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Phoenix
Photo: Alan Stark from Goodyear, AZ, United States · CC BY-SA 2.0

Restaurants

Best Restaurants in Phoenix

The best restaurants in Phoenix, from Sonoran hot dogs and wood-fired pizza to Michelin-recognized Thai, Sonoran grills, Texas-style barbecue and desert views.

Finding the best restaurants in Phoenix means discovering a desert food scene with deep Sonoran and Indigenous roots and a new wave of nationally recognized chefs.

Sonoran hot dogs, carne asada, fry bread and tortillas are local staples, while wood-fired pizza, Texas-style barbecue and Thai cooking have earned national acclaim. In 2026, the Michelin Guide recognized Greater Phoenix for the first time in its Southwest edition.

This guide covers icons and newcomers, splurges and cheap eats, so you can eat well across the Valley.

At a glance

The top pick in each category, at a glance.

CategoryOur pick
Best overallPizzeria BiancoReserve
By CuisineHuarachis TaqueriaReserve
Fine Dining & Michelin-Recognized RestaurantsChristopher's at Wrigley MansionReserve
Most Romantic RestaurantsChristopher's at Wrigley MansionReserve
Rooftop & View RestaurantsOrange SkyReserve
Vegetarian & Vegan RestaurantsFnBReserve
Sonoran Hot Dogs & Iconic Phoenix EatsEl CaprichosoReserve
New & Trendy RestaurantsLom WongReserve

Top Picks

🍽️GetYourGuide food & wine tours, taste the best of Phoenix on a food tour. Affiliate slot (stub).

📍 Downtown

Pizzeria Bianco

Pizza$$· Historic & beloved

Chris Bianco's pizzeria, in a historic brick building on Heritage Square, helped spark America's artisan pizza movement and remains one of the most famous pizzerias in the country. Pizzas come from a wood-burning oven, topped with seasonal ingredients, and the restaurant received a Michelin Bib Gourmand in 2026. Expect a wait at peak times; a second location in the Town & Country area is another option.

What to order: Wood-fired pizza

📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve

📍 Phoenix

Little Miss BBQ

Barbecue$$· Casual & busy

Little Miss BBQ smokes Texas-style brisket, ribs and sausage that draw lines out the door. The meats sell out, so arrive early, especially on weekends. The restaurant received a Michelin Bib Gourmand in 2026 and has more than one location in the Phoenix area.

What to order: Texas-style brisket

📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve

📍 Downtown

Lom Wong

Thai$$· Warm & personal

Lom Wong serves regional Thai cooking inspired by the family recipes of its owners, with dishes rarely found on typical Thai menus. Its chef won a James Beard Award in 2025, and the restaurant received a Michelin Bib Gourmand in 2026. The cozy dining room is near Roosevelt Row. Reservations are recommended.

What to order: Regional Thai dishes

📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve

📍 Scottsdale

FnB

Seasonal American$$$· Intimate & seasonal

Chef Charleen Badman's restaurant in Old Town Scottsdale is known for its vegetable-forward cooking built on Arizona farms and an all-Arizona wine list. It received a Michelin Bib Gourmand in 2026, and Badman was recognized by the guide for her advocacy. The menu changes with the seasons. Book ahead.

What to order: Vegetable-forward seasonal plates

📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve

📍 Phoenix

Bacanora

Sonoran grill$$$· Lively & smoky

Bacanora celebrates the flavors of Sonora with dishes cooked over a wood fire, from grilled meats and seafood to vegetables and tortillas. It is recommended by the Michelin Guide, and its chef, René Andrade, received the guide's Young Chef Award in 2026. Reservations open monthly and go quickly.

What to order: Wood-grilled Sonoran dishes

📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve

📍 Phoenix

Huarachis Taqueria

Sonoran-Mexican$· Casual & fun

Chef René Andrade's casual taqueria serves Sonoran-Mexican tacos and plates in a relaxed setting. It received a Michelin Bib Gourmand in 2026, making it one of the best-value meals in the city. Come hungry and order a variety of tacos.

What to order: Tacos

📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve

📍 Central Phoenix

Glai Baan

Thai$$· Colorful & lively

Glai Baan serves Thai street food and drinking snacks in a colorful, lively setting in central Phoenix. It is recommended by the Michelin Guide and is a local favorite for its bold flavors. Expect a wait at peak times.

What to order: Thai street food

📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve

📍 Central Phoenix

Fry Bread House

Native American$· Simple & historic

Fry Bread House is known for its Native American fry bread, served as a base for savory toppings or with honey and powdered sugar. It received a James Beard America's Classics award in 2012 and is recommended by the Michelin Guide. It is a simple, beloved spot with deep roots in the community.

