Known as “The Village by the Sea”, Carlsbad is famous for its golden sandy beaches, world-class shopping experience and an outstanding dining scene. It’s no wonder then that Carlsbad attracts both beach lovers and gastronomes alike!
Luckily Carlsbad, CA has exceptional dining choices for vegans too, including a large selection of restaurants serving appetizing American comfort food as well as internationally inspired cuisine.
You’ll find exclusively vegan restaurants in Carlsbad, as well as fantastic eateries that serve both meat and vegan dishes. But thanks to the appealing selection of vegan choices on their menus, we just had to include some of those non-vegan restaurants on our shortlist.
So let’s dig in! Below are six awesome vegan restaurants in Carlsbad, CA for an unforgettable food experience. Expect award-winning eateries, Michelin Guide mentioned restaurants and more!
Six Exceptional Vegan Restaurants in Carlsbad, CA: Food Worth Waiting For!
1. Veggie Grill
Whether you’re a local or just visiting Carlsbad, we know it can sometimes be hard to find healthy vegan options when dining out. But worry not as we’ve got you covered with this restaurant that serves up award-winning vegan food in Carlsbad.
Fresh, colorful, crispy and healthy are just some of the words that describe the food at this incredible vegan restaurant in Carlsbad. While Veggie Grill‘s diner-like vibe has a very inviting and relaxed feel to it thanks to the large windows, comfy booths and warm pendant lighting.
The vegan chain restaurant has gained a reputation due to their amazing selection of 100% plant-based American classics that tend to be served up with a seasonal twist.
From nutrient-dense salads, to mouth-watering burgers that will leave you feeling full for hours, you’ll definitely satisfy your American comfort food cravings here!
Some of the most popular picks here include their 7 Layer Bowl which is prepared with brown rice, lettuce, ranchero beans, cheddar cheese, pico de gallo, chipotle and avocado. However, if you’re after a hearty and filling burger, The VG Classic will be a great pick as the combination of soft brioche bun, vegan cheese, special sauce, lettuce, tomato and onion is always going to be a winner in our eyes.
If you’re craving for something sweet after your meal, you’ll be pleased to know that Veggie Grill offers a delicious dessert selection. Some of the favorites here include their Carrot Cake and Belgian Chocolate Cake.
This is easily one of the best vegan restaurants in Carlsbad, CA. And their focus on freshness and flavor and use of ingredients that are in season adds a delectable and bold taste to each dish.
Veggie Grill is open everyday from 11am to 9pm.
Address: 965 Palomar Airport Rd, Carlsbad, CA 92011
2. Mas Veggies Vegan Taqueria
Mas Veggies Vegan Taqueria is a newer addition to Carlsbad’s dining scene. It’s actually part of Veggie Grill, but specialises in serving up plant-based Mexican classics.
They have a selection of great choices here, from burritos, nachos, and tacos to vibrant bowls. Simply put, this vegan restaurant in Carlsbad knows how to make top-notch plant-based Mexican cuisine. You’ll find vibrant, delicious, fresh and fun dishes here, that are perfect for sharing with friends.
What would we recommend trying? Well some favorites include their Chipotle Crunch Taco Salad, Smokey Mushroom Tacos, and Crispy Baja Fish Bowl. But one that tends to stand out the most has to be the Loaded Burrito – you can get a taste of that authentic Mexican flavor in every bite!
You’ll find Mas Veggies Vegan Taqueria in the same restaurant as Veggie Grill. It’s operating hours are everyday from 11am to 9pm.
Address: 965 Palomar Airport Rd, Carlsbad, CA 92011
3. Choice Juicery
Whether you’re looking for an early breakfast, a quick grab-and-go meal or just want to relax while catching some sun, then Choice Juicery is the perfect stop for you!
This food truck has outside seating and specializes in vegan, gluten-free, non-GMO, as well as dairy free cold pressed juices, smoothies and hot elixirs. But we think their food choices will also leave you impressed.
Some of the top picks here include their Avocado Toast or the super filling Coconut ‘Bakon’ Cobb Salad comprising of lettuce, cherry tomatoes, quinoa, coconut ‘bakon’, vegan ranch dressing, avocado and hearts of palm.
And if you love to graze during the day, then the Happy Hummus Platter will be right up your street. This healthy option is served with roasted garlic hummus, bell pepper, carrot, celery, cherry tomato and cucumber. Grab this and you won’t end the day feeling guilty for snacking!
As for the smoothies at Choice Juicery, they’re all handcrafted with their home-made milk, organic fruit, vegan protein and then sweetened using dates instead of sugar.
