The 10 Best Places To Eat Vegan in San Francisco, California

It’s no surprise that San Francisco is one of the most flavorful places to find plant-based fare. This city has so many eateries with plant-based menu offerings, from local post-workout cafés to elegant fine dining experiences. We’ve rounded up ten of the best places to eat and drink vegan in San Francisco, California. Whether you’re looking for a quick bite or a hearty dinner celebration, there’s a restaurant in town that fits the bill. Here are the 10 best places to eat vegan, vegetarian, and plant-based in San Francisco.

1. Cha-Ya

Plant Yourself: Located in San Francisco’s Mission District, this family-owned restaurant is the perfect place to grab a bite when you’re spending an evening in the city. All of the menu offerings are either vegan or vegetarian, inspired by Japanese Zen Buddhist cuisine. Chay-Ya is only open till 8 pm, so make sure you get there latest by 7:45 pm to secure a table.

Order to Share: Get started with an order of small plates, which make the perfect pairing with a glass of sake or kimono sparkling water. Try the gyoza, which are crispy pan-fried potstickers filled with vegetables and tofu.

Don’t Miss: Cha-Ya is famous for its noodle soups that are especially comforting on a chilly night in the city. A fan favorite is the Kinoko Noodle Soup, which is filled with shiitake, eryngii, oyster, and enoki mushrooms in a flavorful broth. If you’re a fan of tofu, order the Vege-Tofu curry noodle soup as it’s full of tofu, kabocha, cauliflower, broccoli, and other veggies.

Address: 762 Valencia St, San Francisco, CA 94110

2. Judahlicious

Calling All: If you’re a fan of raw vegan eats, this is surely the place to grab a bite. Judahlicious, a vegan cafe and juice bar, offers a wide selection of raw vegan entrees from mixed green salads to dehydrated tortilla wraps.

Take Note: Wheatgrass, chlorella, ginger, oh my! This juice joint has sweet offerings of many juices and smoothies filled with fruits, vegetables, herbs, and spices. Everything is made fresh to order and can be customized upon request.

Don’t Miss: Judahlicious is a go-to spot for brunch in the city due to its dishes that can please both savory and sweet breakfast lovers. If you’re looking to grab a sweet bite, have a taste of their Waffles Açaí, which comes with a gluten-free waffle topped with banana, cinnamon, vegan butter, house raw granola, açaí, and maple syrup. For a savory meal, you cannot go wrong with the Bonzo salad filled with cooked garbanzo beans, bell pepper, onion, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, and spices.

Address: 1501 Cortland Ave, San Francisco, CA 94110

3. Ananda Fuara

Calling All: breakfast and brunch lovers! Ananda Fuara offers a luscious weekend brunch with offerings such as fluffy gingerbread pancakes, crispy avocado toast, and soft scrambled tofu.

Order to Share: Whether you bring one guest or four, order the mouthwatering appetizers for the table to share. Get started with some crispy potato and pea samosas served with their chutney of the day. Or for something a little warm, try their satay skewers full of grilled vegetables and vegan Thai-spiced chicken.

Leave Room For: One of their sapid sweet treats! Try their award-winning chocolate cake, which was voted “Best Vegan Chocolate Cake” in the Bay Guardian’s Best of the Bay. There is also a yummy cashew-based Lemon Blueberry Cheesecake on a walnut, pecan, raisin, and date crust.

Address: 1298 Market St, San Francisco, CA 94102

4. Golden Era

Plant Yourself: Located only blocks away from San Francisco’s City Hall, this eatery is the go-to place for vegan cuisine in downtown. Golden Era provides veganized versions of authentic Vietnamese, Chinese, Thai, and Indian dishes. With over 50 menu offerings, there’ll be something for everyone in your party to enjoy.

Take Note: Golden Era is known for their specialty dishes, which takes plant-based proteins like oyster mushrooms and packs them with authentic spices. A fan favorite is the Curry King Mushroom, a gluten-free dish with king oyster mushrooms, onion, bell peppers, green beans, and cabbage –– all sauteed in a spicy lemongrass curry sauce.

Leave Room For: After your entree, make sure to save room for dessert. Golden Era offers a wide selection of delectable vegan sweets, like mocha almond cake and carrot cupcake. For a healthier, more fruity treat, sip on one of their fresh smoothies.

Address: 395 Golden Gate Ave, San Francisco, CA 94102

5. BAIA

Calling All: Italian food lovers! BAIA is a plant-based Italian eatery that offers authentic dishes such as spaghetti, risotto, and panna cotta. Located in San Francisco’s quaint Hayes Valley Neighborhood, this is the perfect fine dining restaurant that will satisfy all your plant-based cravings.

Order to Share: From a small gathering to a large party, BAIA’s selection of appetizers will be sure to please every guest’s palate. Try the mozzarella sticks filled with creamy cashew cheese served with savory pomodoro sauce. For a crispy kick, grab a bite of their fried arancini served with a flavorful parsley aioli and topped with vegan parmesan.

Don’t Miss: BAIA is famous for their weekend brunch, which is too good to miss. Their avocado pizza is filled with goodness as it’s topped with alfredo, calabrian chili, cucumber, sprouts, and creamy avocado. If you’re craving something sweet, go for the semolina pancakes topped with macadamia ricotta, fruit, and whipped cream, which will surely brighten up your morning.