What to order: Fry bread

📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve

📍 Biltmore

Christopher's at Wrigley Mansion

French-inspired fine dining$$$$· Elegant & historic

Set inside the historic Wrigley Mansion, a 1930s hilltop home built by the chewing gum magnate, this restaurant serves refined, French-inspired cooking with views over the city. It is recommended by the Michelin Guide. It is a special-occasion destination, so book ahead.

What to order: Seasonal tasting menu

📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve

📍 Central Phoenix

Tratto

Italian$$$· Cozy & refined

Tratto, from Chris Bianco's team, serves seasonal Italian cooking with handmade pastas and local ingredients in an intimate dining room. It is recommended by the Michelin Guide. Reservations are recommended.

What to order: Seasonal Italian dishes

📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve

📍 Scottsdale

ShinBay

Japanese$$$$· Intimate & precise

ShinBay is an intimate Japanese restaurant in Scottsdale known for its omakase, a chef's selection of carefully prepared dishes and sushi. It is recommended by the Michelin Guide. Book well in advance.

What to order: Omakase

📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve

📍 Phoenix

Valentine

Southwestern$$· Relaxed & stylish

Valentine combines a cafe, a restaurant and a vintage furniture shop, serving creative dishes influenced by the Southwest. It received a Michelin Bib Gourmand in 2026. It is a pleasant spot for brunch or dinner.

What to order: Seasonal plates

📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve

📍 Midtown

Durant's

Steakhouse$$$$· Retro & classic

A Phoenix institution on Central Avenue since 1950, Durant's is famous for its retro red booths and for welcoming guests through the kitchen door. After a change of ownership and a renovation, it reopened in late 2025. It is a classic choice for steak and cocktails.

What to order: Steak

📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve

📍 Downtown

Matt's Big Breakfast

Breakfast$· Casual & busy

Matt's Big Breakfast is a downtown favorite for hearty breakfasts made with quality ingredients, from griddle cakes to omelets. Expect a line on weekends. It is a good start to a day of exploring downtown.

What to order: Breakfast classics

📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve

📍 West Phoenix

El Caprichoso

Sonoran hot dogs$· Late-night & casual

This family-run stand has been serving Sonoran hot dogs since the 1990s and recently appeared on a national list of the country's best hot dogs. It has several locations in the Valley and stays open late on weekends. It is a must for a true local experience.

What to order: Sonoran hot dog

📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve

📍 Central Phoenix

Nogales Hot Dogs

Sonoran hot dogs$· Late-night & casual

Nogales Hot Dogs serves bacon-wrapped Sonoran hot dogs on soft buns with beans, tomatoes and onions, and draws late-night crowds. It is a classic stop for one of the Valley's signature foods.

What to order: Sonoran hot dog

📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve

📍 Scottsdale

Orange Sky

Steakhouse$$$$· Panoramic & elegant

On the 15th floor of Talking Stick Resort, Orange Sky offers sweeping views over the Valley and the mountains. It is a special-occasion restaurant, best at sunset. Ask for a window seat when you book.

What to order: Steak and seafood

📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve

📍 North Mountain

Different Pointe of View

American$$$$· Romantic & scenic

Perched on a hilltop in north Phoenix, this restaurant is known for its views over the city and the mountains, making it a favorite for romantic, special-occasion evenings. Book a table for sunset.

What to order: Seasonal dishes

📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve

Best Restaurants in Phoenix by Cuisine

Phoenix's food scene is rooted in Sonoran and Native American traditions, but it has grown into one of the most diverse in the Southwest.

You will find excellent Mexican food at every price, nationally famous pizza and barbecue, outstanding Thai restaurants and refined Italian and Japanese dining. Use this list to find the best restaurant for whatever you are craving.

Every pick here has a reputation built on doing one cuisine very well.

  • Huarachis Taqueria

    Sonoran-Mexican $

    A Michelin Bib Gourmand taqueria from the chef of Bacanora.

    What to order: Tacos

    Reserve

  • Bacanora

    Sonoran grill $$$

    Sonoran cooking over a wood fire, recommended by the Michelin Guide.

    What to order: Wood-grilled dishes

    Reserve

  • Pizzeria Bianco

    Pizza $$

    One of the most famous pizzerias in the United States, on Heritage Square.

    What to order: Wood-fired pizza

    Reserve

  • Little Miss BBQ

    Barbecue $$

    Texas-style barbecue with lines out the door and a Bib Gourmand.

