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Kelly Bone

Where to Find Vegan Pizza in San Diego

It’s more than just vegetables

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Donna Jean
| Kelly Bone

From the classic Italian marinara to roasted root vegetable puree and smoked dates, vegan pizza in San Diego is developing its own voice. For years, many pizzerias fell for the fallacy that more vegetables on a pizza equals more flavor. In reality, too many vegetables equals a wet hot mess.

A good vegan pizza demonstrations restraint. A few impactful toppings, a smidge of almond milk ricotta or coconut cheese, and a pass through the burning heart of a hot, hot oven. These 15 pizzerias spread throughout San Diego excel at the vegan craft.

Disclaimer: This map should not be taken as endorsement for dining in, as there are still COVID-19 safety concerns: For updated information on coronavirus cases, please visit the California Department of Health. Studies indicate that there is a lower exposure risk when outdoors, but the level of risk involved with patio dining is contingent on restaurants following strict social distancing and other safety guidelines.

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Blade 1936

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John Carlo Ferraiulo (formerly of Caffe Calabria) oversees the VPN certified Neapolitan pizza at Blade 1936. The menu includes four vegan pizzas such as the Popeye with cherry tomato, spinach, and mushrooms and the Ortolana with San Marzano tomato spread under roasted veggies and fresh arugula. Blade 1936 offers online ordering with curbside pickup and shaded outdoor dining.

Blade 1936
Katalyst PR

Gianni's Pizza

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Ganni’s Pizza pulls plant-based meats and cheeses into combinations that barely sound vegan. Favorites include the Trejo Chorizo with soyrizo, jalapenos, onion, tomato, cilantro and a squeeze of lime and the Balsamic Burger studded with Beyond Meat, onions, tomatoes, and roasted pepper under arugula with a balsamic drizzle. Online ordering and delivery available through Slice, Door Dash, GrubHub, and Postmates.

The Privateer Coal Fire Pizza

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The kitchen is on full display at Privateer Coal Fire Pizza—one of the few coal fired ovens on the west coast. In the 850-to-900°F heat, a high lip of crust rises over the shallows of marinara, confit garlic, red onion, broccoli, roasted mushrooms, bell peppers, and spinach in the vegan as-is Blockhead Pie. A zigzag of smooth walnut pesto finishes the pie. Call for curbside pickup or enjoy your pizza on the outdoor patio (limited seating). Delivery is available thought DoorDash as well.

The Privateer Coal Fire Pizza
Kelly Bone

Regents Pizzeria

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A beloved pizzeria in University City, Regent’s menu spotlights vegan options when creating your own NYC-style pizza. Or, instead of randomly building your own, try recreating the “Debradical” with sauteed mushrooms, grilled onions, fresh basil and Follow Your Heart vegan mozzarella over a garlic rosemary olive oil base. Contactless pickup and delivery available along with indoor and outdoor dining. 

Regents Pizza
Mike Newton

Wheat & Water

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On a breezy patio in Bird Rock, a crisp uncut crust comes topped with tomato sauce and swirls of wild mushroom, spinach, and sweet morsels of roasted sunchokes on the Vegan Pizza. Basil infused olive oil strains from the pumpkin seed pesto sprinkled with faceted flakes of Mandolin salt. Take-out can be ordered online, dine-in available as well.

Wheat & Water
Kelly Bone

Uprising Pizza

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In August 2020, all-vegan Uprising Pizza debuted their sourdough pan pizza for take-out of their commercial kitchen in El Cajon. The thick, but not overly dense, crust holds toppings such as pumpkin seed pesto, mushroom, cherry tomatoes, and vegan cheese on the Green Goddess pizza. Pre-order for weekly pickup is available through Instagram.

Uprising Pizza

Ambrogio15

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The thin, crunchy, crust —typical of petra flour from the northern region of Italy —holds a light layer of crushed San Marzano tomato DOP with caper buds, garlic, and oregano in the classic Marinara. The Vegana pie adds grilled eggplant, zucchini, and red peppers to this mix. Vegan mozzarella can also be added to any pie. Order online for take-out or make a reservation to dine in their parking lot under twinkling string lights.

Ambrogio15
Kelly Bone

URBN El Cajon

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This “New Haven-style” thin-crust regional pizza chain is spread through San Diego. Large pies arrive on baking sheets and are crosscut into various sized slices. Many combinations can be pulled out of the build your own section, or you can stick with the tried and true vegan as-is pizza topped with red sauce, onion, mushroom, artichoke, and arugula. Take-out and delivery available through Slice, Door Dash, and Postmates. 

URBN
Kelly Bone

Blind Lady Ale House

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Blind Lady Ale House’s Vegan Pesto and classic Margarita pizzas have been Normal Heights favorites for years. Driven by market availability, the ever-changing specials feature surprises like al pastor seasoned cauliflower florets over housemade almond ricotta and slices of buttery avocados delivered from the grove of Valley Center’s Rancho J’Baile. Order online for pickup.

