Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Variable Cafe

    4.9 (442 reviews)
    Closed • 11:00 am - 9:30 pm
    Updated 1 month ago

    Order Variable Cafe Takeout or Delivery

    Variable Cafe Photos

    Business Info

    VARIABLE CAFE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Classy
    Moderate noise
    Good for groups

    Recommended Reviews - Variable Cafe

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Jake A.

    Wow! I generally am not a frequent visitor of Vegan restaurants but I was extremely impressed with variable cafe! I have a friend who has particular set of dietary restrictions and the staff was extremely accommodating and made fantastic recommendations. Everything was delicious and watch out because some of the portions are HUGE! We really enjoyed the pasta and the curry. The restaurant is intimate and comfortable, and everything was delicious. Highly recommend!

    Saint Louis No. 2 Po Boy
    Ria R.

    So good. I have a shellfish allergy and very much miss shrimp and crab. I got the vegan shrimp Po'Boy and had to call the waiter over to confirm it was not real shrimp...wow. Great fries too and huge portion for the Saint Louis No. 2 Po Boy. It was certainly enough for two people. Service is very friendly, but was a bit slow (one star deduction, but still... much love!). Cute, clean inside. Great vegan options.

    Vegan chili is fantastic!
    Brett B.

    My dad is vegan and lives in the Valley and I look for restaurants to meet at when we get together. We found this gem in West LA and love it. The owners/staff are super friendly and even though there are only a couple of people working, the service is fantastic....warm, friendly, and attentive without the over-attention some places have. I love their chili, it is soooo good and the flavors are fantastic. My dad, who has been vegan for like 40 years, and had every veggie burger in the world, swears this one is his favorite of all time. This place is super clean, little fresh flowers on all the tables, great desserts and I highly recommend, even if you aren't a vegan :).....easy parking and outside table available too!

    Green Goddess Salads
    Joi R.

    The Variable Cafe stands out as the best vegan restaurant on the Westside. The food never disappoints and the service is top notch. As soon you walk in you feel a sense of community, as in "All are welcome." It's always a green flag when even the other patrons look up and smile and speak to you. The Goddess salad still remains as my favorite item on the menu, but the Drink Cauliflower is a strong competitor: plump, crispy battered cauliflower served with a flavors dipping sauce. I highly recommend dining here any day of the week. Come with friends, family, out of town guest, or just come solo and enjoy a hearty, healthy dining experience.

    Ashley E.

    This is a super cute restaurant in the marina. I've passed by it many times and finally decided to stop in. The Caesar salad with the crispy chicken was very filling and delicious. The guacamole was also very good. Service was kind and pleasant. I'll definitely be back here...maybe to eat there instead of to go since it's so cute.

    TBS Cup
    Patrick R.

    We are vegetarian but we always are looking to try vegan places we haven't tried yet. Variable Cafe was the one we picked for today and am I glad we did. They have so many options from appetizers, salads and mains as well as smoothies and drinks. The service was quick and efficient and the staff was very friendly. We even met the owner and she was so nice. The food was very tasty and with so many different options you easily will find something great. I had the Tikka Masala and it was amazing everything we ate was so flavorful and I can't wait to go back and try some more options. If you are looking for great vegan food...look no further!

    My Son's Pho
    Lorena T.

    My friend introduced me to one of her favorite vegan places, and I can see why! I had My Son's Pho ($18). I was pleasantly surprised to see fresh baby bok choy in it. Ingredients were plentiful. Soup was delicious! My friend had the Caesar's Hubris ($17), latte matcha ($7) and side dish of vegan chicken ($6) for her service dog who sat by the table. Everything was delicious! The restaurant is small. The owner, Plern, who's Thai, promotes artists' work on the walls. Our server was constantly busy and still attentive. Pleasant ambiance and free parking in the mini mall. We'll be back.

    Jasmine green tea
    Pam Y.

    Omg, DELISH!!!! We had the Drunk Cauliflower & West Coast Shrimp to start - both great sharing dishes (& some of us were just finger-fooding it). I had the Little Venice Bowl subbed with cauliflower rice. I don't know why this was so delicious or made me so full. My hubby had the Sunset Strip Burger & Organic Strawberry Lemonade, both which he enjoyed, esp. the lemonade :). My cousins had the Chicken Tikka (I had a little taste & it was SO GOOD OMG). Service was great - kind & gentle. Parking was a bit tight (small lot), but there's also street parking. The desserts looked yummy, might try them next time.

