Native Foods Cafe

I love Native Foods! Whenever I’m in So Cal I make sure a stop here is on the schedule, my most recent trip was no different. We headed to the Culver City location because it was the closest but learned it closed a couple of days prior. Insert sad face! We headed to the location by UCLA where the parking SUCKS! But the food is worth it and the location has expanded since I was last there. It looks like they took over the gym that was next door. ok, ok to the food! I always order the Chicken Run Ranch Sandwich and chili cheese fries which makes for two meals. The lavender lemonade is so tasty but I’m biased… I can eat anything flavored with lavender, ice cream, lemonade, cupcakes, cookies… shall I go on? lol We loved our food so much we drove all the way back across town to order to orders for home. Open a location in the Bay Area… PRETTY PLEASE :)

This is my daughters’ fav restaurant and we just found out this location closes tomorrow!!! So sad.

So sad it’s closing tomorrow. The service was kinda on and off but I will miss this place.

I have visited Native Foods café in Colorado, Oregon, and California. Between their consistency and their ability to craft dishes that are unique, flavorful, yet still cater to the plant based and more standard palette alike, they offer a little something for everyone.
I report with a heavy heart that this location is closing in two short days. With that in mind I’ve made it my lunch destination nearly every day this week. There is still another location on the west side, much to my delight. However the workers, and the management here are spectacular. There’s usually street parking nearby, and you can also get away with parking in the Trader Joe’s structure across the street.
The beverage selection is always awesome. But green tea, watermelon aqua fresca, apple cinnamon something or other, or plain unsweetened tea you just can’t go wrong.

Disclaimer, my review may not carry too much weight (I’m a meat and potatoes guy by heart. I would never go vegan, sorry guys, but y’all are crazy). I came to native foods since it was my dad’s birthday, and he simply wanted to try this place. First things first, this place has amazing lemonade flavors, which, sadly, was the highlight of my meal. Warning to all future customers, DO NOT, and I really mean DO NOT order the gyros. It was a travesty that they were even called gyros, let alone anything resembling Mediterranean food. I was thoroughly disappointed with my food. May this be a warning to all future customers! Please, for your sake, do not eat the gyros!

A truly great vegan café. I ordered the soul bowl and it was amazing. Fresh cornbread and vegan chicken. Just enough food to satisfy a lunch craving. Nice ambiance in doors and patio seating. The people are friendly and the service is great. I will certainly be revisiting this restaurant.
I have also ordered the chicken burger which was decent. I probably wouldn’t get it again because the bread didn’t taste great. I have also had the burger with avocado burger which is delicious.
The nachos are delicious as an appetizer as well. And the Reuben sandwich tastes better than a real Reuben. All in all everything I’ve had here is great.

Native Foods is one of my favorite Vegetarian chains.
I am obsessed with their teas and juices and just about anything on their menu.
Service is exceptional, they really take their time to explain the menu and hope you enjoy your food.
Love their veggie burgers and salads, there is really something for every taste and mood.
Prices and portions are fair, everything is made to order and in house, even the sauces and dressing, love that and can taste the difference.
They also have a rewards program worth joining!
Worth checking out, even if you are a meat lover, makes a perfect lunch that won’t weigh you down the rest of the day.

Great food and great service. This is a vegan place where you order at the counter, sit down, and they bring it to you. The food was awesome and the staff were friendly. They also serve dessert, beer, and wine. Parking nearby in large parking garages. Great location right in downtown Culver City.

This has to be one of my favorite vegan restaurants. I’ve been vegetarian for 8 years so trust me when I say I know my fake meat. The food here is UNBELIEVABLE! I had a to-​die-​for BLT and my Aunt got a chicken wrap which I tried, and am currently obsessing over. Everything here is so flavorful and made me forget I was vegetarian for a second — it’s like you’re eating the real deal. I can’t wait to go back and try more of their food.
Tip:
— There’s garage parking across the street near Trader Joe’s.

