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The Best Vegan Food in Tucson

The Best Vegan Food in Tucson

by Hannah HernandezJun 28, 2023Updated Jul 14, 20266 min read

This guide is your golden ticket to uncovering Tucson's finest plant-based cuisine. Whether you're a vegan or simply looking for good food, we've curated the top spots to enjoy delectable animal-free dishes. While many of the restaurants we mention also have non-vegan options, we've included them here specifically for their outstanding vegan choices. Get ready to delight in the vibrant flavors of Tucson's vegan offerings!

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27 spots

520 Taco Stop (Photos by Hannah Hernandez)

520 Taco Stop

10290 East Speedway BoulevardEastside

VEGAN RESTAURANT WEEK MENU
(Available Thursday, December 5 – Saturday, December 7)

Get each of the following at 10% off:

  • Papa Burrito – chorizo, chile verdo, and queso
  • Quesabirria Jackfruit Cheesy Tacos
  • Jackfruit Street Tacos

About the restaurant: 

Find Jackfruit burritos, Quesabirria tacos, Sonoran Dogs, and more on this beautifully painted food truck.

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Del Cielos (Photo credit: Hannah Hernandez)

Del Cielo Tamal Restaurant

3073 North Campbell AvenueMidtown

Del Cielo Tamal in Tucson presents a vibrant and welcoming atmosphere with colorful decor and traditional Mexican artwork adorning the walls. The casual setting features both indoor and outdoor seating, providing a comfortable space for diners to enjoy their meals. Known for its extensive menu that caters to both traditional and vegan preferences, Del Cielo Tamal has become a popular spot for those seeking tamales and quesabirrias.

Mahi Mahi Tacos at El Torero Restaurant (Photo by Jackie Tran)

El Torero Restaurant

231 East 26th StreetSouth Tucson

This family-owned eatery offers a variety of vegan options, including their famous green corn tamales. Ask for their vegan specials menu to explore more delicious plant-based dishes. Just a heads up, the portions are pretty generous!

Vegan Birria Ramen from Ensenada Street Food (Photo credit: Hannah Hernandez)

Ensenada Street Food

1602 South Park AvenueDowntown

Ensenada Street Food charms diners with bright turquoise walls and papel picado banners overhead. Floral‑patterned tablecloths and mismatched chairs lend a festive, homey vibe. A corrugated tin roof covers colorful outdoor picnic benches beside their Baja‑style food truck.

This women‑owned Baja California taco spot serves fish and al pastor tacos. The savory “Rojito” quesabirria tacos with dipping broth also earn praise for their tender beef and flavorful broth..

Dining room at Falora (Photo by Jackie Tran)

Falora

3906 N Oracle Rd Suite 110

Located in the Broadway Village shopping center, this stunning pizzeria serves up a variety of vegan pizzas with innovative toppings such as vegan sausage and housemade vegan cheese. Leave room for their signature vegan dessert, the "Sorta Torta."

Meyer Avenue Cafe & Mercantile

353 South Meyer AvenueDowntown

Meyer Avenue Cafe & Mercantile, which is located on the same property as The Coronet,  it’s a smaller counter-service cafe where visitors can grab a bite, sip on coffee from Caffe Luce, wake up with a cup of tea, or drink a beer. Plus, there’s free WiFi to make it easier for those working remotely. Meyer Avenue Cafe will be open from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. daily and the Mercantile shop is open 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Tuesday – Wednesday and 8 a.m. – 9 p.m. on Thursday – Monday. When it comes to the mercantile portion of the cafe, they’ll be selling things like bodega water glasses, coffee, beer, wine, and other tabletop items. Also, there will be jarred and canned offerings for sale that come from all three restaurants.

Midtown Vegan Deli & Market (Photo credit: Hannah Hernandez)

Midtown Vegan Deli & Market

5071 East 5th StreetMidtown

If you’re headed to Midtown, don’t forget to bring your appetite and your reusable grocery bags. This spot has everything from vegan burgers and salads to sweet treats, plus a fully-stocked selection of vegan groceries to take home with you.