    Miori I.

    Craving a hearty salad and satisfying smoothie? Variable Cafe is your place. Had just finished working an event in Venice, taking the long way home to avoid some of the traffic, and in search of something satisfying yet healthy to have for lunch. Did a search on the trusty old Yelp app and tada, Variable Cafe was immediately to our right. Walked straight to the counter and was greeted by a very pleasant man. Making a decision when you're starving can be overwhelming so I asked for a recommendation of his favorite salad and the smoothies looked too good to pass up so I ordered one of those as well. The employee was kind enough to offer me a seat but the cafe was small and I didn't want to take up space for potential incoming customers. I waited outside in the car and he sweetly walked my order out to me. Service was top notch so I was pretty excited about the food quality. Pics and reviews were high praising already. What I ordered: - Green Goddess Salad: hearty, sweet, full of healthy fats and fiber topped with the crisp apple dijon dressing really hit the spot -MDR Smoothie: ordered mine without pineapple (because allergies). Delish! I've tried a ton of green smoothies and this one takes the cake. I could have done with less granola since it became difficult to drink through the straw half way through the drink. Providing a spoon was very useful. Not too sweet, not too much greens forward. A perfect balance. Too bad I live so far from Variable Cafe because I could see myself getting my greens fix there regularly.

    Menu
    Jessica H.

    Found this little cafe because I was in the area and craving a smoothie. The place is small, but fills up quickly. I ordered the MDR smoothie and I really enjoyed it, plus it was filling. Next time I would skip the granola on the top since it didn't really make sense. Definitely coming back to try the food because it smelled so good.

    You and Banh Me
    Elisa H.

    Stopped in for lunch this afternoon. My hubby ordered a Banh Me sandwich which includes a side salad while I ordered a Raw Mongo salad. The banh me sandwich was tasty however, the bread wasn't at all crunchy as is normally the case with a with a sandwich like this. The side salad was delicious with a miso type dressing. I chose a raw Mongo salad which was tasty. The server was very helpful and kind. The restaurant was clean and comfortable Parking in the lot was limited, metered street paring available

    Christian T.

    The food was very good. Our party ordered a few things: -sunset strip burger -tikka masala -northern lights pasta -my sons pho -po boy -drunken cauliflower -small Venice bowl The highlights were the strip burger, the cauliflower and the pho. The portions are very generous and the food definitely worth trying. The restaurant is small but very cute and the staff is extremely helpful and friendly.

    Ceasar salad with Parmesean "chicken"
    Amber F.

    I popped in for brunch after shopping at Costco across the street, looking for something healthier than Costco fare. I was pleasantly surprised! Although I'm not vegan, my Caesar salad was delicious. It was filling, it tasted good, and it looked good. The service was great, and I would totally go back.

    See all

    Photo of Eric L.
    169
    7
    2

    2 years ago

    Really good food and good service. Our favorite was the cauliflower. Big portions too!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Loved tika masala, best tomato soup, pho was amazing and the brussle sproughts were to kill for. My friends who are not vegans loved it.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Kim B.
    0
    23
    23

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Such a cute vibe and the guy working was really sweet!! The cauliflower wings were my favorite !

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of South B.
    2
    398
    1877

    5 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    really great vegan food!! The cauliflower appetizer dish was amazing! I'm not even vegan and loved it!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 2
    Photo of Elvira K.
    547
    31
    1

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Plern W.

    Plern W.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Plern W.

    Plern W.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Our food and service were the best. I would highly recommend you to try them out. It's a small quaint restaurant with outdoor seating.

    Business owner information

    Photo of Plern W.

    Plern W.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Loved their pumpkin spice cream latte. Another customer recommended their green smoothie to me, I will get it next time!!!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Been here three times and have loved the food...yummy, filling, and so satisfying. Lovely owners and that reflects in their service.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Plern W.

