38 Best Restaurants in Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Tempe, Arizona

Chef Silvana Salcido Esparza has taken Mexican cuisine to a new level, routinely winning accolades for modern specialties such as cochinita pibil, 12-hour slow-roasted pork with red achiote and sour orange, and chiles en nogada, a delicious traditional dish from central Mexico featuring a spicy poblano pepper stuffed with fruit, chicken, and raisins. In short, this is no taco joint.

This upscale steak restaurant run by top-rated chef Michael Mina lives up to the royal reputation of the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess. Its severe but stunning stone-and-glass entrance lets people know they are in for something serious—seriously good. Select from American-grade or Japanese Kobe beef, but be prepared for steep prices. Even the fries are luxurious here. If you're on a budget, head to the adjacent burger bar—you won't be disappointed.

With its hip, Pacific Northwest–chic interior and a patio that feels more like a secret garden, Chelsea's Kitchen can easily make you forget you're dining in the desert. Expect a wait on the weekends but don't fret: it's an opportunity to grab a drink on the patio bar. Specials are good and change frequently, but regulars love the shrimp ceviche, burgers, and pan-fried chicken.

Durant's has endured in the same location since 1950 with the same menu and waiters who've been on staff for decades, making it one of Phoenix's legendary eating establishments. Supreme steaks, chops, and fresh seafood, including grilled scallops and oysters Rockefeller, dominate here; when the restaurant once tried to update its menu, regulars protested so furiously the idea was shelved. Those in the know enter through the kitchen door and frequent the Rat Pack–style bar for jumbo martinis fit for ol' Blue Eyes himself.

This is more than a steak house; it's an experience. The menu changes seasonally, but if you're lucky enough to be here when the sweet-corn ravioli is available, stop, order, and savor. The filet mignon is prepared to perfection, but you can spice it up with one of a half-dozen tableside sauces. If you just want a drink—or to start your meal a little early—the bar has a fabulous view of the Valley. The wine list, which is more of a wine book, is one of the most extensive in town.

One of the finest restaurants in all of the Valley, the prestigious Kai ("seed" in the Pima language) uses indigenous ingredients from local tribal farms to create innovative Southwestern cuisine. The seasonal menu reflects the restaurant's natural setting on the Gila River Indian Community. Standout appetizers include Arizona mushrooms accented with wheat berry and black garlic risotto, parsnip purée, and herb tea. Entrées like Berkshire pork with anasazi and palo verde beans, cactus and avocado chimichurri, and plum escabeche are indicative of the menu's creativity and range. Request to dine at sunset; the restaurant has huge windows that showcase gorgeous mountain and desert views. 

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.

Brooklyn native Chris Bianco became famous for his pizza made with passion in this small establishment on Heritage Square. His wood-fired thin-crust creations incorporate the finest and freshest ingredients, including house-made mozzarella cheese. The brick oven was imported from Italy. Bar Bianco next door is a good place to relax with a beverage while you wait for your table. Bianco opened a second location in Central Phoenix that has less of a wait, but also less ambience.

Richardson's lures back locals with heat-filled dishes that test the limits of your palate—but not in a threatening way. This is fine New Mexican cuisine, which means everything (including heat and quality) is ratcheted up about three notches. The beef-tenderloin chile relleno is the star of the menu, which incorporates New Mexican hatch chiles in just about every dish. If you're feeling adventurous, order a platter or a combination. You won't be disappointed.

This well-known Scottsdale destination transports you back in time to a 1950s malt shop, complete with great burgers and lots of yummy ice-cream confections.

One of the finest restaurants in the Valley, T. Cook's exudes romance, from the floor-to-ceiling windows with dramatic views of Camelback Mountain to its 1930s-style Spanish-colonial architecture and decor. It's not a place for dining in a rush. The Mediterranean-inspired menu, while frequently changing, is diverse enough to satisfy both foodies and less-adventurous eaters.

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.