Address: 300 Grove St, San Francisco, CA 94102

6. Indochine Vegan

Plant Yourself: Whether you are craving noodles, sushi, or curry, this restaurant has all the fixings for a hearty vegan lunch. Indochine vegan is known for providing plant-based vegan fare from a variety of Asian cuisines. Located in San Francisco’s mission district, it’s a quaint spot to grab a bite while exploring the historic city.

Don’t Miss: If you’re a sushi lover, you have to try one of Indochine's specialty vegan sushi rolls. A hot favorite is the Tu-No Tempura Roll, which is filled with crispy tempura vegetables, avocado, and spicy vegan tuna. Pair that with a slice of vegan cheesecake and your tastebuds will thank you later.

Be Sure to Enjoy: The rice plates! Take a bite of the classic Indochine Stone Pot Rice that is cooked with organic tofu, vegan ham, ginger, soybean sprout, spinach, carrot and zucchini. If you’re a fan of vermicelli, try the Vietnamese Fragrant Claypot Rice filled with vermicelli, shiitake mushrooms, and soy protein.

Address: 508 Valencia St, San Francisco, CA 94110

7. Vegan Picnic

Plant Yourself: The restaurant is right in San Francisco’s Polk Gulch neighborhood, close to Japantown and Cathedral Hill. Open every day until 3 pm, this eatery offers veganized versions of deli favorites like macaroni salad, egg salad sandwiches, and grilled cheese.

Take Note: Vegan Picnic's sandwiches are truly the star of the show. If you’re looking for something warm, try the VP meatball sub which has vegan meatballs, marinara sauce, and melted vegan provolone that will be sure to not disappoint. For a cold delight, taste the caprese sandwich with Miyoko’s mozzarella, fresh tomato, balsamic and pesto –– guaranteed to warm your heart and soul.

Be Sure to Enjoy: While at Vegan Picnic, you should try the vegan sugar donuts filled with goodness. VP also offers decadent vegan chocolate brownies, so grab some friends and start munching!

Address: 1323 Polk St, San Francisco, CA 94109

8. Enjoy Vegetarian

Calling All: Chinese cuisine lovers! Enjoy Vegetarian offers veganized versions of traditional Chinese dishes. All of the dishes are made fresh to order and most are prepared with flavorful plant-based proteins like tofu and soy chicken.

Take Note: This eatery offers a delectable lunch special available from 11 am to 2 pm on most days, which includes an entree, spring roll, and a side of white or brown rice. A fan favorite is the Veggie Deluxe stir-fry, which includes veggies such as napa cabbage, mushroom, baby corn, and broccoli sauteed in a flavorful sauce.

Don’t Miss: If you’re a fan of spicy food, you have to check out some of the savory entrees that are full of heat. One tangy entree to try is the Braised String Beans with their Spicy Chili Sauce, which is packed with flavor and heat.

Address: 839 Kearny Street, San Francisco, CA 94108

9. Wildseed

Plant Yourself: Wildseed is one of the best fine dining experiences for plant-based eaters and non-vegans alike as it’s popular for its selection of seasonally-inspired dishes. Make a reservation to try some hearty plant-based fare created fresh to order with predominantly whole, unprocessed foods.

Order to Share: This restaurant is known for spicing up vegetables into immaculate appetizers that can be ordered for the table for every guest to savor. For a crowd favorite, share the mezze plate that has crispy green falafel, smoked white bean hummus, baba ghanoush, marinated feta, seeded flatbread, and a delicious quinoa salad with a pomegranate vinaigrette.

Don’t Miss: When dining at Wildseed, be sure to taste one of their exquisite pizza creations. If you love greens, you’ll enjoy their Green Forest pie with chimichurri, broccolini, arugula, lemon, and mozzarella. The Spicy Sausage pie also packs a punch as it’s loaded with Beyond Meat sausage, red onions, calabrian chili, basil, and marinara.

Address: 2000 Union St, San Francisco, CA 94123

10. Vida Cantina

Calling All: Mexican cuisine lovers! Vida Cantina has the best Mexican food in town made with fresh plant-based ingredients. Vida serves a variety of authentic dishes like tacos, burritos, and enchiladas that will surely hold a special place in your heart.

Don’t Miss: The Taco Tuesday special. The cauliflower and vida chorizo street taco and veggie street taco with onion, cilantro, and salsa verde is just $2! If you arrive during happy hour which spans from 5 to 6:30 pm, score a deal on VC's Mom’s Taquitos, which are filled with potatoes, mushrooms, cabbage, and vegan queso fresco–for just $5.

Leave Room For: Vida Cantina is known for its sweet and savory mocktails, which make the perfect accompaniment to any one of their delicious entrees. For a sweet and salty twist, sip on the Pica Pina with mango, lime, tepache, jalapeño, soda water, and a chili salt rim, which will be sure to satisfy your taste buds.

Address: 56 Belden Pl, San Francisco, CA 94104

For more delicious plant-based restaurants, check out The Beet's many City Guides.