Lemonade is the perfect example of “Southern California Comfort Food.” The food is filling and satisfying, yet healthy and plant-based. Affordable and healthy LA spots are hard to find, and that is why Lemonade has become a Los Angeles staple, with 12 locations in the city alone. What makes Lemonade unique is it’s cafeteria-style set up. The food is beautiful and colorful, and with so many options it is easy to be overwhelmed, but fortunately you are able to see and sample food before you commit to anything going on your plate. This may be the reason why, no matter how many times I have been to the restaurant, Lemonade never disappoints…
Eating GF is easy to do at Lemonade and my favorite part of the menu is the marketplace sides. The colorful sides are the first thing you see, and include a variety of vegetables, grains and proteins. Each side is only $2.75, so you can load up on portions to create a meal (3 portions usually leaves me full). Each option is labeled to indicate if it is gluten free, and the majority of the food is. Some of my absolute favorite GF options are the pineapple-coconut chicken, pistachio sweet potatoes, kumquat kale, and ricotta broccoli. Lemonade also offers a variety of soups, braises and entrée salads. With so many ways to mix and match, you are guaranteed to create your perfect meal! Of course, Lemonade wouldn’t be what it is without its selection of unique Lemonade flavors that you can sample as well. The menu is constantly changing, but some favorites are the watermelon-rosemary and ginger-peach. It’s hard to resist the gluten free cookies but, for dessert, I can never pass up one of Lemonade’s to-die-for, giant GF macaroons.
Lemonade is quick, affordable, healthy, and delicious; no wonder locations are popping up all over the Los Angeles area. This casual spot has a colorful and inviting atmosphere, but its food is what makes it stand out. Lemonade creates unique spins on classic dishes, making vegetables far from boring, and with SO many NOBREAD approved options, it’s no wonder why I am here so often.