Best of 2016 Contest
Please help us with our first annual Best of Vegan in San Diego 2016 awards! All polls below will close at 10 p.m. on December 31. If your choice is not listed, please select “Other” and comment below with the category and addition. We’ll update polls as necessary up until the deadline. Thank you for your participation, and good luck to all nominees! Winners will be announced in January and will receive a Vegan in San Diego Best of 2016 certificate, a special website listing, and bragging rights!
San Diego's best all-vegan restaurant/pop-up of 2016?
- Plant Power Fast Food (27%, 354 Votes)
- Trilogy Sanctuary (19%, 250 Votes)
- KINDRED (13%, 174 Votes)
- Anthem Vegan (13%, 171 Votes)
- Moncai Vegan (6%, 80 Votes)
- VeggieGrill (3%, 41 Votes)
- Loving Hut Mira Mesa (3%, 35 Votes)
- Evolution Fast Food (3%, 34 Votes)
- Veganic Thai (2%, 25 Votes)
- Southern Fried Vegan (2%, 23 Votes)
- Loving Hut El Cajon (2%, 20 Votes)
- El Veganito (1%, 16 Votes)
- Native Foods, Clairemont Mesa (1%, 15 Votes)
- Native Foods, Point Loma (1%, 12 Votes)
- Native Foods, Encinitas (1%, 10 Votes)
- Peace Pies, Ocean Beach (1%, 10 Votes)
- Choice Juiciery/Superfood (0%, 6 Votes)
- EVE Encinitas (0%, 6 Votes)
- Cinnaholic (0%, 5 Votes)
- Peace Pies, Encinitas (0%, 5 Votes)
- Starry Lane Bakery (0%, 4 Votes)
- JUICE Saves (0%, 3 Votes)
- Roots UCSD (0%, 1 Votes)
- Prophet Vegetarian (0%, 0 Votes)
Total Voters: 1,300
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San Diego's best vegan pop-up of 2016?
- Anthem Vegan (73%, 356 Votes)
- Southern Fried Vegan (11%, 52 Votes)
- El Veganito (8%, 41 Votes)
- Other (If so, please comment below.) (4%, 21 Votes)
- Katie's Healing Kitchen (3%, 15 Votes)
Total Voters: 485
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San Diego's best animal rescue/sanctuary of 2016?
- Farm Animal Refuge (29%, 101 Votes)
- San Diego Farm Animal Rescue (18%, 63 Votes)
- Project Wildlife (16%, 55 Votes)
- New Life Animal Sanctuary (Lake Elsinore) (10%, 34 Votes)
- Ferdinand's Familia (8%, 28 Votes)
- San Diego House Rabbit Society (7%, 24 Votes)
- Penelope's Purpose (4%, 13 Votes)
- Grazin' Pig Acres (3%, 12 Votes)
- Other (If so, please comment below.) (3%, 11 Votes)
- Wee Companions (3%, 9 Votes)
Total Voters: 350
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San Diego's best vegan-friendly market/grocery store of 2016?
- Ocean Beach People's Market (35%, 181 Votes)
- Sprouts (22%, 114 Votes)
- Whole Foods (19%, 100 Votes)
- Jimbo's Natural (10%, 54 Votes)
- Mission Square Market (6%, 32 Votes)
- Windmill Farms (3%, 16 Votes)
- Lazy Acres (2%, 8 Votes)
- Other (If so, please comment below.) (2%, 8 Votes)
- Frazier Farms (1%, 6 Votes)
- The Fruit Stand (1%, 5 Votes)
Total Voters: 524
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San Diego's best vegan-themed podcast of 2016?
- Vegan Warrior Princesses Attack! by Callie and Nichole (42%, 144 Votes)
- Beyond the Podcast by Brian Turner (41%, 139 Votes)
- Dash-a-Fire Podcast by Dash Eye (14%, 48 Votes)
- Other (If so, please comment below.) (3%, 10 Votes)
Total Voters: 341
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San Diego's best vegan nutrition and cooking classes of 2016?
