Plant-based restaurant serving food with Mid-West-meets-California flair. House specialties include Nashville hot shrooms, cast iron mac and cheese, cashew mozzarella, and different flavors of pizza. Also has a separate brunch menu with dishes like French toast, frittata, and chocolate tart. Relocated from 2949 Fifth Ave. Open Mon 5:00pm-9:00pm, Wed-Sun 11:00am-3:00pm, 5:00pm-9:00pm. Closed Tue.
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2611 El Cajon Blvd, San Diego, California, USA, 92104
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- Delivery
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- Outdoor seating
- Wheelchair accessible
- Accepts credit cards
- Free Wi-Fi
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Last update on 26 Jan 2025 by DonnaJeanSD
Update business info -
Added by westcornersville on 23 Feb 2017
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256 Reviews
First Review by Mike Weinberg
ErikFranks
Points +147
Delicious vegan food next to Balboa - Edit
Great food and prices. Enjoyed everything
Read moreGuest
Dustyass
Points +93
Amazing service and food. - Edit
I had a wonderful experience. The food was delightful. The atmosphere was great. The noise level was absolutely perfect. The ambience was amazing. The saff was great. The only thing I didn't care for was to have dinner and have two waiters talk about other patrons in the restaurant and how they're being a nuisance or a pain in the [censored]. That is none of my business and I should never ever overhear that conversation in a restaurant or in any business. So food for thought. Keep your comments in the back room off the floor and out of the ears if someone that can hear you is unprofessional and it made me think what are they saying about me after I leave or when they're not around my table. But my waiter would. He was absolutely amazing. The food was delightful. I will be back
Read moreGuest
AdrianaJade
Points +16
Go here - Edit
Super delicious food and kind staff
Read moreGuest
BanezaM
Points +658
Best Italian Food Ever - Edit
Everything about Donna Jean was fantastic! Our server Aspen gave amazing advice and suggestions, and the food was fantastic. We had the gnocchi, the lasagna, and the tres leches cake. All three were magnificent and the lasagna was extra delicious. Can't wait to go back to try more things.
Read morePros: Delicious food, Brilliant wait staff, Cute patio
Cons: A little pricey, but definitely worth it!
Guest
missfury
Points +297
Cannot go wrong with this place. - Edit
Donna Jean stands out in a very crowded field. Pizza, beverages, salad, dessert : all perfect! Great service, can’t wait to go back. Go!
Read moreGuest
MariaLupitaFigueroa
Points +50
Just do it - Edit
Literally everything is incredible! You will not be disappointed! I still remember the first time I had their warm bread dipped in the butter… oh my gosh! Something so simple, but so incredible. The pizza is amazing, the pasta, the desert, literally everything
Read moreGuest
CarolineVegstar
Points +222
Outstanding - Edit
Loved loved loved the zaatar ranch dipping sauce/ never had anything like it! The garlic butter was wonderful along with the 4 Horsemen pizza. We also tried the pesto gnocchi and Mac n cheese.
Read morePros: Delicious 🤤 Dipping sauces + pizza, Next to Evolution Fast Food= vegan zone, Multiple vegan cheeses
Cons: Parking
Guest
JulieDarner
Points +1118
Just. Yes. - Edit
This place is the only reason I spent 3 days in San Diego, and I’m so glad I went on my last night. Boy, it lived up to all of my expectations. No calzones when I was there, but I made do! Fantastic place that I’d recommend to all.
Read moreGuest
eed293
Points +212
Best vegan pizza I’ve ever had - Edit
The title says it all-after two years of being vegan (and subsequently disappointed with most vegan pizza options) I have finally found the perfect vegan pizza. This wasn’t just ‘good for being vegan’, this pizza was AMAZING. The sauce and crust were incredible and the vegan cheese is made in house. You won’t have to settle for follow your heart mozzarella here😄
Read moreI ordered the four horsemen pizza. The vegan mozzarella was amazing but I did notice as it got cold, the vegan ricotta started to taste a little like play-doh. If I went back I would definitely get a pizza with the mozzarella though.
I also got a side of fresh bread with some garlic butter and olive oil. The bread was HUGE and fresh and tasted amazing dipped in the olive oil. I didn’t care much for the garlic butter but I wasn’t even mad about it.
Pros: Great tasting pizza , 1000% worth the wait, They deliver!
Cons: Perfection takes time, unfortunately
Guest
BonnieJoStufflebeam
Points +30
So good - Edit
The wait was long when we went, but the food and atmosphere were great
Read moreOrdered cheese plate, wine, mac and cheese, and the gnocchi—all were really good!
Guest
KeishaMiller
Points +23
Loved it - Edit
The vibe is awesome. We ate outside and had the lasagna, mac n’ cheese and bread with pesto. Everything was delicious!
Read morePros: Great food , Good vibe
Cons: A bit pricey, but you expect that with vegan food
Guest
01nataliam
Points +158
Great pastas/pizzas - Edit
I really enjoyed this all vegan restaurant, although it was a bit pricey but everything is made from scratch. The environment was chill too!
Read moreThe lasagna was tasty, the pizzas were so realistic and delicious, and the bread with all the dipping sauces are a must -try. Would definitely visit again if ever in San Diego
Guest
voyagerpma
Points +156
Delicious, but pricey - Edit
Incredible vegan Italian food. Great atmosphere and location. Staff was very friendly. Tried the pastas and bread, which were very good. Quite pricey, but well worth it.
Read moreGuest
JimPorter
Points +41
Amazing Food, cool atmosphere! - Edit
Donna Jean’s is a little jewel - fully vegan with innovative and excellent food. Take a pizza home after you’ve eaten!
Read morePros: All vegan and very innovative , Quality of ingredients and excellent plating, Casual Outdoor dining worked!
Cons: Street Parking is iffy
Guest
VeganRhyno
Points +349
Date night or just to grab a bite favorite - Edit
I’ve been coming to DJ since they opened years ago for everything from date nights to just wanting a bite or something delicious to go. Never had a bad experience with the food or the staff, I just really miss the focaccia lol.
Read morePros: Fresh, house made deliciousness, Rotating seasonal menu, Proudly use local suppliers
Cons: No more focaccia 😅
Guest
soy_vegana
Points +1211
Wonderful atmosphere - Edit
Beautiful atmosphere on the front patio. Pretty romantic and quaint.
Read moreThe hostess was incredibly friendly and kind that sat us. Our server was a bit less enthusiastic but didn’t ruin the night at all.
Pretty underwhelming gluten free options. $25 for a small plate of gnocchi was pretty steep. Even though it was very good. I was not thrilled that the reason there’s no more gf pizza is because it “didn’t sell well” as the server informed us.
Outside of this, the food was fantastic along with the atmosphere. Everyone enjoyed their meals!
Pros: Atmosphere , Delicious food
Cons: Expensive , Very little gluten free options
Guest
jcartz
Points +579
Fully vegan spot - Edit
Great ambiance outdoor seating. Wine/beer and they specify what their pairings are with each meal. Fantastic service. Amazing pizza!! Got the hot shrooms and cheese plate as well. Definitely recommend.
Read morePros: 100% vegan, Great ambiance, Great service
Guest
Bushtitty
Points +501
Good vegan place - Edit
Great spot for vegan food. The sea bean Caesar salad was pretty good. The house bread with the pesto and garlic butter was excellent. We got the spuds pizza because other reviewers sang praise about it, but I found it underwhelming. I liked the crust, but prefer if it was crispier on the bottom. Great service and we loved hearing all the birds in the outdoor patio!
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2022-03-27
Guest
LainyaCraig
Points +297
Best vegan pizza! - Edit
I came here whilst on a vacation in San Diego and I’m really sad I didn’t come more than once! I got the Four Horsemen pizza with garlic butter dip and it was phenomenal. I can’t wait to be back!
Read morePros: Amazing pizza, Good variety , Nice atmosphere
Cons: More dessert options would be good
Guest
ChristineMiller
Points +22
Favorire vegan restaurant - Edit
Donna Jean has the best mac n cheeze too!
Read morePros: Lots of choices , Everything is delicious , Menu always has new items
Guest
alannahneedham
Points +504
Best pizza ever - Edit
Best vegan pizza I've ever had and the service is very pleasant.
Read morePros: All vegan, Delicious
Guest
ScottCline
Points +3675
The best thin crust vegan pizza! - Edit
This was so delicious. I am surprised that I have not visited sooner. I had the “I Believe in a Thing Called Spuds” pizza and the Nutella Cheesecake. This was probably one of the best thin crust vegan pizzas I have ever had.. and the cheesecake… oh boy!
Read morePros: Vegan , Friendly staff, Indoor/outdoor seating
Guest
LorraineGadsden
Points +7700
Instant Favorite - Edit
This place is just amazing. The caesar was good, but the Bronx pizza and mac & cheese were out of this world! I am very picky about vegan cheese and don’t really like any pizzas or mac & cheeses. The pizza, as described by my non vegan boyfriend, tasted “just like a really good (cow milk) cheese pizza,” and the mac and cheese were equally as good! No weird aftertaste, just really good food. We ordered take-out, but my boyfriend who picked it up said everyone was very kind and the restaurant itself was clean too. Try this place!
Read moreUpdate: I have since eaten here many times, and I have to say Donna Jean is one of the best vegan restaurants. The pizzas are out of this world, especially the ones with potatoes. Their cheeses are delicious; I love buying them and eating them at home. The dill havarti is my favorite. Today we tried brunch for the first time, and the french toast was so delicious; my boyfriend said it’s the best french toast he has ever had as a french toast enthusiast. The only downside is their desserts have been disappointing.
Updated from previous review on 2021-06-13
Pros: amazing food, friendly people
Guest
jkseoulcraic
Points +648
Phenomenal vegan food - Edit
This place has it all! Excellent vegan food, awesome staff, and outdoor seating was really nice. Their food was phenomenal. The biscuits and gravy, smashed potatoes, and fried shrooms brunch items were so tasty!
Read moreGuest
CandyB
Points +16
One of my favorite places when I visit San Diego - Edit
I absolutely make a point to go to Donna Jean's everytime I am in San Diego. Every dish that we've had their has been absolutely wonderful
Read morePros: Hot Shrooms are divine, Pizzas are great, Good service
Guest
BreaunnaLake
Points +62
Pizza - Edit
My kids are new to eating vegan and they loved the cheese pizza here. Also my personal favorite is their Mac n cheeze.
Read moreGuest
Reneeleslie96
Points +252
Unique menu right by Balboa Park - Edit
They offer a wide variety of options including pizza, brunch (on weekends), entrees and desserts. There is convenient street parking and Balboa Park is nearby. The menu is thoughtful and everything I’ve had is great!
Read morePros: All vegan, Variety of options, Easy parking
Guest
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