It's not easy to find vegetarian food in the South when you're hungry. Lila came to the rescue! Downtown Sarasota parking can be tricky, but we found a parking structure with one hour free nearby. When we first entered, there was just one table occupied, it was early afternoon. The music was a bit too much for the setting. The environment was clean. But, it took 5 minutes or more for someone to come out and greet us. We went to the restroom and almost left, thinking they were closed. But, finally they noticed us. Thank goodness, because I had one of the best BLTAs of my life. The bread looked boring, but it was soft and the perfect blank slate for the seitan bacon, tomato, avocado, and mayo. Very tasty! My husband had the Tofu Rueben. The tofu was a thick slab and the faux corned beef idea would have been better as thin seitan slices. But, he still enjoyed it. Both came with a small salad of just lettuce. I enjoyed my meal (obviously) but I think they could improve their hospitality. Prices indicate a higher level of service. Maybe to go is best. read more

Lila - New American Near Me - Sarasota, Florida

This is definitely a place for foodies! I actually volunteered my time to the Cheff to be a taster and wash dishes for free so I could taste his creations. The food is Mondo Biondo with flavor. The great thing is anybody can eat here. It is billed as a vegetarian vegan place or plant base place actually but they have meat and fish on the menu. Just they're very careful about where they source their products. I brought two of my friends here that are very picky from the Midwest and they were in love with the place. It has a nice ambience, very clean, kind of industrial, but warm ceilings are very high, so even though it's a small place it does not feel small in the least. The Chef is amazing! The staff is friendly, knowledgeable, and customer service oriented. It is on one of the main streets in Sarasota and if you walk by, it may not look that interesting but I am telling you you are missing out on a truly exceptional food experience. Go here do not wait. It is definitely a place that makes your taste buds come alive.. read more

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Was in the area and looking for a place with plant based options that would also work for non vegans. Lila fit that bill. The menu is clearly marked with GF for gluten free and VV for vegan, so ordering was a breeze. We were greeted at the door and were the only ones there due to it being early, so we got to pick our table. We started with rice tots and bread for the table. The vegan butter that came with the tots was a bit too salty, but was edible. The tots came with two delicious sauces. There was some issue the night we were there, and they were not serving sushi, which was disappointing as I'd had my eye on that when I looked at their menu online. Ordered the Burmese Noodle Bowl. It had a variety of items like seaweed, greens, mushrooms, and we added tofu. The noodles and the sauce it was in were lacking in flavor, so I asked for some salt, which made them better. Our fellow guests ordered the Penne alla Vodka and the Bison Burger and were happy with their food. After dinner, we ordered on blueberry cheesecake and one chocolate mousse cake. Both were delicious and well prepared. The server was efficient and helpful. It's a beautifully designed space, with comfortable chairs and made for a nice dining experience. read more

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We finally made it here albeit for dessert after our sushi dinner down the street. Service was very friendly and we loved the pretty decor plus the attention to detail. Presentation was thoughtful too. I loved the cheesecake and it was such a treat to devour a yummy vegan treat! Hubby's key lime pie was not as yummy though it was still good. Hope to try a meal next time we are back k in town! read more

Lila - Pretty bar seating area - New American Near Me - Sarasota, Florida

So nice to find a plant forward restaurant that is health focused! Lila is a beautiful space with airy industrial ceilings and a minimalist, modern organic vibe. We were greeted and served by Mina who was just a delight. She was knowledgeable about the menu and really "got me" when I explained to her my dietary needs. We started with the Brussel Sprouts app and it was so yummy! The coconut "bacon" added the sweetness you'd get from real bacon and balanced the Dijon mustard sauce. Genius. I was tempted by the Vodka Penne, but of course gluten free doesn't mean carb free! Hubby ordered it with chicken for himself and I had a small taste - wow so creamy and "cheesy"! The chicken breast he added was juicy and flavorful. I ordered the Macro Bowl and it was just fabulous. So fresh and crisp with such a unique combination of flavors! It was so nice to have something so delicious knowing we were eating clean and healthy. We will definitely be back. Highly recommend! read more

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Finally!!! a satisfying vegan meal in Sarasota. I needed something filling and satisfying after a run of the opposite on my trip to Sarasota. we shared the mushroom burger and the penne alla vodka and they were both delicious. - i thought the mushroom burger was just going to be a mushroom cap on a bun but it was actually ground up into a patty which made it so much better. the burger was creamy with the vegan provolone and thousand island dressing. - we're not gluten free but you couldn't even tell that the pasta in the penne alla vodka was. the sauce was flavorful and salted perfectly. the penne was well sauced. it was a creamy and delicious dish. - i wasn't a huge fan of the chocolate mouse cake but that's just because im not really a fan of chocolate mouse to begin with. i was just glad to see so many vegan dessert options! it was pretty busy so we sat at the bar but it was worth it for that meal. read more

