The Best Vegetarian Restaurants in San Francisco

San Francisco and the Bay Area bring together a world-class dining scene with a ready acceptance of vegetarianism and veganism. Add to this close access to the year-round plant-based bounty of California, and the result is an incredible array of restaurants that cater more than capably to customers who don't eat meat. The best vegetarian restaurants in San Francisco are as diverse as the Bay Area's communities, although inherently vegetarian-friendly Indian, Mediterranean and Italian cuisines are counted most frequently among their ranks. But where do the savviest, most expert diners go when they're seeking amazing vegetarian cuisine? Welcome to the Tastemakers List. We polled OpenTable's smartest, most seasoned diners and pulled data covering thousands of restaurants to determine the best of them all. From the Mission to Mountain View, these restaurants elevate vegetarian cuisine with unmatched creativity. Whether you're vegan, vegetarian or looking to dine as a mixed group, we suggest booking a table at one of these San Francisco-area hot spots today.

The OpenTable Team

14 Restaurants

Updated February 26, 2020

Restaurants:	Greens Restaurant, Tuba Restaurant, Roti Indian Bistro - San Francisco…
Price Range:	$$ - $$$$
Cuisines:	Vegetarian / Vegan, Turkish, Indian…
Neighborhoods:	Marina / Cow Hollow / Presidio, Mission District, Forest Hill / West Portal…

Greens Restaurant

$$$$

Vegetarian / Vegan

Marina / Cow Hollow / Presidio

4.6

10159 reviews

Greens Restaurant is unarguably one of the best vegetarian restaurants in San Francisco and also one of the longest standing, founded in 1979 by the San Francisco Zen Center. Original chef Deborah Madison and her successor since 1985, Annie Somerville, each in her turn redefined vegetarian fine dining and pioneered the concept of farm-to-table cuisine. Greens Restaurant’s seasonal menus are 100-percent vegetarian. Every dish is a creative celebration of vegetables, many of which come from the restaurant’s own Green Gulch Farm. A vegetable curry and thin-crust pizzas are always popular, as are delicate and artistic salads. Sunday brunch is a buzzing affair, while dining at Greens Restaurant is a special experience for vegetarians at any time. Views of sailboats docked in the Bay and the distant Golden Gate Bridge through walls of windows augment every meal.

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Tuba Restaurant

$$$$

Turkish

Mission District

4.5

992 reviews

The Mission District’s Tuba Restaurant serves authentic Turkish cuisine, which includes many intriguing vegetarian options. Don’t skip the Turkish bread – it’s made in-house from scratch. Gayot reviewers highlight the cevizli ezme, a dip made from walnuts and peppers, and the sigara boregi, filo parcels filled with potatoes and melting feta. For vegetarian entrees look to eggplant dishes such as mussakka, eggplant stuffed with potatoes and zucchini enveloped in bechamel sauce and served with rice and salad. Note that Tuba Restaurant is a BYOB.

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Roti Indian Bistro - San Francisco

$$$$

Indian

Forest Hill / West Portal

4.8

1317 reviews

Roti Indian Bistro opened in San Francisco in 2005, an offshoot of the original in Burlingame. The expansion is testament to the restaurant’s popularity and quality of cuisine, all prepared using fresh, local ingredients and inspired by the traditions of North India. Regulars report that portions are generous, and the menu offers ample vegetarian items. Among more than a dozen vegetarian curries are bhindi masala with okra and onions, and paneer makhana with house-made paneer in a creamy tomato sauce. Pair these rich dishes with basmati rice or one of many Indian breads.

