Vegan
American
Beer/Wine
Take-out
Asian
Fusion
Vegan establishment serving artisan ales and stouts and a variety of food items such as salads, Thai curry, dal or burritos. Open Tue-Sat 11:00am-9:00pm, Sun 12:00pm-8:00pm. Closed Mon.
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37 S 1st St, San Jose, California, USA, 95113
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Last update on 15 Nov 2022 by villain
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109 Reviews
First Review by cyndiesel
Veganlove408
Points +166
Good Food - Edit
I love the food, especially the Buddha Buns. They also have a great beer and snacks. The only downside is service isn't very friendly, but they are all always busy which could be why. I love this place though and recommend it.
Read morePros: great food, great beer, vegan
Cons: not friendly
Guest
ElaineMiller
Points +30
Best Food so far in Bay Area - Edit
Happened upon this little gem of a restaurant yesterday. The food was delicious and reasonably priced. Definitely order the spicy chocolate pie, you won't be disappointed. My husband loved their beer since it wasn't over the top hoppy. The restaurant has a great vibe, it's small and friendly feeling. The staff are terrific. Yay for somewhere that has more than just a veggie burger on their menu.
Read morePros: Quality of food, Spicy chocolate pie, Ambience and staff
Guest
zenmaestro
Points +685
favorite vegan in san jose - Edit
dining at my fave vegan spot in san jose. it's basically a really cool beer pub that only serves killer vegan food. jamaican jerk tofu -yum! street tacos! as usual, I ordered numerous items -like six. and the beer and kombucha selection is unique artisan style only from around the world. i.e., yummy beers. staff is friendly and laid back. patrons have hippie kinda vibe. I dig it. yeah, best vegan spot in silicon valley. seriously, carnivorous humans will dig this spot too. we're love, y'all. we're love.highly recommended
Read moreGuest
qilinnu
Points +32
Stick with the plates, super knowledgeable staff! - Edit
I love this place. Super knowledgeable bartenders with a great selection of vegan beer and tasty, hearty food. I do prefer the plate options to the a la carte options--the buddha bun in particular can get pretty soggy. The plate options, on the other hand, you can't really go wrong with. Also conveniently located across from a nice vegan tattoo place.
Read morePros: great food, knowledgeable staff, great atmosphere
Guest
Marthazon
Points +113
Vegan Quesadillas! - Edit
Conveniently located across from the (north bound) Santa Clara light rail stop is a little vegan bar called Good Karma! They have a new list of beers every week as well as a selection of non-alcoholic drinks, including kombucha. Good Karma has a good menu of vegan dishes-- I highly recommend their Quesadillas, they are amazingly delicious!
Read morePros: Friendly staff and quick service, Variety of food and drink options
Guest
rebeccaj
Points +168
Delicious food, beautiful cafe! - Edit
This place has beautiful antique detailing in a lushly decorated interior. I had the kale bowl with quinoa, black beans, and tahini sauce. Delicious! And inexpensive at $6-something.
Read morePros: vegan and delicious , cheap, beautiful
Cons: no ice
Guest
pattim1963
Points +28
Reasonable price lacking in atmosphere - Edit
it seems that it is more of a beer house and that the food has become secondary. Grab a menu then grab a seat when ready order at counter. Due to previous reviews about small portions I ordered a 3 plate with quinoa for about $10, way too much food and I felt it was not too expensice. The Chana Masala was ok, the roasted red mashed potatoes and the dal were excellent as well as the cinnamon baklava. My husband who is not vegan enjoyed his thai curry and baklava as well along with a pumpkin porter. if you don't mind lots of noise the food is good and plentiful for the price.
Read morePros: Vegan food reasonable prices
Cons: loud and lots of beer drinkers when yhe Sharks are
Guest
Lich King
Points +40
Good beer! food is ok. - Edit
Now, when I go here I love the area. It's relaxing but, the beer servings and taste are beautiful! The food however, is ok just wish the portions were a bit bigger for the price.
Read morePros: BEER
Cons: Food portion sizes for price
Guest
Laudi
Points +370
Great place! - Edit
Finally, I can enjoy my vegan meal with a nice cold draft beer There are only few vegan places that have so many options on draft. I liked the food too, but I would definitely return for the beer :).
