Much of what we love about the Valley are those little bits of it we can sip, nibble and devour, from fusion Indian cuisine to primo bagels to cloudy IPAs. Salut!
By Asonta Benetti, Nikki Buchanan, Jessica Dunham, Marilyn Hawkes, Mirelle Inglefield, Jason Keil, Leah LeMoine, M.V. Moorhead, Craig Outhier, Madison Rutherford, Amy Silverman and Lisa Van Loo.
Original Photography by Camerawerks, Mirelle Inglefield, Jimi Giannatti, Greg Rothstein, Brandon Sullivan.
THE STAPLES
Artisan/Fancy Pizza
Pizzeria Bianco
Intriguing outlier vote: food truck legend Goat & Ram, now with a brick-and-mortar location inside Phantom Fox Beer Co. in Mesa and coming soon to Tempe and Gilbert. goatandram.com
Daily-Driver Pizza
Barro’s Pizza
“The best wings you’ll get from a pizza place, too,” one voter opined. barrospizza.com
Burger Joint
Bad Jimmy’s
“Does Harvey’s Wineburger count?” one voter asked. Joking not-joking? harveyswineburger.com
Sushi/Japanese Restaurant
Hana Japanese Eatery
Also receiving votes: Harumi, Yen Sushi, Blue Wasabi. hanajapaneseeatery.com
Italian Restaurant
Tratto
Their chicken liver just hits different. trattophx.com
Ice Cream Shop
Sweet Republic
“I recently revisited after an ice-cream sabbatical and I was reminded how incredible it is,” one voter wrote. sweetrepublic.com
Steakhouse
Steak 44
Steakhouse Jesus does it again. steak44.com
Thai
Glai Baan
A near clean-sweep for the Isan-style Midtown legend. glaibaanaz.com
Tacos & Burritos
Someburro’s
Beloved fast-casual beats back challenges from Okay Maguey, Caliente, Ta Carbon. someburros.com
Upscale/Fusion Latin
Que Sazon
Bianco-adjacent cafe takes the prize for its superlative ceviche, earth-moving empanadas. quesazonrestaurant.com
Sandwich Shop
Noble Eatery
Still the best tuna sandwich in existence. noblebread.com
Cocktail Bar
Bitter & Twisted
Pretty Penny, Century Grand, The Trophy Room and The Goose also get votes in a jam-packed field. bitterandtwistedaz.com
Barbecue
Little Miss BBQ
Valley smokehouse legend riding high after its No. 1 national Yelp ranking. littlemissbbq.com
Brewery
Wren House Brewing Co.
“Pinnacle Brewing is a close second,” one admirer added. wrenhousebrewing.com
A.M. DINING
Best Mocha
Caffio Espresso
Don’t let the long lines in front of this mobile coffee shop built on a vintage VespaCar intimidate you. Stick it out for Caffio Espresso’s exemplary spicy mocha – espresso, dark chocolate, steamed milk and a sprinkle of Mexican chile. The spice costs extra, but it’ll open your eyes and clear your sinuses. 1025 Grand Ave., Phoenix, 602-686-2291, @caffioespresso
Best Morning Pit Stop
Minnow
Expanding its quick-serve sushi menu to include a handful of appealing a.m.-only sandwiches built on artisanal Bagelero bagels, this singular fast-casual (from Bernie Kantak and Andrew Fritz of The Gladly fame) caters to harried breakfast lovers who want food made fast – but not fast food. Gorgeous green tea drinks made with premium matcha are the quaffable icing on the cake. 4501 N. 32nd St., Phoenix, 602-932-2858, eatminnow.com
Best Frou-Frou Latte
Honey-Cinnamon Latte at The Eleanor
You can get a latte most anywhere these days, but The Eleanor’s honey-cinnamon latte, fortified with rich, full-bodied espresso, is an addictive fan favorite. The Scottsdale brunch restaurant makes its cinnamon syrup in house and then sweetens the latte with honey topped by a sprinkle of cinnamon. 3207 N. Hayden Rd., Scottsdale, 480-685-2525, theeleanoraz.com
Best Low-Key Breakfast Burrito
Rinaldi’s Deli
Don’t let the Italian deli facade fool you. Since 1993, owner John Sayegh and his wife, Bolivia, have been serving one of Phoenix’s breakfast-burrito legends. Their crowd-favorite Max Burrito, made with fresh eggs and premium ingredients, is even better with a side of their house-made salsa. 16211 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale, 480-607-3354, rinaldisdeli.com
Best New Collab
CP Coffee & Pâtisserie
Super-talents Julia Peixoto Peters of Peixoto Coffee and Mark Chacón of Chacónne Pâtisserie have joined forces, opening a bright, airy space purveying premium bean-to-cup coffee, tea and juice drinks on one side, artisanal bread, sandwiches and French-style baked goods on the other – a collaboration that instantly seems essential. 850 N. Fifth St., Phoenix, 480-597-6038, peixotocoffee.com
Best Complimentary Muffins
Kiss the Cook Restaurant
Bigger isn’t always better. The Baker’s Basket, which comes alongside many breakfast entrées at this homey Glendale hash kitchen, is full of dinky muffins with big flavor ranging from bran to zucchini. These moist bites are great with an omelet or in a to-go order of a dozen. 4915 W. Glendale Ave., Glendale, 623-939-4663, kiss-the-cook-restaurant.menu-world.com