- Veg Appeal (55%, 66 Votes)
- Soul in the Raw (18%, 22 Votes)
- Katie’s Healing Kitchen (15%, 18 Votes)
- New Options Food Group (4%, 5 Votes)
- Be The Healthy U! (3%, 4 Votes)
- Other (If so, please comment below.) (3%, 4 Votes)
Total Voters: 119
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San Diego's best vegan brunch of 2016?
- KINDRED (34%, 201 Votes)
- Trilogy Sanctuary (27%, 164 Votes)
- Moncai Vegan (21%, 127 Votes)
- Naked Cafe (5%, 32 Votes)
- Jyoti-Bihanga (5%, 29 Votes)
- Southern Fried Vegan (2%, 13 Votes)
- Katie's Healing Kitchen (2%, 10 Votes)
- EVE Encinitas (1%, 7 Votes)
- Eclipse Chocolate (1%, 7 Votes)
- Other (If so, please comment below.) (1%, 7 Votes)
Total Voters: 597
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San Diego's best vegan, gluten free options of 2016?
- Plant Power Fast Food (33%, 258 Votes)
- Trilogy Sanctuary (22%, 174 Votes)
- Anthem Vegan (11%, 83 Votes)
- Plumeria (6%, 48 Votes)
- Cafe Gratitude (5%, 42 Votes)
- Peace Pies (5%, 41 Votes)
- VeggieGrill (5%, 38 Votes)
- Moncai Vegan (4%, 32 Votes)
- Civico 1845 (4%, 31 Votes)
- Evolution Fast Food (3%, 22 Votes)
- Southern Fried Vegan (1%, 9 Votes)
- Other (If so, please comment below.) (0%, 3 Votes)
Total Voters: 781
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San Diego's best vegan donuts of 2016?
- Donut Panic (43%, 211 Votes)
- Nomad Donuts (21%, 102 Votes)
- Moncai Vegan (18%, 88 Votes)
- Donut Bar (10%, 47 Votes)
- Tiger!Tiger! (3%, 13 Votes)
- Whole Foods (2%, 12 Votes)
- Skinny Donuts (1%, 7 Votes)
- Katie's Healing Kitchen (1%, 6 Votes)
- Other (If so, please comment below.) (1%, 5 Votes)
Total Voters: 491
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San Diego's best vegan cakes of 2016?
- Moncai Vegan (31%, 106 Votes)
- Whole Foods (11%, 38 Votes)
- Loving Hut Mira Mesa (11%, 36 Votes)
- Ocean Beach People's Market (9%, 32 Votes)
- Loving Hut El Cajon (6%, 22 Votes)
- Jimbo's (6%, 22 Votes)
- Krakatoa (6%, 20 Votes)
- Tiger!Tiger! (6%, 19 Votes)
- PurpleMint Vegetarian Bistro (6%, 19 Votes)
- Other (If so, please comment below.) (5%, 16 Votes)
- Evolution Fast Food (3%, 11 Votes)
Total Voters: 341
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San Diego's best vegan pizza in 2016?
- Blind Lady Ale House (14%, 55 Votes)
- Pizzeria Luigi SD (14%, 55 Votes)
- Zia Pizza (10%, 40 Votes)
- Red House (8%, 32 Votes)
- Peace Pies (8%, 30 Votes)
- zpizza (6%, 24 Votes)
- Blaze Fast-Fire'd Pizza (5%, 21 Votes)
- Pieology Pizzeria (5%, 21 Votes)
- Other (If so, please comment below.) (5%, 18 Votes)
- URBN (3%, 13 Votes)
- Tribute Pizza (3%, 13 Votes)
- Napizza Hillcrest (3%, 13 Votes)
- Sammy's Woodfired (3%, 11 Votes)
- Baja Pizzeria (2%, 9 Votes)
- PizzaRev (2%, 9 Votes)
- Mountain Mike's (2%, 6 Votes)
- Berkeley Pizza (2%, 6 Votes)
- Pizzeria Bruno (1%, 4 Votes)
- Paradise Pizza (0%, 1 Votes)
- Wyonla Pizza (0%, 1 Votes)
- Blendtastic (0%, 0 Votes)
Total Voters: 382
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San Diego's best vegan tacos/burritos of 2016?
