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 $$$$=$26 and over
Aftermath
New American
1534 E. Bethany Home Rd.
602-607-5240, aftermathphoenix.com
In a neighborhood bursting with neighborhood restaurants, Aftermath stands boldly out, offering a casual but sophisticated setting for wildly creative New American eats, including sexy vegetables (try the broccolini) and big, satisfying entrees such as harissa-glazed short rib with lentils. $$
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 (which he offers on Saturday only). $$-$$$
Central Records
Mediterranean
824 N. Central Ave.
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. $$-$$$
Durant’s
American
2611 N. Central Ave.
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. $$-$$$
Eden’s Grill Inn
Middle Eastern
13843 N. Tatum Blvd.
602-996-5149, edensgrill.com
Housed in a strip mall, this small Middle Eastern restaurant is far prettier than you’d imagine, and the made-from-scratch food is wonderful. Try dolmeh, baba ghannouj, excellent kebabs and the best baklava in town. $-$$
First & Last
Modern American
1001 N. Third Ave.
602-975-8297, firstandlastphx.com
Tucked away in a vintage building, this Modern American restaurant – a narrow slip of an eatery with a gorgeously lit turquoise bar and dining mezzanine above it – is stunning. Stick to cocktails, apps and the lovely lemon ricotta cheesecake dessert. $$
Gallo Blanco
Mexican
928 E. Pierce St.
602-327-0880, galloblancocafe.com
The titular gallo blanco, or white guy, Doug Robson is rolling out delicious new creations – like the chicharrón de queso, griddled cheese rolled into a crip cone with garlic dipping sauce – and old standbys, like grilled chicken, tortas and orange-inflected guacamole. $-$$
Hanny’s
American/Italian
40 N. First St.
602-252-2285, hannys.net
Housed in the historic Downtown Hanny’s building (formerly a men’s department store), this sleek joint serves classic cocktails along with a small menu of pizzas, salads and sandwiches, plus a few changing dinner items per night. End with the doughnuts dipped in chocolate or strawberry sauce. $$
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. $
Los Dos Molinos
Mexican
8684 S. Central Ave., 602-243-9113
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). $$
Mr. Baan’s Bar and Mookata
Thai
218 E. Portland St.
602-675-0522, mrbaans.com
Downtown Phoenix welcomes a new bar and restaurant from the folks behind Lom Wong, which focuses on the regional cuisine of northern Thailand. Inspired by the cuisine of the city of Chiang Mai in the Thai highlands, the bar and grill serves a blend of shabu-shabu and Korean barbecue along with a variety of rotating grilled skewers, including pork and curried corn on the cob. $$
O.H.S.O.
American/eclectic
4900 E. Indian School Rd.
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 their popular beer brunch. Other locations: North Phoenix (602-900-9003), Gilbert (602-900-9004), North Scottsdale (480-948-3159). $$
Pepe’s Taco Villa
Mexican
2108 W. Camelback Rd.
602-242-0379
The tacos are good here, but there are dozens of other great reasons to give this homey Mexican restaurant a try. Chicken mole, chilaquiles, albondigas soup, carnitas and cocido are just a few. Lunch and dinner daily. $
Ramen Kagawa
Japanese
111 W. Monroe St.
602-675-0833, ramenkagawa.com
The digs are plain, but the Japanese food is the real deal, specializing in excellent ramen and a handful of classic yoshoku dishes such as tonkatsu and potato croquette, both ladled with thick, rich Japanese curry. $$
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. $
Thai Rama
Thai
1221 W. Camelback Rd.
602-285-1123, thai-rama-az.com
Check out this low-key spot for an authentic and inexpensive meal. Satay, mee krob, thohd mahn, soups, stir fries, curries… it’s all here. Other locations: Chandler (480-855-8989), Tempe (480-967-6013). $-$$
Veggie Village
Vegan/vegetarian/Asian Fusion
1255 E. Northern Ave.
602-944-1088, vegvillage888.com
This nouveau Asian eatery offers chicken, fish, ham, even mutton… mock-meat approximations of them, anyway, crafted from mushroom, eggplant, tofu or other vegetable proteins. The cream cheese wontons are superior to the crab puff variations, while the mild, spicy-sweet General Tso’s “chicken” isn’t just good for vegetarian food – it’s good, period. $
Welcome Diner
Southern
929 E. Pierce St.
602-495-1111, welcomediner.net
This Garfield neighborhood diner, beloved for its Southern-inflected comfort food served late, puts hip, impressionistic spins on classics like the fried green tomato sandwich, gooey mac and cheese and an insanely good chorizo meatloaf. Save room for old-fashioned pie. $$
Federal Pizza
Pizza
5210 N. Central Ave., Phoenix
602-795-2520, federalpizzaphx.com
The food is good, the drinks are better and we dig the vibe of the redeveloped circa-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. $$
