Our editorial staff picks for the best in fine dining around the Valley in 2025.
Best Workday Lunch Break
Feta Cowboy
Chipotle and Cava are dandy, but why not support local for your lunch run? Feta Cowboy, from the folks behind Pita Jungle, combines the best traits of those national chains – quick, healthy, tasty – and ups the ante with more varied flavor combos and dietary options. One coworker can get a shawarma wrap and another can get a vegan grain bowl while you get a brisket-kimchi burrito. Hummus for everyone! 1840 E. Warner Rd., Tempe, 602-354-5566, fetacowboy.com
Best Off-Label Use of Pickles
Dill Pickle Pizza at The Starving Artist
The marriage of pickles and pizza might not sound like a match made in heaven, but the tart, salty combo is a blissful blend of flavors and textures, from the garlic white sauce to the dill pickle chips to the crispy crust. Topped with buttermilk dressing and fresh dill, this snappy pizza is the whole package. 2144 E. Indian School Rd., Phoenix, 480-590-7065, starvingartistaz.com
Best Vegan Spread
Hearth ‘61 at Mountain Shadows
Finding robust vegan fare can be challenging, but Hearth ’61 chef de cuisine Yulissa Acosta busts that notion. She prepares a thoughtful four-course vegan meal that includes a beet salad dressed in lemon-hazelnut vinaigrette, blistered shishito peppers with chimichurri, roasted cauliflower accented by black-eyed peas and lavender panna cotta with lemon curd. Available Friday through Sunday ($89 per person). 5445 E. Lincoln Dr., Scottsdale, 480-624-5458, mountainshadows.com
Best Veggie Burger
Hot Juan Black Bean Burger at Luci’s Marketplace
Real ones know: The Hot Juan always hits the spot. A house-made chipotle-black bean burger (no genetically engineered, hyper-processed patties here) piled with fresh avocado, tomato, onion and kale slaw brings crispy-crunchy drama, all nestled between pillowy challah buns. IYKYK. 1590 E. Bethany Home Rd., Phoenix, 602-773-1339, lucisgoodness.com
Best Chai High
Chai at City of Spice
Known by admirers for its luxurious creaminess, bold cardamom flavor and just the right amount of sweetness, the Irani chai served by this Indian restaurant in the West Valley is slow-brewed to silky perfection, layered with aromatics that linger with every sip. Pro tip: It pairs perfectly with City of Spice’s savory samosas or sweet gajar halwa. 2945 E. Bell Rd., Phoenix, 602-603-9457, cityofspice.com
Best West Valley Sushi
Seido Sushi
When Patrick and Alice Choi took over Seido Sushi in 2022, they made it their mission to live up to the restaurant’s name, which means “the correct way” in Japanese. Their commitment to excellence doesn’t stop at the food. Despite the extra effort that sourcing and serving top-tier ingredients requires, the Chois still have plenty of energy for smiles, friendly service and a healthy dose of humor. Catch their behind-the-scenes antics – think I Love Lucy with a sushi twist – on Instagram (@seidosushi). 4372 W. Olive Ave., Glendale, 623-937-4477, seido-sushi.com
Four Corners: Best Indian Cuisine
West Valley
Haldi Indian Cuisine
A perennial Best of the Valley readers’ pick, this freewheeling family of restaurants from owner Sam Haldi specializes in traditional Indian staples cranked up with spice and exuberance. Not down with the animal protein in butter chicken? Try Haldi’s paneer butter masala, an entrée of cubed paneer (firm, tofu-like cheese) simmered in a sultry, buttery sauce of tomatoes, onions and creamed cashews. Two locations, haldiaz.com
Phoenix
Vayal’s Indian Kitchen
While traditional Indian mom-and-pops pragmatically borrow from all around the subcontinent, this Midtown upstart focuses exclusively on South Indian staples. Just about everything is made with curry leaves, peppercorns, tamarind, coconut and chiles, yielding revelatory regional dishes like kothu parotta, shredded flatbread cooked with salna (an onion- and tomato-based curry) and other ingredients in dizzying variation. 507 W. Thomas Rd., 480-401-2206, vayalskitchen.com
Scottsdale
Indibar
Unveiled in March, this breathtaking restaurant in the old Rancho Pinot spot leads an exciting new wave of Indian fusion restaurants in Scottsdale, both with genre-defying small plates like spicy Goan chorizo, addictively swabbed with masala-infused egg curry; and large-format showpieces like pork ribs vindaloo with crunchy bits of chicharrón and confit garlic. Also: terrif cocktails and the best butter chicken in the Valley. 6208 N. Scottsdale Rd., 480-219-9774, theindibar.com
