Berkeley is a vibrant city in California teeming with a large array of cultural attractions, stunning parks, captivating museums and unique attractions.
But this city’s charm does not just end there! Berkeley’s more recently been acclaimed for its culinary attractions thanks to the fine selection of vegan and vegetarian restaurants ranging from classic American dishes to diverse cuisines.
So whether you’re on a work trip, a resident, or here on a holiday, you’re in for a treat!
Our list below will help you discover some of the best vegan and vegetarian restaurants in Berkeley. Expect affordable choices, globally-inspired dishes, as well as cuisines that beautifully showcase this city’s diverse population.
So let’s get started!
Five Exceptional Vegetarian & Vegan Restaurants In Berkeley: Food Worth Waiting For!
1. The Butcher’s Son Vegan Delicatessen & Bakery
An exclusively plant-based eatery serving incredible American comfort food and Greek inspired dishes in an upbeat atmosphere.
The Butcher’s Son Vegan Delicatessen & Bakery does have a pretty distinctive name for a 100% plant-based restaurant. But believe us when we say the food on offer here will never fail to impress vegans and non-vegans alike!
Situated right in Downtown Berkeley, this pick on our list of vegan and vegetarian restaurants in Berkeley is a lively and charming eatery serving some of the best American comfort food, and even Greek inspired dishes.
Expect some super nutritious, healthy and wholesome options, as well as some super indulgent and scrumptious comfort dishes that will make you want to come back for more! From sandwiches, salads, appetizers, gyros, deli sides, to even decadent desserts, you’re in for a treat!
For those who love a little spice, we recommend going for the Buffalo Fried Chicken Sandwich which is topped with fried chicken in buffalo sauce, lettuce, bacon and ranch dressing. Another popular item is their Panko Crusted Squash and Ricotta Sandwich which consists of panko crusted squash, olive oil ricotta, mayo, balsamic vinegar, arugula, fresh jalapeño, tomato and bacon.
As for those on the search for something healthy, why not go for their Something Healthy Salad? This delicious and nutritious salad consists of ingredients like mixed greens, feta cheese, chickpeas, tri-color quinoa, cucumber, avocado and drizzled with a lemon chickpea-miso vinaigrette.
The gyros here are also full of flavor and seasonings, and one of the popular choices is their Classic Yee-ro which is prepared with tzatziki, seasoned steak, tomato, cucumber, onion, peperoncini, feta, lettuce and many more delicious ingredients. Finish it all off with their incredibly tasty Pistachio or Chocolate Cannoli to end your meal with a bang!
If you end up visiting this restaurant, you’ll find ingredients like chicken, bacon, cheese, steak and egg, but don’t worry as they are exclusively vegan and you won’t find any dish containing any animal byproducts.
The Butcher’s Son Vegan Delicatessen & Bakery is open Monday, Thursday and Friday from 11am to 8pm, Tuesday and Wednesday from 11am to 3pm and on weekend from 10am to 4pm.
Address: 1954 University Ave, Berkeley, CA 94704
2. Tane Vegan Izakaya
A 100% plant-based eatery serving mouth-watering Japanese cuisine, as well as some of the best vegan sushi rolls in a laidback ambience.
The next choice on our list is a fully plant-based restaurant specializing in Japanese cuisine, with a touch of upscale dining thanks to the well-presented dishes. Better yet, you’ll be glad to know that the nice presentation of dishes don’t come at a high price. So you’ll get to enjoy some heartwarming food without breaking the bank.
The setup and atmosphere at this restaurant is laidback, yet has a casual feel and Tane Vegan Izakaya offers you delicious vegan dishes by applying classic Japanese culinary techniques to their ingredients. So expect creativity and freshness with any dish that you end up ordering.
If you’re visiting with your family and friends, their shared plates will be right up your alley as you can try their diverse choices. We recommend starting with the Tempura which is essentially seasonal vegetables in traditional Japanese style batter, as well as the Brussel Sprouts which are prepared with agave mustard and wasabi aioli.
But this eatery is better known for its sushi rolls and some of the popular choices are the Philadelphia Roll which is prepared with bean curd, avocado and creamy tofu, and their Futomaki consisting of agemono tofu, spinach, shiitake, kanpyo, inari and pickled radish.
And now for some more gourmet style dishes, the specialty rolls do come at a higher (but still affordable) price, but they’ll surely leave anyone impressed. One of the popular choices is the Pokai Rolls which is prepared with sweet potato tempura, avocado, spicy tofu, roasted bell pepper, sesame mustard and seaweed pearls.
Another delicious combination of flavors is the Point Reyes which consists of Marinated eryngii mushroom, avocado, spicy shredded tofu, pickled jalapeno, pickled pineapple, sweet shoyu and habanero sauce.
