Best Vegan Restaurants Tempe, Arizona: Ultimate Guide

If you’re looking for Tempe vegan restaurants, you’re in luck. Tempe, Arizona is a vegan and vegetarian friendly city. One of my favorite places to visit. Tempe’s best attractionsI was amazed at the variety of vegan food available in the city.

Tempe, Arizona has a large student population, which is partly responsible for the many vegan options available. I’m going to show you all of the delicious ways to pile those veggies high on your plates while traveling here.

Or perhaps you live in Tempe and you’re looking for the best vegan eats? I’ve got you covered, too!

While it wasn’t possible to try every vegan restaurant in Tempe during my three days in the city, I sampled as much food as humanly possible…for research purposes, of course. Here are my top Tempe vegan restaurants in Greater Phoenix.

Tempe Vegan Restaurants: Green New American Vegetarian

After traveling from Toronto, I was hungry. My first stop was my first Tempe Vegan restaurant. Green New American Vegetarian.

It’s rather fitting because Green is the oldest 100% vegan restaurant in Tempe. I was very pleased to see the variety of food on the menu. It made it difficult to pick. I was a little hungry, but everything sounded great.

Green serves mostly American style comfort foods gone vegan, although you shouldn’t think that means it isn’t healthy. They have a wide variety of healthy, comforting meals as well as not so healthy options. Whatever your indulgence, I feel like you really can’t go wrong.

There are a variety of appetizers (spicy Buffalo “wings”Chili cheese fries anyone?You can also get sandwiches and burgers. Maybe you could try their “Big WAC”The following are some examples of how to use “BBBQ Bacon Burger”You can eat healthier than fast food.

I ordered a Thai Peanut bowl while my veggie-loving, non-vegan dining buddy ordered a Coconut Curry bowl. The fresh vegetables and the spicy kick of the sauce were a perfect combination in my bowl. I’d order this one again in a heartbeat. Apparently, there was also a coconut curry bowl that was a hit!

There were many different drinks to choose from, but I chose the Sweet Lime Juice and it was very refreshing. Definitely visit Green when you travel to Tempe (or if you live in Tempe and you’re looking for a great lunch spot).

Desert Roots Kitchen: Vegan Restaurants in Tempe

Desert Roots KitchenThis 100% vegan deli is located in downtown Tempe. This is an intimate spot in the town that does not have indoor seating. Everything is made fresh every day. Desert Roots Kitchen’s staff is very creative, as the menu changes daily.

They’re only open for lunch on weekdays (Monday to Friday, 11am to 3pm), so hopefully that aligns with your schedule. Some dishes that may be available when you visit include cheezy sunflower bowties, sweet and spicy black beans, cajun sunflower lentil hummus, spicy kickin’ quinoa and more.

Early Bird Vegan: Tempe Vegan Restaurants

Early Bird VeganThe menu is full of delicious plant-based food, from healthy meals to comfort foods. It’s always great to have a breakfast/lunch/brunch spot in the city as vegan breakfast food can be a bit tougher to find. This is one the best vegan restaurants in Tempe.

Try the breakfast burritos, waffles and other dishes like mac and cheese, buffalo chicken sandwich, pesto grilled-cheese, and more. Early Bird Vegan is a sister restaurant of the plant-based mobile food truck. Trash Panda Vegan, with a similar owner and chef. Chef Krystal has been a personal chef for NBA stars. You can find her food both at Early Bird Vegan as well as at many events where the Trash Panda vegan trailer is present.

Loving Hut is a vegan restaurant in Tempe.

Who doesn’t love the Loving Hut? I’m still mourning the loss of our Loving Hut location in Toronto. Tempe has two Loving Huts. This is an international vegan restaurant chain that was inspired by Supreme Masters Ching Hai who is a vegan advocate.

You can order both Asian and American dishes at Loving Hut, though I’ve only ever had Asian food at the restaurant. There are rice dishes and noodle dishes as well as curries, banh Mi, soups, mock-meats, and more. The food is always delicious and there are always enough leftovers for the next day.

Vegan Restaurants in Tempe – Drink Me Tea Room

Don’t you love afternoon tea? Drink Me! Tea RoomThis afternoon tea is completely gluten-free and vegan. Choose from one of their tantalizing combinations of teas (or perhaps a tea cocktails?) Combine with a tier-plated full of goodies.