I used to adore Native Foods Café when I was back at UCLA. Their Westwood location was like home to me since my roommate and I would eat dinner weekly here and catch-​up. When I found out that I would be working near the Culver City location, I was eager to try this place. But the Chicken Run Ranch Burger and Rockin’ Moroccan Bowl that I had always ordered just did not taste the same. This is a vegetarian place, and that is exactly what I felt I was eating. Both entrees were dripping in sauce that tried to compromise the tough and rubbery chick’n. What also didn’t help was the switcharoo of Lavender Lemonade to Blueberry Lemonade. Boo…
Native Foods Café used to convince me that I could be vegetarian, even if it were only for one meal, because their food wasn’t overly seasoned and tasted like real meat. But not anymore!
Note: When opening a free Native Rewards Card for first-​time guests, a complimentary drink is no longer offered.

As a long-​time vegan, and a supporter of the plant-​based community, I wanted to love this restaurant and I really, really tried but compared to all the other vegan options we have in LA, it just didn’t hold up.
The best thing I had was the sweet potato fries and let’s be real – it’s hard to mess those up.
The Taco Salad (romaine, cabbage, seitan ‘taco meat,’ salsa, corn, onions, cilantro and tortilla chips) tasted like something you’d get at a concession stand. There wasn’t enough dressing on the salad and when I got more I realized why they keep it to a minimum. It’s terrible. It’s supposed to be a ‘creamy chipotle’ dressing but it tastes like a watered down Thousand Island. It was average at best and I expect more.
The Oklahoma Bacon Cheeseburger was bland as beige curtains and just about as tasty. If there was barbecue sauce on it, I couldn’t taste it and it needed *something* because the seitan burger was completely overpowered by the melted ‘cheddar,’ which was a slice of daiya and I was expecting a zesty, smokey, barbecue bacon burger and all I tasted was fake cheese, I don’t even remember the bacon – that’s how overwhelming the cheese was.
I’m told the Nachos are great and they might be, so order them in place of one of the items I had and maybe you’ll have better luck.
The restaurant itself is spacious and clean with a cute and creative interior design and a friendly, helpful staff. We were told about their loyalty program where if you sign up you get 2 for 1 entrees on your next visit. Sadly I don’t think I’ll be in a rush to go back unless I’m stuck in Culver City.
You order at the register and they give you a number (much like Veggie Grill — which is a million times better and probably cheaper) and a runner/​busser will bring your food to your table when it’s ready. For drinks, you’re given an empty cup and and you fill your own with lemonade and iced teas.
The price was average to high for essentially «fast food,» and reminder: just because it’s vegan, doesn’t mean it’s healthy.

I love eating vegan (even though I am not a vegan), and this place is one of my favorites. I especially love trying the specials they introduce and rotate. I love the desserts, too, except for one cupcake I had about two years ago.
This location is a prime people-​watching one. It has an outdoor patio from which you can spy on those walking from the Trader Joe’s parking lot to the other DTCC restaurants and bars. Tuesday is farmer’s market day on Main Street.

Blueberry lavender lemonade and watermelon fresca? Yes please. Both were equally delicious. I ordered a taco salad it was good but they sprinkle the meat. Reminded me a bit of chipotle, you ask them for ingredients and they sprinkle them on. French fries were delish, nachos w/​guac were also tasty. Everything was fresh, I loved eating outdoors and the staff was friendly. Like Arnold said: «I’ll be back.» And try something else next time.

For a meat eater as I am, this place is very delish!
Pictured here is the Korean BBQ Sub: Street Style Korean Seitan, Pineapple Slaw & Crispy Mushrooms served on a Baguette with Choice of Side.
I got some Fries with mine’s since, the BBQ marinade– which is already cooked into the Seitan, the Mushrooms & the Pineapple Slaw combined– made for a Very Sweet meal. I usually mix ketchup & chili together for dipping some Fries OTS but, this Sub was already very much juicy and some of the goodness was starting to fall off.
Fries are salted just enough. Not overwhelming or needing more and it did not affect the overall taste of the Sub. Ketchup wasn’t necessary as the sweetness from the sub was enough. A perfect compliment for this sub.
The Korean BBQ Sub was pretty good but, I have to say the Chicken Avo Club is still my fave Go-​To entrée here!
Mix the Organic Blueberry Hibiscus & Watermelon Fresca for a refreshing blast!

