"I ordered a hummus wrap with kale salad."
(in 4 reviews)
"…good with a yummy pasta side and kale salad had a vege burger too homemade…"
(in 7 reviews)
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Golden Mean Vegan Cafe
Rating Details »
Neighborhood: Santa Monica
1028 Wilshire Blvd
Santa Monica, CA 90401
(310) 393-6500
1028 Wilshire Blvd
Santa Monica, CA 90401
(310) 393-6500
- Hours:
Mon-Wed. 11:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Thu-Sat. 11:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Sun. 11:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
- Attire:
- Casual
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street, Private Lot
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Good for:
- Lunch
- Alcohol:
- None
20 reviews for Golden Mean Vegan Cafe
Review Highlights
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I've become quite the regular at Golden Mean. They have delicious food, free parking in the back, and free wi-fi. Nice vibes, friendly staff, and the food is organic and just what my body loves. AND they have the most amazing desserts that do not use refined sugar and many of them are gluten-free. That is such a rarity these days.
You can now eat upstairs, and they have delicious daily specials and changing soups, which helps with the smaller menu. I tend to go with the specials, but I've tried the Burger, Caesar salad and Wrap, Falafel wrap, and most the changing side salads. All delish! The Coconut Choc. Chip Blondies are to die for. Run, don't walk. There is nothing bad I can say about Golden Mean.
I really like trying new restaurants and foods, but it's become more apparent to me lately what a creature of habit I am. I go to the same little Whole Foods, same liquor store, same newsstand, same place for lunch everyday, same Starbucks, and the list goes on and on. The employees know me and my orders - and I like that. Back in the day, I probably would have been embarrassed to go to the same places so often that people say things like "oh, no granola bars today?". Now, I'm happy to support establishments with great products and customer service, and receive special treatment for my loyalty.
Golden Mean is no exception. I'm on a first name basis with almost everyone there. The owner always says "hi Erin" and has referenced my yelp review on several occasions. They know I call-in my orders, hate raw tomatoes and am always down to try the latest and greatest vegan sweets.
Speaking of their sweets, they are TO DIE FOR and put most non-vegan desserts to shame. The coconut cupcakes and cake are unbelievable - a must try. I also like the oatmeal cookies and choc chip cookies.
The pizza's are my new thing. They're made with a thin corn crust, low fat vegan cheese, pesto sauce and tons of veggies. SO GOOD. This is def a good bet for non-vegans (like myself), as I'd venture to say it's universally delicious.
I'm the healthiest I've ever been - thanks in part to Golden Mean.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
7/7/2009
I'm on a health food and exercise kick in light of recent health issues. Enter Golden Mean, a vegan… Read more »
I have walked by this place several times since it opened and was never inspired to go inside...the view from the exterior is cold and uninviting. A friend suggested this place and since they advertise in LAYoga, i decided to give it a try.
Yummm...this food was fresh and delicious. I ordered a hummus wrap with kale salad...the wrap was bursting with flavorful veggies and the kale salad came with the suprising additions of toasted pumpkin seeds and strawberries...the texture and flavors were great. Had the chocolate chip cookie for dessert -- made with spelt flour, it was surprisingly very moist and tasty. Service was great. the seating upstairs is much more intimate with pillows on the floor. They should "warm up" the decor, so window-shoppers would be more inclined to venture in. Parking is behind the building...free... :-)
Please forgive me - I had to give them 3 stars because their menu is just too limited. It is more of a coffee shop cafe. The have a handful of sandwiches and a handful of wraps (just a rolled up sandwich). Did I mention that I am NOT a sandwich person. I really prefer hot food.
I settled on the pizza of the day, which came with a side salad (I ordered the pesto pasta - yes I know I was on a carb binge). The pizza was good, however it wasn't fresh. The pasta salad was decent. The highlight of my visit was the chocolate peanut butter cupcake. It was the BEST vegan cupcake I have ever eaten. I generally do not like vegan cupcakes, but I continue to try them and this time I hit the jackpot!!
So again I award the Golden Mean 3 stars because although I will not be back for their food, I will definitely be back, at some point, for a cupcake. I will consider this place a dessert spot...
I'm veg so I get superpumped when I find a new place for snax and my friend lives around the corner so we rolled in. Sitting at the first seat inside the door was Julian from Californication. Closer look: NOT Julian, but very nearly so, except good-looking. Regardless of hot man on inside, we decide to take over the sidewalk table and watch the Westside Rentals mascot do his thang rather than hang in the stuffy inside on a hot day.
My friend and I ordered the handmade veg burg and a side of tofu lentil salad, which was around $13. Both were really delicious and rather reminded me of food at RFD (as it turns out, the chef IS from RFD). Unfort, the prices are much like RFD as well, and if I'm paying $13 for something at a wee cafe, I want to be full and maybe even have a little snack for later.
