The fifth annual Life is Beautiful Festival is here. Last year was our first one and it was an incredible experience that introduced us to some new music favorites (swoon, Bishop Briggs), so much street art and, naturally, heaps of vegan food.
Once again, we’ve assembled our top picks for vegan food at Life is Beautiful for meals, snacks, dessert and drinking. Please note: this information is subject to change without notice and not all outlets are included. Because kitchens are small, if you are concerned about cross-contamination in fryers, etc. please check before you order.
LUNCH/DINNER
50 Shades of Green: Vegan Power Salad, filled with red and yellow quinoa, red onion, kale, bell peppers, zucchini and tossed in balsamic vinaigrette. If you want something a little less leaf-y, request the vegan version of the BLT (sub bacon for avocado and mayo for Just Mayo) or a chicken burrito bowl (sub tofu, hold the cheese).
FLEUR by Hubert Keller: While they don’t have anything vegan on the menu, you can request a vegan burrito and they will make it for you.
Garden Grill: Our favorite farmers market mobile restaurant is back at LIB this year and serving so much vegan goodness. Our favorite is the Crispy Chick’n Sandwich, but for real, everything served is insanely yummy and super Instagrammable (hello, young Thai coconuts). Garden Grill also has three varieties of tacos — beer-battered avo, steak and BBQ-pulled jacktfruit, the Philly Cheezesteak and the Caesar’s Envy Wrap. For dessert, it’s a choice of two raw NY-style cheesecakes (plain or chocolate).
Kogi BBQ: This BBQ truck didn’t forget about vegans. Order up the tofu tacos.
Middle Feast Food Truck: This food truck specializes in (yup, you’re right) Middle Eastern cuisine. Here, you can get falafel or customize a bowl. If you want something hearty (especially at night when those temps drop), order the shakshuka and simply hold the egg.
Origin India: Enjoy the Masala Dosa, veggie curry or veggie samosas.
Pop Up Pizza: Vegan pizza! Pop Up Pizza is serving its Soho slices loaded with veggies and Daiya.
SNACKS
Bling Bling Dumpling: Our favorite dumpling spot is back and serving up delicious shiitake mushroom dumplings and fried tofu (which is organic and non-GMO breaded with a potato starch) and served with garlic sauce.
The Hungry Royal: Order up the french fries.
Little Fatty: This spot has a fried tofu dish with sweet soy sauce.
Nacho Daddy: Get your nacho fix here with one of our favorite Mexican spot’s vegan nachos.
DESSERT
Bahama Bucks Shaved Ice: These tasty treats are inherently vegan. Enjoy!
Coolhaus: The LA-based food truck is once again serving up raspberry sorbet sandwiched between ginger cookies.
Recess Italian Ice and Dessert: They’ve got about 16 Italian Ice flavors, all of which are vegan except the chocolate nutella (sorry!).
BOOZE-FREE BEVERAGES
The Twisted Lemon: Quench your thirst with a wide variety of homemade, gourmet lemonades.
Grouchy John’s Coffee and Makers & Finders: Both have non-dairy milk options to caffeinate and keep you dancing all day and night.
Other than the vendors, don’t forget that many businesses in the festival footprint also have vegan food like Simply Pure and Cheffini’s. Outside, there are spots like VegeNation and Evel Pie (hello, vegan meatball pizza!).
For more Life is Beautiful coverage, be sure to follow along on Facebook, Instagram Stories, @lifeisbeautiful, @vegasseven, and the #lifeisbeautifulfest, #7stories tags. Be sure to check out the the vegan food highlights over on Seven, too!
*Support the businesses who support vegans! Check out our Deals section with special offers on Las Vegas restaurants, health and wellness services, national products and more!
Diana Edelman is the founder of Vegans, Baby and has emerged as the face of plant-based dining in Las Vegas and the leading plant-based restaurant consultant in the city. She spent a decade in the travel blogging world before switching gears to work in elephant rescue in Thailand. Diana travels the world to meet chefs and try vegan food, as well as speak at events focusing on travel, tourism, veganism and entrepreneurship. She’s a partner with the prestigious James Beard Foundation and curates their Vegas Vegan Dinners at the James Beard House. Diana is also a partner with Life is Beautiful, curating the all-vegan Farm Stand.
