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Dharma's Restaurant

3.8 (858 reviews)
Open • 11:00 am - 8:00 pm

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DHARMA'S RESTAURANT ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Casual
Moderate noise
Good for kids
Good for groups

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Recommended Reviews - Dharma's Restaurant

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Reviews With Photos

Vegan pesto pasta (instagram: jax.vegan.eats)
Jax T.

We came to Dharma's for dinner. The menu is huge! We had the vegan Dharma's chili dog, the breakfast burrito with tofu scramble, and the pesto pasta. Everything was very good! And the staff was very friendly. I love all of their plants hanging everywhere.

dana b.

Interesting concept and decor. feels like a dated diner with lots of different food options. a bit confusing on the cousin style and verity from Indian, to Mexican and Italian. also prices feel high for value. counter order service with self pick up along with self serve water and condiments station. Free parking, lots of seating. overall food is ok but $30 for a plate of curry seems a lot.

Inside
Robin M.

Dharma's is a Santa Cruz landmark for vegans and vegetarians. I'm pretty certain I've been coming here for at least 20 years. I'm happy to see it still thriving. Things I like about Dharma's: - 2 gender neutral restrooms - organic ingredients - self-serve water - tons of seating (both inside and outside) - vegetarian menu where everything can be made vegan - clearly marked menu to know which items can be made gluten free - super friendly staff This was my first time back since before COVID because I was in town for the veg fest. I got the small kitchari and added salt at the condiment bar. It was the perfect amount of food for one person and came with bread. The carrot cake was good too, but $9 seemed a bit pricey for a slice of cake.

Gardener's Salad
Gretchen P.

Delicious vegan and vegetarian offerings. Been going for decades and very happy with everything we've tried. Salads are huge and fresh, curries are tasty, and vegetarian burrito was also filling and came with a large side salad with a great dressing.

Veges
Jean K.

Good food. So healthy huge space. People come for the food not the atmosphere. Looks like an old time vegan place. I'm from out of town. Stumbled upon this place. Enjoying my healthy meal. Expensive.

Sanaz S.

Absolutely loved the food, ambiance, friendliness of the owner and staff, and cleanliness of Dharma's. Everything was truly wonderful! We stopped here for lunch while on a coastal road trip over 4th of July weekend, and found Dharma's via Yelp. One thing I have to say is that food made with love and peace just tastes soooo good going into your body. That is totally how my family felt while eating our meals. So many vegan options, so many of everything options =) Love all the yogi friendly decor. Cannot rave enough about how much I enjoyed this place. Would definitely come back when in the area.

Shane S.

I recently went to Dharma's with my Uncle. We both loved the ambiance. It was spacious with cool paintings and artwork. It had a lot of character. Service was very friendly. It is a fully vegetarian restaurant that has been around since 1981. Most all the items can be made vegan. The menu is quite extensive and thus ordering can be tricky to know what is best to get. I went with the Tempeh Reuben. I had it made vegan by leaving out the Swiss cheese and leaving out the thousand island dressing. It would have been nice for them to add vegan cheese and vegan salad dressing instead. The sandwich was quite good though and perhaps could have been even better. Very nice presentation. My Uncle got the lasagna. He found it underwhelming. He felt he order the wrong thing yet he appreciated the ambiance and friendly service. He would be willing to return to try more of the menu and I would return as well. Recommended checking out if in Santa Cruz!

Shannon S.

Delicious food as always. Lived here for 6 years. Visiting now. So great. My only suggestion... shred carrots. Not everyone can consume cube carrots raw. I brought cubed carrots home to chop Anything raw Shred if you can Including cucumbers The food was delicious as always

Cynthia B.

Back today and the soy strips in the nuclear bluff were delicious. Unfortunately it was $17.95 for a sandwich and a side of pickles. The salad is no longer included. I love the clean ingredients. But, this didn't feel right. Especially since I'm now also charged to use a credit card. The sandwich was tasty and the pesto pasta for kids was enjoyed by my littles. Please bring back a small side salad with the sandwich...

Tofu & veggie scramble

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10 days ago

We went here for lunch with some friends. They gave a huge menu! Our meals weee delicious! We'll definitely come back here. Two thumbs up.

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5 months ago

Fantastic vegetarian/vegan restaurant, with huge portions too. The breakfast burrito is worthwhile and huge.

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2 years ago

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1 year ago

Dharma could turn this omnivore into a vegan. Love the variety of the menu and healthful dishes.

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Dharma's Restaurant Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - Dharma's Restaurant

Is the cornmeal pancake gluten-free?

Are dogs allowed for outdoor dining?

Yes, their patio is dog friendly

Who does the artwork?

Various local artists

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People searched for Vegetarian 125 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

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Gayle's Bakery & Rosticceria - Chocolate chunk cookie...TDF!

Gayle's Bakery & Rosticceria

(2.2k reviews)

$$

Was visiting family and wanted to buy a little something as a gift…read more Called Gayle's the morning of and ordered 4 of their pastries. The process was quick and easy. The menu is available online and they take same day orders via phone. Pickup was a little hectic as there were a lot of people in the bakery. I waited in line for a ticket and then waited for my number to be called, but found out that I could have just walked to the end of the bakery to pickup at the counter in the corner. I would probably add a sign to make it a little more obvious for those new to the bakery, nonetheless the pastries were amazing and nothing else matters. Everything was sweet but balanced with acidity or nuttiness. Great mix of textures and the crust does not fall apart even after a whole day in the fridge and being manhandled into cut portions. I'd highly recommend this place for out-of-towners, as those that live there already know it's the best.

