Best Restaurants in Phoenix Arizona

Top 12 Popular Restaurants in Phoenix, Arizona

Arizona, United States / By

You should never travel on an empty stomach, especially in Phoenix, Arizona, whose culinary scene is diverse and worth exploring. This city’s cuisine is heavily influenced by its dry, hot climate. Thanks to its closeness to Mexico, Sonoran-style Mexican authentic food is a huge hit here. We are talking about Mariscos, carne asada, machaca burritos, machaca tacos, and enchiladas. This city’s culinary scene has evolved massively since its early days and surely the restaurants in Phoenix captures every essence.

In addition to Mexican dishes, the chefs serve Indigenous Thai, Native American, Japanese, French, and Italian food. Arizona’s capital city has hundreds of eateries, restaurants, diners, and cafes. They serve everything from classic taquerias to Texas-style barbecue, pizzas, comfy French food, burgers, burritos, and guacamole. These establishments offer various ambiance. So, whether you are looking for a casual dining place or an upscale restaurant, you will find plenty of options in this city. If you want any recommendations, here are the best restaurants in Phoenix, Arizona.

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Table Of Contents
  1. Christopher's at Wrigley Mansion
  2. Valentine
  3. Tia Carmen
  4. Bacanora PHX
  5. Little Miss BBQ-University
  6. LATHA
  7. T. Cook's
  8. Clever Koi
  9. Lom Wong
  10. Vecina
  11. Hana Japanese Eatery
  12. Pizzeria Bianco
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Christopher’s at Wrigley Mansion

Christopher's At Wrigley Mansion
Enjoy fine dining at Christopher’s At Wrigley Mansion.
(Source: Christopher’s At Wrigley Mansion Facebook)

We start our list with French-inspired bistro fare, Christopher’s at Wrigley Mansion. It is renowned for its modern twists on classic French fare and has received many awards, including Best French Restaurant, Best 10 Restaurants with a View, Best Romantic Restaurant, and Best 10 Restaurant Wine Lists. James Beard Foundation Award-winning chef Christopher Gross leads the kitchen and creates mouthwatering dishes.

This restaurant in Phoenix has a modern decor and an open kitchen. Its glass walls offer stunning views of the city lights. It serves delicious French dishes, including foie gras and caviar. This French restaurant has an extended menu featuring hundreds of the finest wines at various prices. It also has separate menus for brunch, dinner, dessert, and cocktails. Visitors must dress smart casually and avoid wearing flip-flops or ball caps.

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Valentine

Valentine
Enjoy avocado toast with scrambled eggs at Valentine’s. (Source: Valentine Facebook)

No other establishment brings southwestern cuisine to the forefront than Valentine. This restaurant in Phoenix includes southwestern ingredients to create delicious dishes. Chef Donald Hawk uses ingredients from his Korean ancestry with desert crops to create a unique cooking style. His Elote Spaghetti is one of the must-try dishes in the restaurant. It is made from homemade pasta with the flavors of Mexican street corn.

Feeling thirsty? Why don’t you try the Hatch margarita? It is served in a boot-shaped glass and made from bell paper powder. If you don’t drink alcohol, try Hatch chile lemonade. Valentine also serves cactus martini, St. George green chile vodka, coffee, and other beverages. This establishment offers a laid-back ambiance and is open for brunch and dinner.

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Tia Carmen

Tia Carmen
Book a table for two at Tia Carmen.
(Source: Tia Carmen Facebook)

Renowned chef Angelo Sosa launched Tia Carmen at the JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort + Spa in early 2022. Since then, it has established itself among the top dining spaces in the city. This restaurant in Phoenix is named for and pays homage to Sosa’s Dominican aunt. It serves modern southwestern dishes, such as tuna crudo, lamb ragu, tostadas, and Baja striped bass.

This establishment has a bohemian desert and minimalist aesthetic decor. It has monochromatic rooms with muted earth tones. Visitors can dine in a shared room or reserve a private dining room. They can also have their meals indoors or outdoors. In addition, Tia Carmen accommodates various dietary restrictions and offers gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian options.

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Bacanora PHX

Bacanora PHX
The iconic Bacanora PHX is all about grilled food.
(Source: Bacanora PHX Instagram)

Downtown Phoenix has many Mexican restaurants, including the famous Bacanora PHX. It is housed in a triangular building and has windows all over the place. Owner René Andrade has dedicated this establishment to all things Sonoran. He uses a grill to create all of its signature dishes. He chars chicken, steak, veggies, and everything else on a Santa Maria grill. The chef finishes cooking by drizzling Sonora’s signature spirit, bacanora, over the food.

