By local contributor
Taryn Shorr-Mckee
Forks up, veg heads! Scottsdale’s culinary scene is brimming with new and inventive vegan eats, from tasty plant-based meat alternatives to dishes so creative even carnivores may reconsider (vegan banh mi or chocolate peanut butter tart, anyone?).
We’ve rounded up some of our favorite Scottsdale vegan restaurants, complete with personal menu recommendations. While plenty of restaurants offer at least one or two vegan dishes, our list focuses on places that make it easy to be an herbivore. All of these restaurants offer several clearly-labeled vegan options, no modifications required.
If you know the concept behind True Food Kitchen, it comes as no surprise that it’s one of the best vegan restaurants in Scottsdale (and arguably, the entire Valley). Best-selling author and doctor of integrative medicine Dr. Andrew Weil helped develop the restaurant, which focuses on whole, anti-inflammatory ingredients that happen to taste fantastic, too.
Farm & Craft is highly Instagrammable, dog-friendly and has over a dozen vegan dinner options and nearly 20 for brunch and lunch. That includes several kombucha cocktails and fun drinks meant for groups of four or more, making this one of Scottsdale’s best brunch destinations. Try the Field of Flowers, served in a glass ‘garden’ with real flowers.
We know what you’re thinking—one of Scottsdale’s best vegan restaurants is also one of its best tiki bars?! Yes, in fact! The decidedly modern take on the classic tiki bar offers everything from authentic tiki-style tropical cocktails to brunch, dinner and an excellent happy hour.
This locally-owned restaurant is celebrated for its scratch kitchen and ultra-fresh, seasonal menus. The two locations, Old Town and Scottsdale & Shea, both offer brunch, lunch, dinner and excellent happy hour. Notably, The Herb Box also has a reputation for having some of the city’s best takeout.
Located at Old Town’s Scottsdale Fashion Square, Tocaya’s motto is “Live Without Compromise.” And boy, does this modern Mexican restaurant deliver! Not only does Tocaya have a vegan taco menu, but you can also customize protein and cheese options for nearly every dish. Combine that with cheery décor and refreshing flavored agua fresca drinks, and you can’t help but leave feeling happy and refreshed.
A local go-to for Mexican specialties, award-winning Dilla Libre serves up gourmet quesadillas, tacos, bowls and a huge selection of tequila and mezcal cocktails. There is even a Vegan Cantina Menu, with plant-based versions of nearly every dish on the traditional menu.
Picazzo’s made the best vegan restaurant list not only for their delicious food, but because ordering vegan pizza and pasta has never been so easy. The dedicated vegan menu has more than 30 options, meaning you aren’t relegated to a small side menu.
A unique and undeniably trendy Asian-Mexican fusion concept, SumoMaya is well-known for its colorful, Insta-worthy eats and nightclub vibes. Here, you can enjoy both sushi and tacos while sipping a cocktail. All vegan, of course!
Traditional pasties (pronounced past-ees, handheld pastry pies typically stuffed with meat) are a far cry from vegan. However, Cornish Pasty Co. has made a spot for everyone at the table with a variety of hearty vegan pasties, including two daily rotating flavors. You might want to loosen your belt for this one – even though they’re veggie-forward, they are filling!