The attention-grabbing name is intentional, as is the in-your-face decor and cuisine of this Downtown Phoenix not-quite-bar, not-quite-restaurant. It's noisy, but that's part of the charm: you'll sit next to couples on their first date, bachelorette parties, families having a reunion, and concertgoers who are prepping their vocal cords for an upcoming show. Make a meal out of the charcuterie platters and to-die-for pretzel fondue. If you're craving home-cookin', order the meatloaf, and then call your mom.

With a menu full of comfort food far better than any Mom could make, Beckett's Table combines elegance with tradition. The menu changes frequently, but long-standing favorites include cast-iron chicken and tender short ribs with a red onion gravy. No matter what you eat, make sure to order the bacon cheddar biscuits, and don't be shy about scraping the crumbs out of the basket.

Located inside the Hotel Palomar Phoenix, this restaurant is a great place for cocktails or appetizers before a show and, if you have the time, a fantastic meal. The menu of elevated American cuisine changes frequently. If you're not feeling like a full dinner, order a sampling of appetizers. Brunch is one of the best in the Downtown Phoenix area; get a reservation if you plan on dining before an event.

This small, nondescript restaurant in North Phoenix makes the most delicious, thin-as-air flour tortillas imaginable. The tacos, tamales, burros, flautas, and enchiladas are served in takeout containers, and you'll find a line out the door on most days. You can buy tortillas to take away, but good luck getting home with a full bag. 

Don't judge this book by its cover: cozy and unassuming in a Phoenix strip mall, Christo's keeps its tables filled with loyal customers who enjoy fine Italian cuisine. Attentive servers ensure that your water glass never empties, and folks rave about the fresh seafood dishes, the roasted rack of lamb, the veal, and the delicious pasta dishes.

With its hip Scottsdale address, central see-and-be-seen bar, and—most important—its menu of modern twists on traditional favorites, this place is the epitome of "cool." While the entrées are finger-licking good, you can enjoy one of the best meals of your life by simply ordering a series of appetizers to share. Don't-miss items include the coffee-rubbed short ribs and the halibut with crispy leeks. If you're looking for a taste of Phoenix culinary history, order the "original" chopped salad and have your server explain all the elements as it's tossed tableside.

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.

While the food is certainly the star at Dominick’s, the attentive staff brings this steak house a notch higher. The presence of a house master butcher ensures any cut will be a winner—filet, Wagyu, or rib eye. But if you’re after seafood, the extensive fresh fish menu has few rivals in the Valley. 

Perched on the side of Camelback Mountain at the Sanctuary resort, this stylish modern restaurant offers breathtaking desert-sunset and city-light views. They're the perfect complement to the culinary delights that fuse hearty American traditions and Asian flavors.

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.

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.

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. 

In an adobe hacienda hand-built by cowboy artist Lon Megargee, this romantic spot has sweeping vistas of Camelback Mountain and the perfect patio for after-dinner drinks under the stars. Megargee's art and cowboy memorabilia decorate the dining room. The menu changes seasonally and includes appetizers like salt-seared ahi tuna; Snake River Wagyu and lobster tail are main-course options. Phoenicians love the weekend brunch.

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.

The food will take your taste buds to new levels at this dark and sophisticated space adjacent to a historic Catholic mission. Sit at the elegant bar or fireside on the patio, and enjoy a spicy hibiscus margarita with supreme starters or sides. House favorites include the pineapple habanero pork shoulder and the homemade chorizo porchetta. The weekend brunch menu alone could keep this place afloat.

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.

Tucked into the south side of the high-traffic, high-priced Scottsdale waterfront complex, Olive & Ivy is a pleasant surprise. By day the light comes from the wall of windows that look out onto the ample patio with cozy couches and fire pits; by night the giant space becomes intimate with dim, designer lighting. A full dinner menu, featuring a mix of fish and meat creations with Italian and Mediterranean twists like veal and spinach ravioli, is available, but the delicious variety of appetizers, like bacon-wrapped dates, beet salad with goat-cheese and pistachio, and flatbreads make for a good meal. Wash them down with something from their ample wine list or one of their unique signature cocktails.