- Trilogy Sanctuary (26%, 156 Votes)
- Anthem Vegan (23%, 137 Votes)
- Ranchos Cocina (19%, 115 Votes)
- Pokez (10%, 62 Votes)
- El Veganito (4%, 25 Votes)
- Native Foods (4%, 23 Votes)
- El Zarape (3%, 18 Votes)
- Other (If so, please comment below.) (3%, 15 Votes)
- Barrio Star (2%, 10 Votes)
- Tacos Perla (2%, 9 Votes)
- Liticker's (2%, 9 Votes)
- Loving Hut Mira Mesa (2%, 9 Votes)
- Don Carlos (1%, 4 Votes)
- Casa de Reyes (1%, 4 Votes)
Total Voters: 596
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San Diego's best vegan falafel of 2016?
- Mama's Bakery (43%, 93 Votes)
- Tigris Mediterranean (13%, 28 Votes)
- Fairouz (12%, 26 Votes)
- Alforon (12%, 25 Votes)
- Other (If so, please comment below.) (7%, 16 Votes)
- Amardeen Cafe (7%, 15 Votes)
- Pita Guys (4%, 9 Votes)
- La Miche Kabobgee (1%, 3 Votes)
Total Voters: 215
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San Diego's best vegan frozen dessert of 2016?
- Plant Power Fast Food (50%, 203 Votes)
- Evolution Fast Food (18%, 74 Votes)
- Civico 1845 (11%, 45 Votes)
- Paradise Yogurt (8%, 31 Votes)
- CREAM (5%, 20 Votes)
- Bobboi Natural Gelato (3%, 12 Votes)
- Other (If so, please comment below.) (2%, 9 Votes)
- Dolce Italian Ice (2%, 7 Votes)
- Gelateria Frizzante (1%, 5 Votes)
- A La Minute (1%, 3 Votes)
- Lil' Dipper (0%, 1 Votes)
Total Voters: 410
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San Diego's best vegan sushi of 2016?
- Sipz (58%, 179 Votes)
- Sushi Deli (14%, 44 Votes)
- Harney Sushi (8%, 25 Votes)
- North Park Sushi and Grill (4%, 13 Votes)
- The Joint Ocean Beach (4%, 13 Votes)
- Other (If so, please comment below.) (2%, 7 Votes)
- Sally’s on the Bay (2%, 5 Votes)
- Sushi on the Rock (2%, 5 Votes)
- Sushi Diner (1%, 4 Votes)
- Wrench & Rodent (1%, 4 Votes)
- Kapa Sushi (1%, 3 Votes)
- Sushi Uno (1%, 3 Votes)
- Nozomi (1%, 3 Votes)
Total Voters: 308
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San Diego's best vegan burger of 2016?
- Plant Power Fast Food (34%, 226 Votes)
- Trilogy Sanctuary (22%, 145 Votes)
- Evolution Fast Food (12%, 83 Votes)
- VeggieGrill (12%, 77 Votes)
- Native Foods (9%, 60 Votes)
- KINDRED (6%, 43 Votes)
- Loving Hut Mira Mesa (2%, 13 Votes)
- Jyoti Bihanga (1%, 9 Votes)
- Loving Hut El Cajon Blvd (1%, 6 Votes)
- Hamilton's (1%, 5 Votes)
- Other (If so, please comment below.) (0%, 2 Votes)
- Healthy Creations Cafe (0%, 0 Votes)
Total Voters: 669
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San Diego's best vegan sandwich of 2016?
