SUSHI
Geisha: Geisha boasts essentially the most artistic of the vegan rolls, reminiscent of “The South Gate” and “The Willow Backyard,” with substances like baked walnuts, pickled burdock, and spicy vegan mayo.
Akira: A full vegetarian sushi menu, with almost every thing customizable as vegan. The “Veggie Dragon” with tempura inexperienced beans and yam is a enjoyable technique to eat your veg.
Mobo: Attempt the “Emerald Metropolis,” with avocado, shiitake, carrot, daikon sprouts and black goma (sesame seed paste)
Shogun: The “Castroville,” with marinated artichoke hearts, is a standout on the earth of veggie rolls.
Toya Sushi: (see the “Informal bites” part)
Totoro: The “One Night time Stand” roll, with out cream cheese, and the large basic vegetarian roll compensate for there being fewer choices than different sushi outposts.
MEXICAN
The quintessential substances in Mexican delicacies — rice, beans, avocado, pico de gallo, salsas -— are naturally vegan. These establishments take it additional.
Hacienda: The off-menu vegan burrito that comes with flavorful pinto beans, avocado, cabbage, salsa fresca is likely one of the finest on the town. You gained’t see it listed, however simply say “vegan burrito” and Alejandro has acquired you lined.
Vivas Organic Mexican Restaurant: Vegan burrito, straight up and easy.
Salsa’s Taco Bar: Salsa’s developed a wholly vegan menu insert. Fajita vegan enchilada, right here we come.
La Cabaña Taqueria: Nopales and artichoke hearts grace the ingredient choices — go forward, mix ‘em.
Palomar: A full vegetarian menu insert, simply omit cheese and crema and also you’ve acquired your self a vegan one.
Planet Fresh: Extra eclectic than basic Mexican, 4 vegan choices (together with teriyaki pineapple) might be enhanced by including natural tofu.
PIZZA
A slice at Pizza My Coronary heart.
(Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz)
Pizza My Heart: Utilizing Miyoko’s particular pizza mozzarella, which is a special consistency than the Miyoko mozz offered in grocery shops, PMH has an unimaginable quantity of plant-based choices together with the Vegan Sur, a model of one of the widespread pies. Meatless sausage can be obtainable.
Woodstock Pizza: Utilizing Daiya cheese for vegan pizza, the choices are infinite.
Bantam: Upscale wood-oven fired pizza, the marinara with “rocket” (arugula) is likely one of the tastiest.
Engfer Pizza Works: Providing a house-made tofu unfold for customizing any pizza choice.
Blaze Pizza: This chain quick-pizzeria is a dream to seize a vegan pizza speedily.
Upper Crust: No vegan cheese choice (but) for these Sicilian-style squares, however there may be Not possible meat as a topping.
BURGERS
Burger: The home-made black bean veggie patty is refreshing within the age of so many burgers replicating the style and consistency of meat.
Betty Burgers: The Past Burger comes with a secret vegan “lube.”
Pretty Good Advice: (see the “Lunch” part)
Jack O’Neill Restaurant: The Past Burger isn’t listed on the menu, however when requested, it was obtainable, and cooked to perfection.
The Forager at Stomach Goat Burgers.
(Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz)
Belly Goat Burgers: On a meat-based menu, the vegan burger stands out. The Forager is a vegan choice of a blackened sous-vide portobello with avocado mash, chimichurri-marinated tomatoes, sunflower sprouts and sriracha pimento olive aioli. Companion Greg Crema even says it’s his favourite.
THAI is an all the time wonderful choice for vegan meals. A lot of the delicacies is of course plant-based, with animal or vegan protein add-on choices. Tofu/veggie pad Thai, eggplant, basil, ginger, candy and bitter plates, and coconut-milk-based curries are customary on virtually all Thai meals menus, as are appetizers reminiscent of contemporary spring rolls and papaya salad.
Santa Cruz swims with delectable Thai choices, all of which serve variations of the classics. Selecting a Thai restaurant right here is extra a matter of what’s instantly handy (neighborhood) moderately than a selection made based mostly on high quality. Almost all will boast the “finest Thai meals in Santa Cruz.” And no person’s mendacity. It’s all good.
Downtown Pacific Thai is notable for dairy-free boba tea selections. In Seabright, Real Thai Kitchen will get raves from locals. Sawasdee has two areas — in Soquel and By The Sea, the latter with a view of Principal Seaside and the wharf. Throughout city and oceanside is My Thai Beach in Capitola Village. Sabieng on Mission Road serves a next-level inexperienced curry, and Sala Thai at Soquel Avenue and Ocean Road presents plant-based rooster and duck protein choices.