Read morePros: Many options of beer on draft, Cozy atmosphere
Cons: Small portions, Bathroom door "in" the kitchen
Guest
Conzetti
Points +24
Solid food, shady customer service - Edit
I showed up at 11AM after calling this joint, and had to wait an hour before I could be served. I was stoked nonetheless, as there were Sleep and Om prints on the wall, and a pretty rad lady that owns or manages it.
Read moreI was then served by another woman whom made us get up from our seats, then line up in a single file line based on the order in which we arrived. No menus were given out until I asked, no silverware was set down, she didn't get me a drink, and the whole situation was rushed for no reason. I felt like we were being ushered by a grade school lunch aid, rather than being treated like a paying customer.
The food was delicious, but in small quantities. The jerk tofu was excellent, and the chocolate mousse cake was rich and full of flavor.
I'm usually the most easy going customer there is, and I drove all the way out to San Jose to give this place a try. If you don't mind being treated like a dog, paying $17 for a kid sized plate of food, this place isn't bad. However, I would avoid this place purely on the customer service.
Pros: originality of the food, quality of the food
Cons: size of servings , the "waitress" that doesn't wait on you, not opening on time
Guest
jogger45
Points +15
Rad vegan spot!!! - Edit
Traveling & eating vegan= "good karma" restaurant! A must stop when in San Jose!!! Jamaican jerk tofu, spicy basil tofu, chili verde ( saitan) , organic kale salad, arugula beet salad... Fantastic... All vegan menu with cool craft beers!!! I ate here 3 days in a row:)))
Read morePros: location, tons of items on menu
Cons: none
Guest
rebecca.bguttadauro
Points +59
Love their steamed bun and mashed potatoes! - Edit
I've been to Good Karma only a handful of times. It is a very "trendy, hipster" kind of place. Lots of craft beers, which is good. The food is simple, you pick a plate with how many options you want, 1, 2 or 3. You can get a kale bowl or burrito. Super easy. They have a few things (like 6 or 8) you can choose from for your plate. Their mashed potatoes and gravy are amazing!!!
Read morePros: vegan, trendy vibe, good beers
Cons: small!
Guest
GardenTiger
Points +267
Food is OK, atmosphere so-so - Edit
First of all, they have a good choice of food and also beers and and our dishes were tasty. Staff was also very nice, but...Personally, I did not like the atmosphere. It is exactly what most people expect a vegan restaurant to be like: Casual atmosphere, alternative interior decoration, hippies everywhere. We felt a little out of place, but I guess a lot of people like it as there were quite a few guests there in the middle of the day.
Read morePros: Parking nearby, Good food, good choice of dishes
Cons: Weird atmosphere
Guest
idubrawsky
Points +34
Great food and atmosphere! - Edit
I went to Good Karma for lunch while attending a workshop in downtown San Jose. I went based on previous reviews on the deli as well as the fact that it was the closest vegan place to the workshop. I was just bowled over by the food and the atmosphere. I had the kale salad as well as the thai curry and the spicy basil combination. I also had the Brew Dr. Kambucha which was definitely a bonus. The price was great, the service quick and the food excellent. If you're in downtown San Jose - this is a place you should NOT miss!
Read morePros: Excellent food, Quick service, Good price
Cons: Noisy because we sat outside
Guest
robivore
Points +329
great food; great beer - Edit
The food here is amazing, and lots of choices. The beer selection is choice. Very cool atmosphere. Go!
Read moreGuest
gr33n0rchid
Points +87
Beer - Edit
Not much selection from the near buffet style food but it can be fixed any way you like it. You also get a healthy portion for your buck. Desserts at the counter are too tempting to resist when your paying your tab. The decor is amazing...I notice something new every time I'm there. The best part is the bar, although in an awkward "alley like" spot. They have a great selection of beers on tap to keep you busy for the evening.
Read morePros: simple menu, affordable, brewski
Cons: simple hard to see menu, small space, awkward set up
Guest
oddshapedmarbles
Points +24
Great draft beer options; increasingly better food - Edit
I've been a regular at Good Karma since they opened, and the food has really improved over that time. It's worth remembering that it's a casual, quick, *deli-style* setup--don't walk in expecting a more 'fancy' restaurant made-to-order dish. Personally, I love that the food is quick and not too pretentious. The kale salad and spicy basil tofu are my usual go-tos, as well as the 'buddha buns'. Also, the last time I stopped in, I had a delicious chocolate espresso cupcake. There have been days when some dishes didn't taste just right, but overall, I find things to be consistently tasty.
