The Best Vegan and Vegan-friendly Restaurants in SF this Spring

Updated 07/2-18: San Francisco may be just a bridge away from gorgeous organic farms, yet healthy vegan fare is not nearly as easy to find as it should be. In researching the new, 2nd edition San Francisco VitalGuide, we've eaten through the city's best vegan sushi, egg-free frittatas and every plant-based bite in between. The following are our picks for must-eat vegan and gluten-free friendly breakfasts, lunches and dinners in San Francisco pulled right from the first edition of the new SF guide.

The Plant
3352 Steiner St; Pier 3 The Embarcadero #108, 101 California St
$$$
Om
Try the basil pesto tofu scramble, Sambazon bowl (acai berries blended frozen mango and strawberries, topped with banana and granola), or any of their smoothies, juices and great coffees. The Embarcadero location is on the water with bay views. The Marina location is right off of Chestnut Street, the area's main shopping thoroughfare.

Nourish
189 6th Ave
$$
Vg
Bright, sweet and just off the beaten path enough to be truly locals-only, Nourish Café is a perfect healthy brunch hideaway. The coconut flour and quinoa waffles taste a million times more decadent than they are, and the banh mi salad will fill you up for a day’s worth of urban adventures.

Out the Door
2232 Bush St
$$
Om
Chef Charles Phan's more relaxed spin on his popular restaurant Slanted Door's is in an off-the-beaten-path location in the Fillmore neighborhood. The menu offers plenty of yuba-filled noodle dishes and veggie sides. What OTD is missing in waterfront views it makes up for in its feel like a local vibe.

Bouli Bar
1 Ferry Building
$$
Om
No tofu or tempeh here, but the delicious seasonal vegetables and perfect Mediterranean platter make for a satisfying light lunch. Bouli's hidden location inside the Ferry Building, flattering lighting, and lovely wine list make it a go-todaytime date spot.

Greens
Fort Mason, A
$$$
Vg
For special occasion lunches with a view, book a table at this first wave vegan restaurant in Fort Mason. Dishes such as lentil, tamarind and coconut milk soup are infused with ethnic flavors. Greens has prime real estate for watching the sun set over the Golden Gate Bridge.

Café St Jorge
3438 Mission St
$
Vg
At the edge of the Mission and Bernal Heights, Cafe St Jorge is an adorable, Brooklyn-y hipster haunt for recharging over pastries, Stumptown coffee, and a perfectly sized quinoa salads. Plus, there's free wifi.

Shizen
370 14th St
$$
Vg
Just order all the rolls w(ith a side of their famous ramen). If you must choose, the spicy tofuna is a good, simple start to a meal at the Mission's prettiest izakaya spot.

Gracias Madre
2211 Mission
$$
Vg
The original Gracias Madre has fewer whispy celebs and oversized shades than the LA location, but the lack of glitz is made up for with a prime Mission location. Don't miss the pumpkin and cashew cheese quesadillas and avocado ceviche.

Burma Love
211 Valencia St
$$
Om
The tea salad is the star at Burma Superstar, but a number of veg curry entrees are available at this local favorite, no-reservations Burmese eatery. Be prepared to wait outside, or check out sister restaurant Burma Love in the Mission for potentially less of a wait and newer digs.

Citizen Fox
2293 Mission
$$
Vg

Dec, 2017 update: Citizen Fox is now closed. The Mission’s newest  pub is the spot for hearty kale salads and chicken fried tempeh. Add protein to any of the salads for a filling meal of greens, or dig into entrees like the chicken fried tempeh with horseradish mashed potatoes for a plant-based spin on traditional pub fare.

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For more of the best vegan-friendly spotsSF, be sure to grab our San Francisco VitalGuide, 2nd edition: 

All the healthy bites plus everything else vegan-friendly (but not crunchy) in the Bay.

Oh, hi! Share your deets and we'll keep you posted on the healthy, veg-friendly news you need to know in SF + LA! 

The San Francisco VitalGuide is here

It’s here! You can now pre-order our SF VitalGuide, the first healthy guidebook to San Francisco.

 No more anxiety trying to guess 'where to eat' 'where to workout' and 'what do the cool-healthy locals actually do'. How about you just let us show you. The SF VitalGuide contains everything you need to survive Bay Area airports, find a healthy-luxe hotel, book a hip workout, drink the best cold-pressed green juice and explore the city by foot with walking itineraries. Interviews with healthy locals give an insider’s perspective to the best local gems, and accompanying recipes for eating, drinking and DIY spa can help you prep for or relive your trip.

Guides are shipping on/around March 1, and until then we’ll be tiding you over with clever San Francisco tips and great finds. To kick it off, here’s a recipe for the Fire and Wellness shot from one of our favorite destinations, Cavallo Point Lodge in Sausalito, located in the Escapes section:

Fire and Wellness Shot

Juice of 6 fresh lemons
Juice of a 2 inch piece of ginger
3 drops of Oregano Oil
6 drops of Garlic Extract

Mix juices together, then add three drops of oregano oil and six drops of garlic extract. Cavallo Point recommends using oregano oil from Source Naturals and kyolic aged garlic extract. Both items can be found at Whole Foods Market.

Juice can be combined and refrigerated for several days. When ready to enjoy, pour into a two ounce shot glass and add the oil and extract. Hotel guests are encouraged to down it like a shot. The “fire” comes from the Oregano oil, which is why only 3 drops is recommended.

San Francisco is just the beginning, we're already health-hacking our second city and will be sharing updates via our newsletter. So order your guide, sign up for the newsletter and get Vital!