50 Best Vegan Restaurants in Carlsbad

“I've only eaten here once, but it was fantastic. As you might suspect, this is one of those places where you're going to pay quite a bit, and you're going to do it specifically to be somewhat outside your usual comfort zone. Portions are small but not unreasonably so. Flavors are going to be complex and rather experimental, even unconventional, so only come here when you're in a mindset for being adventurous in eating. That will ensure you have a positive experience and get the most out of your adventure. During my meal with friends I learned that I can absolutely love rhubarb and sweetbreads, two things I've not liked before. But this place turned them into new magic. The halibut and wagyu beef were to die for, but not in any way that I have ever tasted before. I wasn't a huge fan of a bone marrow appetizer (although friends loved it), so the servers gave us a complimentary round of champagne. Pretty fair, if you ask me. Speaking of drinks, the bartenders have as many tasty and unique tricks as the chefs do. Order a gin gimlet even if you don't usually like them. I was hooked. Remember, adventure and new flavor experiences are the reason for coming here, not just to have food made from the best ingredients. Decor is romantic and sort of mid century mod, spacing is cozy but not tight, and the atmosphere is vibrant, perhaps even a little loud. I will definitely be coming back for more new flavors.“

“We eloped yesterday in the desert and drove into Carlsbad to have a relaxing day near the beach. We have heard such great things from a close friend about Campfire so it was a no brainer where we would eat dinner.We had no idea how fantastic of an experience we were in for, or how insanely delicious the dishes and mock-tails would be, and lastly how the service and hospitality would be so beyond that it would bring us to tears.We felt so special and honestly cared for by our waiter Zach and even the management. Being that it was the day after our elopement they went to beautiful lengths to make me and my wife feel special. There are no words to capture how emotional that was for me and her. We thank you all from the bottom of our hearts. Campfire and Zach will always be a part of our wedding story!Thank you thank you thank you for being beautiful people!! We hope to make it back there one day! Maybe an anniversary trip! “

“Food was great! I love ramen and this spot is one of the best I've had! We got the Gonzo black and the tonkatsu along with some takoyaki. The Takoyaki was average, but the ramen was superb! The broth was rich and was very flavorful. The staff was really nice and the food came out quickly as well. If I'm ever in the area again, I will definitely stop by again!“

“Great food and service but they need to do something about the hostess stand location. It is very awkward and there is nowhere to stand when waiting for a table. I moved forward and four groups cut in front of me since the hostess did not ask who was next in line, she just looked at someone else and took their information.“

“Had our food delivered, so I can't comment on the atmosphere. But the burgers and fries we got were great! I particularly loved the Well D'Onion burger; the spicy ranch had flavorful kick with just a little tingly on the lips, not burning your mouth off. Good stuff. Totally will get food there again as I want to try a shake too.“

“We’ve been coming here on and off for the past 15 years and love it. The food, the people and the family atmosphere make this gem perfect! Each time my family comes in I have been reminding (harassing) Chris to let his mom know that we would love for the short ribs to come back on Sundays. Well the good lord answered and the short ribs have returned! The short ribs are perfectly cooked and falls apart with the slightest touch. I am forever grateful that you folks brought it back! Ya’ll are amazing! See you on Sundays!“

“before you get impatient about waiting an hour for pizza , think about the time you are ordering it at. Also ITS WORTH THE WAIT ! Everyone is ordering this spot during prime times , because there pizza is just perfect! Never a cold delivery and always a great customer service“

“Shoutout to Tanner man, he's the employee on the front lines handling business. An angry, drunk customer who wanted to get free food by throwing a tantrum was tamed by this man. Apparently that customer comes in weekly and Tanner is ready to mitigate the situation every time. I love Luna Grill, I go here to enjoy delicious food and normally it's pretty chill here. But that guy was on the loose, hungry for success and Tanner kept his composure. That's the kind of service and clear thinking under pressure that's inspiring. If you're reading this Tanner and ever considered Real Estate, you can get your license and I'll personally refer you to the company I work for: Realty ONE Group Pacific--office in Carlsbad. It's the #13th highest producing office in the entire branch of 427 offices worldwide and ranked #1 by Forbes for being the Top Global Franchiser etc. etc. and I'm completely serious about this referral. Anyways, what I'm trying to say is Tanner's composure is what the world needs and Luna Grill is thriving because of the restaurants ability to hire exceptional team-members. Great job!“

