50 Best Vegan Restaurants in San Mateo

“I found this bakery when I was looking for a place to purchase alfajores and I was so happy to have found it! I was greeted as soon as I walked in and my first visit was nothing but a very nice experience. Two young men behind the counter seemed really friendly and helpful. The other customers in the store at the time seemed very happy. I came for alfajores today, but I will definitely go back for more alfajores and other goodies!“

“Fast friendly service. But you’ll be taking a to-go bag home for sure!! I was stuffed!!“

“Food was standard American Thai fare. The pad thai was average, although my party enjoyed the spicy eggplant stir fry dish. Everything is pretty okay, and decent enough if you're in the mood for Thai food. I will say it was nice that entrees were $14-15. Pretty affordable meal.

We came on a Sunday afternoon (2pm) on a holiday weekend. We had to sign up on the waitlist, and it was about a 20minute wait until we got a text saying our table was ready. Staff was nice, although never refilled our waters.

The interior gives a casual vibe. The space isn't very big, and all tables were completely filled at all times. Noise volume inside was moderate. Can still hear your tablemates without raising your voice too much, but it wasn't quiet in there by any mean.s There's tv screens, one of which was broadcasting the news channel.“

“If you’re trying their signature Miso Caramel Latte, may I recommend going with the iced latte option? While the hot latte is still good, the umami-ness of miso and the contrast of the flavors is much more pronounced in the iced latte version.“

“Stopped in for Dinner, only one vegan protein option, but it didn't disappoint, probably the best beyond meat ive ever tasted, great sides, and delicious strawberry mint lemonade as well, great atmosphere and very friendly and informative staff, will definitely return again“

“Cocktails and Wagyu - soooo good!“

“First time here. Long line to get in but it moved fairly quickly. Had the Roast beef Aburasoba. Mind-Boggling GOOD! The flavor was out of this world! The service was fantastic!! I can’t wait to go back again!“

“Love the pizza! We live in the East Bay but we stop by whenever we pass by San Mateo. We always get a Meat Lovers & the Chicken Pesto!“

“Halal beef burgers, made to order, soft brioche buns, veggie options, yummy milkshakes! Definitely with be a place we frequent! Face friendly business, family owned and operated 👏🏼🇺🇸“

“We had an absolutely lovely experience here! Came for my boyfriend’s birthday, everyone was friendly and attentive. Fantastic high end ambience. The food was almost too beautiful to eat and every one of us thoroughly enjoyed our entrees. One of our guests said it was the best spaghetti he had ever had! The mushroom risotto was perfection. I had the Chilean sea bass and WOW! The salmon was also amazing. The other two guests had roasted chicken and hangar steak… I didn’t get to try them but they looked amazing and everyone cleaned their plate even though we were full lol! We will absolutely be back. Highly recommend!! 5 stars ⭐️“

“Love the dry aged porterhouse, juicy and delicious. The service was phenomenal and of course the new location.“

“Excellent meal here. The miso sea bass was delicious, and the nigiri in the seasonal omakase was great. Wagyu nigiri was a standout. Our waitress/server was fantastic also! one of the best sushi/omakases in san mateo in my opinion! pricing is absolutely reasonable too.“

“Good food. Good service. Good atmosphere.“

“Fritters are great for a treat“

“Do you love going to Flavortown? How about dreaming with your eyes open? Then try these birria tacos. The first time I had it was from leftovers that my daughter brought home for lunch. Then I drove from Oakley to San Mateo to have them fresh. It was AMAZING! They provide extra stuff to add to the tacos, but it honestly didn’t need them. The meat was so tender & flavorful that I had to close my eyes so I could fully appreciate the taste. Then I added the extras one by one & it tasted like a new taco each time. I know it seems like I’m exaggerating, but it’s really that good! My only wish is that they had seating nearby & a second location closer to Oakley.“

“Love the indoor/patio ambience Menu selection,,,food ,,,,especially variety of bruschettas Drink selection as well,,,, mimosas,,,sangria Would like more live music“

“They had 3 vegetarian options for ramen - the chilli-miso, shoyu and they can make the curry ramen on request.
We had the miso and the curry and both were fantastic. The service was friendly and prompt. The tofu that we added to it was delicious.“

“Sushi was delicious and service was great! Not a romantic spot though because it’s loud but fun if your going with family and friends. Music is good!!“

“ONE word "EXCELLENT". Great menu, love the murals, quick service, clean and they even serve beer and wine. parking is tricky so have patience. Garlic Fries, Hummus, Combo Gyro Plate!“

“Must try Affogato!! Espresso poured over Vanilla ice cream or over your favorite ice cream. Delicious 😋“

