Cha-Ya Vegetarian Japanese Restaurant

San Francisco

Vegans and vegetarians flock to this tiny Japanese spot in Berkeley's Gourmet Ghetto. The extensive and affordable menu features vegetable and tofu-based sushi rolls, soups, and tempura that'll convert even the swankiest of sushi aficionados into veggie roll fans. The decor is basic and unfussy, but you'll be too focused on the creative meatless creations in front of you to notice. Cha-Ya is generally packed around lunch and dinner, and since there are no reservations, you'll want to avoid primetime to dodge the lines. Oh, and make sure to hit up the ATM beforehand -- it's cash-only.