Top Vegan Restaurants in San Diego
Top Vegan Restaurants in San Diego
A growing list of the best vegan places to eat in San Diego
from a local!
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I love to eat. Especially when I know how good I feel after I eat amazingly delicious vegan food. There is no shortage of Vegan restaurants in San Diego, but just like any other cuisine type, there is both crazy good and horribly bad. So, I’ve put together the top vegan restaurants in San Diego list for you to enjoy.
*I’ll be updating this post at least once a year to add new restaurants that open. Be sure to subscribe to be notified of any new vegetarian or vegan restaurant openings in San Diego.
Let’s dive right in to what I’m sure will be your favorite places to eat at in San Diego!
Top Vegan Restaurants in San Diego
In order of neighborhood/area
LITTLE ITALY & BANKERS HILL
Cafe Gratitude
‘I am infatuated’. This is how ordering at Cafe Gratitude is done, by making positive affirmations based on your menu item. And while infatuated may not be an actual menu item, I am always happy to eat at this bohemian & trendy vegan restaurant and cafe. They are 100% plant based serving brunch, lunch and dinner. Plus has spectacular wellness shots, healthy elixirs and smoothies.
Local Tip: parking in this area is hit or miss depending on the time of day you go. I would suggest taking the SD MTS or a Lyft
Cafe Gratitude
1980 Kettner Blvd
San Diego, CA 92101
Donna Jean
Who can say no to a comfort food restaurant that hosts its guests in a quaint outdoor garden? Donna Jean serves up some of the most popular vegan eats in San Diego. Known for their vegan pizzas, and fresh homemade breads (or maybe that’s just what I love about them so much). The chef, Roy Elam opened & named Donna Jean after his mother who passed away from breast cancer. His passion is to spread how delicious plant based food can be, and it radiates throughout all of their dishes.
Donna Jean
2949 Fifth Ave
San Diego, CA 92103
Evolution Fast Food
If you don’t have time for a sit down meal, then pop over to Evolution fast food, which is right next door to Donna Jean. Evolution Fast Food is a ‘fast-food’ establishment cooking up plant based american classics.
My suggestion, try their buffalo chicken french fries with their homemade ranch dressing. And bring it to Balboa park for an afternoon picnic.
Evolution Fast Food
2965 5th Avenue
San Diego, CA 92103
NORTH PARK & SOUTH PARK
Ranchos Cocina
Mexican food conveniently can be made vegetarian pretty easily, but vegan not always so much. Which is why Ranchos Cocina is a vegan lovers dream. They have a massive menu, where anything can be substituted, which makes it very customizable for any picky eater.
Ranchos Cocina
3910 30th St
San Diego, CA 92104
The Modern Vegan
The Las Vegas popular restaurant, the Modern Vegan, has landed in San Diego and she does not disappoint. Another dining option with a large menu, you can’t wrong with any of the items they offer.
The Modern Vegan
4332 30th St
San Diego, CA 92104
Kindred
Look no further than Kindred if you’re in the mood for a funky aesthetic. With hand crafted seasonal cocktails and a brunch menu that will make any foodie drool over, Kindred is a San Diego locals favorite spot for vegan fare.
Kindred
1503 30th St
San Diego, CA 92102
Read More: Best things to do in San Diego at night
UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS
Plumeria Vegetarian Restaurant
Plumeria features some of the best tasting and healthy thai food in all of San Diego. With an extensive menu, you’ll more than likely have difficulty deciding on just one thing to order. They also only use organic, non-GMO & gluten free tofu that’s made locally.
Plumeria Vegetarian Restaurant
4661 Park Blvd
San Diego, CA 92116
Grains Cafe
Grains is a family owned vegan restaurant featuring amazingly delicious appetizers and a crowd favorite of quinoa based pasta. Their unique interior provides a fun environment to enjoy their carefully crafted wine & beer selection. I personally think Grains is still a bit under the radar, but will quickly become a San Diego classic.
Grains Cafe
2201Adams Ave
San Diego, CA
Image credit: Yelp business listing
LA JOLLA
Green Door Cafe
Green Door Cafe is a tucked away gem. The restaurant is nestled between two storefronts in La Jolla. Their menu serves items with locally sourced ingredients, all made from scratch and catering to a seasonal menu making it a wonderfully sustainable establishment.
