On a mobile device? Try our mobile site, optimized for faster browsing.
Categories: Vegetarian, Vegan
4250 Capitola RdGood for Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner. Must present…
Mon-Sun. 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Loading...
If I could only eat one place the rest of my life this would probably be it. I hate that the word vegetarian or vegan sounds like it should look like grass and taste like dirt. Vegetarian and vegan can be just as good if not better than any other food and Dharma's proves that.
The thing I really love about Dharma's is their mix of food. They range from Italian to Mexican to classic mashed potatoes, breakfast to dinner and dessert, salads and milkshakes. You could eat here 7 days a week and you'd still get something different every time.
I've even taken a few of my friends who would rather eat at Taco Bell. Even they enjoyed and eventually became addicted to Dharama's. It can really satisfy any mouth.
People thought this was:
One of my favorite places to eat in SC. Yes it is pricey but everything is sooooo yummy and you get… Read more »
Portions are pretty big and they do use a lot of recyclable disposable materials. They can veganize many things that have dairy as well which is great. The prices are a little high though considering it's somewhat bare bones with cafeteria-style service and you bus your own tables. I do like the food here a lot but my main (soy) beef is with the limited service they do offer. It's slow at times and the people who take your order/work behind the counter can seem resentful to have to have to wait on you. My most recent experience here was asking for a substitution of an ingredient. Evidently, that's cause for pandemonium because the guy behind the counter reacted as if I asked for a plate of uranium with white phosphorus sauce. A big debate in Spanish ensued among the people working behind the counter. I know Spanish well enough to know they were being rude about my request. The irony is that I have made this request in the past (soy strips instead of tofu) and it wasn't a problem let alone a big production. The guy ultimately came back and just said, "No." Okay. There were only two other diners there at the time so I wasn't asking during the height of a busy time (3:30 on a Wednesday). You don't have to accommodate every request but you don't need to be rude.
Update: I sent an email to the manager because I figure Yelping is fine but try to give owners/managers the benefits of the doubt as they don't always know what the staff is up to. Well, he was supercool and understanding about the whole thing. Extra star for that!
People thought this was:
Excellent variety!! They have Mexican, Indian, Italian, Thai, Burgers and more...The noodle dishes were yummy. The hot dog and pizza were ok. And vegetarian means everything I ate is healthy too, right? How often can you say that you ate some food that was yummy and healthy?
I really liked the cashier, genuinely nice and connected with everyone. I would go here often if I lived in Capitola or SC.
I love Dharma's! It's a great place to go if you want quality organic vegetarian food. The atmosphere is casual and kid friendly (they even have plastic animal toys around for kids to play with while they're waiting) and you walk out full!
I would have to say that my only Dharma's complaint is the prices. They're not horrible for the quality, but they are a bit high. Overall, a couple could walk out spending around $30 for dinner, but I guess that's about average. The ambiance is great, the food is delicious, and the quality is fantastic.
People thought this was:
Dharmas, you are my organic rock. This places saves me whenever I want to eat vegetarian, and can't decide what kind of food I want. The last point is important: Dharmas has veggie burgers, mexican-style food, thai-style, pizza, you name it (except if it includes real meat). So if I don't know what I want ahead of time, I go to Dharmas and decide last minute what I want.
They also have beer on tap which is great for when I eat there on a Friday night. But most of the time I take this to-go. Some of the items do seem a bit pricey ($10-11) but that's because the portions are huge and you really get two meals out of it (well, sometimes I manage to eat it all at one sitting, but that's just me).
If you end up wanting dessert, get the braziallan tapioca. It is ridiculously good.
People thought this was:
How could I not have reviewed McDharmas yet? I've been going here for years and years and they continue to be the best vegetarian restaurant in Santa Cruz County. Hands Down. If Dharma's closed I might have to move. McSeriously.
Props go to walking the line between the all-time favs and adding new items to the menu on a regular basis. I've never been disappointed from a breakfast, lunch or dinner here.