“I was passing by an ice cream shop, but there was a long line, so I decided to give it a try.It was a traditional ice cream shop that has been around since the 1900s.There were many original items on the menu, including sweet and refreshing ice creams that Americans seemed to like.There were three or four cashier counters, so even if you were in line, your turn came quickly.Many of the staff members are women, and they work very efficiently.Everyone had wonderful smiles.“

“Times being what they are, I ordered a few pints for delivery. I'm near downtown San Diego, so the pints were delivered on a Thursday. The gelato was excellent, very flavorful and yummy. The packaging was also excellent. They offer contact-less delivery, but I happened to be outside when the driver arrived. Driver was incredibly courteous and friendly and taking appropriate precautions (wearing a mask and etc.). Wonderful experience. Will order again and will visit the store in future.“

“Wonderful food, it makes you appreciate how healthy ingredients can be turned into delicious food! The breaded tofu was wonderful and the cheese sauce for the fries was so smooth! I also appreciate that the sandwich bread wasn't so thick and let the actual substance of the meal shine.“

“Amazing buffalo chicken and cheesesteak pizza. I thought the cheesesteak could use a little more salt but otherwise delicious food. The guys that work there are also incredibly friendly. When we went to order there was only 1 guy cooking alone but he did great and we didn't have to wait too long! I definitely recommend. Try their tiramisu, not sure if it's made in house but it's so yummy!“

“Always wondered this place when visit flower fields. Glad we tried. It has a vast variety of different cuisines to choose from. We tried the Lobster Lab. Definitely worth it. We had Lobster roll, crab roll and lobster bisque. Delicious meat , generous portions. It is not easy to miss the giant windmill , give it a try.“

“barista dexter was very kind and explained the different coffee flavors. i was not sure what to get and he assured me that if i didn't like it, i can switch it for something else. very good customer service and welcoming aesthetic place. the donuts look very good and they have nice greeting cards!“

“Want to give a shoutout to amazing customer service from Baylee! She was so sweet and attentive when we had questions about the menu. She gave us her recommendations and followed up by making sure we were happy with everything that we ordered. Amazing service and a great experience! ?“

“You can't go wrong with any item here. We ordered a range of items from Mopu Tofu, Trio Kung Pao, Eggplant, to the garlic green beans with shrimp. Everything was so good! The lady we picked up the takeout from was so sweet and accommodating. I cannot wait to return!!!“

“Took my group out for a work dinner. They were busy, we made a same day reservation on the patio. Service was top notch. The food selection was very good. Most of us were looking for good seafood options and found it here. The price was pretty reasonable as well, in my opinion, for this level of quality prepared food. We enjoyed it and would go back.“

“This is a long overdue review for Urban Plates. I do not usually post reviews, however, I have to reward the consistency of outstanding customer service and consistently good food with my feedback. Manager Manny Mejia is always on site greeting guests and making sure all customers have an exemplary experience. I have been coming to Urban Plates for years with my family and friends. I love the Plate Pass program that gives me 20% off of my entire bill including wine/beer. The restaurant is always clean even during their busiest times. When it is peak eating times, you may have to wait for a table but, Manny and his staff will try to make your wait as quick as possible. Finally, let's talk about the food. The beet salad is one of my all-time favorite salads. I also love the chciken tenders which are addictive as are the fries. The steak with chimichurri sauce is delicious. I always leave Urban Plates feeling satisfied and happy that I am able to enjoy tasty food prepared in a healthful way. You owe it to yourself to eat at Urban Plates.“

“Please serve bigger scoops for what people are paying for is all I'm saying respectfully so. I paid $9 for two tiny scoops wasn't enough for myself and a baby. So had to end up giving my rations to the baby which was mostly all of the ice cream. I'll try again another time in hopes of good changes.“