    Plern W.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 2
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Malick G.
    247
    13
    9

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Mike G.
    1037
    77
    16

    4 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jeri S.
    238
    42
    8

    2 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of John P.
    24
    63
    99

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Tiey E.
    9
    88
    73

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Italia P.
    11
    105
    49

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    Page 5 of 12

    Variable Cafe Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Variable Cafe

    Is there outdoor seating? Do they have high-chairs available?

    No outdoor seating.

    Do I need to make a reservation for this Thursday, 7/8/21 for an 11:00am, 2people?

    No you should be good! The food is a absolutely incredible. Get the fried cauliflower 🤤

    Do you have outdoor patio heaters?

    No outdoor seating and no outdoor patio heaters.

    View All 4 Questions

    Erewhon - I'm an avid spring water enjoyer. This wasn't great, though.

    Erewhon

    3.7(558 reviews)
    1.1 mi•Venice
    •$$$

    Food: this has been on my bucket list! Got the Strawberry Glaze Skin Smoothie (aka Hailey Bieber),…read moreArugula with Fig salad side, and Chicken Roti sandwich. I had them make the smoothie without collagen as that is a beef product. It literally took 21 minutes on a Wednesday. It was ok, a little sweet with the stevia. I asked how many calories and they wouldn't tell me. Only that it's meant as a "meal replacement " and is between 500-1200 calories. Oof! I'll stick with the healthy superfruit smoothie from Toastique. The salad was good with the figs standing out and the sandwich was delicious. Lots of avocados. Ambiance: everyone is there for the prepared foods and smoothies. The grocery aisles were fairly empty. There's a few bar stools by the entrance so we ate there but most take to go. Parking: very small light with complimentary valet. Luckily we got a spot. Note there's a 30 minute parking limit! Price: $53 for the above 3 items.

    Joe at this location handled or shall i say mishandled a transaction where my groceries were…read moremysteriously placed on the previous womens credit card in error by cashier patrica at venice location. I told them about the error and the way that the handled it thereafter was so rude and unprofessional. The took so much of my time and in the end failed to even give me the $20 gift card that was promised to me for the headache and time taken from me that was there error. I have shopped at Erwhon since the 1980's and this is how they treat a long time customer!! Deplorable!!!!!

    Photos
    Erewhon - Coconut cloud

    Coconut cloud

    Erewhon - Outside benches in front of store

    Outside benches in front of store

    Erewhon

    See all

    The Butcher's Daughter - BRUNCH PIZZA $25

    The Butcher's Daughter

    3.9(2.3k reviews)
    1.5 mi•Venice
    •$$

    Came across this place on line and it sounded interesting. It's vegetarian and they are open for…read morebreakfast, lunch and dinner. Fresh organic cold-pressed juices and a full bar. I went with the Butcher's mushroom, quinoa & beet burger. And it didn't disappoint. They do serve an Impossible Burger, but I would recommend the beet burger. Easily one of the best vegetarian burgers I've ever had. And they don't skimp on the size. Got the special sauce on the side just in case I didn't like it. It was so good that I was dipping my potatoes in it. I will definitely go back and try the breakfast.

    I didn't like my dish, it had too many competing flavors and was too strongly seasoned…read more I saw wait staff leave the bathroom and probably not wash their hands. And then there was poop toilet paper in the bathroom trash can. It was noticeable because it was filed to the top and was facing upwards. Both single stalls were occupied for 8 minutes. Making it seem like it impossible to wash my hands. My cloth napkin at the table had a brown stain on it. After seeing poop I couldn't stop thinking about poop. The food is over priced the dishes are no big deal. I would not return again. I liked the outdoor patio.

    Photos
    The Butcher's Daughter - Those are some good looking pastries

    Those are some good looking pastries

    The Butcher's Daughter - Plant-based Pad Thai with a coastal twist.
Fresh herbs, crisp veggies, and bold flavor--proof that feel-good food can still pack a punch.

    Plant-based Pad Thai with a coastal twist. Fresh herbs, crisp veggies, and bold flavor--proof that feel-good food can still pack a punch.

