PLANTA Cocina Marina del Rey Is Redefining Plant-Based Dining- One Extraordinary Dish at a Time
- Christianne Klein
- 42 minutes ago
- 3 min read
There are moments in travel- and in food- when something surprises you so completely, it shifts your expectations entirely. That’s exactly what happened to us at PLANTA Cocina - Marina Del Rey- hands down the best plant-based dining experience we’ve ever had.
Let me say this first: if you think you’ll miss the meat, you won’t. Not even a little.
PLANTA has built something extraordinary, and this location, perched near the water in Marina del Rey, delivers it with a sense of ease, style, and precision. In fact, it was so good that my father- who practically has a standing reservation at Ruth's Chris Steak House (and literally, a gold plaque with his name on it that they set out for him to reserve his table)- could not stop talking about it. He was already planning his return and telling his friends about our experience before we even left the table.
We were there as part of a special moment for us, too. PLANTA Cocina in Marina del Rey is one of several locations nationwide currently featuring
Christianne’s Golden Mimosa through Mother’s Day- an exciting campaign that has taken on a life of its own. Among our incredible list of participating standout venues, you can also find it at PLANTA Queen in Washington, DC, PLANTA Bethesda, and PLANTA Nomad in New York City- and if you’re visiting any of them, trust me, order it. It also paired perfectly with every single menu item.
We ordered widely across the menu, and days later, we’re still debating our favorites.
The Bang Bang Broccoli arrived first- perfectly crisp in a delicate tempura batter, coated in a sweet chili glaze and creamy peanut sauce that hit every note of crunch, heat, and indulgence.
Trust me, you want this dish.
Everyone went back for more, and it disappeared almost instantly. My daughter fought (gently) for seconds… and then thirds.
The Avocado Beetroot Tartare was a revelation. A playful, elegant take on a
classic, layered with earthy beets, bright citrus soy, briny capers, and the unexpected crunch of pine nuts and topped with creamy avocado, cilantro, and served with taro chips. It was fresh, complex, and completely addictive.
And the Signature Nigiri? I’m still trying to understand how they did it. The unagi-style eggplant had the texture, the depth, the umami of traditional eel- paired with their signature ahi watermelon, it was nothing short of astonishing. It wasn’t an imitation; it was its own kind of perfection.
Then came the Udon Noodles- rich, silky, and deeply satisfying. The truffle mushroom cream clung to each strand, creating a dish that lingered long after the last bite. This is the kind of plate you think about later, trying to figure out how something so simple could be so deeply comforting. I’m desperate to try to make it again, but scared it will just make me miss this delightful dish even more.
We also loved the Sweet Corn Esquites, bright and layered with lime and spice, and the Caesar Salad, which somehow captured every savory, umami-rich note of a traditional Caesar- so much so that even our Caesar-obsessed daughter was completely won over.
The Rainbow Roll (their seasonal special) was another standout, featuring ahi watermelon, avocado, and toasted coconut layered over perfectly seasoned sticky rice. It was vibrant, flavorful, and beautifully executed.
And then dessert- because we physically didn’t think we could do it, but you absolutely must. The Matcha Cheesecake, made with coconut and topped with coconut whipped cream, was rich, sweet, and indulgent in the best way. We finished it in minutes.
What stayed with me most wasn’t just how good the food was- it was the level of technique behind it. The precision, the creativity, the ability to transform plant-based ingredients into something this elevated… it shouldn’t be underestimated. If I knew how to cook like this at home, we would be largely plant-based without hesitation.
PLANTA isn’t just serving plant-based food- they’re redefining what it can be.
And as for us? We’re already planning our next visit. I can’t wait to experience the PLANTA Nomad, their New York location next…
Christianne Klein is an Emmy® and Edward R. Murrow Award-winning TV Host, journalist, travel and lifestyle expert, and founder of FoodFamilyTravel.com.
For more tips, trends, and inspiration, be sure to follow FoodFamilyTravel.com on social
Instagram: @food.family.travel
Tiktok: @FoodFamilyTravel