I love Native Foods. Even though it’s not the cheapest thing around, it’s healthy with good flavors. The Bangkok bowl had a nice curry in it with plenty of broccoli and rice. My Moroccan Bowl was also decent, with farro and middle-​eastern spices and raisins. Portions were pretty good. The potato salad was awesome.
They also offer homemade blueberry lemonade and watermelon fresca, which was nice. Free refills.

Woohoo indeed! This place is at good as it gets!
Considering that this place is a pretty much 100% VEGAN and able to persuade my taste buds to this actually taste like real chicken or gyros is amazing!
Native Foods Café is vegan food made fresh daily starting from their homemade tempeh and seitan, to their Native Cheese, to their sauces, beverages, dressings and desserts too and did I mention their entire menu is 100% plant-​based.
Located in the busy portion of Culver City and Culver Blvd where most of the parking are either meter or at parking garage.
Here are some of there plant protein alternatives listed on their website and menu:
Tempeh
–Can be found in the Scorpion Burgers and Tacos.
A protein created from cultured organic soybeans and millet. The end product has a flaky texture with a nutty flavor. Rich in protein, iron and antioxidants and made from scratch daily.
Seitan
Can be found in the Nachos, Oklahoma Bacon Cheeseburger, Portobello and Sausage Burger
Known as wheat meat, their Native Seitan is made from scratch daily. This vital wheat gluten evolves from a kneading process resulting in a meaty texture producing a complete and versatile protein.
NATIVE Chicken
Can be found in the Chicken, Bacon & Avocado Club, Chicken Run Ranch Burger and delicious Wings.
Their Native Chicken consists of free range soy, wheat and pea protein. It tastes just like free range chicken… No, seriously!
Native Bacon
Thinly sliced organic tofu marinated in our Chef’s secret smokehouse recipe and baked firm.
CASHEW Cheese
A blend of cashews and sunflower seeds combined to create textures ranging from creamy to crumbly
My two top favorites are the:
Twister Wrap
Fresh baby greens, cucumber salsa, avocado and your choice of crispy, grilled or buffalo Native Chicken with Creamy Ranch or Chipotle sauce in a whole wheat wrap.
–I really can’t get enough of this wrap. After taking a few bites on my first wrap I immediately ordered my second one for the road or for a late night snack =)
–I also LOVE the creamy ranch sauce it is not too heavy or too bland just perfect
–I love that they give the options for crispy, grilled or buffalo Native Chicken which can change the taste and the texture of the wrap if you want to order 2 at the same time and want one alittle different.
Greek Gyro Bowel
Peppered seitan with shallots, quinoa, steamed veggies, kale with lemon-​garlic sauce and hummus.
–My favorite bowel hands down very lovely if you like a lemony garlic sauce.
–I’m a big gyro fan and I just love this dish very creative tasty and the taste is somewhat similar to a real gyro although much more healthier
Pros:
–Super tasty and delicious
— Native Foods uses nuts and non-​GMO soy and wheat in their kitchens (all of the natural good stuff)
–The restaurant ambiance is very casual and hip.
(This can be a pro or con because just walking in and looking at the restaurant layout it may seem like a fast food hipster local café but, don’t let the décor fool you they are very serious with their food and they will impress you with their creative and decadent dishes.)
–Friendly staff service
–They offer a loyalty card program that when you register you card, the next time you come in you get a buy 1 get 1 free entrée
Cons:
–I wasn’t a big fan of the Oklahoma BACON Cheeseburger.
(I dunno maybe this was one of the few dishes that I felt that you can’t really taste the difference in a real meaty burger verses a vege burger. Also I’m not use to the taste of the Cashew Cheese yet.)
–Parking is somewhat limited with either meter or parking garage.
(It gets quite busy during the lunch hours and weekends so it might be hard to find metered parking right away.)
Overall, one of the best Vegan restaurants in the Los Angeles region and if you are vegetarian or vegan you have definitely give this place a try because if meat eater are raving about this place you know it’s good.

