The Plant Cafe ~ San Francisco

There's something magical happening along the Embarcadero in San Francisco. The re-development is redesigning the city landscape and the vegan accouterments as well. The newly constructed Plant Cafe is a modern marvel along the Embarcadero that provides organic vegetarian and vegan cuisine in a beautiful setting overlooking the San Francisco Bay. But if you're not at the Embarcadero, don't worry, there are several other locations throughout the city and all are sustainably sensational. This is not a strictly vegetarian restaurant, but about half of the entrees on the menu are vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free.
Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Moderately priced.
Omnivore, Gluten-free, Vegetarian and Vegan Friendly

Border Grill ~ Los Angeles, CA & Las Vegas, NV

Drop everything and run for the border, The Border Grill that is. This Mexican inspired food is fresh and delicious!  As soon as you get seated you are served a basket of crisp chips and a selection of very authentic salsas.  This grill has swag, not to mention a mission of sustainability and can make many dishes sans meat and a few sans dairy.  If you’re vegan and still not convinced, just ask your server if they have any other dishes that can be prepared vegan and then get ready to sit back and listen to her spew of a variety of mouth watering options. I’m not kidding, you won’t believe your ears. Three of the vegetarians in my party ordered off the menu. I could have ordered off the menu but opted for one of their vegan specialty dishes, Portobello mushroom and greens layered with roasted red peppers and black bean puree, served with a fire roasted tomato sauce and a side of red, white, and green rice. You gotta try it, and just for kicks pair your meal with their signature blood orange margarita (alcoholic) or a white peach-ade (non-alcoholic). I swear the food melted in my mouth. We ate at their Las Vegas restaurant located in the Mandalay Bay hotel but there are several other Southern California locations as well.  Oh, and your omnivore friends will love it too….Enjoy!

Small Plates, Dinner Plates
Moderately priced

Omnivore, Vegetarian and Vegan Friendly

Loving Hut ~ Several United States Locations

Absolutely decadent and delicious, vegan faire. Loving Hut prides itself on being healthy neighborhood cuisine and they get two thumbs up for taste, variety, presentation, and the overall loving nature and customer service of the entire staff. Certainly not your ordinary strip mall experience, and yet an experience that no vegan will forget. This food is mouth watering good.  There are great selections of appetizers, main dishes, and desserts Gourmet, asian influenced international cuisine. Nice, casual atmosphere. Click the link above for the list of several US locations. We actually ate at the Glendale, Arizona location and are eager to try Loving Hut in San Francisco.
Moderately Priced.
Vegan

Saturn Cafe

Good ole' out of this world, American, Vegetarian dining.
Quantity, quality, and variety are yours for the enjoying at this Vegetarian Space Age/Diner style restaurant. Both vegetarian and vegan entree's are plentiful and delicious.  This is a great place to take the family and some place that even your Omnivore loved ones will enjoy.  My omnivore friend and I enjoyed the Vegan Sampler appetizer that included: taquitos, sweet potato fries, garlic fries and chips and salsa with vegan ranch dressing and spicy chipotle dipping sauce. We followed the appetizer with the 'Chicken' Avocado Club and the Guacamole Burger.  Talk about yummy! Talk about filling!
Prices Range from $5.50 - $9.50
Vegetarian/Vegan Friendly

Slice of Life ~ Sebastopol, CA

Located in the heart of Sebastopol right next door to the Whole Foods Market. This little restaurant has big ideas for vegetarian faire. Specializing in wholesome American, Italian and Mexican cuisine where the food is both nutritious and delicious. The variety of pizzas feature five different cheese options (and three of those options are vegan!).  Other plentiful entrees include salads, vegetable plates, nachos, tostadas, tofu rancheros, lasagna, and a fabulous selection of vegan desserts. Drinks range from smoothies, milkshakes, protein shakes, fresh squeezed juices, sparkling everything and they even a offer a selection of beer and organic wine.  Located right on Hwy 116. A convenient stop on the way to Guerneville or Jenner. Very casual and moderately priced.
Drinks and Sides $3 - $7
Entrees $7 - $11
Vegetarian/Vegan Friendly

