By Joe Nguyen
I like to think of myself as a vegan gourmand in that I am constantly eating vegan food and have a very low tolerance for anything in smoothie form. As one of those vegans who insists on chewing her food, I’ve frequented my fair share of East Bay restaurants, stuffing my face with their fine eats. If you’re in the East Bay and are looking for great vegan and vegetarian restaurants, then read on for my top picks.
Not a vegan? These restaurants will convert you.
Souley Vegan—301 Broadway Avenue, Oakland
Souley Vegan has a ton of great reviews for a reason. Chef Tamearra Dyson has been making vegan soul food since she was 18 and has nailed American vegan cuisine. From the burgers to the soul-food platters to the mac and cheese, everything is scrumptious. Generally, vegan desserts are like eating a handful of damp sand, but don’t skip the final course here, because Dyson’s desserts are stunning. Make sure you have a ride home, as you will absolutely eat yourself into bigger pants.
Ideal occasion: weekend brunch (bottomless mimosas, everyone — this is not a drill) with a friend or a family member with whom you’re not super-close but who is really fun and chill.
Encuentro — 550 2nd Street, Oakland
Few places have all of what I consider to be core food groups, but Encuentro has managed to achieve that. For the record, my core food groups are petite Syrah and vegan potpie. The menu changes constantly, and you should know that most dishes can be ordered with cheese. Non-vegans often get concerned about access to cheese, but that is not a problem here. The ambiance is sultry, a perfect balance of intimate and cozy that won’t make you feel like you’re eating in a hole in the dark. Originally a wine bar and a cafe, the restaurant has grown its menu, and the desserts are to die for. It’s also in the perfect location to drunkenly spill out after an amazing dinner to capture Jack London Square’s picturesque ocean view.
Ideal occasion: this is the perfect place to take your Midwestern mother to convince her that you eat more than just salad. If you’re planning to tell her that you’re queer or polyamorous, though, order an entire bottle of wine, and tip the wait staff handsomely.
Timeless Coffee — 4252 Piedmont Avenue
If vegan pizza rolls and empanadas are something you have been living without, Timeless is here to correct that. Timeless is dog friendly and tattoo friendly, and they have perfected both sweet and savory baked goods. They also have weekend brunches during which they serve biscuits and gravy. Be sure to get there close to opening because the place fills up fast. Timeless also specializes in vegan chocolate (think rich truffles and tartes), and they sell pies and cakes that are perfect for any holiday feast in which you’re probably not going to eat anything else (I recommend eating a whole cake in front of all the meat eaters and not sharing).
Ideal occasion: perfect for emotional eating the morning after breaking up with Alex for the third time or when you need a cup of excellent coffee and want to pet at least nine dogs.
Nature Vegetarian — 1116 Franklin Street, Oakland
Vegan Chinese food is actually really tricky to find, but Nature Vegetarian has nailed it. The owners found that a vegetarian diet improved their health, so it’s a labor of love to provide the community with delicious and cruelty-free Chinese cuisine. The meat substitutes are made on-site, and Nature Vegetarian doesn’t cook with MSG. The veggie shrimp dumplings are better than anything found in the ocean. Consider it a challenge to eat your way through their entire menu.
Ideal occasion: a large dinner with friends during which you want to catch up while sharing plates or when you want to impress a date who used to live in China and your inferiority complex is kicking in.
Shangri-La Vegan — 4001 Linden Street, Oakland
Shangri-La Vegan looks like what being a vegan feels like. With climbing and blossoming plants and an open and airy seating section with lots of light, Shangri-La might actually have earned its damn name. The menu changes frequently, so you should become a regular in order to sample the vast possibilities one can eat as a vegan. For those who are averse to eating things that don’t need to be hunted, the collard greens will convert you, and you’ll be buying butternut squash like the rest of us weirdos. Organic, macrobiotic and animal free, the food here will fill you up with good feelings. You will leave feeling stronger, faster and probably able to do a couple of more pushups.
Ideal occasion: staycations during which you want to feel like you’ve wandered into a foreign country where everything tastes amazing and plane flights don’t exist.
Vegan & Tikka Masala — 3814 Piedmont Avenue, Oakland
With free dahl soup and an illuminated patio that doesn’t smell like weed, this place is sure to delight. It’s tucked between a barbershop and a chiropractor’s office on Piedmont Avenue. The food is cheap and delicious, and they serve vegan versions of most types of Indian food. The garlic naan makes for great leftovers, and I highly recommend getting a hot cup of chai and sitting outside. Order your food extra spicy, and your meal will become a transcendent experience.
Ideal occasion: intimate dinners during which you explore the depths of your existence, dinner with new friends whom you must vet for your 1% motorcycle club, or a planning session for world domination.
Flacos — 3031 Adeline Street, Berkeley
Living without Mexican food is absolute hell, but with Flacos, vegans don’t have to! Flacos started as a staple in the Berkeley farmers’ market, and in 2010, it became a brick-and-mortar shop. Without using GMOs, Flacos gives vegans something to eat other than a veggie burrito without cheese and sour cream. On account of their weekly specials and vegan desserts, I’ve basically moved into the back storage room. The salsas are rich and have dimension, and they offer bulk orders for those of you who are prepping for sports (it’s sports season, right?).
Ideal occasion: Taco Thursday and any time you see an article about Chipotle giving people food poisoning.
Liba Falafel — 380 17th Street, Oakland
Liba’s amazing falafels come with an unlimited-toppings bar so you can maximize the amount of pickles on your dish. The sweet-potato fries are crispy and seasoned so well that I forgot I was eating sweet-potato fries (which, I think, we can all agree are disgusting in every other capacity). Liba started off as a food truck and has grown into a stand-alone restaurant painted in bright green, with a second level that’s ideal for sitting and passing judgement on the people below.
Ideal occasion: lunch with that new coworker who has been in back-to-back meetings for three weeks and looks constantly shell shocked.
Messob Ethiopian Restaurant — 4301 Piedmont Avenue #B, Oakland
I will tunnel through you to get to Ethiopian food, and Messob’s is by far the best. It’s a small space, so it’s probably not best for huge parties, but they know how to make an amazing lentil dish. The injera is the best in the bay, and in an ideal world, I would have a bedspread made out of it. Even the salad is good. I think the major ingredients are dreams and the joy felt by dolphins when they jump up in the air.
Ideal occasion: now. Why are you still sitting there?
Are you a vegan-restaurant owner and feel that you’ve been skipped? Please email The Bold Italic, and they will absolutely pass on your information to me. I am always hungry and open to being told I’m wrong.
