The voters have spoken! Below are the results of the first annual Best Of Vegan In San Diego awards! Voting was open from December 13, 2016, through December 31, 2016. To see the full details of the contest, please visit the 2016 contest page.
Thank you to the 1,300 voters who helped us determine the Best Of Vegan In San Diego 2016. We look forward to bringing you the 2017 awards December 1, 2017, through December 31, 2017.
San Diego’s 2016 best….
ALL-VEGAN RESTAURANT/POP-UP: Plant Power Fast Food
Runner up: Trilogy Sanctuary
About Plant Power Fast Food
Plant Power Fast Food brings San Diego 100% vegan fast food right near the beach. Located in Ocean Beach, Plant Power has created a lot of buzz since its opening in January 2016. The chain is due to open its second location in Encinitas in early 2017. Plant Power is known for it’s vegan burgers, wraps, frozen dessert and fast food atmosphere. They were also voted Best Vegan Burger, Best Vegan Frozen Dessert and Best Vegan, Gluten-Free Options in the Best Of Vegan In San Diego 2016 contest.
Visit their website to learn more and to view their menu.
About Trilogy Sanctuary
Trilogy Sanctuary is located in La Jolla and known for its rooftop view and aerial yoga. Its fully vegan cafe offers a 100% organic and 100% gluten-free menu as well as raw options. In addition to placing second for Best Of Vegan in San Diego 2016, Trilogy Sanctuary was also voted Best Vegan Tacos/Burritos.
Visit their website to learn more and to view their menu.
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VEGAN POP-UP: Anthem Vegan
Runner up: Southern Fried Vegan
About Anthem Vegan
Anthem Vegan brings innovative vegan food to virtually all corners of San Diego county — from Otay Mesa, to Carlsbad, to SDSU (when in session). Visit their website or Instagram for the current locations and schedule. Anthem is known for its vegan tacos, burritos and rad staff; there is usually something special on the menu for the week (or day!).
Visit their website to learn more and to view their menu.
About Southern Fried Vegan
Southern Fried Vegan provides delicious vegan versions of popular festival foods to festivals, street fairs, breweries, wineries, and farmers markets throughout Southern California, and special events. Southern Fried Vegan’s signature menu item is the southern fried vegan chickun sandwich.
Visit their Facebook page to learn more.
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VEGAN, GLUTEN-FREE OPTIONS: Plant Power Fast Food
Runner up: Trilogy Sanctuary
About Plant Power Fast Food’s gluten-free options
In addition to being voted San Diego’s Best All-Vegan Restaurant of 2016, Plant Power Fast Food is also known for its numerous gluten-free items. Most of its burgers can be orders with a gluten-free bun or wrapped in cabbage. Many of its daily desserts are gluten-free, and all of its gluten-free options are clearly labeled on the menu.
Visit their website to learn more and to view their menu.
About Trilogy Sanctuary’s gluten-free options
Trilogy Sanctuary is located in La Jolla and known for its rooftop view and aerial yoga. Its fully vegan cafe offers a 100% organic and 100% gluten-free menu as well as raw options.
Visit their website to learn more and to view their menu.
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VEGAN BRUNCH: Kindred
Runner up: Trilogy Sanctuary
About Kindred
KINDRED is a “vegan death metal” bar located in San Diego’s South Park. It’s well known for its atmosphere and wolf-head sculpture on the wall. Kindred was voted Best Vegan Brunch and Best Vegan Sandwich in the Best Of Vegan In San Diego 2016 contest. The Saturday and Sunday brunch at Kindred is highly regarded for its pancakes, Tofu Benedict, and French toast.
Visit their website to learn more, and to view their menu.
About Trilogy Sanctuary
Trilogy Sanctuary is located in La Jolla and known for its rooftop view and aerial yoga. Its fully vegan cafe offers a 100% organic and 100% gluten-free menu as well as raw options. Trilogy Sanctuary was voted runner up for San Diego’s best vegan brunch, best vegan burger, best gluten-free options and best all-vegan restaurant.
Visit their website to learn more and to view their menu.
