Ben & Esther's Vegan Delicatessen

If you happen to be in San Diego, I would personally consider this a must-hit restaurant. Everything here is delicious and although my expectations for this place were very high, they were still surpassed. I had a steak, egg, and cheese bagel that was excellent, with the vegan steak being very tender and filling. I was also very impressed by the other bagel sandwich I had, a latke, egg, and cheese bagel sandwich that was somehow even tastier than the steak bagel sandwich I had. I also opted for an order of matzo ball soup, which was massive (maybe a quart or more? No idea how to quantify it). I had never had matzo ball soup before, but now I’m hooked: the matzo balls had an amazing chewy, broth-soaked texture on the outside with a firmer, denser interior. Truly some of the best soup I’ve ever had. I also had a chance to try some macaroni salad, some pasta salad, some potato salad, and some dolmas, all of which were very fresh and flavorful. Aside from that, I also ordered some desserts, including a black and white cookie, which was good. However, I was truly blown away by the other two desserts, which were a cake and a pastry. The cake was Biscoff flavored, and was perfectly moist on the inside while also being covered with some phenomenal cookie butter icing and Biscoff cookie crumbs in the outside. The pastry I had was an apricot Hamantaschen. The filling was great, but the light, flaky dough itself was some of the best bites of a pastry I’ve ever had, no exaggeration. My only minor complaint is that they ran out of some food items at the end of the day, but considering I went here about 20 minutes before they closed, that was certainly expected. If I ever come back to San Diego (or if I go to Portland!), Ben and Esther’s will likely be my first stop from the airport. Updated from previous review on 2025-11-03

The turkey bacon club is amazing! It's jam-packed w goods, as if they put a whole package of vegan meat in there! Very generous portion size. Love the mayo and cheese in it, too. My husband and I split this sandwich for breakfast. Highly recommend.

Dropped some friends off at the SD airport early in the morning and went straight to Ben and Esther’s afterwards together some breakfast. Cute little place with all sorts of sandwiches, pasta and potato salad, bagels and more. We got the egg, cheese and sausage bagel sandwich and the bagel and lox sandwich. Bonus - free coffee before 10am. The sandwiches were delicious!! Very soft bagels and the fillings were great. I would love to go back for lunch and try the Philly or Rueben. The young lady behind the counter was so nice and friendly. I wish I knew her name. A must go to.

We usually get bagels here, but decided on sandwiches since it was later in the day. The "turkey" club sandwich was AMAAAZING! I got a meal deal with it so tried some potato salad too. YUM. I love this place!

I just love when people make an effort to veganize a cuisine and culture that isn’t typically accessible to vegans. Ben & Esther’s does just that, bringing New York Jewish deli culture to the west coast! The sandwiches, deli items, and baked goods are all excellent, the people are friendly, and it’s a memorable experience! Highly recommend

Amazing, flavorful sandwiches! What was left for sides options didn't look too appetizing, but if the potato latkes had been in stock I'd be curious to try. Unfortunately no bathroom

I love Ben & Ester’s! Their bagels are so good. I had the lox and the macaroni salad and OMG I still crave it. It is definitely pricey but worth it IMO. There aren’t any comparable places in SD that I’ve been to.

We got it delivered and it was still wonderful. The lox bagel is a must try, without a doubt. Even the gluten free bagel is perfectly soft and ample enough for a bagel sandwich. One of the best black / white cookies I've ever had, don't skip it!

I had the Ruben and it was excellent. The sides were also good. No kids menu, but plain hot dogs will do. The smoothie place next door was not good (do not recommend). Very limited seating.

2nd time here in a week - and all for the Reubens. Excellently made. We have marked this place as a favorite when in San Diego. And are looking forward to trying the Portland one soon.

I had the Egg + Cheese + Bacon on an Onion bagel. It was really good! Definitely the best vegan bacon I've had by far, highly recommend it if you're looking for a quick meal.

This was my first visit to this Deli. I ordered the New Yorker. I was impressed with the flavor and texture of the corned beef. The rye bread was very fresh. I wanted to buy bagels and they gave me some as it was late in the day. The bagels are delicious. I want to return and try everything. Incredible to have all this deli food and it is all vegan.

Love the bacon, egg and cheese bagel. and the jammers are to die for!

We tried and loved: BLT + avocado - large, but so tasty we finished it all! Classic reuben- also large. Great flavor. Excellent! Bennie's Brisket - Amazing! So tasty. Loaded with filling. Huge. We also got bagels (everything and sesame) and cream cheese to go. The cream cheese was very good. The bagels were a bit disappointing - not chewy or flavorful. They'd be great as a sandwich, but I was surprised they were not better. Overall, we'd certainly return for sandwiches!

Vegan almost 8 years and have a non vegan partner we both adore this place. Food is great no complaints!! Super happy to support a vegan Jewish deli 💕

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Turkey Club, Turkey-Bacon Club, Breakfast Sandwich