The words “fine dining” and “vegan” aren’t necessarily synonymous, and the Valley’s best-known fine-dining vegan establishment, Casa Terra in Glendale, has been closed since spring 2020 with no set reopening date. But you can still enjoy a highbrow plant-based meal in the Phoenix area, thanks to a handful of elevated eating experiences at restaurants around town.
Terras at CIVANA
37220 Mule Train Road, Carefree
Located inside the CIVANA Wellness Resort & Spa in Carefree, Terras restaurant serves healthful food in line with the resort’s wellness mission. Vegan and vegetarian entrees abound, from zucchini-corn truffle enchiladas to mixed mushrooms agrodolce.
Verdura
5555 North Seventh Street, #108
The plant-based cuisine at Verdura isn’t necessarily fine-dining (dishes include vegan burgers, nachos, tacos, and a bubby black “Goth Waffle”), but the food is fantastic. The atmosphere is clean, comfortable, and stylish, with long wooden tables, sleek black chairs, and walls adorned with black and white photos of 1980s pop stars. Totally fine.
Top of the Rock Restaurant
2000 West Westcourt Way, Tempe
Top of the Rock Restaurant provides a panoramic view of the Valley from the Marriott Phoenix Resort’s perch on The Buttes in Tempe. It also provides vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free menu options.
The vegan fare at Compass Arizona Grill is as spectacular as the views of downtown Phoenix.
Courtesy of Compass Arizona Grill
Compass Arizona Grill
122 North Second Street
Revolving on the rooftop of the Hyatt Regency Phoenix, Compass Arizona Grill gives diners 365-degree views of downtown Phoenix. The menu includes the ubiquitous hummus board and some salads for vegan options, but a couple of dishes really stand out: the eggplant lasagna with Beyond Italian sausage, and creamy, dairy-free panna cotta for dessert.
Elements at Sanctuary
5700 East McDonald Drive, Paradise Valley
One of the finest dining establishments in the Valley, elements at Sanctuary Camelback Mountain Resort serves “American cuisine with Asian accents” with a side of vertiginous views of the peaks around Paradise Valley. The vegan entree, Japanese eggplant and crispy tofu, can be paired with a side of chili garlic broccolini.
Toca Madera
4736 North Goldwater Boulevard, Scottsdale
The atmosphere at Toca Madera is like a beautiful, candlelit mission, with trees and greenery growing inside for a soft communion with nature. The menu at this modern Mexican restaurant (also with a location in Los Angeles) includes vegan chile relleno and some inventive salads, like Mexican Fattoush with a Cortez sea salt vinaigrette.
Binkley’s Restaurant
2320 East Osborn Road
Since the multi-course dining experiences at Binkley’s change depending on what ingredients are in season and Chef Kevin Binkley’s inclinations, give this midtown favorite a couple days’ notice about vegan meal needs for a great fine-dining night.
Kai Restaurant
5594 West Wild Horse Pass Boulevard, Chandler
Located in the Sheraton Grand at Wild Horse Pass, Kai is Arizona’s only AAA Five Diamond Award-winning restaurant. Chef de Cuisine Ryan Swanson uses locally sourced, indigenous ingredients from the nearby Gila River Indian Community, and can make an innovative vegan meal with notice.
