Restaurants
Dining in Phoenix is far different than dining in New York, San Francisco, and other major cities. You will find unmarked gems in the seemingly faceless strip malls built across the Valley rather than in endless lines of great restaurants on city block after city block. You will also have to drive everywhere, between neighboring communities, since walkable shopping districts like Old Town Scottsdale and Mill Avenue in Tempe are rare. Even downtown Phoenix is far more spread out than you might be used to back East or in your hometown big city.
With the wide variety of resorts and posh spots in Scottsdale, the Valley draws its share of top chefs. The area has emerged as a culinary force with artistic, creative restaurateurs expanding sites in the central core of the city. Pizzeria Bianco on the west side of downtown is known as some of the best pizza in the US. The Valley Metro light rail line connects downtown entertainment venues to fascinating restaurants like Hula’s Modern Tiki and Fez that are sleek and sophisticated, yet focused on food. More humble downtown hangouts like Matt’s Big Breakfast draw hundreds of guests daily, with lines out the door. Places like St. Francis on Camelback Road have reclaimed old Phoenix buildings, using the solid brick as part of the decor that makes them fashionable to everyone from baby-boomer foodies to young people on their first dates.
So many of Phoenix’s restaurants are modern, since the city is so new. But it has its share of restaurant history. Los Dos Molinos, arguably the best Mexican food in the Valley, is located in an old mortuary in south Phoenix. T. Cooks at the Royal Palms resort in Phoenix sits on one of the most gorgeous historical sites in the Valley. Other places in Scottsdale are tucked among vestiges of the Valley’s Old West roots.
Part of the Valley’s allure is its diversity. You’ll find Mexican food, but many travelers from Mexico and California claim it’s a bit of a melting pot of Mexican cuisine. There’s Sonoran flavor, New Mexican, and a blend of cultures in single dishes, like you’ll find at the quaint Barrio Cafe in Phoenix. Meanwhile, some of the best home-cooked Mexican food is served at neighborhood ranch markets; the food is unbelievably fresh, yet the markets look oddly mundane from outside. Country fare is also huge, with the cowboy culture still prevalent. But Asian noodle houses, sushi, Italian, and other ethnic restaurants are spread throughout the many communities that tie the urban area together.
1. Chelsea’S Kitchen
City: Phoenix, AZ
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (602) 957-2555
Address: 5040 N. 40th St.
Insider Pick:
Description: Chelsea’s Kitchen offers happy hour drink specials, brunch, and some of the best food in central Phoenix. It’s a place locals go, but you’ll also find it on hotel concierge recommendation lists. Chelsea’s is often crowded, but you can have a drink and a plate of nachos on the patio while you wait for a table. When you get a table, be sure to order the fresh fish or short rib tacos, which are among the best in Phoenix. In general, what you’ll find here is a lively atmosphere and a sophisticated twist to familiar foods and signature dishes. You can watch the chefs prepare your meal in the large exhibition kitchen. This is a nice, family-friendly kind of place. Save room for the signature key lime pie and the free chocolate chip cookies as you leave.
City: Phoenix, AZ
Category: Restaurants
Address: 101 E. Jackson St.
3. Coronado Cafe
City: Phoenix, AZ
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (602) 258-5149
Address: 2201 N. 7th St.
Description: Nestled in a 1915 bungalow-style house, the Coronado Cafe (really more of a restaurant) has become justifiably popular as a lunch destination, though its homey warmth is perfect for a romantic dinner. The interior is attractively decorated and there’s a delightful atmosphere, but the big attraction here is the food. At first look there’s the usual assortment of salads, soups, and sandwiches, but the key is in the preparation. Coronado Cafe uses only high-quality ingredients, making a noticeable difference. For dinner try the ultimate comfort food, the Cafe Meatloaf, or bistro sirloin filet. Coronado is also known for its clean seafood dishes like pan-seared scallops and miso salmon. Wine and beer are available at the cozy spot close to downtown Phoenix.
4. Fez
City: Phoenix, AZ
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (602) 287-8700
Address: 3815 N. Central Ave.
Description: Fez is great for drinks and small bites, since it’s known as a solid nightlife spot. But the wood-fired Sudanese flatbreads, blue cheese balsamic burgers, and baskets of cinnamon-crusted sweet potato fries are far better than you’ll find in most bars. Try the apricot-glazed salmon or lamb kisra. The ultra-sleek, modern dining room makes for a unique dinner experience. The chef’s interpretation of American cuisine shows a rustic Mediterranean and Moroccan flair.
5. Maizie’S Cafe & Bistro
City: Phoenix, AZ
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (602) 274-2828
Address: 4750 N. Central Ave.
Description: The little neighborhood spot off the light rail tracks is known for its refined yet unpretentious bar food. Try the bistro steak salad or blue cheese stuffed burger. The happy hour and brunch specials are popular. The wine list is also surprisingly excellent. It’s a great place to sip a microbrew and munch on fish tacos while watching the traffic from the Central Avenue patio. Maizie’s is a prime example of the friendly local restaurants sprouting up through downtown and uptown redevelopment.
6. Phoenix City Grille
City: Phoenix, AZ
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (602) 266-3001
Address: 5816 N. 16th St.
Description: This Phoenix gem is set in an adobe building at Bethany Home Road and 16th Street and is a perfect local neighborhood experience. The food is American with a Southwestern flair. Order one or two small plates, such as the pork carnitas, or skip to full-size entrees, such as the cedar plank salmon with citrus and horseradish or pot roast with caramelized onion bourbon gravy. Some say the salads here are the best in Phoenix. Try to save room for dessert, like the cheesecake or the croissant bread pudding. Parking is limited, so arrive early and plan to have a drink at the bar while you wait.
