9 Arizona Vegan Restaurants Where Even Meat Lovers Clean Their Plates
Jackfruit al pastor is a real thing in Arizona, and it’s landing in taco shells across the state. Quesabirria shows up too, made without a scrap of beef.
So does a double-patty burger cheekily named the Big Wac.
I love that these kitchens skip the apology for being vegan. They head straight for the comfort food meat lovers already crave.
We’re talking wings, cheesesteaks, chili cheese fries, crab puffs, and tamales.
The fun part is who keeps coming back. Families who eat meat at home leave surprised.
Omnivores plan road trips around plant-based carnitas and blue corn cakes.
So I went digging across the Valley, downtown Tucson, and the cool pines up north. I found nine spots that even a devoted burger fan could love.
Your plate might come back empty, and nobody will believe what was on it. Which one would you bribe your steak-loving friend to try first?
1. Earth Plant Based Cuisine
Quesabirria tacos with shredded birria and melty cheese sound like a carnivore’s daydream. Here, they’re completely plant-based, and that’s the whole point.
The family-owned Mexican kitchen sits in the Grand Avenue Arts District and has been cooking 100% vegan since 2019. Its mission celebrates Mexican heritage using fresh, organic, non-GMO ingredients.
Hungry crowds should aim for the Boss Nachos. They come loaded with chorizo or asada, refried beans, cheezy sauce, pico de gallo, crema, and avocado salsa.
Seitan wings arrive in Buffalo, BBQ, or Lemon Pepper, which handles game night nicely. Chorizo fries, mini flautas, shrimp tacos, and chimichangas round out a lineup built for big appetites.
Mornings get their own spotlight. Huevos rancheros, chorizo and potato burritos, and buttermilk-style pancakes kick off the day.
Save room for a Monster Shake, an over-the-top dessert crowned with sweet, salty, and colorful toppings. Gluten-free and soy-free options help mixed tables order without stress.
Non-vegan families have left calling it some of the best Mexican food they’ve had anywhere. Bring the skeptic in your life and let the birria do the talking.
Mondays are closed, so plan your craving for later in the week. Friday evenings and Sunday afternoons tend to be the busiest stretches.
Address: 1325 Grand Ave Ste 7, Phoenix, AZ 85007
2. Green Restaurant
Somewhere between a drive-thru classic and a pun lives the Big Wac. Two hand-packed patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, and onions stack onto a sesame seed bun.
Yes, it’s vegan. The Tempe dining room serves it with a perfectly straight face.
The rest of the menu follows that same playbook of familiar comfort food rebuilt with plants. Influences from different cultures and cooking styles keep things interesting.
Take the Chicago Cheesesteak, for example. Grilled seitan meets caramelized peppers and onions, melted cheddar, and spicy giardiniera on ciabatta.
Buffalo wings come with house-made ranch, because some traditions deserve respect. Crab puffs and eggless rolls make easy sharing plates for the table.
Noodle bowls open another lane entirely. The Firecracker Red Curry Bowl brings fried seitan and plenty of heat.
Sweets clearly matter to this crew. The team also runs Nami, a vegan dessert shop in Phoenix, and the Tempe spot keeps ice cream choices on hand.
Service moves fast, and the counter setup keeps lunch breezy. A gender-neutral restroom and outdoor seating add to the easygoing feel.
Reservations aren’t taken, so Friday evenings and Saturday afternoons can fill up. A second location on 7th Street in Phoenix carries the same comfort-food mission.
Address: 2240 N Scottsdale Rd #113, Tempe, AZ 85288
3. Urban Fresh
Downtown Tucson’s lunch crowd keeps a sneaky weekday secret on Pennington Street. Doors open only Monday through Friday, from 9 AM to 2 PM, so timing matters here.
That short window keeps the kitchen focused. The compact, fast-casual counter turns out plant-based wraps, breakfast plates, coffee, and a BLT with real staying power.
Fresh, high-quality ingredients carry the show. Even confirmed omnivores have made this their go-to downtown lunch, which says plenty about the flavor.
