Where to get the Best Vegan Food in San Diego, California

Where to Get Bomb Vegan Food in San Diego (By a Local!)

When it comes to food, San Diego is perhaps best known for its fish tacos and meaty California burritos, but did you know that this is one of the best cities in the US for vegans? Trust me when I say that eating your way through all of the best vegan restaurants in San Diego is going to be a real treat!

Once you start doing a little digging, you’ll quickly realize that you can have it all – from authentic Mexican and Vietnamese to raw vegan dishes, classic comfort food, and some of the most delicious and creative plant-based “meats” you’ve ever tasted. 

While there are tons of vegan-friendly places in town, this article focuses on 10 of the best vegan restaurants in San Diego. But this is a sprawling city, so no matter which part of San Diego you’re in, you can always download the Happy Cow app for free and find all the vegan and vegan-friendly options near you.

But for now, these 10 options should at least give you an idea of just how incredible and diverse the vegan food in San Diego is!

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase or booking through one of our links we may earn a small commission (don’t worry, it’s at no extra cost to you).


10 of the Best Vegan Restaurants in San Diego

1. Tacotarian

Best Vegan Food in San Diego: Tacotarian
Image credits to Jay Cariaga

You pretty much have to eat Mexican food if you’re visiting San Diego, and thankfully Tacotarian offers an incredible menu of “meaty” plant-based tacos. Think chili-braised jackfruit barbacoa, portobello mushroom asada, seitan al pastor and carne asada, Gardein chicken milanesa, birria tacos with gooey cheese and dipping sauce… you get the idea!

From mashed potato-filled flautas to French fry-stuffed Cali burritos and queso fundido with Good Planet cheese, you’ll want to try everything on Tacotarian’s menu.

North Park: 4332 30th St, San Diego


2. Peace Pies

Peace Pies has been serving up 100% raw vegan, gluten-free, and soy-free fare to San Diegans for over 17 years and they’re still going strong with not one but two locations. There’s a lot to love about this menu, from the healthy starters to the veggie-packed salads to the nutritious hemp shakes. 

When it comes to raw vegan food in San Diego, you’ve got to visit Peace Pies for their creative entrees like the Luna Tuna Wrap with sunflower seed tuna pate, the Magical Mango Curry Wrap with coconut curry sauce, and the Voltaire Street Tacos with flax-zucchini shells and walnut meat, to name a few options.

Leucadia: 133 Daphne Street, San Diego

Ocean Beach: 4230 Voltaire St, San Diego


3. Ben & Esther’s Vegan Jewish Deli

Personally, I’m always a sucker for a Jewish deli and I love that San Diego is home to a fully vegan one. Ben & Esther’s is easily one of the best vegan restaurants in San Diego if you’re craving comfort food.

It’s not like vegan Jewish delis are all that common, so it’s a true treat to try traditional deli sandwiches like their Classic Reuben, Egg Salad, Turkey-Bacon Club, Benny’s Brisket, or The Grand Puba with corned beef, turkey, steak, bacon, and Swiss cheese.

Come here for breakfast and you can also treat yourself to bagels slathered with a variety of smears or a bagel sandwich filled with everything from eggs, cheese, and sausage to steak, bacon, and even lox! 

College Area: 6663 El Cajon Blvd Suite Q, San Diego


4. The Plot

Must-try Vegan Food in San Diego: The Plot
Image courtesy of Israel Palacio

If you’re on the prowl for comforting vegan food in San Diego, keep your eyes peeled for one of The Plot‘s two SD locations in Oceanside and Carlsbad (The Plot Express). There’s also a third location up north in Costa Mesa.

The plant-based menu at the Oceanside location is the stuff of your vegan comfort food dreams. Think Chicken & Waffles, Biscuits & Gravy, Meatless Loaf, and Shepherd’s Pie. But there’s also a tempting selection of salads, wraps, burritos, and more. At the time of writing, this branch is only open from Wednesday to Sunday, so it’s best to check the hours before you go. 

The Plot Express in Carlsbad has a more limited menu, but it’s a great place to grab a plant-based wrap, salad, or bowl to go.

Oceanside: 1733 South Coast Hwy, Oceanside

Carlsbad (The Plot Express): 2956 Roosevelt St. #3, Carlsbad


5. Thanh Tinh Chay

Located in Little Saigon, Thanh Tinh Chay is one of the best vegan restaurants in San Diego if you’re craving Vietnamese food. The menu here is huge and you’ll have a tough time choosing between all of the authentic noodle soups, rice and noodles dishes, spring rolls, and banh mi sandwiches. 

I personally feel like you can’t go wrong with the bì cuốn (fresh spring rolls), bánh xèo (a crispy mushroom and tofu-stuffed pancake), or the bún bò Huế (“beef” noodle soup). But you should always ask what the specials are that day. This is a great place to try something you’ve never heard of before!

Talmadge (Mid-City): 4591 El Cajon Blvd, San Diego


6. Phatties Vegan Mexican Restaurant

Best Vegan Food in San Diego: Phatties Vegan Mexican Restaurant
Image courtesy of Phatties

When it comes to Mexican vegan food in San Diego, and you just happen to be in the Escondido area, do yourself a favor and go to Phatties. One thing that I love about this place is that everything is authentic and, as they say, made with “passion.”