Blind Lady Ale House
Kelly Bone

Pizzeria Bruno Napoletano

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A prime example of Neapolitan pizza in San Diego, Bruno’s ample Marinara extends past the edges of the serving plate. Topped with pulpy tomato sauce, oregano, basil, garlic, and olive oil, it is an uncompromising vegan bargain. Call ahead for pickup or enjoy limited indoor and outdoor dining. Delivery available through Postmakes and Door Dash.

Pizzeria Bruno Napoletano
Kelly Bone

Tribute Pizza

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The crust at Tribute Pizza — with the crispness of a rustic loaf filled with an airy crumb — is a standout. From day one the OG Vegan, a pool of crushed organic Bianco Dinapoli tomatoes under crisp arugula with a dusting of black pepper, has been a favorite. Innovation prevails on the Super Vegan 7.5 which comes slathered in root vegetable marinara with almond and hazelnut ricotta, shaved onions, pickled peppers, castelvetrano green olives, and artichoke hearts. Add a side of vegan ranch for an all-American experience. Order online for delivery and curbside pickup.

Pizza from Tribute Pizza
Tribute Pizza
Kelly Bone

Officine Buona Forchetta

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Under the high ceilings of Liberty Station, two wood-fired ovens (one is dedicated gluten-free) char rounds of Neapolitan dough weighted under imported Italian tomatoes. The vegan section of the menu offers four vegetable forward pies topped with optional vegan cheese. Carmelized onions make Piera pizza, with grape tomato and mushrooms, a particular stand out. Call for take-out or dine-in on their ample patio. 

Officine Buona Forchetta
Kelly Bone

Donna Jean

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The airy patio fluttered with herbs and vegetables destined for the kitchen of Donna Jean. Behind the double doors, dough proofs and house-made vegan cheeses age until ripe and ready to top pizzas. On the seasonal menu smoked tomatoes, mushrooms, and kale fill up the Sinister Kid pizza while black garlic, smoked dates, and calabrian chilies bite back on the The Widow pie. Order online for pickup or dine-in on their patio. 

Donna Jean
Kelly Bone

Civico by The Park

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Unlike the Little Italy restaurant, the Balboa Park adjacent kitchen offers both pizza and, a relative newcomer, pinsa. This oval shaped dough is both crips and tender thanks to the Italian-imported blend of wheat, soy, rice and wild yeast flour. It’s high rise and pale crust contrast the round low profile Calabrian pizzas. From the classic Margherita (rice mozzarella, San Marzano tomato sauce, and basil) to the Ortolana (butternut squash cream, mushrooms, onion, and bell pepper) Civivo by the Park offers thoughtful vegan combinations on either style crust. Order online for pickup or dine in on their outdoor patio. 

Courtesy of Civico by The Park

Pizzeria Luigi

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Three locations throughout San Diego, this NYC-style pizzeria offers vegan cheese, soyrizo, and veggies. It’s one of the few places to get a vegan slice; call ahead to confirm availability. The thin crust has little to no top sag which keeps all the topping tidy for easy eating. Delivery is available thought Door Dash. Take-out and outdoor dining in the ocean breeze of their patio is available as well.

Pizzeria Luigi
Kelly Bone

Blade 1936

John Carlo Ferraiulo (formerly of Caffe Calabria) oversees the VPN certified Neapolitan pizza at Blade 1936. The menu includes four vegan pizzas such as the Popeye with cherry tomato, spinach, and mushrooms and the Ortolana with San Marzano tomato spread under roasted veggies and fresh arugula. Blade 1936 offers online ordering with curbside pickup and shaded outdoor dining.

Blade 1936
Katalyst PR

Gianni's Pizza

Ganni’s Pizza pulls plant-based meats and cheeses into combinations that barely sound vegan. Favorites include the Trejo Chorizo with soyrizo, jalapenos, onion, tomato, cilantro and a squeeze of lime and the Balsamic Burger studded with Beyond Meat, onions, tomatoes, and roasted pepper under arugula with a balsamic drizzle. Online ordering and delivery available through Slice, Door Dash, GrubHub, and Postmates.

The Privateer Coal Fire Pizza

The kitchen is on full display at Privateer Coal Fire Pizza—one of the few coal fired ovens on the west coast. In the 850-to-900°F heat, a high lip of crust rises over the shallows of marinara, confit garlic, red onion, broccoli, roasted mushrooms, bell peppers, and spinach in the vegan as-is Blockhead Pie. A zigzag of smooth walnut pesto finishes the pie. Call for curbside pickup or enjoy your pizza on the outdoor patio (limited seating). Delivery is available thought DoorDash as well.

The Privateer Coal Fire Pizza
Kelly Bone

Regents Pizzeria

A beloved pizzeria in University City, Regent’s menu spotlights vegan options when creating your own NYC-style pizza. Or, instead of randomly building your own, try recreating the “Debradical” with sauteed mushrooms, grilled onions, fresh basil and Follow Your Heart vegan mozzarella over a garlic rosemary olive oil base. Contactless pickup and delivery available along with indoor and outdoor dining. 