AWESOME food. Huge selection, so happy to have vegan food.
The crowd is interesting there, you'll see what I mean. You could get high just going towards the entrance.
But dude, killer food.
Highly recommend.
Researched the word Vegan on Yelp in the Santa Cruz area and found out about the Dharma Restaurant.
Went in and was overwhelmed by the menu! Ordered the special tofu curry veggie dish! OH MAN I couldn't stop eating. Fried banana's with shredded coconut on top, yummers. Expensive dish but I had plenty of leftovers!
I also ordered a soy chocolate peppermint shake which was heaven but might have been too much, it turned my inny into an outty. Full belly!
This is going to be a lazy review, I don't feel like being fancy with my words tonight.
Fantastic healthy option in Santa Cruz County. What makes Dharma's so awesome is that the portions are huge, making it a great value. I always share a meal with someone because it is really impossible to finish it yourself. Just last week my husband and I shared the mole burrito $9.95 and it was delicious, filling, and nicely presented for a take-out meal. Hmm, maybe we can go there tonight?! Are they even open for dinner? Oh yeah the pesto pasta is tasty, too.
People thought this was:
FULL of delicious surprises. Not the least of which is a non-dairy milkshake that would fool even the most jaded of lactose intolerant recipients. Get the mint chocolate milkshake for the fireworks. Everything else is just super duper delicious and usually healthy. I would
drive 1 hour to eat here. I have driven 1 hour to eat here.
Have you ever been to one of those places where you could order anything on the menu and be entirely satisfied? That's Dharma's in a nutshell.
Basically, Dharma's is the vegetarian restaurant for nonvegetarians. They've obviously done their research on what people like and have put it on their menu. Like Mexican food? They have that. Like Thai food? there's that too. Like traditional American fast food such as a vegetarian chili cheese dog smothered in chili? Oh boy, do they have that.
Be warned though: the portions are quite large.
People thought this was:
LOVE it...not a vegitarian, but still can't get enough of this place. The portabella sandwich is out of this world...soft bread, aoli, melted cheese, onion complete a really good sandwich. Their thai stir fry is also great. Only dislike is the atmosphere (think cafeteria).
A mighty tasty vegetarian restaurant! About $20 per person, but the meals are huge and you can easily share. Make sure to try their biscuits and gravy as well as the vegan raspberry tapioca pudding--my two favs!
The skylights and the many large plants and orchids make the atmosphere almost park-like. It's a great place to take kids and they are really green when it comes to take out supplies. It is cafeteria style and patrons are expected to bus their own tables, but it is all worth the taste!
I'm writing Dharma's a review in retrospect because I want to give a place 5 stars. Let's just say Dharma's basically a promise land for vegetarians, and a damn good restaurant in general. The quality is solid and consistent; menu items are diverse and enticing; portions huge; ingredients socially aware and dishes nutritionally balanced; utensils biodegradable if not reusable, waste area clearly marked for trash and recycle.
This is the only place that served taro burgers. If you've read my reviews, I LOVE taro, so that is two thumbs and toes up. Also, they have Kambucha on tap. How cool is that. I live over the hill now but if I crave anything in Santa Cruz, I crave Dharma's!
People thought this was:
Amazing. Dharma's taught me that vegan food can be healthy AND filling. If you're vegetarian or vegan, or you just want a healthy, satisfying meal, you definitely need to stop by Dharma's! I've driven over the hill from the South Bay specifically to go to this restaurant, and I always bring my out-of-town veggie friends here during their NorCal trips.
Okay, so it's a tad pricey, but the portions are very filling and nothing on your plate is an after-thought. I can't recommend a specific dish because I've honestly loved everything I've had here, but lately I've been in love with the portabello-artichoke sandwich. There are lots of options - how often do vegetarians have a whole menu of items to choose from? Try a salad if only for the amazing dressings (honey miso = awesome).
