Top Vegan Restaurants in San Diego

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!

This page contains affiliate links to products and tours that I have used for my own travels, purchased & enjoyed. Clicking these links does not cost you anything, however doing so will support Blue Eyed Compass and allow the site to continue. THANK YOU!

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

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

Hi! I’m Laura, a sustainable travel blogger, as well as freelancing online brand strategist. I share real & honest information about traveling, how to do so sustainably, and ways to earn an income while working remote.

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Vegan Friendly Restaurants in San Diego

Vegan Friendly Restaurants in San Diego

The Best Vegetarian & Vegan friendly Restaurants in San Diego

A growing list of the best vegetarian & vegan friendly places to eat in San Diego

from a local!

This page contains affiliate links to products and tours that I have used for my own travels, purchased & enjoyed. Clicking these links does not cost you anything, however doing so will support Blue Eyed Compass and allow the site to continue. THANK YOU!

As a traveling vegetarian, I understand how it can be difficult to find delicious vegetarian and vegan friendly restaurants in the midst of being in your ‘in-the-moment’ vacation mode. Luckily, San Diego is bursting with delicious restaurants that offer vegetarian and vegan friendly menu options! More & more people are enjoying plant-based foods so I dug through my long lists of best restaurants in San Diego (yes, I keep a running list on my phone. Never will my boyfriend & I have the awkward ‘where do you want to go to eat’ conversation), and put together San Diego’s best vegetarian friendly restaurants!

*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.

Best Vegan & Vegetarian Friendly Restaurants in San Diego

In no particular order

Civico 1845

Located in the heart of Little Italy, Civico 1845 serves authentic italian food set in a comfortable setting of white brick & pristine bar. They offer a special vegan menu for both lunch and dinner.

My suggestion, try their Gnocchi Violetta. *Be sure to call ahead for parties of 4 or more. Civico 1845 is a hotspot in Little Italy, so becomes busy quickly.

Civico 1845
1845 India St
San Diego, CA 92101

Image credit: https://www.civico1845.com/

Muzita Abyssinian Bistro

One of my favorite hidden gems of San Diego, is Muzita Abyssinian Bistro. This Ethiopian restaurant was once a home that the owners retrofitted into a cozy dining experience. They have amazing vegetarian & vegan menu options that follow traditional Ethiopian cuisine. The owners mother was the original chef and the recipes are all hers. Which I think makes them taste even better. That and the incredibly friendly staff and mouth watering food.

My suggestion, try the fall seasonal Duba (braised pumpkin) with the Timtimo side (lentils), then thank me afterwards.

*fun fact- Marcus brought us here on our first data & we go back on our anniversary every year

Muzita Abyssinian Bistro
4651 Park Blvd
San Diego, CA92116

Image credit: https://muzita.com/

Buona Forchetta

You may already know how my soul belongs in Italy, so it’s no surprise that I’ve been to quite a few Italian restaurants in San Diego. And Buona Forchetta is always on my mind. Not only will the staff chat with you in italian (which I fall right back into after two glasses of wine), but they have a handful of the most delicious vegan menu items. Including a traditional vegan pizza.

My suggestion, the Donnatella pizza with their vegan cheese

Buona Forchetta
Located in South Park, Liberty Station, and Encinitas
Tocaya Organica

With an upbeat, modern interior draped in blooming plants and comfortable couches, Tocaya Organica takes the cake for some of the best modern mexican food that is vegetarian and vegan friendly in San Diego. They have a stellar seasonal menu and focus their ideals around making healthier choices, starting with locally sourced produce.

My suggestion, their vegan horchata to go with whatever you order to eat!

Tocaya Organica
Gaslamp/Downtown San Diego & UTC Mall in La Jolla
Ike’s Sandwiches

For those times where you don’t want to follow a vegetarian bunny rabbit diet of leafy greens, Ike’s Sandwiches will hook you up with an intense vegan sandwich. Ike’s is now a West coast chain (they originated in San Francisco) with locations all across California, Arizona & Nevada. Which bears an impact on how great their sandwiches are. You’ll notice that each sandwich has a unique name, and comes with their special sauce – which you can order a vegan version of!