“Best pizza in the Bay Area!“

“What a great find. We just flew in to San Francisco... took an exit because we were starving. Stumbled upon this gem. Great food... service was exceptional... really friendly people. I wish they were in Utah!
Their potstickers are unmatched!“

“was an amazing vibes lovely crew coffee was so good!“

“Great place. Long lines and worth it“

“Great service, delicious food and beautiful decorations.“

“Wonderful vegan sushi & friendly owner. I tried the shiitake avocado & spicy vegan rolls, both were delicious. Looking forward to visiting and trying other menu items soon!!“

“Was greeted & seated promptly. Welcomed by Manager Hung. Brittany was our waitress & we received the 20th Anniversary Sacks. Happy Anniversary.“

“Super good restaurants with healthy and tasty thai food. They do accommodate allergies and dietary restrictions. They could make Jain food for me and also adhere to it strictly even when I order from Doordash and call and let them know about my allergies and Jain religious dietary restrictions. The front desk person is so friendly and helpful.“

“Hamburgers are beyond delicious.“

“Kurodai - Black Seabream Nigiri 3 very strong wasabi, bitter, fishy
Ao Ebi - Blue Shrimp Nigiri 5 very chewy texture, slightly seared, slightly sweet
Hon Maguro Chu-toro - Medium Fatty Blue Fin Tuna Nigiri 5 fat evenly distributed, not stringy at all, melt in your mouth
Negitoro Hosomaki - Supreme Fatty Bluefin Tuna w/ Green Onion (Maki) 4 fatty, rich, fresh, flavorful
Oyster Shooter 2 juicy raw oyster, raw quail egg, tobiko, sake, ponzu, tabasco, very strong alcohol, bitter
Baked Baby Scallop 5 two baked Peru baby scallop, juicy, presented on shell, uni, mayo, unagi sauce, green onion, creamy, rich, flavorful
Iku-Uni-Himo 4 soy sauce marinated ikura / large fish eggs, way too salty, uni, mashed monkfish liver, white truffle oil, flavorful
Mentaiko Yaki Udon 4 pan fried thick wheat flour noodles, crunchy seasoned cod roe, crispy bacon, stir fried thin udon, flavorful
Yuzu Cheesecake 5 glazed crust, strong citrus flavor, creamy“

“I ordered the smoked salmon Benedict. It was good. Hashbrowns a little burnt. You order then sit down and they'll bring your food to you. Friendly service. Very busy place. The line was going out the door on a Saturday brunch time but they quickly took care of it. It can get pretty noisy.“

“Delicious Asian fusion breakfast and lunch“

“food place for family and hang out“

“Saigon Butter Tofu Wine sauce Ox Tail Noodle Soup Crab & Pork Meatball & Tomato Vermicelli And to drink: Taro w/Coconut Slush“

“Delicious authentic Brazilian food with amazing service . Fun experience too!“

“San Mateos best kept secret. Best sushi I've had in years. Wonderful atmosphere, great service and at a reasonable price. My comment after dinner was , I guess I have had so much grocery store sushi, I forgot what real sushi should taste like.. Best Japanese food like this is rare these days until you try Tokies“

“Has been the dumpling spot for us going on two years now. We come here about one a month-ish but LOVE this place. One time my boyfriend and I ate 50 soup dumplings between the two of us. It was amazing.
Another time, we were coming back from half Moon Bay and decided to give the frozen dumplings a try. The guy who’s always there (don’t know his name sorry!) gave us directions on how to do it and even gave us some paper to line the pan with so they wouldn’t stick. We super enjoyed them at home! On our visit to go pick up the frozen dumplings, we met a man there who says that he’s from Napa and stops by whenever he’s in the area. (Wow!)

Our faves are: Pork Soup dumplings, Pork chive, and Chicken Corn dumplings 🥟
Thank you for all the yummy dumplings!
-Nina & Camden“

“Fantastic ramen full of flavor and rich umami. The garlic tonkatsu broth is my favorite, but you really can't go wrong here. If you're feeling extra hungry, get their combo option that adds a healthy healing of chicken on top of your ramen. For less than $20, it's a fantastic deal.

The restaurant is small, so be prepared to wait during peak hours. The service is fantastic and always friendly.“

“Having enjoyed their dishes many times for months, It’s beyond “Very Satisfying”! Excellent, delicious food! Quality well maintained although it is a hard time under C-19. Hygiene suggestions n requests well followed! Thanks 🙏 Customer Service outstanding! Highly recommended 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍“

“Anchored in Downtown San Mateo at the corner of 2nd Avenue and Ellsworth, Restaurant Bay Watch has stood as a beloved local breakfast institution for years. Stepping inside delivers classic, unpretentious diner nostalgia, complete with a background soundtrack of 1950s and '60s oldies. It provides a comfortable, welcoming backdrop whether you are settling in for a relaxed weekend brunch or fuel-up weekday breakfast.