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Spiazzo Ristorante

$$$$

Italian

Forest Hill / West Portal

4.5

1061 reviews

A fine-dining Italian spot off the beaten path in West Portal, Spiazzo Ristorante focuses on classic cuisine prepared with a perfectionist’s touch. Its portions are generous, the wine list lengthy and the ambiance old-school and welcoming. A substantial portion of the dinner menu is vegetarian-friendly. Stand-outs among antipasti are a grilled polenta with mushrooms, tomato sauce and whole roasted garlic, and caprine con vegetali, layers of zucchini, eggplant, roasted peppers, tomatoes and goat cheese. Most of the pizzas are vegetarian as well, among them a classic Margherita and the Mediterranean-inspired montanara with fresh and sun-dried tomatoes, Kalamata olives, feta and oregano under a tangle of fresh arugula.

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bota tapas and paella bar

$$$$

Tapas / Small Plates

Downtown / Union Square

4.2

801 reviews

Botas Tapas and Paella Bar, inside the Warwick Hotel in Union Square, presents authentic Spanish cuisine ideal for sharing over drinks. Vegetarian diners might make a spread out of the Spanish cheese plate, spicy marinated olives, patatas bravas or heirloom tomatoes, then move on to the vegetarian paella. It’s one of eight paellas sized for two or more to share. The restaurant is also open for breakfast. On the breakfast menu American classics like chocolate chip pancakes and avocado toast with poached egg share space with Spanish-inspired items such as Spanish tortilla with a side of tomato toast.

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Zingari Ristorante & Tapas Bar

$$$$

Italian

Downtown / Union Square

4.2

2553 reviews

Diners seeking the the best vegetarian restaurants in San Francisco shouldn’t overlook top-notch Italian restaurants like Zingari Ristorante in Union Square. While its menus include meat and seafood options, many of the most tempting highlights are vegetarian items. Consider such innovative vegetable-focused creations as the cavolfiore, lightly breaded cauliflower with orange segments, capers, a lemon mousse and carrot aioli, and risotto di zucca, a roasted butternut squash risotto with gorgonzola and kale chips. Zingari Ristorante’s inviting space comprises three distinct dining rooms and a lounge that hosts live jazz every night.

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ZINO

$$$$

Mediterranean

Berkeley

3.9

328 reviews

ZINO, a bright and inviting restaurant in Berkeley, takes inspiration for its menus from 22 distinct Mediterranean cuisines along with the freshest of local ingredients. It also offers craft brews from the Bay Area. Breakfast, lunch, dinner and weekend brunch menus all cater admirably to vegetarians. Mezzes and tagines are ZINO’s signatures, and numerous vegetarian options are highlights among them. The offerings change frequently but usually include arrays of shareable dips like tzatziki, hummus, muhammara and baba ghanouj. Full-size entrée options for vegetarians might include a vegetable tagine with harissa and yogurt, and ricotta agnolotti with corn and Aleppo tomatoes.

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Mantra India

$$$$

Indian

Mountain View

4.3

295 reviews

Mantra India in downtown Mountain View presents from-scratch specialties inspired by traditional North and South Indian cuisines. Its buffet-style lunch and lengthy dinner menus include ample vegetarian items, with a dedicated vegetarian entrée section at dinnertime. Some of the more interesting options here include tadka dal lakhnavi, a spiced yellow lentil dish from North India, and kofta malai, herb-flecked vegetable dumplings in a creamy sauce. The Jaipuri masala bhindi showcases fresh okra, while house-made paneer cheese is the star of a rich chili paneer. Most of the breads, rice dishes and many appetizers are vegetarian-friendly as well.

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The Star

$$$$

Pizzeria

Oakland

4.6

623 reviews

The Star in Oakland is a sister restaurant to the three Little Star Pizza restaurants in San Francisco. All are among the best vegetarian restaurants in San Francisco and the Bay Area for vegetarians craving pizza. The rustic-chic restaurant specializes in both Chicago-style deep dish and thin-crust pizzas, and also offers organic market-driven salads and appetizers. Vegetarian stand-outs among shareable starters include a warm sourdough with roast garlic cloves, roasted cauliflower with garlic, chili, parmesan and lemon, and a burrata caprese with blistered grape tomatoes. Five out of eight salads are suitable for vegetarians, as are five pizzas plus a build-your-own pizza option. The DIY approach is vegan-friendly with a vegan cheese among the topping options.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