- KINDRED (23%, 97 Votes)
- Anthem Vegan (20%, 84 Votes)
- Native Foods (14%, 61 Votes)
- VeggieGrill (14%, 59 Votes)
- Ike's Place (9%, 36 Votes)
- Cafe Gratitude (5%, 21 Votes)
- Jyoti-Bihanga (4%, 19 Votes)
- Tiger!Tiger! (4%, 16 Votes)
- Other (If so, please comment below.) (3%, 13 Votes)
- Southern Fried Vegan (1%, 5 Votes)
- Ike's Sandwiches (1%, 4 Votes)
- Mission Square Market (1%, 3 Votes)
- Picasso Naturals (1%, 3 Votes)
- Ki's Restaurant (0%, 2 Votes)
- Big Thyme Sandwich Company (0%, 0 Votes)
Total Voters: 423
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December 12, 2016 at 10:16 pm
For pizza: peace pies, for vegan friendly market: the fruit stand!!! It’s almost entirely vegan, besides the honey they sell. It’s incredible, and my favorite place to shop!
December 22, 2016 at 9:47 pm
Thank you for the suggestions! I’ve added your nominees/votes to the polls.
December 13, 2016 at 6:50 am
This was awesome
December 13, 2016 at 2:25 pm
Best frozen dessert is paradise yogurt!
December 22, 2016 at 9:47 pm
Thank you for the suggestion! I’ve added your nominee/vote to the poll.
December 13, 2016 at 4:19 pm
It is amazing how many options there are in categories that didn’t even exist a handful of years ago! Go, vegans, go!
December 13, 2016 at 6:54 pm
My favorite brunch place is Naked Cafe! All their dishes can be veganized!
December 22, 2016 at 9:48 pm
Thank you for the suggestion! I’ve added your nominee/vote to the poll.
December 13, 2016 at 10:21 pm
Love this! We have so many great vegan options in San Diego <3
December 14, 2016 at 7:38 pm
Katie’s Healing Kitchen is by far the best brunch and she makes the best donuts too!!!
December 22, 2016 at 9:51 pm
Thank you for the suggestion! I’ve added your nominee/votes to the polls.
December 14, 2016 at 7:55 pm
Starry Lane Bakery for cakes?
December 15, 2016 at 9:01 pm
Starry Lane unfortunately does not (yet) offer cakes!
December 29, 2016 at 3:05 pm
I’m pretty sure that they (Starry Lane Bakery) have a catalog of cakes that they will make to order.
December 14, 2016 at 9:45 pm
So fun! And I found out about new places I had never heard of:)
December 16, 2016 at 12:53 am
I was surprised that there were no Ethiopian restaurants listed. We have so many! Also, I really like the University Heights Loving Hut. Great List!!!
December 18, 2016 at 9:13 am
Please let us know your Ethiopian suggestions!
December 16, 2016 at 5:30 am
So proud of our San Diego community for bringing awareness to veganism in the spot light so others at least can give it a shot and be amazed how easy to eat animal friendly food at so many restaurants!!!
Elizabeth Mansur
December 18, 2016 at 9:29 am
Pizza: Zpizza
Tacos: Barrio Star
Sushi: Sally’s on the Bay
December 18, 2016 at 9:55 am
Got them added, and your votes tallied! Thank you, Penny!
December 18, 2016 at 8:31 pm
Wee Companions for animal shelter. Pho Santee should probably be there for restaurant type.
December 22, 2016 at 9:46 pm
Thank you for the animal rescue suggestion! I’ve added your nominee/vote to the poll. We’ll hang on to the suggestion for Pho Santee. Next year’s contest will have more categories, including best vegan pho.
December 18, 2016 at 10:09 pm
Best sushi at the joint in ob!
December 22, 2016 at 9:44 pm
Thank you for the suggestion! I’ve added your nominee/vote to the poll.
December 18, 2016 at 11:25 pm
Please add Pita Guys (in San Marcos). They have specifically vegan falafel
December 22, 2016 at 9:37 pm
Thank you for the suggestion! I’ve added your nominee/vote to the poll.