Native Foods used to be my default lunch place whenever I make a trip to Culver City for shopping at Trader Joes because it’s across the street, and the parking is free for two hours so I can get my lunch and shopping done within that time.
I’ve always been a fan of good vegan food, but I have been less impressed with Native in my last couple visits. Their menu has gotten way smaller than in the past, and they also got rid of the daily specials when I went. Last time, I got the Rockin Moroccan Bowl by recommendation of the cashier. It looked beautiful, but was surprisingly very tangy and had little flavor otherwise so I wasn’t a big fan.
Ultimately, I don’t think Native Foods has the same quality as in the past, and I’m looking to try other vegan restaurants around Culver City next time I go to TJ’s. (If you do decide to go, try mixing the lavender lemonade with watermelon agua fresca!)

Just had dinner here. It’s a vegan restaurant, so don’t go here expecting there to be «meat.» If if says chicken it’s really tofu! If it says meatballs on the menu, know that it’s really seitan rolled into what a traditional meatball is suppose to look like. I do come here from time to time when I feel like I need more veggies in my life. This time around I ordered the Thai Meatball Bowl but substituted the quinoa with kale as I don’t like quinoa much. I thought that the meatballs were not as good as I had expected. They tasted grainy, not like what I would want a fake meatball that was suppose to fool me into thinking it was a real meatball to taste like. The salad on a whole lacked tastiness (and yes– I said tastiness, which is a word. Look it up!).
Usually I order the Soul Bowl which has native chicken, red beans, veggies and brown rice. I substitute the brown rice with more red beans when I order that and order extra native chicken. I prefer the Soul Bowl than the Thai Meatball bowl. The native chicken I think is made from tofu but actually tastes pretty darn GOOD! So if you’re not sure what to order when you get here, try something with the native chicken in it! Oh and the brownie coffee cheesecake… = YES PLEASE!
All in all, if you are a meat eater like myself, and like to cut back on the carbs but still LOVE your veggies, then try this place. You may really like it! Love? Well… love is a strong word for any one, isn’t it? Let’s just say I’d date, but I wouldn’t marry it! It may not be marriage material for a meat eater like myself.
Accessibility — If you live in the Culver City neighborhood, bike! There are many bike rails along Culver Blvd. Otherwise visiting, there are three major parking garages. The one by Trader Joe’s is the closest to Native Foods. The garage behind of BofA and the garage behind Akasha I think are both 2 hours free. Check to make sure! Happy eating!

On a recent trip to the LAX area, I Unilocaled ahead of time for a place to eat. I was looking for something healthier and Native Foods Café caught my eye. Had never heard of this Chain before. Would be nice to have one in my hometown.
Arrived at this Culver City location in time for lunch. There were some metered parking available. Make sure to bring your change to fill up those meters. We beat the crowds so no long wait for us. After placing our order at the counter, it took about 15 minutes to receive our food. Not bad. Service from everyone we encountered was excellent so got to give them 5 stars for that!
I am not a vegan, but was mostly pleased with their food. Everything is 100% plant based. No meat here. So here is what we tried for lunch:
Chicken Bun Ranch Burger for $ 9.95 This was their special of the day. Ordered a side of Sweet Potato fries to go with it. Both were good. Still can’t believe that it’s not chicken. (3.5 stars)
Buffalo Twister Wrap for $ 9.95 This is what my wife ordered. Got to say that it was pretty good as well. Do not think that I would order it again though. (3 stars)
Watermelon Fresca and Lavender Lemonade were both $ 2.75 each. I love the fact that their drinks were self-​serve! I enjoyed mixing the Lavender Lemonade with the Watermelon Fresca. They also had a couple of organic teas such as Blueberry Hibiscus Tea that were tasty as well. Drinks are 5 stars!!!
Key Lime Pie $ 3.95. This slice of heaven was the BOMB!!! Oh my goodness, I would come back to Native Foods Café every single day just for this dessert! It would take me a very long time to tire of it! The best Key Lime Pie that I have ever tasted. Even better than the ones I tried in Key West, FL.
I do look forward to returning here sometime in the future. I did not feel that the two entrees we had were outstanding, but we would probably find something great if we sampled more of their menu.
Coming back for the drinks and Key Lime Pie are enough reasons for me to return! I look forward to trying more of their delicious looking desserts in the future.
Oh by the way, the restaurant and men’s restroom were very clean as well. Great job staff at Native Foods Café Culver City. Keep up the excellent service.

