Are you currently looking for vegan options in the San Diego International Airport?
You’re in the right place!
This guide will show you the best vegan options in each terminal in San Diego, along with a quick suggestion on what can be ordered there.
Finally, we found a few local restaurants inside the airport, but couldn’t determine which, if any, offered good vegan options. If you know of any good options that we’re missing, please reach out and let us know
so we can improve this guide!
Vegan Options at San Diego Airport
Many of the chain restaurants will be linked to their complete vegan guide where you can access more information. Be aware that airport location menus can vary.
Terminal 1 Pre-Security
Starbucks Coffee
(…across from Southwest Airlines)
With the many options of non-dairy milk (oat, almond, soy, coconut) available at all Starbucks, there is almost an infinite number of vegan drinks you can order.
On the food side, you have a couple of options including Bagels (plain or everything–ask if they have guacamole or a peanut butter packet to top it with) or Oatmeal. Airport locations may be limited so you can also check the ingredients on their snacks.
Pacifica Breeze Cafe (…on the way to Gates 11-18)
For breakfast, Pacifica offers a Breeze Oatmeal Bowl with rolled oats, almond milk, dried cranberries,
golden raisins, brown sugar, and cinnamon. They also have fruit for a different menu item you may be able to get on the side.
Any meals after breakfast look a bit trickier. If you happen to find a vegan-friendly option, please let us know so we can help out the next vegan traveler.
Jack-In-The-Box (…on the way to Gates 11-18)
If fries are all you need, this would be an easy spot to grab some. The French Fries and Seasoned Curly Fries do not contain animal ingredients but they do share a fryer with animal menu items. You choose your level of comfort with this.
Terminal 1
Einstein Bros. Bagels (Gate 3)
Lots of vegan bagels to choose from like Cinnamon Raisin, Everything and Pumpernickel. Also, some very underrated coffee in our opinion and almond milk is available at Einstein Bagel.
You can also pick up an Avocado Veg Out on Sesame with NO schmear. None of the schmears are vegan but you can still have a veggie bagel sandwich with avocado.
Ciao Gourmet Market (Gate 4)
Ciao is special for its seasonal ingredients and dietary-friendly foods which include vegan.
The Counter Custom Built Burgers (Gate 4)
The Counter offers a vegan patty! We suggest verifying the bun is a vegan option when ordering. They do have a ciabatta bun which ciabatta is typically animal free. And if you prefer, you can order your vegan veggie patty in a bowl.
Bankers Hill (Gate 7)
Until 10am, you can order an organic oatmeal. Verify it has no dairy included. After that, we do not see many other options that could be vegan on the menu.
Peet’s Coffee (Gate 11)
Hot Coffee, Iced Coffee, Lattes and Tea at Peet’s. The problem is they do not list what non-dairy milk they have at this airport location on their menu so please verify they have one prior to ordering.
Terminal 2 Pre-Security
Starbucks (…across from Allegiant Air)
With the many options of non-dairy milk (oat, almond, soy, coconut) available at all Starbucks, there is almost an infinite number of vegan drinks you can order.
On the food side, you have a couple of options including Bagels (plain or everything–ask if they have guacamole or a peanut butter packet to top it with) or Oatmeal. Airport locations may be limited so you can also check the ingredients on their snacks.
Einstein Bros. Bagels (…on your way to Gates 35-51 )
Lots of vegan bagels to choose from like Cinnamon Raisin, Everything and Pumpernickel. Also, some very underrated coffee in our opinion and almond milk is available at Einstein Bagel.
You can also pick up an Avocado Veg Out on Sesame with NO schmear. None of the schmears are vegan but you can still have a veggie bagel sandwich with avocado. Verify avocado is available prior to ordering.
Terminal 2
Many of the chain restaurants will be linked to their complete vegan guide where you can access more information. Be aware that airport location menus can vary.
Artisan Market (Gate 22)
Firewood Cafe offers a fruit cup or hot oatmeal for breakfast. Verify the oatmeal does NOT contain dairy prior to ordering.
Pannikin Coffee & Tea has hot oatmeal (confirm it does NOT contain dairy prior to ordering) as an option. Soy milk is available for your coffee and if you may need it for the oatmeal.
