Heading to sunny Southern California and wondering where to find delicious plant-based food? In this San Diego Vegan Guide, you’ll learn about the best vegan(-friendly) restaurants, with a map of where to eat vegan. Whether you’re craving breakfast with pancakes, a flavorful dinner, or a refreshing snack in between, this guide has you covered for the best vegan spots in San Diego!
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What to Expect
(as a Vegan in San Diego)
San Diego, known for its SoCal coastline and vibrant culture, is a paradise for plant-based foodies. If you’re wondering where to eat vegan in San Diego, you’re in for a treat. Even though it’s not the most well-known vegan city in California, SD shines through a diverse culinary scene influenced by fresh Californian produce, Mexican cuisine, and global flavors. For instance, you can find comfort food with dishes like lasagna and wood-fired pizzas, and unique East-meets-West experiences. Overall, San Diego is a great city to be vegan in with lots of delicious food options. From fully vegan restaurants to popular local hotspots with a vegan-friendly menu.
You’ll also find that not only is the food scene diverse, but also the types of restaurants. San Diego has something for everyone, including vegan brunch lovers, acai bowl enthusiasts, and those who enjoy vibrant cocktails.
Ready to uncover the best vegan spots in the city? Keep reading to find out more!
Need more advice?
Make your plant-based experience even better.
Read about the best tips & tools on finding vegan food while traveling.
Where to Eat Vegan in San Diego
To navigate San Diego’s top plant-based food spots, a map is your best friend! Below, you’ll find a handy map to save for later, making it easy to discover vegan eats as you travel.
Map of Vegan Places in San Diego
Breakfast Republic
Starting with a local favorite for (vegan) breakfast in San Diego: Breakfast Republic. If you believe breakfast shouldn’t only be served in the morning, this is your place to be. This restaurant chain can be found all around Southern California and impresses with mouthwatering brekkie classics. The San Diego location has a charming outdoor seating area, perfect for hangouts with friends – vegan or not, you’ll love it here!
vegan breakfast burrito, jammin’ bennie, avocado toast
vegan breakfast burrito, jammin’ bennie, avocado toast
Kindred
Next on the list of the best vegan food in San Diego, the restaurant and bar Kindred. This is the perfect place if you’re looking for something unique and trendy. The restaurant has an eccentric interior space with cute pink wallpaper and hints of an esoteric style. Besides being super instagrammable, the diverse and fully vegan food selection makes Kindred a must-visit vegan spot in San Diego.
Red House Pizza
Searching for the best vegan-friendly pizzeria? Try Red House Pizza in University Heights. This restaurant opened in 2010 and has since served gourmet Cali-style pizzas with an abundance of vegan options. The separate vegan menu offers anything from starters, baked pasta, a huge pizza selection, and dessert. All their ingredients are local and fresh to guarantee tasty flavors with Italian inspiration.
vegan cheesy garlic bread
vegan pasta, “Utah” pizza
Choice Superfood Bar & Juicery
San Diego can get quite hot, especially in the summer, so what’s better than a refreshing smoothie? At Choice, you’ll find those trendy and colorful smoothies & açaí bowls that will look amazing on your Instagram! In addition to serving nutritious food and beverages, they’re also a wellness shop featuring exclusive health products, making it a fun place to explore while you wait for your order.
Fig Tree Cafe
Another breakfast spot with vegan options is Fig Tree Cafe. Beachy vibes, cute decor, and delicious food. This trendy boho & surf-inspired interior creates a vibrant SoCal ambiance you don’t want to miss. Even though the vegan selection isn’t big, the offered food items are super delicious and look beautiful too.
Lemon Strawberry French Toast, Cauliflower & Chorizo Bennie
Grains
A vegan hotspot serving yummy dishes with a unique East-meets-West style is the restaurant Grains. The trendy interior and outdoor seating are perfect for get-togethers and totally worth experiencing while in San Diego. Especially if you love dishes with an Asian twist!
Evolution Fast Food
You’re looking for fully vegan comfort food like burgers and cheesecake? Then, a must-try is Evolution, a place dedicated to helping the planet by serving tasty and sustainable “fast food”. The food doesn’t just look absolutely delicious and fresh, it also tastes like that!
Donna Jean
Located near Evolution, you’ll find Donna Jean – a great place for dinner dates and outings with friends. It’s known for the outdoor garden area with cute fairy lights, creating a whimsical atmosphere. The restaurant was opened in 2017 with the goal of making sustainable and local plant-based foods. They even have a location in L.A.
Tacotarian
Among the top vegan restaurants in San Diego, you’ll find the plant-based Mexican eatery Tacotarian. It was even voted the USA’s #1 Vegan Taqueria and has multiple locations in Las Vegas and San Diego. In addition to tasty food, the interior is super trendy with vibrant colors and Aztec touches.
Plant Power Fast Food
For those who can’t get enough of fast-food-styled dishes, Plant Power is your place to be. With many locations across California, this traditional American burger & shakes restaurant is known to have some of the best vegan food around. It even holds multiple accolades for best vegan burgers and fast food over the years. A total must-visit for vegans!
Peace Pies
To finish this list of where to eat vegan in San Diego, Peace Pies is an absolute must-visit. This cute boho café with a raw vegan menu is perfect for those who love cheesecakes. The unique and mouthwatering flavors of the beautifully assembled foods & desserts made Peace Pies rank #53 in Yelp’s 2024 Top 100 Places to Eat in the U.S. Also, the outdoor seating and flower mural create a charming and inviting place.
That concludes where to find the best vegan food in San Diego!
With all the mentioned food spots, you should now be ready to explore SD as a vegan. Don’t forget to save this guide for later so you can easily find vegan spots in San Diego.
Please also share your suggestions for vegan food spots in the comments! 🙂
Need more vegan guides? Check out these:
Oahu Vegan Guide || Phoenix Vegan Guide
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