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Everything was delicious! We had the mushroom burger and the Moroccan bowl. Prices are a little high for the portions but you can tell it's quality food! Service was great, ambience is nice! Definitely a recommendation if you're health conscious. read more

Lila - Chocolate mousse cake - New American Near Me - Sarasota, Florida

We went here for my daughter's birthday. Loves the vibe, the staff was friendly and everyone in our party of 7 enjoyed the food.

I have always looked forward to dining at Lila. One of my favorite items has been the tofu Reuben sandwich... however that was not the case recently. I was served a 1" thick slab of spongy pink tofu instead of thinly grilled slices. Between the texture and being slightly warm, I honestly could not eat it. It was so disgusting. Our waiter, although friendly didn't seem to notice the slabs of tofu that were left on the plate. Or if he did, he didn't ask. Had this been my first dining experience, I doubt I would have been back. Given that I think this is a one off, I'll be back and have something different. And yes, the service is slow but I always expect that. read more

Such an atmospheric place! I've been looking for a spot to enjoy truly good tea for a long time, and I finally found it. The loose-leaf tea is high-quality, incredibly aromatic, and served in a unique way. The dessert was excellent as well - flavorful without being too sweet. Exactly what I love! read more

Lila - Arthur's Raw Chocolate Tart - New American Near Me - Sarasota, Florida

Food was absolutely delicious, especially the vegan options. Great option for those who are fasting or have dietary restrictions or just want to eat delicious healthy food. The service was incredible, and the staff was excellent! read more

5 Stars for a remarkable meal that made us forget about meat altogether. The concept at Lila seems to be truly spotlighting fresh ingredients and unique preparations. I was excited to find a restaurant in Sarasota that accommodated my partner's vegetarian diet. And then seeing how well it was reviewed and that Lila also includes a limited amount of animal proteins, I was in! We started off, taking other Yelper's recommendations and ordering the roasted yams. They come beautifully roasted and caramelized, and featuring a harissa sauce and spices. At first, I thought we could never finish this dish as we had ordered many others, but by the end of the meal, there was not one wedge of Yam left on the plate. The next must order dish is the grilled tofu it comes with drizzle of Chinese mustard and a cilantro sauce. The tofu itself is not seasoned, but the grilling adds a great charred flavor. What sets this dish apart is the incredible sauces. You will want to use every last drop of the mustard and the cilantro sauce with your tofu. This is how you do really special vegetarian dishes. Unlike grilling a steak and taking advantage of the proteins natural flavor when you're cooking with tofu, you really have to find flavor in other ingredients. And Lila does an amazing job at this. We also got the fried seitan sandwich and the crispy crab roll, which are both vegetarian. I have no complaints about either dish. I was in fact, smiling from ear to ear while eating them. The real star though was the highly recommended dessert at the end of the meal. Never in my wildest dreams could I imagine a vegan cheesecake being one of the single best desserts I've ever tasted in my life. The blueberry cashew cheesecake is worth going to Lila on its own. The pomegranate molasses drizzled on top is that perfect acidity punch that offsets the sweetness of the blueberry cheesecake. The nut granola drizzled around the cheesecake is not an afterthought- it begs to be added to every bite. The cashew based cheesecake sits on a granola crust that is sweet and nutty and rounds out the dish. I truly have not stopped thinking about this dessert since leaving Lila. Overall, our experience at Lila makes me want to plan another trip to Sarasota soon. I only wish I had this restaurant closer to me in Orlando. This is a new favorite. read more

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Amazing food, nice service, good ambiance. Great for foodies. My partner and I have tried many excellent vegan restaurants, and Lila is up there. Some of the best sushi we've had. read more

Loooooove Lila's!!! This is the perfect place for anyone of all food types from meat eaters to vegans to gluten free connoisseurs. From start to finish, every single dish we ordered exceeded our expectations. The flavors were exquisite, unique, one of a kind! I really liked the space- well lit, nice pictures of greenery and earthy tones. Felt like I was in a farm to table restaurant. The bread & crab cake starters were so good. There was a variety of sushi to choose from, all vegan and gluten free. Highly suggest the mushroom spider roll- crunchy, soft textures and the spicy mayo wasn't too spicy. The Med bowl had some of the most tender chicken with a very smooth & creamy sauce, soft falafel with a light crunchy coating, & spiced hummus with naan bread. I really liked the iced berry tea, my parents loved the Malbec wine & Belgian ale. To seal the deal, we got the chocolate mousse cake which made everyone speechless- it was rich in chocolate while also light and a nice touch with the fresh raspberries to give your mouth a full firework experience. Liz our server was delightful. Extremely patient, helpful, gave us some great suggestions for what to order, & checked on us in the midst of a very busy night. I was visiting but I'll definitely come back in town to check this place out again!! read more

