Whoever said that being a vegan meant you couldn’t even think about dining out in a restaurant has clearly never been to our city. San Diego is full of places for those who treat their body as a temple, and I’m not stopping in the aisles of Whole Foods.
Living vegan is all about finding the right places to feed you right, earning you reduced saturated fats, prevention of cardiovascular disease and multiple cancers, higher energy levels, and a deeper respect for the environment. Raw, organic, fat-free: whatever your diet gets branded, you know that finding a quality San Diego restaurant with vegan-friendly focus means more options for you.
The benefits to veganism are endless, and whether you’ve branded yourself vegan because of health reasons, a passion for animal rights, or you jumped on the Skinny Bitch diet bandwagon, you know that how unbelievably delicious the food is matters just as much as what it’s made out of. We discovered the top ten vegan restaurants in San Diego, so put those carrots back in the drawer and find your new favorite fresh food hot spot in the city.
Loving Hut in North Park
As one of the top spots to share the vegan menu in San Diego, Loving Hut has created a raw-food atmosphere where vegans and non-vegans alike can enjoy the tastes of delectable bites. Their unique 100% vegan menu keeps fans coming back for more, more of the infamous Cha Cha shrimp, the orange soy chicken, lemongrass chicken, spring rolls and for every sweet tooth, a vegan german chocolate cupcake. With endless options, you won’t know where to begin on the eclectic Asian/American cuisine menu. Loving Hut’s unique mesh of flavors will make you forget you are eating imposter meat as you sink your teeth into their mouth-watering “beef”. Learn more at lovinghut.us/sandiego. (pictured)
Peace Pies in Ocean Beach
Raw, vegan, gluten-free, and organic food is Peace Pies commitment to their large fan base that grows with each bite. Known for its love-filled environment, Peace Pies prides itself on its customer relationships and community building. It’s a must-stop spot nestled in Ocean Beach, with a menu loaded with appetizing meals and plenty of sweets. If you’re in the neighborhood for lunch, don’t leave without a taste of their vegan pizza and sandwiches, or the mock tuna wrap and kale salads. For something sweet, the Peace Pie carrot cake, cinnamon rolls, and banana berry coconut pie are must-haves. The ultra-healthy menu brings a whole new swirl of flavor into how eating raw can taste. Learn more at peachpies.com.
Muzita Abyssinian Bistro in University Heights
Authentic Abyssinian (Ethiopian) food at Muzita is the best way to get a cultural experience while sticking to vegan standards. This Ethiopian restaurant in University Heights makes it feel like home for all guests, as seen within their service values and menu options. Try the THA, made of spicy lentil, braised spinach & collard greens, and seasonal stewed vegetables or the flavorful Injera wrap. The unprecedented favorite of Muzita however, is their delicious honey-wine that goes down easy with the diverse food. For fresh and sometimes spicy bites, Muzita brings a unique experience to the table. Locally grown produce and traditional African hospitality set this joint apart from the rest. Muzita encourages you to enjoy your meal the traditional way, with your hands! Learn more at muzita.com.
Veg-N-Out in North Park
The original vegan burger joint, Veg-N-Out has fresh bites and a funky atmosphere to satiate a hip Vegan’s every craving. Though it might be small, the restaurant is bursting with delicious and healthy food for the soul. Locally owned and operated, Veg-N-Out uses unrefined sugar, olive oil, sea salt, and the most natural of ingredients to build each menu creation. Your health is a priority at Veg-N-Out, so ordering a couple ultimate vegan burgers and a Lahaina Bowl of strawberries, apples, bananas and dried cranberries with coconut won’t be an issue. With a rich reggae vibe and mint and cucumber right next to the ice water, you’ll feel like you just went into burger paradise. For lunch or dinner, the restaurant takes all the classics and transforms them into vegan delights with irresistible taste. Learn more at vegnout.com.
Stephanie’s Bakery in Ocean Beach
Using the most wholesome and highest quality ingredients available, Stephanie’s mostly organic bakery is treasured for their vegan pizza and killer baked sweets. Vegan, dairy free, and lactose-free items are all boasted along the menu, making Stephanie’s the perfect place to have a guilt-free meal. The 14” homemade pizzas without any dairy are celebrated as one of the best vegan pizzas to tantalize the taste buds. Operated by Maria Sanchez who has a background in nutrition, you can be sure everything you chow on is wholesome and nutritious. You won’t find anything with bleached flour, processed sugar, hydrogenated oils, or trans fats here. The hawaiian and pesto vegan pizzas are crisp and seasoned, with vegan cheese to melt your heart. Learn more at stephaniesbakery.com.
