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    Kindred

    4.4 (2k reviews)
    Open 11:30 am - 10:00 pm

    Kindred Photos

    Business Info

    KINDRED ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Hipster
    Casual
    Trendy
    Moderate noise

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    Recommended Reviews - Kindred

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    Reviews With Photos

    Inside
    Karen C.

    I was recommended this spot by my coworker who said this is one of the few vegan joints that actually make vegan food tastes good, and this is coming from a coworker who loves eating all the meat! We came in for a weekday dinner around 6pm and it was pretty packed. The only bad part of the experience was probably waiting to be acknowledged and seated. Usually if the host is too busy to seat people, they'll at least acknowledge us so we know they are aware that they still need to seat us; however, we were probably standing there for a good five minutes or so of not being acknowledged. We were about to leave but thankfully were acknowledged and got seated right away. Their cocktail menu is quite extensive! It did take us a while to decide what we wanted, but this is the cocktails and food that we decided on: Skewer Battle (2pcs of each kind of skewer: chimichurri, kefta, tofu Cosmo Knots Heart & Soul King Friday Akumanouta A must order is definitely the skewers. I thought tofu and keft would be my least favorite but they were actually on par with the chimichurri. Luckily we had more food on the way, otherwise, I would be requesting for another order. The cosmo knots looked like garlic knots, but since they use puff pastry, it's a lot lighter and crispier! These were gone super fast. The heart & soul was indeed quite a hearty platter. It resembles a vegan country fried steak with mashed potatoes. Perfectly fried and seasoned! King Friday cocktail intrigued me since it said limit two per person and the waiter had explained because it was one of the stronger cocktails (even though it doesn't taste like it) and once I tried it, I can see why it was popular, it made me feel like I was sipping on a cocktail on a tropical island. The Akumanouta which uses japanese whiskey was on the lighter and refreshing side. Despite the slight mishap in the beginning, I think I'd definitely keep this spot in my back pocket if anyone in my party is craving for vegan food!

    Outside
    Mariel T.

    A great plant-based spot in San Diego. This last round we only got drinks, but we loved our espresso martinis at the bar

    Mac and cheese
    Komal B.

    Kindred in South Park is such a cute, hip spot with a really stylish interior. Parking can be tricky since it's right in the heart of South Park, but it's worth it. The restaurant is fully vegan and has an amazing, creative menu. Some of my favorites are the mac and cheese, pinwheels, soup, and grilled cheese. They also have a great brunch menu. Everything we've tried is really flavorful and satisfying. There's a bar with lots of drink options -- we don't drink, but it seems like there's plenty to choose from. The place can get crowded and a bit loud, but that's part of the fun hip ambiance. On weekends, the line can get long, but it's absolutely worth the wait. Overall, a fantastic spot for vegan food lovers who enjoy a lively, stylish atmosphere.

    Fried mushrooms
    Eva B.

    I'm not a vegan, but this place had some truly flavorful, filling dishes! I absolutely loved the fried oysters. The vegan grilled cheese was so yummy and homey. Drinks were refreshing and strong! The service was top notch, very friendly and timely with no errors. I came on a Wednesday evening and it was very chill, the windows were open, and everything was very clean. My friend and I both told each other we would be back!

    Warlock
    siri g.

    I'd say this is easily one of the most popular spots in San Diego for good vegan food. This was probably my third or fourth time coming here. Parking in this area can definitely be annoying though, so keep that in mind. This time I came with friends for my birthday dinner, and for a Tuesday night the place was pretty busy. For drinks, we tried the Gloom Coil and Palace of Certainty, and both were really good. For appetizers, we ordered the Chimichurri Skewers and Doom Bloom, the Chimichurri Skewers were honestly a 6/5, absolutely delicious. For mains, we got the Eggroll Burger, Warlock, and Mind Melt, and everyone really enjoyed their food. They also surprised me with a small piece of chocolate cake and cream for my birthday, which was such a sweet touch and really appreciated. The only downsides were that the service felt a little slow, the food took around 45 minutes to come out and the heavy metal music was pretty loud, which made conversation a bit difficult at times. But overall, it's still a really fun restaurant with a great vibe.

