Best Vegan & Vegan Friendly Restaurants in Tucson, Arizon
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Tucson's plant-based dining scene stands as a vibrant testament to the city's remarkable culinary evolution and its well-earned designation as America's first UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy. This desert oasis offers vegan visitors an unexpectedly rich tapestry of plant-based options that span global cuisines while remaining deeply rooted in local traditions. From family-owned establishments serving generations-old recipes adapted for plant-based diets to innovative concepts pushing the boundaries of vegan cuisine, Tucson's meat-free offerings showcase the same commitment to quality and authenticity that defines its broader food landscape.
What makes Tucson truly exceptional for plant-based diners is the thoughtful integration of heritage ingredients—native desert foods like prickly pear, mesquite, cholla buds, and tepary beans—that connect contemporary vegan dishes to the region's 4,000-year agricultural history. Many local chefs maintain direct relationships with small-scale farmers and the educational Mission Garden, ensuring ingredients that are not only sustainably grown but also imbued with cultural significance. Whether you're seeking creative plant-based Mexican cuisine, Ethiopian injera platters, artisanal vegan pizzas, or health-forward smoothie bowls, Tucson offers a remarkably diverse range of options that prove plant-based dining can be simultaneously authentic, innovative, and deeply satisfying.
All vegan
Tumerico
Tumerico in Tucson stands as a beloved plant-based landmark offering vibrant Latin-inspired cuisine that has earned a devoted following. Founded by Chef Wendy Garcia, who brings her Mexican heritage and passion for plant-based cooking to every dish, the restaurant operates with a unique approach to dining—featuring daily-changing menus written on colorful chalkboards rather than printed materials. This sustainable practice reflects both the restaurant's commitment to using seasonal, locally-sourced ingredients and Garcia's creative culinary vision.
Known for generous portions bursting with flavor and color, Tumerico specializes in vegan and vegetarian versions of traditional Latin favorites, including jackfruit carnitas, blue corn quesadillas, and their renowned horchata. The restaurant's unpretentious atmosphere, combined with its dedication to scratch-made sauces, housemade plant-based cheeses, and gluten-free options, has established Tumerico as an essential stop on Tucson's vegan culinary trail and a perfect representation of the city's UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy designation.
2526 E 6th St, Tucson, AZ 85716
Mid-Town Vegan Deli & Market
Mid-Town Vegan Deli & Market offers a comprehensive vegan shopping and dining experience under one roof. This community-focused establishment serves as both a specialty market for hard-to-find vegan products and a full-service deli creating made-to-order sandwiches, wraps, and prepared foods that showcase plant-based versions of classic deli favorites. The market section features a thoughtfully curated selection of vegan cheeses, meat alternatives, pantry staples, and locally-made products that support Tucson's sustainable food ecosystem.
What sets Mid-Town apart is its commitment to accessibility, ensuring that plant-based eating remains approachable for everyone from dedicated vegans to curious omnivores exploring meat-free options. With friendly, knowledgeable staff eager to offer recommendations and a rotating selection of grab-and-go meals for busy customers, Mid-Town Vegan Deli & Market fills an important niche in Tucson's renowned food scene.
5071 East 5th Street, Tucson, AZ 85711
Lovin' Spoonfuls Vegan Restaurant and Bakery
Lovin' Spoonfuls Vegan Restaurant and Bakery is one of Tucson's longest-operating fully vegan restaurants,Founded by dedicated vegan Peggy Raisglid, the restaurant offers a diverse menu that transforms familiar comfort foods into completely plant-based versions without sacrificing flavor or satisfaction.
The spacious, welcoming interior provides a casual dining experience where you can enjoy hearty breakfast options, substantial lunch plates, and nourishing dinner selections. What truly distinguishes Lovin' Spoonfuls is its impressive in-house bakery, producing an array of vegan desserts, pastries, and celebration cakes that consistently defy expectations about dairy-free baking. Their chocolate cake and cheesecake variations have developed a particularly loyal following among Tucson's dessert enthusiasts.
2990 N Campbell Ave #120, Tucson, AZ 85719
Beaut Burger
This innovative eatery takes a refreshingly different approach to plant-based burgers—instead of attempting to replicate beef, they craft distinctive house-made patties from whole foods like grains, vegetables, and legumes, each with its own unique flavor profile and texture. Located within the vibrant MSA Annex shipping container development, Beaut Burger's minimalist, modern aesthetic complements its focused menu of artisanal burgers, hand-cut fries, and signature sauces. What truly distinguishes this establishment is its commitment to scratch cooking—from the freshly baked buns to the complex umami-rich patties and house-fermented pickles that elevate each creation.
267 South Avenida del Convento, Tucson, AZ 85745
Vegan Friendly
La Chaiteria
La Chaiteria offers great breakfast items and daily specials.
La Chaiteria is the sister restaurant to the acclaimed Tumerico under the creative guidance of Chef Wendy Garcia. This welcoming café specializes in Mexican-inspired comfort food with a conscious twist, with a vegan friendly menu.
It consists of tempting array of burritos, tacos, tortas, and breakfast items that showcase locally-sourced ingredients and house-made plant proteins like jackfruit carnitas and nopales (cactus).
