What do my best friend, sister, and husband’s brother all have in common? Well, in addition to being super devoted to my kids, excellent gift givers, and all-around good family members, they…don’t eat meat. That’s right—somehow all of these Texas-born, Texas-raised people decided, “Brisket? Steak? Burgers? That’s not for me. Pass the kale, please.”
I’m kidding. We love them, and we also love choosing good vegan and vegetarian options for our family, even when they’re not around. Meatless Monday is a regular thing in our household, and my kids would both rather eat avocado toast than a chicken breast any day. And, we basically buy stock in cauliflower (see my Thanksgiving post for only slightly satirical proof).
When visitors come into town, we always want to show them the best San Antonio has to offer, and with this crowd, that includes making sure we have plenty of plant-based options available. Based on our experiences, I’ve compiled a list of some of our favorite vegan and vegetarian restaurant options in the San Antonio area.
Viva Vegeria—My ultimate favorite vegan restaurant in San Antonio, as well as one of my top overall favorites, Viva Vegeria brings plant-based Tex-Mex goodness to the Southside. If you’re wondering, yes, it’s worth the drive. The nachos are excellent (who knew there was such a thing as vegan queso and that it could be delightful?).
The sweet potato flautas are another family favorite, and the cauliflower wings are mouthwateringly good too. If you’re still hungry after your meal and looking for a guilt-free treat, make sure you take a look at whatever treats happen to be in the dessert case.
Viva Vegeria, 1422 Nogalitos, San Antonio, TX 78204 | (210) 465-9233
Green Vegetarian Cuisine—This spot definitely has a cool factor because of its location (one restaurant is located in Pearl, and the other is in the Alon). The restaurant calls its style “Texas Southern comfort,” and its menu has plenty of options that include both meat substitutes and grain/legume-based options. Fans of this plant-powered spot love the eclectic menu options including the chik’n and biscuits and the Korean beef.
Green Vegetarian Cuisine, two locations: Pearl—200 E. Grayson, Suite 120, San Antonio, TX 78215 | (210) 320-5865;
Alon—10003 NW Military Dr., Suite 2115, San Antonio, TX 78230 | (210) 223-1249
Señor Veggie—This favorite is well-known for the great flavor of its Tex-Mex cuisine. Fans of the restaurant rave about its empanadas, a savory blend of guacamole, pico de gallo, poblano cashew créma, and roasted salsa, in particular. Two significant pluses for who are interested in eating here: first, the menu is clearly labeled for allergies and sensitivities, including gluten; and second, it’s right across the street from Steel City Pops—and an extra-fancy pop can be a great after-dinner treat.
Señor Veggie, 620 S. Presa, San Antonio, TX 78210 | (210) 228-0073
The Good Kind—Fans of Pearl’s Bottling Department are already familiar with Tim the Girl’s The Good Kind. The new The Good Kind location in Southtown is a feast for the eyes as well as for the palate, with outdoor seating that’s perfect for lingering all day (or letting the kids roam a bit while the adults chat).
The Pearl location offers smoothies and avocado toast that are vegan/vegetarian crowd pleasers for any age (and a great way to get your kids to eat/drink their veggies!). While there are chicken options on the menu, there are also plenty of choices offered for vegetarians, including a veggie burger made with quinoa, black rice, black beans, beets, carrots, and onions.
The Good Kind, two locations: Pearl Brewery Food Hall—312 Pearl Pkwy., Building 6, San Antonio, TX 78215 | (210) 455-2834;
Southtown—1127 S. St. Mary’s St, San Antonio, TX 78210 | (210) 801-5892
Pharm Table offers an anti-inflammatory focused menu. According to their website, their dishes “are exquisitely designed to stand on their own as a flavorful vegetarian powerhouse.” If you’re planning on bringing along family members who are dubious about going veg, they can also add locally produced proteins to their dish. Our mouths are watering just thinking about the farm-to-table tacos and the kale pizza.
Pharm Table, 106 Auditorium Circle, San Antonio, TX 78205 | (210) 802-1860
Rise Up—The ultimate in Instgrammable food options, Rise Up offers açaí bowls and smoothies that are rich in nutrients and full of color and flavor. Every single person in our family loves the Honey Bear smoothie (banana, almond butter, honey, Ceylon cinnamon, and almond milk), and my kids will battle it out over an açaí breakfast bowl.
Rise Up, two locations: Stone Oak—18730 Stone Oak Pkwy., Suite 100, San Antonio, TX 78258 | (210) 790-0644;
Alamo Heights—6401 Broadway St., Alamo Heights, TX 78209 | (210) 268-8009
Go Vegan San Antonio Food Trailer—Being vegetarian/vegan provides a host of health benefits, but sometimes there’s just a moment when you need some comfort food. Go Vegan Food Truck is ready to accommodate your needs with their Chick’n ‘n’ Waffles plate. Described as “three of our house-made Chick’n Tenders on top of two Power Grain waffles” and accompanied by pure maple syrup, you can balance eating good and satisfying your cravings. You can find Go Vegan parked at The Block food truck park near UTSA’s campus.
Go Vegan San Antonio Food Trailer, 14530 Roadrunner Way, San Antonio, TX 78249 | (210) 729-5400
This list definitely isn’t all-encompassing, but it covers a lot of our go-to spots. If you know of another vegan or vegetarian-friendly restaurant in San Antonio, let us know so we can add it to our list!