{"id":2728,"date":"2023-12-11T02:02:31","date_gmt":"2023-12-11T09:02:31","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/inspiretraveleat.com\/?p=2728"},"modified":"2024-04-18T10:27:16","modified_gmt":"2024-04-18T17:27:16","slug":"best-restaurants-in-phoenix","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/inspiretraveleat.com\/best-restaurants-in-phoenix\/","title":{"rendered":"23 Best Restaurants in Phoenix & Scottsdale"},"content":{"rendered":"
If you are looking for the best restaurants in Phoenix and Scottsdale than you came to the right place.<\/p>\n
Whether you want dinner with a view, low-key comfort food, fine-dining, farm-to-table, a deli or one of the best meals you have ever had… this is the place to go on a foodie tour of Phoenix.<\/p>\n
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Phoenix is turning into a little culinary hotspot with a lot of great restaurants popping up as well as some older eateries unique to Phoenix really catching their stride.<\/p>\n
This list really tries to rank by bang for your buck from food quality to ambiance and beyond.<\/p>\n
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The best places to eat in Phoenix are scattered throughout the valley with a ton of amazing options whether you want healthy food fast, Italian, Mexican, New Mexican, the best seafood or a stunning elegant dinner with a view.<\/p>\n
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Like any city there are a plethora of restaurants for all tastes thus this list tries to incorporate all tastes and styles. Phoenix is of course home to Southwestern dishes and an incredible place for Mexican food due to over 33% of the population being Hispanic.<\/p>\n
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However, being the 5th largest city and 12th largest DMA in the US you are sure to get great choices across the board for all types of restaurants.<\/p>\n
As Phoenix is so vast we tried to pick more central best Phoenix restaurants for people visiting or for those who don’t want to drive to Buckeye for a meal. <\/span><\/p>\n If you are visiting Phoenix and want to do some great things, see here for the Phoenix Bucket List: 16 Things You Have To Do<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Let me preface this ranked list with the fact that this for best overall experience for the everyday person. This list is not for necessarily the foodie or for most expensive fine dining but it\u2019s for truly the best all-around places to eat.<\/p>\n I am talking ambiance, uniqueness, food, cost-to-taste-ratio and overall experience. I could list 6 $$$$$ restaurants but odds are if they are that pricey they are well known or good so don’t need the help.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n I reiterate this on my site often… I always try to suggest things that are unique or different that you can\u2019t do where you\u2019re from or don\u2019t do every day so this list is also for those visiting to try something new.<\/p>\n With that said, in this blog you will see things that are a bit more centric to the area vs. larger chains. See here for the top bars in Phoenix<\/a> & Scottsdale.<\/p>\n There are a few places that have opened and become more popular over the last few years since this article was written originally. Here are a few other places to look at.<\/p>\n If you are in town for a bachelor\/ette party a huge crowd favorite is Toca Madera as well as the even newer CALA Scottsdale.<\/p>\n To be honest Toca’s food is not that good for what you pay for, however definitely #1 in ambiance and experience so ends up worth it. Toca is also an LA creation so not really speaking to this list of more a unique Phoenix experience.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n A couple of nicer “trendy” fine dining options are also Maple & Ash, Ocean 44, Steak 44 as well as Bourbon & Bones but we still prefer the fine dining options mentioned below.<\/p>\n Bacanora is a newer restaurant on the scene but it literally is sold out of reservations months in advance. You can try and sit at the first-come first serve bar though.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Another new favorite is PYRO but felt it was underwhelming from a cost\/benefit side… it was expensive for small portions and would much rather do others on this list over it for the same or lesser amount.<\/p>\n Mastro’s City Hall in my opinion is the most overrated as have been there 5 times now and have been underwhelmed all but 4 of them. It also is a very old stuffy crowd since some of the newer places have gotten trendier and more of a fun experience.<\/p>\n Wren and Wolf is also another newer place that underwhelmed. While it is a great ambiance, the food quality and taste just wasn’t there.