Best Healthy Sandwiches Restaurants in Los Angeles
24 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: February 2026
Our Top Pick
Maciel's Plant-Based Butcher Shop
A true vegan butcher shop turning deli classics into plant-based standouts.
Notable Picks
Maciel’s reimagines the neighborhood deli with fully plant-based meats and cheeses made in-house, turning classics like the Reuben and Italian sub into LA-worthy sandwiches. The compact Highland Park space stays busy with locals and destination diners who come for bold flavors, thoughtful sourcing, and a menu that feels indulgent while still being veggie-forward.
Must-Try Dishes:
The Italian, The Californian, Reuben
What Makes it Special: A true vegan butcher shop turning deli classics into plant-based standouts.
#2
Milkfarm
8.6
Milkfarm brings the artistry of specialty cheese to sandwiches, showcasing local and artisanal ingredients on crusty bread. Known for welcoming service and inventive seasonal creations, it’s a go-to for Eagle Rock locals seeking something special beyond ordinary deli fare.
Must-Try Dishes:
Prosciutto & French Butter Baguette, Egg & Chive Salad Sandwich, Housemade Pimento Cheese
What Makes it Special: Sandwiches built with rare, small-batch cheeses.
8.4
United Bowl Nation is a waterfront café-bar where Mediterranean-leaning grain bowls, mezze, and global plates share space with wine nights and specialty coffee. Locals come for the plant-forward menu, marina views, and a relaxed, all-day hangout energy that works for laptops by day and mellow dates by night.
Must-Try Dishes:
Mediterranean Power Bowl, Vegan Lentil Cigar Rolls, Baklava Selection
What Makes it Special: Waterfront café pairing Mediterranean-leaning bowls with wine nights and views.
8.3
Since 2005, this farm-to-table chain creates unexpected culinary adventures with sandwiches and salads using Scarborough Farms greens and fearless flavor combinations. The Pasadena location features craft beer, wine on tap, and outdoor patio seating with validated parking behind the restaurant.
Must-Try Dishes:
Not So Fried Chicken Sandwich, Peruvian Steak Sandwich, Avocado & Quinoa Superfood Ensalada
What Makes it Special: Unexpected ingredient combinations with farm-sourced produce and craft beverages
8.3
Mendocino Farms at Marina Marketplace is the go-to fast-casual spot for chef-y sandwiches, seasonal salads, and polished counter service. Locals lean on it for reliable lunch runs, takeout picnics, and weeknight dinners with plenty of vegetarian and gluten-conscious options.
Must-Try Dishes:
Not So Fried Mary's Chicken Sandwich, Peruvian Steak Sandwich, Prosciutto & Mary's Chicken Sandwich
What Makes it Special: Fast-casual sandwich shop where chef-driven fillings meet health-conscious riffs.
8.3
At the Farmers Market-adjacent Fairfax outpost, Mendocino Farms serves chef-y sandwiches with roasted meats, seasonal produce, and vegetarian options in a fast-casual setting. Lines at lunch reflect how many locals rely on it for creative takes like the Not So Fried Chicken and rotating specials.
Must-Try Dishes:
Not So Fried Chicken sandwich, Peruvian Steak sandwich, Vegan Banh Mi
What Makes it Special: Fast-casual shop turning out chef-driven sandwiches with seasonal produce.
8.2
Burrata House’s West Hollywood-side location specializes in burrata-loaded panini on crusty bread, with a short menu of prosciutto, turkey, and vegetarian builds. It’s built for quick lunches and delivery, but a few seats and a small patio make it an easy casual sit-down option too.
Must-Try Dishes:
Classic Prosciutto & Burrata Panino, Spicy Smoked Turkey & Burrata Panino, Burrata Caprese Vegetarian Panino
What Makes it Special: Italian panini shop centered on creamy burrata and high-quality imported ingredients.
8.2
Kitchen Mouse is a vegetarian, gluten-free cafe that treats sandwiches with the same care as its bowls and brunch plates, from the tempeh Reuben to stacked breakfast sandwiches on griddled gluten-free bread. Bright, cozy interiors and a leafy patio draw steady lines of families, veg-forward eaters, and neighborhood regulars.
