The first all vegan cafe in Balboa Park. Serving caribbean vegan soul food and alternative health drinks like kombucha on-tap. Come try to some of our popular items like our Jamaican patties, African-Peanut Curry and our Jerk Rasta Burger. Pet-friendly
Olivia Rain
Had an incredible experience here recently! Was welcomed by a wonderful aroma and very friendly workers/staff! We all ordered the peanut curry and can say we were all very impressed. The flavor bounced around my mouth, the food came out quick, hot and refreshing. I also ordered a tofu jerk patty which was so good, I’ve never had anything like it before. We then had the pleasure of having a nice chat with Makeda, who made me feel welcomed and shared the many upcoming events and experiences at the cafe. If I lived in the area I’d be coming all the time, so if you’re seeing this and live there please go visit and support in any way you can!
… moreJane Doe
Absolutely love it here. I’ve been meaning to visit for such a long time. I’m so glad I was able to finally check it out. Best vegan food, if I could I would buy the whole menu. Not just plant-based diets, but well-versed in vegan ideology too! They welcome everyone in as soon as you enter. There’s beautiful art everywhere and enlightening details about black history, liberation, and the African diaspora. Amazing resources available for any community members and guests alike! A must-see experience. The taste of different spices, seasonings and umami is just right. My heart goes out to them for creating a space full of peace, safety, solidarity, education, nourishment, and consciousness. Also, you’re able to pay with card and order over the phone.
… moreChatterboxlove
Ordered the “tamale plate” – they had three options! I got the potato and cilantro one. Tamale was excellent. Greens on the side were yummy. It filled me up without the guilt of overeating or possibility of food going to waste.
Ate outside. Weather was good. Atmosphere is extremely low-key. All around great vibes. Would definitely return.
… moreJustin Joseph
Nice cafe with Pan African vegan cuisine set in the World Beats Cultural Center. Everything was excellent, we had Jamaican red curry, both salads and baked plantains. The salads were FANTASTIC, literally cut from the garden and prepared fresh for us. While you wait for your food you can wander around and view everything the Cultural Center has to offer. 10/10 recommend.
… moreJ Antonette
I didn’t even know about this place until I stumbled into it while exploring Balboa Park. Being vegan for over 20 years, it’s always good to find vegan food on the go. I got the veggie spinach and the jerk tofu Jamaican veggie patties. They were really good, the veggie spinach was my favorite. Also, these were a very good option for snacking while walking around the park and zoo. I’ll be coming back to try more of the menu!
… moreHonest Reviewer
I am in San Diego for a work conference and wanted to try the local vegan cuisine. I found world beat cafe and am sooooo happy I did! The food is absolutely fresh and delicious! It is seasoned to perfection and I throughly enjoyed everything I had! In addition to the delicious food, the customer service was amazing and the atmosphere is so welcoming and friendly. I hope I can go back again before I leave to go back to the east coast.
… moreApoorva P
Good food, very interesting ambience with African cultural artifacts. We had the burger, burrito, chili and the patties. We also had the lemon poppy seed muffin, which was a little too dry for me. Overall, great place to visit inside the Balboa park.
… moreRoss Mitchell
Delicious food in a relaxed atmosphere! Plus it’s all plant-based. Our kids, 9, 13, and 15 loved their vegan burritos. My wife and I got the combo plates with several types of curry, which was a lot of food!
… moreDee D
I almost missed this place until I heard “someone” calling to me trying to get my attention. I later find out it is the parrot at the entrance . Super cute!
Overall my experience was absolutely phenomenal. The food is nothing like I could have imagined. If you are looking to try something healthy, fresh, and culturally unique this is the place to go. I very much enjoyed eating in the relaxing environment of the garden. This place not busy at all which makes the garden feel even more intimate and relaxing. The salad is fresh hand picked from the garden which is super exciting to watch as your meal is being prepared. The presentation of the salad also blew me away…. I mean it looked so pretty I felt guilty eating it at first .
Service here is wonderful. Everyone is super nice and very passionate about what they do which is nice to see. Definitely eating here again!
… moreMark P.
off the beaten path in Balboa Park, a great find, friendly staff, very tasty food, highly unusual decor… a real cultural experience!
photos: Jerk Rasta Burger on Pretzel Bun, Combo plate
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