Part of a collection of organic plant-based restaurants originating from Northern California; this branch est. 2015. Menu comprises both raw food as well cooked vegan food. Everything is vegan except for occasional honey. Open Mon-Sun 8:00am-10:00pm.
Categories: Vegan-friendly, American, Raw, Juice bar, Take-out, Mexican, Fusion, Honey
35 Reviews
First Review by areleous
Contributions +51
Good food with Hippie Vibe - Edit
The food was good and it the ordering process and question of the day was a fun experience. Portions looked small at first but I was full by the end. We got a milkshake for dessert that was really good. The highlight for me was actually the wine, I got a white wine with lime and passionfruit in it. It was amazing!
Contributions +93
Good quality food - Edit
This is my favourite place to eat in San Diego. So many options, decently sized portions, and really tasty. Staff are super kind and the overly optimistic vibe in there grew on me every time I stopped by. During my stay in SD this was basically the only place I could depend on for a filling vegan breakfast. The only downside is it’s a little on the expensive side - unsurprising considering the cost of every other restaurant in the area. Totally worth it though.
Pros: Only vegan breakfast in area, Varied options, Healthy choices
Cons: Expensive
Contributions +22
Fabulous - Edit
Their deserts are to die for.
Contributions +30
Grateful for Café Gratitude! - Edit
My husband and I decided to go out to dinner on Valentine's Day after many years of not wanting to brave the hoards of people --- we made a reservation and this was one of the best Valentine's Day dinners EVER! We got a good table, our server was excellent and made some great suggestions which we took and were very pleased -- I had the "Humble" bowl and my husband had the "Magical" sandwich/burger -- both were delicious! The piéce de resistance was dessert which was the special strawberry mousse in the shape of a heart! Absolutely beautiful and delicious! We will definitely be back - for our birthdays and anniversary!
Pros: Great service, Lovely venue, Delicious food
Cons: Parking can be challenging
Contributions +126
Great food and service - Edit
It was really hard to choose from the delicious menu. We need to come back! The food was really good and the staff so friendly!
Contributions +38
Grateful for Gratitude - Edit
All vegan, plant based menu. So awesome to be able to order anything off the menu. Wanted to order everything ‘cause it all sounded delicious. Our server was very helpful in narrowing down the many options. We had a fantastic meal capped with equally delicious desserts. Can’t recommend this place enough
Contributions +16
Service could be a lot better - Edit
Love the food at Cafe Gratitude but the servers act like they want to be somewhere else. Common server etiquette is lacking. They need better training on being a good server and on being happy empathetic people.
Pros: food, lighting
Cons: servers, parking
Contributions +20
amazing place - Edit
People were soooooo nice, food was delicious, menu with plenty of options. Mashed potatoes with gravy and loaf are just perfect.
Pros: food taste, service, place
Contributions +32
Impeccable breakfast - Edit
Everything is great here. Had some really good food (the Poweful yogurt and the Content wrap plus the Illuminated smoothie), the service is fast and attentive, there's both indoor and outdoor seating, they accommodate your requests and I want to hug the person responsible for the playlist
Contributions +330
Another great Cafe Gratitude - Edit
So glad to have this option in San Diego! Great vegan food and open ambiance just like the LA cafes.
Contributions +32
Everything amazing, just a bit pricey - Edit
Honestly you could order anything on the menu and would not be disappointed. Prices are a bit high, but it is a great spot overall.
Pros: taste, variety , quality
Cons: price
Contributions +42
my happy place - Edit
Can't go wrong, can't get enough!
Pros: healthy, and tasteful! , great vibe
Contributions +93
Fresh, Tasty Food, Goofy Concept - Edit
The food here was fresh and tasted good. I had the eggplant parmesan and it came with a nice sprout salad. I also got the almond/date smoothie, which was delicious. It was a little pricey, but not too bad.
The main issue I had was the restaurant concept, which involved ordering through “affirmations” and a weird forced response from the server. There was a “question of the day” to spark conversation. I know some people are into that, but I found it super awkward. Not enough to not want to come back, it was just a little odd.
Pros: Fresh food, Good vegan dishes, Vegan except for bee products in some drinks
Cons: Weird concept, A little pricey
Contributions +32
Healthy and Organic, with an incredible message! - Edit
Did I need any more reasons to want to move to San Diego? No, but now I have another... #cafegratitude y'all! THE best plant-based restaurant I've ever set foot in, healthy, delicious plant based cuisine, an incredible message and seriously dope servers. Basically, it's all about positive affirmation and all menu items are named after something positive and TODAY I was Brave, I was Giving, I was Cool and I was Holy. That translates to ;
a turmeric shot, a mint choc smoothie, a Buffalo cauliflower pizza and a chocolate donut 👌🏻🍕🍩 everything is locally and organically sourced too, and the best part? NO ANIMALS WERE HARMED 🐮🐷🐣🙋🏼 special shout out to my server Micah, for hooking me UP!
Contributions +21
high end atmosphere - Edit
This place is all vegan, anyone know why it's listed as vegetarian?
Some of the dishes are amazing and some are so-so.