Regents Pizza
Mike Newton

Wheat & Water

On a breezy patio in Bird Rock, a crisp uncut crust comes topped with tomato sauce and swirls of wild mushroom, spinach, and sweet morsels of roasted sunchokes on the Vegan Pizza. Basil infused olive oil strains from the pumpkin seed pesto sprinkled with faceted flakes of Mandolin salt. Take-out can be ordered online, dine-in available as well.

Wheat & Water
Kelly Bone

Uprising Pizza

In August 2020, all-vegan Uprising Pizza debuted their sourdough pan pizza for take-out of their commercial kitchen in El Cajon. The thick, but not overly dense, crust holds toppings such as pumpkin seed pesto, mushroom, cherry tomatoes, and vegan cheese on the Green Goddess pizza. Pre-order for weekly pickup is available through Instagram.

Uprising Pizza

Ambrogio15

The thin, crunchy, crust —typical of petra flour from the northern region of Italy —holds a light layer of crushed San Marzano tomato DOP with caper buds, garlic, and oregano in the classic Marinara. The Vegana pie adds grilled eggplant, zucchini, and red peppers to this mix. Vegan mozzarella can also be added to any pie. Order online for take-out or make a reservation to dine in their parking lot under twinkling string lights.

Ambrogio15
Kelly Bone

URBN El Cajon

This “New Haven-style” thin-crust regional pizza chain is spread through San Diego. Large pies arrive on baking sheets and are crosscut into various sized slices. Many combinations can be pulled out of the build your own section, or you can stick with the tried and true vegan as-is pizza topped with red sauce, onion, mushroom, artichoke, and arugula. Take-out and delivery available through Slice, Door Dash, and Postmates. 

URBN
Kelly Bone

Blind Lady Ale House

Blind Lady Ale House’s Vegan Pesto and classic Margarita pizzas have been Normal Heights favorites for years. Driven by market availability, the ever-changing specials feature surprises like al pastor seasoned cauliflower florets over housemade almond ricotta and slices of buttery avocados delivered from the grove of Valley Center’s Rancho J’Baile. Order online for pickup.

Blind Lady Ale House
Kelly Bone

Pizzeria Bruno Napoletano

A prime example of Neapolitan pizza in San Diego, Bruno’s ample Marinara extends past the edges of the serving plate. Topped with pulpy tomato sauce, oregano, basil, garlic, and olive oil, it is an uncompromising vegan bargain. Call ahead for pickup or enjoy limited indoor and outdoor dining. Delivery available through Postmakes and Door Dash.

Pizzeria Bruno Napoletano
Kelly Bone

Tribute Pizza

The crust at Tribute Pizza — with the crispness of a rustic loaf filled with an airy crumb — is a standout. From day one the OG Vegan, a pool of crushed organic Bianco Dinapoli tomatoes under crisp arugula with a dusting of black pepper, has been a favorite. Innovation prevails on the Super Vegan 7.5 which comes slathered in root vegetable marinara with almond and hazelnut ricotta, shaved onions, pickled peppers, castelvetrano green olives, and artichoke hearts. Add a side of vegan ranch for an all-American experience. Order online for delivery and curbside pickup.

Pizza from Tribute Pizza
Tribute Pizza
Kelly Bone

Officine Buona Forchetta

Under the high ceilings of Liberty Station, two wood-fired ovens (one is dedicated gluten-free) char rounds of Neapolitan dough weighted under imported Italian tomatoes. The vegan section of the menu offers four vegetable forward pies topped with optional vegan cheese. Carmelized onions make Piera pizza, with grape tomato and mushrooms, a particular stand out. Call for take-out or dine-in on their ample patio. 

Officine Buona Forchetta
Kelly Bone

Donna Jean

The airy patio fluttered with herbs and vegetables destined for the kitchen of Donna Jean. Behind the double doors, dough proofs and house-made vegan cheeses age until ripe and ready to top pizzas. On the seasonal menu smoked tomatoes, mushrooms, and kale fill up the Sinister Kid pizza while black garlic, smoked dates, and calabrian chilies bite back on the The Widow pie. Order online for pickup or dine-in on their patio. 

Donna Jean
Kelly Bone

Civico by The Park

Unlike the Little Italy restaurant, the Balboa Park adjacent kitchen offers both pizza and, a relative newcomer, pinsa. This oval shaped dough is both crips and tender thanks to the Italian-imported blend of wheat, soy, rice and wild yeast flour. It’s high rise and pale crust contrast the round low profile Calabrian pizzas. From the classic Margherita (rice mozzarella, San Marzano tomato sauce, and basil) to the Ortolana (butternut squash cream, mushrooms, onion, and bell pepper) Civivo by the Park offers thoughtful vegan combinations on either style crust. Order online for pickup or dine in on their outdoor patio. 

Courtesy of Civico by The Park

Pizzeria Luigi

Three locations throughout San Diego, this NYC-style pizzeria offers vegan cheese, soyrizo, and veggies. It’s one of the few places to get a vegan slice; call ahead to confirm availability. The thin crust has little to no top sag which keeps all the topping tidy for easy eating. Delivery is available thought Door Dash. Take-out and outdoor dining in the ocean breeze of their patio is available as well.

Pizzeria Luigi
Kelly Bone

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