Dharma's, can you pleeeease open a location on the other side of the hill?
People thought this was:
I have been eating at Dharma's for years and the food has always been consistently good, tasty and so enjoyable. I don't think you'll walk out of this place hungry. Vegetarian menu but they do an excellent job of making the food so tasty and filling. My favorite is the lasagna but everything on the menu is so good it is always hard to pick what to have.
Casual self-service restaurant with excellent vegetarian food and reasonable prices what more could you ask for?
If you're into fake meat, you'll love this place. If you like real meat, you won't.
I think it's great because you can actually get comfort food here. Most places that are vegan/vegetarian are just too healthy for my tastebuds and make me think of airplane meals. You know, when you ask for the vegetarian meal on the plane and get a stupid cup of fruit with your meal when everyone else gets cake. Not okay. I know, airplane cake isn't made by my favorite pastry chef either, but still...
Anyways, Dharma's has lots of choices for those super healthy people, but if you like a little fat and cheese in your food, you will also have things to eat. The menu is a little overwhelming because there are SO many choices.
People thought this was:
Love the phood and the portions but for the prices they stick you with they really should deliver to your table AND clean up after ME.
Because of the hassle I only go once or twice a year and I'm a vegetarian who loves to eat out!!
We still love this place but the prices keep going up. A sign of our times everywhere----food prices have gone up so have the prices at most restaurants.
Sadly, they no longer have my favorite burger-the taro burger but there is still PLENTY to choose from. Hubby and I weren't that hungry so we shared a small salad (which is humongous) with their fantastic lemon tahini dressing; a veggie hot dog with an enormous side of sauerkraut, a side of mashed potatoes and gravy and a vegan shake. We also got an order of biscuits and gravy to go for our teen son who was at work today.
Total bill was around $30 but the servings are quite generous. In fact I could only eat 1/4th of my mashed potatoes.
The staff here is always friendly and welcoming. Today they were setting up Christmas decorations, including those wire deer with lights. They were having a lot of fun. i'm always happy to see co-workers getting along so well.
What I also love about this place is the wide assortment of people that eat here. Students, families, seniors, middle agers, hippies, yuppies,
etc.
Even though the 2-3 dozen animal figures they have perched on the ledges are meant for kids, I always love to play with them. It's fun to pit a barnyard animal like a pig against a giraffe!
People thought this was:
It's a good thing Dharma's is far away from us.We'd go there every day and end up having to just… Read more »
Best food EVAR! I'm not a vegetarian but this is my favorite restaurant. The servings are huge, food is ready fast, ingredients are fast... and it has a very laid back atmosphere. I get the feeling that I could come in wearing a pink tutu with combat boots and nobody would raise an eyebrow.
The only down is that it can be a bit pricey... but probably because I tend to order everything on the menu when I go in :)
I ordered the chili dog, my partner ordered the reuben, and our friend ordered a BBQ sandwich. I didn't really like my dish but the boys seemed to enjoy theirs. The people around us seemed to be enjoy their meals - with a lot of people getting soups. I might try this place again, but it won't be at my suggestion.
The menu is pretty large - but I think a large menu makes it difficult for a place like this to focus on making every dish good. And reading the other reviews, it seems like each dish is a hit or miss.
The prices are pretty reasonable for the portions.
My only other complaint is that the guy who took our order (the owner???) was unpleasant.
When people come in from out of town, I like to bring them here.
The food: For the most part tastes good. I usually order the same thing and I have realized at times my dish would taste bland.
The price: Can't beat it. Good value.
The ambience: It is nothing fancy. This is a good place to bring children.
The service: The man at the cash register has never smiled at me. I don't find that staff to engaging.
Cleanliness: above average
Ultimately, a unique place that my visitors always enjoy.
Dharma's is Y-U-M-M-Y!!!
I am not a vegetarian myself, but I would eat here any day. The menu has a large variety, from soup and salad to burritos and stir frys, not to mention the out-of-this-world breakfast options.
