In a message shared with customers on social media, the longtime raw vegan café confirmed that its final day of service in Leucadia will be Sunday, March 29. The announcement cited ongoing financial challenges, with ownership stating that despite hopes of continuing to serve the community, the economic burden of operating the location has become unsustainable.
The closure comes just over two years after Peace Pies triumphantly reopened its Encinitas outpost in January 2024, following a devastating 2019 fire that destroyed the original Leucadia space along with several neighboring businesses. That reopening had been widely celebrated, fueled by years of community support and anticipation, as owner JP Alfred rebuilt the concept that had become synonymous with the area’s health-conscious, coastal lifestyle.
Founded in Ocean Beach in 2007, Peace Pies carved out a unique niche in San Diego’s dining landscape with its fully raw, vegan, gluten-free, and soy-free menu. Known for dishes like the Mystical Mushroom Quesadilla, kelp noodle salads, and its cult-favorite “Bliss Burger,” the restaurant built a loyal following among both dedicated vegans and curious diners drawn to its creative approach to plant-based cuisine.
The Leucadia location, situated at 133 Daphne Street just off Coast Highway 101, had long been considered a natural fit for the brand, reflecting the neighborhood’s laid-back, wellness-driven identity. Its return in 2024 was seen as a revival not just of a restaurant, but of a community gathering space that had helped define the local food scene.
Now, that revival is ending far sooner than many expected. In its closing message, the Peace Pies team expressed gratitude to its supporters and encouraged customers to visit before the final day of service. The business will continue operating its original Ocean Beach location, which remains open.
The closure adds to a growing list of independent restaurant challenges across San Diego, where rising costs, shifting consumer habits, and operational pressures continue to reshape the local dining landscape. For the vegan community in particular, the loss of Peace Pies’ North County presence leaves a noticeable gap in a category that has seen both growth and volatility in recent years.
For longtime fans, the news carries a familiar sting. After surviving a catastrophic fire and mounting a comeback, Peace Pies’ Leucadia story once again ends with a goodbye, this time not due to disaster, but to the difficult economics of running a small, independent restaurant in today’s climate.
Peace Pies Leucadia is located at 133 Daphne Street in Encinitas. Its final day of service is scheduled for March 29, 2026. The Ocean Beach location at 4230 Voltaire Street remains open. For more information, visit peacepies.com.
Originally published on March 20, 2026.