Vegan options at Taqueria La Esquina (Photo credit: Hannah Hernandez)

Taqueria La Esquina

4876 South 6th AvenueSouth Side

Taquería La Esquina welcomes guests in a bright space decorated with vivid papel picado and a mural of a Day‑of‑the‑Dead skeleton wearing a sombrero. Dark wood tables fill the open dining room beneath ceiling fans and festive artwork. The counter area includes digital menu screens, giving it a fresh take on traditional taqueria design.

The carne asada taco and pork belly bites are the popular favorites here. Vegan and plant-based diners also praise the mushroom adobada and jackfruit birria tacos.

Toss Fried Chicken & Ramen

1800 East Fort Lowell RoadMidtown

Toss Fried Chicken & Ramen opened a new location in northwest Tucson on July 4 at 3930 W. Ina Rd, #322, in Embassy Plaza near Thornydale Road. The restaurant blends Japanese noodle culture with sauced fried chicken in a compact space. The Ina Road (northwest) location features minimal décor, counter service, and seating that promotes a quick, casual meal. Patrons often order Tonkotsu Ramen topped with chashu and black garlic oil. The Desert Ramen adds fried chicken and citrus-spiced broth for those who want bold heat. For non-ramen eaters, the Toss fried chicken bathed in sauces like garlic Parmesan or honey Sriracha also reign.

Cauliflower Sandwich at Zayna's Mediterranean (Photo credit: Hannah Hernandez)

Zayna Mediterranean Restaurant

1138 North Belvedere AvenueMidtown

Regardless of the time of day, Zayna’s crispy Cauliflower, Falafel Sandwiches, Grape Leaves, Salads, and other delectable options hit the spot.

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GIVEAWAY! We’re giving away 3 pairs of VIP tickets to America’s Best Mexican Food Festival on Saturday, August 8!🎉

Experience an unforgettable evening featuring tasting experiences from 30+ celebrated Southwest chefs, showcasing the rich flavors and traditions of Mexican cuisine. Enjoy everything from heritage moles and handmade tortillas to fresh ceviches, carne asada, cochinita pibil, live music, art, and more at @Westinlapaloma. VIP tickets include early entry at 5 PM plus exclusive access to the VIP Lounge.

How to enter:
• Follow @artstateaz, @westinlapaloma & @tucsonfoodie
• Like this post
• Tag the friend you’d bring (unlimited entries!)

Winners will be randomly selected on August 3.

Looking to buy tickets instead? Head to the link in @artstateaz’s bio and use code 15FOODIE26 for 15% off your tickets!

21+ event.

#tucsonfoodie #tucsoneventsGIVEAWAY! We’re giving away 3 pairs of VIP tickets to America’s Best Mexican Food Festival on Saturday, August 8!🎉 Experience an unforgettable evening featuring tasting experiences from 30+ celebrated Southwest chefs, showcasing the rich flavors and traditions of Mexican cuisine. Enjoy everything from heritage moles and handmade tortillas to fresh ceviches, carne asada, cochinita pibil, live music, art, and more at @Westinlapaloma. VIP tickets include early entry at 5 PM plus exclusive access to the VIP Lounge. How to enter: • Follow @artstateaz, @westinlapaloma & @tucsonfoodie • Like this post • Tag the friend you’d bring (unlimited entries!) Winners will be randomly selected on August 3. Looking to buy tickets instead? Head to the link in @artstateaz’s bio and use code 15FOODIE26 for 15% off your tickets! 21+ event. #tucsonfoodie #tucsoneventsIT’S WEEK 11! 

Steak & Carne Asada Week starts today and runs through Aug 2 as part of 12 Weeks of Foodie Summer!🥩🔥

🏆THIS WEEK’S PRIZES: 
•Tickets to Salsa, Taco, and Tequila Challenge
•(2) $50 @asadataqueria gift cards
•(2) $100 Visa gift cards
•$20 gift card to @ghinisfrenchcaffe 
•4-pack of passes to Cool Summer Nights at the @desertmuseum 
•(1) gift card to @redbird_scratchkitchen 
•(1) $50 gift card to Charro Concepts

ANY LOCAL SPOT COUNTS. Some suggested places to visit this week: @ameliastucson, @pinnaclepeaktucson, @casadelrioaz, @elcorraltucson, @agavehousetucson, @calletepa, @asadataqueria, @cielostucson 