    What to order: Brisket

    Reserve

  • Lom Wong

    Thai $$

    Regional Thai cooking from a James Beard Award-winning chef.

    What to order: Regional Thai dishes

    Reserve

  • Glai Baan

    Thai $$

    Bold Thai street food in a lively setting.

    What to order: Thai street food

    Reserve

  • Fry Bread House

    Native American $

    A beloved spot for fry bread, honored as an America's Classic.

    What to order: Fry bread

    Reserve

  • Tratto

    Italian $$$

    Refined Italian cooking from Chris Bianco's team.

    What to order: Seasonal Italian dishes

    Reserve

  • ShinBay

    Japanese $$$$

    An intimate omakase restaurant in Scottsdale.

    What to order: Omakase

    Reserve

  • Durant's

    Steakhouse $$$$

    A classic Phoenix steakhouse since 1950.

    What to order: Steak

    Reserve

Best Fine Dining & Michelin-Recognized Restaurants in Phoenix

Greater Phoenix entered the Michelin Guide for the first time in 2026, with Bib Gourmand awards and recommendations rather than stars.

The Valley's top restaurants combine local ingredients, Sonoran and Southwestern traditions and creative techniques, and many of the most acclaimed are small and personal. Expect seasonal menus and strong regional wine lists, and reserve ahead, especially in winter and spring.

These picks are the places that serious food lovers plan a trip around.

  • Christopher's at Wrigley Mansion

    French-inspired fine dining $$$$

    Refined dining in a historic hilltop mansion, recommended by Michelin.

    What to order: Seasonal tasting menu

    Reserve

  • Bacanora

    Sonoran grill $$$

    Its chef received Michelin's Young Chef Award in 2026.

    What to order: Wood-grilled dishes

    Reserve

  • FnB

    Seasonal American $$$

    A Bib Gourmand with an all-Arizona wine list.

    What to order: Vegetable-forward plates

    Reserve

  • Tratto

    Italian $$$

    Intimate Italian dining recommended by Michelin.

    What to order: Seasonal Italian dishes

    Reserve

  • ShinBay

    Japanese $$$$

    Precise omakase in Scottsdale, recommended by Michelin.

    What to order: Omakase

    Reserve

  • Lom Wong

    Thai $$

    A Bib Gourmand and James Beard Award-winning kitchen.

    What to order: Regional Thai dishes

    Reserve

  • Orange Sky

    Steakhouse $$$$

    Fine dining with panoramic views at Talking Stick Resort.

    What to order: Steak and seafood

    Reserve

  • Different Pointe of View

    American $$$$

    A hilltop restaurant known for its views.

    What to order: Seasonal dishes

    Reserve

  • Durant's

    Steakhouse $$$$

    A retro steakhouse classic on Central Avenue.

    What to order: Steak

    Reserve

Most Romantic Restaurants in Phoenix

Phoenix's most romantic restaurants make the most of the desert's spectacular sunsets and warm evenings. Hilltop dining rooms, resort terraces and intimate chef-driven restaurants set the scene for a memorable night.

Book a sunset table in winter and spring, and ask for a window or patio seat when you reserve. These picks are ideal for anniversaries, proposals or simply a special night out.

  • Christopher's at Wrigley Mansion

    French-inspired fine dining $$$$

    Romantic dinners in a historic hilltop mansion.

    What to order: Tasting menu

    Reserve

  • Different Pointe of View

    American $$$$

    Hilltop views over the city lights.

    What to order: Seasonal dishes

    Reserve

  • Orange Sky

    Steakhouse $$$$

    Sunset views from the 15th floor.

    What to order: Steak

    Reserve

  • Tratto

    Italian $$$

    An intimate Italian dinner.

    What to order: Handmade pasta

    Reserve

  • ShinBay

    Japanese $$$$

    A refined shared omakase experience.

    What to order: Omakase

    Reserve

  • FnB

    Seasonal American $$$

    Intimate dining in Old Town Scottsdale.

    What to order: Seasonal plates

    Reserve

  • Durant's

    Steakhouse $$$$

    Retro romance in red booths.

    What to order: Steak and martinis

    Reserve

  • Lom Wong

    Thai $$

    A warm, personal setting for adventurous diners.

    What to order: Regional Thai dishes

    Reserve

Best Rooftop & View Restaurants in Phoenix

With mountains on every side and sunsets that light up the sky, Phoenix is a great place to dine with a view. Hilltop restaurants, high-rise dining rooms and hotel rooftops offer panoramas of the city lights and the desert.

