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 | $$$$=$26 and over
Coabana
Cuban
1 E. Washington St., Phoenix
602-529-2630, coabanaphx.com
Tucked away behind a carved wooden door in CityScape, Cuban-inspired Coabana is as speakeasy-like as its next-door sister property, Pigtails, but the similarities end there. Pigtails is dark and moody, while Coabana has a tropical vibe evoking bygone Havana – with maybe a touch of “coastal grandmother.” Cocktails, all rum-based, are excellent. Cuban tapas, all nicely priced, are considerably more up and down. $-$$
Authentic Liberian Cuisine
West African
7017 N. 19th Ave.
602-296-7100, authenticliberiancuisine.com
The kitchen brings the heat at this cozy West African restaurant, where vegetables, cooked to a fare-thee-well in African spices, are wonderful over heaps of perfect rice. Don’t miss the Lib wings (akin to Caribbean chicken wings) or the fried fish with attieke. $-$$
Bitter & Twisted Cocktail Parlour
Globally inspired bar bites
1 W. Jefferson St.
602-340-1924, bitterandtwistedaz.com
From Arizona Cocktail Week founder Ross Simon comes this award-winning Downtown cocktail bar with brash, inventive drinks, globally inspired food and the kind of big-city feel that leaves pretension at the door. Must try: the addictive Hurricane Popcorn and any of the umpteen Negronis. $-$$$
Carbon & Salt Taco Shop
Mexican
15414 N. 19th Ave.
602-281-2755, carbonandsalttacoshop.com
This spacious, modern-looking taco shop, specializing in charcoal-grilled meats, has one of those noun-plus-noun names that, for once, conveys its intent, given that al carbon means “cooking over coal” in Spanish. You can taste the smoke in tender carne asada, melt-in-the-mouth lengua and juicy, shredded cabeza tacos, chicken tostadas and al pastor burritos. $
Dahlia Tapas Tequila & Wine
Tapas
2221 N. Seventh St.
602-529-6616, dahliatapas.com
This funky Midtown charmer, from Boycott Bar owner Audrey Corley and set in the old Coronado Café cottage, has a tidy, 14-item menu that eats and reads with equal capacidad: crisp, blanched asparagus in a tangy tamarind-lime vinaigrette, sprinkled with pistachios; grilled, chilled Argentine shrimp in a campanita-pepper cocktail sauce; a well-conceived charcuterie board; sinfully supple lollipop lamb chops; and sashimi-tender octopus carpaccio. $$$-$$$$
El Nopalito
Mexican
2831 N. 24th St., 602-522-2043,
elnopalitophoenix.com
This tiny storefront stays busy by offering regional Mexican specialties you won’t find elsewhere. The clientele, made up of Hispanics and savvy gringos, appreciates the excellent salsas, unusual quesadillas and the gutsy pambazo (a sandwich made with chorizo-potato bread). $
FLINT by Baltaire
American
2425 E. Camelback Rd.
602-812-4818, flintbybaltaire.com
Finally, a worthy successor has landed in the Biltmore-area culinary space once occupied by Houston’s. This gorgeous L.A. import is all about wood and smoke — turning out wood-grilled or wood oven-roasted dishes such as steak, seafood and chicken, all given a Middle Eastern or Mediterranean accent. Graze on elegantly rendered hummus, eggplant dip and artichokes and feel good about it, or just settle for an outstanding wood-fired pizza. $$
Gallo Blanco
Mexican
928 E. Pierce St.
602-327-0880, galloblancocafe.com
Gallo Blanco mourners, rejoice – the former Clarendon Hotel Mexican joint is back and better than ever. The titular gallo blanco, or white guy, Doug Robson is rolling out delicious new creations – like the chicharron de queso, griddled cheese rolled into a crip cone with garlic dipping sauce – and old standbys, like his beloved grilled chicken, tortas and orange-inflected guacamole. $-$$
