Do You Have Anything Vegan?

Eat up, worldwide.

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  • PALM SPRINGS/PALM DESERT: Absolute must meal at CHEF TANYA’S KITCHEN

    THIS(these) PLACE(s) GET A 10 OUT OF 10 RATING FOR VEGAN DELICIOUSNESS.

    Seriously.

    Breakfast. Lunch. Dinner. You can not go wrong at CTK (as the locals call it). Chef Tanya has been doing this vegan sandwich thing since the 1980s. You love the ’80s. You love the music, the acid washed jeans, the big bangs hiding your forehead, all of it. She went on to create and run Native Foods – #IYKYK – and now has these two locations:

    Palm Springs – it’s a small space where you can order area and shop but they have a seating area two doors down or do what we do and order it to go online, pick it up, bring it home and eat then jump back in the pool.

    Palm Desert – Huge space with plenty of seating and a coffee and baked goods area and a creamery.

    Must Haves (this is going to be difficult because we love everything on this menu):

    • Pastrami Mami – it’s a vegan rueben – so tasty, the sauce, the pickles on top, amazing
    • Modern Hippie Veggie – cool and crisp and refreshing to eat in the heat
    • Smoked Chick’n Pasta – it’s a side you can get in the take-away fridge – fantastic
    • Mac N’ Cheesy – so yum yum yum – again it’s a side in the take-away fridge
    • Creamery – any and all of these dairy-free ice creams are the best you’ll ever taste

    On top of all this, Chef Tanya is an animal advocate, supporter and volunteer who has worked for years with the Palm Springs Animal Shelter and other organizations. She’s one of the good ones – that’s for sure – so give either – or both – her places a stop-in and/or online order. We have meat-eating friends who are obsessed with CTK and will literally forego their need omnivore need because this spot is better.

    Address: 706 S Eugene Rd, Palm Springs & 72695 CA-111 Unit A6, Palm Desert

    Website: CHEF TANYA’S

  • PHOENIX: Get your burger on at UNIQ

    The rumors are true: UNIQ is unique.

    Steve here: I took my 80+ year old mom here and SHE loved it. And trust me, she is not someone easy to please when it comes to food. “Is this spicy??! I can’t have anything spicy!” Here’s hoping she’s not reading this. If she IS reading this, well then, HI MOM!

    Every item on the menu is 100% plant-based and they’ve won multiple ‘Best of Phoenix’ awards including two this year alone. And they made Yelp’s Top 100 Places to Eat in the US in 2024. So yeah, they got the goods and their goods are damn tasty.

    UNIQ is located in a shopping mall and it can be a little tricky to find but then most smaller places are in Phoenix because they only allow signage so high as to not take away from their mountain views (I am not making this up, Google it). Fear not, you’ll find it and when you do, you’ll be glad you did.

    Pro-tip – Get the Parmesan Truffle Fries. They’re worth it. You’re worth it. Never forget: fries tell no lies.

    Address: 7730 E McDowell Rd Suite 108-B, Scottsdale

    Website: UNIQ

  • PODCAST: Listen to WORLD GONE GOOD

    WORLD GONE GOOD celebrates everyday people making good happen each and every day.

    From vegan superstars including New York Times Best-Selling Author, Kathy Freston, to two-time Master Chef competition player, Alejandra Schrader, to animal rescues including the Tennessee Cow Farm, Vintage Pet, and Unity Farm Sanctuary, to badass community organizers John Oberg and Jessica Cruz, this show has plenty of good to spread around.

    And with 225 episodes, plus another 30 pieces of bonus content, you’ve got all the good you need ready and waiting.

    Get your good on, you deserve it:

    Website: WORLD GONE GOOD

  • NEW YORK CITY: Lunch or dinner at COLETTA

    Steve here: So I was visiting my niece in Philly and I said let’s go into NYC. We hopped on the Amtrak and were whisked right into the city where we walked around and enjoyed our day. I asked her what she wanted for dinner and she was good with anything so I said there’s this vegan Italian place I have wanted to try forever called Coletta and she said let’s go. One of the best food-eating-related-decisions of our lives.

    We each started with a glass of white wine and their Olive and Rosemary Bread. Perfect start, perfect landing. We moved on to a glass of red wine and their Puttanesca Meatballs, again, nailed it. For our dinner, we were like, well, we’ve already had some wine and the delicious bread and meatballs, let’s just order something to share. So we got the Spaghetti Carbonara and the Hot Honey Pizza because clearly we have trouble saying no. And in this case, it was a damn good thing:

    Spaghetti Carbonara was insane – couldn’t even tell it wasn’t full-on cream-based with pancetta, it’s spot on and amazing. I will say it’s not a giant portion of pasta so if you come hungry (and you don’t have two glasses of wine, bread and meatballs first), get a starter or salad first. Just bein’ honest.

    Hot Honey Pizza was next-level-holy-crap-what-is-even-happening-right-now? Warning: don’t be fooled by the words ‘hot’ or ‘honey.’ This pizza is for people (like me) who love food with a kick. And damn does it deliver the kick. Wow. Just wow. So so SO GOOD.

    And yes we also got sides of the Truffle Mashed Potatoes and Parsley Garlic Knots because we need our vegetables. Stop judging us. I already told you we have trouble saying no.

    FYI – City Root Hospitality offers a collection of premiere vegan restaurants including Coletta, Santir, Anixi, and more. Check the website for more info and locations.