East Valley
Feringhee
Just three years old, this Chandler hot spot is the grande dame of the Valley’s Modern Indian movement – the dazzling dining palace that introduced us to the delights of chaat (a flavor-packed street snack elevated into the realm of fine cuisine by chef Karan Mittal), the glory of ghee roast “mutton” (buttery baby goat leg served under an edible cone of crispy rice crêpe) and so much more. Every visit brings a new discovery. 3491 W. Frye Rd., Chandler, 480-534-7178, feringhee.com
Best Japanese Curry
Japan Express
One bite of Japan Express curry and you’ll question how this made-to-order gem came from a self-identified “fast food” restaurant. Since 1989, it has served fresh, hearty dishes like stew-style curries over rice and Udon noodles, loaded with potato, carrot and onion. Go for the crispy katsu – it’s the in-the-know favorite. 5162 W. Olive Ave., Glendale, 623-435-9195, japanexpressaz.com
Best New Pizza Hot Spot
Élephante
Phoenix has long been a bona fide pizza town, and our newest primo purveyor is Élephante, a coastal Italian eating and drinking playground turning out six ethereally light, wood-fired pies possessing the depth of flavor that comes from long-fermented dough made from a 30-year-old starter. Tasty case in point: the soppressata, topped with chile oil, honey and mozzarella that’s hand-pulled daily. 7014 E. Camelback Rd., Scottsdale, 480-576-8168, elephanterestaurants.com
Best Place to Have a Romantic Dinner
Via Cappello at Royal Palms Resort & Spa
For a special occasion, arrange for a “lover’s corner” dining experience at Via Cappello. On-site restaurant T. Cook’s will set up a table for two in a romantic spot and provide a customized menu. Add flowers, a private musician and a favorite bottle of wine. The rest is up to you. 5200 E. Camelback Rd., Phoenix, 602-283-1234, royalpalmshotel.com
Best Restaurant to Take Out-of-Towners
Fry Bread House
Phoenix is a taco lover’s paradise. But when you experience a taco wrapped in a pillowy, crispy fry bread shell from this James Beard Award-winning restaurant, you’ll never settle for anything else. That’s why there’s always a line out the door of this Valley institution. 4545 N. Seventh Ave., Phoenix, 602-351-2345, frybreadhouseaz.com
Best Dinner and a Show
Flamenco Dancing at Tapas Papa Frita
The only thing that enhances the Spanish vibe more than the paella, tapas and Spanish Colonial décor at this lively Scottsdale Waterfront restaurant is the live flamenco on Friday and Saturday nights. Resident bailaora Yumi La Rosa’s captivating duende and percussive footwork are accompanied by Spanish guitarists – bringing the sights, sounds and flavors of Spain into perfect harmony. 7114 E. Stetson Dr., Scottsdale, 480-699-5004, tapaspapafrita.com
Best Cabeza
Tacos Javi
A less-highbrow publication wouldn’t resist the urge to say that Tacos Javi gives good cabeza, but this cow-noggin soup is a beefy, fatty blast of comfort. It’s only served on the weekends, as is the pozole and menudo. Try the whole lot with some sublime quesabirria for a fine fin de semana. 12602 N. 28th Dr., Phoenix, 602-620-9833
Best Salsa Bar
Tatemados Tacos Al Carbon
Started by three Sonoran transplants in 2023, this West Valley cowboy-taco spot opened a second location on the white-hot Seventh Street dining drag this spring, affording a higher profile not only to its signature Taco Tatemado – a ridiculously tasty concoction in which a roasted green chile is stuffed with steak and cheese, then wrapped in a corn tortilla – but also its first-rate salsa bar. When guac is in the mix, you know you’re in elite company. Two locations, tatemados.com
Best Mutant Tacos
Shrimp Tacos at Elvira’s DC Ranch
The standard shrimp taco is delicious, yes, but nowhere near as light or mesmerizing as Elvira’s elevated version. Crispy panko-fried shrimp, strewn with hot-sweet mango pico de gallo, radishes, pickled red onions and cilantro, are set atop juicy “taco shells” of thinly sliced jicama for a cold, vegetal crunch that’s irresistible. 20825 N. Pima Rd., Scottsdale, 480-350-7131, elvirasdcranch.com
Best of the Valley Trio
Barley & Smoke
10144 W. Lake Pleasant Pkwy., Peoria
623-572-2816
peoriaartisanbrewing.com
1. Best West-Side Speakeasy
Hidden within Peoria Artisan Brewery, this snug retreat exudes the energy of an open kitchen and the relaxed intimacy of a modern speakeasy, making it the West Valley’s best hideaway for creative cocktails, artisanal beer, quirky wines and globally inflected small plates.