Best Breakfast Skillet
Butterfield’s Pancake House & Restaurant
Butterfield’s breakfast skillets come in several heavenly combos, from veggie to an all-pork medley, each with a pair of eggs set on a layer of thinly sliced potatoes with just the right amount of crisp to them. The eggs, of course, are done in any style you want – but what you’ll want is scrambled, yielding the fluffiest cloud of morning goodness you’ve ever had. 7388 E. Shea Blvd., Scottsdale, 480-951-6002, butterfieldsrestaurant.com
4 CORNERS: BEST NEIGHBORHOOD BREAKFAST SPOT
East Valley
The Gilbert House Restaurant
It’s a multigenerational family affair at this EV institution, which was started by an aunt and is now run by a niece. You’ll find the usual scrambles and omelets, but also dynamite quiche and scratch-made cinnamon and caramel rolls. 397 S. Gilbert Rd., Gilbert, 480-507-3383, gilberthouserestaurant.com
North Phoenix
Sunshine Breakfast Bar
Get to Sunshine early or risk a 20-minute wait list to get a crack at its stellar sweet cream pancakes, waffles, French toast, omelets, chilaquiles and chicken-fried steak. Design your own mimosa flight for extra delight. 20811 N. Cave Creek Rd., Phoenix, 602-610-9655, sunshinebreakfastbar.com
Scottsdale
Butters Pancakes & Café
You’ll find arguably the Valley’s best pancakes at these bustling nouveau diners, but the waffles and crêpes are worth ordering, too. On the savory side, the skillets (the corned beef hash is our favorite) can’t be beat. Three locations, butterscafe.com
West Valley
The Cracked Egg
You gotta love a place with a menu section titled Eggs & Such. And where your bread options are toast, biscuit or tortilla. Indeed, the Mexican specialties (tamales, breakfast chimi, huevos rancheros) here go as hard as the American classics. 3422 W. Glendale Ave., Phoenix, 602-242-2288, thecrackedeggaz.com
Best French Toast
Sophia’s
336 E. Thomas Rd., Phoenix, 602-461-8407, sophiasbrunch.com
- Chef-co-owner Aaron Chamberlin got the idea for a minimalist, menhir-like block of French toast from TikTok.
- Made with three slices of fluffy milk bread baked by Mark Chacón, the toast is stuffed with oozy dulce de leche and drizzled with maple syrup
- It’s shallow-fried in clarified butter, finished on a buttered flat-top, then topped with a square of French Plugrà butter and a sprinkle of sea salt.
Beginner’s Luck
7240 E. Main St., Scottsdale, 480-571-0416, beginnersluckaz.com
- My Rich Uncle’s French Toast was inspired by chef Bernie Kantak’s childhood memories of his uncle Jer, who often took him to breakfast and jokingly said, “I’m your rich uncle.”
- One order takes a quarter-loaf of challah (airy, slightly sweet egg bread) baked by Noble Bread.
- Set in a puddle of house-made butterscotch sauce and sided with a drift of stiffened cream, the toast is aromatic with five spice and crunchy with coconut-pecan streusel.
P.M. DINING
Best Food Nerd Lunch
Confluence
When a luxurious noontime repast is in order, this relaxed mom-and-pop brings it’s A-game, turning out guinea hen liver mousse with dried mango-cherry mostarda, red wine-braised beef cheek with soft-scrambled goose egg and fried frog legs with garlic polenta – all affordably priced and served without pretense. 36889 N. Tom Darlington Dr., Carefree, 489-488-9796, restaurantconfluence.com
Best Elusive Burger
Random AF Taqueria
Offered as a daily blackboard special at Enrique Garcia’s liquor-store lunch counter, this hand-held beast (often served with a caramelized skirt of burnt cheese and meat juice, Lord have mercy) was sold out every dang time we wanted one until we lucked out one day in May. It will be a regular at Garcia’s new Tempe location. 2527 N. 32nd St., 602-515-4768, @randomaftaqueria2020
Best Old School Deli Sandwiches
Frank’s NY Style Deli
For 44 years, the mom behind the counter at this unpretentious neighborhood market has been cranking out satisfying sammies at better-than-fast-food speed. Standards from turkey to tuna are available, but the big sellers are the N.Y. Style and The Tony, variations on heaps of Italian cold cuts. 2301 W. Orange Dr., Phoenix, 602-242-8288, franksdeli.site
Best Egg Salad Sandwich
Little Pickle
You almost feel guilty ordering a simple egg salad sandwich at Little Pickle, given the excellence of the Esplanade eatery’s pastrami. But take one bite of the classic creamy mixture with large chunks of egg on white bread with tomato and lettuce (add bacon if you’re feeling adventurous) and you’ll regret nothing. 2525 E. Camelback Rd., Phoenix, 602-641-6876, littlepicklaz.com