In summer, evenings are the only comfortable time for rooftops, while winter and spring are ideal for outdoor terraces.

  • Orange Sky

    Steakhouse $$$$

    Panoramic views from the 15th floor of Talking Stick Resort.

    What to order: Steak

    Reserve

  • Different Pointe of View

    American $$$$

    A hilltop setting in north Phoenix.

    What to order: Seasonal dishes

    Reserve

  • Christopher's at Wrigley Mansion

    French-inspired fine dining $$$$

    City views from a historic hilltop mansion.

    What to order: Tasting menu

    Reserve

  • Lustre Rooftop Bar

    Bar bites $$

    A rooftop at the Kimpton Hotel Palomar with views of downtown and South Mountain.

    What to order: Cocktails and light bites

    Reserve

  • théa Mediterranean Rooftop

    Mediterranean $$$

    A rooftop with sweeping views of Camelback Mountain.

    What to order: Mediterranean plates

    Reserve

  • Compass Arizona Grill

    American $$$

    A revolving restaurant atop the Hyatt Regency Phoenix, chosen more for the view than for the food.

    What to order: Dinner with a revolving view

    Reserve

Best Vegetarian & Vegan Restaurants in Phoenix

Phoenix's dining scene offers good options for vegetarians and vegans, especially at restaurants focused on seasonal produce and at Thai and Mexican spots that adapt easily to plant-based diets. Arizona's farms supply vegetables and citrus for much of the year.

These picks highlight places where plant-based diners can eat very well.

  • FnB

    Seasonal American $$$

    Vegetables take center stage on a menu built around Arizona farms.

    What to order: Vegetable-forward plates

    Reserve

  • True Food Kitchen

    Health-focused American $$

    The health-focused chain was founded in Phoenix and offers many vegetarian and vegan dishes.

    What to order: Seasonal bowls

    Reserve

  • Lom Wong

    Thai $$

    Thai dishes that can include vegetarian options.

    What to order: Vegetable dishes

    Reserve

  • Glai Baan

    Thai $$

    Bold Thai flavors with options for vegetarians.

    What to order: Thai street food

    Reserve

  • Pizzeria Bianco

    Pizza $$

    Several pizzas showcase seasonal vegetables.

    What to order: Vegetable pizzas

    Reserve

  • Fry Bread House

    Native American $

    Fry bread with beans and other vegetarian toppings.

    What to order: Bean fry bread

    Reserve

Best Sonoran Hot Dogs & Iconic Phoenix Eats

Some foods simply define Phoenix. The Sonoran hot dog, wrapped in bacon and piled with beans, onions, tomatoes and sauces, is the Valley's signature late-night food. Fry bread, carne asada, wood-fired pizza and Texas-style barbecue have also become part of the city's identity.

These places are local institutions, some open for decades, where you can eat the city's classics as locals do.

  • El Caprichoso

    Sonoran hot dogs $

    A family-run stand serving Sonoran dogs since the 1990s.

    What to order: Sonoran hot dog

    Reserve

  • Nogales Hot Dogs

    Sonoran hot dogs $

    A late-night favorite for bacon-wrapped dogs.

    What to order: Sonoran hot dog

    Reserve

  • Fry Bread House

    Native American $

    An America's Classic for fry bread.

    What to order: Fry bread

    Reserve

  • Pizzeria Bianco

    Pizza $$

    The pizzeria that helped put Phoenix on the food map.

    What to order: Wood-fired pizza

    Reserve

  • Little Miss BBQ

    Barbecue $$

    Lines start early for its Texas-style barbecue.

    What to order: Brisket

    Reserve

  • Huarachis Taqueria

    Sonoran-Mexican $

    Sonoran-style tacos with a Bib Gourmand.

    What to order: Tacos

    Reserve

  • Durant's

    Steakhouse $$$$

    A steakhouse classic since 1950.

    What to order: Steak

    Reserve

  • Matt's Big Breakfast

    Breakfast $

    A downtown breakfast institution.

    What to order: Breakfast classics

    Reserve

Best Restaurants in Phoenix by Neighborhood

The Phoenix area's restaurants are spread across many neighborhoods and cities.

Downtown Phoenix and Roosevelt Row are full of independent restaurants, central Phoenix along Central Avenue and Seventh Street has many local favorites, and Old Town Scottsdale is a dining destination of its own.

Here is one standout restaurant for several of the Valley's main dining areas.

  • Pizzeria Bianco

    Pizza $$

    Downtown: on historic Heritage Square.