    Outside
    Robin M.

    Kindred is a vegan goth/metal bar with a dinner menu from 5-10pm. They also have brunch on weekends starting at 11:30am (and there's no wait!). When I came to San Diego in 2018, we came for dinner, so when I came back this time, I wanted to try their brunch. If you don't drink, they also have cute mocktails with edible flower garnishes. We ordered biscuits and gravy and a breakfast sandwich. I like that the breakfast sandwich has pickles on it. Everything I've ever had from there has been SO GOOD.

    The Memphis BBQ Jackfruit
    Michelle G.

    A whole week I've gone without :( Love the food here! Sunday night last minute decision to come, finding a table was a breeze. Metal music rocking in background and less packed-a plus. The mind melt grilled cheese and tomato bisque soup was good. So much to choose from but had to get my favorite eggroll burger again. No regrets about it either! Soo delicious! The radiant dream drink was amazing! See ya soon Kindred!

    Kevin T.

    TL;DR: Good vibes and fun drinks. Definitely one of the better vegan joints in SD and their cocktails are all well-balanced! Came for brunch and ordered so many things. All the salads were delicious and as an omnivore, I'm happy to say that I didn't miss meat during the meal. The taste and texture are still noticeably different but the food far exceeded expectations. Vegan is still not personally preferred but I will be keeping Kindred in my back pocket the next time someone in the party is vegan. Cheers, Kindred!

    Old fashioned and spinal tap
    Cecilia S.

    At long last we finally tried this place. Came on a Sunday night. No reservation needed. Wait was 5 mins to be seated. Ambiance was good and foods were very tasty .

    Jessica D.

    Such a cool, edgy bar! I ordered a mocktail and it was super refreshing. We sat at the bar and the bartenders were super friendly.

    Cosmo Knots
    Michael W.

    We made a reservation and came in for dinner on a Friday night at 6:45pm! Be warned finding parking nearby was a struggle budget that into your timing, but it was absolutely worth it! Everything was vegan and SO good! Each dish was crafted to perfection! Gregg our server was so friendly and enthusiastic! Really made our day! * Cosmo Knots - 5/5 - The menu said "a lot of garlic" and it meant it, but these were delicious garlicky puff clouds with the tomato confit! * Mind Melt (w/ small Good Soup) - 5/5 - Cheese in the mind melt actually had a cheese pull to it and the addition of apple was a perfect touch of sweet! Then dipping it in the Good Soup made for a great entree! * Sourdough Toast (w/ vegan butter) - 5/5 - This made for an excellent start to an excellent meal! Flavorful tasty toast! * Noodles & Cheese - 5/5 - One of the best vegan mac & cheese we've ever had, hands down! The broccoli hiding in the mac and cheese was a pleasant addition! * Christmas Vacation - 4/5 - I see why they limit these to 2 per person! This drink is an aggressive Christmas vacation in a glass with all the warm spices in this iced drink! * Kombucha - 4/5 - With all the cheese we ordered, it was nice to have a light kombucha to balance it out! * Cannoli - 3/5 - We got the vanilla bean cannoli and it was the only thing that was just ok. The filling tasted strongly of soy and wasn't very sweet. Nonetheless, we had such an amazing and delicious experience! We cant wait to be back to try everything else!

    Their quirky way of serving your bill. The food is so good this is the only photo I snapped.
    Hunter G.

    I live in LA. Kindred is my favorite vegan restaurant on the west coast right now. The upscale metal/punk aesthetic is such a strange and wonderful creation, the food is fun and delicious, and we always always always leave wishing they'd open a spot in LA (preferably West LA pleeeeease!). My absolute favorite is the Norm Core brunch plate that I've literally driven down from LA on a Sunday morning for. As an aging vegan punky dude this place makes me so so so happy. Please never go anywhere Kindred. You make my life whole.

