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San Diego Vegetarian Restauraunts
BKS Iyengar Yoga Centers of San Diego
All Vegetarian | Health Food | Health Food Stores | Juice Bars | Afghanistan | California Cuisine | Desserts |
Ethiopian | Indian | Italian | Kosher | Mexican | Middle Eastern/Greek | Spanish | Vietnamese
This is a list of Vegetarian "friendly" restaurants sorted by ethnic food type with helpful information like: what to order, atmosphere, comments, phone numbers, and addresses. Restaurants are rated with 1 to 4 stars. All of the rated restaurants have at least one fine Vegetarian dish that we have enjoyed over the years though few of these restaurants are all vegetarian. You are on your own with the unrated ones!
Garden Taste- Untried. Raw foods/Vegan
(619) 793-1500
Del Mar: 1237 Camino Del Mar. 92014
Jyoti Bihanga- 
Many people like the "neatloaf," but the "infinite blue" is also good. Weekend brunch. Odd hours, so call before going.
Atmosphere: New Age dinning amongst pastel faux finished walls made to look like clouds.
(619) 282-4116
Normal Heights: 3351 Adams Ave. 92116
Mother's Kitchen-Untried
(760) 742-4233
Palomar Mountain: Corner of highways S6 & S7
The Vegetarian- Untried
(760) 740-9596
Escondido: 431 West 13th Ave. 92025
La Fresqueria- Salads, sandwiches and a juice bar. Not open for dinner.
(619) 235-0655
Downtown: 1125 6th Ave. 92101
Ki's Restaurant & Juice Bar-You can easily walk to the beach since it is just across the highway (just don't get run over!).
Atmosphere: Casual dinning
(760) 436-5236
Encinitas: 2591 South Coast Highway 101. 92007
The Roxy- Untried but reportedly mostly vegetarian
(760) 436-5001
Encinitas: 517 First Street. 92024
Ocean Beach People's Natural Food Coop- Organic produce, deli. Very close to our Ocean Beach yoga center so a favorite workshop lunch spot.
(619) 224-1387
Ocean Beach: 4765 Voltaire Street. 92107
Henry's- Healthy food but not "health food." Some organic produce.
La Mesa: 4630 Palm Ave. (619)460-7722
Pacific Beach: 1260 Garnet. (619) 270-8200
Serra Mesa: 3332 Sandrock Rd. (619) 565-1714
College: 6091 University Ave. (619) 582-4343
Encinitas: 1327 Encinitas Bl. (760) 633-4747
North Park: 4175 Park Bl. (619) 291-8287
Point Loma: 3315 Rosecrans. (619) 523-3640
Poway: 13536 Poway Rd. (619) 486-7851
Santee: 9751 Mission Gorge Road. (619) 258-4060
University City: 3358 Governor Drive. (619) 457-5006
Bonita: 941 Otay Lakes Rd. (619) 656-6434
Chula Vista: 362 F Street. (619) 476-1032
El Cajon: 152 North Second Street. (619) 579-8251
Vista: 705 East Vista Way. (760) 578-6091
Jimbo's Naturally- Some organic produce.
Del Mar/Carmel Valley: 12853 El Camino Real. (858)793-7755
Escondido: 1633 South Centre City Pkwy. (760) 489-7755
North Park Produce- Not a health food store but we often shop here. They have good prices and a mind boggling selection of Feta cheeses - we like the French feta for its creaminess. Good olives too. You will find an international assortment of customers: Vietnamese, Mexican, Russian, and hence produce & grains to match. The fruit is often disapointing though.
North Park: 3139 University Ave. (619) 516-3336
Pancho Villa's- Not a health food store but if you are shopping for Mexican ingredients this is the place to go. They make their tortillas fresh on site so they are always warm when you buy them. (619) 563-5288
North Park: 3245 El Cajon Blvd. 92104
Sunshine Organics- Organic produce and a deli section.
(619) 294-8055
North Park: 3918 30 th Street. 92104
Trader Joe's- No produce and not a complete selection of items, but a terrific value on the nuts, dried fruit and other items that they do carry.
Pacific Beach: 1211 Garnet Ave. (619) 272-7235
Carmel Mountain Ranch: 11955 Carmel Mountain Road (619) 673-0526
Hillcrest: 1090 University Ave. (619) 296-3122
La Jolla: 8657 Villa La jolla Dr. (619) 546-8629
La Mesa: 8495 Fletcher Parkway (619) 466-5998
Encinitas: 115 North El Camino Real (619) 634-2114
Oceanside: 2570 Vista Way (760) 433-9994
Whole Foods- The behemoth of health food stores. A restaurant, bakery and upscale grocery store all rolled into one. Its really big!