Small savory sandwiches, flaky scones, bite-sized sweets, macarons, tarts, mini doughnuts…this is an extravagant afternoon tea that you need to attend. There are a number of options with a range of prices depending on how many treats you’d like. Reservations are required, as this place fills up quickly.

Vegan Tempe: Cinnaholic

Cinnaholic is a vegan cinnamon bun chain and they’ve got a location in Tempe. Cinnaholic is a favorite of mine back home, so make sure to stop by and grab a tasty treat.

There are dozens of toppings to choose from, and each cinnamon bun can be customized using different icings and syrups. They also offer cookie dough, Dole Whip coffee beverages, cinnamon bun cakes and Dole Whip.

Vegan in Tempe, Arizona: Snakes & Lattes

Now, Snakes & Lattes isn’t a 100% vegan Tempe restaurant by any means, but they’re certainly vegan-friendly. Snakes & Lattes is a board game cafe that comes straight from my home, Toronto! There are three Snakes & Lattes locations in Toronto and they’ve opened their fourth cafe right in Tempe, AZ. I was thrilled to discover a little slice of home in Arizona. 

It’s actually pretty hilarious as I had this explained to me. In Canada (and the rest of the world), there’s a popular board game called Snakes and Ladders. In the United States, for some reason, someone decided to name the game, Chutes and Ladders. Are snakes offensive for Americans? Do Americans prefer snakes to chutes? I have no idea.

This story is about the play on words. Snake and Lattes for a board game cafe doesn’t really make much sense in the USA. I hope everyone will eventually discover the meaning behind this name and why it is so logical.

Snakes & Lattes Tempe is a fabulous outing for you and your besties. Grab your friends and have a fun night of games, drinks and food.

You can find every game you could imagine, from the latest releases to your childhood favorites. (Electronic Mall Madness – anyone?). Our group played a brand-new game. The staff are on hand to quickly guide you through the rules. 

While you’re playing games, you can order from their menu of comfort foods, shareables, poutine (gotta bring the Canadian influence!Burgers, pizzas and desserts are available. The vegetarian choices are marked with a leaf, the vegan options have a vegan V and the gluten free items are also clearly marked. Our table shared the Vegan Disco Fries which is one of the most popular menu items. It’s portobello gravy, vegan cheddar, tomato, and scallion, poured on top of fries. Yum! 

I ordered the Impossible Burger with mac sauce, lettuce tomato, pickles and vegan cheese, along side fries. I also ordered a local beer, the Santan Mr. Pineapple from Chandler, AZ. I had never tried pineapple beer, and I loved it! I’d drink this one all the time if we had it at home. 

While you might not think about Snakes & Lattes as one of the top downtown Tempe restaurants, it’s definitely worth checking out. It’s a fantastic casual dining spot if you’re getting a group of friends together. You’re certain to have a really fun evening, even if you decide to strictly stick to games and coffee.

Culinary Dropout

Arriving at Culinary DropoutIt was as if the whole of Tempe were there! It’s a huge restaurant space with multiple rooms, a live band, and games. With locations in Tempe, Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Tucson (and also Las Vegas and Austin), it’s a popular place for a reason and you won’t want to miss it.

While it’s not a vegan or vegetarian restaurant by any stretch of the imagination, they have a number of options for the veggie folks in the gang. It’s a wise choice as it seems like there’s at least always one or two of us in the bunch, right? It’s a great choice for a vegan-friendly restaurant in Tempe.

The hummus was my favorite appetizer. What can I say, if there’s hummus around, I’ll find it! I could live on hummus.

If I got to live off the hummus served at Culinary Dropout, I’d be more than okay with that. It’s one of the best hummus appetizers that I’ve had at any restaurant. Topped with cucumber relish and za’atar, and served with flatbread, I could have simply eaten a giant order of this hummus as my meal.

However, there’s one vegan main course that I had to try, mainly because it’s the only vegan main course. But, our server informed me that it’s actually one of the best things you can order off the menu and it’s a favorite item among many guests. The Spicy Vegan Curry, with its sweet potato griddled in the center, was delicious. Over black rice, there were also shiitake mushroom, snap peas and cauliflower.

I really liked this dish. However, I prefer a little bit less sauce and slightly more rice in my curry. It was the perfect amount spicy and I love anything with coconut milk. Please go to Culinary dropout with your friends on the weekend and try their vegan menu.

