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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.
This San Francisco–inspired grocery and eatery sells artisanal nosh and novelty items, along with a formidable selection of wines. Valley residents flock to LGO, as they call it, to see and be seen, and to feast on mouthwatering sandwiches, pizzas, salads, and decadent breads and desserts. The small tables inside fill up quickly at breakfast and lunch, but there's also seating on the patio.
Fresh, filling, and simply fantastic, the food at this itty-bitty, retro cool diner is a great way to start any day, especially when you have time to walk or sleep it off afterward. Ingredients like hearty bacon strips, jams, and whole-grain breads come from local sources, and each one is of the highest quality. Lunch options include sandwiches and chili or breakfast (again). Be prepared to wait at the Downtown Phoenix location.
Chef-owner Chris Bianco is known for his pizza-making skills, but it turns out he creates to-die-for sandwiches, too. This no-frills eatery offers just a few sandwiches and salads, but don't let the limited menu fool you: they're all delicious. The mozzarella sandwich just might have you consider vegetarianism.
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. When in doubt, order a combination platter and opt for the green sauce.
In the shadow of Arizona State University, Curry Corner serves some of the best Indian food in town. The naan is plentiful at this mom-and-pop eatery, and the chicken tikka masala is the house specialty. Don't worry if the spice gets to you—there are pitchers of water nearby to cool your palate.
This casual treasure is a hole-in-the-wall Middle Eastern favorite that gets consistent rave reviews. The reasonably priced menu includes hummus, lebni (fresh cheese made from yogurt), fabulous falafel, gyros, shawarma, and kebab plates, all served by a friendly and efficient staff. The adjoining store stocks an ample selection of imported Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, Indian, and European foods, including delicious cured olives, fava beans, grape leaves, chocolate-covered halvah bars, rose water, and countless other hard-to-find specialties.
You don’t have to be a sports fan to enjoy a visit at K O’Donnell’s, but it certainly does help. This Scottsdale sports bar earns a loyal following thanks to its spacious patio, plentiful TVs, and lively atmosphere, but keeps patrons coming back with top-notch burgers, sandwiches, and salads. Heat-seekers will enjoy the green chile quest burger. For a more traditional palate, try the short rib dip, and ask for an extra napkin.
This fun restaurant is a must-do dining experience if you want true New Mexican–style food. New Mexico chiles form the backbone and fiery breath of the dishes here. Don't even bother asking for your dish to be prepared mild; there's no such thing at "Los Dos," and that's part of the fun. There are other locations across the Valley, but this, set in a hacienda that belonged to silent-era movie star Tom Mix, is considered the original.
This cozy but fashionable eatery in the heart of Scottsdale's Main Street Arts District serves sophisticated, Thai-inspired fare. Try the crispy pla: flash-fried whitefish fillets with fresh cilantro and sweet jalapeño garlic sauce. The vegetarian Arizona heatwave red curry is a must, along with made-to-order curries with tofu, chicken, beef, pork, or seafood. You specify the spiciness—from mild to flaming—but even "mild" dishes have a bite.
This plain yellow building has been the best place in town for true Southern cooking for more than 50 years. The humble lunch counter and few surrounding tables are the setting in which to enjoy rich entrées, including fried chicken, catfish, and oxtail. The portions are hearty and might convince your sweet tooth to order some sweet tea or Kool Aid to make the meal complete. Get here early: the restaurant closes at 7 pm.
The neighborhood's not fancy, and neither is this restaurant, but in a town with a lot of gringo-ized south-of-the-border fare, this is the real friendly, real deal. Tacos rancheros—spicy, shredded pork lathered with aromatic adobo paste—are a dream, as are the green-corn tamales and Monterrey tacos filled with imported machacado (air-dried beef). The chiles rellenos may be the best in the state. All are perfect with a margarita from the full bar. Don't leave without trying the sensational mole.
The family-owned restaurant looks a little rough around the edges outside, but it's what's inside that counts—an accommodating staff, an enormous and authentic Mexican menu, and one of the best-tasting and best-priced house margaritas in town. Entrées are ample and include more than just tired combinations of beef, beans, and cheese. Try the fajitas calabacitas with a yellow- and green-squash succotash, or the delicious chicken delosantos, a cheesy chicken breast and tortilla concoction. You'll wait on weekends, either at the bar or outside, but the experience will be worth it.
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