    The Butcher's Daughter - SPICY KALE CAESAR

    See all

    SPICY KALE CAESAR

    Paradise Bowls

    Paradise Bowls

    4.5(18 reviews)
    0.9 mi
    Established in 2013
    Locally owned & operated

    I've been a huge fan of Paradise Bowls for years, but going to the Manhattan Beach location was…read morealways tough because parking there can be such a nightmare with how busy it gets. So when I found out they opened a location in the Marina, I was beyond excited! The portions are incredible, and they never skimp on toppings. Every bowl is practically overflowing! Everything always tastes so fresh, and you can really tell they use quality ingredients. The staff is also amazing: friendly, welcoming, and genuinely upbeat. Every time I walk in, I'm greeted warmly and feel instantly welcomed. If you've never tried Paradise Bowls before, you absolutely need to. My personal favorite is the Chocolate Arc, but they have a great variety of options and tons of ways to customize your bowl exactly how you like it. 10/10 every single time!

    Order: Peanut Butter Pipeline add Bee Pollen (Pitaya base)…read more New location for Paradise Bowls. I've tried Manhattan Beach before. This place is so cute. They had an imaculate takeaway drink fridge, modern decor, plenty of little extras for snacks, supplements, etc. Located between Chipotle and Warburg Parker in the Marina shopping center. They have smoothies, bowls and toasts. Some drinks and snackables too, like pretzels, bags of granola, etc. Service was a little slow, but they were VERY nice. O waited about 15 mins. The line was a bit long, so I opted to place my order online (which quotes a longer wait than in-person:/ and they prioritized me after I asked, even though they didn't have to:) I'm a sucker for a good customer experience. The bowl itself, very good! Personal preference for a more solid, ice cream texture and this was more soft, but still good. My favorite bowl is from SunLife Organics and this is just below that for me. I can't tell if the honey is good quality:/ ...(owner comment here?) but everything else is tops!

    Photos
    Paradise Bowls
    Paradise Bowls - Gaucho Bowl. Acai base with bananas, blueberries, strawberries and honey on top.

    Gaucho Bowl. Acai base with bananas, blueberries, strawberries and honey on top.

    Paradise Bowls - Plant-based Artisan Toasts. Avocado, Carrot Lox, Banana Nutella and Chickpea Tuna.

    See all

    Plant-based Artisan Toasts. Avocado, Carrot Lox, Banana Nutella and Chickpea Tuna.

    Pressed Juicery

    Pressed Juicery

    3.9(81 reviews)
    1.1 mi•Venice
    •$$

    We always love our pressed. The dark chocolate with the…read morevegan marshmallows, the chocolate sauce and coconut . It quite possibly is the perfect dessert . We were a little " miffed" at this location, when we received our yummy treats, they were hollow in the center not sure what happened there but we know that when we visit our OC pressed, we don't get that hollowed empty middle. We felt a little ripped off .

    I came across this place while coming from another event. They'd setup a sampling just outside the…read morestore and I was very curious so I stopped and talked to the barista. FOOD I tried a medley of their different types of pressed juices, vegan soft serve, and different healthy shots. Everything I tried was so fresh and delicious. The tropical soft serve was so flavorful and one of my favorites! I also loved the detox tonic, I'm a lavender lover so that one was a nice touch. I bought the Beauty Shot, the Detox Tonic, and the Unwind Tonic. SERVICE That was the best service I've ever received on a sidewalk in my life. Morgan was sooooo accommodating and let me try as many different things as I wanted. She made great suggestions based off my needs and even helped me pick the things I'd be buying. She sold me on so many things just by giving me the full experience. AMBIANCE It was a nice storefront setup and an ideal location, perfect for a Sunday stroll. I'd definitely visit this location to be helped by her any day. I'd suggest trying out this place especially if you drink pressed juice often. Also, they have a membership club with some great perks that can help you save money if you buy pressed juices/shots often. The baristas are friendly and the drinks/food are delicious!

    Photos
    Pressed Juicery
    Pressed Juicery - Strawberry Almond "Froyo" with granola, strawberries, and almond butter drizzle

    Strawberry Almond "Froyo" with granola, strawberries, and almond butter drizzle

    Pressed Juicery - Citrus 2 with green apple (from Brentwood store)

    See all

    Citrus 2 with green apple (from Brentwood store)

    Main Squeeze - Smoothie bar

    Main Squeeze

    3.6(594 reviews)
    2.3 mi
    •$$

    The Green monster! This is incredible one of the BEST banana thick drink ever! Service was friendly…read moreand offered lots of great suggestions! I haven't even finished my drink and I already wanna order another one. Location is clean and everyone was super helpful! Thank you so much I will be back!