Thirsty? The blueberry watermelon lemonade sounds like summer poured into a cup.
Outdoor seating gives you a view of downtown while you eat. It’s a relaxed pause in the middle of a busy workday, and the chill pace makes it easy to linger.
Ordering happens at the counter, with no table service and no reservations. Takeout and delivery help when your schedule is packed.
Little lunch partners are welcome, and high chairs are available. Dogs can join you outside, too.
Fake-meat theatrics aren’t the hook at this spot. Instead, you get proof that fresh, well-made plant food can satisfy a hungry steak fan before 2 PM.
Plan a weekday visit and bring a coworker who swears salads never fill them up. Let the wrap settle that argument.
Address: 73 E Pennington St, Tucson, AZ 85701
4. Tacos Veganos
Four different vegan meats rotate through the tortillas here, and the al pastor is made from jackfruit. That’s a bold move in Phoenix, a city that takes its tacos very seriously.
Asada and pollo join the pastor for a trio that covers the classics. Plates come with rice and beans, so nobody leaves looking for a snack.
The quesabirria crunchy taco pairs shredded birria with cheese for a fan-favorite bite. Tasty house sauces add an extra kick.
Big appetites have backup plans. The AZ Vegano Burrito and the Surf and Turf Burrito are built for serious hunger.
Smaller eaters get options, too. A Jr Quesadilla and a kids’ quesadilla keep younger diners happy at the table.
Hours run late, from 10:30 AM to 10 PM Monday through Saturday. That makes it handy after an airport pickup or a long evening of errands.
Service is fast and counter-style, with outdoor seating and a free lot. The clean, casual room feels more neighborhood taco shop than fancy dining room.
Sundays are closed, so plan accordingly. Friday nights and Saturday afternoons draw the biggest crowds, while weekday mornings stay calm.
Address: 3301 E Indian School Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85018
5. Lovin’ Spoonfuls Vegan Restaurant And Bakery
Breakfast until 3 PM is a policy worth applauding. Pancakes, French toast, waffles, and breakfast burritos hold the line well past noon at this Tucson favorite.
The menu reads like a classic American diner that quietly swapped out the meat. Nobody at the table needs to feel left out.
Start with the Route 66 Burger and a side of chili cheese fries. Then consider the meatless meatloaf, a homey plate that feels like Sunday supper.
Sandwich fans have a tough choice ahead. The Buffalo Chicken Sandwich brings fried vegan chicken, house-made buffalo sauce, vegan blue cheese, and tempeh bacon.
The Philly Cheesesteak answers with grilled vegan beef, peppers, onions, mushrooms, and cheese on a locally baked roll. A BBQ Beef sandwich and nuggets wait in the wings.
Weekends bring the Soul Food Chicken Dinner, Cajun or regular. Sides like baked mac n cheese, candied yams, and collard greens complete the plate.
The bakery half of the name earns its spot. Dessert portions run huge, and the chocolate cupcake has quite the following.
Hours stay daytime only, closing at 3 PM daily. A dog-friendly patio and reservations make group brunches easy to plan.
Address: 2990 N Campbell Ave #120, Tucson, AZ 85719
6. The Coronado PHX
December 2020 marked a big switch for this neighborhood favorite. That’s when the kitchen went fully vegan, and it never looked back.
Everything now comes from a plant-based scratch kitchen with a Southwestern slant. The setting sits in a historic Phoenix neighborhood, away from the busy main drags.
Cauliflower tacos are a calling card. Jackfruit flautas and beet burgers make strong cases for a second visit.
Hand cut fries belong on your order, no debate needed. A cashew cheese quesadilla, potato tacos, and elote keep the Southwestern theme rolling.
Dishes often arrive with a hot salsa, so spice lovers should feel right at home. Mild eaters can ask before diving in headfirst.
The pastry case deserves attention all its own. Plant-based pastries pair nicely with coffee at the weekend brunch.
A roomy patio sets the scene for casual hangouts and dinner dates. Dogs are welcome, which makes Saturday mornings a family affair.