    Address: 365 3rd Ave, New York

    Website: COLETTA

  • LONDON: Breakfast, brunch, lunch it up at OATIS

    We happened upon this independently-owned cafe while shopping. Relaxed, comfy interior + super nice staff + most of the menu is oat-based = a tasty good time. Not 100% vegan – they do have eggs, cheese, chicken, salmon, etc. – so bring along your omnivore friends and fam. No judgments. Well OK yeah SOME judgments but we were raised right and do it behind your back. Awwwww!

    Jim’s Choice: Vegan AND gluten free? Go for the PB&J Bowl with peanut butter, raspberry & chia jam, bananas and the equally delicious and mysterious Oatis topper. And the banana bread is killer.

    Steve’s Choice: Blueberry Business pancakes. Full stop. Blueberry & lemon compote, blueberries, toasted almonds and maple syrup. Go crazy and ask for an extra side of peanut butter. You deserve it.

    Address: 127 Queensway, Bayswater, London

    Website: OATIS

  • LOS ANGELES: Breakfast, Lunch of Dinner at HUGO’S

    Hugo’s, celebrating their 45th anniversary this year, holds a special place in our hearts because it’s where we had our first date back in 2007. The photo above is of us in 2017, 10 years later, back having our own anniversary dinner at the exact same table.

    The menu here features eats for everyone: from omnivores to vegetarians to vegans, Hugo’s has got you covered. They have the best breakfast & brunch menu(s) in LA and a grouping of items are available all day long.

    Must Haves:

    • BREAKFAST/BRUNCH: Pumpkin Pancakes – vegan AND gluten free
    • BREAKFAST/BRUNCH: Chocolate Chip Pancakes – vegan AND gluten free
    • LUNCH/DINNER: Reuben Sandwich – spicy good
    • LUNCH/DINNER: Build Your Own Plate – you can pick your favorites and create your own masterpiece
    • GET. THE. FRIES. We repeat: GET. THE. FRIES.

    Note: They’ve now added Just Eggs brand egg substitute, which is our fave, so you can ask them to sub that in for any egg dishes.

    Pro-Tip: Make a reservation and/or get their early. Locals know how great this place is. Ask anyone and they’ll tell you/back us up.

    Maybe we’ll have our 20th Anniversary party there? Let us know if you want an invite.

    Address: 8401 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood (second location in Studio City)

    Website: HUGO’S

  • PARIS: Breakfast/Lunch at LAND & MONKEYS

    Welcome to the first positive impact bakery: Baguettes, croissants, cookies, and sandwiches—all the bakery staples are offered in 100% plant-based versions, meaning they’re meat-free, fish-free, butter-free, milk-free, cream-free, and egg-free. Instead, they offer 100% natural plant-based alternatives that are up to 90% less carbon-intensive. Thank you for attending our Ted Talk.

    Now on to the choices of eats – which are plentiful – and so damn good. We went there three times. That is how damn good we are talking. Berets off to Rodolphe Landemaine and the entire team for making deliciousness happen.

    Jim’s Choice: They have this pistachio pie but it’s kind of more like a cheesecake – it’s hard to describe it other than to say GET IT.

    Steve’s Choice: The plant-based chick-in on a crunch baguette – amazing. They also have all these different focaccias with all these different topics – the one with black olives was tops.

    Address: Multiple locations – check website below.

    Website: LAND & MONKEYS

  • LONDON: Afternoon Tea at ROSEATE HOUSE

    You have not fully British-ed until you’ve afternoon-ed tea-ed (these are words, per me/us). And one of our favorite places for high (or low depending on your day) tea time is Roseate House, right by Hyde Park/Kensington Park. The space feels like you’ve stepped back in time, the staff is lovely and attentive, and the vegan afternoon tea is as good as it gets. They also have standard omnivore afternoon tea for your friends who may opt for it instead. Feel free to judge them though. You have our permission. That’s a joke. Or is it…??

    Pro-tip: Ask for To-Go boxes. Especially for the desserts. You’ll be so full from the scones & jam and finger sandwiches, don’t push it.

    Address: 3 Westbourne Terrace, Hyde Park Gardens (close to Paddington Station)

    Website: ROSEATE HOUSE

  • SANTA BARBARA: Wine bar & cafe at SATELLITE SB

    It’s all about the vibe and Satellite SB owner, Drew Cuddy, nailed it. Having spent every summer in college living with winemakers in Italy, he’s brought the riviera feel to America’s Riviera town, Santa Barbara, California. If you’re in need of a late afternoon snack and a perfect glass of wine to go with it, look no further.

    Jim’s Choice: This is our pal Kathy’s go-to place. In fact, it’s where we first met her, so we have Satellite to thank for our friendship. The focaccia bread with marinated garlic in olive oil is my absolute favorite thing on the menu.

    Steve’s Choice: The Yoga Pants Salad is an explosion of flavors (yes, plural). It’s crisp, fresh and delicious and all veggie-goodness. If Santa Barbara were to be described by taste, it’s this salad (don’t make this creepy).

    Pro-tip: Grab a seat outside and people watch. You’ll definitely get a show.

    Address: 117 State St, Santa Barbara

    Website: SATELLITE SB

  • WINDSOR: Dessert away at RODEO DOUGHNUTS

    What do you do after you tour a royal castle? You go directly down the street and get yourself a donut. Or two. OK, fine, we got three. Don’t judge us.

    Rodeo Doughnuts offers multpile vegan options, along with non-vegan ones. And they all taste as good as they look. Need a quick sugar fix? Embrace your inner Homer Simpson and get you to the Rodeo. You can walk those calories off in no time.

    Address: Unit 8, Royal Windsor Station, Windsor

    Website: RODEO DOUGHNUTS