From the long established Au Lac in Fountain Valley springs its 2nd and more upscale location in downtown Los Angeles. Opened 2014 across the street from Disney Concert Hall. Features a menu of both raw cuisine as well cooked vegan dishes. Full bar and upscale lounge atmosphere at moderate prices. Parking lot entrance is around the back of the plaza, or park on street. Open Tue-Sun 12:00pm-3:00pm, 5:00pm-9:00pm.
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710 W 1st St, Los Angeles, California, USA, 90012
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- Wheelchair accessible
- Accepts credit cards
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Last update on 03 Aug 2022 by RonDeutsch
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116 Reviews
First Review by Chia
santiagoeb94
Points +211
Surprisingly good ravioli - Edit
It was a comfortable place, the portions were great and everything was delicious. We highly recommend the ravioli.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2025-09-28
Pros: Ambiance, Taste, Portions
Cons: Understaffed
Guest
theron
Points +53
Great stuff! - Edit
Everything we had was delicious and well plated. Service was great and food comes fast!
Read moreGuest
HappySoyBoy
Points +65
Deliciousness in an elegant setting - Edit
We’ve dined here at least half a dozen times already, and every time we are blown away! Although upscale in decor, the staff are very chill. We’ve tried about half the menu and the only so-so item was the Ito Burrito. Favorites include the Ravioli, Siu Mai, and the Pho Beef Ball. They have a pretty generous rewards program too.
Read morePros: Rewards, Quiet, Delicious
Cons: Location
Guest
jadenpb
Points +432
Decent but disappointing - Edit
I was kinda let down when eating here! I found all the food to be lacking flavor. Yes the food was creative and “healthier” but I was expecting more! Also didn’t have very good service. The servers were slow to attend to us (despite the restaurant being almost empty). Perhaps I’d come back if they revamp their menu but as of right now I would only visit if I were in DTLA again and wanted to eat at a fully vegan place!
Read moreGuest
MadhuriPydisetty
Points +789
Beautiful ambience- all vegan - Edit
Loved the vibe & decor.. tried the salt & pepper shrimp 🌱 & beef balll pho (simple - wish there there more veggies/tofu)… I personally love more spice & flavor but glad I went.
Read moreGuest
NicoleParks
Points +3823
incredible - Edit
super flavorful and so many exciting options!! the non-vegans i was with loved their meals too!!
Read moreGuest
Unibrows97
Points +543
So many options! - Edit
We sat with the menu for so long because all of the options sounded so good! I ended up getting the clay pot fish and my partner got the beef ball pho. My fish could have tasted a little more fishy but the sauce was amazing and the main reason I ordered the dish was the eggplant which was incredible. My partner is not vegan and she couldn’t believe how good her broth was. We also had a whole pot of tea each and the total price at the end was more than reasonable.
Read moreGuest
Acaradoc
Points +26
Upscale dining at a reasonable price - Edit
Found Au Lac when I was looking for a place to eat prior to going to the LA Philharmonic. They are right across the street! Amazing food with a very upscale feel but all at a very reasonable price. We will definitely be back so we can explore more of their menu.
Read morePros: Excellent food, Friendly staff
Guest
TaraFox
Points +104
Extraordinary - Edit
This was my first visit dining with Au Lac. We ordered the Salt & Pepper Shrimp, Lemongrass Fish, Big Thunnini Roll and Curried Rice. Plentiful and beautifully curated menu items are works of divine art. The Lemongrass Fish is perfection. I look forward to experience more of Au Lac’s whimsical, extraordinary and magical cuisine.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2024-02-04
Pros: Nice atmosphere, Great service, Beautiful decor
Guest
AlixAmu
Points +1048
Fave not overpriced spot in downtown LA!! - Edit
100% plant based Vietnamese restaurant.
Read moreBig portions, good service, very clean, & many great options.
It was so good we visited twice in one weekend!
Authentic tasting pho, bahn mi, dumplings, sushi.
I never get sushi because it’s overpriced but this one is worth it due to being super large portion. The octopus platter tasted like orange chicken.
Great experience and location definitely check it out
Pros: Shareable portions , Many options , Super tasty
Guest
alexanderwolf
Points +32
Incredible - Edit
I only had one to go dish, but wow it was truly incredible. I would eat here constantly if I lived in the area! Even if it was the same dish that I enjoyed… their garlic basil noodles (which is apparently a popular order they have). Afterwards I went on their website to read more about the place. They have a really endearing story, established at another location 27 years ago. EDIT: Their bahn mi is equally amazing! 🙃
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2025-01-09
Guest
AlisonSimard
Points +79
Wonderful assortment of delicious ingredients - Edit
Loved the range of vegan healthy options. Was tempted to teyneverything. Wish there was more of a tasting menu for dinner. We ordered the pork rolls, curry rice, yellow shrimp soup, ravioli, and basil pasta. Everything was flavorful and interesting.
Read morePros: Range of proteins, Spices and flavors
Guest
EABessel
Points +1775
Fair - Edit
I was so excited to eat here, based upon all the previous glowing reviews. However, in my own experience, the food was majorly under-seasoned and the textures were off. Inviting contemporary interior and friendly staff.