The produce is organic and fresh, and the portions are hearty.
I personally love the salad-brown rice-soup lunch special, and highly recommend the kitchari.
Definetely a Santa Cruz standard.
both the casual atmosphere and super fresh yummy food will make me come back again to this treasure.
Other than the owner being a real assh*le, I must say I really love eating here. Lots of options for a vegan, junk food or healthy. Fast, clean, reasonably priced, good sized portions...
Once in a while I get something that is kinda yuck, a too peppery breakfast burrito for example. The house made cookies are not very good. I am super bummed that they now used chopped romaine instead of the spring mix lettuce in their salads, but oh well, the vinaigrette rocks.
I had some pretty decent vegan pizza here, although for paying 14 bucks (with tax) for "half" a pizza I was hoping to be fuller. My companions lunch (sandwich and smoothie) ran him 20 bucks with a small tip. I love supporting vegan/vegetarian businesses, but this is just a little above my range considering the portions.
People thought this was:
I've driven by this place for years and avoided it. Dharma's is a vegetarian restaurant and I was guilty of assuming that meant "boring". My husband and I were in the area yesterday with limited options so we figured we'd try it. I'm so glad we did!
It was not at all what I expected. There were so many things to choose from and the ingredients were fresh and lovely. The portions are really big so we opted to split our lunch (I still couldn't finish it). It has a deli style atmosphere where you order and pay at the counter and then wait for your name to be called.
We ordered off the specials menu so the prices seemed on the higher side compared to their basic menu, but since our lunch was big enough to split we both ate for about $7.
Our trip to Dharma's turned out to be a huge treat and I can't wait for the opportunity to go back!
People thought this was:
It was the end of my vegan month. Just 3 more days. I was dying. I thought I needed meat. I just ran what I thought to be only 7 miles, but in the end was 8.2 miles. I was aching all over. I wanted food. Yelp you have done it again.
After I got out of my wet sweaty clothes..yes I did get naked in my back seat of the car (Thank goodness for tinted windows). My boyfriend and I ate at this restaurant. I thought wow, for once a restaurant with more than 2 choices for me to pick from and all of them were not just salads! We chose a burrito and a raspberry soy shake. I couldn't believe the amount of food we got for the price. You could have fed 3 people with the amount we got! They did not skimp the soy chicken NOT AT ALL! Truly a place for vegans and should not be overlooked when you're near Capitola. I will DEFINITELY go back vegan or not vegan. This was an awesome find.
People thought this was:
I love the food at Dharma's, whether it's a salad or a breakfast burrito made vegan by substituting guacamole for the dairy items, they are happy to work with you to make the dishes just the way you like them. I've never been disappointed at Dharma's, I consistently find the food delicious and satisfying. I don't like 41st Ave with all of the lights and the ticket-rabid Capitola cops, but in this case it's worth the drive.
fresh food, reasonable prices, amazing selection. as an avid meat-eater this is a place I love to go regardless. my absolute favorite item is the breakfast burrito, more like quesadilla because the thing is packed so full there is no way it could close like a burrito. it is really filling and ridiculous delicious. highly recommend!
If Dhmara's were available everywhere, the way McDonald's is, the world would be a better place. The food is wholesome and very appetizing even for non-vegetarians. I've been dining here for many years and it's always a treat. My $10 and under favorites include:
Mango Lassi
Soup and Salad (White bean soup is my favorite - try a sample of whatever they have)
Lost Taco
Tempe Rueben
Breakfast Burrito
Pesto Pasta (small)
All of the above are consistently delicious and satisfying. The specials are always temping, but priced a little higher. The atmosphere is totally laid back, making it a good choice for kids and groups.
Enjoy the wholesome goodness and good karma here!
hahahah the "Mc" in McDharma's is silent.
Much better vegan food than what's available otherwise in Santa Cruz. I am a meatetarian, and can walk away satisfied with tofu, tempeh and seitan.
