12 Best Restaurants in North-Central Arizona, Arizona

Don't be put off by the name, a tribute to its past identity—this charming restaurant inside the Jerome Grand Hotel is the standout choice in town for fine dining, good wines, and wonderful vistas. Golden interior walls hung with local artists' work create a warm and romantic setting for creative Southwest fare. Signature dishes include prickly pear pork tenderloin and sea bass with a poblano chile–Chardonnay-lemon butter. The roasted butternut squash soup, with just the right blend of sweetness and spice, is divine.

Helmed by James Beard Award finalist Rochelle Daniel, this sleek downtown restaurant dazzles with a seasonal menu that is as much about presentation as it is about taste. Dine on fresh-caught fish, prime cuts of meat, and handmade pastas for dinner or share hot and cold appetizers—don't miss the roasted bone marrow—over cocktails or a glass of wine at the bar. The chef also offers an eight-course tasting menu with 24-hours’ notice. 

Located in a Craftsman-style bungalow just a few blocks from Flagstaff's historic downtown, this fine-dining establishment serves bacon-wrapped filet mignon, braised short ribs, crab cakes, and smoked pork osso buco. The menu suggests wines from its extensive list to pair with each entrée, or you can order a craft cocktail from the creative bar. Brunch is served weekends from 9 am to 2 pm and features a good mix of sweet and savory breakfast items along with salads, sandwiches, and burgers. In the summer, reserve a table on the patio; in the winter, opt for a seat near one of two fireplaces.

Located on the ground floor of a hard-to-miss red boutique hotel, this chic bistro serves decadent eggs Benedict, lemon ricotta pancakes, and sandwiches for brunch. In the evening, steaks and pasta dominate the menu. The bar mixes craft cocktails and pours wine by the glass (or bottle). Beer lovers can sample local beers instead.

At this restaurant catering to carnivores, you can hang out in the casual Grille & Bar or dine in the slightly more formal Arizona Room, which looks out to Sedona's bustling main strip. High-quality cuts of beef are the specialty, but the burgers, grilled trout, and vegetable pot pies are delicious, too.

At this popular Italian restaurant, owned by top-rated chef Lisa Dahl, expect to find delicious homemade soups and specialties like potato gnocchi with a vodka sauce and pollo piccata (chicken in a lemon, capers, and Chardonnay sauce). Any pasta dish can be made gluten-free with corn fusilli. Renaissance reproductions and café seating give the impression of a Roman piazza. Make reservations for a table or sit at the bar—good food but far less romantic.

Ease into plush banquettes at this quiet, lace-curtained restaurant for classic French- and Southwest-inspired dishes. Rack of lamb is the house specialty, and the Dover sole is a real find, far from the white cliffs, when available on the seasonal menu. Cherry or banana flambé for two, prepared tableside, is an impressive dessert. There's a well-selected wine list, too. Service is formal, but resort-casual attire is acceptable.

This deservedly popular downtown spot serves modern comfort food to local professionals and visiting foodies. Signature entrées include steelhead trout with jalapeño chimichurri, pineapple pork belly, and duck-leg confit. For cocktails and lighter fare (or if the wait is too long), check out the sister bar next door, the Annex—it's just as hip and delicious, and the patio is a great venue for live local music.

On the L'Auberge de Sedona resort property, Sedona's most formal—and most expensive—dining room promises a quiet, civilized evening of indulgence. The menu, a fusion of American cuisine with French influences, is offered as a seven-course meal, and can be paired with selections from the resort's 1,200-bottle wine cellar. Among the house favorites are the filet mignon and the coq au vin. The lavish Sunday brunch is well worth the splurge—or have cocktails and lighter fare creekside at the bar.

Ease into plush banquettes at this quiet, lace-curtained restaurant for classic French and Southwest-inspired dishes. Rack of lamb is the house specialty, and the Dover sole is a real find, far from the white cliffs. Cherry or banana flambé for two, prepared tableside, is an impressive dessert. There's a well-selected wine list, too. Service is formal, but resort-casual attire is acceptable.