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
$$$$=$26 and over
Central Records
Mediterranean
824 N. Central Ave., Phoenix
602-638-0433, centralrecords824.com
Breakfast is served daily until 3 p.m. and a selection of Mediterranean-inspired sandwiches, salads and small plates are available all day. Many are built around exceptional breads from Nice Buns, including a crusty yet tender baguette, drizzled with rosemary oil, smeared with soft mushroom pâté and garnished with watermelon radish, cornichon and fresh dill. $$-$$$
5 & Diner
American
5220 N. 16th St.
602-264-5220, 5anddiner.com
Blast-from-the-past food – that’s the scoop at 5 & Diner, where you can get the usual burger, fries and Cherry Coke, as well as meatloaf or liver and onions. Multiple locations. $
Artizen at The Camby Hotel
American
2401 E. Camelback Rd.
602-522-6655, thecamby.com
The kitchen’s expertise with grilled meats and brunch is illustrated by the succulent 40-ounce Tomahawk ribeye and outstanding short rib pastrami hash, respectively. Decadent desserts include a Bavarian praline bar and an exotic passion fruit goat cheesecake with pistachio cream and mango. $$-$$$
Bitter & Twisted Cocktail Parlour
Globally inspired bar bites
1 W. Jefferson St.
602-340-1924, bitterandtwistedaz.com
From Arizona Cocktail Week founder Ross Simon comes this award-winning Downtown cocktail bar with brash, inventive drinks, globally inspired food and the kind of big-city feel that leaves pretension at the door. $-$$$
Carolina’s Mexican Food
Mexican
1202 E. Mohave St.
602-252-1503, carolinasmex.com
By 11 a.m., this bare-bones south Phoenix stalwart is knee-deep in customers, lined up for homey, straightforward tacos, tamales, burritos and enchiladas. Other locations: north Phoenix (602-275-8231), Mesa (480-912-3420), Peoria (623-487-1400). $
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. $-$$
El Nopalito
Mexican
2831 N. 24th St.
602-522-2043, elnopalitophoenix.com
This tiny storefront stays busy by offering regional Mexican specialties you won’t find elsewhere. The clientele appreciates the excellent salsas, unusual quesadillas and gutsy pambazo sandwich made with chorizo-potato bread. $$
FLINT by Baltaire
American
2425 E. Camelback Rd.
602-812-4818, flintbybaltaire.com
This gorgeous L.A. import is all about wood and smoke — turning out wood-grilled or wood oven-roasted dishes such as steak, seafood and chicken, all given a Middle Eastern or Mediterranean accent. Graze on elegantly rendered hummus, eggplant dip and artichokes and feel good about it, or just settle for an outstanding wood-fired pizza. $$
Glai Baan
Thai street food
2333 E. Osborn Rd.
602-595-5881, glaibaanaz.com
Pornsupak “Cat” Bunnag escapes the Americanized Thai restaurant tropes with her spin on specialties from her home province of Isan. Using locally sourced ingredients where possible, Glai Baan offers a small menu of small plates meant to be shared, like out-of-this-world steamed pork dumplings and crispy chicken wings with garlic chips, and daily specials like mackerel fried rice. $$
Hana Japanese Eatery
Japanese/Sushi
5524 N. Seventh Ave.
602-973-1238, hanajapaneseeatery.com
This beloved sushi restaurant captures the hearts, minds and bellies of locals who appreciate the warmth of the staff, the freshness of the fish (much of it bought whole and cut in-house) and chef Lori Hashimoto’s inventive chalkboard menu. Expect bento, noodles, tempura, exotic vegetables and teppan-style meats and seafood. $-$$$
CRUjiente Tacos
Modern tacos
3961 E Camelback Rd, Phoenix
623-687-7777, crutacos.com
Sometimes you want cheap street tacos at a hole in the wall. Sometimes you want something schmancier. Enter CRUjiente, where chef-owner Rich Hinojosa crafts truly innovative tacos – Korean fried chicken, Thai coconut green curry shrimp and tempura avocado, to name a few – and co-owner Jason Morris helms a masterful Spanish wine program. $-$$
Indian Delhi Palace
Indian
5104 E. McDowell Rd.
602-244-8181, indiandelhipalace.com
Phoenix’s oldest Indian restaurant is still going strong. Feast on Goa-style delicacies including chicken tikka masala, the benghan bhartha and the palaak paneer. $-$$