Favorite dish = Bo Thai with plenty of lime and the special hot sauce.
People thought this was:
I was a bit daft when I first arrived here and I looked over their hamburger section. No veggie burger?
I think the 4 hours drive that preceded my visit to Dharma's had me delusional, because I quickly realized that I was in a vegetarian restaurant.
The food at Dharma's was quite delicious. You order and wait for your name to be called over the microphone. The decor is a bit random, with plastic ponies sitting next to plastic dinosaurs, but the space is rather large and I can see it as a great place to take a big group of friends.
I had the Tex-Mex burger, which was described as a spicy soy patty with a spicy mayonnaise. The patty was more than just a Boca burger, which is what many bigger restaurants offer as their 'veggie option.' I would expect more from a veggie restaurant, and I was glad that this was the case here. The burger was accompanied by thick-cut potato wedges. I was a bit surprised to find Heinz ketchup packets as condiments, as everything else looked more freshly or locally made (dressing options were in plastic bottles with labels, there were no Coca-Cola or Pepsi products to purchase)
My visit to Dharma's was random, but if I find myself in the area again soon, I think I would give it another visit.
Dharma's rocks. We live in San Diego and visit Santa Cruz at least once a year. We have made it tradition after the long 8 hour drive to stop at Dharma's once we got into town. We LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Dharma's - the portions are hearty, healthy and HUGE! I had a Breakfast Burrito last time we visited and it satisified me where I did not need to eat again for the entire day. My young daughters had the short stack pancakes and had enough left over for a snack on the way home. The coffee and the chai is to live for. I have had so many of their offerings and never had a bad meal. Hooray for Dharma's...we will be back many more times over.
People thought this was:
If you ever happen to be in the Santa Cruz area, you will see that there are many places you can go to get a good vegetarian/vegan meal, but I would suggest trying Dharma's out. Then you can hit up Capitola beach afterward or get some good surfing in out at 38th or Pleasure Point. The one thing I do miss about living in California is the selection of restaurants that serve a variety of vegetarian or vegan options on the menu. I wish they would open up a place like this here in Houston.
The place is simple. There's no fancy design aspect to it, just really good food. The food is served in pretty big portions and everything is well made. This is coming from a person who eats meat too. So if you meat eaters want to venture a little bit and try some vegetarian food that doesn't fit the stereotype of being bland and just plain vegetables then you got to try this spot. I always have leftovers but luckily you can get some plates and wrap it in foil to take it to go and have the goodness afterward.
As far as menu choices, I've had the tofu ranchero, breakfast burrito, nuclear bluff, tempeh reuben, portobello sub, and actually I've tried a lot of the menu items so no point to list them. Just know that they are really good. The service can sometimes be a down point at times because there are times when it can get pretty busy and finding a table is hard, but it's worth it.
People thought this was:
I am forever grateful to my aunt for introducing us to Dharma's. Santa Cruz is a little far from home for us to go there regularly, but we make a special trip south just for Dharma's every month or so.
They are a vegetarian restaurant, and they have a lot of vegan options (in fact, they only mark the items on the menu that *can't* be made vegan, because most of them can). If an item would normally include cheese, they'll often switch it to guacamole for you for no charge.
Favorites include the vegan milkshakes (in a bunch of flavors, including mint chip and kahlua) and the breakfast burrito (potatoes, refried beans, tofu, and guacamole!). If you're there for breakfast, the potatoes alone are delicious, but the tofu scramble all by itself can be a little bland. The portions, at least of the Mexican-inspired dishes, are huge (the sandwiches are more modestly sized).
I think they could stand to invest in a new speaker for announcing when order are ready, though; I find it very difficult to understand the names that are being called out. Sometimes the tables still have food on them from the previous customers (it's a "bus your own trays" kind of place). The food is good, though, and a lot of vegan options, so we keep coming back.