    What to order: Wood-fired pizza

    Reserve

  • Lom Wong

    Thai $$

    Downtown: near Roosevelt Row.

    What to order: Regional Thai dishes

    Reserve

  • Durant's

    Steakhouse $$$$

    Midtown: a classic on Central Avenue.

    What to order: Steak

    Reserve

  • Fry Bread House

    Native American $

    Central Phoenix: an America's Classic.

    What to order: Fry bread

    Reserve

  • Christopher's at Wrigley Mansion

    French-inspired fine dining $$$$

    Biltmore: hilltop dining.

    What to order: Tasting menu

    Reserve

  • FnB

    Seasonal American $$$

    Old Town Scottsdale: seasonal cooking.

    What to order: Seasonal plates

    Reserve

  • ShinBay

    Japanese $$$$

    Scottsdale: refined Japanese dining.

    What to order: Omakase

    Reserve

  • Orange Sky

    Steakhouse $$$$

    Talking Stick: panoramic views.

    What to order: Steak

    Reserve

  • El Caprichoso

    Sonoran hot dogs $

    West Phoenix: late-night Sonoran dogs.

    What to order: Sonoran hot dog

    Reserve

  • Different Pointe of View

    American $$$$

    North Mountain: hilltop dining.

    What to order: Seasonal dishes

    Reserve

Best New & Trendy Restaurants in Phoenix

Phoenix's restaurant scene has drawn national attention in recent years, with James Beard Awards and the arrival of the Michelin Guide in 2026. Small, chef-driven restaurants focused on regional cooking are leading the way.

Openings and closings move fast, so check current hours and reservations before you go. These picks combine recently recognized restaurants and places that keep drawing crowds.

  • Lom Wong

    Thai $$

    Its chef won a James Beard Award in 2025, and it earned a Bib Gourmand in 2026.

    What to order: Regional Thai dishes

    Reserve

  • Huarachis Taqueria

    Sonoran-Mexican $

    A casual taqueria that earned a Bib Gourmand in the first Southwest guide.

    What to order: Tacos

    Reserve

  • Bacanora

    Sonoran grill $$$

    Reservations open monthly and disappear quickly.

    What to order: Wood-grilled dishes

    Reserve

  • Valentine

    Southwestern $$

    A stylish cafe and restaurant with a Bib Gourmand.

    What to order: Seasonal plates

    Reserve

  • Glai Baan

    Thai $$

    A lively Thai spot recommended by Michelin.

    What to order: Thai street food

    Reserve

  • Durant's

    Steakhouse $$$$

    The classic steakhouse reopened in late 2025 under new owners.

    What to order: Steak

    Reserve

  • Tratto

    Italian $$$

    Intimate Italian dining recommended by Michelin.

    What to order: Seasonal Italian dishes

    Reserve

Frequently Asked Questions

What food is Phoenix known for?

Phoenix is known for Sonoran-style Mexican food, including Sonoran hot dogs wrapped in bacon, carne asada and flour tortillas, as well as Native American fry bread. Wood-fired pizza, barbecue and Southwestern cooking with chiles and local ingredients are also part of its food identity.

Does Phoenix have Michelin restaurants?

Yes. The Michelin Guide's first Southwest edition, in 2026, recognized restaurants in Greater Phoenix with Bib Gourmand awards and recommendations, including Pizzeria Bianco, Little Miss BBQ, Lom Wong and FnB. No Arizona restaurant received a star in that first edition.

Where is the best neighborhood for food in Phoenix?

Downtown Phoenix and Roosevelt Row have many independent restaurants, central Phoenix along Seventh Street and Central Avenue is full of local favorites, and Old Town Scottsdale offers a concentration of upscale and casual dining. Tempe has lively, affordable options near the university.

Do I need reservations at Phoenix restaurants?

For popular restaurants, especially in winter and spring when visitors flock to the Valley, reservations are strongly recommended. Some acclaimed spots release reservations monthly. Taquerias, hot dog stands and barbecue joints usually work on a first-come basis, with lines at peak times.

What is a Sonoran hot dog?

A Sonoran hot dog is a bacon-wrapped hot dog served on a soft bolillo-style bun with pinto beans, onions, tomatoes, mustard, mayonnaise and salsa. It comes from the Mexican state of Sonora and is a favorite late-night food in Phoenix and Tucson.

How much should I tip at Phoenix restaurants?

At sit-down restaurants, 18 to 20 percent of the pre-tax bill is standard for good service. Check the bill for service charges. At counter-service spots and food trucks, a small tip is appreciated but optional.