Hana Japanese Eatery
Japanese/Sushi
5524 N. Seventh Ave.
602-973-1238, hanajapaneseeatery.com
Family-owned and family-friendly, this beloved sushi restaurant captures the hearts, minds and bellies of locals who appreciate the warmth of the staff, the freshness of the fish (much of it bought whole and cut in-house) and chef Lori Hashimoto’s inventive chalkboard menu. Expect bento, noodles, tempura, exotic vegetables and teppan-style meats and seafood. $-$$$
Los Andes Peruvian Cuisine
Peruvian
6025 N. 27th Ave., Phoenix
602-368-9205, losandesphx.com
Everything is yummy at this small, charming west-sider, owned and operated by restaurant vet Oscar Graham (Tumi). When it comes to Peruvian in this town, he’s the man, turning out spot-on versions of the classics, including Los Andes Jalea, a platter of lightly battered and fried fish strips, served in a steaming heap with sautéed crab, shrimp, scallops, calamari, octopus, clams and mussels. $$
Indian Delhi Palace
Indian
5104 E. McDowell Rd.
602-244-8181, indiandelhipalace.com
Phoenix’s oldest Indian restaurant has been spruced up and is still going strong. Feast on Goa-style delicacies including chicken tikka masala, the benghan bhartha and the palaak paneer. $-$$
Jin Jia
chinese
21001 N. Tatum Blvd.
480-878-0411, jinjiausa.com
Jin Jia is the kind of scrubbed, repeatable experience that’s great for big groups, featuring 30 or so noodle, soup and entrée selections like La-Jo-Gi chicken, chile-garlic shrimp and a seafood medley pot. $$$-$$$$
Kembara
Pan-Asian
5350 E. Marriott Dr. (JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa)
480-293-5000, kembaradesertridge.com
This lovely resort restaurant – which turns out elevated interpretations of the street foods of Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and Japan – transports you to Asia, first via the décor and then the food. Standouts include the Tuna Thai Jewel, lamb spring rolls, chilli crab and Vietnamese coffee doughnuts. $$-$$$
Latha Restaurant and Bar
Modern African
628 E. Adams St.
480-640-6183, lathaphx.com
Friendly, upbeat Latha (“flavor” in Swahili) celebrates the diverse foodways of the African diaspora, serving modern riffs on classic dishes from Africa, Brazil, the Caribbean and the American South. $$$
Ms. Martha’s Caribbean Kitchen
Caribbean
1820 W. Northern Ave.
602-675-2212, msmarthaskitchen.com
Although you order at the counter, nothing about this Caribbean restaurant’s deliciously labor-intensive food seems fast-casual. Start with spicy empanada-like beef patties before moving on to classics such as oxtails, curried goat and jerk chicken . $$
Noble Eatery
deli/sandwiches
4525 N. 24th St.
602-688-2424, nobleeatery.com
Local breadmaker Jason Raducha showcases organic legumes, artisanal meats, fresh local produce and mouth watering loaves. Look for rotating daily sandwiches, salads and starters, including tart pink grapefruit with fennel, and bruschetta-like smorgas with seasonal ingredients like Blue Sky cherry tomatoes and milky mozzarella. $
Otro
MEXICAN
6035 N. Seventh St.
602-266-0831, otrocafe.com
Doug Robson’s fresh, vibrant Central Mexican- inspired eatery is something to talk about. Chips and salsa cost a buck but are far from ordinary with delicate La Sonorense chips and two handcrafted salsas: a tangy tomatillo and a smoky, kick-in-the-pants Chile de árbol. Robson also offers popular all-day breakfast items with a twist, and some of the best achiote and pineapple pork al pastor in the Valley. $$