As we were ending our meal, the Julian-alike stopped at our table to ask how our meal was - turns out he's the owner. We babbled something about how the food was delicious and we were sure to be back. After all, you could just TELL this guy has tantric sex.
Very good food. Split with my dad the portobello mushroom panini very good with a yummy pasta side and kale salad had a vege burger too homemade. Splurged and had the mocha mint shake.
Had the Golden Cord Chowder Soup Was good a little spicy but I think they can make it not spicy if you request perhaps.
The have yummy desserts too Made with natural stuff. I personally found it comfortable I just rested my back on the wall. They have an upstairs with cushions and would be. Great spot to hideaway and have a coffee tea and dessert The owner is friendly and he is from my hometown of Connecticut
Good coffee. Excellent salads. Amazing corn chowder. Plus free wifi.
Golden Mean is a small cafe...and book store. Evidently the book area is upstairs, although I wasn't able to check it out since food is not allowed.
The cafe portion is small. You order at the counter and they bring the food out to you. They offer salads, drinks, and sandwiches. There are also some pastries to choose from. The pastries did not look very appetizing, nor did the side salads. However, I tried the eggplant salad and potato salad, and both were good. The eggplant one especially.
We tried the lemon bar ($2.50), portabello mushroom panini ($10.95), and tempeh club sandwich ($10.95). The sandwiches are made on standard sized bread and come with a side salad or chips (in other words portions are not huge, but pretty filling depending on how hungry you are). The Club (marinated/breaded tempeh, lettuce, tomato, "bacon", on 9-grain bread with garlic and basil aioli) was delicious and the panini (roasted portabello mushrooms, onions, peppers, baby arugula, "mozzarella", on a ciabatta roll) was ok. The lemon bar had a great crust, but the lemon part was pretty sticky and a little too congealed.
It is located across the street from HealthySpot for you dog lovers!
My friends and I went in for lunch and the owner, Aaron was super attentive when we told him it was our first time there. He brought over a bowl of the house soup for us to sample and then a slice of yummy cake at the end. We ordered salads and an entree and were very happy with our choices. (sorry, it was a couple of weeks ago so I don't remember exactly what we ordered)
Although the menu is more limited than Real Food Daily, I think the prices and dessert choices are way better! I went back the following day for a cookie.
If you want something extremely good that makes your body happy, I would go here for a nice lunch or small dinner.
Everyday while driving to work, I passed by this adorable cafe and last night I decided to give it a try.
The menu is small, but the quality and service is great.
I had a roasted veggie , argula salad and a Vegan Cesear Wrap.
The dressing was not super creamy and the veggies were super fresh.
I highly reccommend this place for a wonderful meal and great time with yourself or a small crowd.
I did not try the desserts, but they looked fantastic! No refined sugar too.
Hummus wrap was huge, delicious and came with a little salad that was also good. The peanut butter cookie was fresh and yummy.
Only downside was the prices. I think the sandwich was nearly $11, but it is not only vegan, but organic. So, really can't complain. The quality of the ingredients was excellent and that wrap was bursting with avocado. Only thing I wouldn't get again is the shake because it was just too thin.
Oh, and awesome service. Whoever said that they were snooty, must have not encountered any of the people that were there the day I was there because every one of them was totally welcoming and nice.
As far as food goes, I won't hesitate giving this place a 5-star. As you've probably read in another reviews, the atmosphere not so great. I took my food to-go since I work nearby. I ordered The Works Burger which was phenomenal. And the owner (I believe he was the owner) saw me eyeballing the cupcakes and told me the lemon/coconut cupcake is the BEST cupcake I would ever eat. Ok come on now, it might be good...but the BEST?? Well, after eating it, IT WAS THE BEST CUPCAKE I'VE EVER HAD. I actually said "OH MY GOD" out loud to myself when I took a bite. I'm going to have to try everything on their menu now because I was so impressed.
5 stars for the excellent quality food and taste! I gave them four stars overall due to the atomosphere. This is a small cafe so it's not a place to go for atmosphere, but the food is great! And thank you Golden Mean for getting chairs instead of benches! Anyway, I am Vegan and highly recommend it as a "true Vegan" cafe. The Vanilla Coconut milkshake is fantastic, and the barista was kind enough to tell me how to make my own at home! The club sandwich w/ potato salad is really filling and satisfying. My boyfriend loved the portobello mushroom sandwich. And the employees are friendly and helpful.