Best PBJ Burger
Q Bar & Grill
Between the bun of this house specialty is a striking variation on the peanut butter and jelly sandwich: J up top, PB down below and the hearty patty as the filling. Not all good flavors work well together, but this combo will feed both your inner child and your outer barfly. 20818 N. 19th Ave., 623-580-0588, qbarandgrill.net
Best Resurrected Classic
Ramen Burger at Bitter & Twisted Cocktail Parlour
For some, the one who got away was an unrequited crush, a first love, a summer fling. For us, it was B&T’s dreamboat ramen burger, which left us in the dark days of the pandemic. We thought it was gone forever, but proprietor Ross Simon brought it back in 2025. To paraphrase The Supremes: Back in our arms again. So satisfied. 1 W. Jefferson St., Phoenix, 602-340-1924, bitterandtwistedaz.com
Best Triple Threat
Matilda’s All-Day Cafe
Bustling breakfast and coffee bar. Fast-casual sandwich and lunch spot. Full-service, New American dinner menu with absolutely scrumptious craft cocktails and a nice happy hour. Owner/coffee-whisperer Devon McConville and chef Matt Celaya do all three at this lissome Roosevelt lifestyle spot. There’s even a lawn for napping. Why do people ever leave? 822 N. Sixth Ave., Phoenix, 602-502-3671, matildasallday.com
Best Blend of Phoenix and St. Louis: Frasher’s BBQ & St. Louis Pizza
St. Louis-style pizza is its own unique thing, and owner George Frasher has spent years perfecting the cracker-thin crust and imported Provel cheese combination. At his Arcadia Lite barbecue joint, he tops his house-special pizza with craveable burnt ends and jalapeños to complete the Mizzou-AZ love connection. The Saturdays special, incidentally, is yet another St. Louis staple, pork steak, best eaten with sides of green chile mac and cheese and jalapeño cornbread. 3222 E. Indian School Rd., Phoenix, 602-314-5599, frasherssmokehouse.com
Best Carbo-Loading
Pasta-Topped Pizzas at Sal’s Gilbert Pizza
Guy Fieri rarely steers us wrong. We owe our spiky-haired king and his Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives for turning us onto this New York-style pizzeria, where you can order standard pies (pepperoni, supreme) or go carb-crazy with pizzas topped with baked ziti, lasagna, or spaghetti and meatballs. Double the gluten, double the fun. 1150 S. Gilbert Rd., Gilbert, 480-633-2226, gilbertpizzaaz.com
Best Under-Publicized Foodie Gem
Neutral Ground Lounge
Tucked away in The Marilyn in East Phoenix, this cozy, polished retreat (run by two Virtù alumni schooled in hospitality) turns out clever cocktails and seasonal, inspired small plates (think wildly creative comfort food) so mind-blowingly good it’s a wonder there aren’t lines out the door. 4602 E. Thomas Rd., Phoenix, 602-314-2626, nglphx.com
Best 86’d Dish we hope they bring back: Spaghetti Squash at LON’s at The Hermosa Inn
If the cocktail slingers at Bitter & Twisted Cocktail Parlour can resurrect their much-loved ramen burger after a multi-year hiatus, couldn’t the decision-makers at The Hermosa Inn’s flagship restaurant perform the same feat with their spaghetti squash bowl, a glorious romp of vegetables and romesco-style creaminess that, for our money, is one of the Valley’s best vegetarian dishes? Maybe, please? 5532 N. Palo Cristi Rd., Paradise Valley, 602-955-7878, lons.com
Best Pizza Import
Prince Street Pizza
Although this tiny New York-style slice shop has no customer seating, any inconvenience is outweighed by the excellent pizza – sold whole or by the slice in two styles: Neapolitan thin-crust round pizzas and Sicilian Soho Squares with thicker, fluffier crusts. Both are crisp-bottomed and easy to love, especially topped with cup and char pepperoni. 680 S. Mill Ave., Tempe, 480-389-3951, princestreetpizza.com
Best Pasta with Vodka Sauce
Lumache alla Vodka at Sexy Roman
There’s pasta with vodka sauce, and then there’s lumache pasta with vodka sauce at Sexy Roman, which is an entirely different beast. Fat, snail-shaped shells, house-made and cooked to toothsome suppleness, capture every luscious drop of creamy, vodka-spiked marinara, sparked with red pepper and enriched with a shimmering glob of burrata. Utter decadence. 7277 E. Camelback Rd., Scottsdale, 602-609-7002, sexyroman.com
Best for Good Food and Good Deeds
Pizza to the Rescue
