Tara Punzone’s Pura Vita Is Redefining Italian Food in Los Angeles

Tara Punzone is redefining Italian food in Los Angeles with her pioneering restaurant Pura Vita, which is the first entirely vegan Italian restaurant and wine bar in the country. Inspired by her childhood and dedication to a plant-based lifestyle, Punzone brings traditional Southern Italian flavors to her menu using sustainable, organic, plant-based ingredients. Her upcoming cookbook will feature her innovative plant-based recipes and share her journey of opening a vegan Italian restaurant.

Punzone's journey to veganism began at a young age, driven by her love for animals and a video of a slaughterhouse that changed her life. Despite initial skepticism from her family, Punzone pursued her dream of opening a vegan Italian restaurant after a trip to Italy and has since created a successful dining establishment that has been recognized as the Best Italian Restaurant and Pizzeria in America by VegNews readers. Through her cooking and upcoming cookbook, Punzone hopes to show that traditions and heritage can coexist with veganism and inspire others to make choices for their lives.