Amazing! You come up to this place and you know it is special. Run by a very nice group of women and they make different items each day. I had the three item plate with Kale and Peanut salad, curry and coconut brown rice and pinto beans with squash, and then my friends and I split some oat and apple bars that were delicious. You can try anything you want out of the cold deli counter and prices were reasonable for food that is not only good for you but made from scratch. I love this place, can't wait to go back! read more

Desert Roots Kitchen - Kale, beans and curry rice! - Vegan Near Me - Tempe, Arizona

Love this place get there early for the gold stuff. Everything is so fresh and amazing! Right off mill go to candy addict and there's a walkway it's back there by the gazebo. Defiantly recommend this place for everyone! Vegan and vegetarian! read more

Yummy dishes that I had. Lentil wrap was really good. Super flavorful and needed zero hot sauce or sauce addition. Atmosphere was mellow and people seemed friendly. Would definitely recommend and return. read more

I tried out this little vegan gem for the first time today. Very friendly owner and fun little spot tucked in off of Mill avenue. I had one of the wraps and it was delicious! read more

Finally tried this place yesterday for lunch and absolutely LOVED it!! They are located off of Mill, in a little atrium/courtyard off of the sidewalk. A little inconspicuous but this place is a GEM! They have a different menu daily, but when I went I had the 1/2 wrap (pineapple chickpea) with two sides (dolmas & kale/arugula salad). I also mixed their lemonade and tea of the day! I really enjoyed this food that was fresh, tasty & affordable! I can't wait to go here for lunch again. They have a nice outdoor seating area that's perfect this time of year! read more

Desert Roots Kitchen - Vegan Near Me - Tempe, Arizona

High quality delicious vegan dishes with exquisite blending of flavors at this simple, unassuming little restaurant. Would be 5 star if it had an upscale atmosphere. A real gem. read more

Staying at the Mission Palms hotel for the weekend, and wanted a quick bite before getting into the board meetings started. This gem of a place had a fresh and interesting menu, and I was grateful for not only the staff's recommendation but also the samples. I'm not a fan of cilantro, so the ability to try the salad that contained some before ordering was a welcome treat. The food was fantastic, and the atmosphere is quiet and charming. I'm definitely making plans to stop in again when I'm back for the next conference! read more

School is out so it's a bit quiet. Small shop. Minimally processed food and points for sustainability. Small place, small selection, but what I had was good. read more

Desert Roots is a locally owned gem. The menu is different every day and I have not had any misses in the probably 40 or 50 times I've eaten there. They let you taste whatever you want so that definitely helps make sure you love what you get. Everything is legit healthy. All 100% vegetarian and I believe primarily if not totally vegan. The owner leslie is cheerful and welcoming every day, she works incredibly hard but is always happy to have you visit. You do have to eat outside, for all but the hottest days its just fine. They have misters to help in warmer months. I like to get really full here for lunch and then feel awesome the rest of the day because the food is all nutrient packed. Definitely 100% recommended. read more

Really cute spot! 1st time being there. The 2 guys that work there were very friendly and helpful. I got to sample anything I wanted ! He also added a free side dish of chickpeas! The ambiance is retro and artsy which I admire! Will definitely tell my friends about this place and be back to try all the items on the menu! Thanks guys keep up the good work! read more

I love the atmosphere here. The two individuals working were welcoming, offered samples, and made this a place I will be visiting in the future. The food was a filling yet clean lunch option. I ordered the wrap with a side and it was more than enough for one if not two people. read more

Desert Roots Kitchen - Vegan Near Me - Tempe, Arizona

Apogee of hippie vegan lunch experiences. Very cool hipster vibe. They have a daily menu that changes and the items cater to the macro crowd. Think lots of beans legumes and savory veggie items. They always have a couple salads on board too which looked pretty standard. I went with a full plate plus a full salad which was delightful. They use a flavor palate that played with ginger coconut basil and turmeric. Yes that sort of thing. The staff is super friendly and accommodating. The vibe is relaxed and the al fresco dining is quite relaxed. There is a heavy peace and eco feel to the place. It is not full service so you'll be putting away your own plates. It reminds me of a micro Life Alive if you're familiar with the hippy nirvana in Cambridge Massachusetts. read more