2. Most Creative Use of Tallow
In a fun bit of culinary performance art, B&S presents a lit candle fashioned from beef tallow that theatrically melts into a puddle on the plate. As the candle liquefies, you can mop up every last bit of tallow with the house-made Dutch oven bread.
3. Best Pork Jowl
Never had jowl before, you say? Well, take it from us, this one is unbeatable – a belly-like morsel of braised Duroc pork that’s seared and caramelized to perfection, served with crispy rice and kimchi.
Best Vegan Tamales
Tacos Veganos
Tamales are not on the menu at Tacos Veganos year-round, but during the Christmas and New Year holiday season, you can order ahead for the most delicious, savory pumpkin tamales you will ever have. Make it a decadent vegan meal with some of the resto’s superbly sloppy tacos slathered in avocado sauce. Two Valley locations, aztacosveganos.com
Best Gorditas
Taco Chiwas
“What is a gordita, if not a thick taco?” Wasn’t that a line from Whitman? No? Well, the gorditas at Chiwas taste like poetry, anyway. Unlike the chain’s much-admired mainline tacos, they’re built on thick, pillowy flour tortillas and come in four varieties – each with stew-like filling that would presumably overwhelm a standard corn tortilla. Our favorite: the deshebrada roja, with shredded beef, potato and pintos in a tangy-sweet red-chile braise. O gordita, my gordita! Two locations, tacoschiwas.com
Best Milkshakes
Soda Jerk Co. Milkshake Bar
Sure, you can get a vanilla milkshake at this North Phoenix sweet shop, but why would you when you can get All The Cookies, an indulgent cookie dough concoction that lives up to its name with Oreos, Biscoffs and Nutter Butters popping out of the whipped cream topping? Vanilla, shmanilla. 5350 E. High St., Phoenix, 480-576-7778, sodajerkco.com
Best Tinned Fish Selection
Pescada
The tinned fish craze is in full swing at Pescada, where a 44-item “tin list” offers both the familiar (sardines, smoked oysters, etc.) and the esoteric (stickleback, cuttlefish, razor clams) canned in various olive oils, spices and sauces and served with fancy salts, garlic butter, pickled peppers and French bread. Nothing in your cupboard can touch this. 20707 N. Pima Rd., Scottsdale, 480-590-5735, pescadascottsdale.com
Best Sanctuary for Food Nerds
Confluence
Although the menu also offers straightforward sandwiches and salads, foodies geek out on chef-owner Brandon Gauthier’s buttermilk fried frog legs, foie gras mousse, confit Wagyu beef cheek, bison tartare, smoked venison, roasted guinea hen and soft-scrambled goose egg with braised cockscombs – elegant, soulful food that never seems trite. 36889 N. Tom Darlington Dr., Carefree, 480-488-9796, restaurantconfluence.com
Best Use of High-Quality Meat Trim
Steak Tartare at Lincoln Steakhouse
Because the chefs butcher their steaks in house, this flagship eatery at the JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn Resort and Spa always has first-class meat scraps (New York, ribeye and Wagyu filets) to make an exceptional chopped steak tartare. Presented on roasted bone marrow and festooned with cured duck eggs, gherkins and black garlic aioli, this tartare is an umami godsend. 5402 E. Lincoln Dr., Scottsdale, 480-596-7035, marriott.com
Best Prosciutto
Persepshen
Once a year since he opened his Uptown restaurant in 2019, chef-owner Jason Dwight buys and butchers local Ibérico hogs, cures the meat in sea salt for a couple weeks and hangs it to dry for five years to make his own prosciutto. His patience is rewarded with a rich, nutty product 20 times more flavorful and intense than any prosciutto you’ll find in the Valley – period. 4700 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, 602-935-2932, persepshenarizona.com
Most Luxurious Meat Board
Liquor Pig
The aptly named Libertine board combines three fatty, high-end starters – roasted bone marrow (with oxtail marmalade and herb-y, pickled onion salad), Linz beef tartare and foie gras ganache (with huckleberry mostarda and marcona almonds) – with country bread, beef fat fries and gnocco fritto (crisp-fried pasta dough). It’s the meatiest, most decadent board in town. 7217 E. Fourth Ave., Scottsdale, 480-687-3955, liquorpigscottsdale.com
