Anita's Cocina
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A favorite for locals or those just passing through, Anita's Cocina serves reliable Mexican fare including fresh tamales for lunch or dinner and warm, sugary sopapillas (piping-hot, fried pastry pillows) for dessert.
5 Best Restaurants in Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Tempe, Arizona
Sorry! We don't have any recommendations for Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Tempe right now.
Just as the Valley of the Sun has attracted visitors from around the world, it has also been attracting a record number of worldly residents. Fortunately for everyone, many of those people are skilled chefs and/or restaurateurs who have opted to share their gifts with the public.
Phoenix and its surroundings have metamorphosed into a melting pot for every type of cuisine imaginable: northern to Tuscan Italian; mom-and-pop to Mexico City Mexican; low-key Cuban to high-end French- and Greek-inspired Southwestern; Japanese- to Spanish-style tapas; and kosher to American classics with subtle ethnic twists.
Eateries like La Grande Orange grocery are revolutionizing Phoenix's "fast-food" concept with gourmet takeout. Four-star cuisine, some concocted by celebrity chefs, also awaits all over the Valley, from Kai in Chandler to Scottsdale's Bourbon Steak, along with Binkley's and Cafe Blink in nearby Carefree. Dotted with massive strip malls, Phoenix’s outskirts are becoming a haven of corporate eateries, but don't worry, there's plenty of divine, independent dining for all tastes and all trends in between.
Many of the best restaurants in the Valley are in resorts, camouflaged behind courtyard walls, or tucked away in shopping malls. Newer, upscale eateries are clustered along the Camelback Corridor—a veritable restaurant row, running west to east from Phoenix to Scottsdale—and in Scottsdale itself. Great Mexican food can be found throughout the Valley, but the most authentic spots are in North Central and South Phoenix.
Restaurants change hours, locations, chefs, prices, and menus frequently, so it's best to call ahead to confirm. Show up without a reservation during tourist season (October through mid-May), and you may have to head for a fast-food drive-through window to avoid a two-hour wait for a table.
Chalo's
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A Globe mainstay, Chalo's offers just what you'd expect from a small-town Mexican restaurant: old-school dishes and very few frills. Fortunately, what Chalo's lacks in aesthetics is offset by its great food. Try the savory stuffed sopapillas, filled with pork and beef, beans, and red or green chiles. It's a favorite among locals, so plan for an early lunch or dinner to avoid a wait.
Horny Toad Restaurant
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Cave Creek's oldest restaurant is a rustic spot for barbecued pork ribs and steak, but the real star is the fried chicken. The quirky menu features a range of fare from soup "de joor" to Icelandic cod and carne asada.
Recommended Fodor's Video
Rancho Pinot
$$$$ | Central Scottsdale
The attention to quality here makes this one of the town's most lauded dining spots. The minimalist cowboy decor and almost secret-handshake location are forgotten upon the first bite of food and replaced with taste-bud heaven. The inventive menu changes daily, depending on what's fresh. If you're lucky, you'll get a crack at the flatiron steak with pancetta and chimichurri sauce, the handmade pasta with fennel and chicken meatballs, or Nonni's chicken. Organic and locally grown and raised ingredients are used whenever possible, which is just another reason why you'll want to return.
Tonto Bar & Grill at Rancho Mañana
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Old West ambience emanates from every corner of the Tonto Bar & Grill, from the hand-carved ceiling beams to the latilla-covered (stick-covered) patios with views of the pristine Sonoran Desert. Try the cowboy Cobb salad or the Tonto burger piled with fried onions and cheddar for lunch; root beer–braised short ribs or onion-crusted walleye are good choices at dinner.
