Vegan
American
Fast food
Delivery
Take-out
Fusion
Gluten-free
African
African fusion est. 2017 with a mostly gluten free menu. There are two separate weekday and weekend menus, dishes include rice and quinoa bowls, soups and burgers, wraps, toast and more. Black owned. Open Mon-Thu 10:00am-9:00pm, Fri-Sat 10:00am-10:00pm, Sun 10:00am-9:00pm. Kitchen closes half hour before restaurant.
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Abbott Square Market, 725 Front St Ste 2, Santa Cruz, California, USA, 95060
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- Outdoor seating
- Accepts credit cards
- Free Wi-Fi
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Last update on 25 Aug 2025 by akindele_bankole@yaho
Update business info -
Added by Rebeli on 02 Jul 2017
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95 Reviews
First Review by VeganGeo
jeffsheldon
Points +1366
Preparing for up coming trip to South Africa we had to give this place a try and it didn’t disappoint - Edit
We recently had the pleasure of dining at "Vegan on the Edge" in Santa Cruz, and it turned out to be a delightful culinary adventure. As someone always on the lookout for new and exciting flavors, this restaurant offered a one-of-a-kind experience by bringing African cuisine to the world of vegan dining.
Read moreThe highlight of the meal was undoubtedly the two entrees we ordered. The "Obè Égúsi" dish featured a slow-simmered blend of pumpkin seeds, tomatoes, and bell peppers, generously poured over a bed of steamed brown rice. The flavors melded harmoniously, creating a rich and satisfying stew that was both hearty and wholesome. Accompanied by a savory medley of veggies, this dish showcased the restaurant's commitment to crafting intricate yet accessible vegan meals.
For those with a penchant for bold and spicy flavors, the "Obè Ata" entree was a true winner. Roasted broccoli and sweet potatoes were presented on a bed of steamed brown rice, all bathed in a tantalizing tomato and onion sauce. The spice level was not for the faint of heart, but it elevated the dish to an exciting crescendo of taste that left a lasting impression.
Nestled within a market-like setting, it offered a unique blend of outdoor seating that allowed patrons to enjoy the vibrant Santa Cruz night while savoring their meals. The innovative ordering process through a kiosk, followed by being paged when the dinner was ready, added an element of modern convenience to the dining experience.
To top it all off, we decided to enhance our evening with beverages from "Front and Cooper." Their cocktails and non-alcoholic options provided the perfect accompaniment, enhancing the flavors of our meal and elevating the entire dining affair to new heights.
In conclusion, Vegan on the Edge in Santa Cruz delivered an exceptional fusion of African flavors and vegan cuisine. With its diverse menu, unique ambiance, and innovative approach to dining, it's a destination that offers much more than just a meal. For anyone seeking a culinary adventure that celebrates both creativity and conscious eating, this restaurant is a must-visit.
Pros: Incredible flavors , Outside seating so we could bring the dogs , Marketplace all types of foods
Guest
ZarminehZarouhi
Points +144
Pumpkin stew delight! - Edit
Visiting SC for the first time as an adult, and as a vegan, this foodie had to make a few stops for vegan nom noms. This was restaurant number 3 and my last stop!
Read moreThis menu is delicious, simple and seems to be designed to offer quick take out. I needed to grab something I can reheat in a camping stove in the morning, and knew the pumpkin stew with brown rice would be perfect.
The taller gentleman that was helping me with the menu and my need to reheat was so sweet. The younger dude that prepped the food into the containers? Not so much. He had bad energy from the get-go and seemed to be irritated that I requested the stew be placed in a soup container instead of a folding box. I explained I was going to pack it into a cooler with ice and other food so it needed to be sturdy and sealed better. He didn’t seem to care, and his body language was off. This is the one reason I had to knock of a star.
To the owner, if the food prepper was as kind and customer service oriented like the taller gentleman then you’d have received 5 stars. They last thing I want to do is give a lower rating to an all vegan joint.
To end on a positive note, their stew was amazing. Perfect for a cool morning or evening, and the green sauce with the salad was so good. I just have no idea what it is lol. Also, good sized portion! I was full and had a bit of leftovers for later.
Pros: All vegan homemade tasting fast food, The person helping me was awesome, Good portions
Cons: The person packing the food was rude
Guest
elip_origami
Points +222
Very tasty - Edit
I got egussi stew and it was great
Read morePros: Taste
Cons: Price
Guest
MacklanClendenin
Points +83
Great fast food - Edit
Delicious! Got our food fast and it was tasty. Got the Suya Burger (great mushrooms!) with sweet potato fries and the peanut stew. Definitely recommend.
Read morePros: Tasty food, Something for everyone, Not too expensive
Guest
BaileySchneider
Points +2272
Better options in Santa Cruz - Edit
This place was a big letdown.
Read moreI was I line and standing there for a few minutes when they told me go ahead on order on the kiosk. So I went to checkout on it and it was broken. I notified the worker and he went ahead and placed everyone else’s order behind me and then placed mine after even though I was first in line. Not sure why he did that. So I had to wait a lot longer for my food.
On the upside, it was clean.
I ordered just a cheeseburger with fries and ketchup. They charge for ketchup which is always a poor sign to me. When I got my burger idk what the side was but they were not fries. They were undercooked weird slimy fake cheese tasting things. They weren’t potatoes. Also got a weird sauce instead of the ketchup.
The burger was fine but messy and the cheese wasn’t melted.
I wouldn’t go back here. Paid $20 for a beyond burger I could have made better at home.
Updated from previous review on 2022-12-30
Guest
CharityKahn
Points +79
Yummy stews, fully vegan menu - Edit
Loved the pumpkin stew, peanut stew, and cassava fries. Delicious flavors, good-sized portions. It's surprisingly not that easy to find all-vegan restaurants in Santa Cruz so I really appreciate this place. Plentiful outdoor seating, indoor option as well. Order at the counter.
Read morePros: Yummy, Fully vegan, Unique stews
Guest
jamesisvegan
Points +46
Excellent Flavors - Edit
Pumpkin seed stew and dried plantains with the pepper sauce are a must. Everything is good, but try a stew! Nice owner, different food options than anywhere else in town. Super flavorful while also being healthy.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2022-12-28
Pros: Only all vegan restaurant in Santa Cruz County, Friendly staff , Easy outdoor seating
Guest
amyvotta
Points +680
Vegan delight! - Edit
This has been one of my favorite places for years. Absolutely delicious & a fully vegan establishment. Would eat here daily if I could! #Veganuary
Read moreGuest
andyjng
Points +5980
West African Vegan Done Well - Edit
One of the best local vegan friendly restaurants in Santa Cruz, located right inside Abbott Square.
Read moreTheir menu has undergone a few changes and price increases even with what's currently available on their website. I kind of felt misled by the information online but I get it- things get updated pretty quickly. When I visited, I ordered the Shiitake Suya Bowl ($11.95) which is their take on jollof rice with red bell peppers, corn, roasted broccoli, sweet potatoes, and suya.
While tasty, it didn't have any corn and the potatoes appeared like regular yellow potatoes. The jollof rice didn't really give me life though and tasted just like normal brown rice. I'm not sure if they were low on certain ingredients or not but I didn't feel like I got what I had ordered.
When I came back, I ordered their Peanut Bowl and THAT was much better and overall my go-to pick when I come now. Dining in will net you a larger quantity too vs. taking it to go.
Pros: Great West African vegan options
Cons: Items tend to sell out
Guest
Veganomad
Points +377
Good stuff here! - Edit
Delicious and filling. Nice-sized portions for the price. We had the peanut stew, the peppered plantains and the casava fries. It's always fun to try new foods.. Very cool vegan option in California!
Read moreGuest
lvincent67
Points +88
Loved it! - Edit
The pumpkin seed stew and the peanut stew are very good and the cassava fries with pumpkin seed dipping sauce was incredible. I’ll definitely be coming back here. It’s in the Abbott Market, a bit of an upscale mall food court vibe, but there’s plenty of outdoor seating which is everything nowadays.
Read morePros: All vegan and plenty of gluten-free options, Delicious , The owner is super friendly
Guest
Robdavis1
Points +104
like it! - Edit
Updating my review. This place has seriously stepped their game up and is way better than it was the 1st year or so that it was open. The pumpkin seed stew is great. Bagel sandwich is great. Overall last few visits have been amazing. Love the location in Abbott square. Drinks on the ready at another counter. Perfecto!
