Upscale vegetarian friendly restaurant in San Francisco?

September 19, 2022 6:33 PM

SF Me-fites - send me your recommendations for an upscale vegetarian friendly restaurant in San Francisco. We have a client dinner arranged for tomorrow night, and just found out that one of the client attendees is vegetarian. We of course want to make sure that we provide them a great experience! Original options were for Waterbar, Boulevard or Harborview. Our office is in the financial district, so we would like to stay close, but are happy to go a 10 to 15 minute Lyft ride if there is a great option in a nearby neighborhood. Thanks!
posted by susiswimmer to Food & Drink (12 answers total)

Greens at Fort Mason. The OG. Great view of the Golden Gate, good strolling area, def change of scenery from the FiDi.
posted by armoir from antproof case at 6:36 PM on September 19, 2022 [9 favorites]

To be clear, it’s *only* vegetarian
posted by armoir from antproof case at 6:39 PM on September 19, 2022 [1 favorite]

Greens is great, but only vegetarian. Almost any fine restaurant in San Francisco will have vegetarian options on the menu. Try, for instance, Kokkari Estaiatorio. But really, if it's a good restaurant, they can do vegetarian, and are probably already doing it on the menu.
posted by blob at 7:51 PM on September 19, 2022 [2 favorites]

Dancing Yak is spectacular! Nepalese food, fun vibrant setting, lots to choose from in both meat and veggie options.
posted by danceswithlight at 7:59 PM on September 19, 2022

Per Diem's veg food has been good whenever I've tried it. I do love the view at Greens (and they have outdoor dining now, too).
posted by pinochiette at 8:05 PM on September 19, 2022

Boulevard is probably the best of your options that you've posted. Kokkiari is a good choice, also maybe Quince or Seven Hills.
posted by oneirodynia at 8:19 PM on September 19, 2022 [2 favorites]

Surprised no one has mentioned Wildseed yet! It's on Union at Buchanan
posted by jasper411 at 9:30 PM on September 19, 2022

Oh, great call w/ Kokkari. Such. Good. Food. And a heckuva variety.
posted by armoir from antproof case at 10:14 PM on September 19, 2022 [1 favorite]

But really, if it's a good restaurant, they can do vegetarian, and are probably already doing it on the menu.

Please don't assume this is true. There are endless restaurants who half ass their vegetarian offerings.

I'll be honest, looking at the menu, Kokkari does not scream "my hosts tried to find a good veg option". There's one vegetarian main (of ten or so--it's not a small menu), which is the bare minimum for "acceptable for vegetarians" (contrast to Per Diem's two (one probably vegan), plus a pizza). However, if this is the sort of business dinner where people want to share appetizers, the fact many are vegetarian is a definite plus.
posted by hoyland at 3:39 AM on September 20, 2022 [5 favorites]

Millenium on Geary is vegan and was so good I ate there like three times in four days when I was in San Francisco for a conference. Very fancy, very tasty!
posted by stinker at 12:58 PM on September 20, 2022

Stick with Boulevard! They will treat your vegetarian or vegan clients right, especially if you give them an advance heads up.
posted by la glaneuse at 3:35 PM on September 20, 2022

Indian restaurants are great option.
- ROOH
- Amber India

Perbacco is high end and they have a lot of vegetarian starters and pasta dishes.
posted by junesix at 9:42 PM on September 20, 2022