“This Himalayan Sherpa cuisine has great food but slow service. It is in a funky location that looks like it may have been a diner, with booths and tables. They decorated the walls with fabric wall hanging that are also for sale. We ate Lamb! This is not the place to come for steak.lol. Lamb! Veges! Naan bread! Delicious food. Just be patient. Slow service and every table was filled. Busy! We enjoyed a vege dish, Nawaeratan Korma, which proved tastier than expected. Veges, including tofu in the most delicious coconut curry sauce. The two lamb dishes we got: Lamb Saag and Lamb Tikka Masala were delightful. Now, we love curry, so we have an appreciation of the flavors. The food is consistently delicious. We have come twice. No issues with the food. The servers run around, taking orders, clearing tables, bringing food, taking payments. There are plenty of people who come in to pick up their TO GO Orders; so that seems to slow down the process for those people dining in. But it is worth it!“

“Everything on the Menu is delicious. All of their Margarita's are amazing.The General Manager Gilbert Gastelum was very personable and even took a selfie with us. Our waiter Jos exceeded in Customer's Service and was very attentive. **Update** Friday, 04/27/2024. We came with a friend for Happy Hour and we had a great time. Eloy and Shannon, both waiters, were super friendly and made us feel very welcomed. They made our time here very pleasant. Thank you. We will be back soon.“

“This was our first time at Luna Grill and my husband and I were impressed with the hospitality of the staff, the cleanliness of the restaurant, and the quality of the food. Shay was especially welcoming and answered our questions and provided great recommendations. I had the Mediterranean harvest bowl, a limited time menu item, and my husband got a plate with the beef kabob and apple walnut salad with rice. We both cleared our plates and will definitely be back again!“

“The staff greeted us immediately, seated us, and brought water to the table. Our appetizers CHOWDAH FRIES and Crispy Cauliflower arrived quickly -- as did our drinks. The fries were like New England poutine and surprisingly still crispy with the toppings. The cauliflower was spicy, tangy, but not too crispy, yet we liked it. The drinks were spot on. Two of us got Connecticut Lobster Rolls, one got Maine Lobster Roll, and the other got CLASSIC BEEF BOURGUIGNON. Each dish was perfectly prepared and presented. It is somewhere we will go again.“

“Pleasantly surprised! A very nice date night meal of Caldo de Siete Mares (a special, not on regular menu, with scallops, shrimp, octopus, mussels, calamari, fish and lobster) and steak fajitas. Delightful! Also a nice dessert of passionfruit creme brulee, also excellent.“

“Cafe Topes was super busy when my friend and I came for breakfast (Saturday at 11am, duh it's busy!) but the service is so quick and efficient we were in and out in thirty minutes. You order at the front, the person who took our order was super helpful and friendly (I wish I got his name) and made great recommendations. We got the crack breakfast burrito, the 222, and two delicious lemonades. The food came out incredibly fast, piping hot, and super yummy. We really enjoyed the inside seating, although the outside is just as nice when it's not rainy! Would go again, and probably will soon!“

“Hearty west coast breakfast menu. Decent Latte. Service was good. Items were fresh. My mushroom and spinach omlette was good. Hot sauces brought to the table, but we were never asked about butter or jam for toast till we asked. Coffee refills had to be asked vs offered.Inside seating is cramped and lots of fott traffic due to multiple service areas. Outside looks calmer.I would go back if someone else suggests it, and would not fine with the choice. It would not be my first choice.“

“Called to ask if they delivered our hotel. The food arrived hot and right on time. We got wings and two pineapple and ham pizzas.Food was great and they even threw in cups and plates since we were getting delivery to a hotel.Would recommend to anyone looking for good pizza after a built day.“

“one of my favorite vegan restaurants, I love coming to this veggie grill! the food tastes as good as it looks and the staff have always been so friendly :) the nachos and buffalo chicken salads are our favorites! and their desserts are always so good “

“Food was really good. I'm new to eating this way and was stoked to find this little place. The staff were very nice and patient while I figured out what to eat. The chef (owner?) brought out the breakfast burrito I ordered and made sure I had everything I needed. Honestly don't have much to compare it to but, it had great flavor and texture. Nice to have a place I know I can get a good meal when I'm working near Carlsbad.“

“So good!!! I had the burrata pizza and let me just say it was delicious! The pesto was amazing and had a bit of sweetness to it. Very good! The tomato sauce was to die for! Probably the best ever! The crust was delicious and had a nice flavor! Also there is a quite the groovy and cool aesthetic! Bathroom as sparkling!“