Fellini's Coffee Bar ~ Berkeley, CA

By far one of the most vegan/vegetarian friendly quick stop cafes around.  I first discovered this coffee bar by accident and was delighted to find vegan pastries to go with my organic grounds. Vegan choices often include cookies, donuts, and scones. At this drive up or walk up window cafe any bar drink can be made with soy or rice milk.
Vegetarian/Vegan Friendly

Flacos ~ Berkeley, CA

Finally a conveniently located quick fix Taqueria with style, sense and sustainability! Delicious home cooked, authentic, Mexican food that will satisfy your palate, keep you healthy, and keep you coming back for more. 100% Vegan and GMO Free.  This tiny taqueria is located on Adeline in Berkeley, not too far from Berkeley Bowl.  I love the Taquitos with rice, beans and avosalsa paired with a fresh fruit drink.You can dine in or take out. They even have parking, compostable utensils, and biodegradable take-out bags! Catering available. Modestly priced.
Open Tues. - Sat., Noon - 9pm
Vegan

Bobby G's Pizzeria ~ Berkeley, CA

Located on University Avenue just off Shattuck and only blocks away from UC Berkeley, the popular pizzeria caters to locals, vegans, vegetarians, and is the happening spot to watch televised sports. There are several flat screens and a bar filled with selections of local beer and italian sodas.  I simply love the Vegan Caesar Salad paired with a Pan Fried Pizza, organic house made soy cheese and toppings of my choice....talk about good! Vegan items are labeled with a "V" and also include a Penne with Marinara and a Spinach and Mushroom Ravioli and numerous other pizza combinations.  Vegetarian items are plentiful too.  The staff is friendly and the casual atmosphere is great for any occasion.  Order at the counter and pick a table.  Like most pizzerias, it can get loud, so bring the kids and their friends! Open daily, 11am - 11pm. Moderately Priced.
Appetizers and Salads, $6 - $8
Pizzas range from $13 - $26 (available in small and large)
Omnivore/Vegetarian/Vegan Friendly

Sol Food Puerto Rican Cuisine ~ San Rafael, CA

Really good fun food in a festive atmosphere.  Desayuno, Combinaciones, Especiales, Ensaladas, Platanos, Postre, Etc. You simply can't go wrong in a place that consistently "gets it right" for vegetarians, vegans, and omnivores alike.  Conveniently located just off the Hwy 101 on 3rd and Lincoln in San Rafael, you can't miss the big bright green building.  When we walked in we were greeted by friendly staff that helped us select a family style table for our group of eight.  Then we ordered at the counter and sat down to wait for our food.  They use trans fat free rice bran oil for frying and their beans and rice are completely vegan. Different, good, conveniently located and responsibly priced. By far, one of the best vegetarian dining experiences I've had in the bay area. Menu items are labeled "vegan" or "vegetarian" for your convenience.

Moderately priced.

Vegan/Vegetarian Friendly

Souley Vegan ~ Oakland, CA

Located on Broadway in the Jack London District of Oakland, this vegan restaurant gets it right with down home, hearty, soul food with a conscious! The fun, casual atmosphere even features live blues music on Friday nights. One of my favorite dishes is the Mac-n-cheese with Greens and Southern Fried Tofu, however you can't go wrong with the Red Beans-n-Rice or the BBQ Tofu and fried Okra. The food is well spiced so if you're dining with children, just ask them to hold the spice on the fries and other items. Desserts feature items such as Sweet Potato Pie, Cheese cake, and Peach Cobbler. This is truly a vegan soul food paradise. Very casual and modestly priced. Non-alcoholic juices and drinks. When you walk in, order your food at the counter, get a number and find a seat. Great for families and casual gatherings. Open Tuesday - Saturday from 11am - 9pm.
Prices range from $3 - $13
Vegan