<\/p>\n The Rockerij, Richardson’s, Rosie’s and Dick’s Hideaway are all the same company with the first 3 being all joined together while Dick’s is just down the street!<\/p>\n Wow… these places have some of the best food on earth, not just Phoenix. It is New Mexican fare with the perfect low-key cozy ambiance such as the stone house of a restaurant in the Rokerij.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Don’t ask more questions… just go. Each place has a similar menu while deviating some to match the mood of each place. They also all have the best breakfast in town.<\/p>\n Rockerij is the more upscale date night of the 4 but still a very casual comfortable feel with dim lighting, stone-house setup and copper top bars.<\/p>\n Richardson’s, the original from 1988 is casual with over-sized booths, rugs on the wall and overall just a homey southwestern feel to it.<\/p>\n Dick’s Hideaway, open in 1992, is a rustic more bar feel, it is small, fills up very fast and has a purposeful tight intimate and fun feel to it. It actually was where Dick lived and his shower is still in the bathroom!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Rosie’s is their speakeasy that you can actually walk through the Richardson’s kitchen to get to. While it is a bar it also has the full menu so feel free to drink and eat away there!<\/p>\n You must get the carne adovada! I have never heard of it or tried it and wow… top favorite meal ever, especially the breakfast with eggs… dear Lord.<\/p>\n Don’t get me started on the tortillas… I don’t understand how they make the greatest tortillas ever… I don’t and have never cared about tortillas but… unbelievable. Feel free to ask for more for free!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n One of the best thing about their places is also that you get giant portions to take home… no skimpy tiny portions here, you get what you paid for and more!<\/p>\n Be sure to get something from the Sante Fe Trail like the bacon wrapped shrimp, adovada, smoked pork or whatever you get recommended.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Be sure to ask the waiter about the story behind Dick’s hideaway as it used to just be a place he drank with his friends to “hide away” from restaurant.<\/p>\n The restaurants are full of surprises including the secret basement bar at the Rockerij!<\/p>\n Some of the best food on earth, the vibe, the ambiance and how unique it is is what puts these places firmly at the #1 spot!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n The best prime rib I have ever had and some of the best atmosphere for a restaurant in all of Phoenix with it’s chill vibe. <\/p>\n Chelsea’s Kitchen is a little off the standard track tucked away off Camelback but it is no secret to locals. You will be hard pressed to not have a wait at Chelsea’s Kitchen as it is a local favorite. <\/p>\n Their food, atmosphere and drinks are some of the best in town! While there often is a wait you are more than welcome to wait on their front patio or grassy area and order drinks while catching up with your group.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n You must try their Diego Rivera paloma, the french fries are actually the best fries on earth and then the free chocolate chip cookies when you leave add the perfect touch.<\/p>\n Their smokeyard with wood burning rotisserie and grill really just makes this place extra special with mouth-watering food.<\/p>\n If you want to perfect mix of fine dining but a good casual meal and ambiance, Chelsea’s Kitchen and their amazing sister restaurant Buck & Rider are exceptional places to try!<\/p>\n This is the best and one of the lesser known upscale gem’s in all of Arizona. Living here 10+ years and I don’t know many people who know about it. The setting is absolutely stunning as you can see with beautiful grounds.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The patio is incredible and is the perfect ambiance for a date night or any time. The food is spectacular and they have a ton of great tequila based craft cocktails<\/a>. Their wine list is beyond robust so if you are a wine lover than you have to go here.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n They have exceptional service with such personable staff and then of course inside has that rustic Southwestern feel. You must have a drink at their bar as it feels like something out of the wild west.<\/p>\n The hotel itself has won Conde Nast awards and it even has a secret prohibition poker room where you can dine in the wine cellar!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The room was found buried under the property when the new owners were renovating the property in the 1990s. It has secret tunnels where they could all escape into the desert if prohibition agents were coming their way.