I Am Converted: How Cafe Gratitude Won Me Over
When I first moved to Los Angeles, Cafe Gratitude on Rose Avenue was one of the very first meals I had in the city.
Not because I was vegan or vegetarian—far from it at the time. Back then my definition of “real food” was something closer to meat and potatoes. But my ex-husband Tony insisted we go.
He said it was one of those places you bring visitors from out of town to show them what LA—and especially Venice—was all about. Forward thinking. Wellness oriented. Trend setting.
So off we went.
This Is Venice
At the time, the girl sitting at that table didn’t know how to express basic emotions, let alone say affirmations out loud.
As I scanned a menu full of dishes named things like I Am Worthy and I Am Radiant, I remember thinking: What is this hippy veggie nonsense?
Fast forward several years…
After building an all-vegan hotel business, earning a holistic health coaching certification, attending a few plant ceremonies, and launching a trauma-informed mastermind… just to name a few, I now find myself living two blocks from Rose Avenue and doing the exact same thing Tony once did.
I bring every out-of-town visitor to Cafe Gratitude on Rose. And when we sit down, I proudly say: “This is Venice.”
Let’s just say I’ve come a long way.
You might also like: We Ate All The Vegan Burritos in Los Angeles So You Don’t Have To (Here’s Top 10)
The Story Behind Cafe Gratitude
This Cafe Gratitude review wouldn’t be complete without understanding the story behind the brand.
Cafe Gratitude was founded in 2004 in Berkeley, California by Matthew and Terces Engelhart, pioneers in the plant-based movement long before vegan dining became fashionable.
Their vision wasn’t just about serving food. It was about healing through food.
The couple believed that organic, plant-based, macrobiotic cuisine could nourish not only the body but also emotional and spiritual well-being.
Their restaurants quickly became known for combining raw and cooked vegan dishes with a philosophy rooted in mindful living, and yes, gratitude.
The concept spread across California and eventually landed in Venice, LA where, supervised by chef Seizan Dreux Ellis, it found a natural home among yoga studios, surfers, wellness seekers, and curious food lovers.
And while plenty of vegan restaurants come and go in LA, Cafe Gratitude has managed to do something rare: it stayed relevant.
You might also like: Best Vegan Ice Cream in LA – 7 Places You Should Try
A Menu Built on Affirmations
One of the most distinctive things about Cafe Gratitude—and something that initially made me roll my eyes—is its menu. Every dish and drink is named after an emotion, intention, or affirmation.
You don’t just order a fried chick’n mushroom sandwich – you order “I Am Enthusiastic.”
You don’t get blueberry pancakes – you get “I Am Strong”
At first it feels quirky. Maybe even a little theatrical. But somewhere along the way, it becomes charming. And maybe even meaningful.
Today when I order the “I Am Worthy” pesto mung bean omelette, I genuinely feel like it describes how far I’ve come.
You might also like: LAPD Academy Cafe: The Best-Kept Food Secret in Los Angeles
What to Eat at Cafe Gratitude
One reason this Cafe Gratitude review remains positive after multiple visits is the sheer variety on offer.
The menu covers everything from breakfast and brunch to lunch, dinner, natural wines, and creative cocktails.
Breakfast & Brunch
Mornings here lean toward comforting plant-based classics:
- I Am Valued – everyone’s favorite breakfast burrito with almond burrata
- I Am Hearty – turmeric-scrambled tofu breakfast plate
- I Am Peaceful – smashed avocado toast on sesame levain
- I Am Hospitable – Belgian style waffles
Pair it with a golden latte or ceremonial matcha and you’re firmly in Venice wellness territory.
You might also like: We Ate All The Vegan Tacos In LA – Here Is Our Top 10
Lunch & Dinner Favorites
By midday the kitchen shifts toward hearty bowls, pizzas and globally inspired vegan dishes.
Standouts often include:
- I Am Caring – loaded nachos with cashew cheese, soyrizo and spicy pepitas
- I Am Whole – a macrobiotic bowl with grains, kimchi, adzuki beans and garlic tahini
- I Am Humble – a vibrant Indian curry bowl with lentil dal and roasted yams
- I Am Exquisite – coconut calamari with gremolata
The food is nourishing but never boring—a balance many plant-based restaurants struggle to achieve.