The wood-fired pies at Pizza to the Rescue happen to be really good, but when 25 percent of pizza sales go next door to Almost There Pet Rescue, they’re even better. The shelter specializes in mama dogs and their puppies; check out the restaurant’s patio, where adoptable pooches are brought over each night for a few hours. 2601 E. Indian School Rd., Phoenix, 602-314-4832, pizzatotherescuephx.com
Best Fried Rice
Thai’d Up Rice & Noodle
Every Thai restaurant offers takeout, but this cute, tidy spot, specializing in vibrant Thai classics (including a head-spinning pineapple fried rice) is tailor-made for it. For proof: a wall menu, a friendly owner ready to take your order, and a speedy kitchen crew who’ll have you out the door in minutes. 4727 E. Bell Rd., Phoenix, 602-837-1014, thaidup2go.com
Best Rhode Island-Style Calamari
Arrowhead Grill
Readily available in Little Rhody – you can even get it on pizza – batter-fried squid with cherry peppers is hard to find in the Valley. But Arrowhead Grill serves a plate of tentacled goodness that is New England authentic and truly succulent. Classed as an appetizer, it eats like an entrée. 8280 W. Union Hills Dr., Glendale, 623-566-2224, arrowheadgrill.com
Best Pork Collar: Kor Moo Yang at Lumsum Thai Cuisine
Humble pork collar (a cast-off cut that nicely balances meat and fat) becomes a juicy bit of luxury at Lumsum, where it’s grilled until the meat is crisped and caramelized at the edges, then served with a savory, tamarind-tart dipping sauce given a touch of sweetness. 14870 N. Northsight Blvd., Scottsdale, 480-474-4909, lumsumthai.com
Best Borscht
Soup & Sausage Bistro
Traditional Ukrainian beet soup doesn’t exactly bring the boys to the yard in today’s dining ecosystem – but maybe the boys haven’t had it like this, faintly spicy and tiered with so much nuanced vegetable flavor, it feels like you’re undergoing hypnotherapy. Just pure, comfort-food bliss. Besides the traditonal ruby-red borscht, owner Alex Koshalko does a summery green version made with spinach and sorrel. Two locations. soupnsausagebistro.com
Best Quickie Thai Lunch
Thai Rice Table
This sunny diner subtitles itself “Thai Comfort Food,” and there’s certainly comfort in the swift service and tasty variety of these lunch combos. Proteins, salads, rice and coconut or lemongrass soups, which double as first-rate dipping sauces, are selected to your taste. Be sure to try the papaya salad. 825 W. University Dr., Tempe, 623-322-3393, thairicetable.com
Best Asian Food Court Not in the EV
Niu Mama Kitchens
Mesa’s Asian District deservedly hogs most of the culinary acclaim where Chinese, Vietnamese, Japanese and Korean cuisine is concerned, but don’t sleep on this evolving strip-mall hive of fast, tasty eats. From the aromatic Vietnamese soups at Pho Mama to the pork-and-chive dumplings of Lao Ma to the shaved ice treats at Sumo Snow, this lively, fast-casual, galley-shaped food court is an Asian district unto itself. 4339 W. Glendale Ave., Glendale, 602-520-1175, niumamakitchens.com
Best Non-Traditional Caesar Salad
Japanese Caesar Salad at Harumi Sushi Bar
With Little Gem leaves artfully arranged around the plate and bright pops of radish on top, the house Caesar at this Downtown sushi spot is simply designed and almost too pretty to consume – until you taste the sesame-forward Caesar dressing on top. The luscious, drinkable umami drizzles are what Japanese Caesar salad dreams are made of, and it will be impossible to not lick the plate clean. 101 N. First Ave., Phoenix, 602-258-0131, harumisushiaz.com
Best Sushi Happy Hour
Uchi
Is it the cheapest happy hour in the Valley? No. But value-wise, it’s a hard one to beat. For $120, you and your dining companion get an eight-course omakase experience that includes some of Uchi’s greatest hits. Pair that with $10 house specialty cocktails and an audience-friendly 4-6 p.m. daily running time, and it’s an unbeatable way to end the day or start the evening. 3821 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale, 480-916-0916, uchi.uchirestaurants.com
Best Tasting Menu Extra
Quiessence at the Farm
Since taking the reigns at the romantic South Phoenix restaurant and transforming it into a farm-to-table destination with a faintly molecular tasting menu, chef Dustin Christofolo has delighted diners countless amuses and lagniappes: wood-fired oysters with Italian caviar, bread service with amazing plum butter, etc. But none tops the pre-entrée tour of the restaurant’s new, high-tech display kitchen, led by your server. It’s like you’re part of the crew. But you can drink. 6106 S. 32nd St., Phoenix, 602-276-0601, qatthefarm.com.