My boyfriend and I ordered Rustic Fibonacci Cornmeal Crust Pizza with Soba Salad ($10.95), Soup and Salad Combo ($10.25)- choice of Golden Mean Salad with Golden Corn Chowder and Black Bean Soup with Vegan Créme Fraiche, and Berries Tart. Everything was really awesome. I totally love their pizza and the sweets. The tart was the best I've ever had. I've tried so many vegan, macrobiotic sweets, and their sweets are so far the best for now. The staff is super friendly. This place would be the best choice for having lunch or light dinner. I didn't feel heavy at all after having all.
I love you golden mean vegan!!!This place is great,i took my favorite people to this place,as i was craving for good,light and vegan food.And whoops!!this place is definitely costly and they give a bottle for 2.50$.that is a rip off!!!..As we sipped the clean Mountain valley spring water from the funky looking green bottle,i got constant looks from my friends and their eyes conveyed the message "the food better be good for the amount we paid or you are dead"
Yikes!!and there comes the vegetarian wrap,and chicken sandwiches with yam and rice and pasta salads.And yes every bite was amazing!!!I loved the spinach tortilla filled with bell pepper,lettuce and tomatoes and their home made hummus and the yam and rice salad with tofu was amazing.
I did ask them for some hot sauce and the server puts it on the table and the bottle reads "Burn baby baby" hahah..best organic hot sauce ever and their organic ketchup was amazing too.It was definitely worth the money and this place also serves vegan chocolate and i am heading back to this place for sure.
People definitely lie when hey say real estates are the best investment.I say organic food is THE BEST invetsment!!Go for it ;)
-Smriti
High quality, fresh, alive food that is colorful, artfully prepared and presented, and leaves you feeling satisfied. I had the burger with the works, which is as good as everyone has yelped, the rice salad and the kale salad. With the burger, opt for any salad instead of chips, which you can have any time. The salads are incredibly flavorful and tasty. Highly recommended vegan restaurant unlike many greasy spoons that serve up "garden burgers" fried in hydrogenated oil and impossible to digest. Great addition to Santa Monica.
The Works Burger is -- hand down -- the best vegetarian burger I have ever eaten in my life. The bun alone was worth the price . . . not sure how they make it and I don't care; I had one yesterday and I'm going back today. Also, the brownie was excellent, not too bready for me. My side salad had greens and beets and was delicious. I love this place!!!!!
UPDATED!! Went back and had the CORN CHOWDER SOUP. Best corn chowder soup ever . . . not kidding -- their chef really knows what she's doing. Also had the Taboulie salda -- I don't even like Taboulie but it was FANTASTIC.
Seriously tasty food, if a bit too pricey for me to eat there too regularly. The burger with the works is fabulous. The side salads are really yummy - I especially like the kale with roasted beets, which are so tender and in a citrusy sauce. Even if you don't usually like beets, you may be pleasantly surprised.
As far as their baked goods are concerned, the coconut cake is AMAZING. I definitely want to get that again soon. I had a Boston cream puff thing that was really tasty. The one cupcake I got from there was a little on the dry side, but I'll definitely try another before writing them off.
Check out this new vegan cafe with yummy food and a great vibe. Looks like owner Aaron created a beautiful eco place with lots of dreams, love and an excellent chef, formerly from Real Food Daily. Salads, sandwiches, wraps, pizzas, desserts, organic coffee & teas. A beautiful photo of the Glastonbury Tor frames the upstairs, where there's pillows, tables, books & crystals. The whole place has a magical, relaxing zen feel - a sense of community. Lots of harmony & balance here, plus great food!
I don't frequent this area very often so I was fortunate enough to be able to try this place just because my sister lives nearby. Oh my effing god-out of all the delicious and crap-filled veggie burgers I've had so far in my life, the "works" burger at this cafe is the best I've ever had. Thanks for the tip fellow yelpers :3 It was juicy, fresh, the bun was AMAZING and there is a serious amount of different textures and flavors crammed into one burger. If you are feeling down and bleh in the head go eat this burger, it will make you very happy. They seem to only use the best organic ingredients in all their dishes and my sis who saw them make my chocolate shake said they were using quite fancy-brand ingredients. The burger was one of those things you pay money for and then when eating it you feel the relief of "oh thank god this was worth the 12/13 dollars". The guy who owns the place is really nice and it's very apparent the amount of dedication he puts into making the food. The crowd is the usual liberal yuppie types which if you are okay with handling go ahead and eat inside; there was a shiny ethnic-clothed family near us that was talking loudly about their trip to jamaica. fun to listen to. A thing i noticed though and get confused about is why so many veg girls wear that one colorfully dyed tiered skirt type, it is like the sailor star tattoos on orange county kids' elbows-fashions that people wear to identify themselves as belonging to certain cultural tribes but is kind of unnecessary. eheh :/