My suggestion, the Sally Ride on their famously known Dutch Crunch bread.

Ike’s Sandwiches
2 San Diego locations, Hillcrest & Point Loma
Tandoor

Another little gem of mine, Tandoor is a small indian restaurant near the Fashion Valley mall. My sister and I have now tried each of their vegetarian & vegan options and can happily approve of them all. I love coming here for a quick dinner to go – this family owned place features the most amazing homemade naan bread in a traditional Tandoor oven, and the family is so so friendly.

My suggestion, Chana Masala made vegan.

Tandoor
508 Mission Center Rd
San Diego, CA 92108
Redhouse Pizza

Located in the University Heights neighborhood, this pizza shop has quickly become a favorite in our household for pizza on the weekends. Redhouse Pizza has expanded their vegan & vegetarian menu, and their pizza creations are mouthwateringly delicious. Truly. I don’t think I’ve had a better vegan pizza that actually tastes like pizza. And bonus points to Redhouse for mastering the thin crust. My current favorites are the Utah & the Maynard vegan pizza’s (and if you’re vegetarian try their Firesticks!)

Redhouse Pizza
4615 Park Blvd
San Diego, CA 92116
Powerhaus Pizza

This female run pizza shop in Pacific Beach is every health focused & vegetarians dream when it comes to finding vegan pizzas that actually taste delicious. They offer wholesome, nutritious & organic ingredients for their pizzas, and customer service is always great. My suggestion- custom order your pizza with the garlic hebr crust.

Powerhaus Pizza
1550 Garnet Avenue
San Diego, CA 92109
Kebab Shop

With almost 8 locations in San Diego, the Kebab Shop will be nearby whenever you’re in need of some fresh falafel. Seriously though, they make their falafel fresh for each order. And their serving sizes are big enough to be made into two meals!

Kebab Shop
RakiRaki Ramen

I think I’m finding a pattern here with my preferred hidden gems… Rakiraki is tucked away in a lesser known area to tourists, what I would call Convoy street. This area is known for top notch asian cuisine finds and Rakiraki is a star among many delicious eateries. They serve one of the best best vegetarian miso ramen in the city. But be warned, this is a busy spot. So, if you’re a hungry hippo eager to slurp down this top rated ramen be sure to arrive early.

RakiRaki Ramen
Convoy St, Little Italy & Liberty Station
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Convoy 💛

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Bahn Thai

I love how the most delicious thai food is based on vegetables and tofu. Something that sounds so simple always comes out delicious, and Bahn Thai always delivers those mouth watering flavors. The restaurant is a bit small, so if you don’t want to wait, order to go, OR visit their soon to be opening location in Hillcrest that can fit larger groups.

Bahn Thai
4646 Park Blvd
San Diego, CA 92116
(University Heights)
Red House Pizza

Located in University Heights San Diego, Red House Pizza offers a separate Vegan Menu, and prides itself on crafting a unique menu as opposed to the traditional ‘set it and forget it’ menu at most places. They have a full menu, but are best known for their delicious pizzas.

Red House Pizza
4615 Park Blvd
San Diego, CA 92116
(University Heights)
Sipz Vegetarian Infusion

Another asian cuisine eatery is Sipz Vegetarian Infusion. With 3 locations in San Diego, customers can enjoy a variety of asian cuisines including Japanese, Thai, Chinese & Vietnamese. The entire menu is vegetarian with a majority of it being vegan. Plus, they have crazy delicious vegan desserts.

My suggestion, start with their fresh summer rolls & homemade peanut sauce.

Sipz

Don’t fret, this list will continue to grow as I enjoy each place and find more vegetarian & vegan friendly restaurants in San Diego. If you’re interested in adding more dining options to your visit, then check out the Top 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

Hi! I’m Laura, a sustainable travel blogger, as well as freelancing online brand strategist. I share real & honest information about traveling, how to do so sustainably, and ways to earn an income while working remote.

Follow Along!

Start your own blog today!

Set up your blog today by using my discount code for Bluehost – Click the image to get started.

THE Best WordPress theme for bloggers & businesses

Get $15 OFF your AirBnb!

Follow Along

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