The restaurant relies on its sprawling selection of morning staples and genuinely friendly, attentive floor service. The staff was friendly, attentive, and kept everything moving efficiently with coffee refills and accommodating with special requests, despite the restaurant's extensive menu. While long-time patrons might notice subtle operational shifts hinting at a possible management change over the years, the hospitality team remains hard-working and resourceful.

Between the extensive main menu and daily specials board, deciding what to order can trigger serious choice paralysis if you arrive with a big appetite. I opted for the Hungry Jack, their signature lumberjack-style spread that pairs customizable protein choices with French toast or pancakes.

On previous visits, their herb-roasted house potatoes were a major highlight. Unfortunately, this time around they lacked the deep seasoning and crisp finish I remembered. However, the pancakes completely eclipsed that minor setback. I customized the restaurant's Tropical Pancakes by ordering them without bananas, leaving the coconut and macadamia nuts to shine. They were absolutely enormous—easily some of the biggest pancakes I've been served—and among the best I've had in 2026. The coconut added subtle sweetness while the macadamia nuts contributed a buttery richness and satisfying texture that made every bite memorable. The generous portion certainly made me feel like I got excellent value for the price.

Even with a few nostalgic details shifting over time, it is refreshing to find new favorites at a classic neighborhood staple. Whenever a craving for top-tier pancakes strikes in San Mateo, Restaurant Bay Watch remains a solid, dependable choice. 4.5 out of 5 stars.“

“Love the food n the people who works there. ❤️papaya salad, pad thai. Fried pompano and ground chicken with basil Aroy mak mak 👍👍👍❤️❤️❤️“

“Me and my friend were both in the area where we were hungry and I asked what should we get to eat. My friend was craving for a Banh mi, so I did some research where I discovered this place and we both agreed to give it a try. Upon arrival, this place is basically a hole in the wall that has one table outside for anyone that chooses to eat there. There was just one customer ahead of us, but that was not a problem since we needed time to browse their menu and decide what to have. After a couple of minutes we knew what we wanted and a friendly staff greeted us and took our order. Everything here is made to order which is always a plus for me since it is quality over quantity and I never mind the wait since I am a very patient person. Their menu consists of a variety of Banh mi to choose from, salads, spring rolls, bowls, vermicelli items, refrigerated/house made drinks, pho is also an option and much more to choose from. As time went by the place quickly got busy with many customers coming by to place their orders. Finally our items arrived and each Banh mi comes with a small bag of chips which is just the perfect pair. Overall the food and experience was a satisfying one thanks to their professional, well trained and understanding staffs. I highly recommend this place to all Banh Mi enthusiasts, if you are in need of a quick bite just like me, to anyone willing to try something new or if you just so happen to be in the area to check them out. I definitely will be back to tryout the other delicious options they have to offer.“

“We’ve been here twice, but only downstairs, which can get very noisy. Their yakitori is very good. We also tried the mentaiko udon and grilled corn and both were good, too.

There’s a public parking garage behind the restaurant. Parking is free after 6 pm. You can enter the restaurant through the back door.“

“Nice all the time“

“Nick the Greek Laurelwood is one of the best ran restaurants in the region. Litza, Dimitri, Wesley, and the team provide exceptional service every time I visit this restaurant. They are so focused on amazing experiences. They keep the restaurant spotless and clean at all times. They have amazing attitudes and lift up my spirits on every visit. The food is exceptional and always tastes delicious. Thank you Litza, Dimitri, Wesley, and team for the outstanding work you do for Nick the Greek Laurelwood!“

“I Thought I’d try this pizza place I have a detail, shop in San Mateo thought I’d pick up lunch for the shop.

This is a great new find Pizza is great hot and fast. We will be back soon thanks for the quick turnaround and the quality pizza.“

“The do called "inclusive" atmosphere is really just an owner who hates everyone who has different views. If your social or political views are woke, you aren't welcome. Spend your money elsewhere. This guy is an idiot.“

“This is one of my favorite spots for a quick bite. The onigiri are always perfectly seasoned, fresh, and filling. The staff is incredibly friendly, and Erick was especially kind and welcoming. Everything tasted authentic and comforting. I’ll definitely be coming back!“

“Your cookies are extraordinary delicious! excellent! Love all your cookies!!!!“

“Cozy little hidden place in San Mateo. A bakery, coffee shop and specialized on cakes. They do offer some Filipino delicacies.“