About this guide
The restaurants listed are noteworthy and randomly selected from our rotating master list. We suggest that you confirm information, and we solicit your help in correcting any errors in the guide. We also ask readers to send us complaints in writing when one of the listed restaurants fails to meet expectations. Please note that, unless otherwise indicated, the listed restaurants offer free parking and recommend reservations for peak hours and large groups. Price categories reflect average dinner entrée prices; drinks, tax and tip are extra.
$=under $10
$$=$11-$15
$$$=$16-$25
$$$$=$26 and over
Aunt Chilada’s
Mexican
7330 N. Dreamy Draw Dr.
602-944-1286, auntchiladas.com
This romantic Old World restaurant, housed in an 1880s building, serves Sonoran-style Mexican food including everything from fideos to fried ice cream. Weekend breakfast boasts a complimentary chocolate fountain, served with fruit and cream puffs. $-$$
Bacanora
Latin
1301 N.W. Grand Ave.
602-612-4018, bacanoraphx.com
Chef-owner Rene Andrade’s tiny, vibrant eatery, a heartfelt homage to the rustic cooking of his native Sonora, has earned universal raves for its flame-licked pollo asado, caramelos stuffed with succulent carne asada and otherworldly grilled octopus. $$-$$$
Cherryblossom Noodle Café
Japanese/Italian
914 E. Camelback Rd.
602-248-9090, cherryblossom-az.com
Operated by the Tokyo Express folks, this European-looking restaurant devotes itself to noodles – Asian and Italian. Naturally, the Japanese specialties are the best, so go for yakisoba, udon and coffee jelly. $-$$
Duck & Decanter
American
1651 E. Camelback Rd.
602-274-5429, duckanddecanter.com
Back in the ’70s, this crowded gourmet shop turned the brown-bag lunch into something special. People are still lining up for that same little sack, offered with a pickle and a piece of hard candy. $-$$
Durant’s
American
2611 N. Central Ave., Phoenix
602-264-5967, durantsaz.com
This midtown institution has been serving beef and booze for the past 50 years. Phoenix’s movers and shakers come for Florida stone crabs, excellent lunchtime sandwiches and classic martinis. $$-$$$
El Chullo Peruvian Restaurant & Bar
Peruvian
2605 N. Seventh St.
602-225-2925, elchullorestaurant.com
Chef Omar Velarde transforms starchy staples such as corn and potatoes into tart drinks, munchable table snacks and appetizers such as papa rellena, a meat- and raisin-stuffed tuber that’s like a Coney Island knish on steroids. The cevice is next-level. $$
Federal Pizza
Pizza
5210 N. Central Ave.
602-795-2520, federalpizzaphx.com
The food is good, the drinks are better and we dig the vibe of the redeveloped 1969 building designed by modernist architect Alfred Beadle. The porchetta sandwich is a knockout, with roasted pork loin and belly tucked into crusty bread, and pizzas hit the spot without draining the wallet. $$
Glai Baan
Thai street food
2333 E. Osborn Rd., Phoenix,
602-595-5881
Pornsupak “Cat” Bunnag escapes the Americanized Thai restaurant tropes with her spin on classic Thailand street food and specialties from her home province of Isan. Using locally sourced ingredients where possible, Glai Baan offers a small menu of small plates meant to be shared, like out-of-this-world steamed pork dumplings and crispy chicken wings with garlic chips. $$
Honey Bear’s Barbecue
American
5012 E. Van Buren St.
602-273-9148, honeybearsbbq.com
Serving Tennessee-style barbecue, this seminal restaurant has been a fixture in the low-and-slow scene since the early days, beguiling fans with mesquite-smoked ribs, chicken, yummy pulled-pork sandwiches and some of the best catfish in town. $
Ingo’s Tasty Food
American
4502 N. 40th St.
602-795-2884, ingostastyfood.com
This casual Arcadia eatery features a wrap-around patio with a front row seat to some of the best people-watching in Phoenix. Ingo’s mainstay is burgers, but the crispy chicken sandwich and fresh shattered potato chips are top-notch. $
JINYA Ramen Bar
Japanese/Ramen
5120 N. Central Ave.
602-612-3796, jinyaramenbar.com
Jinya travels from Southern California to Uptown Phoenix. Ramen bowls include the “black” tonkotsu ramen with meaty wood ear mushrooms, fork-tender chashu (braised pork belly), and a spritz of lusty black garlic oil. $$
The Keg Steakhouse & Bar
Steak
21001 N. Tatum Blvd.
480-419-7772, kegsteakhouse.com
Positioned between Morton’s and Outback on the fanciness index, these casual, contemporary steakhouses are easy on the eyes and the wallet. Try the baked garlic shrimp appetizer, the prime rib or the unique 12-ounce baseball sirloin. Other locations: Chandler (480-899-7500), Tempe (480-557-5552) and Gilbert (480-821-1500). $$$