You might also like: Jasmine Restaurant & Market: Best of Burma in The Heart of LA
Cocktails & Natural Wines
Cafe Gratitude also embraces the modern LA dining scene with a carefully curated beverage program.
Expect:
- Organic natural wines, almost all from California
- Botanical alcoholic cocktails
- Adaptogenic non-alcoholic elixirs and, naturally, kombucha
Think iced spritzes, herbal tonics, and fresh-pressed juices and immunity boosting shots that make you feel like you’ve just walked out of a wellness retreat.
There is also freshly roasted Joshua Tree coffee served with house made almond milk and apt names such as, you guessed it, I Am Awake.
You might also like: The Best Martinis in Los Angeles: A Classic Cocktail Tour
Celebrity Chef Collaborations
Another reason Cafe Gratitude has stayed relevant is its willingness to collaborate with leaders in the wellness world.
The restaurant has partnered with notable influencers like:
Medical Medium (Anthony William)
Known for his healing food philosophy, he collaborated on dishes designed around nutrient-dense ingredients believed to support detoxification and immune health.
And yes, in case you’re wondering, the infamous celery juice is on the menu. Disguised as I Am Healing, of course.
Radhi Devlukia-Shetty
The plant-based chef and wellness advocate brought globally inspired vegan recipes to the menu, blending comfort food with Ayurvedic influences.
I’m still thinking of I Am Eternal: Radhi’s delightful hazelnut praline torte.
These collaborations help keep the menu fresh, modern, and culturally relevant.
You might also like: Matsuhisa: A Culinary Journey Through Nikkei Cuisine in Los Angeles
Community Dinners and Pop-Ups
Cafe Gratitude has also long been known for its community-driven pop-up dinners.
One of my favorite memories was a special evening years ago featuring my friend Chef Om, whose soulful plant-based cooking turned the restaurant into something that felt more like a gathering than a meal.
Those events perfectly capture the spirit of the place:cFood as connection, celebration, healing.
You might also like: Why Filipino Food Is Underrated in the US—And How That’s Changing in Los Angeles
More Than a Restaurant
Another fun detail worth mentioning is the retail corner near the entrance, filled with things you didn’t know you needed:
- cozy Cafe Gratitude hoodies
- affirmation-themed merch
- fresh to-go bakery treats
- packaged wellness snacks
- recipe books filled with holistic meal ideas
It’s the kind of place where you come for lunch and accidentally leave with a smoothie, a cookie, and a sustainably made organic cotton sweatshirt.
You might also like: Dodger Dogs History: A Taste Of Los Angeles Baseball Culture
Why Cafe Gratitude Still Works
The real magic of Cafe Gratitude is that it somehow walks a delicate line.
It’s spiritual without being preachy. Trendy without being pretentious. Healthy without being joyless.
In other words, it manages to stay cool and modern without sliding into the dingy, overly-earnest “hippy café” stereotype that so many wellness spots fall into.
You might also like: El Salvador Corridor: Best Pupusas in Los Angeles
Cafe Gratitude: I Am… Converted
While Cafe Gratitude’s roots are in the Bay Area, to me it will always be quintessentially Venice, Los Angeles.
It represents the city’s strange and wonderful mix of wellness, creativity, and reinvention.
The girl who once rolled her eyes at a menu full of affirmations now happily orders dishes named after emotions, brings every visitor and seals (vegan) business deals here.
Somewhere along the way I went from I Am Skeptical…to I Am Nourished. And worthy. And radiant.
What a journey it’s been—fueled by some seriously delicious food.
Have you been to Cafe Gratitude? Which location? Let us know in the comments or tag @eightyflavors on socials!
OUR TRIED AND TESTED FOOD TRAVEL RESOURCES: Book a hotel with Booking.com. Search for the best flight deals on Skyscanner. Find the best local food tours on Viator. Browse curated conscious group trips with GAdventures. Get your travel insurance with World Nomads.
Disclaimer: this post contains affiliate links. We’ll receive a small commission if you purchase through the link provided, at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support in running this blog!