Desert Roots Kitchen - Macro city - Vegan Near Me - Tempe, Arizona

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I love this little place as someone trying to eat more healthfully. The owners are beyond helpful, friendly and accommodating. Different freshly prepared items each day. I do wish they had more veggie options vs. carbs (like a potato soup made with cauliflower, asparagus soup or a veggie soup). Will be back! read more

This is definitely the place to go for the best vegan food in Tempe. Everything is made fresh daily and they prepare all the food in front of you. Very nice and friendly staff :-) read more

Desert Roots really has figured it out. The food, a different menu everyday, is not only fantastic tasting, but what we SHOULD be eating- and it's straight up comfort food. The owner is so great, there is a little patio enclosed by bushes and trees and there is really great music playing. The whole thing is perfection. I'll be back everyday this week while I'm in town. read more

Tucked back in a garden grotto, simple delicious vegan food prepared fresh and different daily...super friendly owners and staff...healthy and very yummy! read more

Delightful lunch spot. Nice to sit outside under the shade cover. Limited daily menu but it's delicious. I'm not vegan and love my meat but this was a treat. Friendly service and fresh food. read more

LOVE this place. LOVE it. The changing menu, the close proximity to work, the awesome staff - I love it! I'm not vegan or vegetarian... I'm more of a steak and baguette kind of kid, but this place makes me think that I could easily be vegan if I ate there everyday. It's always so delicious! read more

Artisanal vegan cooking, healthy and delicious in a cozy and calm environment. The selection is limited and varies daily. Excellent hot soups and cookies. Attention to the open hours only for breakfast and lunch. read more

Hmm. I got a private response from Sally M. at Desert Roots. Here it is: Judgey "I found your review very judgmental. Do you mind when your server who serves you meats or alcohol offensive if they smoke? Cigarettes, although not the healthiest thing on the planet, are not made from dead animals, or GMOs. Eating a vegan diet, for some, has more to do with a cruelty-free way of living, rather than a health choice." - Sally M. Dear Sally M., The issue is not that I am judging you for smoking. I assure you I do not care one lick of an iota if you smoke. It's that you smoked right outside your restaurant, then waltzed back in and immediately went to serve up some hummus. My issue is that this is unsanitary, and whether you're serving a veggie wrap or a ribeye smothered in extra GMO meat sauce, just plain gross. Rebecca read more

Setting: day time, Mill Avenue. We're hungry. The situation is all too familiar. Where should we eat? I don't know, do we want sh*tty pizza or a sh*tty burger or some sh*tty Mexican food? Enter: Desert Roots Kitchen, the tiny, unassuming kitchen of fresh awesome... now, I never have to have this conversation again. With offerings like huge wraps, awesome dolmas, cous cous salads, noodle dishes, greens, fresh fruit, granola and yogurt parfaits, and baked goods like brownies, cookies and bars, it's reassuring to know that most everything is vegan (even the white chocolate chips in the cookies and the soy yogurt they have available for parfaits) but not particularly surprising. It's all very simple, natural food. No Tofurky isht. Not up in here. The staff is friendly, helpful, enthusiastic, and most importantly, willing to let you sample things. I ended up with the vegan parfait for a anti-whopping fee of 3.50... the same price as Nami's! Except, Desert Roots uses fresh, seasonal fruit instead if a scoop of frozen berries, gives you about twice as much soy yogurt (but if only they had coconut milk yogurt...), and their lightly honey-sweetened homemade granola actually keeps breakfast nutritious, rather than turning it into a total sugar bomb. I'll definitely be ordering the parfait on da regular. While we're on the subject of carbs, I'd love to see some additional grainless menu items, because as of now, it's entirely carb-based. I enjoy the idea of pasta and cous cous as much as the next person, but I'd rather not eat much of it, let alone make it my meal. Also, stuffing a flour-based wrap with grains is not on my bucket list. Plus, if I get dessert (and I am getting dessert, damn it), that's flour on rice on flour. Yikes. Hook me up with some vegetable/nut/legume-centric dishes and I'll be an ecstatic camper in the future. Keep the good stuff coming, y'all, keep it coming. read more

