Wildseed, local restaurateur Adriano Paganini’s plant-based restaurant and bar, is one of the buzziest players on the plant-based restaurant scene, with a menu of local, vegan, and seasonally-driven dishes like “neatball” masala and a rigatoni bolognese (with Impossible “meat”). The Meyer lemon cheesecake feels and tastes so genuinely cheesy that you’ll think a mistake has been made.

Nourish Cafe has two locations in San Francisco: one in the Inner Richmond, and another at 1030 Hyde Street in Nob Hill. Completely plant-based, the restaurants serve juice, smoothies, bowls, and sandwiches for breakfast and lunch (the Nob Hill location also offers dinner). Just Date, a whole-sugar fruit company run by Bay Area-based M.D. Sylvie Charles, provides the date-based syrup.

Long before the Impossible Burger, Golden Era was confounding vegans with its fake “chicken” and “beef” in flavorful Chinese dishes. It’s worth nothing this spot is owned and operated by followers of Supreme Master Ching Hai, so while the food is indeed delicious, folks uncomfortable with religious propaganda should probably steer clear.

The Greek fast-casual chain Souvla partnered with Black Sheep Foods to be the first restaurant in San Francisco to offer plant-based lamb. Now eaters can try the vegan alternative in salads and wraps at any of the locations around the Bay.

Wholesome Bakery isn’t just vegan, it’s also free of gluten, soy, and trans fats. At the Divisadero Street cafe you can find a solid selection of sandwiches, bowls, and salads, but go for the baked goods, including indulgence-worthy brownies, cookies, and cakes. Online ordering is available, and local delivery is free.

Down the street from Vegan Mob’s food truck, you can now visit Senor Sisig’s first brick and mortar location. The food truck success story serves a meat-free menu of Filipino-inspired dishes including burritos stuffed with adobo garlic rice and fries topped with your choice of protein, nacho cheese, sour cream, guac, and pico de gallo. You can also get your fix at the Ferry Building outpost.

Ina Jungin Lee’s newest fast-casual Korean restaurant, which takes over the space of her former restaurant Korner Store on Valencia Street, is an affordable delight. While many of the chobap — Korean handrolls — on the menu are not vegan, there are options ranging from seaweed and cucumber to an Impossible meat-stuffed roll for those looking to leave the animals on the side.

Cha-Ya serves some of the tastiest — and prettiest — vegan Japanese fare you can find in the city, including delicate salads, hearty noodle dishes, and inventive sushi rolls. The restaurant is open for dine-in on a first come, first served basis. It closes at 8 p.m. but get there by 7:45 p.m. if you want to place your name on the list.

This Noe Valley restaurant is a mainstay for neighborhood residents craving an affordable night out, and more so for those with dietary restrictions. Yes, just about everything is gluten-free, but pretty much all the items can be prepared plant-based, too. The Japanese sweet potato tostones, laden with a citrus and ginger glaze, are one such vegan delight.

Ronnisha Johnson and Rheema Calloway have been doing the vegan thing for a good while now, and they’ve just recently brought their services to Spark Social for a nighttime pop-up. The duo made an appearance at El Rio in the Mission in early 2023, too, though following the business’ Instagram is the best way to stay up-to-date.