California: 17 Vegan Friendly Places to Eat
- karenconnolly59
- May 13
- 4 min read
Updated: Jul 18
"Fuelling Our Bodies with Kindness and Plants: A Guide to Vegan Dining in California"
We toured California and parts of Nevada over 21 days, searching for the best vegan dining spots. In this guide, we'll share our recommended places and others we tried that didn't quite meet the mark.
The Vegan Scene in California: A Culinary Adventure
Following a plant-based diet is definitely possible in California. During our trip, we discovered fully vegan cafés, bistros, and restaurants that showcased amazing plant-based choices.
Sadly, our journey occurred in 2022, meaning some fantastic eateries are no longer operational. However, we've included these spots for completeness, as we believe they still deserve recognition. A big shout out to those owners who worked hard to create these vegan havens, even if they weren't sustainable in the long run.
So...California: 17 Vegan-Friendly Places to Eat - Where Are They?
1. San Francisco
Nourish Cafe was our breakfast staple, where we enjoyed avocado on sourdough and took away Nourish Bowls. The food was mouth-watering, and the walk from our hotel in Nob Hill was worth it. Unfortunately, this café has relocated and is now permanently closed, which is a big loss for the community.
Tonga Tiki Bar and Restaurant, located in the Fairmont Hotel in Nob Hill, is a unique dining experience. Although it's not fully plant-based, they offer Asian-Fusion dishes. Enjoy being seated around a beautiful lagoon while a live band serenades you. It's casual dress for dinner, and you can watch simulated thunderstorms from a cozy spot—something refreshing, especially for those of us who are no strangers to heavy downpours!
La Mar resides at Pier 1 1/2, showcasing Peruvian-style dining with vegan options. Each dish resembles a work of art and is absolutely delicious. The atmosphere is lively, making it a must-visit.
2. Yountville - Napa Valley
Yountville offers several restaurants with diverse styles and cuisines. Lucy Restaurant and Bar deserves a mention for its vegan options. The vegetables are harvested from Lucy's own garden. Though there are non-vegan options for your companions, the dishes we enjoyed were delectable with a pleasant atmosphere.
This spot offers a fantastic dining experience without Michelin star prices, making it a standout recommendation.
3. Heavenly Village - Lake Tahoe
Heavenly Village is perfect for after-ski dining. We stopped at Base Camp Pizza Co, savoring a Mediterranean pizza without cheese, paired with cold drinks. The meal came to around $50, which was quite reasonable.
4. Yosemite National Park
At Yosemite View Lodge, options are limited due to the remote location. We settled for pizza—again vegan, please! The onsite café, popular and efficient, allows you to dine in or out, though vegan options were constrained.
5. Pasadena
The Langham Hotel features several dining options. We chose the Tap Room for celebratory drinks and a selection of bar nibbles. We were treated to champagne and strawberries to celebrate our 40th wedding anniversary, adding charm to our visit.
Sadly, Sage, a Regenerative Kitchen and Micro Brewery in Old Town Pasadena, has permanently closed its doors. It was once a fantastic brunch venue.
6. San Diego
The US Grant Hotel boasts the Grant Grill for fine dining. We celebrated our anniversary with a memorable dinner. Although vegan options were limited, the dishes we chose were impressive.
At Spill the Beans in Seaport San Diego, we found the best coffee and bagels to start our day. This spot offers a lovely outdoor seating area perfect for relaxing.
Tender Greens is a casual sandwich café downtown. While it's not entirely vegan, it offers customizable bowls that cater to plant-based eaters. You have the choice to dine in or take your food to enjoy elsewhere.
7. Santa Monica
Perry's Cafe, located on the beach near our hotel, serves great vegan burgers. With plenty of seating and a lively atmosphere, it's a perfect spot to relax while watching the crowd on the boulevard.
Urth Caffe was another great find. They offer filling and tasty plant-based options at multiple locations. The service and food quality consistently impress, reflecting the owners' passion for healthy, sustainable dining.
Thai Vegan was a small takeaway joint we were excited to find. Unfortunately, the flavors didn’t quite meet expectations, and we wouldn’t recommend it.
Gelatoguy, located nearby, offers delightful vegan ice cream, making it a must-try treat.
8. Morro Bay
We visited Morro Bay for the vintage car rally. While there, we enjoyed drinks and garlic mushrooms on ciabatta at Stax Wine Bar. Though the menu lacked vegan selections, the staff adapted a dish for us, showcasing their hospitality.
9. Big Sur
Nepenthe Cafe, perched in the hills above Big Sur, offers breathtaking views. The vegan tofu burger and fries are popular menu items, but be prepared to wait for a table—you'll want to secure good seating early.
10. Monterey
El Cantaro, a fully vegan Mexican café, is worth the short walk from downtown Monterey. Its diverse menu is packed with delicious options that received rave reviews.
11. Pebble Beach
The historic Golf Club at Pebble Beach is a fantastic lunch spot. We had the opportunity to enjoy alfresco dining under the sunshine and stunning views. After a little shopping, we indulged in vegan burgers and refreshing cocktails.
Conclusion: Final Thoughts on Our Culinary Journey
We hope you found our guide to California's 17 vegan-friendly places to eat both informative and inspiring. While this isn’t an exhaustive list, it provides some solid suggestions if you find yourself in the area.
For a deeper dive into our California and Nevada trip, check out our earlier post here. If you enjoyed this post, please give us a like and share your thoughts in the comments.
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See you in our next post!
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