    Cold Brew Coffee
    Jemiah J.

    Kindred is an all-vegan restaurant with a twisted metal edge. Even before you walk in, you can already get a sense of the metal-inspired decor through the design and architecture. Service was great from beginning to end. I enjoyed the Carbonora the most, and the Doom Bloom was really good. I'd get both again. The Mac and Cheeze was a bit soggy, but sauce was tasty and the Charred Remains were the same. I also found the Battled Skewers to be sour. I'd be interested in trying their breakfast menu next time. They have indoor and outdoor seating, and street parking is what's available.

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    Kindred Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Kindred

    What is the corkage fee?

    The VULTURE corkage fee is $55. Please contact us for any questions or clarifications though at service@vulturerestaurant.com. We have a great selection of wine (bottles and by the glass) available at http://vulturerestaurant.com/menu

    Do they still serve the synonym rolls and congee for weekend brunch? I would be heartbroken if not 🥺

    Hi Lisa! Unfortunately those items are no longer on our Brunch menu. We had an overwhelming amount of requests for dinner menu items during our Brunch services so we decided to make those items available all day on Saturdays and Sundays PLUS our… Read more

    Does kindred have an organic certification from the USDA? It signifies that the foods need to be organically produced with no GMOs, preservatives, etc. or are certain foods only containing a couple of organic ingredients while the rest aren't organic

    I haven't seen one & it's not listed on the website, social or menu!

    Is it street parking only, or are there pay lots nearby?

    There is neighborhood parking around the area but we were having drinks so we used Uber

    Is everything vegan? safe for folks with egg allergies?

    Yes completely vegan & egg-free :)

    How loud is the music on weekends?

    The music is loud, ridiculously so, everyday. Apparently it encourages excessive drinking/buying of drinks.

    Do you only have Vegan dishes?? I'm a meat eater!

    Contemporary vegan place. You'll be amazed how the food taste is. You should try it

    Do they have happy hour?

    No happy hour that I know of. Just amazing food options, extensive & creative cocktail list, and excellent service staff. Planning an early dinner (especially on weekend nights and summertime) is always the best plan. Especially good for groups in… Read more

    How loud is it in the evening?

    The inside can be a bit loud on on busy nights (i.e. Fri and Sat); then a decent level the rest of the week. However, the extended patios are quieter & make it easier to hear your table companions. Also, background music is usually really good any… Read more

    Is this place vegan or vegetarian? E.g. if I order things listed on the menu as cheese or aioli, are these the regular version or a vegan version?

    Everything on the menu is 100% vegan.

    Are they allergy friendly? My boyfriend has a bad nut allergy and I know a lot of vegan food is made with nuts.

    I also have tree nut allergies and have been able to eat there on a number of visits with no issues.

    Do they currently take reservations and where can I make one?

    Nope. Gotta wait in line. That said, it's WELL worth the wait!

    Are all the dishes vegan? I'm vegan so want to ensure :)

    Yes, they are. If this is not your jam, their drinks are delish!

    Do they offer delivery?

    Yes -- via DoorDash https://www.doordash.com/store/kindred-san-diego-63406

    Can I bring my puppy for outside dining?

    Yes! dogs are allowed at all of our outdoor tables.

    What are the best cocktails to try?

    ALL OF THEM! 😂 It depends on your taste. Tell the bartender what you like and he’ll suggest good… Read more

    I know the app says not good for kids but are we allowed to bring kids with us?

    Yes it's fine to take the kiddos. My kids love coming to Kindred. You will not be the only one with kids in tow

    As a gluten free person, it would be super nice if Kindred could note items on its menu that could possibly be made gluten free. It's like a vegan eating at a meat restaurant wanting to see vegan items marked so you can know before you go. Please?

    They are super nice there, if you ask or send them an email I'm sure they'd let you know

    Are there gluten free options available?

    There are some gluten-free options, I'm sorry I don't remember which ones specifically

    Is there an option to get Mac and cheese at brunch?