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I would give Lila four starts for a variety of reasons, aside from just the food. While taste is always my priority, I do think Lila should be credited for their service, their atmosphere, and their commitment to providing quality and creative Vegan/Vegetarian (Veg) options. Despite what self-proclaimed chefs on Instagram may show you with their picturesque, veggie-based culinary creations, It's not always easy to execute Vegan/Veg versions of traditional dishes without it tasting too "earthy" or bland. Lila, however, does it effortlessly and My Veg friend could confirm! She was thrilled to finally have good sushi, that wasn't just an avocado or sweet potato roll. I too, thoroughly enjoyed Lila's all vegan sushi. Standouts included the "Crispy Crab Roll" (made with hearts of palm) and the "Mushroom Spider Roll". Crispy Crab for the win, hands down. We shared these as appetizers and wished we got more as our mains! Our main dishes felt slightly less exciting, but I think only because the sushi was so good. My friend got the Eggplant and I got the Green Circle Airline Chicken Breast which came with vodka sauce and ravioli. I was a little dissatisfied with my dish, just because it was lacking flavor and the sauce was a bit watery, but I added some salt and pepper to taste which helped! The other guests at our table really enjoyed the Mushroom Burger and said it was fantastic. I highly recommend this spot for parties with diverse eaters because their menu is accessible, yet incredibly versatile, leaving no person at the table feeling unaccounted for or unsatisfied! read more

Lila - New American Near Me - Sarasota, Florida

Service was spot on during our second visit here, first for dinner with our wine group. We ate every appetizer as a start, then an entree of our choice. Food, both vegetarian and non was delicious! Great little place for lunch or dinner and a definite for vegans and vegetarians! Will be back for sure! read more

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One of the top dishes I've personally ever ordered at a restaurant, and definitely best Sushi ever! This roll consisted of tempura fried hearts of palm, creamy avocado, green onions, unagi sauce, and kewpie Mayo, absolutely incredible! read more

Lila - Sushi - New American Near Me - Sarasota, Florida

Lila impressed in a few ways but also could have done better in a few others. We were thankful on a Saturday night that there was seating for us without a reservation, but had to be outside which we didn't mind at all. The inside of the place is beautiful and simple, but the outside left a little to be desired. Just 4-5 tables, no additional ambience. I personally loved the tea menu, since I can no longer enjoy alcohol. Served with honey and fresh brewed tea in a teapot - it was so great. We also enjoyed our bison burger and my Burmese noodle bowl but neither of us were totally blown away, as in if we came back we'd try different dishes. My shrimp was alright but was disappointed it was only 3 for I think an $8 addition to my noodle bowl. That put the price of my meal over $30, which to be honest I thought is over priced. Our server was fantastic. She was very helpful with my questions and friendly too. That always helps make the experience a good one. I'm always willing to try a place two times so that's what I'd say with Lila. But not sure I'll be running back. read more

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My dad and I had an excellent dinner at Lila while visiting Sarasota. It's located downtown on Main Street, which is a beautiful place for a pre- or post- dinner walk. The restaurant is in a very cool space with very high ceilings. It has a fairly hip vibe. The menu is largely vegetarian/ vegan and Asian influenced, although they really have something for everyone. We shared the tofu appetizer, which was delicious, and I had the chicken with risotto for my meal. It's a pretty eclectic menu. We didn't have time for dessert, although the options sounded great. Will definitely return next time I'm in Sarasota! read more

Lila - Chicken with Risotto - New American Near Me - Sarasota, Florida

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Mind blowing absolutely delicious, fresh and flavorful food for everyone. I love that everything is vegan and meat can be added. It's very cute inside, romantic and dainty. Our server was amazing, she was so nice and was so helpful in ordering. She provided such detail of every dish... loved it!! read more

