THE GUIDE TO HEALTHY, PLANT-BASED EATS IN SAN FRANCISCO:

For our inaugural ‘Healthy Eats’ guide, we’re kicking it off with a feature on Siren’s hometown, San Francisco! The Bay Area is known for its active, health-conscious population: think FitBit wearing, outdoor enthusiasts who spend their weekends hiking, cycling, or surfing. So, it comes as no surprise that San Francisco is also a pioneer in the movement towards clean ingredient, plant-based foods. We’ve rounded up a list of our favorite San Francisco restaurants serving delicious and wholesome food made from wholesome, plant-based ingredients:

Seed + Salt: Healthy Eats Mecca with Insta-Worthy Interiors

• The Bite: Located in the heart of the Marina, Seed + Salt serves up fresh, crave-worthy dishes using only vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free ingredients.
• The Vibe: Seed + Salt has a light and airy vibe that feels more like Venice Beach than SF. Inside you’ll find a cozy space with communal tables, an in-house bakery, and even a selection of local kombuchas.
• The Food: The menu is focused on showcasing the freshest ingredients of the season - we can’t get enough of the S+S Quinoa Falafel and the Green Curry Rice Bowl. And don’t miss out on Seed + Salt’s selection of vegan and gluten-free baked goods like the Banana Chocolate Walnut Bread and the Raw Dark Chocolate Brownies.
• The Occasion: Seed + Salt is serves up breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily. Its great for a casual catch-up with friends, a post-workout snack (Barry’s Bootcamp is across the street!), or a healthy alternative to take-out.

Nourish Cafe: Home Of the Best Bowls in SF

• The Bite: With locations in Nob Hill and Inner Richmond, Nourish Cafe offers a huge selection of salads, smoothies, sandwiches, and fresh baked treats using only organic, fresh ingredients.
• The Vibe: Inside Nourish cafe you’ll find a cozy, colorful space with an open kitchen that lets you watch as chefs whip up your smoothie or bowl on demand. The seating here is limited, so be prepared to wait for a first-come, first-serve table or else grab your food to-go.
• The Food: Our favorite thing about Nourish Cafe is the variety - the menu here is HUGE and all of the selection makes it hard to settle on your order. You can’t go wrong with the Nourish Bowl or the Green Acai Bowl, which are two of our go-to favs. Nourish Cafe also features many of our favorite dairy-free brands, like Kite Hill and Miyoko’s Kitchen cheeses, on the menu.
• The Occasion: Ideal for an on-the-go breakfast, a quick snack, or a lazy Sunday morning when you’re not in a rush for a table.

Gracias Madre: Your Go-To for Vegan Mexican

• The Bite: Vegan food and Mexican food were rarely used in the same sentence until Gracias Madre entered the SF foodie scene. The concept here is new and refreshing: create authentic Mexican food using only organic, vegan ingredients.
• The Vibe: Gracias Madre has a casual, inviting with communal tables and relaxed servers. But this place definitely fills up, so reserve a table in advance if you’re coming with a group or are hoping to stop in at prime time.
• The Food: Think nachos + homemade guac, burritos, quesadillas, and all of your favorite Mexican staples with a healthy twist. Rather than all of that heavy cheese and sour cream, Gracias Madre serves up their own ‘cashew cheese’ and ‘cashew crema’ - we bet you won’t even be able to notice the difference!
• The Occasion: Gracias Madre is great for grabbing a casual dinner with friends. Since the tables here are all communal, this is not the spot to have a sensitive conversation or plan a romantic anniversary dinner. That said, if you’re looking for a casual, plant-based twist on Mexican food that everyone will enjoy, you’ve come to the right spot.

Greens Restaurant: Upscale Vegetarian Food with a View

• The Bite: A special occasion restaurant serving vegetarian fare that will satisfy both plant-eaters and omnivores alike. The food here is legit and Greens is consistently ranked amongst San Francisco’s top restaurants. Did we mentioned Greens has their own farm in Marin County where they source the majority of their fresh produce?
• The Vibe: Make sure to request a window seat, since Greens is situated along the water with views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Marin County, and the Marina. Inside Greens you’ll find an upscale yet welcoming space with big windows and rustic wood accents.
• The Food: Greens offers seasonal, farm-to-table cuisine using only fresh, local ingredients. We love the Grilled Brochettes (a gourmet take on vegetable skewers) and their fresh soups prepared in-house daily. Greens also has an impressive wine list with an emphasis on wine from organic, biodynamic, and sustainable vineyards.
• The Occasion: The menu here is a bit pricier, but definitely worth it for a date night, special occasion, or when you simply want to treat yourself.

Project Juice: Cold Pressed Deliciousness + Healthy Snacks To-Go

• The Bite: With a handful of locations across the Bay Area, Project Juice is our go-to spot for convenient juices and organic snacks on-the-go.
• The Vibe: The interiors are clean and airy with a rustic accents. All smoothies are made fresh to-order, which allows you to customize your order based on your preferences.
• The Food: Come for the juice, but stay for the food. In addition to offering a wide selection of cold-pressed juices, Project Juice’s Hayes Valley and Castro locations offer a selection of superfood bowls, toasts, and prepared meals. Everything here is gluten-free and dairy-free, so you can feel good about your order, regardless of what you choose.
• The Occasion: Post-workout refueling, mid-afternoon snacking, or a healthy breakfast (Hayes Valley or Castro locations).