About Oakland Veg

Welcome to Oakland Veg: The Plant-Based Pulse of The Town.

Oakland Veg is the premier digital magazine for everything plant-based in Oakland and the East Bay. Whether you've been vegan for decades or are just starting to explore meat-free Mondays, you've found your home. We are your daily dish of news, your trusted guide to the best eats, and your connection to the vibrant community that makes The Town's veg scene one of the most exciting in the country.

Our Mission

Oakland is a city of passion, innovation, and deep-rooted community. Its food scene is no different. We started Oakland Veg because we saw a movement blossoming in our streets—a powerful shift towards more conscious, sustainable, and delicious ways of eating. We wanted to create a platform that not only reports on this movement but champions it.

Our mission is to be the definitive voice for Oakland's plant-powered culture, celebrating the chefs, entrepreneurs, activists, and home cooks who are redefining what it means to eat well in the East Bay. We believe that food is a story, and we're here to tell it.

What We Cover

To bring you the full picture of the Oakland veg scene, we focus our reporting on four key areas:

• The Town Dish: This is your source for the latest breaking news. From surprise restaurant openings in Rockridge to new vegan products hitting shelves at Berkeley Bowl, if it’s happening now, you’ll find it here.
• Food & Drink: Your essential guide to navigating the incredible culinary landscape of the East Bay. We provide honest reviews, curated "Best Of" lists, and neighborhood guides to help you find your next great meal.
• People & Culture: We go beyond the plate to tell the stories of the people who make our food community thrive. Through in-depth interviews and features, we explore the culture, art, and activism that fuel the local plant-based movement.
• Good Living: Bringing the plant-based ethos into your home. This is where you'll find inspiring recipes from local chefs, tips for sustainable living, and guides to making the most of our region's natural bounty.

Meet the Team

Jasmine Chen, Founder & Editor-in-Chief A longtime Oakland resident and former journalist for the East Bay Express, Jasmine founded Oakland Veg in 2023 to merge her passion for storytelling with her love for the city's evolving food scene. You can usually find her hunting for the perfect vegan donut near Lake Merritt.

Marco Diaz, Lead Food Critic With a palate sharpened in kitchens across the Bay and a degree in culinary arts, Marco brings a professional's perspective to every review. He's on a never-ending quest to find the most innovative and soul-satisfying plant-based dishes in the East Bay.

Aisha Jones, Community & Events Editor The heartbeat of our community engagement, Aisha is an Oakland native who lives and breathes local culture. She covers everything from farmers' markets to food justice events, ensuring Oakland Veg is always connected to the grassroots of the movement.

Join the Conversation

Oakland Veg is more than a magazine; it's a community conversation. We want to hear from you.

• Get the Newsletter: Sign up for our weekly newsletter, "The East Bay Bite," for exclusive content and the week's top stories delivered to your inbox.
• Follow Us: Join our daily conversations on Instagram and Threads at @OaklandVeg.
• Send Us a Tip: Hear about a new opening or have a story idea? Email us at tips@oaklandveg.com.
• Write For Us: We are always looking for freelance writers, photographers, and creatives. Visit our "Contribute" page for more information.

Thank you for being here. Let's explore, eat, and celebrate the incredible plant-based world of Oakland, together.