Sipz Fusion Café in Clairemont Mesa
At Sipz Fusion Café, all dishes are 100% vegetarian and most entrees and appetizers and all desserts are completely vegan. Asian dishes with vegetarian meat substitutes taste just like the real-deal, making this a restaurant that has found a way to serve the best food in the most health-conscious manners. You won’t be able to believe your taste buds when you realize the orange chicken isn’t actually chicken. A wide variety on the menu gives any picky eater a wealth of options. Any of their mock pork, chicken, beef, fish, appetizers or desserts were carefully created with the finest tastes in mind. Take a bite out of the Thai Curry “Chicken” in its creamy sauce or the Kung Pao “Chicken” for a punchier taste. Don’t forget the vegan desserts and drinks that end a meal experience made of health bliss. Learn more at sipz.com.
Madras Café in San Diego
Although Indian cuisine runs aplenty through San Diegan neighborhoods, Madras Café takes a delicious spin on their mostly vegan menu, fusing culture with health. The South Indian vegetarian restaurant feeds the masses with their dosas, the Indian version of the crepe filled with potato masala, as well as their vegetable samosas and curry. All items on the menu can be made vegan, giving you endless options on how to enjoy fresh Indian cuisine. Madras keeps the creativity flowing in their vegetarian menu, offering up a huge selection with fresh baked bread items that come with each meal. Madras even has a buffet option that include various curries, soups, and other fried items. For a cultural experience in a meat-free environment, Madras makes being vegan both easy and enlightening. Learn more at madrascafesd.com.
Alchemy in South Park
Alchemy is a long time San Diego staple, but many would be happy to know their menu includes vegan options as a nutritious choice for everyone. The eclectic menu provides a vegetarian section that can make any item vegan, like the radicchio salad or the appetizing kalamata olive tapenade and chickpea hummus. Inspired by a variety of countries, Alchemy boasts a diverse selection of food for the soul. For the nights when your carnivore friends want to join the party, Alchemy brings a rich smattering of foods to the table, so that all vegans and non-vegans alike can dine in bliss. Learn more at alchemysandiego.com.
Ocean Beach People's Organic Food Cooperative
Since 1971, Ocean Beach People’s Organic Food Market has been a community favorite, offering so much more than just a bag of groceries. Organic produce, bulk items, vitamins, cruelty-free body care, and aromatherapy products all fill the aisles of the People’s Co-op. Once inside, you can enjoy the full service sit-down deli featuring a wide selection of home-style vegetarian and vegan entrees, salads, sandwiches, baked goods, desserts, and more. Everything in arms reach is minimally processed, cruelty-free, and environmentally safe, making a guilt-free shopping and chowing experience for you. People’s small-scale vibe is a warm welcome, with the vibrant fresh produce section reassuring you that you’ve come to the right place. After stocking up on the week’s groceries, take a bite at the upper-level deli and take your vegan dishes to the next level. Learn more at obpeoplesfood.coop.
Lean and Green in La Jolla
Lean and Green is proud to serve wholesome, natural and organic foods for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Organic bowls, wraps, salads, and smoothies fill up this menu for the freshest of foods to enjoy in the La Jolla sunshine. Committed to making the least amount of impact on the environment, Lean and Green only uses compostable and biodegradable paper products, printed on environmentally-friendly paper with soy based inks. Vegan options include the roasted eggplant, balsamic marinated tofu, and totally vegan, gluten-free tortillas for yummy grilled vegetable wraps. You can also take a wheatgrass shot as an immune-system boost at Lean and Green, a choice you’ll soon discover is both good for you and good for the earth. Learn more at leanandgreen.com.
Insider Tip: OK fine so this makes #11, but we just can’t leave out Spread in North Park. Spread provides the rarest fruits, vegetables, and edible flowers to create a specialized and out of the ordinary vegetarian and vegan menu. Relying on fresh organic produce found daily at local farms and farmer's markets, Spread works with a different menu daily - creating an alternative experience for all diners. Sample dishes include banana curry oatmeal - which includes caramelized onions, red carrots, and savory oatmeal, lavender guacamole; and the hibiscus blossom mole that includes unique ingredients such as hibiscus essence, rose, grilled vegetables, and corn tortillas. Drinks are natural as well; fresh roses float in water glasses and mixed drinks are made with potato vodka.
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