Eating meat-free hasn’t always been easy, but in San Diego County, it’s a piece of (vegan) cake.
Our local food scene is as vibrant as ever, so it’s no surprise there are a slew of local spots serving up fresh, vegetarian bites across town. From vegetarian brunch dishes to scrumptious vegan tacos, here are 30 restaurants serving meat-free fare in the San Diego area.
Brunch at Armonia Kitchen in PB.
Photo via @armoniakitchen
🍊 The brunch bunch
Second Nature , 5026 Cass St. | This Pacific Beach spot offers morning munchies like açaí bowls and brunch classics (try the Benedict Artichoke). Vegan options are also available on the dinner menu .
Armonia Kitchen , 1422 Garnet Ave. | Find plant-based options including the Mushroom Carnitas Burrito, Protein Pancakes, and Portobello Panini. Peep the drink menu for a selection of Health Lattes, too.
Cafe 21 , 2736 Adams Ave. | The brunch menu features vegetarian options like the Tomato + Egg (sunny side-up egg, tomato, goat cheese, sourdough), plus sweet selections like Tiramisu Pancakes and Vegan French Toast.
Kindred , 1503 30th St. | Scan the weekend brunch menu for super creative, meat-free offerings like the Warlock (grains and greens in zhug cream, lemongrass, lychee, peanut, veggies and herbs).
Farmer’s Bottega , 860 W. Washington St. | This uptown eatery offers a daily brunch menu brimming with vegetarian options — from its Stuffed French Toast (strawberry compote and mascarpone cheese) to its Nopales + Soyrizo.
The Trails Eatery , 7389 Jackson Dr. | This vegetarian and vegan-friendly spot near Cowles Mountain offers post-hiking fuel like the Soyrizo Scramble, Garden Omelet, and Healthy Hash with Soyrizo.
The Uprising Pizza pop-up is worth waiting for.
Photo via @uprisingpizza
🍕 Casual eating
Uprising Pizza , Pop-up locations vary | Specializing in 100% plant-based, Neapolitan-style pies, you can find Uprising pop-ups at the Hillcrest Farmers Market and North Park Thursday Market . Follow on Instagram for location info.
Evolution , 2965 Fifth Ave. | Find a wide range of vegan eats at this fast food eatery including meatless burgers, “chik’n ” sandwiches, and burritos. Pro tip: In a hurry? Use the drive-thru.
Gorilla Eats Sushi , 6334 El Cajon Blvd. | This 100% vegan sushi eatery at the Aztec Food Hub boasts hand rolls, nigiri, classic rolls, and specialty rolls. Pro tip: order to-go and get 10% off.
Gianni’s Pizza , 3910 Vista Way, #108 | This Oceanside spot offers a vegan pizza menu featuring pies like the Buffalo ‘66 with vegan buffalo chicken and the Maui Wowie with vegan bacon.
Sattvik Foods , 8650 Miramar Rd., #B | Try the Mini Thali with two daily curries, the Lite Lunch, or the Samosa Plate. Pro tip: Throwing a party? Peep the catering options .
Plant Power Fast Food , Locations vary | The menu is all about “fast food classics with a 100% plant-based twist” — think burgers, nuggets, wings, and fries. Locations include OB, Encinitas, SDSU, and UC San Diego.
The Plot is a 100% plant-based, no-waste restaurant in Oceanside.
Photo via @israelpalacio + @theplotrestaurant
🌱 100% vegetarian/vegan eats
Donna Jean , 2949 Fifth Ave. | “Seasonal, sustainable, plant-based, rustic, and comforting.” Come for weekend brunch (we see you, Breakfast in Bread) or opt for dinner (give us all the pizza, please).
The Plot , 1733 S. Coast Highway | This plant-based, no-waste Oceanside restaurant is open for lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch, and even offers a mini menu just for kids .