Singh Meadows

On my last full day in Tempe, we started out the morning by visiting the wondrous Singh Meadows, a farmers market in town. If you love locally sourced food, you’ve come to the right place. You’ll find Singh Meadows on 75 acres of property with green spaces, walking trails and shady spots. It’s a great place for a stroll or a picnic with the family.

Indoors, you’ll find a bustling farmer’s market with locally sourced food, as well as a 100% organic cafe, coffee and juice bar. On a weekend morning, there was a huge selection of oranges and tangerines as well as grapefruit slices.

I still remember my picnic basket, which was filled with delicious foods. I did receive my meal in a basket! I ordered the Meadows Picnic Basket, which included Swiss chard with falafel and tempeh. It also came with wheat berry tabouli and crispy pita. (Please don’t add feta). The menus change with the seasons, depending on what’s readily available. 

If there’s nothing purely marked as vegan on the menu, just ask the staff. They’ll be able to modify some vegetarian meals to make them vegan for you. It’s really not a problem; they focus on using their own fresh fruits and vegetables in their meals. You can make a full morning out of it. Eat at Singh Meadows, shop there, and take a walk on the beautiful property.

Four Peaks Brewing Company

I recommend you visit one of the best Breweries in Tempe. Four Peaks Brewing. Sign up for a tour and your guide will tell you everything about the methods used to make beer. I think that this was one of the most thorough and well explained beer tours I’ve ever taken.

Perhaps it’s because Four Peaks Brewing takes their beer seriously. They even scientifically alter the water composition to create the same water as the style of beer it’s modeled after (now that takes commitment!). Yes, the beer can be consumed by vegans. 

The tour was interesting and informative. Most importantly, it didn’t take long until we sampled the beer, too. Why not order a flight of beer to try different varieties after the tour? I loved ordering a flight of beer because I got to try several that weren’t offered on the brew tour that caught my eye.

I had to try beer bread at the 8th Street Brew Pub because beer is used in many of their dishes. My veggie beer was colorful and delicious. They easily adapted the meal to my vegan diet. Our server was vegan, so she explained my options to me.

They aren’t clearly marked, but you can easily ask a staff member for assistance. Their pretzels, for example, are vegan! They also have beer sorbet in various flavors, like green tea and lychee, and it’s absolutely delicious. Cheers!

Ghost Ranch

Inspired by the multicultural histories of Arizona, New Mexico Texas and northern Mexico Ghost RanchThe menu offers a variety of healthy and hearty southwestern dishes, along with refreshing cocktails and beers. The menu clearly shows the gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian meals.

The perfect way to start the meal was with a large plate of chips and salsa. I couldn’t decide, but in the end, I chose the vegetable enchiladas covered in red sauce.

My enchiladas arrived with a typical side dish of Ranchero beans, and rice. The server informed me that they cook the Ranchero beans and rice with ham, so I had a side of roasted veggies instead.

I also indulged in a Prickly Pear Frosé Rita – a Rosé margarita with prickly pear, lime, and of course, tequila. It was dangerously tasty and the perfect way for me to beat the heat.

Pedal Haus Brewery

Pedal Haus BreweryThe menu is complemented by award-winning craft beers. It’s a really vegan-friendly restaurant with multiple plant-based offerings. This is an excellent place to visit with omnivore family or friends, especially if they love beer. Even though it’s not 100% vegan, this is one of the best vegan restaurants in Tempe.

Pedal Haus Brewery makes things really easy for those following a vegan diet as there’s a separate vegan section on the menu. Here you’ll find a Bavarian pretzel (with vegan beer cheese), cauliflower wings, guacamole, nachos, a Mediterranean salad, vegan mac n’ cheese, two vegan burgers and a vegan pizza.

Cafe Lalibela

Cafe Lalibela is an Ethiopian restaurant in Tempe that’s vegan-friendly. Vegan platters are available with seven different vegan dishes. It’s great that you can sample a little bit of everything with a large helping of injera. You can also order Ethiopian herbal tea or traditional Ethiopian coffee.

Lauren is a full-time travel writer and content creator for Justin Plus Lauren. She founded Justin Plus Lauren back in 2013 and has traveled to more than 50 countries. Lauren is a vegan travel expert and one of the original vegan travel bloggers. She also focuses her attention on eco-friendly travel, outdoor adventure travel and creating incredible travel itineraries in cities and small towns.