Best Wood-Fired Cooking
Filthy Animal
Whether you order napa cabbage, a bone-in ribeye or campfire seabass, the wood-fired grill pit is at the heart of Filthy Animal’s ethos. Almost every dish is smoke-kissed with a slight char and a layer of caramelization that will appeal to your primal, inner animal. 740 S. Mill Ave., Tempe, 480-397-1046, thisisfilthyanimal.com
Sexiest Scottsdale Dinner Spot
Shiv Steakhouse
Dining at Shiv invokes memories of a Las Vegas casino restaurant – exotic furnishings, flashing lights, scantily dressed crooners (and diners) and flaming desserts, but that’s the point. It’s fun and sexy, and best experienced after slamming a few drinks at the restaurant’s central bar. Bottoms up. 7373 E. Camelback Rd., Scottsdale, 480-841-8305, shivscottsdale.com
Best Dinner Bacon
Hanging Bacon at Durant’s
Like the Beggin’ Strips dogs, we enthusiastically embrace bacon, so finding it as a standalone appetizer, unadulterated by frou-frou? Total win. At Durant’s, thickly sliced, center-cut bacon, cooked to pliant crispiness, is drizzled with honey, sprinkled with spicy togarashi, then hung on a rack to gently drip until devoured – which doesn’t take long. 2611 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, 602-264-5967, durantsaz.com
Best New Steakhouse
Cleaverman
In a former cow town brimming with old-school steakhouses, Cleaverman hits different, owing to its glamorous décor, younger crowd and hipper vibe. But what puts this opulent ode to beef (set in a former Hooters, of all places) completely over the top is Uppercut, a 16-seat counter within the restaurant offering a 14-course beef omakase dinner that’s a knockout. 455 N. Third St., Phoenix, 602-675-3635, cleaverman.com
Best Chef’s Table Dinner
Kevin Binkley’s Crib
For intimacy and exclusivity, nothing beats dinner at a chef’s table, and as chef’s tables go, nothing comes close to the kitchen island in Kevin Binkley’s home, where guests watch this iconic Phoenix chef cook, plate, serve and chat, making the Herculean task of preparing nine elegant courses solo seem effortless. 480-431-7223, chefbinkley.com, chefbinkley@icloud.com
Best Senior Meal Deal
Tuesdays at Valle Luna Mexican Food & Cantinas
If you sell it cheap, they will come. This business maxim applies, above all, to the 55-plus set, who will famously descend like locusts on any bargain. Every Tuesday from 3 p.m. to close, this Valley institution offers seniors a limited menu at geezer-friendly prices. Just be prepared to wait. Four Valley locations, valleluna.com
Best Cowboy Steak with a View
T-Bone Steak House
Perched on South Mountain in a 1920s river rock and adobe home, T-Bone Steak House has been feeding ranchers – and regular, workaday carnivores – since the World War II era. The prices are similarly old-school, making it one of those rare Valley restaurants where you’re not paying a menu tax on the million-dollar views. All in all, udderly legendary. 10037 S. 19th Ave., Phoenix, 602-276-0945 tbonesteakhouseaz.com
Best Butcher- and Baker-Driven Restaurant
Persepshen
Chef-owners Jason and Katherine Dwight (he cooks, she bakes) take the local/seasonal mantra to semi-religious extremes, sourcing local produce, meats and sustainable seafood while doing everything they possibly can in-house, including butchering whole animals, curing their own meat and baking their own bread. In Jason’s words: “If we don’t make it, we don’t serve it.” 4700 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, 602-935-2932, persepshenarizona.com
Best Use of Sturgeon Eggs
The Caviar Cone at COURSE
Chef Corey Oppold’s tasting menus at his North Scottsdale fine-dining hotspot are culinary quicksilver, nimbly ducking and darting with the season. But he’ll usually start off the meal with this eye-opening jab – tiny waffle cones filled with lemony crème fraîche sorbet and a topper of glistening Kaluga caviar. It’s your standby in a sea of newness. 7366 E. Shea Blvd., Scottsdale, 480-687-0491,
courserestaurantaz.com
LATIN LOVE
Best Meat Fiesta
Churrasco at Toro
Brace yourself for the “meat sweats,” per Joey Tribbiani. This heaping platter of grilled proteins – New York strip, lamb chops, achiote chicken and Argentinian chorizo – will humble even the most carnivorous Paleo practitioner. And for those of us who eat carbs, the accompanying fingerling potatoes are divine dipped in the sidecar of chimichurri and ramekin of smoked salt. 17020 N. Hayden Rd., Scottsdale, 480-585-2694, scottsdaleprincess.com
Best Upscale Mexican Seafood
Marisco Boys
Phoenix is afloat in good mariscos restaurants. What sets MB apart is its high-end approach to the genre. The seafood is flop-around fresh, the space gleams with sleek modernity, and the menu features splurge dishes such as seafood-packed molcajete and aguachile-anointed ribeye. How about some Veuve Clicquot with those oysters? 2026 N. Seventh St., Phoenix, 480-275-8326, mariscoboys.com
Best Mexican Sushi
Sushino
Full disclosure: We’re not the hugest fans of so-called “Sinaloan sushi,” much of which seems inspired by those least appealing of all maki, the Philadelphia and “crunchy” rolls (i.e. loads of cream cheese and excessive deep frying). That being said, this new fusion eatery on the Seventh Street dining drag is pretty irresistable, often packaging bacon and avocado into its rococo rolls – and not too much cream cheese. 2041 N. Seventh St., Phoenix, 623-759-2250, sushinomexicanroll.com