I hate to be the party pooper but as someone who is a healthy cooking fanatic and always on the search for a lighter choice when I'm on the go, this place doesn't put me off the charts on my wow-meter. The portions are plentiful which is very nice considering the price. The ingredients do seem fresh as well and I very much like seeing the open kitchen. The staff has always been friendly, but when it comes to taste, texture and "health" I think there is room for improvement. Most of the salads I have tried, whether potato, pasta or legume based, have been grossly overdressed. The adjective that comes to mind is "gloppy." The chana masala chickpeas had a pool of oil sitting in the middle and the batch was overly salted. The thai peanut vegetables were overly coated with a viscous dressing, though the flavor was decent. Each time I see a beautiful creation and order it, my lips feel coated chapstick after a few bites. The wraps have good flavor, but I don't see the point of stuffing them with rice. Carbs and carbs don't feel healthy to me when coated in a coconut sauce. To be fair, the chili I had last week was fantastic. Earlier this week however, when it was 60-some degrees outside, they had no soup. Seems like an odd special to be missing when the season finally turns. I think there is terrific potential and I hope Desert Roots fares well. Local food that is fresh made, open and honest, is what I live to support. There is absolutely no doubt that this humble cafe provides better choices than most of the options on Mill. But I can't sing praises quite yet. A few tweaks to thin out the sauce, adjust the seasonings and maybe some better carb/protein combos and I'll be a regular. read more

Desert Roots is a great little place for a fast lunch. Since everything is vegan it's one of the best choices in Tempe for something healthy. Everything I have tried has been really good and satisfying. The salads and hummus are always fresh and server up deli style from the case. So it's really quick to stop in eat on the patio and head back about your day. The staff is exceptionally nice and helpful giving you suggestions of things to try and what they have for the day. It's a little hard to find at first since it's in a back nook off the street, but well worth it once you know here it is. If you are curious about vegan food or just want something not fried for lunch this is pretty much the best place on Mill. read more

I think I have eaten here probably a gazillion times since I first decided to try it out this summer. It's not very often I get hankerings for the food at one restaurant which can't be satisfied anywhere else on Earth (I used to get that with Lo Lo's Chicken and Waffles, until they realized that most middle-class white people have no palates, and the quality started slipping). If you bothered to read the above parenthetical remark, you'll note that I am not even a vegan. I'd *like* to be a vegan, because large scale farming processes are usually inhumane, but it's just hard to find the wide variety of culinary experience I enjoy when completely excluding animal products from my diet. That's why Desert Roots is so great: their food just tastes great. It's unique. And you're not going to get the same meal twice. Even if I didn't *want* to be vegan, I'd still eat here as often as I can. The way the place works is as follows: 1) You walk in the door, and look at the items available for the day. 2) You go with the wrap-of-the-day, because it's going to be awesome, unless you're that person who inexplicably hated the wrap, yet her only other review was glowing praise of the super-shitty Green. 3) You nearly go mad because you're too indecisive to pick which other two items you want out of the four or five sides that look totally delicious. And you want the hummous too! Aargh! 4) You enjoy the hell out of your meal. That's really all there is to it. This is just well-seasoned, fresh, home-grown food that's not gimmicky, not oversauced, and not something you'll easily find in any other restaurant. read more

I was here recently with a few of my friends. Beware: It can be difficult to find this place, as it's a bit hidden away from the main street. Fortunately, one of my friends knew exactly where he was going. This place is a tiny store with no indoor seating. You go in, there's a menu and a glass case full of their (changed daily!) food selection, and you order and pay right there. Water is in a dispenser in the front, and they have glasses for you to serve yourself. At the end of your meal, you just quickly bus your own plates. In terms of service, the ladies working here are great! They're friendly, helpful, conversational, and very generous with the samples. Any questions, feel free to ask them and be enlightened! For food, most of my friends got wraps (custom and the wrap of the day), whereas I had just eaten, so I settled for a small hummus plate with pita bread. Despite being a small, I still got what I thought was a big serving for a very good price (around $5). Extremely good, and I liked their selection of hummus! In general, if you're in the Tempe area and are craving some healthy vegan food, make the effort to find Desert Roots. I definitely want to make a return trip already. read more

I'm not a vegetarian, but this place is excellent. This space used to be the "In Season Deli", another great establishement of 28 years. However, Desert Roots has picked up where ISD left off. The menu changes daily and is always fresh. Although their are some things I like more than others- everything has at worst been good, and at best- been amazing. A locally owned gem among the commercialism of what is now Mill Ave. read more