Oh, and they have an extensive collection of toy dinos and animals for their smallest customers to enjoy. :)
I love this place. As a vegan, I could eat almost everything on the menu.
Both meals I had there were delicious. My first meal was a "Dharma Dog" (essentially, a tofu pup) with a side of steamed greens and a Stella Artois. It was a perfect little snack after a long day at the beach. Everyone there was really friendly and it seemed as though the staff really enjoyed each other and the work they were doing. I was impressed.
The second meal I had was a breakfast burrito which was so freakin' good. I loved it. The meal was huge--too huge--but I took the leftovers with me in a recyclable take away container. Sweet.
Even the other patrons were really friendly and nice. I needed directions to the hotel I was staying at and a lovely couple drew me a map. When I returned the next day, another patron struck up a brief conversation with me that was pleasant. Everyone there was so happy; it felt surreal to me. I liked it.
I will definitely visit this restaurant again next time I'm in Santa Cruz/Capitola area.
People thought this was:
Large portions, tasty, cafeteria-style. Two of our party had veggie burgers which came with potatoes that looked like fingers. One person had spaghetti in 'red sauce,' translate, tomato sauce, which came with four huge pieces of garlic bread-- this looked like a high school cafeteria meal. I got the "Lost Taco"-- the taco mixture was vegan, barbequed-tasting, delicious--one taco shell sat among the fray, which included melted cheese, black beans, a dollop of sour cream, chopped tomato, and a salad with tasty rasberry dressing on the side. I liked the fact that they offer both vegetarian and vegan options. Great hours-- 8am - 9pm. Beware: if you want breakfast, show up before noon.
If there were more stars to give, Dharma's would get it. I have to admit I am a bit biased because I am an ex-employee, but God do I miss those days. I LOVE LOVE LOVE almost everything on the menu and crave it now that I am working in San Francisco and have a "real job". I read some reviews with people complaining about the decor and service style, but those are some of the things that endear this place to me even more. The exact opposite of a pretentious vegan/veg restaurant, which can get quite played out. It is a family owned business and they are all amazing. If you haven't checked it out yet: GO. It can get a little expensive for those starving college students but don't order too much because the portions are huge and will definitely fill you up. Plus, it is worth every penny. Nothing like an employee discount and leftovers in my fridge though... ahhhh, the good old days.
Some of my favs:
Portobello Artichoke Sub (the Pesto Portabello is also to die for)
American Sautee (with two tahini lemons! also good with miso honey dressing)
Kitcheree, or for that matter, all their soups. The summer/spring/fall/winter veggie rocks!
Breakfast Burrito....mmmmm
Nada Chicken Burrito
BBQ Tofu-de-beast
They have bomb nachos.
Their milkshakes are amazing.
For breaky check out the Biscuits and Gravy. And get a chai.
Alright, now I'm hungry. If you live in Santa Cruz, I envy you. Please go to Dharma's for me.
People thought this was:
I wish I could give half stars on here.
I would give Dharma's a 3.5. So I am rounding up. Dharma's is a vegetarian's delight! There is a huge variety of food and all are served in HUGE portions. I haven't gotten a plate at Dharma's or seen a plate that wasn't huge.
My favorite is the Portobello Artichoke sandwich, it's delicious, hot and cheesy. Comes with chips, and there is various hot sauces at the bar.
Santa Cruz, CA
Category: Vegan
Santa Cruz, CA
Category: Vegan
Santa Cruz, CA
Category: Asian Fusion
Santa Cruz, CA
Category: Vegetarian
Santa Cruz, CA
Category: Coffee & Tea
When dancing in a garden of CA memories, my stoic…
I grew up here, and well it's got a ridonculous…
Fast food is laden with things that will kill me,…
The grad school days meant 5 years by the ocean…
From all four corners of the Bay Area (even though…
Some of my favorite dining destinations in the…
Restaurants that cater to or are vegetarian/vegan…
The Bay Area is a great place to be vegan, but…