<\/p>\n Lon’s offers an incredible setting, stunning decor and patio and of course this one of a kind experience.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n This is the BEST Italian restaurant and arguably the best tasting food in town.<\/p>\n It is family owned and operated as well as one of the few grandfathered in locations where you can legally bring in your own alcohol! You heard right, you can bring in wine to the restaurant!<\/p>\n The owner is the best host in all of the Phoenix. He welcomes you, he entertains you, he makes you feel like you are in your own house and he is basically the mayor of Phoenix. If you are on a first date then you 10,000% have to go here.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n They will break the ice for you, make you both feel comfortable and keep you both smiling all night long making sure there are no awkward pauses.<\/p>\n Beyond that, I cannot express to you how good the food is, best in Phoenix. I highly suggest the Pasta Alex and the Pasta Giuseppe, however you can’t go wrong with anything!<\/p>\n It is cash only and does not take reservations so you\u2019ve been warned but it adds to the cache. All the best places always are cash only anyways!<\/p>\n Originally conceived in the 1920s The Farm At South Mountain now offers fine dinner at their stunning Quiessence restaurant, lunch and picnic parties at the Farm Kitchen or breakfast at Morning Glory Cafe.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The grounds also offer a massive garden, retail store and a magical space for weddings and events. <\/p>\n The restaurants offer some of the freshest food you might ever eat with vegetables, edible flowers, eggs and herbs picked within hours from the on-site garden. Even the cocktails are fine crafted and adorned with ingredients from the farm.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Farm is the best destination in Arizona for self-sustainability, locally created arts, and a truly farm-to-table experience.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Lolo’s has gone down just a little on the list as the consistency of the food can be hit and miss now that it has open a ton of locations.<\/p>\n However, you still get the best service, great atmosphere and the food is typically incredible. Odds are you are going to be hungover this Scottsdale trip and when you wake up you need to go directly to Lolo\u2019s.<\/p>\n You obviously have to get chicken & waffles but also be sure to get stupid fries and some kool-aid on tap. You can\u2019t not have a good time here and will leave very content, aside from a touch heavier in the waistline.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n With that said if you’re looking to lose weight on a top restaurant list of mine than you need to move on. I suggest starting with the Stupid Fries<\/a> and then moving to the perfect combination of chicken and waffles smothering both in hot sauce and syrup.<\/p>\n I had never had chicken and waffles before this place and wow… will never go back, combine them both with hot sauce and syrup in one bite, heaven!<\/p>\n The Pemberton and Barnone make the list purely from an experience standpoint. Both are such cool shared spaces where you can try different pop-up restaurants or food trucks and bars.<\/p>\n They are must-visits and if you are on a date night they should be some of the first places you go. Casual and laid back setting make it so unique from standard restaurants or bars.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Pemberton has multiple incredible food trucks with pasta, teppanyaki, tacos, street dogs and more!<\/p>\n It also has a ton of bars all with their own unique ambiance. There is an urban area, a latin area, a relaxed area, a DJ area and a pub type area.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Barnone is a co-op space made up of restaurants, a brewery, a winery, 2 machine shops, a florist, letterpress, woodworking, a salon, a farm store and more companies continue to be added.<\/p>\n All of this with the backyard being Agritopia Farm where you can get some of the best produce in Phoenix.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n1. Best Restaurant in Phoenix – Rockerij\/Richardson’s\/Rosie’s\/<\/h2>\n
Dick’s Hideaway<\/h2>\n
Price: $$-$$$<\/h3>\n
2. Chelsea’s Kitchen – Best Ambiance & Prime Rib<\/h2>\n
Price: $$$-$$$$<\/h3>\n
3. Lon’s At The Hermosa Inn – Best Fine Dining<\/h2>\n
Price: $$$$<\/h3>\n
4. Ristorante Giuseppe – Best Food, Best Italian & Best Family Restaurant<\/h2>\n
Price: $$-$$$<\/h3>\n
5. The Farm At South Mountain – Best Farm to Table<\/h2>\n
Price: $$$$<\/h3>\n
6. Lolo\u2019s Chicken & Waffles – Best hangover food & fun experience<\/h2>\n
Price: $$<\/h3>\n
7. Barnone & The Pemberton – Best Restaurant Co-Op Spaces<\/h2>\n
Price: $$$<\/h3>\n