Best Vegan Restaurants San Diego

5 Best San Diego vegan places you must try

By Natalie Neece

Vegan Dish

vegenista.com

Being vegan in San Diego is much easier compared to other cities like San Fransisco; easier to find and affordable. When you dine out, it can be hard to choose the best option that will satisfy your taste buds and help fuel your body. Lucky for us San Diegans, we have a mouthful of healthy options for eating healthy.

Here is the best 5 vegan restaurants in San Diego.

Peace Pies

133 Daphne St Encinitas, CA 92024 | (760) 479-0996 | Online

Peace Pies’ philosophy on food is to offer 100% vegan, raw and soy and gluten free food to customers in both of their locations.The website also claims that the restaurants operate on a zero-waste policy where all of their food scraps are composted and and biodegradable packaging. To start try Cheezy Kelp n’ Kale salad, marinated in a creamy cheez sauce with kelp noodles, topped with sundried olives, red bell pepper and avocado. Also try the Magical Mango Curry Wrap- avocado, mango & mixed veggies wrapped in a coconut tortilla. Served with coconut curry sauce.

Lotus Cafe

765 S Coast Hwy 101, Encinitas, CA 92024 | (760) 479-1977 | Online

Lotus Cafe is Encinitas’ 101 one-of-a-kind locally owned and operated hot spot serving up healthy natural foods. It's also one of the rare places in San Diego that offers vegan ice cream. The style and vibe of the interior is offer a peaceful atmosphere while enjoying lush and plentiful foods.

The menu is primarily vegetarian but they also offer many fish, chicken, and turkey options, with a fish special every night. There is also a turkey burger for our non-vegetarian patrons.

After a yoga class or bike ride on the 101, enjoy their organic juice bar infused with fresh organic wheatgrass shots. The juice bar also offers a wide selection of fruit smoothies (made with fruit juice and fruit only) and milk shakes that can be made vegan.

Native Foods

127 North El Camino Real Encinitas, CA 92024 | (760) 634-7607 | Online

Native Foods (full review here) is the premier chef-crafted plant-based restaurant serving delicious made-from-scratch meals that are friendly to the earth and your body. The most requested items include the Meatball Sub, award winning Ensalada Azteca, Oklahoma Bacon Cheeseburger, Native Nachos, Moroccan Bowl and Peanut Butter Parfait…a flavor for everyone. For dessert, order the vegan cupcake, you'll thank me later!

Native Foods has 3 San Diego locations that offer a friendly vibe for all our guests who enter the restaurant; both long time regulars and first-timers alike. From the bright and cheerful chalk art that plays tribute the the local neighborhood to the smiling staff that greet you upon arrival. Native Foods is proud to be serving up sunshine since 1994.

Summer seasonal specials: Grilled Avocado Plate, freshly grilled with greens, tofu bacon, radishes and lemon vinaigrette and the Summer Berry Salad, fresh summer blueberries and strawberries tossed with kale, romaine, seasonal veggies and mango lime dressing.

Swami's Cafe

1163 S Coast Hwy 101 Encinitas, CA 92024 | (760) 944-0612 | Online

With nine locations now in San Diego, Swami’s the true post surf haven, especially with the Encinitas location being across the street from Swami’s beach. Enter the shack like home covered in hippie wisdom and politically driven stickers and drawings and order a hearty breakfast burrito or refreshing Acai bowel. For lunch they have great salads and wraps. They’re dog friendly too so don’t be afraid to bring your four legged friend. It get’s pretty packed on the weekends but it’s worth the wait. Grab a bite and after stroll over to the Meditation Gardens.

Tin Leaf

Plaza Paseo Real, 6985 El Camino Real #108, Carlsbad, CA | (760) 431-5323 | Online

Located in North Carlsbad near the Aviara Resort & Spa, is local fresh kitchen Tin Leaf. Their mission is to create a neighborhood gathering place that serves affordably priced chef quality fresh food in a relaxed and a friendly environment. What makes this healthy restaurant unique is Tinleaf makes a conscience choice to support local purveyors and businesses, use recycled products and design features, recycle its own waste, and use energy efficient appliances whenever possible to minimally impact the environment. You can walk in for fresh specials for breakfast, lunch and dinner and even use them to cater your next party. From soups, salads and sandwiches to filling entrees Tin Leaf is your neighborhood top for quality dining with out breaking your bank.