    Hello Izzy, Thank you for reaching out. Currently our Mac & Cheese is only available during our… Read more

    View All 34 Questions

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    Noble Experiment - Strawberry cucumber Gin cocktail

    Noble Experiment

    4.5(1.9k reviews)
    1.7 miEast Village
    $$

    My brother-in-law and I were looking for places to drink....And we just wanted somewhere chill. We…read moreknew that any bar by tacos el gordo would be too wild for us, so we walked a couple blocks and approached Noble Experiment. I would say this was probably our highlight of our trip in San Diego. Garrick, the bartender there, was super accommodating. Not only was he and the other bartender were making damn good drinks, they would legit talk to you. The ambiance of the place is cool too. Felt like I was going inside some continental room like John Wick. Definitely my vibe and definitely coming back. But if you ever get Garrick as your bartender, you're in for a treat!

    The Noble Experiment: 9/10…read more Aesthetic & Ambiance: 9.5 - This place gives "speakeasy haunted mansion" vibes. You walk into the barrels, down the mirrors, and into the skull room...IYKYK no less. The waits to get very deadly so make sure to put your name on the list early. Service: 9/10 The host was chill, and we had Quintin as our mixologist. There are no menus he told us, he just went off of our flavors, and palate, so I can't really speak for how to order the same drink. First drink: 9/10 (profile) Vodka bases with cucumber and strawberry. Second drink: 8.5/10 (profile) Smokey, deep old fashion. Overall a MUST-GO to if you're in the area stopping by!

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    Noble Experiment - Spiced banana flip! Delicious!

    Spiced banana flip! Delicious!

    Noble Experiment - Bartenders creations.

    Bartenders creations.

    Noble Experiment - Skull wall

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    Skull wall

    False Idol - Isn't it gorgeous?!

    False Idol

    4.4(1.4k reviews)
    2.3 miLittle Italy
    $$

    My False Idol experience was memorable, albeit blurry toward the end! My boyfriend and I had been…read moreon a half-day tour beforehand, but I saw that False Idol was near our hotel and I insisted we stop in for a cocktail before calling it a night. I knew it was a speakeasy but he did not. I was trying to double-check on my phone that Craft & Commerce was the right restaurant its housed in (yes) when he tried to jet set off down the block "to keep looking" rather than listen to me. I yelled, "MOTHER!" by accident and then he did truly leave me hahaha. He resurfaced a few minutes later, and then we walked in. It was 5:15 at the time, so 15 minutes after opening. I had NO IDEA how popular this spot was, nor anything about its nation-wide reputation. I actually didn't know that until two days ago when a Yelp-friend at home here in Richmond, Virginia, exclaimed excitedly when I told her we stopped in. The host who greeted us was kind, informed us there had been a line to get in that day, but that they had one barrel left; we jumped on it of course. It was happy hour, so the first cocktail I ordered was dirt cheap at $9. It was the Imperial Hawaiian with gin, rum, lemon, pineapple, and orgeat. I really shouldn't have ordered a second drink after that one, but I did have the classic Saturn later on in the night and it was absurdly good! Definitely my favorite of the two. The moody tiki vibe was so cool and fun. They even had frogs you could play on the tables. We had some fun neighbors too, which livened up the experience even more. We had a great time and both walked out heavily buzzed. We were asleep by 8 that night, but it was worth it!

    Stopped by Falls Idol this past Saturday on our way back from Panda Fest, and it turned out to be…read moresuch a fun, spontaneous experience. We arrived about 10-15 minutes before opening, let the staff know we were walk-ins, and they were super accommodating--they gave us about 60 minutes at a table despite reservations coming in. The space itself is very small and tucked inside another venue, but that honestly adds to the charm. It's dimly lit with a unique, immersive vibe--think jungle-inspired with eclectic decor. At one point, there were rumbling sounds and subtle vibrations through the chairs, which made the whole experience feel interactive and different from your typical bar. The drinks were creative and fun (one of my friends even kept the drink garnish as a collectible), and the staff was friendly and welcoming throughout. It's definitely more about the ambiance and experience than anything else. I'd come back again--especially around the holidays to see how they switch up the decor. If you're looking for something a little different and don't mind a cozy, darker setting, it's worth checking out.

