Michelin, publisher of the world’s most prestigious dining guide, recently announced it would be sending reviewers to Arizona for the first time in 2026. Our first thought: Is it too soon for Kevin Binkley to come out of retirement? Our second: Wouldn’t it be fun to do a tour of Valley restaurants that have been brushed by Michelin stars?
Urban Fraiche
111 E. Camelback Rd., Phoenix
650-773-8135, urbanfraiche.com
Set in the old St. Francis spot on Camelback Road, this new Mod Med restaurant has it all: belly-dancers, a sarcophagus, “Last Supper” imagery and, most importantly, chef-owner Dean Waziry, a “two-time Michelin-starred chef,” according to his Yelp page. In person, Waziry clarifies that he was part of the culinary teams at the Michelin-approved restaurants in question, but no matter – Urban Fraiche has a groovy, hanging-garden vibe and a not-half-bad signature dish in lobster ravioli served with wild mushrooms and asparagus in a brandy-saffron sauce.
Maple & Ash
7135 E. Camelback Rd., Scottsdale
480-400-8888, mapleandash.com
The spendy Scottsdale steakhouse does not have a Michelin star, but founding chef (and former Valley schoolkid) Danny Grant does – two of them, in fact, for his work at Ria, a French restaurant in Chicago that closed more than a decade ago. One imagines some of that Michelin-starred magic must have worked its way onto the M&A menu – perhaps via the iconic seafood tower, a fire-roasted riot of king crab, Manila clams, blue prawns and more.
Belmont Kitchen & Cocktails
8876 E. Pinnacle Peak Rd., Scottsdale
480-999-5599, belmontkitchenandcocktails.com
A 2025 PHOENIX magazine Best New Restaurant, this Modern American eatery in North Scottsdale probably has the cleanest connection to Michelin in the Valley – because it’s the lone restaurant where a true Michelin-starred chef, Alex Stratta, is toiling in the kitchen every day. Find dining critic Nikki Buchanan’s full review on page 118.
