Located in a historic speakeasy in San Francisco's old Latin Quarter, 'Peña' means a circle of people coming together and 'Pachamama' means Mother Earth. In early 2023, the restaurant was certified as a Legacy Business in the City of San Francisco in recognition of its long history of service to the community and for being a valuable cultural asset and a part of the 'Soul of the City'. Peña Pachamama is the only vegan restaurant that is a Legacy Business in San Francisco. The restaurant serves organic vegan South American cuisine with live performances after dinner on weekends. The menu is half raw and half cooked, and mostly gluten-free. Uses all organic produce and only extra virgin olive oil or organic coconut oil in dishes. The kitchen makes vegan ice cream and raw kale chips in-house. Serves a selection of cocktails, wines, and sangria. Visit web calendar for schedule of live entertainment events. Open Mon-Thu 4:30pm-9:00pm, Fri-Sat 4:30pm-10:30pm. Closed Sun.
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1630 Powell St (at North Beach), San Francisco, California, USA, 94133
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- Outdoor seating
- Wheelchair accessible
- Accepts credit cards
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Last update on 07 Aug 2024 by PenaPachamama
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135 Reviews
First Review by ·X·
Kaputabo
Points +58
Grand experience - Edit
We took our cousin from out of town here for their Andean music festival. We had paid for the festival and was expecting a packed place. Unfortunately there weren't anybody else when we showed up at 8 PM. We thought we'll be refunded as it doesn't make sense to perform for just 1 table.
Read moreBut luckily for us that wasn't the case. For the next 2 hours we were enthralled by Latin fusion music and traditional dance with full attire. Cherry on top was a guest Indian singer who amazed us by her awe inspiring voice and rendition. In the end we also joined in the dance.
The live performance was incredible, the place being small, you feel so connected to the performers which is beyond that of performer vs audience. We absolutely loved our time there and can't wait to go back.
The food was also very good. We tried combination of both raw and cooked vegan food and both were equally great. We were so engrossed in the performance, the food had to take second stage.
This was by far the best eating out experience we have ever had. We highly recommend people to visit this historic and amazing vegan place. The owners are wonderfully kind people and they deserve all the support.
Guest
HCMex
Points +388
Raw Veganism is so good - Edit
What a wonderful dining experience! The ambiance (more specifically the lighting) is so relaxing. While we weren't there for the live music, the music playing on the speakers was certainly pleasant as well.
Read moreFood wise, I opted for the raw vegan options such as the kale chips and the Reuben / taco combo. The reuben sandwich was so delicious and never did it occur to me that have an uncooked meal could still be this full of flavor (hence the guacamole I make). The kale chips were also better than any store bought kale chips I've ever had as well as they had a delicious cheddar flavor to them.
All in all Peña Pachamama is a dining experience I can't wait to experience again but hopefully during a weekend night that they have live music playing.
Updated from previous review on 2024-12-01
Pros: Food, Staff, Ambiance
Guest
FatmaBahri
Points +406
Perfect place! - Edit
I opted for the raw/living vegan section of the menu and had the Reuben sandwich as well as kale chips, which were utterly delicious!
Read moreI literally felt invigorated after my meal 💚
What’s more, the gentleman who was working there that night was genuinely kind and helpful.
Bathroom is very clean as well!
Updated from previous review on 2024-09-29
Guest
campari87
Points +125
Delicious! - Edit
I haven’t had papa a la huancaina in years and it was absolutely delicious! Can’t wait to come back next time I’m in town.
Read moreGuest
roycephilipsjr
Points +111
Kale Chips were the best part. - Edit
The kale chips were great!
Read moreI also enjoyed the plantains! They were super sweet and tasty!
But the black beans were way too runny. They had a great flavor but too thin for my liking. They just dropped everywhere when you dipped the plantains in.
Also the empanada was good, but not great. I enjoyed the salad! The feta type cheese they put on top was great! The salad was well dressed.
Overall solid. Good flavors but a couple of things were off.
Pros: Kale chips, Plantains, Salad
Cons: Black beans too thin, Empanada was ok
Guest
JoniS
Points +129
Raw Vegan + Gluten Free - Edit
This is a little hidden gem in North Beach. There are cooked and raw vegan and gluten free options. We ordered the raw sampler to share. It is very filling. The rye bread for the Rueben was so good! And loved the kale chips. Also their n/a cocktails are sophisticated – not mixed juices with a splash of club soda. Our server was super friendly! Please support these all vegan establishments!
Read morePros: Lots of gluten free options + raw vegan menu, Sophisticated N/A cocktails, Great service
Guest
sxevgntraveller
Points +154
A magical night - Edit
We went there for a late dinner on a Friday night without reservations and werd pleasantly surprised by live music. It turned out the owners themselves were playing and you really have to check out the places history. People danced, there was talking and interacting of all guests initiated by Quentin and Eddy, it was a very special atmosphere. Oh and by the way - food was delicious. We had Empanadas, potatoes, Pizza, Sloppy Joes Portobello Burger. If you get the chance go to the Peña and experience the vibe yourself 💚
Read morePros: atmosphere, food, people
Cons: absolutely nothing
Guest
ladygluck
Points +308
Delicious food and excellent service - Edit
Really delicious food, especially the chef's plate portobello mushrooms which were so juicy and meaty. Service was also friendly and excellent.
Read moreGuest
lucabm
Points +16
Incredible food and atmosphere - Edit
Not usually a fan of raw vegan but this place had some delicious raw tacos. The music was great and practically the entire restaurant was up dancing by the end of the night
Read moreGuest
Zurv
Points +1180
Flavorful and fresh - Edit
I liked the spicy pasta… it was delicious. The plant based sausage was one of the best I have ever had and the fresh veggies and potatoes were tasty. The salad that came with the empanada was delicious too. The empanada was nice. It is in a nice location next to Washington Square also. I would go here again.
Read moreWent again and had the plantains my goodness they are delicious. They also have great non alcoholic cocktails.
Updated from previous review on 2023-07-01
Pros: Tasty food, Nice location, Live music
Guest
WanderingAlly
Points +190
Yummy vegan down to earth eatery - Edit
Delicious homemade foods!
Read moreWent with a friend and ordered their tasting dish which contained several items that I’ve had never tried before. Great service too!
Guest
NaomiHoffer
Points +66
Magical - Edit
I didn’t realize that this place is entirely vegan! I came for the flamenco dancing and live music. I will be back! Very friendly servers, cozy intimate interior, and incredible vegan food and beverages. We enjoyed the lasagna, empanadas, cheesecake and brownie with ice cream.
Read moreGuest
Dariush
Points +1032
Still great - Edit
Returned for the first time since the pandemic. The food and service are still great, and the ambience is nice as well. I am a big fan of the empanadas, which are hearty but not greasy. That said the brownie and ice cream are pretty amazing as well.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2019-01-12
Guest
SouthernmostVegan
Points +1811
Friendly staff, good food - Edit
The atmosphere is pretty special, and the staff were lovely. We didn't watch the show, but I'm sure it's jammin'! Five stars for ambiance.
Read moreWe ordered off both menus (cooked and raw) and tried to order enough so that we could taste everything. Unfortunately, I found most of the food to be bland and the empanadas were burnt. My favorite plate was the Extra Large Organic Raw Sampler for $33, but the price was too high for the quantity we received. Only three stars for food.
Guest
Thanos2.0
Points +1486
Musica e boa comida vegana latina em San Francisco - Edit
Tive um excelente jantar no Pena Pachamama.
Read moreVisitei o restaurante em uma quarta-feira e embora não fosse dia de show, os músicos estavam ensaiando.
A comida estava muito boa também. Pedi um prato que era composto por uma salada e duas empanadas bolivianas bem recheadas (foto).
O atendimento também foi muito cordial e prestativo.
Pros: Totalmente vegano, Ambiente agradável, Comida saborosa
Guest
chels2ocean
Points +1208
Delicious and unique - Edit
Had the salteñas and the papa a la huancaína and was really happy with both. Also loved the space, wish I had been here on a night with live music!
Read moreGuest
Saff
Points +1539
Amazingly authentic - Edit
The taste of the food here is soo authentic! Highly suggest saving room for dessert 😋 the lomo soltado was my fav, didn’t even get a photo it was gone before I remembered
Read moreGuest
AshKenyail
Points +2474
Delicious! - Edit
I dined in here in May 2018. The dish I ordered and the ice cream were so delicious! The service was excellent as well. It's definitely a must-go.
Read moreGuest
Varjak
Points +25
Lovely food, good vibes - Edit
We liked the decor and generally atmosphere. It was a Wednesday so quieter than gig nights, but great ambiance. Delicious food - we had the sharing sampler and chocolate mousse. Friendly service too.
Read morePros: Ambiance, Food, Welcoming staff
Guest
RobertSilverman
Points +280
Excellent - Edit
Very cute. Not busy. Excellent food.
Read moreHad the empanadas, lentil beet burger, lentil dip, and Margherita pizza. Would definitely recommend.
Cons: Expensive
Guest
TawnyConnerCleveland
Points +421
Oh my word! Delicious! - Edit
The 4 in our party enjoyed such a delicious meal. We love all vegan restaurants so we can have the fun of choosing without micromanaging the menu. The owner is so friendly and played music while we waited and we all danced.
Read morePros: The tastes, The variety, So many choices
Guest
taiwanesetexan
Points +9512
Okay for hardcore vegans - Edit
My partner and I went on a weeknight at 6pm, and it was pretty quiet with only two other tables. Service was a little slow though. I wish most of the menu were Bolivian/South American rather than half so and half other (e.g., lasagna, burgers, pizza). The fare seems fine if you're a level 5 vegan, but I don't think it holds an appeal for non-vegans or veg-curious. Probably needs a menu refresh to keep up with the times. The Peruvian beer was just a gold lager that wasn't terribly exciting.
Read moreGuest
joerayme
Points +177
Average food - Edit
I went here on a Wednesday night and it was pretty quiet. I suspect the atmosphere would be great when there's live music on but when I went there were only two other tables occupied. Even then, service was a bit slow.
Read moreThe horchata was refreshing with a good level of sweetness; the empanada pastry was nice and crisp but the filling was nothing to write home about. The accompanying salad was good, though, and came with a feta-like topping.
Guest
villain
Points +8542
Healthy and filling - Edit
This was my first time dining in, I had only had their food once as a takeout order during COVID lockdowns. After such a great experience at Peña Pachamama, now I'm going to come back regularly! The food is delicious. It's a bit pricey, but 100% worth it because it's so healthy and filling. I was full very quickly because it was so satisfying. Almost everything is gluten-free except for one or two things. I'm super happy that they include raw vegan options, too. Also everyone working there is very sweet.
Read moreTheir kale chips and plantains are great. I also loved the chef's special plate. The live music makes for a very lively and happy environment.
Updated from previous review on 2023-04-04
Pros: Gluten free, Raw options, Live music
Guest
amyvotta
Points +624
Glorious!!! - Edit
Outstanding vegan fare! First timer & I’ll return. Wish I lived closer! Absolutely delicious & fresh. Perfect portions. Love the raw & gluten free variety. To die for!
Read moreGuest
CeciliaVargas
Points +270
Amazing!! - Edit
We had the papa a la huancaina to start with and for our main entree had the combo aji de fideo and pique macho with a side of llajwa. We devoured our plate. Flavors on point.
Read moreFYI I’m Bolivian and vegan- delicious food
Pros: Authentic flavor
Guest
Angelo23
Points +282
Amazing food and humans - Edit
This spot has a special place in my heart with such beautiful history. Quentin and Eddy are such sweet souls who display nothing but love through their food and music. I've been eating here long before I moved to the city. I always get the samplers either raw or cooked both are delicious.
Read morePros: Amazing humans , Great food, Live music on the weekends
Guest
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