Stone Brewing Company offers a housemade hummus but we have not confirmed if the barley cracker bread it comes with is vegan. If you happen to find out, please let us know so we can update this guide for the next vegan traveler.
Peet’s Coffee (Gate 26 & 36)
Hot Coffee, Iced Coffee, Lattes and Tea at Peet’s. The problem is they do not list what non-dairy milk they have at this airport location on their menu so please verify they have one prior to ordering.
You may find fruit cups and/or bananas available.
California Pizza Kitchen (Gate 26)
California Pizza Kitchen has some really nice vegan options.
We suggest cross-referencing our CPK vegan guide with the menu that is available at this airport location. Look for their Lettuce Wraps with Chinese Vegetables, Dakota Smashed Pea & Barley Soup or Tomato Basil Spaghetti. These are your vegan as-is options.
CPK’s Plant-Based Chicken is NO longer available. We were made aware of this in May 2023.
Panda Express (Gate 26)
Chow Mein, Steamed Rice and Veggie Spring Rolls are on the menu! We have not confirmed if the Mixed Veggies are animal free so if you happen to ask, please let us know.
Be aware, Panda Express does share cooking spaces & surfaces with animal products. Most restaurants that are not 100% vegan do, but Panda Express will not call anything vegan due to this.
Jack-In-The-Box (Gate 26)
If fries are all you need, this would be an easy spot to grab some. The French Fries and Seasoned Curly Fries do not contain animal ingredients but they do share a fryer with animal menu items. You choose your level of comfort with this.
Stone Brewing (Gate 36)
A VeggL user let us know that Stone Brewing offers an Impossible Burger that is vegan as long as you order it with NO cheese or mayo based sauce and SUB the pretzel bun with a ciabatta roll. The fries share a fryer with brussels sprouts that include bacon. Ask questions if you need to. Do what you are comfortable with.
Thank you for the recommendation, Yuri!!
PGA Tour Grill (Gate 36)
A VeggL user let us know PGA Tour Grill offers an Impossible Burger with vegan cheese and fries. Thank you for the info, Leslie & Arthur!
If you recall a vegan pasta on the menu, we have been made aware it is no longer available.
Saffron Thai (Sunset Cove…sort of near Gate 36)
We have not confirmed that the following menu items are animal-free so double-check prior to ordering: Salad Rolls with tofu and vegetables plus multiple Tofu Stir Fry dishes with rice.
Starbucks (Gate 37)
With the many options of non-dairy milk (oat, almond, soy, coconut) available at all Starbucks, there is almost an infinite number of vegan drinks you can order.
On the food side, you have a couple of options including Bagels (plain or everything–ask if they have guacamole or a peanut butter packet to top it with) or Oatmeal. Airport locations may be limited so you can also check the ingredients on their snacks.
Pannikin (Gate 38)
A VeggL user let us know that Pannikin has a vegan-friendly granola bar that is substantial if you are hungry. Check for allergies, if necessary first.
Thank you for your help, Karen!
Tommy V’s Pizzeria (Sunset Cove)
Until 10am, Tommy V’s has a fresh fruit cup and oatmeal on their menu. Verify no dairy is in the oatmeal prior to ordering. After that, one of their salads may be an option but we have not confirmed this.
Qdoba (Sunset Cove)
Order a Vegetarian Burrito with NO sour cream or cheese and Chips with Guac or Salsa.
Camden Food Co (Gate 47)
Camden Food Co’s description on the airport’s website says they have vegan options but nothing is denoted as such. They do have sourdough bread, a Roasted Veggie Sandwich and Peanut Butter & Jelly. It also says you can craft your own sandwich so we suggest asking what specifically is vegan when you order.
More Info
- We hope this guide to the vegan options at the San Diego Airport made your travel just a little bit better!
- If you have another airport stop in your near future, be sure to check out Vegan Options at Airports main page. We have a growing list of airports there including places like Sacramento and Dallas Fort Worth Airport!
- Or just download the app and get access to them as soon as we add them!
- Disclaimer: We do everything possible at VeggL to make sure all our Vegan Guides are as up to date as possible, but sometimes menus and menu items can change. VeggL is not responsible for incorrect or outdated information. Always check with your location and server to confirm items are vegan when ordering. If you notice something that needs to be corrected – please let us know!