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Just my fav when I come visit Sarasota. Lovely atmosphere and fantastic kitchen that prioritizes clean veg forward food. Yes there are still things for the meat eaters. My meat and potatoes food service/cook father was impressed with his steak. I on the other hand got to pick from so many veg options that were all great - I never get sushi that isn't carrots and avocado! It was a please to have the menu built for this 30 year vegetarian and to hear my father say 'I wonder if I could just order off the sides menu' !!! read more

Lila was a fantastic lunch spot! Great for vegetarians, vegans, and meat-eaters alike, their menu was made to please. I really enjoyed that they have base meals that are good for vegans, but the options to add proteins to them allows meat-eaters to be included. I have many friends and family members who are opposed at eating at a wholly vegan restaurant, and this is the perfect solution. My meal was also delicious. I had the TBLT and my cousin ate the Korean Rice Bowl, which were both good size portions for lunch. Our waitress was kind and attentive, and the ambiance of the spot is relaxed and nice. I would certainly come back and wish they had one closer to my home of Orlando! read more

Lila - New American Near Me - Sarasota, Florida

Food was so good - we have been back so many times after. I enjoyed the med bowl and macro bowl so much.

August 25 2023 - 2 for dinner. We actually stopped in a new place to try before the theatre again......but aborted after the menu and the place looked quite different that the pictures and website......... SO we decided to drop in without reservations to Lila..... or go somewhere else on Main Street after parking the car on the 4th floor of the public garage (that had a broken elevator!!!!!!) The net-net update is a GREAT re-visit and superior service!!!! I am really liking this spot!!! I did have to drop them down a notch ( would have actually been a half notch but Yelp doesn't allow that) Starter - we actually got a vegan sushi roll to split. Crispy Crab: Tempura Fried, Hearts of Palm, Avocado, Green Onion, Unagi Sauce, Kewpie Mayo VV/GF 15.75 This was very good, but I am more of a traditionalist and not a huge fan of all the sauces, and especially the fried tempura vegetables and 'crab" .. very tasty but a complicated dish for the palate and taste buds. 7/10 My wife got the Korean Rice Bowl: Tofu, Brown Rice, Shiitake Mushrooms, Kale, Seaweed, Kimchi Condiment VV/GF 20 and she opted for the Farm Egg Sunnyside up GF 3.25 so about $24 for a BIMBAP like entrée. She like it as tasty and fresh BUT the kale was incredibly oily or buttery and wet as sauté very heavy. We like fresh crisp kale. The farm egg was cooked properly and the rest of the dish good with a nice dipping sauce on the side. The tofu was a good product and cooked still moist and not dried out OR rubbery/wet. 7/10 I ordered the Macro Bowl: Adzuki Beans, Brown Rice, Sauerkraut, Avocado, Sweet Potatoes, Kale VV/GF 19 and 'upgraded' with the Tofu VV/GF 3.50 after being asked if I needed any protein?? (this dish has beans I thought (smile) and I replied as always "I don't eat macros - I eat food" there are no reported cases of protein deficiencies in the U?SA that I am aware of???) This was a very tasty dish overall with the sweet potatoes nicely cooked and a crisp skin that was truly enjoyable. It did have the oily/buttery kale as well and we both confirmed we did NOT like it. The adzuki beans may not have been soaked long enough or maybe got dried out in the cooking process and were pretty hard on the outside and dry on the inside. The side dipping sauce/dressing was interesting but did not seem to go with the dish for my tastes. The tofu upgrade for $3.50 on a ~ $20 meal resulted in three (3) 1.5 inch cubes of tofu and while they were nicely grilled and tasty..... won't be doing that again. 8/10 We will definitely be back to try a few more things out. Convenient, clean, great service, varied and wonder healthy food items....... again woudl like a few NON tempura or fried or oil heavy food items and especially a not oiled (greased) kale or other vegetables. read more

Very polite staff. Great service. Amazing presentation. Food was thoughtfully prepared and even more importantly, very yummy! And the prices were very reasonable. First time visit was with a party of 8 on New Year's Eve. Exceeded expectations. Everyone was very pleased. read more