Let’s support local ❤️

#tucsonfoodie #tucsonazIT’S WEEK 11! Steak & Carne Asada Week starts today and runs through Aug 2 as part of 12 Weeks of Foodie Summer!🥩🔥 🏆THIS WEEK’S PRIZES: •Tickets to Salsa, Taco, and Tequila Challenge •(2) $50 @asadataqueria gift cards •(2) $100 Visa gift cards •$20 gift card to @ghinisfrenchcaffe •4-pack of passes to Cool Summer Nights at the @desertmuseum •(1) gift card to @redbird_scratchkitchen •(1) $50 gift card to Charro Concepts ANY LOCAL SPOT COUNTS. Some suggested places to visit this week: @ameliastucson, @pinnaclepeaktucson, @casadelrioaz, @elcorraltucson, @agavehousetucson, @calletepa, @asadataqueria, @cielostucson Let’s support local ❤️ #tucsonfoodie #tucsonazFor nearly 20 years, Diana and Jun Arai have helped shape Tucson’s Japanese dining scene.

When @ginzatucson opened in 2008, it became the first restaurant in Tucson to feature an izakaya style menu, bringing Japan’s popular shareable dining experience to the city. Today, it’s still the only restaurant in town with a dedicated izakaya menu, along with one of Tucson’s largest curated selections of sake, Japanese beer, and shochu.

In 2018, the couple expanded again with @raijinramen, Tucson’s first restaurant dedicated entirely to ramen. Known for its rich tonkotsu broths and seasonal specialties, Raijin helped pave the way for the city’s growing ramen scene.

From fresh fish flown in daily from Japan and California to chef’s choice omakase experiences, Ginza continues to showcase authentic Japanese cuisine while Jun and Diana regularly travel to Japan to bring back the latest culinary trends.

📍 Ginza Sushi & Izakaya: 5425 N. Kolb Rd.
📍 Raijin Ramen: 2955 E. Speedway Blvd.

Read @ediebjarolim’s article on Tucsonfoodie.com.

Photos by @sea_lyon 
#tucsonlocal #tucsonazFor nearly 20 years, Diana and Jun Arai have helped shape Tucson’s Japanese dining scene. When @ginzatucson opened in 2008, it became the first restaurant in Tucson to feature an izakaya style menu, bringing Japan’s popular shareable dining experience to the city. Today, it’s still the only restaurant in town with a dedicated izakaya menu, along with one of Tucson’s largest curated selections of sake, Japanese beer, and shochu. In 2018, the couple expanded again with @raijinramen, Tucson’s first restaurant dedicated entirely to ramen. Known for its rich tonkotsu broths and seasonal specialties, Raijin helped pave the way for the city’s growing ramen scene. From fresh fish flown in daily from Japan and California to chef’s choice omakase experiences, Ginza continues to showcase authentic Japanese cuisine while Jun and Diana regularly travel to Japan to bring back the latest culinary trends. 📍 Ginza Sushi & Izakaya: 5425 N. Kolb Rd. 📍 Raijin Ramen: 2955 E. Speedway Blvd. Read @ediebjarolim’s article on Tucsonfoodie.com. Photos by @sea_lyon #tucsonlocal #tucsonazBreakfast & Brunch Week runs through July 26 as part of 12 Weeks of Foodie Summer! 

🏆🍳☀️❤️🥞THIS WEEK’S PRIZES: 
• Tickets to America’s Best Mexican Food Festival 
• (2) $100 Visa gift cards 
• $20 gift card to @ghinisfrenchcaffe 
• 4-pack of passes to Cool Summer Nights at the @desertmuseum 
• $25 gift card to @beyondbreadbakerycafe 

ANY LOCAL SPOT COUNTS. Some suggested places to visit this week: 