Healthy. plant based and delicious! You can tell that the owner and staff are happy serving up great options to those of us who want something fresh and different. I took a omnivore friend to lunch here and she loved all of the options that we sampled. She even finished her wrap and two sides before I finished my food. Everyday there is a new feature wrap to choose from which you can check on their Facebook page. Everything is tasty so you can't go wrong with whatever you choose. I can't wait to come back for the breakfast wrap. This is homemade vegan food and it is great! read more

Amazing selection of food! It was delicious and the portions were a great size. This place has a chill vibe. It is so great to be able to get some healthy food on Mill Ave. read more

Desert Roots Kitchen - Vegan Near Me - Tempe, Arizona

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What's not to love about this new gem in Tempe? It's located in the cove at Mill&5th, which keeps the noise level down, and has a great covered patio for eating/conversing/reading/relaxing etc. The staff is super helpful and friendly (I had no idea what to get the first time I went, but one of the owners kindly explained all that was being offered that day and what other people had recommended). Oh, and the food is amazing too. The menu changes daily and the food is fresh, bright, and light on both palate and wallet. For a special treat stop by on Taco Thursdays for a unique take on an old favorite. Also I've left plenty of restaurants feeling good, because I just ate a really tasty meal, but it's rare for me to leave a restaurant feeling good about the restaurant itself. The people that run Desert Roots Kitchen care about what they're feeding their customers and it shows. *Update* I need to say something about the vegan baked goods at Desert Roots. I've had some bad experiences with animal friendly baked items in the past (see overly dry and tough), but the cookies, brownies, muffins and dessert bread at Desert Roots are excellent. All the baked stuff is very moist with the right amount of chew vs. crumbliness. Also, like the rest of the menu it seems like new treats are whipped up every week, but there are some additional mainstays, like the oh-so-amazing apple oat bars, that remain in the lineup. read more

I've been on a solid health kick lately and have plenty of options when i'm home, but traveling for business always puts a dent in my otherwise healthy lifestyle. Such is the case this weekend, but Desert Roots Kitchen has entered the picture and saved me. The food is exceptionally fresh, natural and simply feels good the instant it enters the body. The women that run the place are WONDERFUL - so friendly and radiant. I absolutely LOVE this place and will be back in A few months... on business, but now with a healthy ace up my sleeve... NOTE - they are only open on weekdays and close at 4(ish) read more

Had a sampler plate and it was all tasty. Counter service was friendly and prices were ok. I'll withhold a fifth star since the food and presentation weren't particularly elevated/complex/sophisticated/subtle in preparation or presentation. Still, a solid effort that keeps this on my preferred list. read more

Love it here! So glad they are open Saturday now. Great to have a healthy alternative to the chains on Mill.

From the moment I decided to take a vacation day off from work today I have been planning my schedule around stopping in here for lunch. Since moving to Tempe a few months ago, I am constantly on the lookout for new vegan/vegetarian spots. However, due to their very limited hours, I have never had a chance to make a visit to Desert Roots Kitchen until today. I didn't immediately notice the restaurant from Mill Avenue because it is tucked away in a little square right behind the big store-fronts on the main sidewalk. Phew! This quaint, quiet location is totally befitting of their style of restaurant. I was pleasantly surprised at how calm the environment was considering its proximity to Mill Avenue in the middle of a school day. The front of the store has some patio seating where customers were easily able to sit undisturbed and read or chat over their meals. Upon entering, the staff was responsive and very positive. I told them it was my first visit and they explained the menu and encouraged me to sample the food before ordering anything. ...Don't mind if I do!! Everything I tasted was delicious, fresh, and made from scratch that same day. I ended up getting the Fresh Veggie & Kale Wrap with Lentils and their Garden Herb Spread. It came with a side of fruit, and the size of the wrap was very generous... I'm saving half of it for lunch tomorrow. It was delicious. The flavors came together very well, and just thinking about those ingredients gives me a nice healthy feeling... a feeling that you don't frequently have after dining on the normal ice cream/burger/pizza fare served up at almost every other one of the restaurants on Mill. I'm incredibly happy with this new health-conscious, vegetarian-friendly addition to a shopping district that was in such desperate need of it. Now go check it out!! read more

