Going Vegan in SF
Our top 5 Vegan Restaurant picks for San Francisco.
There are many advantages to eating a vegan diet, including health benefits, avoiding animal cruelty, its sustainability compared to meat production, and its positive impact on the environment. However, one of the biggest benefits of eating vegan, especially in San Francisco, is the opportunity to eat some extraordinarily creative and tasty fare.
Gracias Madre (www.gracias-madre.com), located at 221 Mission Street in the heart of the Mission District, prepares some incredible Mexican cuisine. As a Mexican myself, I love it, even though they have transformed some traditionally animal-protein-rich dishes into vegan fare. For example, their chilaquiles and tacos are prepared with cheese and meat-free, yet you will not miss these ingredients because the food is so damn good! Additionally, I love their mural with a saintly figure in the middle of a cornfield. The woman’s heart is reminiscent of Frida Kahlo’s art style.
Shizen Vegan Sushi Bar and Izakaya (www.shizensf.com), located at 370 14th Street, is situated just a block east of Valencia Street on 14th. This restaurant achieves what I thought was impossible: preparing tasty fish-less sushi. Their slogan is “May all beings everywhere be happy and free.” And they contribute to this philosophy by preparing healthy, savory sushi with local, seasonal vegetables. My favorites are their ramen and vegetable nigiri, especially the avocado and green mango nigiri. By the way, the term “izakaya” refers to the preparation of small snacks served with drinks, like a Japanese version of tapas.
VeganBurg San Francisco (www.veganburg.com), located at 1466 Haight Street in the heart of the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood, just east of Ashbury, has created some of the most delicious meatless burgers I have ever eaten. And, as you might have noticed by now, the first three restaurants on this list stand out because they have traditionally converted meat and fish fare into vegetable-based dishes and still make them tasty and worth trying. VeganBurg’s slogan is “Burgers that make you and the planet happy,” which they achieve by making amazing burgers, among my favorites are the “Cracked Mayo” and “Tangy Tartar.”
Golden Era (https://www.goldeneravegan.com/) 395 Golden Gate Avenue: This vegan restaurant is located in the edgy Tenderloin district. This vegan restaurant offers a variety of Asian-inspired vegan dishes, from non-fried spring rolls (my favorite in the City) to curry wraps to pad thai. Although the dishes may not include chicken, beef, or pork, they more than make up for it with the vegetables and spices they use. Additionally, the wide variety of cuisines they offer means you can dine with family and friends who have different cravings. For example, someone might be in the mood for Chinese, while someone else might prefer Thai or Indian cuisine, and you can find it all here.
Nourish Café (www.nourishcafesf.com) has two locations. One is located at 189 6th Avenue, just about half a mile north of the famous Green Apple Books. Therefore, I recommend you visit the bookstore before or after you eat. And the second location is at 1030 Hyde Street in the Polk Gulch neighborhood. Both cafés offer a casual dining experience with many comfort-food options, such as salads, sandwiches, smoothies, and baked goods “to die for.” In addition to their sandwiches, I love their “brekkie” bowls and quinoa waffles; they are uncommonly good and a treat whenever I eat here, since not all restaurants prepare them.
We’d love to know your favorites; leave a comment below and let us know.
Greening Projects
Author Bio
Jorge Romero-Lozano, PE, LEED AP, PMP, is Greening Projects‘ Executive Director and Founder. As a licensed civil engineer with a passion for planning, designing, and building green spaces, he provides both technical expertise and the vision to envision potential green spaces, as well as support neighborhoods, individuals, and other professionals who wish to improve their environments and engage their communities.
Bernal Heights Restaurants and Cafes
Mike Doherty serves as Chief Experience Officer at Greening Projects, a nonprofit organization dedicated to transforming underutilized urban spaces into vibrant green areas