What to Eat in Northern California: Plant-Based Eats
From 2017 to 2019 I lived in California and spent a lot of time in San Francisco and Sacramento. While I was there I definitely became a fan of a few restaurants and wanted to highlight them on the blog.
The Bay
(Oakland + San Fran)
Gracias Madre - a fully vegan restaurant that serves plant-based versions of traditional Mexican eats. The food was amazing and the price was well worth the overall experience. This place gets really crowded, especially during dinner hours so it’s best to make reservations prior to showing up.
What I ate: Flautas de Camote, Enchiladas Verdes, Papas al Horno
VeganBurg San Francisco - a fully vegan burger spot with GMO-free patties, this “sustainable fast food” restaurant had a ton of burger options for people who aren’t a fan of DIY burger places. I enjoyed my food and thought the patty had great texture. If you’re not a fan of faux meets I wouldn’t suggest adding “bacon” or “egg”.
What I ate: Hawaiian Teriyaki w seaweed fries
Z & Y Restaurant - an extremely popular restaurant (Obama has eaten here on his visit to SF) in Chinatown! They offer plant-based dishes but are exclusively plant-based which is great if you’re trying to appease different diets. This restaurant also can get crowded so be prepared for a wait at lunch or dinner times. Everyone I was with enjoyed their food and the service is great, especially if you order hot tea!
What I ate: Vegetable Delight, Spicy Dumpling, Vegetarian Chow Mein
Golden Era - This restaurant was so good, I still think about the wonton soup at least once a week! The service was subpar, but the food is definitely worth it. This fully vegan restaurant makes some of your favorite Chinese dishes a reality again. I went with friends which gave me the opportunity to try a few dishes and I was pleased with all of them.
What I ate: Lemongrass Deluxe, Wonton Soup, Spring Rolls,
Asha Tea House - Whew, this tea is so good! They have two locations, one in SF and one in Berkley - make time to go to one. It’s often crowded because of how good it is, so you might want to grab your tea to go.
What I ordered: Lemon Jasmine Green Tea, Matcha Fresco
Sacramento
Sibling by Pushkin’s - While my mom was visiting she and I went here for Brunch and I was pleasantly surprised by the menu offerings and the options of vegan baked goods. Their take on eggs benedict using mushrooms was definitely an inspiring dish. They have a traditional and vegan menu so this is a great place to take people with varying food preferences.
What I ate: Portobello Benedict, Po Boy, and Acai Bowl
Zocalo - This is another restaurant with super fresh ingredients and I appreciate that because it makes plant-based meals that much better. Zocalo is one of those restaurants that are great for happy hour or a fun day date. I’ve been there different hours of the day and I enjoyed the crowd each time. If you’re looking for a place with good food, good drinks, and a menu that appeals to any dietary needs then this is the place for you.
What I ate: Guacamole and Veggie Bowl
