Happy World Vegan Day! In honor of the holiday, personal-finance website WalletHub released its report on 2017’s Best Cities for Vegans & Vegetarians, with Scottsdale being named the eighth Most Vegetarian- and Vegan-Friendly City. Here are a few of our local favorites for vegan or vegetarian dining.
Though True Food Kitchen and Fox Restaurant Concepts’ Flower Child aren’t vegetarian restaurants, they have menus that are very friendly to those who follow that diet. At the open, airy True Food Kitchen, sample the brussels sprout and wild mushroom pizza or spaghetti squash casserole; dig into the Thai cashew quinoa bowl or Vegan poke for filling and flavorful options at the hip Flower Child.
Fresh Mint in Scottsdale dishes up a 100-percent vegetarian menu, with favorites being the green papaya salad, five-spice noodle soup, lemongrass soy beef delight and many more fresh, flavor-packed plates. End your meal with a cooling blended Vietnamese iced coffee.
With locations throughout the Valley, a vegetarian meal at Pita Jungle is never far away. Stop by the art-forward restaurant for its fan-favorite hummus dishes, chipotle black bean burger and its stellar happy hour for eats as low as $1.50 (3 to 6 p.m. daily). (P.S. Pita Jungle is tops if dining with kiddos.)
The menu at Green New American Vegetarian is chock-full of plant-based ingredients, vegan cheeses and mock meats used in creative dishes. At the Tempe and Phoenix restaurant, dig into buffalo wings, chili fries, rice bowls, Chicago cheesesteak, classic “burgers” and more.
Loving Hut has four locations throughout the Valley where diners can find a unique and extensive selection of vegan dishes–from sushi to soups to curry to sandwiches and beyond. Best of all, Loving Hut has several sweet tooth-satisfying desserts, like carrot cake and silky flan.
Grabbagreen is a locally based healthy fast-casual restaurant whose vision is to “Lead The Charge In Making Fast Food Healthy.” With six Valley locations (more than 25 nationwide!), the brand’s superfood menu is never far away. Choose from green- and grain-based bowls, fresh-pressed juice, handcrafted smoothies, acai cups and more (every bowl can be made vegan or vegetarian). A vegetarian favorite is the Amalfi Coast made with spinach, cucumber, tomato, red pepper, red onion, Kalamata olives, feta, chia seed and Mediterranean pomegranate dressing.