    Photos
    False Idol - Tiki themed decor

    Tiki themed decor

    False Idol - Rum barrel

    Rum barrel

    False Idol - Back bar rum selection

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    Back bar rum selection

    Books & Records - Table setting

    Books & Records

    4.4(398 reviews)
    1.9 miBanker's Hill
    $$

    beautiful restaurant, i went there for my bday celebration and it was the right choice…read more the service is fast and friendly ! it was happy hour so there was some mix in the appetizers that were ordered but they were nice enough to waive the cost for the one that arrived late. overall every delicious i love coming here !

    My wife and I took a day trip down to San Diego to celebrate our 4 year anniversary, and somehow we…read morestumbled onto one of the highlights of the whole trip. We had spent most of the day around Bankers Hill and decided to grab an early dinner at Books & Records. Getting reservations was easy, but from the moment we walked in, the ambiance alone already had us sold. The place was still pretty quiet when we arrived, and to our surprise it was happy hour, so naturally we ordered a bunch of items off the menu along with drinks. Everything was ridiculously good. Not one miss. What really stood out though was the attention to detail. The host brought us a complimentary glass of champagne after hearing we were celebrating our anniversary. Small gesture, big impact. Stuff like that matters. As the night went on, the restaurant filled up, live music started playing, and the whole atmosphere just came alive. Our waiter never rushed us once, which made the experience feel even more intentional and relaxed. We were able to actually enjoy the moment instead of feeling pushed through dinner service. Good food is one thing. Great hospitality is another. This place gave us both. Next time we're in San Diego, we're absolutely making it a point to come back. Lovely spot. Lovely experience.

    Photos
    Books & Records - Interior

    Interior

    Books & Records - Bao buns

    Bao buns

    Books & Records - Blueberry Beret ($14)

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    Blueberry Beret ($14)

    Charade - In house artist during the jazz performance

    Charade

    4.5(78 reviews)
    1.8 miBanker's Hill

    First time here. Definitely out of our comfort zone but enjoyed the show. Cas, Mj and Josie were…read moreamazing host and had great hospitality. Come visit!!!!!

    As the self-appointed king of speakeasies, I'm back at it with another one. After having dinner in…read morethe area, we stopped by Charade for some drinks on a Monday night. I parked on the street close to the dinner spot I went to and then walked over to Charade. Ambiance (5/5): Charade is a speakeasy so here's your clue. It's located inside Balboa. Look for the room with the arcade games and you're on the right track. Once you enter the speakeasy, you'll immediately be impressed with the old school charm. It seats roughly 20-30 people and there's a bar on one end and a stage on the other end. Old school red curtains add to the vibe. And here's the best part. On Mondays, it's jazz night. Local musicians will play which makes for a great time. Service (3/5): There was one bartender working when we were there. Overall, she provided pretty good service. There was one comment she made which rubbed me the wrong way but no biggie. Food (N/A): I had dinner prior so were on a liquid diet. I did notice that they have a few snacks available like popcorn. Drinks (4.5/5): When you think of speakeasies, you think of elevated cocktails. I look for creativity and an interesting blend of flavors and ingredients. The menu here, while not huge, has some interesting options. Outside of the menu itself, the prices are reasonable (especially for California). And they make you stiff drinks which is always appreciated. Taking into account the cocktails and the ambiance, Charade is an awesome laid-back speakeasy. Make sure to stop by on a Monday for jazz night. That takes things up a notch.

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    Charade - Burlesque fridays

    Burlesque fridays

    Charade - The jazzy sound of Sip & Curl

    The jazzy sound of Sip & Curl

    Charade - Back room at the Charade

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    Back room at the Charade

    Kindred - cocktailbars - Updated May 2026

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