If you’re craving breakfast, barbecue or craft beer, head north of Northern Avenue.
About this guide
The restaurants listed are noteworthy and randomly selected from our rotating master list. We suggest you confirm information, and we solicit your help in correcting any errors in the guide. Price categories reflect average dinner entrée prices; drinks, tax and tip are extra.
Iconic Arizona Restaurant – IAR
Best New Restaurant – BNR
$=under $10 $$=$11-$15
$$$=$16-$25 $$$$=$26 and over
3 best bars in north Phoenix
From Northern Avenue to the 101, we’ve got a good place to wet your whistle.
1 Meritage
Located at the JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa, it’s both one of the Valley’s most under-rated restaurants, and inventive cocktail bars. $$-$$$
5350 E. Marriott Dr., 480-293-5000, marriott.com
2 Lovecraft Ale House
Two things to love here: excellent New Mexico-style cuisine, and an outstanding craft beer program 24 handles strong. $-$$
3128 E. Cactus Rd., 602-237-5046, lovecraftphx.com
3 Butler’s Easy
Housemade infusions, interesting tequilas and mezcals, and a beefy craft beer list set this speakeasy-ish neighborhood bar apart from the Sunnyslope pack. $-$$
8375 N. Seventh St., 602-314-4484, butlerseasy.com
Bootleggers
BARBECUE/AMERICAN
3375 E. Shea Blvd.
602-996-4228, bootleggersaz.com
The Valley’s bougie barbecue messiah has arrived, bearing brisket and a bacon board. Smoked meats and moonshine are the stars of this modern, speakeasy-inspired barbecue temple. $$
Edelweiss Biergarten
german-hungarian
2625 E. Bell Rd.
602-404-5919, edelweissbiergarten.com
Any discussion of the Valley’s most underrated restaurants must include this sprawling Teutonic beer garden and its luscious rinderrouladen: bacon and onions rolled in fork-tender roast beef. $$
Humble Bistro
Italian
5415 E. High St.
480-502-2121, humblebistro.com
What would Humble Pie be like without the pie? Well, here’s your answer, in the guise of a casual pan-Italian bistro in the High Street area Boldly chart new territory by ordering the charcuterie-style Bistroboard. $$$
Little Miss BBQ
Barbecue
8901 N. Seventh St.
602-314-6922, littlemissbbq.com
Along with Pizzeria Bianco, one of the Valley’s legit “line-out-the-door” restaurants. Celebrity pitmaster Scott Holmes wisely opened this location to draw off the crowds at his original airport-area shop, and it’s every bit as beatific. Fork-tender pulled pork is nonpareil, and don’t miss the popular fatty brisket, so buttery that it practically dissolves on contact with the tongue. $$
Marigold Maison
indian
4729 E. Cactus Rd.
602-795-0020, marigoldmaison.com
Featuring brighter, more modern versions of traditional Indian food – like dal makhani and subtly sweet korma stew – it’s unmistakably fine dining. Don’t miss the butter shrimp, samosas and biryani. $$
Ocean Prime
seafood/steak
5455 E. High St.
480-347-1313, oceanprimephoenix.com
Start with inventive appetizers like white truffle caviar deviled eggs before moving on to superlative surf-and-turf selections, like Chilean sea bass in Champagne truffle sauce. $$$$
Press Roastery
10443 N. 32nd St.
602-314-4201, presscoffee.com
Have a sip at the roaster’s spacious flagship shop south of Shea Boulevard. The Valley’s most potent brew. $
Rusconi’s American Kitchen
american
10637 N. Tatum Blvd.
480-483-0009, rusconiskitchen.com
It’s not uncommon for chef Michael Rusconi to launch into tableside explanations of gastronomic technique at his Paraside Valley neighborhood gastropub. Try the curried rack of lamb and luscious Durham Ranch buffalo sirloin. $$
The Sicilian Butcher
Italian
15530 N. Tatum Blvd.
602-775-5140, thesicilianbutcher.com
Specializing in Sicilian street eats, it has an appealing menu of filling and sometimes snacky dishes such as arancini, bruschetta and meatballs. $$
Sizzle Korean BBQ
Korean
21001 N. Tatum Blvd.
480-265-9406, sizzlekoreanbbq.com
Meat is the raison d’être at this elite Korean you-cook-it barbecue restaurant, popular for its smart culinary flourishes. Traditional galbi and bulgogi are grand, and you’ll be tempted by mouthwatering selections such as beef tongue, pork jowl and prime ribeye. $$$
Stonegrill
Southwestern
5350 E. Marriott Dr.
480-293-3988, marriott.com
Looking for some solid Southwestern dishes? Emphasis on regionality – including poblanos from the on-site garden – make this resort resto a natural destination. Try the roasted corn and salmon salad. $$-$$$
ZK Grill
middle eastern
4757 E. Greenway Rd.
602-354-3663, zaytoonkabob.com
These cheery, bustling, fast-casual restaurants specialize, obviously, in kabobs. Chicken, beef filet, lamb, ground beef – each is delish. Carefully trimmed, marinated and grilled to order, they come as entrées with superlative rice or as wraps, nestled in wonderful flatbread. Saffron ice cream is a nice coda. $-$$
