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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 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.
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.
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.