Hillcrest: 711 University Ave. 92103. (619) 294-2800
La Jolla: 8825 Villa La Jolla Dr. 92037. (619) 642-6700
Jamba Juice-
Carmel Mountain Ranch- 11738 Carmel Mountain Road-(619) 487-1500
Mission Valley-5638 Mission Center Road #106-(619) 785-5800
Point Loma- 3305 "A" Rosecrans St.-(619) 523-2800
Del Mar-3545 Del Mar Heights Bl. #C4-(619) 793-5033
La Jolla-8657 Villa La Jolla Dr. #101-(619) 625-2582
Hillcrest-510 Robinson Ave.-(619) 683-2582
O.B. Juice Bar- Untried
(619) 226-1278
Ocean Beach: 5001 "A" Newport Ave. 92107
Swami's Cafe & Juice Bar- Untried
(760) 944-0612
Encinitas: 1163 First Street. 92024
Kabul West-
Atmosphere: Casual relaxed dining
(858) 622-9500
Mira Mesa: 9450 Scranton Rd. 92121
Khyber Pass-
High quality food excellently prepared. Pricey but worth it. Many vegetarian choices. We have tried and heartily recommend the leak & potato turnover appetizer (bolani), 5 bean soup (Mashawa), vegetarian platter & mixed vegetable curry entrees, sweet & sour banana squash side dish (Borani Kadu). All were fabulous. Their breads are good too. For desert, go to Extraordinary Desserts as it is also in the Hillcrest area and has been our hands down favorite for desserts for as long as I can remember.
Atmosphere: Upscale dining in an urbane setting. The walls are in pleasing earth tone colors with oversized pictures. Each table is individually lit from the high ceiling. Real table clothes adorn your table as do the flowers & cobalt glassware.
(619) 294-7579
Hillcrest: 523 University Ave. 92103
Big Kitchen- A great place to go for breakfast. You can always trust bighearted "Judy the beauty on duty." Atmosphere: Communal, friendly
(619) 234-5789
North Park: 3003 Grape St. 92102
Kensington Grill- 
Few vegetarian selections.
Atmosphere: upscale scene, urbane
(619) 281-4014
Kensington: 4055 Adams Ave. 92116
The Prado- 
Few vegetarian selections but try the farmer's or baby mixed greens salad, black bean soup, wild mushroom risotto & flan.
Atmosphere: Dine in Balboa Park. A great place for indoor/outdoor eating, when the weather is nice or if you want a bite while visiting the museums or zoo. Lush foliage in an outdoor relaxed setting. Upscale, urbane and pricey.
(619) 557-9441
Balboa Park: 1549 El Prado, Balboa Park. 92101
Extraordinary Desserts- As far as we are concerned, this is the only place in San Diego to go for dessert. It has been a fixture for many years and once you taste the desserts you will know why. World class.
Atmosphere: High style in a very small space. Outdoor seating too. There is often a line to get in but it is worth it!
(619) 294-2132
Hillcrest: 2929 Fifth Ave. 92103
Red Sea Restaurant- Reasonably priced. Try the vegetarian combination, timatim selata and lentil sambussa.
Atmosphere: ethnic hole in the wall
(619) 285-9722
City Heights: 4717 University Ave. 92105
KC's Tandoor- Fast food take out for a quick meal. Try the bhaingan Bharta or the Navratan Korma along with an onion kulcha and mango lassi.
Atmosphere: "Lunch court" type atmosphere.
(619) 535-1941
Sorento Valley: 9450 Scranton Rd. 92121
Cafe India- Vegetarian lunch and dinner buffet
Atmosphere: Casual dinning in plain surroundings
(619) 224-7500
Sports Arena: 3760 Sports Arena Blvd. 92110
Madras Cafe-Authentic South India food like dosas, idli etc. They have a buffet which is very reasonable too.
Atmosphere: Clean simple surroundings and gracious owners.
(858) 695-6229
Miramar: 9484 Black Mountain Rd. #H 92126
Arrivaderci-Good food. One of our favorite restaurants. Very reliable. Our favorite is the Mama Rosa Ravioli & the Tri colori salad. Their Tiramisu is pretty good too. This place can get packed so call ahead or eat early and miss the crowds.
Atmosphere: Eat on the patio and practice speaking Italian with the real Italian waiters.
(619) 299-6282
Hillcrest: 3845 4th Ave. 92103
Barolo-Good food.
Atmosphere: Somewhat formal dining
(619) 622-1202
University Towne Center: 8935 Towne Centre Drive Suite 113, 92122
Panevino Italian Restaurant-Truly wonderful food but very pricey. Don't miss the creme brulet!
Atmosphere: Somewhat formal dining. Nice outside patio to watch the downtown scene.
(619) 595-7959
Downtown: 722 5th Ave. 92101
Pizza Nova- Wood-fired stove for good Pizza. Delicious Greek salad too.
Atmosphere: trendy decor
Point Loma: 5120 North Harbor Dr. 92106. (619) 226-0268
Hillcrest: 3955 5th Ave. 92103. (619) 296-6682
La Mesa: 5500 Grossmont Center Dr. 91942. (619) 589-7222
Tomasos Ristorante- Great food and nice upstairs patio dining. Easy walk to beach.