Like its sister establishment, La Chaiteria embraces sustainability through daily-changing offerings based on seasonal availability, displayed on colorful chalkboard menus that highlight the day's specials. What sets La Chaiteria apart is its focus on house-made plant milks and refreshing aguas frescas. They also have chai and unique lattes like their mesquite and mole latte. A must try!
1002 W Congress St, Tucson, AZ 85745
El Charro Café
El Charro Café stands as a living monument to Tucson's rich culinary heritage, holding the distinction of being the nation's oldest Mexican restaurant continuously operated by the same family since its founding in 1922 by Monica Flin.
This historic establishment, now led by Carlotta Flores (Monica's grandniece), has become synonymous with Tucson's Sonoran-style Mexican cuisine and plays a central role in the city's UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy designation. El Charro is widely credited with creating the chimichanga—allegedly born when Monica accidentally dropped a burrito into hot oil and exclaimed a modified version of a Spanish expletive, "chimi-changa!"—though the restaurant's culinary influence extends far beyond this famous creation.
While primarily known for meat dishes, El Charro has evolved to accommodate modern dietary preferences, offering vegetarian and vegan options that incorporate traditional Sonoran ingredients and techniques. The restaurant's downtown location in a historic adobe home creates an atmospheric dining experience that connects guests to Tucson's past, while its continued culinary innovation ensures El Charro remains relevant in the city's ever-evolving food scene.
Multiple locations - Downtown is the original location
Pizza Slvce
You can buy whole pies or buy by the slice at Pizza Slvce.
Opened in 2013, owners, Ari and Travis, who are both from New York, wanted to create a space where you can get pizza slices like at the “slice joints” you find in NYC.
Their dough is slowly fermented and they use quality, local ingredients with plenty of vegan options for both their slices and whole pies! Their slices are the size of your head and the crust has a nice crisp at the bottom, making it easy to fold. Any of their pizzas can be made vegan or you can create a custom pizza.
160 South Avenida del Convento #164, Tucson, AZ 85745
Cafe Desta
Since 2010, Cafe Desta has been serving traditional Ethiopian and Eritrean cuisine. This family-owned establishment creates a warm, inviting atmosphere where communal dining is celebrated through shareable platters served atop injera, the distinctive sourdough flatbread that serves as both plate and utensil in Ethiopian dining tradition. While not exclusively vegan, Café Desta has a great variety of vegan options including misir wot (spiced red lentils), kik alicha (split peas in turmeric sauce), and gomen (sautéed collard greens)—all prepared with the complex spice blends that characterize Ethiopian cuisine. Also, if you’re a coffee lover, be sure to have their coffee as well!
758 S Stone Ave, Tucson, AZ 85701
Lemongrass Restaurant
Lemongrass offers authentic Thai cuisine while also providing delicious vegan options. This family-owned restaurant creates a serene dining atmosphere where the vibrant flavors of Thailand are showcased through carefully prepared dishes that balance sweet, sour, salty, and spicy elements in perfect harmony.
Popular vegan-friendly offerings include their fragrant Tom Kha soup (prepared with coconut milk and vegetables), Pad Thai with tofu, and colorful curry dishes that can be customized to various heat preferences. What distinguishes Lemongrass is its commitment to fresh ingredients and house-made sauces that deliver the complex, aromatic profiles characteristic of Thai cuisine.
344 N 4th Ave, Tucson, AZ 85705
Queen Sheba Restaurant & Market
Family-owned and run, this spot serves as both a full-service restaurant and specialty market, allowing guests to explore Ethiopian flavors through shared meals and take home ingredients to recreate these experiences in their own kitchens. The restaurant portion features traditional low tables with handwoven mesobs (basket tables) for those seeking the complete cultural experience, while conventional seating accommodates diners who prefer familiar arrangements. While Queen Sheba serves various meat dishes, they do have an extensive selection of vegetarian and vegan options. Enjoy flavorful combinations like shiro (spiced chickpea stew), misir wot (red lentils in berbere sauce), and tikil gomen (cabbage and carrots). These dishes are traditionally served atop injera, a tangy sourdough flatbread that complements the complex spice profiles of Ethiopian cuisine.
6470 E 22nd St, Tucson, AZ 85710
The Kava Bar/ The Kava Den
Tucson’s first Kava bar, which also known as The Kava Den. This spot offers a unique alternative to Tucson's traditional dining and drinking establishments, creating a tranquil space centered around kava—a ceremonial plant beverage originating from Pacific Island cultures known for its calming properties. This specialty venue provides a distinctive social experience where guests can enjoy various preparations of kava served in traditional coconut shells, alongside other plant-based beverages like CBD-infused drinks, herbal teas, and botanical tonics.
The relaxed, community-oriented atmosphere features comfortable seating arrangements that encourage conversation and connection, with ambient lighting and natural elements that enhance the space's laid-back vibe. What distinguishes The Kava Bar in Tucson's diverse beverage scene is its commitment to education about traditional plant medicines and their cultural significance, with knowledgeable staff ready to guide newcomers through their first kava experience. While not primarily food-focused, the establishment often offers light vegan snacks that complement their beverages. Kava does a great job of providing a social space that provides community gathering opportunities without alcohol.
The Kava Bar - 4376 E Speedway Blvd, Tucson, AZ 85712
The Kava Den - 67 E Pennington St, Tucson, AZ 85701
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