Dong-A

Three Cambodian dishes on the mostly Vietnamese menu set this place apart. Cold lemon-beef salad, stir-fried beef tossed with lemongrass and hot pepper, and beef coated with black-bean sauce press all the right buttons. The Vietnamese fare also shows some energy.

Donovan’s Steak and Chop House

Swank steak house with soft yellow lighting, Sinatra on the box, and faux Rembrandts on the walls. Donovan’s motto regarding its steak is “all prime all the time,” and it has prices to match. When it comes to the steak alone, you get what you pay for, though preparation is minimal. Stellar appetizers include bacon-wrapped […]

Dottie’s True Blue Cafe

The second location of the famous diner in San Francisco, this hit-and-miss Scottsdale breakfast and lunch spot features classic, American favorites and an in-house bakery. Breakfast is more successful than lunch, with dishes such as pancakes, a smoked whiskey-fennel sasuage, mushroom, and spinach scramble, and black bean cakes topped with pico de gallo the most […]

Dragonfly Vietnamese Kitchen

Tucked into one of the best strip malls in the Valley – where there are a handful of other Asian restaurants, as well as a Korean grocery store – Dragonfly Vietnamese Kitchen is worth seeking out. You’ll find authentic ethnic cuisine and a surprisingly pleasant caf

Dutch Bros. Coffee

Those little drive-through kiosks that are springing up all over town are home of the Dutch brothers-or at least home to their delicious, fresh-roasted java. Dutch roasts its own coffee beans, and offers a long list of exclusive flavor blends from Torani syrups to their own special blend of Dutch Chocolate milk and something they […]

El Chiltepin

As much an eatery as it is a mad scientist’s laboratory, this offbeat spot on the city’s south side features Mexican and American ingredients and flavors fused together to create one-of-a-kind street foods worth sampling if you’re in the neighborhood. Start with the fiery asada chiltepin on street tacos, the green chile beef in home […]

El Molino Mexican Cafe

Convenient carryout featuring authentic AZ-Mex food at taco-chain prices. Try the green corn tamale with green chile sauce, or the chile relleno; both are delectable and filling.

El Santo Cantina y Mas

When the weather’s hot almost year-round, adding a swimming pool to a bar makes perfect sense. That’s exactly what the proprietors of Geisha A Go Go and Spanish Fly thought when they opened El Santo Cantina y Mas in Scottsdale. The spot features a 2,800 sq. ft. pool, a plethora of chic VIP cabanas, a […]

El Zocalo Mexican Grille

High ceilings, a tile-roofed kitchen facade, and a lovely, lush back patio make El Zocalo one of the best-looking neighborhood Mexican restaurants in the Valley. The location’s charming, too — right in the middle of downtown Chandler’s San Marcos Plaza. And the menu? It’s all good – homemade tortillas, thirst-quenching margaritas, and rich, savory mole […]

Ethiopian Famous Restaurant & Coffee

This exceptional Ethiopian restaurant in East Phoenix features enticing scents, bold flavors, and warm – if somewhat language-challenged – service, courtesy of owner Abebech Ejersa, an Ethiopian immigrant who arrived in the Valley a few years ago. Traditional wat platters are the go-to dish, but hot bowls of fragrant yebeg tibs (lamb marinated in garlic […]

Fattoush Restaurant

Pronounce it “fah-toosh,” not “fat tush.” Not only is that the correct pronunciation, but it’s also unlikely you’ll get too fat feasting on this restaurant’s Middle Eastern dishes. That’s because most everything on the menu is relatively good for you. Sure, if you eat an entire pan of baklava, you might gain a pound or […]