I want to like this place, I really do, but I’m just not a fan :/
I like the concept – healthy, plant-​based options and all of the menu options sound really creative and amazing but each time has been disappointing for me.
Twister wrap – literally just meh. Not that flavorful and an extreme let down for something the waitress described as her favorite, must get item on the menu. Moroccan rockin bowl – I will say the sauce was pretty good, but it’s not a lot of sauce and he bowl is otherwise very bland. Too much plain quinoa not enough tofu or flavor. (Makes for a pretty picture). Third time I got some salad with mango in it, was neither full not satisfied afterwards. Gave it three tries, I’m done.

The Rockin’ Morrocan bowl is the best thing I’ve tried here. The portion is very generous and filling; I was surprised that I had trouble finishing it because my appetite usually trumps the portions served at restaurants.
My sister liked the Native Chili and my mom liked the Kung Pao, which looked more like a salad with rice and cooked veggies and tofu on top.
For 2-​hour free parking, use the structure above Trader Joe’s across the street.

Masquerading as a native vegetarian … me?
Despite not having significant dietary or linguistic experience to communicate with these natives, Olivia and I ventured into Native Foods Café … unsure of what mystery lay within its borders. We were served a native dish of faux chicken. We ate it anyway, to keep the natives from getting restless. Some things, you just have to swallow.
Ensalada Azteca ($ 9.95)
Avocado, Jicama & Cucumber Salsa, Quinoa, Romaine Lettuce, Raisins, Toasted Pepitas, and Cilantro with a Mango-​Lime Vinaigrette. This exotic mix of natural raw food from the earth made me want to do the native dance of my people … the white man’s overbite. (4 stars)
Twister Wrap ($ 9.95)
Fresh Baby Greens, Avocado & Cucumber Salsa, a creamy Chipotle Sauce, and grilled «Native Chicken» in a Whole Wheat Wrap. Native Chicken is free-​range Soy with Wheat and Pea Protein. Apparently, «Twister Wrap» is native for … Sitting Burrito in the Face. (3 stars)
Lavender Lemonade ($ 2.50)
French Lavender steeped with fresh Lemons and sweetened with unrefined Organic Sugar. This sweet and fragrant nectar is free for first-​timers that join the native tribe and agree to partake in their custom of email communication. (4 stars)
How do you say «delicious» in their native tongue? By Jove, I’ve not gone native have I?
We may not have blended in at Native Foods Café, but we did find much wisdom and deliciousness to their native customs and plant-​based cuisine. Perhaps, one day our paths will cross again.

Came here for lunch because I don’t often eat at vegan places. This place sounds good to try! Here’s what I ordered:
OKLAHOMA BACON CHEESEBURGER — $ 9.95
Native Seitan, caramelized onions, crispy Native Bacon and melted cheddar cheese with BBQ sauce and ranch dressing. Romaine, carrots, onions and tomato topped with cornmeal crusted pickles. Served on a whole wheat bun.
I’m no vegan so I“m very curious to try a vegan version of the meatiest and unhealthiest thing I love to eat: a cheseburger… and WITH BACON! I was impressed. I’m someone who enjoys bread and creamy/​cheesy things. Thats what it tastes like mostly with a bunch of freshly cut veggies (romaine, onions, tomato). This definitely doesn’t taste dry since it has all the sauces! Even the «cheese» tasted like a sauce! I love the cornmeal crusted pickles!
WATERMELON FRESCA — $ 2.75
Fresh watermelon and a touch of mint. Sweetened with organic agave.
Oh man this was wonderful and refreshing! Full of watermelon goodness!
I had a wonderful time here. The service was so great! A staff member kept checking on us, asking if we wanted drink refills! So nice! I was able to get a full drink in a to go cup! I’d love to come back here, but probably at a closer location to where I live. I want to try other items on their menu!

Hungry? Check.
Healthy? Check.
Fast? Check.
Friendly? Check.
Yummy? Check!
Have you been to Native Foods so many times that you have literally tasted everything on the menu? Well, have no fear, (although I’m sure you haven’t eaten at Native Foods that many times…) Native Foods in Culver City is an R+D location, meaning it has more menu options! Everything I’ve tried at Native Foods is good, so just try everything. Eazy peezy!