Traveling to Northern California for the Big Game? Here’s Where to Load Up on Vegan Brunch

The California Bay Area is known for many things: its burgeoning tech industry, foggy coastal weather, culturally diverse communities, and soon, it will host the Super Bowl. If you’re heading to the Bay Area to catch the biggest game in football, you’ll be delighted to learn that its vegan food scene is thriving. From comforting soul food to unbelievably cheesy, meaty deli-style dishes, you can find pretty much anything made vegan.

So, in honor of Super Bowl Sunday, we’re sharing our favorite restaurants for vegan brunch—because Sundays are made for football and brunch. Whether you’re looking for a filling meal before heading to Levi’s Stadium or you’re making reservations in the days leading up to the game, here are all the places where you can get your pancake, scramble, and burrito fix sans animal products in the beautiful Bay.

The best vegan brunch spots in the Bay Area

Here are 15 vegan brunch spots (listed in no particular order) to try.

Sarah McLaughlin

1 The Butcher’s Son

Berkeley, CA

If you haven’t been to The Butcher’s Son, it’s an absolute must-stop. Get there early because the line will stretch out the door, but don’t worry if you’re a late-riser; you can contemplate your order in line. There are options like chicken-fried tofu and gluten-free banh mi. Hit the road with a slice of New York-style cheesecake or a salted chocolate chip cookie to go.

Timeless Coffee | Instagram

2 Timeless Coffee

Oakland, CA

Step inside this all-vegan coffee roaster, bakery, and chocolatier shop and inhale that sweet espresso scent. Timeless Coffee has two spots in Oakland, where they offer doughnuts, cakes, cookies, scones, frittatas, quiches, cream cheese danishes, and so much more.

Wildseed | Instagram

3 Wildseed

Palo Alto and San Francisco, CA

A gorgeous, well-stocked full bar awaits behind the glass doors of this totally plant-based, health-leaning restaurant. Come to Wildseed for the bustling atmosphere and stay for delicious eats such as carrot lox on sourdough bread, banana fritters with chocolate-tahini sauce, JUST Egg omelets with Beyond Meat sausage, and even a breakfast pizza.

Rad Radish

4Rad Radish

San Francisco, CA

From the owners of Wildseed comes Rad Radish, a fast-casual concept that serves up breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Customers can order from kiosks (or employees at a counter) and dine in or take their plant-based food to go. Go savory with a filling breakfast sandwich with plant-based egg, American cheese, and herb aioli, or go sweet with chia pudding with berries and coconut chips.

Souley Vegan

5 Souley Vegan

Oakland, CA

After a move to Martinez, CA, Souley Vegan is back to its roots in Oakland. The restaurant opens at 11 am, the perfect time for brunch, and is packed with comforting classics, including Chik’n & Waffles and Creole Mac.

Vegan Mob

6 Vegan Mob

Oakland and Vallejo, CA

Vegan Mob quickly became an Oakland destination, making a name for itself when it sold out in six hours on opening day. And once you try their food, you’ll totally understand why. The Barbequito stuffed with plant-based nacho cheese, barbecue baked beans, vegan brisket, and guacamole is enough to keep you full all day long, but if they happen to be serving their peach mobbler, you’d better grab a piece to go, as well.

@thetravelingtofudie | Instagram

7 St. Francis Fountain

San Francisco, CA

The oldest ice cream parlor in the city might seem like an unlikely place to find a truly great vegan brunch, but that’s just the beauty of San Francisco. St. Francis Fountain serves up diner-style pancakes—sans eggs or dairy—and you can add strawberries, chocolate chips, bananas, walnuts, and blueberries to your stack. Craving savory? Go for the vegan jack cheese-stuffed breakfast burrito or black bean-loaded vegan rancheros.

@sarahannsanchez | Instagram

8 Crêpes Bistro

Santa Clara, CA

Crêpes Bistro is a hole-in-the-wall, local favorite crêpe shop that can veganize almost any of its menu items—from savory to sweet crêpes and buzzy cacao smoothies. If you’re really feeling sweet, go for the French Affection with coconut whipped cream and homemade caramelized walnuts. And if you’re feeling savory, go for the Royal Veggie with vegan cheese, roasted eggplant, mushrooms, avocado, marinated white onion sauce, and lemon tahini sauce. Even better? Go for both!

Taqueria La Venganza

9 Taqueria La Venganza

Oakland, CA

Sometimes, only a hearty vegan breakfast burrito will do. When the craving hits, Taqueria La Venganza is ready and waiting to serve you for brunch. Its deliciously satisfying burrito is packed with vegan eggs, your choice of plant-based meat, guacamole, and morita chipotle mayonnaise.

Beloved Cafe

10 Beloved Cafe

San Francisco, CA

For days when you just want to fill your body with plenty of nourishing, organic ingredients, you can’t beat Beloved Cafe in San Francisco. Choose from an array of nutrient-dense, flavor-packed brunch options, like the Quinoa Bowl & Roasted Vegetables, Avocado Sourdough Toast, Carrot Spice Maple Muffins, or a Homemade Granola Bowl topped with fresh fruit. A superfood smoothie on the side is also a must.

Donut Farm