This restaurant’s menu includes Elote, burrito, caramelo, pollo asado, tortillas, and tostadas. Each dish is cooked over an open fire. While there are only a few dishes, the daily specials are ever-changing and worth checking out. Bacanora PHX serves Sonoran specialties in an informal ambiance. Although you might not enjoy a candlelit dinner, you will enjoy a fulfilling meal at this establishment.

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Little Miss BBQ-University

Little Miss BBQ
Enjoy a Texas-style barbecue at Little Miss BBQ.
(Source: Little Miss BBQ Facebook)

Have you ever tried Texas-style barbecue? If not, this is your chance to try it at Little Miss BBQ in Phoenix, Arizona. It has two locations: Sunnyslope and E University Dr. The original university serves the city’s best brisket, pork ribs, and traditional sausages. However, certain specialties are only served on a specific day of the week. For instance, pork belly is on Wednesdays, pastrami is on Thursdays, and whole rack beef short rib is on Fridays and Saturdays only.

Some famous dishes in this restaurant are turkey sandwiches, brisket sandwiches, pulled pork sandwiches, pastrami sandwiches, and red chile burritos. To enjoy your meal fully, you must also order side dishes. You can choose from potato salads, creamy coleslaw, Jalapeño cheddar grits, and ranch-style beans. Don’t forget to try their banana pudding or Bekke’s smoked pecan pie.

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LATHA

LATHA
Try the mouthwatering pan-African cuisine of LATHA.
(Source: LATHA Facebook)

We are halfway through our list of the best restaurants in Phoenix, Arizona, and it’s time for LATHA. This establishment is more than a restaurant and bar; it celebrates diverse African and delicious flavors and presents them at their finest. The food culture of Brazil, the Southern US, and the Caribbean also influences its menu. This restaurant’s prestigious location at Heritage Square, aka Heritage & Science Park, has only added to its rising reputation.

LATHA is located in a downtown bungalow with an open-air porch. It has a full-service restaurant and bar, two outdoor patio areas, and two indoor rooms. This establishment is also ideal for hosting parties, rehearsal dinners, celebratory brunches, wedding receptions, business dinners, and other private events. It also invites DJs and R&B singers to make the night lively and welcoming.

T. Cook’s

T. Cook's
Indulge your sweet tooth with this beautiful desert at T. Cook’s. (Source: T. Cook’s Facebook)

Next, we have a Mediterranean restaurant, T. Cook’s, at Royal Palms Resort & Spa. It offers a posh setting with high-vaulted ceilings, rich earthen tones, two outdoor patios, and cozy fireplaces. The outdoor settings offer impressive views of Camelback Mountain and the Royal Palms’ lush landscape. Visitors can also dine in the Spanish-style dining room and enjoy beautiful courtyard views. They can also reserve a table for a candlelit dinner.

This establishment is open for breakfast, lunch, brunch, and dinner. It serves delicious dishes made from hand-selected ingredients. In addition to bold Mediterranean flavors, these dishes have influences from Northern Italy, Spain, and Greece. T. Cook’s serves homemade pasta, sandwiches, tacos, soup, salads, and seafood. It also offers a kids’ menu featuring a cheeseburger, strawberry PB&J, seared salmon, and grilled cheese.

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Clever Koi

Clever Koi
Try steamed buns of Clever Koi. (Source: Clever Koi Facebook)

Who doesn’t love Asian food? Nothing sounds better than late-night ramen or homemade dumplings for lunch. You can order dishes from various Asian countries at the Clever Koi. It serves famous dishes from Korea, Thailand, China, Vietnam, Japan, and Indo-China. This includes Thai salad, dumplings, pork ramen, spicy kimchi ramen, Kung Pao Vegetables, Szechuan Catfish, Japanese Duck Curry, and bulgogi steak.

This restaurant in Phoenix also serves cocktails, fruit punches, wines, beers, Japanese sakes, and other beverages. Its popular drinks include Long Thailand iced tea, Lemongrass Swizzle, Licensed To Drive, and Nutty by Nature. This establishment also hosts happy hours daily from 11 AM to 6 PM. While it is a bit pricey compared to other restaurants, Clever Koi is worth a visit.