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VEGAN DONUTS: Donut Panic
Runner up: Nomad Donuts
About Donut Panic
Donut Panic is located in the Mission Valley/Grantville area. It offers vegan and traditional donuts, with vegan-only donuts on Tuesdays. Donut Panic offers game nights and other fun opportunities for gatherings (and of course, more donuts!).
Visit the Donut Panic Facebook page for more information, and to view the menu.
About Nomad Donuts
Nomad Donuts is located in North Park and offers vegan and traditional donuts in a variety of unique flavors. Nomad also offers coffee and vegan milks. Coming soon: Nomad Bakery & Cafe in North Park on University Avenue.
Visit the Nomad Donuts website to learn more, and to view the menu.
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VEGAN CAKES: Moncai Vegan
Runner up: Whole Foods
About Moncai Vegan and its cakes
Moncai Vegan is a well-known, all-vegan restaurant in San Diego’s Normal Heights neighborhood. Moncai is staffed with an enthusiastic and talented bunch. Moncai was voted Best Vegan Cake of 2016. It offers full cakes by special order, individual slices when available, donuts and plenty of other sweets in its dessert case. Moncai is also well known for its Sunday brunch, complete with champagne.
Visit the Moncai Vegan website to learn more, and follow Moncai on Instagram to see more.
About Whole Food’s vegan cakes
San Diego’s local Whole Foods Markets offer vegan cakes on hand, which are perfect when you’re pressed for time. The Whole Foods bakery is also a hot bed for other vegan delights like donuts and pastries.
Visit the Whole Foods website to learn more, and contact your nearest location to inquire about their vegan items.
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VEGAN FROZEN DESSERT: Plant Power Fast Food
Runner up: Evolution Fast Food
About Plant Power Fast Food’s frozen dessert
Plant Power Fast Food brings San Diego 100% vegan fast food right near the beach. Located in Ocean Beach, Plant Power has created a lot of buzz since its opening in January 2016. The chain is due to open its second location in Encinitas in early 2017. Plant Power is known for it’s vegan burgers, wraps, frozen dessert and fast food atmosphere. They were also voted Best Vegan Burger, Best Vegan Frozen Dessert and Best Vegan, Gluten-Free Options in the Best Of Vegan In San Diego 2016 contest.
Visit their website to learn more and to view their menu.
About Evolution Fast Food’s frozen dessert
Description courtesy of Halnez_Foodness.
Evolution Fast Food is a small establishment nestled next to Balboa Park’s west side. With an eclectic menu, Evolution has something for everyone. The menu consists of burgers, sandwiches, wraps, burritos, raw items, and desserts, including raw pies, cookies, shakes, and kombucha floats made with their vegan soft serve! If you’re feeling adventurous, they have daily specials that include Carne Asada or Buffalo Chik’n Fries! Grab and go options as well as a drive-thru makes getting something quick when short on time, that much easier. Seating in their outdoor eating area is nice if you have some time to take in the gorgeous San Diego weather.
Visit their website to learn more and to view their menu.
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VEGAN BURGER: Plant Power Fast Food
Runner up: Trilogy Sanctuary
About Plant Power Fast Food’s burgers
Plant Power Fast Food brings San Diego 100% vegan fast food right near the beach. Located in Ocean Beach, Plant Power has created a lot of buzz since its opening in January 2016. The chain is due to open its second location in Encinitas in early 2017. Plant Power is known for it’s vegan burgers, wraps, frozen dessert and fast food atmosphere. They were also voted Best Vegan Burger, Best Vegan Frozen Dessert and Best Vegan, Gluten-Free Options in the Best Of Vegan In San Diego 2016 contest.
Visit their website to learn more and to view their menu.
About Trilogy Sanctuary’s burgers
Trilogy Sanctuary is located in La Jolla and known for its rooftop view and aerial yoga. Its fully vegan cafe offers a 100% organic and 100% gluten-free menu as well as raw options. Trilogy Sanctuary was voted runner up for San Diego’s best vegan brunch, best vegan burger, best gluten-free options and best all-vegan restaurant.
Visit their website to learn more and to view their menu.