Read moreThe place has a nice atmosphere and an **amazing** selection of craft beers, as well. Sure, it's small and often crowded--and I really don't appreciate the occasional smoker that still lurks around the patio seating area--but it's such a refreshing option in the otherwise drab, generally vegan-unfriendly wasteland of downtown San Jose. I hope they stick around for many years to come!
Pros: Amazing selection of craft beers, Tasty, quick vegan food at decent prices, Really nice, knowledgeable staff
Cons: Small space and often crowded, Occasional obnoxious smokers on patio
Guest
tristan
Points +99
Vegan comfort food, laid back vibe - Edit
I would characterize a visit to Good Karma as similar to, but not in a totally uncomplimentary way, going to a house party: you've got people outside socializing/smoking, having to maneuver between a crowd inside, dub music playing overhead, and most people are pretty much there for the beer. This is pretty much what an evening at Good Karma is like.
Read moreWhether the atmosphere is of appeal is down to personal preference, but let me just say that the food really good. It's like vegan comfort food. I had BBQ Chikn Drumsticks (I could eat a ton of those), Jamaican Jerk Tofu (YUM), and Mashed Potatoes (BEST), AND a slice of chocolate pie...all for around $10. They've also got a variey of craft beers on tap which I still have yet to try, but are apparently very popular.
Yeah, it's small. In fact, how they manage to have live music performances is astonishing to me. But you get a sense there's a strong support for the local scene & artists. For this, I'm greatful places like Good Karma exist, and not solely for being one of the few vegan joints scattered around the South Bay.
Pros: Good food + portions, Friendly people, VERY good value
Cons: REALLY small
Guest
larryabailey
Points +129
Uninspiring Home Cooking - Edit
Both my partner me were disappointed in the food at the Good Karma. The Chana Masala was very hot but lacked any rich or deep flavor from middle-eastern spices or herbs, just hot. My partner, who prides himself on being able to eat anything, left it on his plate. The vegan Teriyaki Chicken he ate, but only for the food value, but not for taste or appearance. I had the Chana Masala and Thai Curry, but wondered why they called it Thai Curry. It tasted like overly steamed vegetables with a little super market curry powder mixed in
Read more"None of the items in the case look appetizing!" said my grandson who didn't order anything. We should have listened to him. I am in hopes that it was an off day for the Good Karma, but all the items in the buffet case did look pretty sad. Grandpa didn't make any points with his 13 year old grandson.
Pros: Downtown San Jose, Easy to find
Cons: Food, Color of food
Guest
jrm212
Points +220
would recommend only if in a pinch - Edit
was excited to find what sounded like a cool vegan spot in san jose, however was disappointed with the options and the quality. no fresh beverages, they're all out of bottle...which was fine, it's a deli after all. but the food (out of the deli case) was reheated in microwave. my dining partner found two hairs in his meal, unsure if it was human hair or the hair from the server's dog (he went back and forth to visit his dog outside all during our meal). before leaving, went to the loo, a site i wish i hadn't seen, especially since it was right off the kitchen (will spare the details!). i enjoyed the flavors of my food, however it left me feeling not-so-great after. on the pros: the chocolate pie was amazing...and i liked the indie/artsy spirit. overall, perhaps a good spot for the undiscerning college student, but not for someone who enjoys vegan quality.
Read morePros: vegan dedication, indie vibe
Cons: unsanitary to the eye, limited menu
Guest
Tserisa
Points +70
Satisfying Cafeteria Style Meals - Edit
We get down to San Jose about once a year. Good Karma Vegan Deli will be a recurring stop for us. Last January 2010, we stopped in for lunch several times!
Read moreThe food is served cafeteria and deli case style. The food is sold by the plate, with the option to get one or several different choices on your plate. They serve everything from home cooking style mashed potatoes and gravy, spaghetti and salad to various Asian staples like black bean tofu.
If you don't like your food touching, this isn't the place to eat. However, if you're like me and love the blending of flavors as sauces co-mingle, you might enjoy Good Karma.
My husband enjoyed the more spicy offerings, such as the curries and chana masala, with a cold beer. I on the other hand am really sensitive to spice and stuck to the mellower choices. I really liked the mashed potatoes, though they were a bit salty, I ate them several times! The spaghetti was delicious, and I loved the tofu scramble.