Best Green Chile Stew That’s Not from Richardson’s
Luci’s Orchard Tavern
Served with toasted, cheesy flanks of Noble bread and absolutely with replete with smoky Hatch chile and morsels of braised pork, the green chile stew at this North-Central gastropub is making us rethink our decades-long allegiance to the GCS at nearby Richardson’s. Is this what Michael Stipe meant about losing your religion? 7100 N. 12th St. Phoenix, 602-633-2442, orchardtavernphx.com
Best Shrimp Fries
PoNy’s Michés Michelada Bar & Grill
The former FEZ space on Roosevelt Row is now home to this upbeat cantina with stellar mariscos, micheladas and Baja-style shrimp fries – think carne asada fries, but topped with succulent grilled prawns instead of steak. Pro tip: PoNy’s portions are muy grande, so this south-of-the-border riff on fish and chips is big enough for dos. 105 W. Portland St., Phoenix, 623-335-7775, @ponysmiches_barandgrill_phx
Best Alt Enchiladas
Malegria Café
You probably have a picture in your head of the ideal enchilada, and that picture will likely not match the traditional Guatemalan enchiladas served at this revelatory Latin-fusion food window on Grand. Topped with sliced boiled egg, micro greens and pickled beets, these tostada-like beauties will have you questioning all your enchilada-ordering life choices. The sandwiches are mind-bending, too. 1031 Grand Ave., Phoenix, @malegria.cafe
Best Catered Tamales
Tacos y Tamales Lupita
If you’re not a Spanish speaker and you want Lupita to cook for your party or event – and, believe us, you do – you might want to line up an interpreter or have Google Translate at the ready. It’s worth the extra step for her savory, decadent tamales, or tacos, or cabeza, or… 602-348-3179, @lupitaenriqueztt
4 CORNERS: BEST BIRRIA HOTSPOTS
Scottsdale
Birria’s Mexican Food and Bar
Scottsdale is not exaclty ground zero for quality birria, but this family-run ramshackle cantina does terrific renditions on McDowell Road, including an insanely good crunchy-gooey double quesabirria combo plate. 8110 E. McDowell Rd., 480-634-4986, birriasmexicanfoodbar.com
Phoenix
Random AF Taqueria
Birria ramen, birria grilled cheese, birria egg rolls, birria french fries… owner-chef Enrique Garcia will deploy his dreamy, umami-drenched birria on just about anything at his Phoenix liquor store lunch counter. The grilled cheese is his OG. 2527 N. 32nd St., 602-515-4768, @randomaftaqueria2020
West Valley
Tacos El Patron
Eggrolls are the preferred delivery system for the taco legend’s juicier-than-average birria, wrapped and deep-fried to hold the juice in more effectively than a taco shell. It comes with consommé for dipping. You know, in case they aren’t juicy enough for you. 4241 W. Thunderbird Rd., 602-368-1707, tacoselpatronaz.com
East Valley
Caldwell County Mexi-Cue
Caldwell’s birria taco is derived from the mothership’s award-winning mesquite-smoked brisket, yielding one of the most flavorful birrias you’ll ever eat. The coefficient: Caldwell’s uniquely viscous, sweet consommé. 546 N. Gilbert Rd., Gilbert, 480-813-3727, ccmexiq.comGilbert Rd., Gilbert, 480-507-3383, gilberthouserestaurant.com
BEST VEGAN TACOS
Vegan & Vine
502 E. Thunderbird Rd., Phoenix, 602-296-7638, veganandvineco.com
- Fresh corn tortillas come loaded with plant-based carne asada, vegan cheese and zesty pico.
- Paired with house-made tortilla chips, tomatillo salsa and dairy-free queso.
- Even better with: V&V’s almond milk espresso martini. .
Tacos Veganos
Two Valley locations, aztacosveganos.com
- Traditional street tacos filled with vegan versions of al pastor, carne asada and birria.
- Served with creamy vegan refried beans and fragrant rice.
- Even better with: Tacos Veganos’ house-made, cinnamon-infused horchata.
SWEET STUFF
Best Gelato
Jelato 88
This blink-and-you’ll-miss it gelato spot is as small as its flavors are big – with Vietnamese coffee, lychee and black sesame on the menu, the taste is so authentic you’ll swear Willy Wonka got in on the action. Flavors rotate, check the shop’s Instagram for the latest. 1310 E. Broadway Rd., Tempe, 623-212-6061, jelato88.com
Best Tiramisu Creations
The Italiano
It’s hard to get basic tiramisu right. It shouldn’t be too sweet, too loaded with espresso or liquor, or too heavy with cream. The Italiano nails it, and no matter how full we are at the end of the meal, there is always room for the latest tiramisu offering. Seasonal choices have included Biscoff and strawberry, all served in their signature edible chocolate cup. 9301 E. Shea Blvd., Scottsdale, 480-770-1700, theitaliano.com
Best Phosphates
MacAlpine’s Diner & Soda Fountain
Served alongside other old-timey beverages like egg creams and malts at this throwback retro emporium, the phosphates have a bracing sour tinge. The dizzying menu of flavors ranges from standards like cherry to the spinach-green Popeye (a kiwi and lime concoction) to the surprisingly refreshing dill pickle. 2303 N. Seventh St., Phoenix, 602-262-5545, macalpines.com
Best Ridic Cupcakes
Dos Chris’ Bakery and Charcutierie Co.
