When it comes to plant-based living, Californians are truly spoiled and double that in San Francisco. Our City by the Sea is home to some award-winning, innovative and trail-blazing veg-friendly chefs, and a lot of our best eateries are blending traditional international flavors with mind-melting modern techniques.
If you're a vegan or vegetarian new to the scene or visiting SF on vacation, you'll want to make note of these top-tier plant-based spots. Whether fully veg or just really veg-friendly, these are some of the best vegetarian eateries in San Francisco, with a bit of East Bay flavor sprinkled in for good measure.
See also: 5 Tips to Adopt a More Plant-Based Lifestyle From The Bizerkeley Vegan
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698 Haight St / (415) 252-7912 / Website
Have every inch your veggies packed with immense flavor with this Ethiopian option in Lower Haight! Bright, cozy, and relaxed, Axum Cafe on the corner of this sunny neighborhood makes you feel like you've leisurely entered someone's peaceful home kitchen, and you can guarantee the cooking will nourish you properly as well. The Tibsie Mushroom with onions, peppers, and tomatoes is rich, as well as the Alicha with sautéed potatoes, carrots, and cabbage, though the best deal is their Veggie Combo for One that allows you to sample both and plenty more!
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300 Grove St / (415) 861-0625 / Website
Plant-based Italian food? Please sign us up. The totally plant-based menu takes tradition for a magical spin. These meatballs and lasagna bolognese are meat-free without any lack of flavor, and truffle gnocchi, creamy polenta and lemon-butter milanese seals the deal. Don't miss out on Baia's brunch featuring cacio e pepe scramble, semolina pancakes and a full list of cocktails, wines and non-alcoholic brews.
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1275 Minnesota St / (415) 580-7662 / Website
Chef Hanna heads this South Asian-inspired kitchen, honing in on the traditions of India’s Gujarati culture. Having cut her teeth at La Cocina, she now serves regionally-specific foods representing the Vadodara, Rajkot, Ahmedabad and Surat cities. Try the pav bhaji puffs, drunken pani puri and cheesy paresh's paratha, then pair your bites with delicious chutneys, pickled sides and other exciting options.
See also: Chef Heena Patel's Besharam Boldly & Authentically Elevates Comforting Childhood Favorites
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1954 University Ave., Berkeley / (510) 984-0818 / Website
How can a chicken parmesan sandwich be vegan? What about A1 steak and potatoes? At Butcher's Son, everything on the menu is 100 percent plant-based, and it is sure to blow your flavor-lovin' mind. This is the kind of hearty food that makes a carnivores mouth water, from the smoked pastrami reuben to the spicy panko-crusted squash and ricotta kaiser. If you ever had a doubt about plant-based eating, this is the proof.
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762 Valencia St / (415) 252-7825 / Website
This serene Valencia escape upholds the traditional Buddhist vegetarian and vegan cuisine known as "Shojin Ryori," which places utmost reverence on fresh produce utilized in classic Japanese favorites. Their various sushi are all delightfully packed with seasoned veggies, while the tempura, sukiyaki, and udon noodles all come in generous servings and won't have you missing the meat at all. This is a zen hidden gem that is perfect for sushi lovers, and those looking to ease in if they're unfamiliar.
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2211 Mission St / Website
One of California’s greatest culinary strengths is its incredible Mexican food, but one can tire of eating bean burritos day in and out. At this Mission staple, you don't have to ask, because everything is veg-friendly. The chimichangas with tempeh chorizo and cashew chipotle aioli are to die for, and the nachos "gracias" with jackfruit carnitas will have you dancing in your seat. This is where tradition meets modern in a whole new dimension.
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Building A, 2 Marina Blvd / (415) 771-6222 / Website
Talk about vision: Green restaurant opened in the Bay area in 1979 and changed the way people though about plant-based foods. Founded and led by female chefs including Deborah Madison, Annie Somerville, Denise St. Onge and current Executive Chef Katie Reicher, everything from the artistic interior to the menu at this legendary spot has been thoughtfully curated. Their Yaki Onigiri Griddle Cakes, Pear & Goat Cheese Tartine, and Spring Vegetable Korma truly cannot be missed.