I love this place! Vegan food made by a real vegan human. She understands what vegans actually want, and the whole cafe has a very human, down-to-earth, grass-roots vibe which I really appreciate. Great prices as well! read more

A rotating menu consisting of A wrap of the day and many "sides" which are really dishes in themselves. It had been some time since I had venture to this little courtyard hidden away from the hustle and bustle of mill. I was glad to see a small shop brining it back to life. There is a covered patio with a few chairs and inside a counter to order at. (this means summer time may be a problem) The are a few options including a wrap 1/2 wrap with a side two sides or just many sides. Again the sides are well crafted dishes in their own right and not just chips. I tried 1/2 of a warrior wrap which was filled with pinto beans and cactus in a green tortilla. It was pretty good which is high praise as I am not a wrap fan. The real star was the peanut and bok choy salad I had with my dish. Rich and great texture. I was also pleased with the prices, $6.50 for a 1/2 wrap and a side is a bargain compared to other local organic veg places. If the weather is nice, you can't go wrong by trying this place out. read more

This place is a real desert gem. I am an avid meat eater and I don't even miss the meat when I'm having lunch here... makes me think I could actually survive as a vegan. The owner really knows what she is doing! She's wicked smart with the veggies - especially cooking kale and using great spice combinations. I always get the dolmas with tahini, and if they have it, the kale salad (there are several variations) it never disappoints. The best option is to get the lunch plate with 3 items. It's almost too much food for me, but I can never just stop at 2 items. You are allowed to taste a few items if you can't make up your mind, my favorite special item was the apple slaw - so fresh and tasty. On top of all of this tasty food, I can't imagine a place that has better customer service. The first time we went in my fiance wanted some fruit with granola and even though it wasn't on the set menu for the day, the owner made something up special for us and it was the tastiest fruit medley I've ever had - ripe, glorious fruit with freshly made granola. YUM. I honestly have no criticisms... this place is great. My ASU co-workers all agree this is the best spot for a lunch date. I hope it doesn't ever change (unless they open dinner service, which would make my life totally complete). read more

I am sooooo happy to have found this place! I dragged my fella here after noticing it while shopping on Mill. We both enjoyed the plate special. It was a vegetarian wrap filled with black beans, quinoa and other veggies. It was really flavorful! The 2 sides we picked was some asian inspired noodles...not really something I would pick again, but I just didn't like the spices. And a massaged kale salad that blew my socks off! My hubby got one bite of that before I devoured it. So fresh and delicious. Verdict: As a dedicated carnivore this is my new favorite place when I feel like being a tourist vegetarian! read more

MY ABSOLUTE NEW FAVORITE!! Not only is the food fresh made daily and soooo delicious but the staff here is totally worth going for...Heck I even give them all 5 stars for not being open all the times that I want to go there...limited hours closing at 4pm M-F. Not open weekends darn it!! I love the small outdoor seating with the foliage...it's quite a relaxing place to sit and do nothing but eat! Tucked away inside so you can't see it from simply driving down Mill Ave. Park in the garage off 5th street for 1 hour of free parking and you can walk right into the courtyard where the restaurant is. I LOVE this place!! Give it a try, even non-vegans will love the healthy tasty treats! Be sure to ask for a sample if one wasn't already offered to you. I drive 30 minutes to get here and Id drive further...but please don't move farther!! You could open another location and make me twice as happy!! You can find their daily changing menu on their Facebook page. read more

In gonna give this place as fair a review as I can cus its not somewhere I would normally choose to eat for my diet (lack there of) I'm a big meat eater and kinda picky when it comes to veggies. I came here with a vegetarian friend who loves the place. I tried a couple different things ive never had before. Some I liked and some I didn't but that's just taste preference I could tell that everything was fresh and was packed with flavor. The one thing I was was that it was more customisable. For someone like me trying something new , alot of it was stuff that was pre made or could not substitute out say onions or mushrooms. So I was more likely to not like something then if I could take it out. But for someone who is more onto veggies I'm sure that's not an issue read more

We arrived in Scottsdale and needed a quick bite to eat! The reviews for This spot were awesome so we had to come check it out. It's a cute little cafe with about 10 outside seating options. They had a lentil wrap of the day so I shared this along with a side kale salad. You can also try up to 3 sides before you pick which one you choose. I also got to try the green beans and black beans which were both really good! read more