Best Vegan Food In San Jose, Costa Rica

San Jose is the gateway to Costa Rica's famous destinations.

No matter where your final destination is in Costa Rica, you'll most likely be transiting through San Jose at some point.

And while the Capital is as pretty as it is exciting, there is a thriving vegan scene that makes San Jose worth a short stop... even if only for a bite.

Quick tips for vegans in San Jose, Costa Rica

  • Costa Rica restaurants are called Sodas. At Sodas you can find Casado, a local dish made up of rice, beans, and plantains. It is naturally vegan.
  • Costa Rica uses both Colones and the US dollar. Try to pay in Colones to avoid higher prices.
  • UberEATS operates in San Jose and the app has lots of vegan food delivery options.
  • The word for vegan in Spanish is vegano.

Where to stay in San Jose?



Booking.com


Vegans looking for a good place to stay in San Jose will find Downtown and Escalate to hold the most vegan options nearby.

I based for a week Downtown, and while the streets were seedy, I had many of the best vegan restaurants at my doorstep.

Escalante is known for its hipster vibe, and there are a number of vegan restaurants popping up in the area that are must-visits.

 

How long do you need in San Jose?

While I was continuously told a week would be too long in San Jose, I did it anyway. I didn't think I could properly explore the city's vegan scene in less time. However, I have to admit, a week is too long in San Jose.

With little to do, I filled my time up with eating the best vegano food San Jose had to offer - and I wasn't disappointed.

If you're coming to San Jose, I'd say two days is more than enough.

 

Is San Jose safe?

I cannot speak on behalf of everywhere in San Jose. But staying Downtown gets sketchy when it gets dark. There is a huge homeless population, prostitutes, and generally an eerie vibe.

I spoke to the staff at Rojo Cafe, who told me, while it's generally pretty safe, to not stay out past 9pm.

Like anywhere, keep your wits about you. Don't attract attention, and try to blend in.

How to eat local [vegan] Costa Rican food

If you're like me, your favorite places to eat are the local hole-in-the-wall restaurants that serve up cheap meals that always end up the tastiest.

As vegan travelers, we're sometimes limited to the depth we can dive into the local food scene. Luckily, Costa Ricans eat a whole lot of rice, beans, lentils and fruits and veggies, which make eating locally in Costa Rica easy for vegans.

Sodas

On your visit to San Jose, or anywhere in Costa Rica, you'll notice small, almost grungy little restaurants called Sodas. Don't avoid them. Each soda is a little different, but most of the time you can eat delicious meals here which are completely vegan.

When in San Jose, I'd grab breakfast at Soda Petrona below my apartment each morning. I'd simply get rice, beans, fried plantains, and a tortilla. It's a basic combination, but my god it works.

local costa rican food vegan

The name of this dish is Casado. In its basic form, this meal is vegan. However, sometimes there is the option to add meat to the meal.

The Best Vegan Restaurants in San Jose, Costa Rica

Soda Vegetariana Susbida

Location: Downtown

What to expect: Hidden Costa Rican-Chinese vegan restaurant with affordable prices and tastier food.

best vegan food in san jose

This little vegan restaurant is the reason I love being a vegan traveler.

While most walk past this hole-in-the-wall without a thought, vegans actively seek out this restaurant which holds some of the best vegan food in San Jose.

This place is the opposite of flashy. The restaurant is unmarked since its sign faded away. Inside is small, grungy and the menu is bear. However, don't let that dissuade you from eating here. The portions are huge and the flavors incredible.

susbida vegan restaurant san jose

A meal here will cost you a reasonable 3000-4000 Colones ($4.50-$6.50 USD). The dumpling soup came with tofu, vegetables and tasty vegetable dumplings.

Susbida was my favorite vegan find in San Jose. Don't miss it.

Rojo Cafe

Location: Downtown

What to expect: Cool vibes, spacious, and plants everywhere.

vegan cafe in san jose costa rica

This was one of the first cafes I stumbled upon in San Jose, as the cafe was located just a block from my accommodation.

The half-vegan cafe is full of plants, art, and old-school architecture. The staff are super friendly and speak English well.

Rojo Cafe specializes in Vietnamese-Costa Rican fusion - Yes, you heard that right. If you're like me and had no idea what that even means, be sure to check it out - you won't regret their Pho or Bahm Mi.

The vegan-friendly cafe also has vegan pastries and desserts if you have a plant-based sweet tooth.

Rojo Cafe is one of the best vegan cafes in San Jose.

Huaca Mole Sodita

Location: Escalante

What to expect: Some of San Jose's finest vegan junk food.

vegan burger in san jose

This vegan restaurant knows how to do food. And it does vegan food as good as anyone in San Jose.

Huaca Mole serves burgers, pizza, tacos, bowls, smoothies, you name it.

I ordered the Crispy Cheddar Vegan Chick'n and it did not disappoint. It was one of the best burgers I've had in a while, and also one of the biggest!

Gia Vegan Pastries

Location: San Pedro

What to expect: To satisfy those vegan brunch cravings.

vegan brunch in san jose

This was another food delivery I ordered while in San Jose.

The 100% vegan restaurant is known for their delicious vegan desserts and cakes. Gia Vegan Pastries also have a great vegan brunch menu, which caught my eye.

I opted for the BEC Bagel, which is a bagel with tofu scramble inside. While my photo may not do it justice, it was very tasty.

What currency is used in Costa Rica?

Both local colones and the US dollar can be used in Costa Rica. Most ATMs can withdraw both currencies, however, don't let this fool you. Using USD might seem more convenient, but it comes with many disadvantages.

  • Generally pay more in USD
  • Local places operate mostly in Colones
  • Change will be given in Colones
  • Smaller purchases hard to

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2 thoughts on “Best Vegan Food In San Jose, Costa Rica”

  1. Thanks so much for this! Am strangely spending a week in San Jose too. This hits hard and accurate, will try all your recommendations.

    1. Hey Jason – glad to hear you can relate. San Jose is definitely a contrast to the rest of Costa Rica. Did you manage to check out some of these restaurants?

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