JINYA Ramen Bar
Japanese/Ramen
5120 N. Central Ave.
602-612-3796, jinyaramenbar.com
Ramen bowls include the “black” tonkotsu ramen with meaty wood ear mushrooms, fork-tender chashu (braised pork belly), and a spritz of lusty black garlic oil. $$
The Keg Steakhouse & Bar
Steak
21001 N. Tatum Blvd.
480-419-7772, kegsteakhouse.com
Positioned somewhere between Morton’s and Outback on the fanciness index, these casual, contemporary corporate steakhouses, decorated with wood and stone, 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). $$$
Latha Restaurant and Bar
Modern African
628 E. Adams St.
480-640-6183, lathaphx.com
Friendly, upbeat Latha (“flavor” in Swahili) celebrates the diverse foodways of the African diaspora, serving modern riffs on classic dishes from Africa, Brazil, the Caribbean and the American South. Given the Afrobeats music, cocktails and snacks (think piri-piri and escabeche with tostones), this just may be Downtown’s hippest hangout. $$$
Mariscos Playa Hermosa
Mexican Seafood
1605 E. Garfield St.
602-462-1563, mariscosplayahermosa.com
Painted blue and decorated with fishy accents, this clean, pleasant restaurant does an amazing job with Mexican seafood. Try anything with shrimp. $-$$$
Noble Eatery
Deli/sandwiches
4525 N. 24th St.
602-688-2424, nobleeatery.com
Breadmaker Jason Raducha showcases organic legumes, artisanal meats, fresh local produce and mouth-watering loaves. Look for rotating daily sandwiches, salads and starters, including tart pink grapefruit with fennel, and bruschetta-like smorgas. $
Over Easy
Breakfast
4730 E. Indian School Rd.
602-468-3447, eatatovereasy.com
With its bright yellow interior and covered patio, Over Easy is one of the most like-able breakfast spots in town. Everything on the menu is great, but don’t miss the malted waffle, blueberry pancakes, chilaquiles, chicken and waffles, or banana-nut French toast. Check online for other locations. $
Postino
Wine Bar
3939 E. Campbell Ave.
602-852-3939, postinowinecafe.com
Housed in the old Arcadia post office, the aptly named Postino offers panini, salads, interesting wines, and great snacks. Don’t miss the bruschetta sampler. Check online for other locations. $$
Qué Sazón
Colombian
622 E. Adams St., 602-919-2246
Enjoy succulent, ají 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 are bewitching and not quite like anything else we’ve had in the Valley. $$
Rosso Italian
Italian
2 E. Jefferson St.
602-218-6001, rossoitalian.com
Don’t wait for a Downtown event to check out this modern Italian café from legendary Pomo chef Stefano Fabbri, devoted to Americanized Italian classics done uncommonly well. Graze on excellent appetizers such as calamari fritto and short ribs with polenta and be sure to order a Neapolitan-style pizza. $$
Sizzle Korean Barbecue
Korean
21001 N. Tatum Blvd.
480-265-9406, sizzlekoreanbbq.com
Meat is the raison d’être at this popular Korean barbecue restaurant, where beef and pork are cooked right in front of you on a tabletop grill. Although you won’t want to miss traditional galbi and bulgogi, you’ll be tempted by plenty of other mouthwatering selections such as beef tongue, pork jowl, prime ribeye and beef tartare. Other location: Old Town Scottsdale (480-247-2027). $$-$$$
Tratto
Italian
1505 E. Van Buren St.
602-296-7761, trattophx.com
Legendary pizza maker Chris Bianco hits the bullseye with rustic Italian fare dished up in farmstead digs. The seasonal, evolving menu includes starters like baby artichokes alla romano and roasted beets with gorgonzola, which pave the way for heartier dishes like fall-off-the-bone pork Milanese. $$-$$$
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. $$-$$$
Yasha From Russia
Deli/Sandwiches
10240 N. 32nd St.
602-347-6055, yasha-from-russia.business.site
A tidy market and deli that’s a home away from home for Russian expats who drop by for Eastern European sausages, cheeses, canned goods, smoked fish, sandwiches and fabulous piroshki. Lunch and dinner daily. $
Zinburger
Burgers
2502 E. Camelback Rd. (Biltmore Fashion Park)
602-424-9500, zinburgeraz.com
Relaxed and cheeky, Zinburger pioneered the Valley’s upscale-burger scene. Enjoy a deliciously stacked Zinburger with manchego cheese and Zinfandel-braised onions. Turkey burgers, veggie patties and delicious salads are also on the menu. For dessert, splurge on a Black Lager Float, a grown-up root beer float made with lager beer and vanilla ice cream. Lunch and dinner daily. Other location: Scottsdale Quarter (480-285-0690). $$
