The 5 best vegan cafes in San Francisco

Sometimes being vegan can mean having to do a little more research into where to get the best food. We've made things easier by finding the 5 best vegan cafes in SF we think any plant-based eater will adore.

1. Next Level Burger

Photo: Fatcow.com

Next Level is a vegan’s answer to Chick Fil A, only better for the planet and almost certainly healthier. Serving up fast (vegan) food in a calm, bright environment, it’s the perfect place to grab a quick lunch or a hangover treat. With decadent options like burgers, crinkle fries and thick vegan shakes, as well as healthier choices like salads and grilled sandwiches, it’s up to you how indulgent you want to be. We love the crispy chicken burger (vegan of course), which has a patty more convincingly meaty than McDonalds’.

2. Nourish Cafe

Nourish Cafe lives up to its name: everything here is about health and vitality (both your own and the planet’s), serving up the best vegan food with a conscience. They pride themselves on only using organic, plant-based ingredients, which are all totally GMO free. The menu includes brunch favorites like avocado toast and quinoa waffles with hazelnut spread, as well as every day treats like the banh mi sandwich and the ever-popular Nourish bowl. The space is bright with large windows and plenty of white and pine wood, but with only 6 tables total it’s better to go at off-peak times to guarantee a place to sit.

Photo: Nourish Cafe

3. Beloved Cafe

Beloved Cafe is a vegan and vegetarian juice and tea bar with plenty of planet-friendly food to munch on and a bohemian, laid-back vibe. They even make their own chai from scratch every morning, with ginger, lemongrass, cinnamon, black tea and whole milk, and they’re smoothie selection is almost endless. Choose from healthy ingredients including ashwaganda, maca, spirulina and more, blended with fruit, veggies and their signature homemade almond milk for the perfect vegan treat.

4. Greens 

Greens is one of our favorite vegan restaurants in the city partly because of its amazing view: this vegetarian and vegan haven sits on a gorgeous location overlooking the San Francisco Bay and the Golden Gate Bridge. Proudly at the forefront of the farm to table movement for over 35 years, this hidden gem serves both healthy and wholesome food for breakfast, lunch and dinner. We love the black bean chili and the spring thai red curry, both made from the freshest ingredients from a Zen farm in Marin, and they’re happy to make any vegetarian dish on the menu vegan if you ask with a smile.

Photo: Greens

5. Shizen Vegan Sushi Bar

We love this small but mighty sushi bar for the best sushi in SF, minus the fish. Shizen's creative menu is so much more than avocado rolls, with a range of options to suit any taste. And it’s not all about sushi either, with a selection of vegan ramen and gyoza available too. The only problem is because of the small size it gets booked fast so make reservations online and be prepared to wait (but it’s worth it!).