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2020-01-28
Pros: Vegan!!!
Guest
LuciannaBellacosa
Points +101
Loved my visit to Veg on the Edge - Edit
So delicious. Loved my visit to Veg on the Edge
Read morePros: Delicious options, Very good service , Very well located
Guest
vegvanna5899
Points +18
Delicious, filling - Edit
Great food in a very fun and open setting. Good wait time considering the popular area. Filling food with good portions, but not so much it overfills you.
Read moreGuest
JoanneNJeff
Points +93
Definitely in the rotation - Edit
Very casual vegan eatery in Abbott Square…We love the tacos and the various stews that are offered. Order and pick up at the counter, and go hang in the square with your favorite beverage from one of the local establishments..might even catch live music as you eat your fantastic meal!
Read moreGuest
ja.nalezny
Points +11
Happy meal - Edit
There tofu and veggie tacos were generous and tasty!
Read morePros: Freshly prepared!
Guest
DeannaLamb
Points +238
In an exceptional food court - Edit
They were accommodating when we wanted our plantain without the pepper and spice. Nearby chai/coffee stand had almond milk to add to our meal. There is nice outdoor seating in front of the art museum.
Read morePros: Peanut stew - yum!
Cons: Parking is a small challenge.
Guest
kbw5044
Points +1242
Quick and Delish rice bowls + tacos - Edit
Good but slightly-pricey fast casual fare right off Pacific ave. Fast service and generous portions.
Read moreGuest
OperationChowhound
Points +11366
Peanut Stewpendous - Edit
I ordered the peanut stew. I generally don't like sweet potatoes or collard greens, but they combined well with the peanuts and brown rice. The meal was flavorful and filling.
Read morePros: all vegan, outdoor seating
Guest
Daniyells
Points +365
Delicious peanut stew! - Edit
They change up the menu but the peanut stew was awesome!
Read morePros: West African food yum
Guest
hetalshah24
Points +1509
Awesome, hearty meal! - Edit
The place is set in a food court and truthfully didn't have a lot of expectations especially as there was a notice of sorts that all food is freshly made and service maybe slow. However, we were all pleasantly surprised that the food was quickly ready and tasted so so good. We had the cassava fries and peppered plantains for appetizers; pumpkin seed curry and plantain curry as entrees. Don't have any complaints. Will surely visit this place again.
Read morePros: Very flavorful and comforting food, food arrived quickly, outdoor seating had a nice vibe
Guest
TreeHuggerSG
Points +20
First time having W African - Edit
Great food- similar flavors as Indian food. Made quickly. Very satisfying.
Read moreGuest
mayaderenvevo
Points +16
Absolutely delicious - Edit
I love their cassava fries. Slow, but it’s because they’re making it fresh. Expensive but that’s reflected in their ingredients and taste. Lots of different flavors so everyone is happy!
Read morePros: Fully vegan menu, A large array of options
Cons: Expensive, Slow
Guest
valerie_california
Points +137
Vegan heaven! - Edit
We stopped by Veg on the Edge for lunch while in Santa Cruz for the weekend, and it was far and away the culinary highlight of our trip! We had the pumpkin seed stew, peanut stew, and cassava fries. Amazing, super fresh flavors… and everything on the menu is vegan! We were so wowed that we stopped by the counter afterwards to give our compliments to the owner, and he was absolutely lovely (as were the rest of the staff). Highly, highly recommend.
Read moreGuest
vEganBO
Points +43
100% Vegan & Delicious! - Edit
Yes! I love this place! West African food is so yummy, give it a try! 100% vegan! Seriously I am so happy with their food & people! Thank you!!!
Read moreGuest
ronitw
Points +882
Great Black Rice - Edit
Enjoyed black rice with tofu the most. The plantain curry with no plantain (they ran out) but with sausage was pretty good too.
Read moreGuest
hopevsnschaick
Points +285
Fresh And Delicious - Edit
Delicious food. Top quality. Everything is FRESH.
Read morePros: Great menu., Fun location., Takes a bit longer because everything is fresh.
Guest
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