Performative cupcaking? At their North-Central shop, co-owners and life-mates Christopher J. Barbara and Christopher J.H. Barbara are guilty as charged, girlfriend. The duo’s Flavors of the Week specials feature pulse-racing cupcakes stacked with all manner of Instagramable nonsense – a sticky piece of baklava, for instance, or a whole black cherry donut. It’s like a turducken for cake addicts. 6007 N. 16th St., Phoenix, 602-837-8899, doschrisaz.com
Best Frozen Yogurt
Ice Box Frozen Yogurt
From outside, this yogurtería looks closed. It’s quite dark, with illumination supplied solely by neon lights on the walls. Within those walls reside creamy flavors like vanilla and chocolate and fruity stuff like strawberry, mango and pomegranate. Mix, match and top with sprinkles or blueberries to create your own chilly masterpiece. 3361 W. Greenway Rd., 602-793-8991, iceboxfrozenyogurt.com
Best Bakery Pop-Up
Kave Bakery
Husband and wife duo Antonia Kane and Bryan Ayala are the dough-slinging talents behind Kave Bakery, a small-batch pop-up focused on artisanal baked goods. Kane, a James Beard Award nominee for her work at COURSE Restaurant, puts out next-level croissants, laminated Danish, tarts, morning buns, cookies and other sweet treats at Valley events and festivals. Find their next engagement at @kavebakeryaz.
Best Affogato
Virtù
Italian restaurants routinely serve affogato – vanilla gelato “drowned” in a shot of hot, freshly brewed espresso. However, Virtù goes proudly overboard, offering seven creative riffs on the original (plus the original), assembled in combos such as chocolate-chile gelato with Borsci amaro and lemon sorbet with limoncello and candied lemon zest. 3701 N. Marshall Way, Scottsdale, 480-946-3477, virtuscottsdale.com
THE DINING SCENE
Best One-Two Punch
Craft 64
First, we loved Craft 64 for its Arizona-beer-only tap policy. It took real nerve and vision to do that. Then we felt hungry one day and ordered one of the wood-fired, Neapolitan-style pizzas, and lordy – didn’t know it was possible to love this much. Now co-owner James Swann and co. are known more for the pies than the suds, with six consecutive listings on the 50 Top Pizza USA guide – a feat no other Arizona pizzeria can match. Two locations, craft64.com
Best Piano
The Italiano
What is it about Italian restaurants and pianos? They complement each other well, providing the ideal background to conversation and handmade pasta. Chef Joey Maggiore must agree, strategically placing a beautiful white piano in the heart of the bar area so the notes waft into the dining room. It brings the entire atmosphere together, and you are always glad when the pianist comes back from break. 9301 E. Shea Blvd., Scottsdale, 480-770-1700, theitaliano.com
Best Porch Swing
Songbird Coffee & Tea House
Housed in a restored 1904 Roosevelt Row bungalow, Songbird offers plenty of places to settle in, but the best seat in the house is the sage-green porch swing. It’s the perfect perch from which to sip a locally sourced matcha latte, snack on house-made vegan pastries or keep an eye out for Inky Bob, the café’s resident black cat. 812 N. Third St., Phoenix, 602-374-4192, songbirdcoffeehouse.com
Best Crazy-Long Line
Let’s Toast
“What the heck’s going on out there?” a puzzled customer asked a bartender at Uptown Plaza in mid-May. The source of his bemusement: a line 30 to 40 people deep, snaking out of a newly opened sandwich shop. The object of their collective desire: one of Sumin Kim and Sean Atkinson’s bulgogi cheesesteak sandwiches, pressed between Japanese milk bread so rich, it makes brioche look like matzo. The duo smartly got the public hooked on the things as a once-a-week pop-up at Uptown Farmers Market before opening the shop. So now you know. 100 E Camelback Rd, Phoenix, @letstoastofficial
Best Cocktail Bar for Live Music
Tell Your Friends
Thursdays through Sundays, live bands take the stage at 7:30 p.m., elevating the speakeasy’s Roaring ’20s atmosphere with sizzling jazz and R&B. This is not the time for in-depth conversations – lean back against your red velvet seat, sip on rum and coconut milk concoction 50 First Dates or martini-inspired Split Decision with sugar snap pea syrup and enjoy your Great Gatsby moment. 17797 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale, 480-530-0045, tellyourfriendsaz.com
Best Chef Rebound
Rich Hinojosa
After closing his beloved CRUjiente Tacos in May 2025, veteran chef Rich Hinojosa regrouped and considered his options. He favored a resort gig where he could have an “immersive hospitality experience.” By December, Hinojosa scored the executive chef position at Omni Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Montelucia overseeing all culinary outlets. Yes, chef. 4949 E. Lincoln Dr., Scottsdale, 888-444-6664, omnihotels.com
Best Bathroom
Gracie’s Tax Bar
Everyone’s favorite Downtown drinking hole solved its bathroom problem with fanfare. When Gracie’s added a third stall, the bar celebrated with a ribbon cutting ceremony that included a complimentary Champagne toast and an invite to add to the bathroom wall graffiti with a free Sharpie for the first 30 guests. Classy! 711 N. Seventh Ave., Phoenix, 602-793-1110, graciestaxbar.com
Best Eclectic Playlist
Cornish Pasty Co.
