222 FOOD & DRINK SEPTEMBER 25, 2025 | WWW.BESTOFPHOENIX2025.C0M | BEST OF PHOENIX 2025 e e e B E S T I T A L I A N D E L I ROMANELLI’S ITALIAN DELI 3437 W. DUNLAP AVE. 602-249-9030 ROMANELLISITALIANDELI.COM The hardest part about a trip to Romanelli’s is knowing where to start. Let’s go with the grocery area. If you’re planning to make Italian food at home, this is a must-stop. The number of ingredients, from herbs to olive oils, is vast. Premade? They’ve got you covered there, too. Jars of sauces and varieties of pastas line the shelves. It’s also easy to think about not cooking once you catch the scent of the hot food being prepared in the back. Grab deli meats and cheese by the pound or opt to let the shop’s experts build you a sub. You can’t go wrong with the Italian Stallion, featuring all the meats from salami to capicola. Pizza, lasagna and so many more hearty dishes are there to tempt you. And don’t forget about the bakery and its house-made cannoli, tiramisu and oh-so-many cookies. Go, stuff your face and don’t forget: They also cater. e e e B E S T V E G A N B U R G E R UNIQ BURGER 7730 E. MCDOWELL ROAD, #108-B, SCOTTSDALE 480-664-7919 UNIQBURGER.COM You don’t eat meat, but you’re craving the taste of a fast-food burger. Well, UNiQ Burger in Scottsdale has you covered. This spot is 100% plant-based and serves burgers that taste anything but. The small, flavor- packed menu includes three burger options, three chick’n sandwich options and some tasty loaded fries. Our go-to order includes the Paradise Burger, topped with vegan American cheese, banana peppers, teriyaki sauce, grilled onions, lettuce and a juicy ring of grilled pineapple, paired with some Southwest fully loaded fries, stacked with vegan American cheese, jalapenos, chipotle aioli, crispy onion strings and sesame seeds. These juicy, flavorful burgers will leave you planning your next visit. e e e B E S T V E G A N B R U N C H VEGAN & VINE 502 E. THUNDERBIRD ROAD 602-296-7638 VEGANANDVINECO.COM In the corner of a shopping center in Moon Valley, a quaint red brick building churns out the best vegan brunch in town. Start with an iced coffee or matcha latte and take in the sights and sounds of the welcoming, homey restaurant. Next, dive into some biscuits topped with very convincing sausage gravy or a burrito stuffed with the house scramble, made with tofu, vegan cheese, potatoes, sausage, onions and beans. For something a little unusual, try the breakfast flatbread topped with the same tofu scramble, vegan cheese and fresh pico de gallo. All of the plates here are hearty and healthy, and everything is 100% plant-based. Later in the day, Vegan & Vine serves lunch, dinner and wine. All are excellent, but we love stopping by this spot to start our day. e e e B E S T V E G A N D E S S E R T S NAMI 2014 N. SEVENTH ST. 602-258-6264 TSOYNAMI.COM If you have the pleasure of trying a tSoynami once, you may not ask for ice cream ever again. tSoynami is 100% vegan plant-based ice cream that comes in vanilla, chocolate or a swirl of the two flavors. You can customize your tSoynami any way you want — add fresh banana, organic pecans, banana syrup and organic chocolate syrup for a Clunky Monkey, or house-made chai and animal cookies topped with whip for a Chai Tiramisu. If ice cream isn’t your thing, there are also vegan doughnuts, cupcakes and coffee at Nami. And if you want to bring this delicious plant-based magic home, don’t leave without picking up some of chef Damon Brasch’s cookie dough.