7. Pita Jungle
City: Phoenix, AZ
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (602) 258-7482
Address: 1001 N. 3rd St.
Description: The new downtown Phoenix location is one of three in the city and several around the Valley, if that helps explain Pita Jungle’s success. But it’s hardly a chain restaurant. Each place has its own character. Original local artwork hangs on the walls. and managers change the motif regularly. The Mediterranean dishes like lavosh chicken wraps, falafel, and mahi mahi served with jalapeno hummus are local favorites for lunch and dinner. Aside from the Tempe and other suburban locations, Pita Jungle is at 4340 E. Indian School Rd. (602-955-7482) and 20910 N. Tatum Blvd. (480-473-2321).
8. St. Francis
City: Phoenix, AZ
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (602) 200-8111
Address: 111 E. Camelback Rd.
Description: Expect to wait for a table, but you won’t mind sipping a cocktail at the quaint patio bar facing Camelback Road. The layout of the renovated brick-walled building is impressive. It seems like there are 4 separate dining areas, each with its own character. The food is also worth the wait. St. Francis is known for the chicken it roasts in a special wood-fired brick oven. Other dishes, like the pork chile verde and Moroccan-spiced meatballs, are also cooked in the oven.
9. Cherry Blossom Noodle Cafe
City: Phoenix, AZ
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (602) 248-9090
Address: 914 E. Camelback Rd.
Description: This is the place for anything with noodles, including Italian pasta. Cherry Blossom also serves fresh sushi. But it’s the ramen, yakisoba, pad Thai, and hot udon soups that make the place so popular. The dining room is very comfortable. If you’re visiting Phoenix, it’s worth a stop to tell people back home that you ate Italian-Japanese food in Arizona. But in spite of its idiosyncratic menu, the place is legit. It’s well reviewed, always fresh, and leaves locals craving more.
10. China Chili
City: Phoenix, AZ
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (602) 266-4463
Address: 302 E. Flower St.
Description: Light rail construction forced China Chili to a new location that’s larger though equally as homey as its original spot on Central Avenue. The food hasn’t changed, which is a good thing. Some Valley residents call this their favorite Chinese joint, especially for fire-spicy dishes of Cantonese, Szechuan, and Hong Kong styles. China Chili’s top items include the half-sweet, half-spicy Lover’s Prawns; the whole striped bass with ginger, scallions and soy sauce; and the Peking duck with pancake wraps. There’s a good selection of soups, meat and seafood dishes, and enough vegetarian offerings to keep the nonmeat-eaters happy. No lunch served Sun.
11. Gourmet House Of Hong Kong
City: Phoenix, AZ
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (602) 253-4859
Address: 1438 E. McDowell Rd.
Description: This is the place for authentic Hong Kong and Cantonese dishes. Don’t be afraid of the low-income neighborhood or Formica tables and tiled floor. This is a local favorite that’s stayed consistently reliable for years. There’s no MSG in the food. The lunch “Big Plate” is a bargain, with entree plus egg roll and chicken cream puff for $6. There are lots of noodle dishes for both lunch and dinner. If takeout is your choice, you’ll find the service is quite fast. Lunch and dinner are served daily.
12. Pho Thanh
City: Phoenix, AZ
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (602) 242-1979
Address: 1702 W. Camelback Rd.
Description: Pho is the specialty here, with chicken, seafood, and beef simmering in arguably the greatest Asian soup broth in the Valley. Also be prepared to sample spring rolls, hearty noodle soups with beef, vermicelli salads, summer rolls, Vietnamese-style grilled shrimp, and other delicacies. The ambience is rather plain, on the order of Formica and vinyl, but tidy enough. Pho Thanh serves lunch and dinner daily. There are dishes under $5, including charbroiled chicken and pork or shrimp banh xeo (savory hot pancakes).
13. Sala Thai
City: Phoenix, AZ
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (602) 971-1293
Address: 10880 N. 32nd St.
Description: In spite of its unremarkable location in a north Phoenix strip mall, this is fast becoming the top Thai place in Phoenix. Locals will be disappointed to see this listing, since it’s been relatively unknown for years before critics started paying attention recently. Sala serves pad Thai, soups, salads, barbecue, curries, and a homemade nam-sod pork sausage. There’s no beer, but the variety of fresh fruit “mocktails” complements many of the dishes.
14. Sens Asian Tapas & Sake Bar
City: Phoenix, AZ
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (602) 340-9777
Address: 705 N. 1st St.
Description: Chef Johnny Chu, formerly of the restaurant Fate, did a fine job introducing and expanding Sens for downtown Phoenix crowds. You will end up craving Chu’s creative twist on traditional dishes, like the spicy wonton with sautéed chicken and pepper jack cheese or warm, comforting soup gyoza. Others include fried quail in Asian spices, bacon lychee yakitori, and edamame in white truffle butter. Sens has a great patio for small bites and cocktails late at night, but the interior dining room is fitting for lunch or an intimate dinner.
15. Au Petit Four
City: Phoenix, AZ
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (602) 852-9668
Address: 2051 E. Camelback Rd.
Description: Located right in the heart of the Biltmore area, Au Petit Four does a little bit of everything. It serves salads and panini at lunch, does catering, and offers a wide variety of wines. The $20 dinner special menu on Friday and Saturday provides a starter like mozzarella salad, plus an entree like beef bourguignon, followed by a dessert like chocolate éclair or lemon tart. The tarts, carrot cake, mousse, and other pastries evoke thoughts of neighborhood European bakeries.