December 19, 2016 at 12:48 am
San Diego’s best vegan tacos/burritos of 2016? Definitely Loving Hut Mira Mesa. Surprised I didn’t see it on the list as their Breakfast Burrito & Cali Burritos are easily the best I’ve had!
December 22, 2016 at 9:36 pm
Thank you for the suggestion! I’ve added your nominee/vote to the poll!
December 19, 2016 at 9:06 am
Best burrito: Cali burrito at Loving Hut Mira Mesa
December 22, 2016 at 9:36 pm
Thank you for the suggestion! I’ve added your nominee/vote to the poll!
December 19, 2016 at 3:09 pm
Brunch: jyoti bihanga on adams its vegan and vegetarian! Its only about 11 dollars for a brunch buffet.
December 22, 2016 at 9:55 pm
Thank you for the suggestion! I’ve added your nominee/vote to the poll!
December 19, 2016 at 8:58 pm
For pizza I love Woodstocks they have a veggie lovers and vegan cheese – and for best pop up – it’s not necessarily a pop up since it’s been there for a min but they added a 6 page vegan menu in the last year but Pho Santee is amazing and the lady that runs it is a doll
December 19, 2016 at 9:21 pm
Best all vegan restaurant: loving hut, mira Mesa
Best sandwich: loving hut, mira Mesa
Pretty much loving hut, plant power and Moncai vegan are in general, my favorite restaurants in the world. Their food is so delicious it brings tears to my eyes..
December 20, 2016 at 2:24 am
Southern Fried Vegan also should be up for: Best Gluten-Free (1/2 the menu is), Best Sandwich (Fried Chickun Waffle Sandwich), and Brunch (All-You-Can-Eat Buffet)
December 22, 2016 at 9:35 pm
Thank you for your input! I’ve added your nominees and votes to those categories.
December 20, 2016 at 9:02 am
Glad to see this list, and to be able to make some choices here. This survey inspires me to try out more vegan places. Thank you.
December 22, 2016 at 9:55 pm
Glad to hear it, Carmen!
December 20, 2016 at 12:05 pm
SOUTHERN FRIED VEGAN SHOULD BE UP FOR: BEST SANDWHICH ,BRUNCH , &GLUTEN FREE OPTION. 🙂 😀 !!!!I love their brunch!!
December 22, 2016 at 9:34 pm
Thank you for your input! I’ve added your nominees and votes to those categories.
December 21, 2016 at 11:47 am
Moncai Vegan Best vegan restaurant in San Diego!
December 22, 2016 at 10:06 pm
For best ethiopian food Muzitas on park blvd
For best sushi SushiUno Delicious stuff
December 22, 2016 at 10:15 pm
Thank you Prin! I added your nominee/vote for Sushi Uno to the best sushi poll. This year we decided against including categories like Ethiopian/Mexican/Indian, etc., but we will likely do so for next year. We’ll keep your suggestion for next year, and we’ll also add it to our list of vegan-friendly places! Thank you!
December 22, 2016 at 10:54 pm
City Tacos in NP has an awesome arugula portobello taco that can be made vegan! So good.
December 23, 2016 at 9:52 am
San Diego is so gracious for vegan food! Woo!
December 24, 2016 at 8:39 am
A La Minute for frozen dessert, Wrench & Rodent for sushi.
December 24, 2016 at 10:49 am
Thank you for your input! I’ve added your nominees and votes to those categories.
December 24, 2016 at 8:45 am
Lazy Acres in Encinitas for market. But also, Frazier Farms and Sprouts have a good selection of vegan options.
December 24, 2016 at 10:50 am
Thank you for your input! I’ve added your nominees and vote to that category.
December 28, 2016 at 10:45 pm
San Diego seems spread out for those of us who don’t live there. Does anyone know of a site or page where vegan/vegan-friendly places are listed by area/neighborhood?
December 29, 2016 at 6:18 pm
We’ve started a map and we’re working to add the vegan-friendly locations, but currently have all the 100% vegan places listed. You can visit our home page at http://www.veganinsandiego.com and click on the map image for the interactive map. 😀
December 29, 2016 at 8:14 am
How about best vegan nutrition and cooking classes as a category? There is a list on vegan Diego.