Tane Vegan Izakaya is open Tuesday to Sunday from 4:30pm to 9:30pm, but is closed on Mondays.
Address: 1956 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley, CA 94704
3. Flacos
An unpretentious Mexican restaurant offering incredible authentic dishes, weekly specials and deals. Grab a seat on their outdoor patio and dig into your tacos and Agua Fresca.
Get ready for some big flavor and loads of freshness at this 100% vegan Mexican shack. Founded in 2000, Flacos is a casual restaurant with a cozy atmosphere, ideal for catching up with friends and sharing some delicious food.
This down-to-earth eatery has a snug interior space with a decor incorporating some Mexican touches, as well as some seats on the outdoor patio. Find authentic Mexican recipes, bursting with flavor and huge portions, and all at a very affordable price!
Some of the popular dishes are the Banana Leaf Tamal which are prepared with soy protein in savory mole, capers, potatoes and green olive, or go for their Taco Pobre which consists of rice and bean.
For something warm and comforting, we recommend the Pozole which is a dish prepared in a savory organic corn hominy in a chili base soup served with cabbage, radish and onions.
You can also make the most of their weekly specials on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. And even better, they have offers like $3 Tacos and $1 off Taco Plates! There’s no better excuse than to catch up with your friends around some tacos on Taco Thursday.
Pair this delicious dish with their Agua Fresca that are prepared with seasonal fresh fruit blended with water and sweetened with brown sugar.
Flacos is open Tuesday and Saturday from 12pm to 7pm, Wednesday to Friday from 12pm to 6pm, but is closed on Monday.
Address: 3031 Adeline St, Berkeley, CA 94703
4. Cha-Ya
A down-to-earth restaurant with a comfortable indoors area and outdoor patio offering vegan Japanese cuisine including a variety of sushis and comforting dishes.
The next pick on our list of vegan and vegetarian restaurants in Berkeley is Cha-Ya – a super laidback restaurant with a zen atmosphere serving wholesome and satisfying vegan Japanese cuisine.
This restaurant beautifully showcases the diverse community in Berkeley and the common love for authentic Japanese dishes. Although it’s a low-key eatery, you can find some seats outdoors, perfect for people watching.
To start with, we recommend the Gyoza which are pan-fried and served with Gyoza sauce, or the Mikuri-Age which is a dish consisting of breaded and deep fried asparagus, eggplant, onions, kabocha pumpkin, mushrooms and atsuage tofu on skewers and a vegetable croquette.
As for mains, one of the popular dishes is the Cha-Ya Sushi Plate which comes with one kappa roll, one nigiri each of shiitake, eggplant and sea vegetable salad. Another great pick is their Curry Rice which consists of organic tofu, kabocha, onions, celery, carrots, broccoli, snap peas, cauliflower, zucchini, and mushrooms, asparagus, kiaware, vegetables croquette with golden curry rice sauce.
And for something comforting, go for the Cha-Ya Nabe which is prepared with cabbage, spinach, red onion, carrots, mushrooms, kabocha, broccoli, cauliflower, lotus roots zucchini, snap peas, snow peas, silver noodles, and tofu Sukiyaki broth.
Cha-Ya is open Wednesday to Sunday and Monday for lunch from 12pm to 3pm and for dinner from 5pm to 8pm, but is closed on Tuesday.
Address: 1686 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley, CA 94709
5. Stand-Up Burgers
The perfect spot for some incredible fully plant-based American comfort food, including super moreish burgers.
Stand-Up Burgers is the best burger joint in Berkeley for some of the most decadent and indulgent burgers that are 100% plant-based of course!
Situated within a short walking distance from both The Greek Theatre and University of California Berkeley, this burger place is the place to be for some juicy, yet 100% plant-based American comfort food.
As part of the Veggie Grill family, this burger joint is a newer addition to Berkeley’s dining scene and gives a new take on our traditional burger stand. Other than being exclusively vegan, Stand-Up Burgers also support local charities by giving a portion of their sales – way to help the community one burger at a time!
One of the best and biggest burgers here is The Stand-Up which consists of two Beyond patties, cheddar cheese, lettuce, pickles, onions and their special sauce. Another great pick is the BBQ Bacon which is topped with a Beyond Patty, cheddar cheese, bacon, lettuce, pickles, BBQ sauce, caramelized onions, and chipotle mayo.
And for those who are not a huge fan of mock meat, we think you’ll love The Chickpea Burger which is prepared with their tasty in-house chickpea patty, cheddar, lettuce, tomato, red onion, pickles, and their special sauce.
Stand-Up Burgers is open Sunday to Thursday from 11am to 9pm, as well as Friday and Saturday from 11am to 10pm.
Address: 2000 Kala Bagai Wy, Berkeley, CA 94704