Timing takes a little planning in Arizona’s capital. Doors open Wednesday through Sunday, with dinner hours only on Friday and Saturday.
Brunch reservations are recommended because weekend mornings get busy. Wednesday and Thursday mornings tend to be calmer.
Address: 2245 N 12th St, Phoenix, AZ 85006
7. Morning Glory Cafe
Blue corn cakes might be the best excuse to drive up the mountain. Flagstaff’s long-running brunch and lunch spot serves them alongside a fully plant-based, organic menu.
The space leans eclectic and funky, with decor that gives it real personality. Friendly staff keep the pace easygoing.
Breakfast regulars can count on a hearty tofu scramble. Lunch brings the Deluxe Hemp Burger, a filling choice for anyone doubting plants.
Tamales have earned serious attention here, too. Fans claim they’d cross state lines just for another order.
Wholesome is the theme, but nobody leaves hungry. Plates come out with beautiful presentation and generous helpings.
Dessert lovers should grab the Peanut Butter Hearts or a homemade cookie. Strong coffee makes a fine sidekick before a day in northern Arizona’s pines.
Live music sometimes joins the menu, adding a fun soundtrack to your meal. Check ahead if catching a performance matters to you.
Hours run Tuesday through Sunday, 8:30 AM to 4 PM. Mondays are closed, and reservations aren’t accepted.
Downtown parking includes free and paid street spots. Arrive early on weekends and stroll San Francisco Street after breakfast.
Address: 115 S San Francisco St, Flagstaff, AZ 86001
8. Tumerico
Jackfruit carnitas, eggplant chicharrones, and soy chorizo all play starring roles at this Tucson kitchen. The menu rotates daily, so you never quite know what’s waiting.
Plates lean Mexican and Latin, all vegetarian and mostly vegan. The sunlit room near the University of Arizona keeps things relaxed.
Spicy tacos al pastor made with jackfruit show how convincing plants can get. Carne asada built from eggplant chicharrones and soy chorizo pushes that idea even further.
Look for pozole, Azteca quesadillas, nopales tostadas, and tamales. Cuban tacos and potato tacos often round out the board.
Plates typically come with rice, beans, salad, pico de gallo, and cashew crema. Generous portions mean leftovers are a real possibility.
Don’t skip the drinks. A turmeric lemonade and a mole latte offer flavors you won’t find at chain coffee shops.
Some fans make the two-hour drive from Phoenix just for a meal. That’s commitment, and the food backs it up.
Hours run Tuesday through Saturday, 11 AM to 8 PM, plus Sunday until 4 PM. Parking can be tricky, so give yourself a few extra minutes.
Address: 2526 E 6th St, Tucson, AZ 85716
9. Goji Berry – Eatery & Bakery
Talk about convenient neighbors. Goji Berry sits one suite over from Earth Plant Based Cuisine on Grand Avenue, turning one Phoenix address into a double vegan stop.
Where its neighbor goes big on Mexican plates, this bright eatery and bakery takes a lighter road. Plant-based sandwiches, bowls, and specialty pastries lead the way.
Lunch is the sweet spot here. A good sandwich and a bowl make a satisfying midday break without slowing you down.
The pastry case might be the real reason to visit. Specialty vegan desserts tempt even confirmed butter lovers to try something new.
Drinks deserve a moment of their own. Mango iced tea, lavender limeade, and goji berry lemonade feel made for a hot Arizona afternoon.
Coffee and tea selections keep morning visitors happy, too. Breakfast and brunch run from the 9 AM opening.
The relaxed space offers outdoor seating and free Wi-Fi. Plenty of parking makes a quick stop painless.
Service is counter-style and fast, with no reservations needed. Saturday and Sunday mornings bring the busiest crowds.
Hours run Tuesday through Sunday, 9 AM to 6 PM. Pair it with a taco run next door and call it a perfect plant-powered day.
Address: 1325 Grand Ave Ste. 8, Phoenix, AZ 85007