5 Best San Francisco Restaurants for Veggie Lovers

Veggie lovers in San Francisco, be it vegans or once-a-week carnivores, needn’t complain. Vegetarian and vegan options in the city are plentiful. Some eateries, however, are one cut above the competition and give vegetables a truly royal treatment. Here are our top 5 delicious, nutritious and highly Instagram-friendly (what feed doesn’t like a splash of green?) picks for veggie fare in town.

Al’s Place

The lauded Mission restaurant has won many awards and many hearts, mainly thanks to chef Aaron London’s decision to focus on a veggie-centric menu, in which meat is the ‘side.’ Mushrooms, fresh lettuce and brassicas (which include cabbage, kale, broccoli, cauliflower, turnip, and others in the mustard family), lead the restaurant narrative, and the brine-pickled potato fries have gained cult status. Craving an impressive, highly sought after vegetarian destination? Look no further.

1499 Valencia St

gracias

Gracias Madre

Gracias Madre‘s strictly vegan food miraculously manages to outshine many other Mexican establishments in the Mission—all without a single shred of carnitas in sight. The secret is the bold, bright flavors and zero compromise when it comes to ingredients. The guacamole is outstanding, the tamales are rich (try the cashew crema and never look back) and the colorful lunch bowls are a celebration. Perfect for big groups with vegans in attendance.

2211 Mission St

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Seed + Salt

In this vibrant Marina cafe, seeds, nuts and vegetables play together in perfect harmony. So good that diners often forget the menu is vegan. The breakfast sandwich contains chickpea frittatas with walnut chorizo, the Cobb salad features smoky eggplant and beet burger, which is already a social media star. It’s as juicy as they come. This is the place to frequent when on a detox, regardless of vegetarian affiliations.

2240 Chestnut St

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Little Gem

While not entirely vegan or vegetarian, the Hayes Valley restaurant does great with all things green and healthy, with plenty menu options for non-meat eaters. A great portion of the salads and small bites are veggie-friendly (the roasted baby beets with avocado puree are especially good) and the curried cauliflower and sweet potato rice bowl, brightened with preserved lemon, is a great dinner option.

400 Grove St

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Sweet Greens

The nationwide chain, which recently opened two Bay Area locations, will make anyone excited about veggies, thanks to clever branding, varied menus and a generally happy, healthy vibe. The main attraction here is the freshly chopped, customizable salads, featuring locally sourced ingredients, plus warm veggie bowls for when bigger hunger strikes.

171 2nd St, SoMa 
1890 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley