Good news: the city actually has some excellent options if you know where to look. We did the legwork so you don't have to awkwardly flag down a cart lady just to be disappointed again.

The heavy hitters: Hong Kong Lounge and Dragon Beaux (both from the same restaurant group) consistently get praise for their vegetarian menus. These aren't afterthought side dishes — we're talking legitimate, dedicated vegetarian dim sum that doesn't make you feel like a second-class diner. As one local put it, both spots "have solid options" for the non-meat crowd.

The sleeper pick: Imperial Garden Seafood on Kearny has quietly built out an entire vegan menu through a collaboration with Sassy Foods. That's right — vegan dim sum at a place with "Seafood" in the name. San Francisco, baby.

The classic choice: Harbor View near the Embarcadero gets consistent love for its vegetarian dumplings and bao. One SF resident recalled taking their vegan boss there: "He loved it." If it can survive the vegan boss test, it can survive anything.

The Mission option: Big Lantern on 16th between Valencia and Guerrero offers classic dim sum dishes with plant-based meat substitutes — a good pick if you're on the west side of town and don't want to trek to Chinatown.

The splurge: Yank Sing in SoMa has loads of veggie options, though your wallet will feel it. This is dim sum for expense accounts and special occasions.

The market is clearly speaking here. Restaurants that expand their vegetarian offerings are winning loyal customers without any government mandate or subsidy required — just businesses responding to demand. Imagine that.

Now stop reading and go get some dumplings.