Latha Restaurant and Bar
Modern African
628 E. Adams St.
480-640-6183, lathaphx.com
Friendly, upbeat Latha (“flavor” in Swahili) celebrates the diverse foodways of the African diaspora, serving modern riffs on classic dishes from Africa, Brazil, the Caribbean and the American South. Given the Afrobeats music, cocktails and snacks (think piri-piri and escabeche with tostones), this just may be Downtown’s hippest new hangout. $$$
Los Dos Molinos
Mexican
8684 S. Central Ave., Phoenix
602-243-9113, losdosmolinosphoenix.com
Some like it hot. But for those who like it hellish, there’s Los Dos, a New Mexico-style restaurant located in cowboy star Tom Mix’s old house. Try the iconic carne adovada. Other locations: Chandler (480-706-1066), Phoenix (602-528-3535), Mesa (480-969-7475). $$
Mora Italian
Modern Italian
5651 N. Seventh St.,
602-795-9943, moraitalian.com
Mora Italian puts the “it” in Italian at this buzzy Seventh Street corridor spot, blending familiar dishes with lesser-known regional favorites. Come for the imaginative cocktails at the gorgeous bar and modern-classic fusion pleasers like mushrooms boscaiola, an earthy pairing of mushroom sauce and ultra-creamy polenta. $$-$$$
Noble Eatery
Deli/Sandwiches
4525 N. 24th St.
602-688-2424, nobleeatery.com
Local breadmaker Jason Raducha showcases organic legumes, artisanal meats, fresh local produce and mouth watering loaves. Look for rotating daily sandwiches, salads and starters, including tart pink grapefruit with fennel, and bruschetta-like smorgas with seasonal ingredients like Blue Sky cherry tomatoes and milky mozzarella. $
Ocotillo
Global/American
3243 N. Third St.
602-687-9080, ocotillophx.com
Chef Walter Sterling delivers well-executed global eats in a contemporary, neighborhood dining compound that includes a beer garden, coffee bar and outdoor lounge. Careful attention is paid to seasonal sides and starters such as roasted cauliflower, ricotta with sun-dried strawberries and miso-soaked Persian cucumbers. $$
O.H.S.O.
American/Eclectic
4900 E. Indian School Rd., Phoenix
602-955-0358, ohsobrewery.com
With 36 microbrews on tap and an American-Mexican-Italian-Venezuelan-influenced menu, it’s easy to see why this Arcadia nanobrewery is hopping. Try the addictive green chile dip or hit the popular beer brunch. Other locations: North Phoenix (602-900-9003), Gilbert (602-900-9004), North Scottsdale (480-948-3159). $$
Persepshen
New American
4700 N. Central Ave.
602-935-2932, facebook.com/persepshen
From their cool rustic-industrial space in Uptown Phoenix, Jason and Katherine Dwight (butcher and baker, respectively) make everything from scratch: house-cured meats, bread, pickles, wood-fired veggies, creative riffs on global dishes, a life-altering burger and some of the best desserts in town. $$-$$$
Qué Sazón
Colombian
622 E. Adams St., 602-919-2246
Enjoy succulent, aji-crema-drizzled empanadas and open-face, crispy-chewy tostones served in one of the city’s true historical treasures. Colombian chef Fabian Ocampo’s seasonal, evenings-only menu of ceviche and tiraditos (essentially, Colombian crudo) are bewitching and not quite like anything else we’ve had in the Valley. $$
Rice Paper on 7th
Vietnamese
2221 N. Seventh St.
602-601-7621
This bright, modern space makes exotic Vietnamese food accessible with an array of imaginative rolls, including soft-shell crab with mango and avocado. Classics like pho and banh mi are stellar, but don’t miss the juicy lemongrass chicken. $$
Seydi’s Pupuseria & Grill
Salvadoran
2625 E. Greenway Pkwy.
602-404-7634
Painted the bright blue of the Salvadoran flag, this friendly mom-and-son restaurant hangs its hat on cheesy, melty, hot-pocket-like pupusas, but everything is well-prepared and remarkably inexpensive. $
TEXAZ Grill
Steak
6003 N. 16th St.
602-248-7827, texazgrill.com
This is the best example of a down-home Texas bar and steakhouse in Arizona. The reasonably priced food is basic but delicious. Best bets are steaks, burgers and chicken-fried steak. $$
Valentine
Global
4130 N. Seventh Ave.
602-612-2961, valentinephx.com
This hip hangout is a brunch/lunch/dinner go-to for grazing on chef-owner Donald Hawk’s wildly creative menu, which draws from his Korean upbringing, his past life as the raw bar chef at The Gladly and his commitment to local ingredients. $$-$$$
Welcome Diner
Southern
929 E. Pierce St.
602-495-1111, welcomediner.net
This Garfield neighborhood diner, beloved for its Southern-inflected comfort food served late, puts hip, impressionistic spins on classics like the fried green tomato sandwich, gooey mac and cheese and an insanely good chorizo meatloaf. $$