Curated by owner Dean Thomas, the soundtracks at this British pub and British nosh legend jumps from Olivia Newton John to Queen to Iron Maiden without missing a beat. It shouldn’t work, but it totally does.Whether you’re pasty-ing or pint-ing, it’s a genre-bending sonic buffet. Multiple locations, cornishpastyco.com
Best Place That Nails the Vibe
Society Swan
To savor some French-American swank, book a table at Society Swan, Sam Fox’s new brasserie at Scottsdale Fashion Square. Descending the stairs feels like stepping into a hip Parisian bistro, complete with pen and ink drawings on the wall that could’ve been picked up at the local arrondissement’s flea market. However, the comfortable yet upscale atmosphere is oh-so-Scottsdale, and we’re here for it. 7014 E. Camelback Rd., Scottsdale, 480-863-3999, societyswan.com
Best Sneaky-Good Mother’s Day Spot
Yellowbell at The Camby
Previously known as Artizen, this flagship restaurant at the ritzy Camby Hotel rebranded in 2024 but has maintained a relatively low PR altitude in the interim – which is awesome if you’re trying to score reservations on the most reservation-prone day of the year. Pleasant and bright, with a workmanlike brunch menu in the a.m. and elevated, Latin-infused all-day menu, it’s a mom-pleaser. 2401 E. Camelback Rd., Phoenix, 602-468 0700, thecamby.com
Best Media Plaudit
Little Miss BBQ
Do you get tired of all the Texas restaurants that try to plant flags in Arizona soil? Houston TX Hot Chicken, Torchy’s Tacos, ad nauseum? We do. So it was sweet justice indeed when Scott and Bekke Holmes’ low-and-slow legend was named the No. 1 barbecue restaurant in the U.S. in a poll of learned Yelp Elite members, besting entitled Texas legacy smokehouses like Franklin Barbecue and CorkScrew BBQ. Sorry, cowpokes. But the Holmeses will be nice and open one in Austin. Two locations, littlemissbbq.com
BEST BAR PHOTO BOOTH
Cornish Pasty Co. Downtown
7 W. Monroe St., Phoenix, 602-374-8500, cornishpastyco.com
- Designed to mimic the look and feel of an old-school photo booth, with modern upgrades like an instant print system and option to deliver a digital version directly to your phone.
- Tucked in a corner behind the pool tables on the ground floor, the booth blends in with Cornish’s laid-back, late-night pub vibe.
- Cornish Pasty Co. branding makes each photo strip feel like a one-of-a-kind souvenir from a night out.
Gracie’s Tax Bar
711 N. Seventh Ave., Phoenix, 602-793-1110, graciestaxbar.com
- This classic analog black-and-white film booth spits out old-school strip photos, lending a nostalgic, no-frills vibe.
- Covered in stickers and graffiti, the photo booth matches Gracie’s gritty, well-worn energy.
- A live monitor on the top of the booth allows passersby to watch the photo session unfold.
BEER, BARS & COCKTAILS
Best Sober Space
Zero Proof Lounge
As the sober-curious movement gains momentum, booze-free spaces are popping up across the country, including this women-owned, speakeasy-style bar specializing in botanical mocktails and kava. It’s also a welcoming third space for like-minded guests to gather over mindful drinks and spirited (but spirits-free) community events like open mics and game nights. 5150 W. Olive Ave., Glendale, 602-935-4471, zeroproofloungeaz.com
Best Sneak-Up-On-You Cocktail
The Painkiller at Tropic Thunder
At first blush, it looks as girlie and innocent as its sister bevvie, the piña colada, but don’t kid yourself. Despite the froth, fruitiness and grandma-like nutmeg, this delectable tropical cocktail, made with dark, complex Pusser’s rum, is capable of serious ass-whupping – which is why the bar limits patrons to two. 1014 N. Second St., Phoenix, 480-239-7114, @tropicthunderphx
Best Downtown Speakeasy
Rough Rider
Descend via hidden elevator to sip Victorian-era craft cocktails in a moody, stylish space with a nod to Teddy Roosevelt and the Rough Riders. Try a “punch” made with various spirits and local tea over crushed ice; or a “cobbler,” alcohol mixed with a fruity element and house-made jam. The vibe and the drinks? Intoxicating. 1001 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, 602-675-0439, roughrideraz.com
Coziest Wine Bar
Mixela
Visit Mixela in Midtown and you’ll be transported to a cozy foreign tavern where the music rocks, the wine flows, and tapas and crudos abound. Chef/owner Gian Franco Brugaletta has put together a divine selection of small plates and a sturdy wine list. This might be your new favorite wine bar. 3410 N. 24th St., Phoenix, 602-795-4299, mixelaphx.com
Best Surprise Beer Options
Dynamite Beer Co.
You wanna get nuts? Go to one of these Valley-based taprooms and order a No. 8 from the blackboard menu, aka the “Shit Beer of the Moment.” Brother, it could be anything. Sometimes it’s not terrible – we’ve caught drafts of Modelo and PBR. Other days it’s a pint of Keystone Light. Just as crazy: $4 grab bags containing a random beer cooler selection. