Plant-Friendly Hotspot: Savoy Cafe and Deli (Downtown)
Savoy Cafe & Deli, Figueroa Street, Downtown Santa Barbara
Savoy Café and Deli is one the plant-friendliest go-to lunch, breakfast, dinner, snack, and dessert spots downtown. I love it! It calls my name a couple of times a month and when I discovered how plant-friendly they were, it seriously felt like Christmas. And honestly, it still feels like Christmas when I go into Savoy! We’re so lucky to have a number of restaurants in town with at least a couple of delicious vegan-friendly options on their menus, but Savoy has several. And vegan desserts!
I looooove their Vegan Breakfast Burrito which has a combination of quinoa, sweet potato, kale, tofu, and avocado with a side of pico de gallo (YUM). I order it cooked in water instead of oil, and often in a bowl instead of a wrap. It’s hardy and warm. Comfort food. Their El Cap Sandwich is another favorite which I usually get with a whole grain bread and hold the added the olive oil. It's a super delightful combination of portebellos, avocados, greens, and balsamic. But these aren't all of the options! Savoy truly makes it easy peasy to eat more plants in a not-so-vegan-focused restaurant environment. You can go and get multiple options no matter the time of day. So if you’re looking to up your plant-game or searching for a vegan-friendly hotspot in town, I hope to see you there.
Here’s what you can find:
Vegan Breakfast Burrito (hold the tortilla), my fave
Vegan Breakfast (but really anytime) Burrito
Vegan Scramble
Wheat-free Hot Cereal and Irish Steel Cut Oats (with the option for fresh berries, nuts, and more!)
One of the happiest salad bars in town which includes organic tofu, dolmas, and dozens of plant-based options (many are organic!) - a variety of greens, tons of veggies, beans, nuts, and seeds. It's fun to shop this bar with your Little Earthlings so they can self select options yummy for their tummies.
A cold deli case with a few vegan options daily including a bright and varied fruit salad.
A daily vegan soup
Savoy Cafe & Deli Salad Bar (and it goes on!)
A hot deli hosting generally one to two vegan-friendly options.
Veggie Wrap
The El Cap Sandwich with portabello mushrooms
Or build your own sandwich! They even have veganaise if it suits your fancy.
Savoy Cafe & Deli Bakery Case
(The middle four items - cookies & cupcakes - are vegan!)
A vegan-friendly BAKERY! Savoy usually has one or two flavors of muffin/loafs a day, vegan cold desserts like “raw-nies”, vegan cookies, and vegan cupcakes! Everything I’ve had has been delicious and their chocolaty cupcakes are perfect for grabbing and going to a kids birthday party. Or order a whole vegan cake or tray of cupcakes or cookies for an event or class party! Their vegan and/or gluten-free cupcakes come with an extra charge, but it's exciting that you can order both (although you pay two separate add'l charges), making these the ultimate in people pleasing desserts. Ordering larger quantities can add up quickly, but for special occasions if you need a yummy premade option, or if you are in a bind, we’re pretty lucky to have this café ready to bake up vegan-friendly treats. You can even order a vegan pumpkin pie with dairy-free coconut whipped cream!
Also check out their coffee bar for soy milk, almond milk, and coconut-almond milk options! They have coffee (including cold press live and in action in a slow-drip), espressos, loose leaf teas, and matchas! And steamers for the kids. Ooh and herbal lemonades. Swoon.
Be sure to double check that whatever you’re ordering is vegan, as you might with any restaurant when it’s your first plant-focused visit and as you’re getting familiar with a restaurant through a more plant-friendly lens. One more heart happy note - Savoy has always been willing to cook made-to-order hot items in water instead of oil. Amazing. This can be difficult to find in town!
So check them out and let us know what you think!
Here are the details, if you’re a Savoy Café and Deli newbie –
Savoy Café and Deli
www.thesavoycafe.com
24 West Figueroa Street
Santa Barbara
Parking lot behind or across the street off of Chapala or timed street parking throughout the adjoining neighborhood.
Happy dining!