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VEGAN SANDWICH: Kindred
Runner up: Anthem Vegan
About Kindred’s sandwiches
KINDRED is a vegan death metal bar located in San Diego’s South Park. It’s well known for its atmosphere and wolf-head sculpture on the wall. Kindred was voted Best Vegan Brunch and Best Vegan Sandwich in the Best Of Vegan In San Diego 2016 contest. The award-winning vegan sandwiches include The Wanderer: Blackened Tofu, Spiced Red Cabbage, Apricot Chutney, Lime Pepita Aioli, Focaccia, Potato Chips; and, the Memphis BBQ Jackfruit: Pulled Soy Curls, Green Chili Aioli, Pickle, Onion, Dijon Mustard, Sourdough, Potato Chips.
Visit their website to learn more, and to view their menu.
About Anthem Vegan’s sandwiches
Anthem Vegan brings innovative vegan food to virtually all corners of San Diego county — from Otay Mesa, to Carlsbad, to SDSU (when in session). Visit their website or Instagram for the current locations and schedule. Anthem is known for its vegan tacos, burritos and rad staff; there is usually something special on the menu for the week (or day!).
Visit their website to learn more and to view their menu.
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VEGAN TACOS/BURRITOS: Trilogy Sanctuary
Runner up: Anthem Vegan
About Trilogy Sanctuary’s tacos and burritos
Trilogy Sanctuary is located in La Jolla and known for its rooftop view and aerial yoga. Its fully vegan cafe offers a 100% organic and 100% gluten-free menu as well as raw options. In addition to placing second for Best Of Vegan in San Diego 2016, Trilogy Sanctuary was also voted Best Vegan Tacos/Burritos.
Visit their website to learn more and to view their menu.
About Anthem Vegan’s tacos and burritos
Anthem Vegan brings innovative vegan food to virtually all corners of San Diego county — from Otay Mesa, to Carlsbad, to SDSU (when in session). Visit their website or Instagram for the current locations and schedule. Anthem is known for its vegan tacos, burritos and rad staff; there is usually something special on the menu for the week (or day!).
Visit their website to learn more and to view their menu.
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VEGAN SUSHI: Sipz
Runner up: Sushi Deli
About Sipz
Sipz is a well-known vegetarian restaurant in San Diego with two locations so far, offering a nearly all-vegan menu. Both locations–North Park and Clairemont Mesa–offer vegan sushi daily after 5 p.m., and North Park serves vegan sushi all day on Fridays and Saturdays. Sipz also offers many mock meat dishes such as Kung Pao, but customers love their Caterpillar Roll and Sips Dynamite roll.
Visit their website to learn more and to view their menus.
About Sushi Deli
Description courtesy of The Veg Foodie.
Harnessing ingredients like seaweed salad, tempura sweet potato, and cilantro vinaigrette, Sushi Deli busts through concepts of typical veggie rolls. With three locations throughout San Diego, they spread their innovative, budget conscious sushi roll across the city. Sushi Deli 2 (Downtown) offers the most extensive vegan options–each conveniently called out by little green hearts dotted throughout the menu.
Visit their website to learn more and to view their menus.
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VEGAN PIZZA (options):
Tied for first: Blind Lady Ale House
Tied for first: Pizzeria Luigi SD
About Blind Lady Ale House
Blind Lady Ale House (BLAH) offers craft pizza and beer in San Diego’s Normal Heights area. BLAH is partially owned by vegans, and has several menu items (including pizzas) clearly labeled as vegan (marked with V+). BLAH offers Meatless Monday specials every Monday, and in 2017 they launched the Agents of Change fundraising initiative for designated monthly charities.
Visit their website to learn more and to view their menu.
About Pizzeria Luigi SD
Description courtesy of The Veg Foodie.
Pizzeria Luigi offers a crisp, thin crust New York style pizza that can be topped the usual selection of vegetables plus soyrizo, Daiya, and a housemade tofu ricotta. Available by the slice–call ahead to see if there is any in the case, if not they will whip up some vegan options–or whole pies to share with a friends and family.
Visit their website to learn more and to view their menu.
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VEGAN FALAFEL: Mama’s Bakery
Runner up: Tigris Mediterranean
About Mama’s Bakery
Mama’s Bakery offers traditional Lebanese cuisine and earned the title of San Diego’s Best Vegan Falafel.
