You might have noticed that I’ve been writing a lot about vegan eating lately, and I want to share that I am doing this because the way we eat has a huge impact on our relationship with the planet. Taking a season off of guiding and being far from the sea is challenging, so I am trying to be as environmentally-conscious as I can by doing things that are possible no matter where I am.

All this food and restaurant review stuff might seem random coming from an ocean-focused conservation blogger, but I promise it is all truly connected. Eating plant-based foods has a massive impact on reducing our carbon footprint; less carbon in the atmosphere means less carbon absorption by the ocean, which means slower ocean acidification and a slower rate of global warming. Healthier oceans, healthier wildlife, healthier us. Learn more about that here, and keep on reading for some vegan inspo for your next trip to San D.

Getting down with the best vegan eats in San Diego

This city of sunshine and surf, provider of very Maui-esque vibes and endless good feels, also dishes up some pretty satisfying plant-based dishes. Not that I should be surprised - San Diego residents seem like pretty active, health-minded peeps! There’s a hearty peppering of vegan and veggie restaurants throughout the city’s neighborhoods, reflecting the demand for more wholesome dining. Vegan food is gaining popularity all over the place!

Thanks to an interesting twist of fate, I’ve been spending quite a bit of time down in this beachy city. Eager as ever to try out the vegan options in a new place, I set out on a mission with one of my favorite vegan companions, and we’ve been having an absolute treat of a time sampling the huge variety of vegan foods San Diego has to offer.

Here are some of my top picks. This is in no way a comprehensive list, but I hope it gives you a starting point from which to launch your vegan foodie explorations of this colorful city, whether you’re vegan or not!

1) Peace Pies, Ocean Beach

This quaint, unassuming raw-vegan restaurant is definitely our favorite find. If you’re intimidated by the idea of raw food, don’t be! They offer a full menu of pies, pizzas, salads, wraps, entrees, dried goods, desserts, smoothies, juices, and chocolates to fit whatever craving you might have. Over our last couple of visits, we’ve tried a special Buffalo Cauliflower Wrap, the Mushroom Quesadilla, the Bruschetta and Hummus Plate apps, and their famous Lasagna. It’s all delicious!

There are plenty of benefits to sneaking a few raw meals into your diet. Some studies indicate that raw meals lead to higher energy, clearer skin, better digestion, more nutrient absorption, and a lower risk of developing disease. I usually just eat what makes me feel good, and the food I’ve had at Peace Pies makes my insides super happy.

The vibe is very bohemian and welcoming. They have some prepackaged items that you can take to-go if you’re in a rush or just want a juice. I almost forgot to mention the kale chips…they’re the crispiest bits of nutritious heaven you’ll ever find. Grab a pack to go and stash it in the car for any snack emergencies (a nightmare for a vegan if you’re not adequately prepared, am I right??).

2) Café Gratitude, Little Italy

This haven of organic goodness provides an atmosphere that feels like stepping into Disney’s Fantasyland, but for vegans. Everything is bright, cozy, modern, and inspirational sayings are stickered all over the walls. The menu is extensive and provides a variety of appetizers (JUST MAKE SURE YOU GET THE BUFFALO CAULIFLOWER WINGS, OKAY), salads, mains, desserts, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, and smoothies and juices. Breakfast is one of my favorite meals to have at Gratitude, especially since I was blown away by the açai bowl that I recently had there. It was as thick as ice cream and topped with some truly quality ingredients! They even have a vegan take on chicken and waffles.

If you want a place for the perfect date night, catch-up sesh with your gals or your boys, or meeting up with a new friend or colleague, Café Gratitude is a winning option. While on the pricier side, you can’t beat the quality and consistency. It originally started out in Los Angelos and has three locations outside of San Diego, but it in no way feels like a chain. You just have to try it for yourself!

Oh, and my favorite part? Each menu item is assigned an uplifting adjective (like Enchanted, or Glorious) and when you order, the servers encourage you to say “I am Enchanted” or “I am Glorious” instead of just saying, “I’ll have the kale salad, thanks.” What a cool twist on a dining experience.

If you go, which I highly encourage you to do, I’ll probably see you there.

3) Plant Power Fast Food , Ocean Beach

I can’t stop thinking about this place. Seriously. Ever since the first time we pranced through the doors after hearing high praise from a number of San Diego residents, we were blown away by the quality and deliciousness of everything we’ve eaten there. It is a completely plant-based take on your traditional fast-food restaurant, which might seem weird at first glance. A lot of people wonder why vegans would want to eat a fake burger that looks like meat, because aren’t they trying to avoid that? Well, Plant Power is definitely not just for vegans, and it encourages a huge variety of people who might otherwise just go out for a Big Mac to try a plant-based version instead. Every plant-based meal helps reduce our negative environmental impacts!

Also, like I said, the food is insanely good. Definitely order the Buffalo Chicken Strips with ranch dipping sauce. If you’re in the mood for a hearty burger, you can’t go wrong with the classic Big Zac. For dessert? I don’t know how they make their shakes so thick and delicious, but wowee! It honestly tastes like an authentic milkshake. I can’t wait to sample everything on the menu.

When you need your fast food fix but want to make it a bit more sustainable and ethical, hit up Plant Power. They recognize that humans are moving pretty fast these days, but that shouldn’t stop someone from making an empowered decision about what to eat. We all deserve to eat plants! I’m excited to see this spot rapidly expanding around Southern California. The world needs more Plant Powers.

And before you balk over the waste created by any fast food restaurant, Plant Power takes special precautions to make sure all their containers/straws/napkins are compostable and made out of biodegradable and renewable resources.

4) Kindred, North Park

I was warned before coming here for the first time that this place can be quite quirky and the decor is a little…different from what you’d be used to. But once I saw it, I thought it was absolutely brilliant. I love that a vegan bar is going for a completely different angle, not making any health claims, raving about saving the world, or taking any other sort of lofty platform. Don’t get me wrong, I believe in all those things and that veganism really can help save the world. But I think this way of eating becomes a lot more accessible to the general public when it’s a bit under-the-table.

Kindred is great for that. It’s is the brainchild of a guy named Kory Stetina, who wants Kindred to be about more than just it’s plant-based cuisine. The bar/restaurant creates a perfect blend of good hospitality, cool decor, and well-priced drinks and food items that, you know, just happen to be vegan.

I LOVE places that just happen to be vegan! It makes it really easy to take your non-veggo friends there.

Oh and by the way, there’s even a secret menu that we accidentally discovered when we ordered the buffalo nuggets (can you tell that I’m obsessed with cauliflower buffalo wings yet?). Try dabbling in that magic and see where your taste buds take you.

5) Soulshine Cafe, Mission Beach

Soulshine is a bright, airy establishment right near Mission Beach. I loved sitting on the patio, soaking up the sun while cradling my oat milk latte in happy little hands. With a creative menu and plenty of fresh ingredients, you’ll probably have a hard time picking what to eat. They’ve got delightful kombucha on tap, creative vegan twists on Mexican food, and a host of other menu delights.

Definitely get over to Mission Beach and check out this place if you haven’t yet! It’s one of my faves, and ready to dish up some planet-saving plant-based goodness.

Hopefully this leaves you with a little bit of guidance about where to venture out to eat some good vegan noms in San Diego. You’re going to need to recharge after all that sunshine-soaking, right? Stay tuned for a mini post about my whale watching adventure in San Diego, and some of the veganized highlights of my trip to Disneyland.

Remember, no matter where you are on the planet, there are ways to improve your eco-consciousness and have a positive impact. We can help save the ocean by just watching what we’re putting on the tables in front of us.

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