Atmosphere: more formal and fun if that is possible! refined service
(619) 522-0077
Coronado: 1309 Orange Ave. 92118
Trattoria i Trulli- Untried but it is the sister restaurant of Arrivaderchi above which is one of our favorites.
Atmosphere: unknown
(760) 943-6800
Encinitas: 830 South Coast Highway 101. 92024
Schmoozers AKA Mossarella's- Untried but they have pizza, Mexican and Mediterranean food
(619) 583-1636
College/La Mesa: 6366 El Cajon Bl. 92115
Berta's-Unusual Latin American dishes. Try the Ensalada De Naranja, Papas A La Huanacaina, Costa Rican Casado or the Venezuelan Arepas
Atmosphere: relaxed and there is outside dining. One of the few restaurants in old town that has adequate parking.
(619) 295-2343
Old Town: 3928 Twiggs St. 92110
Chipotle- Very good food and very fast food service. Limited selection. but if you are in a hurry for something good and inexpensive, eat here!
Atmosphere: industrial trendy decor
(619) 209-3688
Hillcrest: 734 University Ave. 92103
Pacific Beach: 1504 Garnet Ave. 92109
El Zarape- A hole in the wall neighborhood secret. Great food at very reasonable prices with many vegetarian selections.
Atmosphere: Nicely done interior that is trendier than one might expect. Has some outside seating.
(619) 692-1652
University Heights: 4642 Park Boulevard. 92116
La Salsa-Good, fast, reliable and clean Mexican chain food restaurant. Many salsas.
Atmosphere: Casual. Order at the grill and sit down or take out. There is a patio.
(619) 543-0777
Hillcrest: 1010 University Ave. 92103
Ortegas-Very good regional Mexican food from the Pueblo region of Mexico. Good salsas.
Atmosphere: Casual. Order at the grill and sit down or take out. There is a small sidewalk patio.
(619) 222-4205
Ocean Beach: 4888 Newport Ave. 92107
Ortegas Tamaleria-Walking distance from Ortegas restaurant above. Go here for great tamales. Try the Vegetarian or Jalapeno & Cheese tamales.
Atmosphere: Casual.
(619) 222-1722
Ocean Beach: 4993 Niagara Ave. 92107
Pokez- Mexican & Vegetarian Cuisine- Untried
(619) 702-7160
Downtown: 947 E Street. 92101
Rancho's Mexican & Vegetarian Cuisine- 
Good salsa but otherwise unremarkable.
Atmosphere: some outside seating under and around many plants but also very close to the street noise of Sunset Cliffs Bl.
(619) 226-7619
Ocean Beach: 1830 Sunset Cliffs Blvd. 92107
Aladdin Mediterranean Cafe & Gourmet Market-They have a vegetarian platter.
Atmosphere: Eat amongst the deli cases or the parked cars.
(619) 573-0000
Clairemont Mesa: 5420 Clairemont Mesa Blvd. 92117
Cafe Athena- Best Greek food in town and of course our favorite Greek restaurant. We recommend all the vegetarian dips, the lentil soup and the Greek salad. Skip the Falafel.
Atmosphere: sit down casual with good wait staff
(619) 274-1140
Pacific Beach: 1846 Garnet Ave. 92109
Fairouz Restaurant and Gallery- Vegetarian lunch buffet with all the hummus you can eat! A terrific value is made even better if you clip out the discount coupon from "The Reader" (a local weekly free journal available at some 7-11's, liquor stores, movie theaters and health food stores)
Atmosphere: Casual dinning amongst the owners many middle eastern impressionistic paintings.
(619) 225-0308
Sports Arena: 3166 Midway Dr. 92110
Mama's Lebanese-Hole in the wall with good value for your money.
Atmosphere: We usually call in and take out because of the limited and unattractive seating on premises.
(619) 688-0717
4237 Alabama St. 92104
Cafe Sevilla-A fun restaurant! Try the patatas a la brava, mashed potatoes with manchengo cheese and the pisto manchengo.The cheese platter is good too. Stroll around the downtown artisan shops before dinner.
Atmosphere: Ceiling painted like the night sky and heavy wood chairs and tables in typical Spanish decor. Call ahead for reservations if eating at prime times or to ifnd out the times for their music/dance entertainment.
(619) 233-5979
Gaslamp: 555 4th Ave. 92101
Saigon on Fifth- Consistently wins awards for their fine food. Amazingly not expensive either! Needless to say this is one of our frequent haunts. The yellow curry is our favorite.
Atmosphere: Sophisticated yet comfortable. Waitresses serve you in their elegant traditional dress.
(619) 220-8828
Hillcrest: 3900 Fifth Ave. 92103
All Vegetarian | Health Food | Health Food Stores | Juice Bars | Afghanistan | California Cuisine | Desserts |
Ethiopian | Indian | Italian | Kosher | Mexican | Middle Eastern/Greek | Spanish | Vietnamese