Phoenix Coquí
Puerto Rican
4041 N. 15th Ave.
602-248-3153, phoenixcoqui.com
Business and life partners Alexis Carbajal and Juan Alberto Ayala launched their Puerto Rican food truck in 2017, naming it for the archipelago’s native tree frog, famous for its loud whistle. Now, the couple has set up shop in the original location of beloved Valley gyro spot Crazy Jim’s, painting the walls in bright colors while keeping the humble, homey vibe. Ayala cooks from the recipes of his abuela, turning out starchy classics like buttery, flaky empanadillas, garlic-lashed mofongo and alcapurria, a fried yuca fritter stuffed with picadillo. $
Hanny’s
American/Italian
40 N. First St., Phoenix
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. $$
Qué Sazón South American Cuisine & Ceviche Bar
Colombian
622 E. Adams St.
602-919-2246, quesazonrestaurant.com
Enjoy succulent, aji-crema-drizzled empanadas and open-face, crispy-chewy tostones served in one of the city’s true historical treasures. Colombian chef Fabian Ocampo’s seasonal, evenings-only menu of ceviche and tiraditos are bewitching. $$
Reathrey Sekong
Cambodian
1312 E. Indian School Rd.
480-238-0238, sekongbynight.com
Introducing Phoenicians to the fresh flavors of Cambodia, this eatery serves up dishes like a spice-layered chicken curry and Amok fish, steamed in a banana leaf package and smeared with kaffir lime-flecked coconut cream. $-$$
Sandfish Sushi & Whiskey
Japanese/Sushi
4232 N. Seventh Ave.
602-795-9463, sandfishsushiwhiskey.com
This cozy, Scandinavian-designed Japanese restaurant and sushi bar is a great place for hanging out over premium spirits, including a great selection of Japanese whiskies. The large menu leans toward sushi bar standards (nigiri, rolls, and the like) but also features more exotic options such as bao buns, duck liver mousse and octopus carpaccio, much of it pricy. $$-$$$
Tía Carmen
Southwestern
5350 E. Marriott Dr. (JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa)
480-293-3636, tiacarmendesertridge.com
Celebrity chef Angelo Sosa brings his light, beautiful version of Southwestern cuisine to this dramatically designed resort restaurant, where the experience is amplified by thoughtful cocktails and intimate patio seating. If tostadas and flan sound boring, think again. They’re elevated and phenomenal here. $$-$$$
Valentine
global
4130 N. Seventh Ave.
602-612-2961, valentinephx.com
This hip hangout is a brunch/lunch/dinner go-to for grazing on chef-owner Donald Hawk’s wildly creative menu, which draws from his Korean upbringing, his past life as the raw bar chef at The Gladly and his commitment to local ingredients. Imagine churro waffles, molasses-glazed hushpuppies and crispy cauliflower with native seed tahini, laved with tangy raisin escabeche. Hawk also makes arguably the city’s best chicken dishes – a brined and smoked half-bird set on a puddle of creamy yogurt with durum wheatberries .$$-$$$
Wren & Wolf
Modern American
2 N. Central Ave.
602-562-3510, wrenandwolf.com
Ensconced under a Downtown high-rise, this otherworldly modern American eatery preys on our hunger for elegant, citified dining. Don’t miss za’atar manouche, Peruvian ceviche and beef carpaccio. $$
Yasha From Russia
Deli/Sandwiches
10240 N. 32nd St., 602-347-6055,
yasha-from-russia.business.site
A tidy market and deli that’s home away from home for Russian expats who drop by for Eastern European sausages, cheeses, canned goods, smoked fish, sandwiches and fabulous piroshki (dirt cheap, too). $
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, while sitting opposite a giant mural of ruminating cows. 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). $$
Century Grand
new American
3626 E. Indian School Rd., Phoenix
602-739-1388, centurygrandphx.com
Set in a Prohibition-inspired mock train station, complete with a lifelike Pullman railcar where guests can sip craft cocktails while a wintry landscape whizzes by, this high-concept culinary playground has rightly been described as Disneyland for adults. The cocktails are fabulous. $$-$$$