Learn more on the Mama’s Bakery website and view the menu to check out its vegan options.
About Tigris Mediterranean
Located in Kearny Mesa, Tigris Mediterranean offers several items on its hard-copy menu that are labeled vegan, including falafel.
Learn more on the Tigris website and view the menu to check out its vegan options.
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ANIMAL RESCUE/SANCTUARY: Farm Animal Refuge
Runner up: San Diego Farm Animal Rescue
About Farm Animal Refuge
Farm Animal Refuge provides Refuge to neglected/abused/unwanted farm animals while educating the public on the benefits of compassionate living and a plant-based diet. This rescue is located in Campo, CA, and is vegan owned and operated. To get to know the animals at the farm, follow their adventures on Facebook and Instagram. Donations are welcome and can be made via PayPal to farmanimalrefuge@gmail.com.
Visit their Facebook page for more information. A website is coming soon.
About San Diego Farm Animal Rescue
San Diego Farm Animal Rescue rescues farm animals in need, educates through compassion, and advocates for the fair and ethical treatment of all animals.
Learn more about this rescue on their website.
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VEGAN-FRIENDLY MARKET/GROCERY STORE: Ocean Beach People’s Market
Runner up: Sprouts
About Ocean Beach People’s Market
Ocean Beach People’s Organic Food Market is located in Ocean Beach. It is a member-owned vegetarian food co-op that has been serving the community since 1972. Originally a worker’s collective, the cooperative has grown to include 6,000 feet of retail space and more than 13,500 member/owners. The Co-op offers an extensive selection of organic produce, grocery, dairy, and bulk foods and herbs, as well as vitamins and homeopathics, cruelty-free body care, and aromatherapy products. Enjoy a full service award winning deli featuring a delicious selection of home-style vegetarian and vegan entrees, salads, sandwiches, freshly prepared baked goods, desserts, and more! People’s, San Diego’s only customer-owned grocery store, specializes in products that are organic, wholesome, minimally processed, vegetarian and environmentally safe.
Learn more about Ocean Beach People’s Market on their website.
About Sprouts
There are several Sprouts locations around San Diego County. In addition to fresh, whole foods, Sprouts offers many vegan products that can be found throughout the store and in the dairy/non-dairy section.
Visit the Sprouts website to learn more, and to find a store near you.
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VEGAN-THEMED PODCAST: Vegan Warrior Princesses Attack! by Callie and Nichole
Runner up: Beyond the Podcast by Brian Turner
Third place: Dash-a-Fire Podcast by Dash Eye
About Vegan Warrior Princesses Attack!
Vegan Warrior Princesses Attack! is a podcast with in-depth, unapologetic discussions of vegan issues by two modern-day vegan warrior princesses.
Subscribe to Vegan Warrior Princess Attack! podcast on iTunes.
About Beyond the Podcast
Beyond the Podcast is a show hosted by popular lifestyle/fitness YouTuber Brian Turner wherein he discusses various topics of all types with rotating guests as they become available!
Subscribe to Beyond the Podast on iTunes.
About Dash-a-Fire Podcast
Dash-A-Fire Podcast: Reggae & Vegan Lifestyle! Each episode host, Dash Eye, will bring you the latest and greatest in reggae music and vegan discussion! Plus, interviews, features, top 5’s(the Fire Five’s), Food for Thought and more!
Subscribe to Dash-a-Fire podcast on SoundCloud and iTunes.
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VEGAN NUTRITION AND COOKING CLASS: Veg-Appeal
Runner up: Soul in the Raw
About Veg-Appeal
Veg-Appeal helps individuals and groups achieve their health goals through a whole-food, plant-powered and planet-friendly way of eating. They specialize in healthy, vegan cooking classes in San Diego County.
Visit the Veg-Appeal website to learn more.
About Soul in the Raw
On Soul in the Raw you will find raw vegan recipes, plant-based nutrition tips and tutorials, and inspiration to lead a healthy, plant-based, unprocessed high raw-vegan lifestyle. Soul in the Raw is about abundance rather than deprivation, quick and easy recipes, and loving yourself through creating food that makes you feel amazing.
Visit the Soul in the Raw website to learn more.