Greens Please , 12202 Poway Rd., #100 | Build your own bowl or wrap — or try the hearty, protein-packed options on the menu. Pro tip: Green smoothies are $1 off during daily happy hour, 2-3 p.m.
Brunch at Donna Jean never disappoints.
Photo via @donnajeanofficial
Grains Cafe , 2201 Adams Ave. | This cute cafe in University Heights has a standout menu that includes Kale Tempura, Tofu Nuggets, and tofu Pad Thai and Chow Mein.
Peace Pies ,4230 Voltaire St. | Raw, vegan, gluten and soy-free ingredients are the superstars at this OB restaurant offering salads, wraps, pizzas, smoothies, shakes, and pies.
Trilogy Sanctuary Cafe ,7650 Girard Ave., Ste. 400 | Head to this rooftop spot for organic, vegan, and gluten-free options like the Savory Breakfast Crepe, Beaming Beet Toast, and Super Smoothies.
The Veggie Birria at Phatties is unforgettable.
Photo via @phattiesfoodinc
🌮 Mexican Food
Phatties Vegan Mexican Restaurant , 242 W. Mission Ave., Ste. D | This Escondido gem specializes in plant-based Mexican food — from Taquitos de Papa and tamales to its California Burrito with adobo soy meat and Vegan Birria with mushrooms.
Tacotarian , 4332 30th St. | It’s all about the tacos at this Mexican eatery. Try the Carne Asada and Al Pastor variations made with seitan , or the Barbacoa made with chili-braised jackfruit.
Liticker’s Mexican & Vegan Cuisine , 4955 Voltaire St. | Breakfast burritos, tortas, and tacos are the name of the game at this OB spot. Don’t miss the TJ-Style Vegan Tacos or the Tamale Bowl.
The loaded street-style tacos at El Veganito son buenisimos.
Photo via @elveganitosd
Pokez , 947 E St. | This downtown San Diego spot has been around since 1994 and has won awards for its vegan dishes , including its burritos. Try the Potato Flautas , too.
El Veganito , 5500 Grossmont Center Dr. | This eatery started as a farmers market pop-up before branching out to the mall. Try the street-style Carnitas Tacos with jackfruit or the Phish Tacos.
Nachos at The Village.
Photo via @thevillagesd
The Village SD , 2611 El Cajon Blvd. | Vegan Mexican favorites (and a Japanese menu) are central to this village. We see you, Nachos with Mushroom Karnitas and Pozole with hominy and jackfruit.
Tocaya , Westfield UTC + One Paseo | This SoCal, modern Mexican restaurant offers a Taco Combo with Agua Fresca that is perfecto. We’ve also got eyes on the Grilled Pineapple Al Pastor bowl.
Start with the Chips di Pasta at Civico 1845.
Photo via @jtran_photos + Civico 1845
🍸 Date night
Civico 1845 , 1845 India St. | This Little Italy restaurant is billed as the first in the US to offer a full vegan Italian menu . Find classics like Ragu Di Funghi and Vegan Lasagna.
Mothership , 2310 30th Ave. | Make contact with the out-of-this-world menu , which includes incredible cocktails and some vegetarian “Earth Foods” like Potato (scallion latke) and Tofu (banana leaf + Otak tofu).
Black Radish , 2591 University Ave. | This fancy uptown restaurant has a few solid vegetarian options on its menu , including the Grilled Cone Cabbage and Mushroom Ragu.
Plumeria Vegetarian Restaurant , 4661 Park Blvd. | Vegan and vegetarian Thai dishes shine on this menu — like the Flower Cups, Eggplant entree, and Pad Thai noodles. The water is served with fresh mint.
Green Door Cafe , 7644 Girard Ave. | Check out the plant-based seasonal menus . Dinner (Bombay Bomb Burger, anyone?) starts at 4 p.m. and Happy Hour is 3-6 p.m. (Sambusa Trio, anyone?)
What did we miss? If you know a restaurant that’s not on the list, guide us in the right direction.