Green Door Cafe
7644 Girard Ave
La Jolla, CA 92037
Trilogy Sanctuary
Trilogy Sanctuary is such a unique and cherished establishment. Inside there is a vegan cafe, yoga studio, boutique store, AND they have a naturopathic doctor & host events and workshops. You will always find something fun & exciting to do here. Enjoy their 100% organic, vegan & gluten-free cafe starting with their chocoholic bowls, because who doesn’t love a healthy but indulgent meal?
Trilogy Sanctuary
7650 Girard Ave, #400
San Diego, CA 92037
BEACHES
(Mission, Ocean, Pacific)
Peace Pies
Ocean Beach
Peace Pies in Ocean Beach serves up an entirely raw menu and practices a zero-waste policy (yes, I’m beaming as I type this because both are amazing! Go Peace Pies!). Spend an afternoon enjoying Ocean beach after indulging in their mediteeranean wrap or horchata milkshake.
Peace Pies
4230 Voltaire Street
San Diego, CA 92107
Soulshine
Mission Beach
It’s safe to assume that their vegan, organic & non-GMO menu is just as delicious as their name is beautiful & unique. Be sure to try their Viva Mexico bowl, maybe at one of their monthly community events!
Soulshine
3864 Mission Blvd
San Diego, CA 92109
NoW Sushi
Mission Beach
Located in the Mission Beach area, NoW stands for the No Worries Movement. All of the proceeds go towards helping to end animal cruelty, and they’re currently building an animal sanctuary in Austin, Texas! I’m sold in, who wants to meet there this weekend??
NoW Locations
DOWNTOWN
(Gaslamp & East Village)
Spoiled Vegan Cafe
Spoiled Vegan Cafe is a pop up vendor based in East Village. They make vegan waffles with unique twists like vegan waffle dogs. Check out their IG for their schedule
Spoiled Vegan
NORTH COUNTY
(Solana Beach, Encinitas, Carlsbad, Escondido)
Eve
The interior of Eve in Encinitas provides one of the most calming places to enjoy a meal. Their ‘happy vibes’ emanate throughout their food as well, where you can enjoy bowls, flatbreads, sandwiches, burritos & more.
Eve
575 S. Coast Hwy
Encinitas, CA 92024
Image credit: Yelp business listing
Far West Lounge by Modern Times Beer
Who would’ve thought beer and vegan could go-exist so happily? Except when you consider San Diego’s craft beer scene. We’re all about local here and Modern Time’s Far West Lounge is a perfect combination of a stunning craft beer and mouth watering plant based food all in one place.
Far West Lounge by Modern Times Beer
470 S. Coast Hwy 101
Encinitas, CA 92024
The Plot
The Plot is San Diego county’s first ever zero-waste AND vegan restaurant! They opened in sping 2020, and have a beatiful interior. The Plot’s menu is ‘boundary pushing’ as they say, and offer items including vegan sushi and chicken & waffles.
The Plot
1733 South Coast Hwy
Oceanside, CA
MULTIPLE LOCATIONS
Plant Power
Another fast food join, Plant Power serves up easy to order sandwiches, like my favorite, the Buffalo ‘66. And bonus points for them as they don’t use any artificial ingredients and are non-GMO.
Plant Power
3 of 5 locations are in SD; Ocean Beach, Encinitas & SDSU area
Native Foods
Native Foods is great for quick place to enjoy a great plant based meal. We love trying their new seasonal menu additions every few months, and are hooked on their california burrito.
Native Foods
Point Loma, Clairemont Mesa & Encinitas
Loving Hut
Loving Hut has become the largest vegan chain in the US, and what makes them even more stand out is that each location has a unique menu. Here in San Diego there is a location in North Park and Mira Mesa.
Loving Hut
With San Diego’s progressive way of life, I can’t wait to continue adding more vegan restaurants onto this list. But if you’re not 100% vegan and enjoy a vegetarian diet too, then check out these Best Vegetarian & Vegan Restaurants in San Diego.
Don’t forget to pack these items:
No matter where you’re going out to eat, it’s always smart to keep these sustainable items on hand to avoid any plastic use
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