I need everyone to close their mouth and just read…read more This place is truly a gem Someone cares about every single thing being made here's The consistency and quality of every single piece is a standout. Hubs and I loved both our Mocha and chai- right topped with fresher whipped cream- lovely beverages. Cinnamon roll- one of the best I ever had, I think it's have a bit of cardamom. Brookie- soft and chewy with a nice flavor Marionberry turnover- filling was performed but that dough is flavorful and flakey Old fashioned chocolate cake- moist and milk chocolatey Egg and bacon croissant/ bagel smashed tot breakfast sandwiches- warm and rich Ham and cheese croissant- one of my favorite things it's so good and stuffed with lots of cheese. Key like pie parfait- STFU there is no way it could be better. I have a few more items in my back seat that we have not had and I can't wait to taste them.

Pono Hawaiian Kitchen & Tap

Pono Hawaiian Kitchen & Tap

(427 reviews)

$$

Was in town on some business and had the family with me to enjoy the boardwalk…read more Craving some Hawaiian food and saw Pono's. Great ratings, so we headed that way. Food was good , not great we started with the a poke appetizer. It was supposed to a spicy poke but it lacked any heat. The seaweed salad was great, along with all the other toppings. I had the loco moco burrito, along with my youngest son. It was great. Rice, Mac salad, egg, and burger had it going on. The brown gravy was great as well. Served on the side so you can dip the burrito in it. My oldest son had the teriyaki bowl, and downed that sucker in 5 minutes. So, I take he loved it. My wife had the beef short ribs and were spot on. The Mac salad was a little dry. Taste was off as well. Not sure if it was missing some salt, but it was ok. Beer selection was great local brews and a full bar was great. Had the pina colada and it was tasty The place overall was terrific. Fantastic patio, great decorations, and was able to watch some baseball. Music was a little off. Was hoping for some island vibe music like John Cruz, but got the Beatles, and some 80's songs. Over all, it was good. I've had better. I would go back just to try some other dishes.

Portion size was good overall. The shrimp was really good -- fried crispy with a slight coconut…read moreflavor. The other proteins on my plate were solid as well. The sauce on the tuna poke was nicely balanced with a little spice, and the fish tasted fresh with decent quality. One downside: we did find an expired sauce bottle at our table, which was a bit concerning.

Zameen At The Point - Gyro bowl, chicken salad, burger with feta sweet potato fries

Zameen At The Point

(268 reviews)

$$

Fresh Food, Kind Faces, and Honest Warmth…read more My husband and I go to Zameen often. Every visit feels warm and easy, even when the place is busy. There's a steady, friendly energy that makes you feel comfortable right away. The food is simple, fresh, and made with care. It reminds me a little of Korean bibimbap -- not spicy, but balanced and full of life. I usually get the shrimp bowl. It's cooked perfectly every time -- clean, healthy, and full of gentle flavor. The lady at the register is always kind, even when everyone's waiting. There's nothing fancy or fake here -- just good people doing their best, and it shows. The atmosphere is bright, fresh, and real. I usually stay away from places that feel tense or overly political -- that kind of energy just makes me uncomfortable. Zameen feels the opposite: open, kind, and genuine. My husband loves their huge sandwiches (they're seriously Titanic-sized!), and next time I might try the pizza too. Everything looks delicious. Yum yum yum. If friends visit, this is the first place I'd proudly take them.

I've always loved Zameen -- both the food and the service have consistently been wonderful. That's…read morewhy I was really disappointed to recently learn that many of the dishes are made with a canola-olive oil blend. Canola oil isn't considered a traditional or healthier Mediterranean option, and I had genuinely believed I was making a healthy choice by eating here. It saddens me because there aren't many healthy restaurants in Santa Cruz, and I've been a loyal customer for years. I did reach out and left a message for the owner a couple months ago hoping to understand more about this, but I did not receive a call back. I'm sharing this not to be negative, but because I truly care about this restaurant and hope they'll consider switching to a healthier oil in the future. I'd love to continue enjoying the food knowing it aligns with the values they're known for.

San Marcos Charquito Tacos y Tortas

San Marcos Charquito Tacos y Tortas

(251 reviews)

$

San Marcos is an absolute standout in Capitola, especially if you appreciate truly great tacos. The…read morecarnitas tacos are incredible--tender, juicy, and packed with flavor, with just the right amount of crispiness. The carne asada tacos are equally impressive: perfectly grilled, bold, and satisfying in every bite. We dined on the patio on a beautiful Capitol day. What really sets this place apart, though, are the homemade tortillas--hands down some of the best you'll find anywhere. Warm, soft, and flavorful, they elevate every taco and make the whole meal feel special and authentically homemade. Service is quick and friendly. The rice and beans are delicious and comforting, clearly made with care, and round out the plate perfectly. Generous portions, amazing flavors, and those unforgettable tortillas make San Marcos a must-visit. If you love real-deal Mexican food, this place does not disappoint

I brought my husband here today. On the way he asked the name of the restaurant, I told him I…read moredidn't know. He asked how I know about it, I told him I found it on yelp when I worked nearby but hadn't gone until about 6 months ago. He asked me if it was good, I told him I didn't remember but if it was bad I would have remembered. Ok so the burritos here are good. I had the carnitas. It had white beans in it. The meat was really good and there was quite a bit in it. My husband had the al pastor. It has rice and pinto beans. He was very happy to go there. The price is reasonable, $9.25 for a basic burrito. They have tortas, taco, nachos and breakfast items. The place is kinda funky. There are seats at the window and I think there is a table in back. Everyone sits outside though. There are some tables and a bar outside by the pond. It's great on a sunny day. Go there. I hope you enjoy it as much as we did.

Dharma's Restaurant - vegetarian - Updated May 2026

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