Encuentro Cafe and Wine Bar ~ Oakland, CA

Quaint, chic new vegetarian restaurant located near the train station in the bustling neighborhood of Jack London Square amidst posh condos and trendy lofts. Encuentro offers a variety of vegetarian and vegan cuisine from their Little Gem Salad, to their Quinoa with kale, pickled vegetables, cilantro, seasoned pepitas in an Amarillo chilli vinaigrette with smoked goat cheddar (vegetarian) or tempeh bacon bits (vegan). They even have several Bruschetta options including: White Bean/Cauliflower with sundried tomatoes and green olive tapenade; and Avocado, olive oil and cilantro with chile jam and black salt.
Small plates from $3 - $8, Larger plates from $6 - $14
Vegetarian/Vegan Friendly

Gather ~ Berkeley, CA

This food was so delicious and superbly prepared that I have to take a moment to "gather" my thoughts to review it. OUTSTANDING! Located on Oxford St. directly across from UC Berkeley's campus, this is a place that every vegetarian must try at least once. The food, the service and the ambiance were all inviting and impeccable. While not a vegetarian restaurant, they have several vegan/vegetarian options and even indicate which items can be prepared vegetarian, vegan or gluten free upon request. Serving seasonal faire with a "farm to table" philosophy this is the place for an organic, sustainable and simply delicious dining experience. I ordered the Red Russian kale salad and the Vegan "charcuterie" Artisanal Plate and my kids loved their pizzas and desserts. Other vegan options include the Grilled Crookneck Squash, Eggplant Pizza, and more. Reservations are highly recommended as this place fills up quickly. It's warm, inviting, comfortable, and there are options for indoor or outdoor dining. Several of the vegetarian sauces contain nuts so alert your server if you have a nut allergy in your party and they will make sure to prepare your food, nut-free. This is a great place for a date or for a special group celebration.
Small plates range from $9 - $13, larger plates are $13 - $19
Vegetarian/Vegan Friendly

What kind of restaurant is this anyway?

Many friendships and families are blended with both vegetarians and non-vegetarians.
In order to make the most of your dining experience we tell you which restaurant is:

Vegan (no meat or dairy)
Vegetarian (no meat but does include some dairy, vegan friendly)
Vegetarian/Vegan Friendly (serves meat but also has good options for vegans and vegetarians).

Native Foods Cafe ~ Los Angeles, CA

Brontosaurus Burger. Mad Cowboy. Greek Gyro. Don't let these names fool you, they are all selections from the wholesome vegan food cafe, Native Foods in Southern California. One of my all time favorites was the Veggie Mita Vita Burger paired with Sweet Potato Fries. Talk about good! This place is known for serving some of Southern California's most famous and discriminating vegetarians. There are a variety of "Hand Holds" including Tijuana Tacos and A Portobello and Sausage Burger. Casual, hearty, fast food. Great for families and folks on a budget.
Small plates are $3 - $8 while larger plates are $7 - $10.
Vegan

Grand Tavern ~ Oakland, CA

Just up the street from the historical Grand Lake Theater, the Grand Tavern is a great dining experience for vegetarians, vegans, and their omnivore friends. The avant-garde ambiance combines traditional and contemporary decor in a unique and very romantic environment. Open for dinner with a full bar, the service is outstanding and the food is equally delicious and bursting with flavor! With fresh and mostly organic ingredients, they have several vegetarian items and vegans can simply ask the server to have meals prepared dairy free. The sweet carrot mash is cooked with walnuts so if you have a nut-allergic person in your party, alert your server right away. Who knew roasted squash with chile and onion could taste like this?! This is truly one of the best vegetarian dining experiences in the Bay Area and a place you'll want to frequent. It's also a perfect place for a date, or for a group celebration. Don't forget to pair your meal with the perfect wine or bar drink.
Small bites range from $6 - $10 while grand bites go from $12 - $19.
Vegan/Vegetarian Friendly (also a great place for omnivores)