The smoothies that keep regulars coming back again and again include their Açai Vitality and the Mint Chip smoothie – you can even add loads of superfoods to those like spirulina, goji berries and loads of other options on offer. Even better, feel free to turn any of your smoothies into a bowl packed with nutritious ingredients such as superseed granola or fresh fruits.
Choice Juicery is open from Monday to Friday from 7am to 6:30pm and on weekends from 8am to 6:30pm.
Address: 430 Carlsbad Village Dr, Carlsbad, CA 92008
4. Campfire
We think Campfire is one of the most fun, lively, creative and unique restaurant and cocktail bars around, as it serves excellent wood-fired American fare in a camp themed setting! This spot has also been mentioned in the renowned Michelin Guide – how awesome is that.
While not exclusively vegan, Campfire have some brilliant plant-based options and spot is a great choice for dining out if you’re looking for a place that’s out of the box and perfect for catching up with friends.
You’ll find loads of seating options inside and the décor includes exposed piping for that industrial feel, as well as an open kitchen where you can enjoy their live-fire cooking.
The outside space is also very appealing with wooden décor creating that laid back campground feel. You’ll even find a little tent at the back of this unique restaurant. The unique concept around Campfire is really fun and encourages the concept of gathering around and enjoying food and drinks with your loved ones.
You’ll find an upscale seasonal menu here, but also a separate vegetarian menu with loads of dishes. Some of the top ones include the Roasted Broccoli, and the Crudités which is made up of raw & charred spring vegetables and a delicious smoked cashew dip. However, the one that stood out the most for us has to be the Ancient Grain consisting of farro, fire-roasted shakshouka, tofu labneh and pistachio.
We recommend you make a reservation as this vegan friendly restaurant in Carlsbad can attract a crowd!
Campfire is open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday from 5pm to 10pm. As for Friday and Saturday, they’re open from 5pm to 11pm.
Address: 2725 State St, Carlsbad, CA 92008
5. Sweetgreen
Located just a short drive from two fun parks, Sweetgreen is the ideal place to re-energize and refuel. And the bonus here is if you’re in a rush to get back to your adventures, you can even order online and get online exclusive dishes!
We’ve got to highlight those amazing parks first, just because the fact they’re so close by actually makes Sweetgreen a fantastic grab and go choice. Olympus Park features loads of activities like a skate area, zip line, slides, swing.
And if you want something more serene, love butterflies and are looking for a leisurely walk, then nearby Hawk View Park with its mesmerizing butterfly garden is a lovely place to visit.
Anyway, back to Sweetgreen. This place has a super sleek, open and modern feel to it with the open kitchen and bar stools facing large windows that let the light in. Although not a solely vegan spot, you’ll find loads to choose from here, much of it extremely filling that will keep you full for hours. Which is always a good thing if you’re heading to the park afterwards!
In particular this place does some wonderful seasonal salad bowls. Some favorite choices include their Shroomami Salad Bowl prepared with wild rice, kale, sunflower seeds, cucumber, beetroot, basil, tofu, portobello mushroom and topped with miso sesame ginger.
Another great pick is the Super Green Goddess which consists of spinach, carrot, kale, chickpeas, sweet potato, almonds, lentils, beetroot, spicy broccoli, cabbage and green goddess ranch.
Sweetgreen is open everyday from 10:30am to 9pm.
Address: 7750 El Camino Real Suite A, Carlsbad, CA 92009
6. The Naked Café
We love this café, not only for its super quirky name, but also for the nice vegan selection they have on offer!
This spot is one of your best bets for an early breakfast too as it opens at 7:30 and serves us some of the best vegan breakfast in Carlsbad. Whether you fancy something sweet like pancakes and vegan French toast, or something savory such as a wrap, a nutritious bowl or a light soup, The Naked Café has got an option perfect to kickstart the day!
Although this café isn’t exclusively vegan, the tasty choices on offer are well worth the visit. Some favorites at The Naked Cafe include the Carrot Ginger Soup, followed by their Transcendence Wrap which is prepared with grilled tofu, avocado, sriracha, thai peanut sauce, basil, green onion, tomato, spinach wrap, quinoa and an organic salad. Tast
As for those with a sweet tooth, we highly recommend their Coconut French Toast which can be prepared to accommodate vegans on request.
And if you love pancakes, just ask the friendly staff for the gluten-free vegan batter and enjoy some Banana & Blackberry Pancakes. Or for more of a taste of the tropics, go for the Tree Hugger Pancakes which are prepared with coconut & mango. With those dessert options, no wonder The Naked Cafe made our list of the best vegan restaurants in Carlsbad!
This restaurant is open everyday from 7:30am to 2:30pm.
Address: 300 Carlsbad Village Dr Suite 107A, Carlsbad, CA 92008