@5pointstucson 
@ajocafetucson 
@bajacafetucson 
@barista_del_barrio 
@bluewillow.tucson 
@bobos_az 
@theofficialbreadandbutter 
@buendia.breakfast.lunch 
@cafealacarttucson 
@cafepassetucson 
@cappysbreakfastcafe 
@hotelcongress 
@delcielotamal 
Frank’s Restaurant 
@ghinisfrenchcaffe 
@gourmetgirlsglutenfree 
Gus Balon’s Restaurant 
@knellersdelicatessen 
@lachaiteria 
@lebuzzcaffe 
@lebuzzcaffeplaza 
@localetucson 
@lovinspoonfulstucson 
@nookdowntown 
@prepandpastry 
@raptorcanyoncafe 
@rencoffeehouse 
@sunny_daze_cafe 
@teaspoontucson 
@coronetrestaurants 
@thehungryfoxrestaurant 
@themonicatucson 
@tohonochulgardenbistro 
@tumerico 
@urbanfreshaz 

#tucsonfoodie #tucsonazBreakfast & Brunch Week runs through July 26 as part of 12 Weeks of Foodie Summer! 🏆🍳☀️❤️🥞THIS WEEK’S PRIZES: • Tickets to America’s Best Mexican Food Festival • (2) $100 Visa gift cards • $20 gift card to @ghinisfrenchcaffe • 4-pack of passes to Cool Summer Nights at the @desertmuseum • $25 gift card to @beyondbreadbakerycafe ANY LOCAL SPOT COUNTS. Some suggested places to visit this week: @5pointstucson @ajocafetucson @bajacafetucson @barista_del_barrio @bluewillow.tucson @bobos_az @theofficialbreadandbutter @buendia.breakfast.lunch @cafealacarttucson @cafepassetucson @cappysbreakfastcafe @hotelcongress @delcielotamal Frank’s Restaurant @ghinisfrenchcaffe @gourmetgirlsglutenfree Gus Balon’s Restaurant @knellersdelicatessen @lachaiteria @lebuzzcaffe @lebuzzcaffeplaza @localetucson @lovinspoonfulstucson @nookdowntown @prepandpastry @raptorcanyoncafe @rencoffeehouse @sunny_daze_cafe @teaspoontucson @coronetrestaurants @thehungryfoxrestaurant @themonicatucson @tohonochulgardenbistro @tumerico @urbanfreshaz #tucsonfoodie #tucsonazMassaman tofu curry at Char’s Thai. Stop by and show them some love.❤️ 

5039 East 5th Street, Tucson, AZ

#tucsonfoodie #tucsonaz #localtucsonMassaman tofu curry at Char’s Thai. Stop by and show them some love.❤️ 5039 East 5th Street, Tucson, AZ #tucsonfoodie #tucsonaz #localtucsonA sunset gathering featuring chef-made plates, plant medicine experiences, live music, and a deep connection to the Sonoran Desert.🌵✨

Join us Saturday, August 29 after sundown at @tohonochul for Desert Magic, a celebration of the Sonoran Desert’s edible and medicinal plants through food, herbalism, music, and story.

Stroll through the gardens while enjoying chef-prepared plates inspired by native desert ingredients, a botanical welcome cocktail, and hands-on experiences like sound healing, acupuncture, massage therapy, tarot, astrology, cacao ceremony, herbal workshops, and more.

Chef lineup + dishes will be announced shortly.

Your $75 ticket includes all food, workshops, experiences, and a welcome cocktail. Space is limited, and we expect to sell out in advance. 

❤️Tucson Foodie members get 50% off
🎟️ Ticket link in bio

Photos by @jackie_tran_ 
#tucsonfoodie #tucsonnewsA sunset gathering featuring chef-made plates, plant medicine experiences, live music, and a deep connection to the Sonoran Desert.🌵✨ Join us Saturday, August 29 after sundown at @tohonochul for Desert Magic, a celebration of the Sonoran Desert’s edible and medicinal plants through food, herbalism, music, and story. Stroll through the gardens while enjoying chef-prepared plates inspired by native desert ingredients, a botanical welcome cocktail, and hands-on experiences like sound healing, acupuncture, massage therapy, tarot, astrology, cacao ceremony, herbal workshops, and more. Chef lineup + dishes will be announced shortly. Your $75 ticket includes all food, workshops, experiences, and a welcome cocktail. Space is limited, and we expect to sell out in advance. ❤️Tucson Foodie members get 50% off 🎟️ Ticket link in bio Photos by @jackie_tran_ #tucsonfoodie #tucsonnews

Tag us @TUCSONFOODIE in your food adventures!