Must-Try Dishes:
Tempeh Reuben Sandwich, Jo's Breakfast Sandwich, Avocado TLT
What Makes it Special: A health-conscious cafe where gluten-free, vegetarian sandwiches actually feel indulgent.
8.1
An owner-operated DTLA breakfast counter built on from-scratch cooking and oversized portions at budget-friendly prices—the kind of place where a fried egg sandwich and horchata latte become a weekly detour. It runs a tight, small-space operation that rewards early arrivals before the counter fills up, with a calm enough atmosphere for laptop work between rushes.
Must-Try Dishes:
French Toast, Breakfast Burrito, Fried Egg Sandwich
What Makes it Special: Owner-operated DTLA breakfast counter known for oversized portions, from-scratch cooking, and a horchata latte that regulars detour for.
8.1
A cozy, vegan-leaning neighborhood coffee house that does breakfast with real care, from breakfast burritos to pastries and toasts. The cooking is simple but dialed in, and the backyard patio makes it an easy slow-morning hang. Best for locals who want quality without a scene.
Must-Try Dishes:
Breakfast burrito, Avocado toast, House pastry of the day
What Makes it Special: Vegan-friendly breakfast done with scratch-level care.
#11
Urbane Cafe
8.1
Founded in 2003, owner Tom Holt built this cafe around a hearth oven that bakes focaccia dough fresh constantly throughout the day. The scratch kitchen creates gourmet sandwiches and farm-fresh salads with refined local ingredients in a warm yet vibrant counter-service atmosphere.
Must-Try Dishes:
UC Chicken Banh Mi, Chimichurri Steak Sandwich, Cilantro Chicken Salad
What Makes it Special: Scratch-made focaccia baked fresh all day in open-hearth ovens
#12
D'Todo Natural
8
D’Todo Natural is a health-focused cafe and juice bar where breakfast leans nutritious, with mega breakfast plates, huevos rancheros, vegan pancakes, and acai bowls. It functions as the neighborhood’s nutritional corner, balancing classic Mexican breakfasts with plant-forward options and a long list of fresh juices.
Must-Try Dishes:
Mega Breakfast, Huevos Rancheros, Acai Bowl
What Makes it Special: Health-minded breakfast cafe blending Mexican plates, vegan options, and made-to-order juices.
A vegan comfort-food counter that covers Thai curries, breakfast burritos, and American staples under one roof—broad enough to keep mixed-diet groups from arguing about where to eat. The price-to-portion math holds up well against non-vegan competitors in Palms, which is rare for plant-based spots. Expect a small indoor footprint at a busy National Blvd intersection, offset by sidewalk seating and quick turnaround.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pancakes, Pumpkin Curry, Breakfast Burrito
What Makes it Special: Full vegan menu spanning Thai, American, and Mexican comfort food with enough range to satisfy non-vegans
#14
Urban Plates
8
Chef-driven fast-casual restaurant serving scratch-made plates, sandwiches, and salads with sustainably sourced ingredients including grass-fed steak and cage-free chicken. The cafeteria-style service model features real plates and server delivery to tables despite counter ordering.
Must-Try Dishes:
Grilled Steak Sandwich, Turkey Avocado Club, Chimichurri Steak Plate
What Makes it Special: Sustainable scratch-made plates with grass-fed and cage-free proteins
Worthy Picks
#15
Falafel Inc
7.9
A counter-service Mediterranean spot built on Palestinian family recipes, with za'atar sourced from the founder's own farm — the kind of provenance detail that shows up in the food. Every $10 spent feeds a refugee through the World Food Programme, which gives the low price point a second purpose beyond just being one of Westwood's cheapest solid lunches. It runs like a college-town fuel stop — fast, clean, no frills — and the 84% five-star rate across 276 reviews says the falafel and shawarma wraps land consistently.
Must-Try Dishes:
Falafel Sandwich, Chicken Shawarma Wrap, Zaatar Fries
What Makes it Special: Social enterprise where every $10 spent feeds a refugee for a day through the World Food Programme, built on the founder's Palestinian mother's recipes with za'atar imported from the family farm.
7.9
Market Restaurant sits in the Fashion District and leans lighter, pairing soups and composed salads with wraps and sandwiches like tuna melts and turkey clubs. It’s a bright, counter-service spot built for everyday lunches with plenty of fresher options alongside comfort staples.
