For some people the distinction between vegetarian and vegan is life changing, for others it’s more of a case-by-case basis. Regardless which classification best suits you, we believe everyone can enjoy vegan cuisine from time to time without feeling guilty about where their leather belt came from.

Even if you’ve mastered the art of vegetarianism, the crossover to vegan will likely bring about a whole new set of challenges – first and foremost: dining out. To help remedy this inevitable and delicious part of life, we’ve compiled a list of our 6 favorite spots for vegan dining:

Bombay Spice Grill and Wine is a perfect alternative to the sandwiches-and-salad vegan cuisine. With a separate and clearly specified vegan menu, as well as an international wine list, what could possibly be better?

The Pomegranate Cafe is a little East Valley gem that features fresh, local and organic ingredients in the entirely vegetarian (vegan upon request) cafe. Since the focus is on seasonal offerings and supporting farmers, you never know what the special might be.

The Loving Hut, now with locations in Glendale and Phoenix, offers a very reasonably priced variety of appetizers and entrees. Each location is independently operated and menus vary; however, Supreme Master Ching Hai is the innovator behind the Loving Hut Vegan concept.

Green New American Cuisine now has two locations and serves up a variety of everything from comfort food to salads to rice bowls. Green’s counterpart, Nami, offers vegan pastries, desserts, tsoynamis (made-to-order soy ice cream in endless varieties) and a full espresso bar.

Tediberto’s, a Mexican-inspired vegan restaurant, is the newest addition to the Valley’s vegan scene. Since opening last month, reviews have raved about the food, so be patient while they improve the building on Roosevelt Row, train their new staff and adjust their hours of operation. For the time being, we recommend consulting their Facebook page for hours, closures and updates.

With vegan, vegetarian and gluten free specials, Tsom Vegetarian Flavors is the perfect place to grab a bite in Tempe. The menu has a bit of a Mediterranean feel to it and the salad and pasta bar are perfect for dining in or taking to go.

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