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San Fran Vegan
San Francisco
With year-round access to farmers markets, a serious farm-to-table obsession, and a transcendent advocacy for sustainability, Northern California boasts some of the country’s best plant-based restaurants. From Spicy Tofuna Rolls to Vegan Burgers with a side of Seaweed Fries, this city is home to an extensive range of options that go beyond the usual salad—almost every cuisine imaginable has a vegetarian-friendly counterpart here! Whether you’re already a determined greens-only foodie, a dieter looking for healthier options, or an indulger that just needs to balance last night’s pizza and booze, here’s a list of San Francisco’s best vegan restaurants to fill you right up. We also snuck in some shopping alternatives for days when you’d rather whip up a meal at home!
Take your Taco Tuesdays to Gracias Madre, San Francisco’s answer to vegan Mexican food! Picture this: handmade non-GMO corn tortillas, nut-based queso, and fresh guacamole, all sourced from the restaurant’s own organic farm in Pleasants Valley, California. Must-eats include Coliflor Frito (Spanish for “fried cauliflower,” topped with spicy cashew cheese), Tacos (tostadas filled with eggplant, butternut squash, and mushrooms), and Platanos con Mole Negro (Spanish for “plantains in dark mole” with cashew cream and sesame seeds). Pair it with one of Gracias Madre’s cocktails—hey, alcohol can be vegan, too—and catch yourself singing “Ole, ole, ole!”
- +1 415 683 1346
2211 Mission Street, San Francisco, California, USA
- https://gracias-madre.com/
Whatever your vegan heart craves first thing in the morning, Nourish Cafe has it! From sweet and savory gluten-free toasts to colorful açai bowls, the restaurant prides itself for having a 100% plant-based menu, using only organic, whole food, and non-GMO ingredients, that’s perfect to kickstart your day. Nourish Cafe dishes out an array of inventive salads—the “Tuna” Bowl (featuring nut “tuna” made of sunflower seeds, celery, almonds, onions, tahini, and kelp flakes) and the Bibimbap Bowl, in particular, are crowd favorites. On weekends, join Inner Richmond’s health-conscious families for a helping of Quinoa Waffles from the brunch menu.
- +1 415 571 8780
189 6th Avenue, San Francisco, California, USA
- https://www.nourishcafesf.com/
You’ll gobble up Shizen’s Spicy Tofuna Roll (made of spicy tofu and cucumber, topped with tapioca) so fast, you won’t even have time to realize that it’s missing sushi’s main ingredient. That’s right, the modern zen restaurant crafts delectable veggie rolls and nigiri sans the raw fish! On a chilly day, indulge in a bowl of Shizen’s vegan ramen—handmade noodles swimming in rich vegetable-based broth—that comes with bean curd chashu, bamboo shoots, tempura and grilled mushrooms, and nori.
- +1 415 678 5767
370 14th Street, San Francisco, California, USA
- https://www.shizensf.com/
The Flying Falafel’s chef-owner Assaf Pashut encourages you to “get falafelized” as he throws deep-fried veggie balls your way—sometimes, literally—from his brick-and-mortar on Market Street. The flavor-packed Middle Eastern snack is so addictive that you’ll have to stop yourself from ordering every variation on the menu!
- +1 415 964 1003
1051 Market Street, San Francisco, California, USA
- https://www.flyingfalafel.com/
For all your vegan party needs, Rainbow Grocery has got you covered with an extensive section of local, organic, and non-GMO goods—including herbs, grains, teas, chocolates, nut butters, olive oils, and homemade pastas—to cook up a wholesome feast! While filling your shopping cart, take time to appreciate the independent co-op’s worker-owner system, and strike up a conversation with the staff to navigate the ins-and-outs of the store.
- +1 415 863 0620
1745 Folsom Street, San Francisco, California, USA
- https://www.rainbow.coop/
Annie Somerville’s Greens Restaurant, a pioneer in San Francisco’s farm-to-table movement, has maintained its place among the city’s best food joints—even against its meat-serving competition. Here, fresh, inventive, and globally inspired dishes made of the freshest seasonal ingredients from local farmers dominate the avant garde meatless menu. Pair your meal with a glass of wine selected specifically to complement your vegan banquet as you enjoy a gorgeous view of the Golden Gate Bridge and the Marina.
- +1 415 771 6222
2 Marina Boulevard, Fort Mason Center, Building A, San Francisco, California, USA
- https://greensrestaurant.com/
Pretty much an Asian vegan heaven, Golden Era Vegan Restaurant serves Vietnamese, Chinese, Indian, and Thai food that’s all veggie. While greens abound here, the joint’s biggest draw is its meat substitute dishes, which are said to be very close to the real thing. Go ahead and lure your carnivorous friends for a healthier dinner—you might just be able to convert them into the plant-based lifestyle!
- +1 415 487 8687
395 Golden Gate Avenue, San Francisco, California, USA
- https://goldeneravegan.com/
Inspired by spiritual leader Sri Chinmoy, Ananda Fuara delivers healthy comfort food to satisfy the earthly body in a peaceful atmosphere designed to nurture the internal soul. Try the restaurant’s Neatloaf Sandwich (grains, eggs, ricotta cheese, tofu, and spices blended together, then baked—vegan upon request), a one-of-a-kind dish that’s a must on the table!
- +1 415 621 1994
1298 Market Street, San Francisco, California, USA
- https://anandafuara.com/
The only plant-based Thai restaurant in San Francisco, Thai Idea Vegetarian dishes out the classics with slight contemporary touches, made only with high quality fresh ingredients. Start with a Som Tum Salad (green papaya salad), followed by Pad Kee Mow Noodles (spicy stir-fried rice noodles) and Praram (steamed veggie meat and mixed vegetables smothered in peanut sauce). Throw in some Fried Rice in there, too, while you’re at it!
- +1 415 440 8344
710 Polk Street, San Francisco, California, USA
- https://www.thaiideavegetariansf.com/
To curb those junk food cravings, head to VeganBurg on Haight Street for an entirely vegan menu of your favorite fast food eats. Their signature burgers consist of GMO-free patties, farm fresh greens, and gourmet sauce tucked in fiber-fueled, gluten-free burger buns. Of course, you have to order a side of Seaweed Fries or Sizzlin’ Broccoli! Even dessert is guilt-free here, so end your visit with a cone of non-dairy soft serve ice cream.
- +1 415 548 8000
1466 Haight Street, San Francisco, California, USA
- https://www.veganburg.com/
“Fine vegan dining” restaurant IndoChine Vegan takes Korean cuisine on a vegan ride, transforming traditional dishes into non-meat, dairy-free meals. Standouts include the rice clay pots, soy chicken and beef options, and the Spicy Cha-Cha (“shrimp” made of yams, wok-fried with spices, bell pepper, celery, and chili).
- +1 415 701 0700
508 Valencia Street, San Francisco, California, USA
- https://indochinevegan.com/
Ferry Plaza Farmers Market (Ferry Building Marketplace)
1 saveSan Francisco, United States • Recommendation •
Sometimes, the best vegan meals are made at home! Stock up your kitchen with organic produce from over 100 fruit and vegetable growers at Ferry Plaza Farmers Market—right in front of San Francisco’s iconic Ferry Building. Held thrice a week, the bazaar offers cooking demos and free public education programs to inspire your next healthy recipe! Although, after spending a few hours here, you’ll probably find yourself full from trying all the delicious samples laid out along your route!
- +1 415 983 8030
One Ferry Building #50, San Francisco, California, USA
- https://www.ferrybuildingmarketplace.com/farmers-market
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