If you ask me, you can’t go wrong with the Beyond Steak Asada Burrito stuffed with vegan cheese, pico de gallo, guacamole, and fries or the Enmoladas with soyrizo con papas and black bean picadillo, all smothered in homemade mole sauce and sprinkled with vegan cheese.

They have tons of other authentic Mexican dishes that are rarely found in vegan form, like the birria (beef stew) with jackfruit and homemade adobo sauce, chilaquiles with “eggs,” quesabirrias with jackfruit birria, and pambozo with your choice of plant-based protein. 

And do not leave this place without trying the vegan churros. They are bomb!

Escondido: 242 W. Mission Ave. Ste D, Escondido


7. Donna Jean

Must-try Vegan Food in San Diego: Donna Jean
Image courtesy of Donna Jean

The Donna Jean mission is to “make great food from the best ingredients to create a conversation about what plant-based cuisine can be.” And they execute this goal with elegance. 

With seating in the lush outdoor patio, the ambiance here is lovely. The menu features comforting seasonal Italian dishes, including truly incredible vegan pizzas (with gluten-free options upon request), handmade pastas, and heavenly desserts.  

They also have a fun brunch menu with items ranging from Buckwheat Pancakes and Biscuits & Gravy to Chicken Fried Shrooms and Cinnamon Roll French Toast. This place does get crowded, so it’s best to make reservations through the website ahead of time, just to be safe.

Bankers Hill: 2949 Fifth Ave, San Diego


8. Trilogy Sanctuary 

If you plan on eating your way through the best vegan restaurants in San Diego, you’ll want to have Trilogy Sanctuary on your list. This place also doubles as a yoga studio, so check the website if you’d like to sign up for one of their aerial yoga classes!

But if you’re just here for the food, you’ll love dining on the rooftop terrace overlooking lovely La Jolla. Peruse the menu and you’ll find a creative selection of 100% organic, vegan, and gluten-free dishes, making this a great option if you’re searching for healthy vegan food in San Diego.

Expect a long list of smoothies, acai and pitaya bowls, salads, wraps, and entrees like the Mediterranean Squash with superfood parmesan or the Mac n Cheeze with rosemary cashew cheese sauce.

La Jolla: 7650 Girard Ave #400, La Jolla


9. Modern Times Far West Lounge 

Modern Times Far West Lounge is easily one of the coolest vegan restaurants in San Diego because it’s an excellent brewery that offers a full menu of plant-based goodness. 

This place is super popular, but if you can snag a seat, you can take your pick of over 30 taps of brews and beverages and a sinfully tempting list of gourmet vegan pub grub. From the Filet O’ Fishless and the Cali Deluxe Impossible Burger and the Grilled Cheese to the Nashville Chicken Tacos and Bulgogi Fries, you’re going to want to try everything on this menu!

Encinitas: 470 S. Coast Highway 101, Encinitas


10. The Purple Mint

If you’re craving Asian food, The Purple Mint has got you covered. This place is all about cooking up vegan pan-Asian dishes with a healthy twist that will keep you coming back for more.

You can start with apps like the Fiery “Shrimp” or the Satay “Chicken” Lettuce Wraps before digging into the Green Papaya “Beef Jerky” Salad, Vietnamese Banh Mi Sandwich, “Chicken” or “Beef” Pho, or the Sizzling “Steak Filet Mignon.”

They also have a fun drinks menu with options like the delicious Vietnamese-style coffee with vegan condensed milk and Thai iced tea with organic almond milk. 

City Heights: 4616 El Cajon Blvd #3 San Diego

That it! A local’s guide to 10 of the best vegan restaurants in San Deigo. What’s your favorite? Let us know in the comments below!


Author

  • Justine Lopez - Bio Photo

    Justine is a writer and editor who always seems to take the unconventional route in life. She also suffers from a serious case of wanderlust!

    In 2013, she left her hometown in California and set off on a yearlong round-the-world journey with her now-husband – they never looked back. Since then, she’s lived the expat life in Indonesia, Cambodia, China, Vietnam, Mexico, and now Dubai. Along the way, she's written and edited for magazines, newspapers, and websites in Asia and beyond.

    When she's not stoking her wanderlust by working on travel articles for Wandering Wheatleys, Justine is busy caring for her many foster cats in Dubai, seeking out all the delicious vegetarian food, and taking every chance she gets to explore a new corner of the world!

    View all posts Favorite Destinations: Cuba, Indonesia, Italy, Mexico, Vietnam, and so many more! Top Travel Experiences: Backpacking across Cuba before smartphones were a thing, motorbiking to surreal beaches in Bali, kayaking among towering limestone karsts with her mom in Vietnam, unexpectedly swimming with a pod of dolphins in Maui. Local Expertise: USA (California), Southeast Asia (Cambodia, Indonesia, and Vietnam), and the UAE Currently Living in: Dubai, UAE Fun Facts: These days, Justine always has an apartment full of foster rescue kitties; she has to try any Mexican food she comes across in any new city she travels to (it’s often terrible!); she once moved to a Mexican town based off of a photo she saw on Instagram (the food there was incredible!).

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *