Plant-based restaurant serving food with Mid-West-meets-California flair. House specialties include Nashville hot shrooms, cast iron mac and cheese, cashew mozzarella, and different flavors of pizza. Also has a separate brunch menu with dishes like French toast, frittata, and chocolate tart. Open Mon 5:00pm-9:00pm, Wed-Thu 5:00pm-9:00pm, Fri-Sat 5:00pm-10:00pm, Sat-Sun 11:00am-3:00pm, Sun 5:00pm-9:00pm. Closed Tue.
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2949 Fifth Ave, San Diego, California, USA, 92103
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- Delivery
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- Outdoor seating
- Accepts credit cards
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Last update on 11 May 2024 by DonnaJeanSD
Update business info -
Added by westcornersville on 23 Feb 2017
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228 Reviews
First Review by Mike Weinberg
em1234
Points +37
Must visit! - Edit
This place was amazing and one of our favourite spots while travelling the US recently. We went during the week and they had a really good value offer available - a salad, entree and drink for $30 (+$5 for a glass of wine!). I had the caesar salad and lasagna which were both delicious, and we also shared the skillet cookie (we were advised to order this early as it takes a little time to prepare and it was definitely worth it - so tasty!). We sat outside and the atmosphere was lovely, very relaxed. The staff were very friendly and professional. I hope to return one day to try more of their menu!
Read morePros: The food!, Lovely atmosphere, Great staff
Guest
Plantbaseddallas
Points +250
A great find! - Edit
This is near the Zoo, and parking is limited. We walked here because we could. They accomodated our No Oil request on the salad and the pizza. Desserts were awesome, but did have oil. Cheesecake had less oil than the Chocolate Chip Cookie with ice cream. Will come back soon!
Read morePros: The pizza crust, and the exotic toppings and sauce, Service, Atmosphere
Cons: Would like several more NO OIL options on the menu, Only a few parking spaces
Guest
Drhannahj
Points +3134
So good! - Edit
Made a reservation for indoors, but they have a gorgeous patio too. The pizza was really fresh and tasty, but the skillet cookie was amazing!!!!! Staff were super nice. Parked on the street outside (meter). Definitely recommend!!
Read morePros: All vegan , The skillet cookie!!
Guest
devonvolpe
Points +160
Favorite meal in SD! - Edit
By far our favorite meal in SD. The patio atmosphere was incredibly relaxing for dinner with such friendly staff. We ordered the really good salad (which was in fact really, really good), strozzapreti con broccolini, and four horseman pizza with fennel sausage added. Everything was delicious and we can't wait to come back when we are in town again!
Read moreGuest
DanWilensky
Points +58
Everything was Amazon - Edit
The food was amazing. Friends ordered different pizzas, which I got to taste and they were fantastic. I ordered a pasta dish with broccolini that was absolutely perfect. The waiter was very knowledgeable and gave me a wine recommendation that was perfect
Read moreGuest
emtetu
Points +102
Excellent fresh food - Edit
Thoroughly enjoyed our dinner here. Salads, pastas, and pizzas were all delicious. Their traditional pizza was the best I’ve ever had!
Read morePros: Scratch made cheese , Fresh, local ingredients , Excellent service
Guest
SeanBerger
Points +1156
Maybe it was a bad day - Edit
Donna Jean has the potential to be a standout, but on my visit, it was an exercise in missed opportunities. Maybe I just caught them on an off day.
Read moreThe Good:
The meal’s silver lining was the coffee. Rich, aromatic, and perfectly brewed, it was delicious and hit the spot.
The Average:
The pizza was decent. It had a crisp crust and a well-balanced flavor profile, but it didn't stand out in any memorable way.
The Disappointing:
The “Everything Salad” was underwhelming. The scant dressing left it dry and lacking in the flavorful punch one expects from a well-composed salad.
The Cast Iron Shells were another letdown. The sauce was thick and grainy, and the dish was dry, suggesting that it could have benefited from a bit more moisture during the cooking process. This was especially disappointing given how much potential the dish had to be a hearty, comforting plate of goodness.
The Unfortunate:
Beyond the food, the restrooms were not up to par. They felt neglected and in need of better maintenance. It’s a detail that, while minor in the grand scheme of things, impacts the overall dining experience and leaves a lasting impression.
Pros: Coffee was one of the best cups I've had
Cons: Bathrooms were not well maintained, Salad was plain, Pasta sauce was grainy
Guest
JanetCLimke
Points +36
Upscale vegan oasis - Edit
Excellent service. Lush outdoor seating. GF options; we loved the Trooper pizza, fungazzi pizza, homemade bread with garlic butter dip.
Read moreGuest
AminOsama
Points +38
Amazing lasagna - Edit
I had the Harissa Cauliflower and the Lasagna, both were delicious. It was expensive, but worth it.
Read moreGuest
mallow
Points +382
Luxurious feeling - Edit
Good, kinda pricey but it comes with excellent service and elevated food so it’s worth it!
Read moreGuest
.Jlo
Points +36
Great food, ambience 🎉 - Edit
The ambience was very sweet, outside dining that felt very soothing and lovely. The food was delicious, nutritious, and the pizza was amazing. My first time eating here, will come back.
Read morePros: Good service , Pizza delicious 🤤 , Outside dinning beautiful
Guest
cwl666
Points +1430
(Was?) One the best to do it - Edit
My non veg family loves this place maybe more than I do!! First time we came we ended up sharing another bowl of spaghetti instead of dessert but have had dessert now a number of times and those are great too. Almost everything is made in house. Everything has been delicious. Staff are all great. It’s super dog friendly. A lot of carbs if you’re not into that but other than that should please everybody.
Read more**hopefully just an off day and I know they sometimes understaffed buttt food and service wasn’t as good last visit.. things I’d had before weren’t as good as remember and new dishes good but not great, and our server angel was an angel but they cramped 4 of us to small table while a big one sat unused next to us for our entire 1.5 hour meal.. guess holding for later reservation but should have welcomed to use until then as was clearly possible
Updated from previous review on 2021-03-01
Guest
ErinPetschke
Points +432
😍 - Edit
Wow, I loved this place. I came here for brunch with my vegan partner and two non vegan friends and everyone loved it and we plan on returning for dinner next time we're in SD. I love that everything is scratch made, seasonal, and they are transparent about the local farms they support and source ingredients from. My partner and I split The Widow pizza and the Spanish omelet. Everything was so delicious, I couldn't get over the smoky lentils and the sweet and spicy pizza.
Read morePros: Everything, Cute atmosphere , Locally sourced
Guest
veganqueenofqueensnyc
Points +1299
There Were Leftovers - Edit
The trip from L.A. to San Diego was easy-peasy. Negotiating subsequent travel arrangements for the coming days proved to be an almost 2-hour exercise in frustrating back-and-forth conversations, but ultimately, I won. Yeay me. Still, at that point, I was tired, and after not having had a proper meal all day, I was hungry, and it would be getting dark soon. So, immediately after getting settled into my accommodations, I hopped here on HC to see what was available and opted for Donna Jean. So glad I did. Funny, how one tends to crave a little comfort food when mentally and physically exhausted. Donna Jean delivered just what I wanted, but also what I needed, as the salad dressing on my salad - OIL FREE; the vegan cheese on my pizza: house made - from white beans; the pizza itself, with a crust that is almost paper thin (I like it like that!) OK, yes there was dessert too, but there were also leftovers. And I may just "find my way" back here for their brunch this weekend. 😋
Read morePros: Comfort(ing) Yet Healthful Food , Gracious and Attentive Staff, Indoor/Outdoor Seating/Nice Ambiance
Walktell
Wow not familiar with cheese made from white beans! Sounds yummy!!
Read moreveganqueenofqueensnyc
@Walktell neither was I before eating here....it was DEE-lish!
Read moreGuest
mohanaholloway
Points +1154
brunch!!!!! - Edit
most people probably wouldn’t think to go here for brunch, but the pancakes were unreal!!!!!!!!! tip: get the coconut topping
Read moreGuest
rankma25
Points +138
Donna Jean - Edit
Pizza (great), bolognese pasta, ceaser salad (great), homemade bread with garlic butter (Amazing!)
Read moreGuest
KokoChacon
Points +26
Decent but overrated - Edit
We had the fried mushrooms, pizza and pasta. Everything was good but not amazing. Definitely over priced. Good place to try if you’re in the area but as a vegan of 9 years I don’t think I’ll come back. Favorite was the pizza with dipping sauces. I have nothing bad to say about the pizza, it was really good. Just didn’t blow me away and for the price and hype my expectations were high.
Read moreGuest
RachaelG
Points +20
Great meal and atmosphere - Edit
Atmosphere and service were top notch.
Read moreThis place seems wonderful as long as you know what to order. I got the fried oyster mushroom app, mushroom pizza, and lasagna. I was most excited about the mushroom app, but it was way too oily (straight soaking in oil) and I couldn’t eat it. The mushroom pizza was delicious, but needed a crispier crust (had to be eaten with a fork and knife). The ranch was very good but didn’t taste like ranch at all. The lasagna was absolute perfection. Seriously, the most delicious lasagna I’ve ever had. Could not recommend more highly with that dish!
Guest
RafaelFontes
Points +87
Ultimate Vegan Experiy in Bankers Hill SD - Edit
From the plants to the ingredients, to the food, you can taste the passion served here. A solid wine/beer selection accompanies the expansive menu of delectable and savory adventures awaiting all who enter this garden of goodness.
Read morePros: Environment, Quality of ingredients , Everything on the menu
Cons: Limited hours , Parking, Limited outdoor seating
Guest
Banangela97
Points +2627
Great! - Edit
Such a pretty place and nice service!
Read morePros: All vegan, Cute date
Guest
NicoleParks
Points +2132
absolutely incredible - Edit
i was SO blown away, everything i tried was completely delicious. their house made vegan cheese is really really creamy and tasty. the house bread with pesto, cast iron mac and cheese, #1 crush pizza, lasagna, and fungazi pizza were SO good i can’t stop thinking about them
Read moreGuest
QuisVaughn
Points +593
Great Brunch & THE BEST Pizza! - Edit
I've been going to Donna Jean for a few years now. The brunch is killer, and the widow pizza is in the top 3 of THE BEST pizzas I've ever had in this life! I always start with their house bread and garlic butter crust dip paired with the sensationally battered Hot mushrooms & pickles.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2020-08-28
Pros: Widow Pizza, Hot Shrooms, Garlic Butter
Guest
kcolb203
Points +94
Delicious pizza - Edit
We were impressed with their mushroom pizza, the Fungazi, and their Salad Days salad. Also the hot shrooms were amazing. The atmosphere is very cute. We sat outside on the patio. The staff is also very friendly and has quick service.
Read moreGuest
EliyahAvrutin
Points +116
Overrated - Edit
We came hungry and ordered 4 dishes: mcncheese, fried mushrooms, pizza and the salad. Non of them was outstanding. Mushroom dish was given no love just a bunch thrown into the fryer, pizza barely had any cheese and their red sauce reminds of rotten tomatoes, mcncheese was over cooked yet watery. Salad was actually flavorful. Have no idea what the hype is about. Dish presentation is fast food style,
Read moreIndoors feels like a barn, dirty bathrooms with no soap. You can enjoy this if you’re not picky, but far from 5 star caliber.
Guest
CuddlyKitten
Points +194
Relaxing & Savory - Edit
The experience here was not unpleasant at all. In fact, it was paradisiacal! All of the staff were warm and friendly, and the surrounding patrons were obviously as happy and relaxed as I was (I chose to sit outside, though I am sure indoors is nice too) . The decor and vibe and victuals were ideal!
Read moreI had the main salad and then a pizza. I don’t recall the exact names of either, just that each was obviously the result of a labor of love. The pizza was both crispy yet creamy, and the herbal basil topping was exquisite.
The cabernet went perfectly with it all.
Pros: Food, Decor, Service
Guest
avokari
Points +178
Phenomenal Italian dining! - Edit
This place definitely exceeded my expectations ! Quality food, kind and friendly staff. I ordered a pizza and my partner ordered the lasagna, both were incredible. We returned for brunch and loved it just as much! We would've tasted the entire menu if we could. This was definitely our favorite restaurant during our trip to San Diego and I'd recommend it to anyone looking for delicious, authentic Italian plant-based cuisine. You can't go wrong with Donna Jean.
Read morePros: Delicious meals, Nice decor , Friendly staff
Guest
Paigecs
Points +623
One of the best vegan restaurants in the country - Edit
Stopped in at this verdant, birdsong filled restaurant two mornings in a row on a San Diego trip. In total, I was able to try the French toast, chicken fried shrooms, widow pizza, and breakfast in bread. Hard to say which was the best—I recommend you try as many as possible. The cheeses are made in house, the employees are knowledgeable, and the overall experience is polished.
Read moreThe only sour note of the experience was a footnote in the menu that lets you know a surcharge will fund health insurance for the employees, and you can opt out if you wish.
Guest
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