Contributions +198
Great concept; Clean eats - Edit
I'd heard of the Cafe Gratitude in LA, and was excited to check one out in San Diego. The restaurant is beautiful in a simple, clean way. I was so excited to check out the menu, and quickly realized everything has nuts! There is nut-based cheeses, spreads, sauces, and dressings on everything that interested me. I finally had to just pick something and start make adjustments (the friendly staff were helpful with this)
If you haven't been, you order in affirmations. You don't say "I want the Committed BBQ Portabello Sandwich," you just say "I am Committed." The irony of it, is that I was not committed - I had to have them hold the spicy coleslaw and roasted garnet yams. My BBQ portobello and avocado on ciabatta was going to look a bit lonely, so the waitress offered to add a small salad. Finding a nut free dressing took us a minute, but I landed on Fig Balsamic.
I also ordered the Coconut Cream Pie to go, and while it was just beautiful, it tasted heavier than I imagined. I envisioned a fluffy whipped coconut (similar to my homemade coconut whipped cream) and instead it reminded me of the canned coconut cream before I beat in in the blender for whipped cream. It was also a bit pricier. While the entrees were on par with other places ($16 for sandwiches) the slice was $10 for 1/12th of the pie.
I will likely return for another sandwich, but I'll skip dessert.
Pros: fresh ingredients, accommodating staff (allergies)
Cons: nuts in vast majority of menu items, overpriced dessert
Contributions +15
This place is bomb - Edit
Really creative, lots of healthy options that are delicious. 100% plant based and organic. I think the only thing they use is bee pollen. Each section of the menu I could stare into like a California sunset. I wanted to order everything. Parking is a little difficult on a busy night. I really hope I get the chance to dine here again.
Contributions +54
raw vegan fare - Edit
I was at local raw vegan detox retreat and - lol - and 10 of us traveled here for a rawsome treat! It is a place I would bring non vegan and non raw vegan friends to try this type of food for the first time. Very very yumny!
Contributions +146
So Grateful - Edit
We enjoyed our dinner so much, that we returned for breakfast today (less than 12 hours later).
The wording of the menu is a creative as the food prepared. For dinner last night, we had "Glorious", "Hopeful" and "Elated". The wrap had a bacon like substance (something that I don't really care for, but my friend found delicious and interesting. He said meat lovers would never know. Elated was an enchilada dish complete with a special house made hot sauce. I threatened to lick the plate. Soooo good.
This morning I had a chickpea quiche served in an iron skillet, called "Content". He had a french toast dish called "Thrilled". We both left looking for real estate in the area.
Happy to hear there is more than one location!
Pros: Helpful and happy servers: Victoria and Molly., So many choices, Good Vibes is an understatement!
Cons: Upholstery could use a good cleaning.
Contributions +69
Come Hungry! - Edit
Weather you leave after eating a meal or drinking a smoothie you will feel satisfied after! Very tasty food
Contributions +946
Ohhh myyy god!!!!!! - Edit
Cafe gratitude is one of the best and sensational experiences you can get as a vegan in the USA. Enjoy!
Contributions +206
good intentions - Edit
Cafe Gratitude is cute and bright, good vibes, friendly staff, and definitely "instagram-worthy" as they claimed. We went for breakfast, and while the quiche and bbq tempeh scramble were good, they weren't amazing. I had high hopes but wasn't blown away. The place was semi-busy, but not packed, but it took forever to bring out our food. I'd probably try this place again since they're all vegan and have a pretty extensive menu. But it seems like they put most of their focus on their "wellness shots" and other juices/smoothies.
Pros: positive vibes, big space
Cons: slow service, pricey
Contributions +80
Best food!! - Edit
I have been to the Cafe Gratitude in Venice as well and this one had a more professional atmosphere. As always the food was amazing! A bit expensive, but worth the price!
Pros: amazing food, beautiful location, good service
Cons: costly
Contributions +364
ok not great - Edit
I had high hopes. Really cute decor and ambience and creative menu. But when we ate the food, the taste wasn't there. Semi-cooked vegetables made up the meal. We ordered barbecue tempeh which basically was just ratatouille and then a burrito which ended up being a very salad like meal in a wrap. I like vegetables but not like this. Pass
Pros: great ambience
Cons: bad food
Contributions +136
delicious-five star meal - Edit
from drinks to appetizers to our meal and of course dessert(don't miss dessert) the food, service and atmosphere was spot on. Kim our waitress/server was attentive and helpful. Till I come to town again.
Pros: Delicious
Cons: none
Contributions +83
Great food and vibe - Edit
Good vibe, taste, and ingredients. This is not a place you go if you're in a rush in my opinion. You sit, you feel grateful and enjoy.
Pros: awesomeness
Cons: slightly pricy but worth , parking
Contributions +103
Grateful for Cafe Gratitude - Edit
This is my second Café Gratitude I've been to; the first one was up north in Berkeley. And this one was just as fabulous with a friendly staff, charming interior and amazing selection of delicious food. I always have such a hard time deciding what to order at all-vegan places but I chose something I wouldn't make at home; the "Awesome" Sandwich, which is a breaded eggplant panini with the optional pesto sauce and fresh greens. A refreshing lemonade seltzer with basil leaf was the perfect thirst quencher after a long walk along the boardwalk on a hot sunny SoCal day. The food is not cheap but I feel it's worth it. The only moderate disappointment was the chocolate cookie I ordered to eat later as a snack. It was pretty dry and not too flavorful. I've made better vegan cookies at home so I know they can be better.
Pros: so many delicious vegan options, very friendly helpful staff, clean cheerful atmosphere
Cons: dessert was diappointing, expensive
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