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Vegan and vegetarian eats in San Jose, CA

Dig into delicious and nutritious vegan and vegetarian fare in every corner of San Jose, CA.

LaTierra

De La Tierra’s vegan asada burrito is a must-try. | Photo via @woowoo.eats

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Eating meat-free hasn’t always been easy, but in San Jose, it’s a piece of (vegan) cake.

Our local food scene is as vibrant as ever, so it’s no surprise there are a slew of local chefs serving up fresh, vegetarian bites across town. From vegetarian sushi to scrumptious vegan tacos, here are 20+ restaurants serving up meat-free fare in San Jose.

🍕 Casual bites

De La Tierra Vegan Food, 326 Commercial St. | Indulge in “asada” crunchy tacos, loaded breakfast burritos, and soyrizo street tacos at this 100% plant-based food truck. Pro tip: See where it’ll pop up next on its website.

Pizza Flora, 78 S. First St. | Sold by the slice or a full pie, you can get a taste of its most popular pizza, “Pesto Porcini,” made with white sauce, vegan pesto, and a house-made vegan mozzarella.

Veggie Grill, 3055 Olin Ave. | From loaded “beef” bowls to Beyond burgers, this spot tucked in the Row offers just about any comfort food you can think of — as well as delicious desserts.

Bossman’s Pizza, 418 W. Capitol Expy. | While not 100% plant-based, this pizzeria offers a full vegan menu offering Tandoori, BBQ, Cajun, and Buffalo wings, as well as garlic sticks and a build-your-own vegan pizza.

🍛 Indian fare

A2B Indian, 55 River Oaks Pl., Ste. 90 | Get a taste of North and South Indian dishes at this restaurant that offers plenty of shareable combos and family-style appetizers. Try this: The mini podi idli (popular South Indian side made with lentils + chilies)

Saravanaa Bhavan, 1305 S. Mary Ave., Sunnyvale | This vegetarian eatery serves all your Indian cuisine favorites, including 60+ different dosas, a variety of uttapams, and sweet desserts.

🍔 For the vegan carnivore

Gardenbird,1088 E. Brokaw Rd., Ste. 10 | Their special plant-based protein is the main star in their salads, sandwiches, and tenders boxes. Try this: The “Nashville Hot” made with classic slaw, dill pickles, greek yogurt ranch, and mayo.

Loving Hut, 925 Blossom Hill Rd., Ste. 1746 | This Asian-fusion spot lets you try a little bit of everything — wontons with soy protein, satay bites made from vegan nuggets, burgers + melts, and even ramen, pho, and pad thai.

A spread of vegetarian Vietnamese food.

Who said going plant-based had to be boring?

🍜 Vietnamese cravings

Golden Bamboo Vegetarian House, 3245 S. White Rd. | Grab tofu + veggie pork spring rolls, a mango salad, or vegan fish + pork served in a clay pot — family-style. Try this: The deep-fried Lotus Root served with sweet & sour sauce.

Green Lotus, 1143 Story Rd., Ste. 180 | Get all of your favorite Vietnamese take-out items — but 100% vegan. Try this: The salted fish fried rice + caramelized tofu + mushroom in a clay pot.

Dong Phuong Tofu, 2359 McKee Rd. | Almost all of the menu is vegan, aside from some baked pastries + egg noodles, and the fan favorite is the Bun Bo Hue. Pro tip: This restaurant is cash-only.

DiLac Vegetarian Cuisine, 2850 Quimby Rd., Ste. 125 | Come hungry, because portions are large here. Many Yelp fans rave about the imitation meat tasting just like the real deal. Try this: The Lotus salad with vegan pineapple dressing.

Hoa Dang, 3005 Silver Creek Rd., Ste. 136 | This spot is perfect for a rejuvenating bowl of vegan or vegetarian pho. Grab some shredded “pork” spring rolls to complete your meal.

🍽️ Bring a date

Good Karma Artisan Ales & Café, 37 S. First St. | Share a plate of pulled ‘pork’ tacos, knife & fork nachos, or a Mayan chocolate pie over some brews.

Blue Mango, 635 Coleman Ave. | This Asian-fusion spot’s menu offers a whole section with vegetarian sushi — which can be made vegan. Try this: The deep-fried “Vegetable Mafia” roll with sweet potato, cucumber, avocado, and pickled radish.

Vegetarian House, 520 E. Santa Clara St. | A downtown staple for plant-based diets since 1994, this restaurant is the spot to relax on the patio and share noodles, rice plates, and other Asian dishes with a friend.

Vegan Cutie Pot, 5130 Cherry Ave., Ste. 30, Saratoga | Order a family hot pot that serves up to four people, and share its “All Season” sampler featuring different spring rolls. Try this: The vegan flan or fried banana with ice cream for dessert.

Merit Vegan Restaurant, 548 Lawrence Expy., Ste. 2, Sunnyvale | Enjoy shareable plates like its Tom Kha Thai soup made with yam “shrimp” or the curry vermicelli soup with sweet potatoes.

🥡 Pick-up or delivery only

The Sexxy Mexxy, 949 Ruff Dr. | Fill up with vegan burritos, burrito bowls, burgers, or sliders with all plant-based ingredients like nopales, portobello mushrooms, vegan cheese + sour cream. Try this: The vegan potato patty sliders with housemade chutney.

The Vegan Lasagna Garden, 17 S. Fourth St. (inside Kronas) | These gourmet lasagnas will knock carnivores off their feet. The menu features a truffle mushroom lasagna, a vegan cheese + cashew cream lasagna, and even a Mexican lasagna with grilled veggies.

Happiness Cafe, 1688 Hostetter Rd., Ste. C | Get your classic nuggets, sub sandwiches, burgers, melts, pastas, and rice dishes at this casual American eatery.

What did we miss? If you know a restaurant that’s not on the list, let us know.

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