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508 Valencia St / (415) 701-0700 / Website
Another great inclusive option on Valencia is Indochine, beloved for their fabulous affordability, expansive Asian menu, and trendy, intimate interior. There is a wide range of different cuisines from all over the large continent, many of which are all under $15! Definitely opt for the Sizzling Teriyaki Vegan "Chicken," the Kanpyo with creamy Calabash Gourd, and their must-try Vietnamese Fragrant Claypot Rice with toasty rice and soy protein. Wash it all down with their many refreshing smoothies, like their jam-packed Superfood Smoothie, for an ultimate revitalization before continuing to explore the bustling street.
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3906 Judah St / (415) 665-8423 / Website
Want to connect with nature by the water with an equally natural meal? Waking up to a generous meal from Judahlicious will truly set your day off right. Right by Ocean Beach, this is the ultimate snug stop that handcrafts artistic meals quick and easy, like their divine acai bowls and large burritos. Snag a window seat and make some friends at this local beachside community landmark.
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5912 College Ave., Oakland / (510) 735-9459 / Website
Serving inspiring vegan dishes since 1994, Millennium Restaurant has been recognized as a Bib Gourmand by the Michelin guide since 2016. A quick trip over the bridge brings you dynamic flavors, sustainable servings and fine cocktail pairings. Try the coriander and arborio crusted oyster mushrooms, plum and black pepper glazed tempeh, and definitely the grilled polenta plum cake for dessert. This place is popular, so don’t expect to walk in without a reservation.
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301 Hayes St / (415) 916-8548 / Website
Perhaps the newest addtion to the city, Rad Radish has garnered instant acclaim for their vividly colorful atmosphere, and delicious meals at even more fun prices. A bright cornerstone to the equally trendy Hayes Valley neighborhood, their brunch and bowls are Instagrammable and inventice as they are packed to the brim with nutrients, as evident in their Neatball Masala with supergrains, pickled carrots, and coconut masala, and their gingery Spicy Curry Bowl with turmeric, forbidden rice, and yams. Don't miss out on starting the day here too, especially with their crispy tindle Chicken & red velvet beet and flaxseed Waffles with chili butter!
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370 14th St / (415) 678-5767 / Website
if you're concerned about overfishing but still want your sushi kicks, Shizen is the karma-free eatery you need to try. Japanese tradition meets Californian flavors on this show-stopping, fully-vegan sushi menu. Start your meal with some Shizen poke, then marvel at the plant-based nigiri that includes marinated eggplant, pickled green mango and asparagus with garlic citrus aioli. Classic rolls abound, from spicy tofuna to avocado, and you can even try some vegan ramen.
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500 Lake Park Ave, Oakland / (415) 707-0284 / Website
Craving the richness of southern comfort food, but don't want any of the heavy meat or unhealthy additions? The Vegan Mob thought of the exact same thing. This is a hip and modern truck based in Oakland that still channels the same love in their charbroiled vegan brisket and BBQ. Fast, friendly, and full of flavor, this is a hefty homestyle taste of comfort, all without the guilt.
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2000 Union St / (415) 872-7350 / Website
Adriano Paganini heads this plant-based, seasonal eatery that serves hearty dishes packed with fresh flavor. Sourcing exclusively from northern California, Wildseed pairs delightful plates with local beer, cocktails and biodynamic wines. The menu is ever changing with items to share, salads, pizza, entrees and bowls. Imagine roasted beet tostadas, butternut squash and ricotta ravioli, spicy yellow curry and fall pizza pies—now you're starting to get the idea.
No matter where you are in the city, you can count on San Francisco to deliver plant-based options in the most creative, culturally-authentic, and flavorful ways!
See also: The 10 Best Spots For Mocktails In San Francisco
Photography by: Courtesy of Alexander Spatari/Getty Images
