Best vegan restaurants in San José: where to eat plant-based?
- Aurélise Leroux
- 15 minutes ago
- 5 min read
Looking for the best vegan restaurants in San José? San José has become a great spot for vegan travellers. Many of the best options cluster in walkable neighbourhoods like Barrio Escalante and San Pedro, making it easy to café-hop or enjoy a full vegan dining day without venturing far. The different locations can offer budget-friendly bowls or creative fine dining. And if a menu isn’t fully plant-based? No problem — most kitchens are adaptable to a vegan diet. Just ask for dishes “sin huevo” (without egg) or “sin queso” (without cheese), or confirm that soups are made with vegetable stock.
Fine Dining Restaurants
Árbol de Seda | Vegetarian with vegan options
General Location: Avenida 7 & Calle 35, Barrio Escalante, San José
Type of Food: Vegetarian and vegan fusion cuisine, blending international flavors including Spanish, Peruvian, Japanese, and Italian influences.
Price Range: $10 - $41 per person
Phone Number: +506 2281 0513
Website: arboldeseda.ola.click
Do I Need a Reservation?: Recommended.
Do They Deliver?: No.
A vegetarian spot with global flavors and clearly labeled vegan options.
KAN Pizza
General Location: 2, Los Yoses, San José 10104.
Type of Food: Pizzeria with vegan-friendly options (vegan cheese available, can customise).
Price Range: $20 - $30 per person
Phone Number: +506 2101-0140
Website: http://www.kanpizza.com/
Do I Need a Reservation?: Walk-in friendly
Do They Deliver?: Yes, via Uber Eats.
For vegan travellers (and everyone else) who want great pizza, this place is a must-visit. The Pizza is available with vegan cheese and toppings of choice. It's a great choice for friends and family, offering a little comfort food and a more casual evening with amazing pizza.
Writer's Tip:
I loved the pizza from that space because it's not only a vegan option but also the pizza dough is super thin, crunchy and the sauce is great! So overall one of the best vegan pizzas I had so far.
Café Rojo | Vietnamese with vegan options
General Location: Avenida 7 & Calle 3, Barrio Amón, San José
Type of Food: Vietnamese fusion cuisine with vegan and gluten-free options.
Price Range: $10 - $25 per person.
Phone Number: +506 2221 2425
Website: caferojocr.com
Do I Need a Reservation?: Recommended.
Do They Deliver?: Yes, via Uber Eats.
A peaceful café with Vietnamese-fusion food, coffee, and fresh juices in a hidden garden. Offers a variety of Vietnamese-inspired dishes, including bowls, sandwiches, salads, and a healthy version of the traditional Costa Rican Casado. All bases are vegan, with options to add extra vegetables.
Casual Dining Restaurants
PURALMA Brunch & Cake (Vegan Bakery/Brunch)
General Location: Barrio Escalante, San José (≈ 150 m east of Fresh Market, Av. 9)
Type of Food: 100% vegan brunch & bakery – pastries, cakes, brunch bowls, savory rolls.
Price Range: $10 - $19 per person
Phone Number: +506 6307-5059
Website: https://www.instagram.com/puralmacr/
Do I Need a Reservation?: No
Do They Deliver?: Yes, via Uber Eats.
A must-visit for vegan travellers (or families) looking for a brunch or dessert stop. Everything is plant-based, and the treats (cakes, croissants) have a local twist and strong reviews. Great for a relaxed morning or a sweet break in San José.
Writer's Tip:
You need to try the "cheese" sandwich with the tomato soup - it's incredible! Oat flat white is great too! Owners friendly - overall one of the best vegan addresses in San José. You shouldn't miss it!
Incredibowl (Healthy Bowl Concept)
General Location: Inside Jardín de Lolita, Barrio Escalante, San José.
Type of Food: Customisable bowls, vegan-friendly base + toppings – healthy, informal.
Price Range: $10 - $15 per person
Do I Need a Reservation?: No – casual.
Do They Deliver?: Yes, via Uber Eats.
Healthy, stylish, but budget-friendly. Great for solo travelers or families looking for something lighter, creative, and plant-based. The bowl format allows flexibility, which is a plus for vegan dining. The bonus is the location inside the Jardín de Lolita, which offers additional food options and a unique atmosphere.
Bosque Urbano Café
General Location: Calle 37 #751, San Pedro, San José 10101.
Type of Food: Fully vegan café offering breakfast, brunch, pastries, cakes, comfort dishes.
Price Range: $10 - $20 per person
Phone Number: +50688950272
Do I Need a Reservation?: Not required.
Do They Deliver?: No
A cozy, stylish vegan café suitable for brunch, travellers with laptops, families with kids, or solo travellers wanting a peaceful spot.
Budget-friendly Restaurants
La Criollita (Vegan-adaptable soda)
General Location: Av. 7, El Carmen, San José 10101.
Type of Food: Traditional Costa Rican soda (diner) with vegan-adaptable items (rice & beans, veggies)
Price Range: $5 - $12 per person.
Phone Number: +506 2256-6511
Website: https://restaurantelacriollita.com/
Do I Need a Reservation?: No
Do They Deliver?: Yes, via Uber Eats.
A value spot for vegan travellers wanting an authentic local plate on a budget—ask for “sin queso/sin huevo” and you can adapt traditional dishes. Great for families, solo, and backpackers.
Huacamole Vegan Food | 100% Vegan
General Location: Calle 63, Empalme, San Pedro, San José
Type of Food: Vegan street food with Latin American influences, including tacos, arepas, empanadas, pizzas, enchiladas, burgers, soups, and salads.
Price Range: Approximately $5 to $15 per person.
Phone Number: +506 7005 7073
Website: instagram.com/huacamole
Do I Need a Reservation?: Not required.
Do They Deliver?: No, but take-out is available.
A vibrant, casual eatery offering a creative take on Costa Rican and Latin American street food classics—all fully plant-based. Known for its flavorful vegan versions of traditional dishes with mushroom and seitan.
La Esquina Vegana | 100% Vegan
Location: 200 meters west of Amazon in Lagunilla de Heredia, corner location, Heredia
Type of Food: Vegan Latin American cuisine, including dishes like tacos, arepas, empanadas, pizzas, enchiladas, burgers, soups, and salads.
Price Range: $5 - $15 per person.
Phone Number: +506 7205 0803
Website: facebook.com/LaEsquinaVegana
Do I Need a Reservation?: Not required.
Do They Deliver?: Yes, via Uber Eats.
A casual, family-friendly eatery offering generous portions of Latin American–inspired vegan dishes. Known for flavorful vegan versions of traditional dishes, including the Parribox (a vegan take on parrillada), birria burgers, Thai and Oriental bowls, and a variety of desserts like cinnamon rolls and red velvet cake.
Conclusion
San José is a true treat for vegan travelers — easy to explore, full of flavor, and wonderfully adaptable. From KAN Pizza’s super thin, crunchy crust and rich sauce to Puralma’s “cheese” sandwich with tomato soup and oat flat white, the city proves that vegan dining can be both comforting and creative.
Whether you’re brunching in Barrio Escalante, grabbing bowls at Incredibowl, or relaxing in Bosque Urbano Café, you’ll find warmth, great coffee, and thoughtful food everywhere.
San José isn’t just vegan-friendly — it’s vegan-happy.
Buen provecho!
Want to get more information about eating vegan in Costa Rica? Check our blog articles:
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