    June 2026 | Santa Monica | During our Girls Day, my friend, and I were excited to try a smoothie at…read moreMain Squeeze! What a memorable treat! My smoothie was absolutely delicious, like a jolt of energy! Late Night Date Smoothie | Cute name & right away, the ingredients had me at hello, especially when the fruit Medjool dates were mentioned! I love dates, so yummy! The Late Night Date smoothie includes maca, almond butter, bananas, coconut milk, pecans & cacao nibs! Yum!! I love that it's a thick smoothie as well! This smoothie packs a powerful punch, almost felt like liquid energy & helped with my jet lag almost immediately on my second visit in July! Inside | Loved the reggae music playing on one of my visits!! The surroundings inside includes plants, motivational/positive statements written with colorful chalk on a black chalkboard, as well as healthy snacks along the wall! While I'm wait inside, most people wait outside where there's more space or inside of their cars! Busy Bee | My friend and I were grateful to arrive at a time where there was only one person in front of us, and several people waiting! She enjoyed The Green Monster Drink! However, on my next visit, with major jet lag from traveling throughout Indonesia and South Korea, but craving a smoothie, there was an hour wait! Note | While I know of another popular place where everyone gets smoothies, in my opinion, this smoothie is the best! I've tried both! Also, incredibly flavorful and not too sweet, like the other! Also, glad I brought along my thick, reusable glass straw! Customer Service | Super friendly on both visits, in June and July! On my first visit, woman at the counter, helped me decide on a smoothie, because there were just so many options! I told her to make it in a way that she loves and it was perfect, and I got the same thing on my second visit! Gentleman at the counter on my second visit was super friendly as well! The tall gentleman making the smoothie seems very chill and relaxed! All-around good vibes here! Even people waiting in the line were friendly on both visits! Overall | Yes, please! I'm already craving another flavorful smoothie as we speak, as the smoothies are fueled with goodness! I'm going to make myself try another flavor with a cute name on my next visit! Let's go!

    Photos
    Main Squeeze
    Main Squeeze
    Main Squeeze - Strawberry Fields

    See all

    Strawberry Fields

    Juicebox - Sweet!

    Juicebox

    4.3(15 reviews)
    1.0 mi•Venice
    •$$

    Nice to see a healthy option food truck along Abbot Kinney. I was hungry, but we were going to eat…read moresoon, so I didn't want to ruin my appetite or eat anything too bad since I already planned on pigging out for dinner. Yay! I spy fresh juice! The juice is fresh made as you order it. You can watch him making it through the window. He then shakes it up in ice so you get a nice chilled refreshing juice. There were six options of juice from the very green Kalebox to a lighter BeachBox with coconut water, lime, and ginger. My Kalebox really hit the spot. I really like to get my greens in for the day, so for $7 I did just that. Kale, spinach, celery, green apple, lemon, ginger. Hit the spot, killed my hunger enough to tide me over for the next hour and give me a boost of energy. Friendly service and nice healthy alternative to the usual trucks you see.

    Where do I start with these guys? First off, everyone on this truck is so nice that you already…read morefeel mentally healthy from talking to them. To top it off though, they have the most delicious juices that can satisfy any mood you're in and make you feel instantly physically healthy. If you're hoping for a super healthy green drink, they have the "Kalebox" which is absolutely fabulous and makes you feel like a healthy little rabbit. But if you want to do some cleansing, the "Beetbox" tastes and feels awesome as well as the "Citrusbox" where you can add ginger and cayenne and get some nasal and throat cleansing as well. If you just need a nice refreshing drink, the "Beachbox" is out of this world. So replenishing with the delicious Thai coconut water and all its other goodies. If you see this cute green truck, don't hesitate to stop for them. Healthy food trucks are so rare and more importantly, unpretentious and happy juicers are hard to find so don't miss out on treating yourself and your health.

    Photos
    Juicebox - Mojitobox is bomb!

    Mojitobox is bomb!

    Juicebox
    Juicebox

    See all

    Variable Cafe - vegan - Updated September 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...