Read moreGuest
frankinjection
Points +1364
Amazing all around - Edit
From the friendly staff to the amazing options to the high end flavor, this place is packed with reasons to visit.
Read moreThe Shrimp appetizer and Chinoia Salad were great, but the ravioli was rich and delicious I’d have to give it the gold star of the night.
Guest
1AP1
Points +1762
Interesting, tasty menu - Edit
Happy to find this place, had a great meal
Read moreGuest
Pilot.lj
Points +1647
Fun spot - Edit
I thought food was 4/5. It was a fun menu. A bit confusing having things like ravioli amongst Vietnamese food. Overall a good experience.
Read moreGuest
hakunapatata
Points +285
Lovely looking place, would like to try other dishes - Edit
I went there looking for brunch but they were out. I ordered the calamari instead and found it a bit oily. I’d like to try other things from the menu because it seems they might have some good stuff.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2023-08-03
Guest
Maur
Points +66
Gem in DTLA - Edit
The atmosphere is upscale and lovely for a vegan restaurant. The menu has great options… so many choices.
Read morePros: Real vegan food and so many choices, Nice atmosphere , Wait staff very friendly
Guest
SusanVegana
Points +905
Awesomeness - Edit
Had a great experience for dinner. They have a $9 small plate menu 5-7 pm Tuesday-Friday with smaller versions of main dishes which ranged from ($19-21 per main). I ordered 4 of them. Luckily the server thought to bring the menu to me but unfortunately neglected to share it with the 6 tables around me who would’ve benefitted from the lower price points and an opportunity to try 6 items
Read morePros: Great assortment on small plate menu, Excellent pricing of $9/small plate, Artfully prepared and delish.
Cons: Server didn’t supply menu to other early diners
Guest
KaijuSan
Points +408
Great fusion dishes - Edit
We went with a group of six and all dishes were delicious. The service was very good and accommodating. They have a variety of different foods from burritos to soups.
Read moreGuest
SoCalCal
Points +2732
Food is STILL great and the menu updates are welcome! - Edit
Haven't been here in a while, but we were seeing a show at the Ahmanson and this was the closest vegan option. The food is still as good as we remember, and we brought some non-vegan friends and they enjoyed their food, also.
Read moreWe started with an order of the BBQ Pork Rolls which were delicious! I ordered the Sweet & Spicy Tempeh as my main and the other entrees ordered were the Garlic Basil Noodles and the Chicken Sate. The Tempeh dish was definitely spicy, but the different textures and the sweetness offered interesting discoveries in each bite. Those that ordered the Garlic Basil Noodles really enjoyed their dishes and mentioned they were a little spicy, also. Our non-vegan friend who ordered the Chicken Sate commented that the texture really wasn't chicken-like, but the flavors were good.
I noticed several dishes on the menu that I've ordered in the past, but there also appeared to be some new dishes. This is definitely welcome as sometimes when restaurants don't update their menus, there's not a lot of excitement left to find if everything has been tried before. Keep up the good work!
Pros: Delicious food
Cons: Can be expensive, No reservations
Guest
Chiara Cassandra
Points +350
Delicious food - Edit
I tried the living food (mostly raw) and I loved so much the flavor combination 💚
Read moreGuest
m@earthville
Points +10392
Delicious Vietnamese dishes - Edit
We grabbed take-out lunch while in the neighborhood and were not disappointed. Great flavors and textures, and good portions. Very kind people. Finding parking was a challenge, so it’s recommendable to call them to arrange for curbside, which they’re happy to do. Recommended.
Read moreThe ravioli is good, too.
Updated from previous review on 2021-05-09
Guest
Felide
Points +53
Delicious with huge portions - Edit
Very nice place with a pleasant atmosphere. Huge portions, all tasted delicious!
Read morePros: Staff courtesy, Atmosphere
Cons: A bit pricey, Fake plants
Guest
FruitbatLA
Points +38
Clean Eating - Edit
Clean Vegan food done right. I’m a huge fan of their salad!
Read morePros: Great food, Amazing ambience
Guest
vp4639
Points +73
It's... okay - Edit
This place is remarkably underwhelming. For the prices that you pay, the portions aren't really great, and the food doesn't give you a feeling of "authentic Vietnamese cuisine, but made vegan". The bahn mi was the only thing I felt like was worth ordering, and certainly it tasted good, but I left pretty hungry thereafter.
Read moreI will say, the restaurant itself is pretty, the decor is lovely. For the price you pay for the actual food, experience aside, I most likely would not step foot in this place again.
I will not rate this place lower than 4 stars because there is clearly something here for people who like this style of food and atmosphere, so rating it low based on my very personal feelings does not feel right. This is a place where the owners care to continue the spirit of serving good vegan food to people, and that is worth a whole lot to me.
Ultimately, if you're not particularly fond of Vietnamese "fusion" cuisine, maybe it's not suitable for you. However, if you are willing to dish out the money for what is primarily the ambiance, this is not a bad place to go.
Pros: Nice staff
Cons: Too costly
Guest
Eidolon
Points +496
Huge Fan of the Pasta - Edit
I never got to visit in person, but I loved getting take out and their pasta/ravioli was amazing. The sauce was just phenomenal. #Veganuary
Read morePros: Take out/delivery, Amazing pasta
Guest
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