Herbivore
Restaurant, Vegan, $$$
The Bay Area offers one of the most vegan-friendly food scenes in the country. The plentiful vegan restaurants in San Francisco and beyond produce all types of cuisine, from Chinese to Mexican and desserts. Staying away from animal products, vegan restaurants use plenty of vegetables, fruits, and delicious plant-based meat substitutes. Everyone, including meat lovers, can find something delicious at these vegan restaurants; you may even forget that you are eating vegan!
Herbivore will serve you a vegan breakfast, lunch or dinner as well as drinks and snacks. The restaurant has two locations in San Francisco plus one in Berkeley, and they all boast an extensive menu filled with food for a variety of tastes. From freshly squeezed carrot juice to spicy buffalo ‘chicken’ bites to ravioli with artichoke and spinach, this restaurant has something for everyone. It is a haven for vegans because of its extensive menu; where else can you find a gluten-free, vegan ‘raw raspberry cheesecake’ or a vegan blueberry-banana milkshake?
Herbivore Restaurant, 983 Valencia Street, San Francisco, CA, USA, +1 415 826 5657
Millenium Restaurant
Restaurant, Vegan, Vegetarian, $$$
Gracias Madre Dinner | © Andrew Hyde/Flickr
Millenium Restaurant
Among its seemingly countless accolades, Millenium Restaurant has been named one of the Top 25 Vegetarian/Vegan Restaurants by the Huffington Post and the best vegetarian restaurant in the world by the Daily Meal. Though it is pricier than many other options in the area, this San Francisco restaurant seems to live up to the hype. Lime leaf coconut curry, sweet potato pupusas, and a kale mint chip ice cream sundae are among the few but eclectic, unique menu items that Millenium offers.
Millenium Restaurant, 5912 College Avenue, Oakland, CA, USA, +1 510 735 9459
Gracias Madre
Restaurant, Dessert Shop, Mexican, Vegan, $$$
Enchiladas at Gracias Madre | © Jules Morgan
Gracias Madre
Gracias Madre totally debunks the idea that good Mexican food must include carnitas, ground taco meat, and carne asada. The restaurant’s menu includes delicious quesadillas with sweet potato, onions, cashew cheese, and pumpkin seed salsa; tacos with mushrooms, asparagus, and broccoli; and, of course, an entirely vegan flan. The restaurant is located in the Mission and contains understated but beautiful wooden tables and chairs, warm lighting, and a bustling but relaxed atmosphere. They do not take reservations, but the food here is well worth the wait.
Gracias Madre, 2211 Mission Street, San Francisco, CA, USA, +1 415 683 1346
Garden Fresh Chinese Vegan Cuisine
Restaurant, Chinese, Vegan
Cinnaholic | © Quinn Dombrowski/Flickr
Garden Fresh Chinese Vegan Cuisine
While many restaurants in downtown Palo Alto boast hour-long waits for dinner and interiors that could also function as art galleries, Garden Fresh is a great find with its outdoor string lights, small yet functional interior, and friendly wait staff. While meat lovers may need some convincing to try the entirely vegan ‘Veggie Ham’ or ‘Orange Veggie Chicken’, eating at Garden Fresh will surprise even the most seasoned of steak lovers. The restaurant has an extensive menu, including vegan prawns, and the service is quick and pleasant. Garden Fresh also has two locations in Mountain View.
Garden Fresh Chinese Vegan Cuisine, 460 Ramona Street, Palo Alto, CA, USA, +1 650 462 9298
Cinnaholic
Bakery, Vegan, American, $$$
Cinnaholic
Customers at Cinnaholic often leave thinking, ‘Are you sure that was vegan?’ After picking from an extensive list of both icings and toppings (think almond icing with chocolate chips, or chocolate icing with intense cookie dough) you will receive a glorious cinnamon bun that puts Pillsbury to shame. The bakery even has ‘baby buns’ if you are not hungry enough for a full-size masterpiece. The small bakery has an orange awning and smells wonderful. Located close to the University of California, Berkeley campus as well as near many other restaurants, Cinnaholic makes the perfect end to an afternoon in the city.
Cinnaholic, 2132 Oxford Street, Berkeley, CA, USA, + 1 510 647 8684