sour cream. For those looking for something on the softer side, the cafe offers less spice-heavy dishes, like sweet to savory crepes, sandwiches, wraps and salads. For dinner, the restaurant offers “south of the border” dishes: chicken fajitas, chile relleno, enchiladas, quesadilla, mole burritos and pastas spiced with red peppers that’ll leave you burning for more. The cafe also makes fresh organic cakes, including a decadent tres leche (three milk) cake made from coconut-based ingredients.