December 29, 2016 at 6:17 pm
Great idea! I’ll add it right now. I’ll send you a FB message when it’s ready so you can spread the word. 😀
December 29, 2016 at 11:01 am
“Choice” located in Carlsbad is an excellent All Vegan spot. I believe it is still SD county.
Question: Is Anthem Vegan only at farmers markets?
December 29, 2016 at 12:50 pm
Oops, it’s already on list… lol
December 29, 2016 at 6:16 pm
Anthem does pop-up around the county, including farmers markets, breweries and even SDSU when class is in session. They do a great job of keeping their locations up to date: http://anthemvegan.com/locations-and-contact/.
December 29, 2016 at 11:05 am
The Cattle Decapitation at Hamilton’s is the best burger.
December 29, 2016 at 6:19 pm
Thank you, Paul. I’ve added Hamilton’s as an option for the burger. 🙂
December 29, 2016 at 1:57 pm
Great poll! Curious why Katie’s healing kitchen isn’t on the popup or restaurant poll but is on the donut one? They aren’t really known for donuts… But my vote is for Katie’s Healing Kitchen for best Pop-up. Thank you! I had selected “other”.
December 29, 2016 at 6:21 pm
Thank you for the suggestion, Amy. We added Katie’s to the pop-up category based on your feedback, and I added your vote in. They were added to the category for donuts by request. Thank you for voting!
December 29, 2016 at 3:07 pm
Ike’s Sandwiches (Ralph’s/Trader Joe’s Mall on University in Hillcrest) has a fair amount of vegan sandwiches and should be included on that list.
December 29, 2016 at 6:24 pm
Thank you for the suggestion, Jim. I added Ike’s to the sandwiches category and added in your vote. Thank you for voting!
December 30, 2016 at 9:49 am
vegan tacos
Mama Tess
Falafel
Taste of Lebanon
Frozen dessert
Veganic
December 30, 2016 at 9:49 am
Mama Tesa stupid auto correction
December 30, 2016 at 9:50 am
Damn you auto correct!!!
Mama Testa
December 30, 2016 at 12:07 pm
Cream of the Crop for markets!
December 30, 2016 at 1:43 pm
For pizza: Pizza Press Carlsbad!
December 30, 2016 at 4:05 pm
My favorite pizza place as a vegan is Newport pizza surprised it isn’t on here they’re always running out of vegan cheese
December 30, 2016 at 4:49 pm
For best vegan restaurant plant power fast food, for best vegan sandwich plant power fast food
December 30, 2016 at 7:00 pm
For podcast, The Sexy Vegan with Brian L. Patton, though I don’t know if he is San Diego specifically. Also has a cookbook and 99 cent Publishing Co, where you can buy recipes for, yup, you guessed it, 99 cents. Great YouTube videos, too.
December 30, 2016 at 8:07 pm
Peace Pies has amazing dessert!!! They’re totally raw (so good for you!!) If I didn’t know they were from Peace Pies I would think someone was giving me non-vegan dessert, they’re incredible and anybody would love them!!!
December 30, 2016 at 10:27 pm
For both best pop-up and vegan sandwich I vote Plant Power Fast Food!
December 31, 2016 at 7:54 am
Plant Power will be in every City very soon. What a Revolution they have begun. Amazing Food.
December 31, 2016 at 8:48 am
Best Gluten Free vegan is definitely Healthy Creations in Encinitas. Amazing quality and they have non vegan options for your omnivore friends.
December 31, 2016 at 10:44 am
Podcast: Go Vegan Radio
Cake: Sipz
Pizza: Wholefoods (Hillcrest)
January 5, 2017 at 10:51 pm
My mom & I went to Plant Powered a little over a month ago since they had such good reviews and they must have had an off night or something because we both disliked everything we got and haven’t been back since.
January 5, 2017 at 11:02 pm
I’m sorry to hear that! What did you order?