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Lom Wong

Lom Wong
Try Lom Wong’s new dish: Laap Mu Muang.
(Source: Lom Wong Facebook)

Enjoy authentic Thai dishes in Phoenix. Lom Wong celebrates the diverse Thai culture and people by serving dishes only found in villages and small towns across Thailand. Owners Yotaka and Alex Martin spent many years in Thailand and learned many recipes and the country’s food culture. Today, they use their understanding of Thai cuisine to offer a memorable food experience to their customers.

This restaurant offers a homey vibe and laid-back atmosphere. It is open for dinner hours and serves Chiang Rai and Kanchanaburi specialties. These include Won Pen’s fried chicken, Pad Kwang Toon, Kaeng Phet Fak Tawng, Tom Kha Gai, Burmese Tomato and Tea Leaf Salad, Kung Shae Nam Pla, and Tom Yum Haeng Sen Yai. Lom Wong also serves exotic cocktails such as Eleven Tigers, honeymoon in Japan, Thunder’s Pina Colada, Mr. Baan’s medicine, and passionfruit Cosmo.

Vecina

Vecina
Savor Tlayuda at Vecina. (Source: Vecina Instagram)

Next, Vecina is a modern American, chef-driven restaurant. Its seasonal menu features mouthwatering dishes with Latin-inspired ingredients, spices, and chiles. The term Vecina means neighbor in Spanish. Likewise, this establishment is a lively neighborhood hangout spot that strives to unite people and create a sense of community. It accommodates every special occasion, from birthdays to corporate events.

This restauran in Phoenixt is open from 4 to 10 PM during dinner and serves tasty dishes and cocktails. Menu highlights include Duroc pork belly tacos, Hiramasa Ceviche, Carnitas Empanadas, Faroe Island Salmon Tacos, Gambas al Ajillo, and Skirt Steak Tacos. Vecina also offers vegan, vegetarian, dairy-free, and gluten-free menus. Diners can enjoy their meal with a beverage of their choice.

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Hana Japanese Eatery

Hana Japanese Eatery
Try sashimi at Hana Japanese Eatery.
(Source: Hana Japanese Eatery Facebook)

The local favorite, Hana Japanese Eatery, is among the best restaurants in Phoenix, Arizona. Lori Hashimoto’s family-owned establishment has served authentic Japanese cuisine in Central Phoenix for three generations. It serves famous Japanese delicacies, from sushi to sashimi. Its famous food includes sake-steamed seabass, fried oysters, Hamachi Kama, and grilled squid.

Kitchen specials include Hana-style Gyu Don Nabe, Squid Maruyaki, Scallop Edamame Kasane Age, Hamachi Kama, and Tai Nanbanzuke, a flash-fried Japanese seasonal fish topped with pickled vegetables. Some dishes are also available in gluten-free and vegetarian options. Furthermore, this Japanese restaurant follows a first-come, first-serve policy and doesn’t accept reservations. Diners can dress casually and dine inside or on the patio.

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Pizzeria Bianco

Pizzeria Bianco
Indulge in cheesy pizzas at Pizzeria Bianco.
(Source: Bianco Restaurants Facebook)

Who doesn’t love pizzas? This cheesy heaven is suited for every occasion. Guess what? You can enjoy the best pizza at Pizzeria Bianco, conveniently situated at Heritage Square in Phoenix, Arizona. James Beard Award-winning chef Chris Bianco launched Pizzeria Bianco inside the back corner of Arizona’s neighborhood grocery store in 1988. It moved to 623 Adams Street in 1997 and has remained there since.

The pizzeria’s wood-fired pizza is the best in the town. Expect a light, charred-at-the-edges crust, mozzarella, parmigiano reggiano, tomato sauce, and other toppings. The chef also serves six staple pies: the Wiseguy, Sonny Boy, Rosa, Margherita, Biancoverde, and Marinara. Moreover, Pizzeria Bianco has become a mini-empire with chain restaurants in Town & Country, downtown Los Angeles, and Central Avenue Corridor.

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Phoenix is known for its desert beauty, sunny days, golf courses, and world-class resorts. This city has slowly become a foodie oasis in the Arizona desert. Its unique cuisine has Mexican, Sonoran, and southwestern US influences. Hence, one of the best things to do here is go on a food tour. You can explore our recommended restaurants and other dining options in the city. Good food sets a good mood, and you will be more excited to discover attractions and activities. Discover the unique flavors of Phoenix food and elevate your travel experience. One thing is sure: Phoenix is more than the Valley of the Sun.

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