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Everything about Lila is fantastic. Okay, bye. Maybe that wasn't enough? Fine. I've been here 3 times. The first was with my fiancé and my mother and I don't remember what I got. Probably something that I added chicken to. What I do remember is all 3 of us really enjoying it. Fast forward a while and I've now been twice on my own in the last month or so. First time, I sat outside and had excellent service and got their vegan burrito-vegan chorizo, avocado, black bean purée, and other stuff in a wheat tortilla. It's big and it's delicious. Second time I came I was really really hungry. Sat outside again. Service was excellent again. It in addition to the burrito-which I got because I was still hungry-I got the udon noodle bowl to which I added their grilled tofu. I'm not a huge tofu fan without a really good sauce or amazing seasoning. This tofu was not seasoned but the soy based sauce in the bowl was to die for. No, literally, I'm pretty sure the sodium content will kill you, but it doesn't matter because it is that good. It's a very basic bowl-udon noodles, some greens that I can't remember but will assume is bok choy or spinach, the sauce and any protein you feel like adding. I loved this bowl. My only complaint is I was still hungry but that's more to do with me being a piggy then the portion size which was normal human portioned. Therefore, got another burrito. As of now, they have some sidewalk seating and a few closed off parking spaces. Not sure how much longer Sarasota will allow restaurants to keep that up but it's a very pleasant makeshift patio. Also, while this is far from a reason to choose a restaurant, their WiFi is superb. Better then any coffee shop I've been to but that also might be because I was the only one using it. Had to get some work done during my pig out fest, and the WiFi - even sitting outside - was excellent. Love it here. read more

Lila - Udon noodle bowl with tofu. Amazing sauce. Loved this. - New American Near Me - Sarasota, Florida

I am personally vegan, And eating out has become a serious challenge. but Lila has made my has changed my challenge. I can customize meals, And still get protein without any meat or dairy. However there is still plenty of non vegan options. I find this to be the easiest restaurant to eat at, and I enjoy going here. I would recommend it a 100% for those who are trying to get on a healthy diet, or just want to try something new. read more

The food is amazing Reallly great vegan and gluten free. Customer service is really great The sushi was wonderful and it's vegan and gluten free. Organic too !!!! Must come and racy here read more

Lila - The menu - New American Near Me - Sarasota, Florida

Experienced this restaurant with a few friends who are vegan so we looked for an option that has vegan and carnivore selections. I ordered the guacamole and seasonal soup and a bison burger. Everything was pretty good, the burger was juicy but could have used some more seasoning. The menu is somewhat light, they have a good kombucha selection too. Place is clean and trendy with a happy atmosphere. read more

Lila - New American Near Me - Sarasota, Florida

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Not much flavor. Got the grilled tofu and a kale soup. $33 -Expensive for what I got. Had high hopes, but was disappointed. read more

This restaurant is a little on the pricy side, but the food is delicious! Friendly staff and clean space. read more

Lila - Chocolate mousse cake - New American Near Me - Sarasota, Florida

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The food is great and for a gluten free person and her vegan daughter was the perfect place to eat!

Absolutely delicious!!! So healthy and fresh!! Everything I had was excellent and flavorful! I will be back!! read more

Lila - Brussel sprouts app - New American Near Me - Sarasota, Florida

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So happy I got to experience this vegan cuisine here in Sarasota. The service was absolutely amazing, the food is phenomenal. I definitely will go back again when I'm in Sarasota. My server was Jorge, he provided great customer service and checked to make sure the food was excellent. I had the BBQ mushroom burger and rice tots were so tasty and delicious. read more

Lila - BBQ Mushroom Burger - New American Near Me - Sarasota, Florida

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It's been a while since I have been this excited about vegan food served at a restaurant. We got the volcano roll, crispy crab roll, and the caterpillar roll. Everything was so delicious!! Usually veg sushi options are boring...but not at Lila! The flavors and textures of the sushi were sooo good. Lila will be our go-to restaurant when we are in Sarasota. read more

Lila - Volcano roll, crispy crab roll, caterpillar roll - New American Near Me - Sarasota, Florida

I had the vegan crab roll. I'm not vegan but it was very good. My daughter is a vegetarian but the rest of the family isn't and had options for everyone that were great. read more

Love that they have omni and vegan options!! Our food was delicious and beautifully presented. I got the avocado toast on gluten free bread, and the bread was absolutely delicious. Definitely not your average store bought gf loaf. They even had a raw vegan dessert! Service was great and the inside was beautiful. I came back the next day to try the vegan gluten free sushi and they were delicious! The tempura mushroom spider roll and the garden roll were my faves! Love that the tempura is gluten free! read more

Awesome lunch today! 5 stars for quality of food, service and ambience. My husband ordered the mushroom burger and I ordered the med bowl, both were delicious. This is the best vegan/ vegetarian restaurant that we have experienced! read more

Such a fun place to eat Vegan or Vegetarian even if your not. Food is always fresh. Unique food ideas and service is always good! read more

Lila - Rueben and BLT - New American Near Me - Sarasota, Florida

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Great food! I know I can trust all the food here to be Gluten Free and healthy but best of all, amazing taste and creative dishes! Love Lila! read more