Navigation

Eat here: Our annual list of the 100 Phoenix restaurants we can't live without

Eating in Phoenix has never been better. From casual spots to date-night destinations, these restaurants are the reason why.
Jacob Tyler Dunn
Share this:
Carbonatix Pre-Player Loader

Audio By Carbonatix

It’s a well-known fact that metro Phoenix is one of the fastest-growing areas in the country. And local restaurants are keeping pace with the city’s evolution. Out-of-town imports are bringing some of the best dining experiences from around the world to our corner of the desert. And local chefs are pushing boundaries more than ever before.

The extraordinary growth of our city and state is measurable on a national scale. In 2024, the James Beard Foundation recognized a striking 12 Arizona chefs and restaurants as semifinalists for its highly competitive culinary awards. This January, we bested ourselves, with 15 semifinalist nominations.

Eating in Phoenix has never been better. And given the 14,600 square miles covered by the metro area sprawl, the options can be overwhelming. That’s where we come in.

Each year, Phoenix New Times publishes a list of the top 100 restaurants. The list includes a mix of Valley staples, essential eats and exciting newcomers. Many tried-and-true restaurants return to the list year after year as they continue to delight diners. Each time around, new spots ready to tantalize tastebuds land on the list.

To help you narrow down your next dinner reservation or casual lunch date, we've split the list into five categories, ranging from splurge-worthy to counter-service. One thing is true for every spot on this list – we can't wait for our next visit.



Here are the top 100 restaurants in Phoenix.

New and noteworthy Phoenix restaurants

The top spots to open between Dec. 1, 2023 and Dec. 1, 2024 include some restaurants that made a splash, such as Uchi in Scottsdale or the modern Mexican standout Santo Arcadia. But some dishes at more under-the-radar eateries also made their way into our hearts, like the funky papaya salad at Thai Boat Noodle.PS and the fiery salsas at Taco Viva.

click to enlarge
Sit on the peaceful patio at Lon’s at the Hermosa for a relaxing start to your day.
Tirion Boan

Classic Phoenix restaurants

As metro Phoenix has expanded over the decades, a handful of its restaurants have stood the test of time. All of these spots have been open for at least 15 years. Some, including Pho Thanh, Beckett's Table and Pomo Pizzeria Napoletana, hit that milestone this year. Others have been serving hungry customers since the 1970s and '80s. The oldest spot on this list, The Stockyards Steakhouse, has been home to giant steaks, and maybe a few ghosts, since 1947.

click to enlarge
Scottsdale's Course takes diners on a journey with each seasonal tasting menu.
Course

Special-occasion spots

If you're in the mood to celebrate, the Valley has plenty of spots worth a big spend. Some offer classic Italian romance or traditional steak and seafood. Others offer something unique. Feringhee in Chandler puts a fine-dining spin on familiar Indian flavors, Valentine celebrates all things Arizona and Lom Wong offers a regional taste of Thailand that transports you far from Phoenix.

  • Bacanora, a buzzy Sonoran spot in downtown Phoenix
  • Board & Batten, a hidden date-night destination in Mesa
  • Buck & Rider, fresh seafood and swanky digs in East Phoenix
  • Chilte, a fresh twist on Mexican food in downtown Phoenix
  • Citizen Public House, familiar food done exceptionally well in Scottsdale
  • Course, a multi-course tasting experience in Scottsdale
  • Dahlia Tapas Tequila & Wine, a romantic spot to share in Phoenix
  • Fat Ox, an elegant Italian eatery in central Scottsdale
  • Feringhee, elevated Indian eats in Chandler
  • Francine, coastal French elegance in central Scottsdale
  • Geordie's at Wrigley Mansion, fine dining in a historic landmark in Phoenix
  • The Hidden House, an enchanting cottage in Chandler
  • Lom Wong, regional Thai cuisine in downtown Phoenix
  • Pa'La, wood-fired cooking in central Phoenix
  • Progress, small plates and exceptional wine in the Melrose District, Phoenix
  • Rough Rider, an underground experience in downtown Phoenix
  • Shimogamo Japanese Restaurant, an exacting sushi counter in Chandler
  • Sizzle Korean BBQ, table-top cooking in Old Town Scottsdale
  • Sottise, French farmhouse meets bistro dining in downtown Phoenix
  • Tia Carmen, the JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort centerpiece in North Phoenix
  • Tratto, rustic Italian cooking with a Southwest influence in central Phoenix
  • Valentine, a trendy space highlighting the flavors of Arizona in the Melrose District, Phoenix
click to enlarge
Myke's Pizza serves unique pies from inside Mesa taproom Cider Corps.
Tirion Boan

Casual, counter-service and budget-friendly

Reservation-required elegant dinners are wonderful. But they're not always what the evening — or the budget — calls for. That's where Phoenix's exceptional casual restaurants come in. Slide up to the counter, order a tray of food and tuck in with your hands. When you want to get sticky with barbecue sauce, head to Caldwell County in the East Valley, Eric's Family BBQ in the West, or Little Miss BBQ if you're somewhere between. Tacos Veganos and Earth Plant Based Cusine offer meat-free alternatives and Kabob Grill N' Go will leave you pondering how food this good can come out of a takeout container.

click to enlarge
Authentic EthioAfrican serves meat and veggie stews on top of fluffy, fermented injera.
Mike Madriaga

Neighborhood favorites

At these Phoenix restaurants, half of the customers are regulars, the bartender probably knows your name and the neighborhood simply wouldn't be the same without it. From Mimi Forno Italiano and its consistently packed dining room in Laveen to SugarJam's blend of party brunch and seriously good Southern staples in North Scottsdale, we hope these spots continue serving neighbors and friends for years to come.