True Food Kitchen - Palo Alto

$$$$

American

Palo Alto

4.5

2995 reviews

True Food Kitchen is the brainchild of noted holistic doctor Andrew Weil, who with restaurateur Sam Fox has launched a series of restaurants starting in the Bay Area and expanding nationwide. Palto Alto hosts one of eight True Food Kitchens in California. Local vegans, vegetarians and health conscious meat-eaters alike find a lot to love on its menus. Many items are vegan or vegetarian as-is, and others are customizable to suit any dietary restriction. Expect elevated, flavor-packed comfort food with a healthy spin. Some vegetarian highlights are the edamame dumpling appetizer and Korean noodle bowls. Another is the inside-out quinoa burger with a choice of salads or sweet potato hash on the side.

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Little Star Solano

$$$$

Pizzeria

Albany

4.3

348 reviews

Little Star Pizza in Albany, one of three venues in the Bay Area, is beloved by locals and critics alike for its signature deep-dish and classic thin-crust pizzas. Its cozy and inviting dining space with floor-to-ceiling windows adds considerably to its appeal. Also note that Little Star Pizza is one of the best vegetarian restaurants in San Francisco for anyone in the mood for old-school comfort food. The signature Little Star deep-dish is a great vegetarian choice, piled with mushrooms, onions and a spinach-ricotta-feta blend. Also consider the thin-crust California pizza with pesto, arugula, sun-dried tomatoes and a balsamic reduction. There’s a build-your-own pizza option with vegan cheese among the available toppings.

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True Food Kitchen - Walnut Creek

$$$$

American

Walnut Creek

4.6

2882 reviews

True Food Kitchen, a large national chain of wellness-focused restaurants from Dr. Andrew Weil, is one of the best vegetarian restaurants in the San Francisco area that’s not strictly vegetarian. Vegan and vegetarian items make up a substantial portion of its lengthy menu, and customizations to suit other dietary requirements or preferences are encouraged. Health-conscious Walnut Creek diners seeking a satisfying vegetarian meal might choose one of several bowls (ancient grains, Korean noodle, cauliflower polenta or teriyaki quinoa) or a vegan T.L.T. sandwich, with smoked tempeh as the “T.” Market-fresh salads and lighter bites are just as tempting.

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La Pizzeria - Campbell

$$$$

Italian

Campbell

4.1

270 reviews

La Pizzeria is an authentic Italian spot in Campbell that offers a full vegan menu along with many vegetarian pizza options. The regular menu also features pasta dishes, salads and antipasti, with a number of vegetarian-friendly focaccias as an alternative to classic pizzas. These include the focaccia pizzeria with marinated artichoke, brie cheese and arugula. The caprese vegetale, slices of grilled zucchini, eggplants and tomatoes with house-made pesto and sundried tomato spread, is another stand-out appetizer suitable for vegetarians. Eight pizzas and four different pasta dishes feature on the vegan menu; vegetarians have an even wider array of options.

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Ajanta Restaurant

$$$$

Indian

Berkeley

4.5

1034 reviews

Ajanta Restaurant is one of the most popular Indian restaurants in Berkeley, and one of the best dinner spots for vegetarians and vegans as well. Its creative takes on authentic cuisines from all over India feature sustainable, organic ingredients whenever possible. Consider the vegetarian version of the chef’s tasting menu for the table, which includes three courses plus rice, naan, chutneys and pickles. The a la carte dinner menu also features numerous vegan and vegetarian items. Stand-outs include a tandoori portobello mushroom appetizer with a yogurt-cashew-mint sauce, and baadal jam, organic eggplant slices atop thickened yogurt, brushed with tomato sauce and seasoned with mango powder and black rock salt.

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