Yes, Ve-gan

Last Updated On Dec. 03, 2019

Photo courtesy of Vegan Alien (for Animal Place's Vegan Republic).

You know the yearly drill: When the holidays are over, all the workouts and healthy diets kick in. To help out with 2020 commitments to mindful eating in the new year, we’re unearthing more Bay Area restaurants armed with vegan options that ease the brain when it comes to both your love of animals and any fear of weight gain.

The days are gone when it was primarily the veggie burger that proved a restaurant was flexible, and today we’ve got expansive and innovative plant-based options left and right. Some of the following BARTable restaurants offer entire menus free of any animal assistance, while others have dedicated items catering to the strict plant-eater seeking choices when it comes to dairy-free cheeses and hearty vegan flavors.

Photo courtesy of Cuia.

Cuia

Sometimes fully known as Cuia Acai & Positive Food, the name says it all. Co-founders Guilherme Castro and Nicolas Oliveira have brought flavors of their Brazilian homes to San Francisco. Cuia is pronounced “coo-yah” and is a traditional Brazilian bowl used by villagers in the Amazon to carry water and grains—and the restaurant’s menu pays homage to long-revered Brazilian recipes. Full bowls of acai topped with fresh fruits and nuts, along with hefty smoothies, have found a home in Downtown SF. The quick counter-service locale welcomes plenty of vegan (and non-vegan) patrons.

When: Monday-Friday, 8am-5:30pm

Where: 1 Market Plaza, San Francisco

Nearest station: Embarcadero

Walk time: Three minutes

Website: Cuia

Phone: (415) 988-4216

Photo courtesy of Lemat.

Lemat

Berkeley’s Lemat dishes up vegan and gluten-free Ethiopian food in a classy, cozy space on Adeline Street. Spongey injera bread topped with vibrant sauces and stews are a scene-stealer, served amidst an alluring environment filled with raw woods and an endless array of traditional, woven Ethiopian baskets. A fun tip for your next culinary adventure here: Catch live jazz on Fridays and Mondays for a complete evening out in this warm and welcoming restaurant.

When: Monday-Friday, 5-10pm | Saturday, 11:30am-10pm

Where: 3212 Adeline Street, Berkeley

Nearest station: Ashby

Walk time: Five minutes

Website: Lemat

Phone: (510) 430-2717

Photo courtesy of Nick's On Mission.

Nick’s On Mission

Purely plant-based Filipino food is the call at Nick’s On Mission, which opened November 2019. Lumpia with sweet ‘n’ sour sauce, coconut milk curries, mushroom and tofu sisig. The substitutes in these vegan takes on traditional plates sacrifice the meat but keep the tasty flavors intact. Located on Mission near downtown and SoMA, Nick’s is convenient for the luncher looking for an alternative to the usual vegetarian menus.

When: Monday-Saturday, 7am-3pm

Where: 996 Mission Street, San Francisco

Nearest station: Civic Center/UN Plaza

Walk time: Seven minutes

Website: N ick's On Mission

Photo courtesy of The Lettuce Inn.

The Lettuce Inn

Farm-fresh organic ingredients make up the recipes at The Lettuce Inn, where co-founder Karen Bell is at the helm of the Concord vegan go-to. Raw food and leafy greens are a primary part of the menu, which features vegan tacos and burritos, colorful salads, collard wraps, and nori rolls. Craving a quick vegan snack? Try a stuffed avocado with cashew cheese and sunflower seed pate.

When: Monday-Friday 8am-5:30pm

Where: 2115 Pacheco Street, Concord

Nearest station: Concord

Walk time: 10 minutes

Website: The Lettuce Inn

Phone: (925) 338-9636

Photo courtesy of Eternal.

Eternal

What started out as a lunch operation inside Donut Farm’s vegan kitchen eventually turned into its own dedicated location known as Eternal, from the Donut Farm operation (famous for its vegan cake donuts you see around town. Donut Farm’s Josh Levine, who also founded local indie all-ages venue 924 Gilman, is the man behind the Bay Area favorite. Jackfruit nachos, Eternal Burgers, and organic tofu omelettes are some of the staples on the vegan brunch menu in Oakland.

When: Monday-Sunday, 9am-3pm

Where: 247 4th Street, Oakland

Nearest station: Lake Merritt

Walk time: Eight minutes

Website: Eternal

Phone: (510) 920-0836

Photo courtesy of Yelp! Veggie Today.

Veggie Today

Every day is vegetarian- and vegan-friendly at this casual Concord restaurant, whose specialty is meatless Asian fare. Vegan takes on classic dishes from the Orient mean you can get your favorite Vietnamese pho, bun bo hue, and eggrolls with all-veggie substitutes. While the menu still has “chicken,” “beef,” and “seafood” options—each is constructed with eerily real-looking meatless replacements. Vegan drumsticks? At Veggie Today, you won’t feel like you’re missing out for leaving behind the meat.

When: Tuesday-Thursday, 11am-3pm, 5-9pm | Friday-Sunday, 11am-9pm

Where: 1909 Salvio Street, Concord

Nearest station: Concord

Walk time: 11 minutes

Website: Veggie Today

Phone: (925) 609-9434

Photo courtesy of Animal Place's Vegan Republic.

Animal Place’s Vegan Republic

If you want to live as a vegan, Berkeley is that rare kind of city where you can almost feel like “the norm” for doing so. Take Animal Place’s Vegan Republic as an example. Inside this multifaceted vegan mecca, awaits a vegan shopper’s delight: specialty foods (vegan bacon!), snacks, personal care, and wearable accessories are all free of animal products. Hungry in the moment and not wanting to wait till you get home? You can also catch a vegan popup here—enjoy fresh plates like Vegan Alien’s meat-free tacos and cauliflower ceviche.

When: Monday-Saturday, 10am-7pm | Sunday, 12-6pm

Where: 1624 University Avenue, Berkeley

Nearest station: North Berkeley

Walk time: Nine minutes

Website: Animal Place's Vegan Republic

Phone: (510) 280-5778

Photo courtesy of Yelp! Red Tomato Pizza House.

Red Tomato Pizza House

Pizza in a neighborhood near college kids a no-brainer. Vegan pizza in a neighborhood near college kids in Berkeley garners a pretty high score. While the meaty, cheesy classics still prevail at Red Tomato Pizza House, there are also options for the animal lovers at the party. Vegan cheese, pesto sauce, and veggie toppings on a gluten-free, vegan crust make up the vegan-friendly whole pies at this Downtown Berkeley pizza joint.

When: Monday-Saturday, 10:30am-9pm

Where: 2017 University Avenue, Berkeley

Nearest station: Downtown Berkeley

Walk time: Five minutes

Website: Red Tomato Pizza House

Phone: (510) 845-6666

Let's get social.

Keep up with us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to see all of the best BARTable events, places to eat and have fun around the Bay. Checking out any of these vegan spots? Let us know via social media, @SFBARTable #SFBARTable for your chance to be featured on our community wall on our homepage.