Must-Try Dishes:
Tokyo Salad with seasonal toppings, Tuna Melt Sandwich, Chicken Torta Sandwich
What Makes it Special: Fashion District café known for salads, wraps, and approachable sandwich options at everyday prices.
7.9
The Marina del Rey outpost of Panini Kabob Grill serves a broad, health-leaning Mediterranean menu with grilled kabobs, salads, and panini in a polished fast-casual setting above the Villa Marina Marketplace. It’s popular with office workers and shoppers who want reliable portions, fresh ingredients, and patio seating without a long wait.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken Kabob Plate, Salmon Kabob Plate, Hummus with Grilled Pita
What Makes it Special: High-volume Mediterranean fast-casual with grilled kabobs and big portions.
7.8
Byrdie's Rotisserie is a chicken-focused spot on 3rd Street where pulled rotisserie meat shows up in toasted sandwiches, pita wraps, and warm grain bowls. It leans fresher and lighter than a typical fried chicken joint while still scratching a comfort food itch.
Must-Try Dishes:
Original Sandwich, Spicy Original Sandwich, Caesar Wrap
What Makes it Special: Rotisserie-driven sandwiches and wraps that split the difference between comfort food and lighter bowls.
#19
Mamie
7.8
Mamie is a daytime Italian cafe offering Tuscan-style panini, salads, and espresso in a bright counter-service environment. It caters to neighborhood lunch crowds with fresh breads and simple, well-prepared combinations.
Must-Try Dishes:
Prosciutto mozzarella panini, Turkey pesto panini, Tiramisu cup
What Makes it Special: Tuscan-inspired sandwiches made with fresh breads and fillings.
#20
Health Nut
7.7
Since 1988, this Kardashian-backed chain has evolved from vitamin shop to fresh-focused salad and sandwich destination. Hand-torn lettuce, no-oil chicken preparation, and signature dressings available by the bottle demonstrate commitment to quality ingredients with broad vegan and vegetarian options.
Must-Try Dishes:
Tuna Avocado Sandwich, High Protein Salad, Chinese Chicken Salad
What Makes it Special: Fresh-daily produce with hand-torn lettuce and celebrity-backed reputation from Kardashian partnership since 2022
#21
Hi Bakery
7.7
An Arts District bakery built around 25 organic flours and a seasonally rotating lineup that changes with local farm availability — the egg tart and pistachio shortbread are the repeat-visit draws. The space runs calm and workable with enough tables to spread out, making it a low-key morning stop for the organic-leaning crowd who want their pastries with provenance.
Must-Try Dishes:
Egg Tart, French Toast, Pistachio Shortbread
What Makes it Special: Exclusively organic Arts District bakery using 25 unique organic flours with a seasonally rotating menu sourced from local farms.
#22
Lilly Juice Bar
7.7
Lilly Juice Bar in Cudahy doubles as a neighborhood snack stop, offering tortas, salads, and savory bites alongside juices, licuados, and ice creams. It's the kind of casual strip-mall counter where you can grab a quick sandwich and something sweet in one stop.
Must-Try Dishes:
House ham torta, Chicken salad sandwich, Fresh fruit cup
What Makes it Special: Cudahy juice bar where tortas, snacks, and ice creams sit alongside smoothies.
7.7
Lo/Cal Coffee & Market is a neighborhood café that pairs espresso drinks with empanadas and simple sandwiches on toasted bread. It skews more everyday-casual than destination, but locals appreciate the friendly service and affordable, lighter bites.
Must-Try Dishes:
Turkey pesto sandwich, Caprese sandwich, Beef empanada
What Makes it Special: Friendly corner café serving coffee, empanadas, and straightforward sandwiches.
7.6
MADE by DWC Cafe & Gift Boutique is the Downtown Women’s Center’s social-enterprise café, pairing simple sandwiches and salads with a retail shop of handmade goods. It’s a calm, mission-driven space for a light lunch that directly supports services for women experiencing homelessness.
Must-Try Dishes:
Turkey Arugula Sandwich, Tuna Salad Sandwich, Daily Pastry Selection
What Makes it Special: Social-enterprise café where sandwich sales fund Downtown Women’s Center programs.