“Tiny hole in the wall yogurt shop in Carlsbad Village with the BEST peanut butter yogurt EVER. Omg I want to eat all of it. It's so smooth and delicious!! It's worth stopping in while at the farmers market on Wednesday afternoon!!“

“We stopped here on Easter Sunday and were pleasantly surprised they had happy hour specials that day. We ordered the burger and beer special on happy hour. They let us choose any burger or sandwich from the menu, a choice of 3 beers and you also get a small salad and order of fries. It was well worth the $22. The fries were amazing. My only complaint is that the beer was slightly flat and the Philly cheesesteak was a bit dry and lacked cheese.“

“We dined inside and the acoustics were nil. The noise level didn’t work for my hard of hearing MIL. The server was great. I didn’t get his name. I had butternut squash ravioli. Yum! I was not impressed by my husbands lasagna but he ate the whole thing. My MIL had chicken with a giant sausage on top. She loved it. Then, we shared a chocolate lava cake. It was a delight. We will wait to again when it’s warmer and we can dine on their patio. The staff was super friendly.“

“This is the first time we have visited this restaurant. I was shopping in the area and stopped by to see their menu. It smelled wonderful just walking in the door. It was my husband's birthday, so we decided to go there for dinner. He had the chicken mo-mos, and I had the lamb kabob/vegetables tandoori. We also had some soup. The sauce for the mo-mos was awesome, and the lamb was very tender and flavorful. Tutu was our waitress, and she told us the restaurant was established 7 years ago. What a gem this place is! She even gave us a little dessert to take back to the room. Two little cakes in a honey drizzle. She told us to heat in the microwave for 18 seconds, melts in your mouth delicious! We will definitely visit here again.“

“We drove down from LA for the weekend. We walked in for dinner and there were lots of families enjoying their Saturday night! Our waitress was super friendly, nice and gave us so many local insights-thank you and we'll be back again for more yummy local sushi!!!“

“The service here is wonderful!! Our server was very attentive and so kind. The staff all work together to make everyone's dining experience great. For appetizers we got Takoyaki and their special soft shell crab buns. The Takoyaki came out piping hot and was so flavorful! The soft shell crab buns are featured on their Spring Menu and they were very unique. The crab is fried and seasoned with mayo and pickled onions. I felt that there was too much mayo. For ramen we tried Tonkatsu and Miso ramen-- the broth is ok, I would add extra spice for some additional flavoring. Overall, not a bad ramen place in north county!“

“The cutest spot! Different vibe from the og location in San Marcos but change is never a bad thing! Super clean with a good amount of tables, and seats next to outlets which makes the perfect study spot! The coffee itself is amazing and the service is always great and quick. Super friendly staff and overall the best cafe around“

“Yoshino's sushi is the best. I love it and so do my children. The vinegared rice is also delicious and you can eat as much as you want. As soon as I took the first bite, I felt that the sushi was freshly made. Unfortunately, I will be moving so I won't be able to eat there anymore.“

“First timers there. Greeted for lunch by a friendly hostess who offered us all the seating options (all of which were nice). Our waitress was extremely helpful explaining the menu and offering suggestions. We each decided on chowder & a taco. Wife had the New England which gets a 5 out of 10 rating. (plenty of clam & texture but lacking in flavors). I had the Manhattan, which turned out to be the he better choice, earning a 8 of 10. Grilled fish tacos unfortunately were also bland (good quality & presented nicely but again no flavors). In their defense we both agreed we would come back again and try something a bit more adventurous.“

“We love Beach City! Truly some of the best açaí bowls we've had. It's our go to place while in town. When they're busy it can be a bit of a wait, but it's worth it! The fruit is always super fresh, they use the best açaí base- truly delicious. The staff is always friendly and polite, the shop is clean and inviting, not a lot of inside seating but there are tables outside also. Highly recommend!“

