One of our favorite attractions in Southern California is the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. We’ve spent many a day there over the past 40 years! Our kids grew up attending the educational Summer Day Camps that are offered. And over time they’ve also observed their favorite animals grow from tiny babies to adults. The Safari Park itself has grown over the years both in size and scope. And now we’re here to share eating vegan at San Diego Zoo Safari Park!
Since choosing to eat vegan we’ve learned that vegan food options may not always be available on SoCal day trips. Very often we pack food and snacks to take with us. But we’ve discovered Safari Park has variety of delicious vegan options at several of their restaurants.
Just inside the entrance gate in Nairobi Village you’ll find Thorntree Terrace. It’s an inside counter service with an abundance of outdoor seating.
The Stir-fry Tofu ($12.95) is delicious! So far it’s our favorite vegan option at the park. We shared an order for lunch and loved it. Think crispy tofu, tossed with a vegetable medley, in a sweet chili sauce, topped with thinly sliced green onions.
Just beyond the Petting Kraal in Nairobi Village is Oasis Deli. You can order the Cous Cous Tabouli Salad ($10.99) but know that the dressing does contain honey. This isn’t an issue for David and me, but it could be for some vegans.
The Roasted Vegetable Wrap ($10.99) is vegan, along with Fresh Fruit Cups ($6.49), which are quite generous. David and I shared both the wrap and the fresh fruit and loved both.
Oasis Deli also offers two vegan salads:
A delicious Couscous Tabouli Salad made with lemon herb couscous, chopped parsley, mint leaves, green onion, basil, pepitas, dried cranberries, and butter leaf lettuce.
Next to Oasis Deli, again in Nairobi Village, is Mombasa Cooker. The Garden Vegetable Wrap ($10.29) is vegan along with the Corn on the Cob (3.99), sans butter.
The garden wrap is chock full of raw spring mix, bell peppers, shredded carrots, red onion, and cucumber. It’s wrapped in a whole wheat tortilla and served on a bed of greens. Served along with a side of red pepper hummus spread and vinaigrette you have a well rounded meal.
There’s also a delicious Grilled Farmers Salad. A fresh salad blend with cherry tomatoes and grilled veggies but… it includes feta cheese which you might be able to order without or carefully pick out. It’s served with a white balsamic vinaigrette.
Samburu Terrace is located in African Woods just past Benbough Amphitheater (home of the Frequent Flyers Bird Show).
The only vegan option at Samburu Terrace is a hearty Black Bean Burger ($9.99). The delicious black bean burger is topped with lettuce, tomato, grilled onions, chimichurri spread and served on a sesame seed bun. Add the colorful tortilla chips and pico de gallo and it’s a delightful meal.
The big attraction here is Samburu Jungle Gym. We know first hand how much kids love to climb and explore in this safari-themed play area. We’ve spent many afternoons in the shade-covered picnic area while our grandkids and their imaginations have run wild.
~ The Nitty Gritty:
What: Vegan Eating at San Diego Safari Park
Where: San Diego Safari Park – 15500 San Pasqual Valley Rd, Escondido, CA 92027
Type: Counter service
Park Hours: 9am – 5pm with summer hours 9am – 7pm. Restaurant hours vary.
Vibe: Safari Casual
Website: San Diego Zoo Safari Park
*We’ll continue to update the vegan options at San Diego Safari Park and add photos as well. We found that the menus on the Safari Park website are not current.
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Merry Kuchle says
Eating vegan can be hard when you are out and about. Those look like amazing choices that even not vegans would enjoy. Yum!
Kayla @ TheEclecticElement says
For those who have a special diet they need or choose to keep to eating out can definitely be a difficult thing! Not only are there temptations everywhere but then you have to worry about if there are diet-friendly options, cross contamination, etc. It’s nice to see that restaurants are taking note and coming up with some things that can suit everyone’s diet!
Lisa Favre says
Looks like a great time! I must say, that stir-fry tofu looks amazing! And it’s so hard to get tofu right… I would definitely want to try this dish.
Julie says
I love the San Diego zoo! That veggie wrap looks really yummy and it’s great to know there are options there to accommodate everyone.
Ann Bacciaglia says
I love to go to the zoo. My kids would be so happy if we were able to go to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park.
Lisa Bristol says
The food at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park looks delicious. I would love to go spend the day here. It is a great way to learn about animals.
shelley zurek says
Of all places you would think a zoo would offer vegan, so glad that San Diego zoo has so many choices.
Aimee Smith says
I love this zoo. It is so cool that they have so many tasty vegan options!
janis says
That garden vegetable wrap looks really yummy. I don’t generally go for vegan options, but in this case I may!
Sarah Bailey says
It seems like it can be so hard to find vegetarian options a lot of places – these sound like some tasty ones to choose from though. x
Liz Mays says
I’m pleasantly surprised by how much there is there to choose from. Things are getting much easier for vegans these days!
Heather says
I know this was written a few years ago and just wanted to update you on some of the food. We went to the park this past week and tried to use your guide. We found out that the tofu is cooked in the same oil as the chicken. Also that the bean burger is a the Morning Star brand, which has egg. We did not find the wraps, But found a BLT vegan sandwich at the Oasis Deli. Everyone we spoke to about the food were so helpful.