I was a bit disappointed in the drink offerings for those who don't drink alcohol, like myself.
The service was good, the staff was willing to chat and talk about the food available when it wasn't busy. However, a couple of times we went when they were supposed to be open and they hadn't opened yet.
Definitely a place I'll visit again, a comfortable place for a filling meal.
Pros: Cheap and Quick, Lots of Flavor, Satisfying Portions
Cons: Sometimes Closed When Listed as Open, Salty
Guest
syork2
Points +158
Incredible food, atmosphere and service! - Edit
My boyfriend and I tried out Good Karma and it was absolutely amazing. We tried it on a Sunday, so it wasn't very crowded and there was plenty of seating available. The guy helping us was so nice and offered a lot of advice for vegans new to the area!
Read moreThe food was AMAZING! We had the mashed potatoes (to die for), the stuffed bell peppers (super good) and the BBQ "chicken wings" (I don't know how they do it). Everything was so delicious and what a great deal for $9! My bf and I filled up with just one plate!
There's a lot of really great art on the walls and there's definitely a laid-back, eclectic feel (which I happen to love).
Definitely try this place if you're in the area.
Pros: GREAT food!, Wonderful staff, Cool atmosphere
Cons: zip
Guest
schumacher62
Points +478
only one drawback - Edit
excellent hand made food, with a variety of choices. mostly indian based items, curies and chick peas, but with teriyaki items too, stuffed bells, tofu scramble. some wraps, but i have never tried them.
Read moreall items are displayed and you get three and some brown rice for under 8 bucks.
a nicely laid out space with local artists displayed on the walls and generally cool music playing.
the drawback? they server beer on tap. and the people who come in for the beer seem to be friends with whomever is working at the time, frequently taking away from the (what i feel) primary purpose of a vegan restaurant: paying attention to the customer who wants to order and eat. hip slackers guzzling beer and my desire to have a good vegan meal dont seem to mesh well, especially when, as i said, the drinkers are friends with the staff.
Pros: fresh and flavorful, great selection.
Cons: prices seem to keep rising, sharing tables with beer drinkers, no parking
Guest
Garkat
Points +21
Excellent - Edit
I ate here in the evening and the food was excellent. The young woman there explained all the different choices available that night. I had Curry Tofu and Terryaki Tofu, both of which were exceptionally good. I agree with another reviewer that they need to label the different choices available, but other than that I would rate it excellent food, service, and value. I would eat here again.
Read morePros: Excellent food, Good value, Friendly/helpful staff
Cons: No food labeling, Not my favorite music
Guest
vduplessis
Points +72
hit the spot after a marathon! - Edit
went here after my husband ran the SJ Marathon. it was a weekend, so it was slooooooooooow-- looks like the food had been in the case for a while...
Read moreBUT it was YUMMY! loved that you could pick out your items individually- VERY generous portions. Went out of their way to make sure our 5 year old had kid-friendly food.
cool little urban cafe w/ friendly staff & great downtown location
Pros: GREAT food, laid back , location
Guest
hellokitty
Points +31
Cool Place - Edit
Stumbled across this place with my teenage son on our way to a Sharks game. It was a bit awkward at first - we went in and didn't understand how the process worked (there is a menu that lists all that they offer but you need to choose from what is available in the case that day). We weren't sure if we were supposed to sit and order or stand at the counter and no one acknowledged our presence for about 5 minutes. Really uncomfortable. If we weren't so hungry we probably would have left.
Read moreFinally someone explained to us how things worked and we picked two entrees. We had to ask for each option to be explained because there were no signs indicating what was what and the person helping us seemed a bit put out by having to explain to us.
I had like a stuffed potato dumpling type of thing that was EXCELLANT. My son had a pasta dish that was just OK. I also had some salad with a cajun ranch dressing which was really good.
When I went to pay I was shocked at how cheap everything was! So it was a great value and I really enjoyed my meal so I would absolutely try it again.
Pros: Cheap, Good food, Nice selection of beers
Cons: Service could be much better, Need better signs, Food should be labeled
Guest
EstherDubrovsky
Points +17
Awesome place!!! - Edit
It's a wonderful place with great food and wonderful staff. A few things to keep in mind:You need to get there early or late for lunch because there will be a line! They have a menu of everything they make, but every day they only make a few things from the menu, but they are very fresh! Give their choc cheese cake a try!
Read moreGuest
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