“Hidden behind another pizza joint, I suggested we eat here instead. I was honestly thinking they would have pizza by the slice, but their way of competing against the many other pizza choices around the village is different. They offer a menu more than just pizza, including pasta, salad, veggie appetizers, and wine. Their pizza is practically a thin crust until you get to the end. It was amazing how perfect the crust was. It wasn't floppy anywhere and had a good chew. It was wonderful to dip into the leftover sauce from the stuffed shells, which was also great on its own. The pronounced lemon in the filling was awesome; I actually liked that it wasn't just a hint of lemon. The ambiance is intimate, but it's nice where we sat in their outdoor area. The service was OK. We weren't greeted when we stepped inside or as we walked up. The server didn't present our food by name, but rather placed it on the table. I don't think they even said, "enjoy". It just wasn't personable for a small local shop. When we left, however, another server who was working inside said bye and thank you. Guess it depends who you get.“

“This is a hidden gem somewhere in Carlsbad. I'm so happy I found this place and I fully regret not ordering my own acai bowl. Although it doesn't seem like much, the acai bowl that we got here was actually very delicious and fresh! Something about it made me enjoy it so much more than I have the others I've ordered from other businesses. If you're in the area, definitely go check them out!“

“As always, we were warmly welcomed upon arrival and seated immediately (always recommend a rezi just in case). Our server, Angelo, from beginning to end was awesome and friendly. The restaurant is quiet and nicely laid out. The food....amazing. We started with calamari, which is a generous amount, followed by entrees (mine pictured and the wife got the gnocchi), and capped off with crème brûlée. Delicious. Can't wait until next time!“

“Came here after a hike based on all the good reviews. I will need to try the other things but this sandwich is hella bomb...mostly due to the crunchy/soft bread. I go to a bakery called crème in Claremont and it rivals her ham and buerre sandwich which is saying something. Simple and excellent.“

“Not only is your food so fun and great, but your staff is amazing. Big shout outs to the honest staff from Saturday night who saved my daughter's special diamond bracelet that she left on the counter when she was eating shabu shabu. I appreciate you guys so much!! Management, you are so blessed to have the honest team you do. Thank you guys, so much.“

“My wife and I had two delicious sandwiches, and their coffee was great as well. The place was packed when we were there, and we had to wait for a table, but it was well worth the wait. It is conveniently located in a strip mall in Carlsbad with an ample parking lot outside. Give them a try.. you'll be happy you did!“

“Wonderful espresso macchiato! I asked for an espresso with a teeny bit of steamed milk. Cafe Mexicana was divine! Love the plants and the artwork inside. Also has outdoor seating. Staff are very nice. Just found this place yesterday. We will definitely be back. ❤️“

“I am a tour operator and in month of April we had two separate tours in 2 days and each time we got very satisfied with Bistro Kabob food, service and friendly staff. The owner Mr. Saeid is a very respectful and friendly person. I highly recommend everyone to try this restaurant and enjoy their high quality food and services and beautiful outdoor and indoor. We will definitely have our groups there for each visit to the area.“

“Food was great and the female wait staff were so nice but the male kitchen staff made my friend and I quite uncomfortable with so much staring at one point it seemed all of them were out in the front and were staring so much. No hate to the restaurant but i’d like to comment on it because this sort of stuff can be very uncomfortable for women I’m just trying to enjoy a meal and don’t want men staring for no reason.“

“Brewery and restaurant in a large open space. Kid and dog friendly.Good parts of our visit:- Food was good. We had the blackened mahi tacos, which were delicious. Highly recommended. We also had the wagyu burger which was fine, but the selling point of the burger is the beef and any flavor of the beef was overwhelmed by the gruyere and gorgonzola cheese and a ton of arugula: I would recommend getting other burgers and not paying for the wagyu, as the flavor is hidden.- The waitstaff. We had Michelle, who was incredibly friendly, knowledgeable about the menu, and overall an excellent server. High marks.The weaker parts of our visit- The wait. We were seated quickly, but after that, service started to really lag. My guess is that they were down a server: there were two for a large space and, for instance, it took 10-15 minutes just to get our check and pay when we were ready to leave. Normal times might not have this issue.- The beer. It was...fine. I had a flight for CBC's own beers (a dark lager, a pale ale, an IPA, and a stout). None stood out. For those who aren't fans of current trends in double dry-hopping everything, this place can work, as the beers were all pretty mild, but none of the CBC-specific beer was particularly memorable or noteworthy. That said, they do have a massive beer selection from many different brewers, so this might just be what we tried.“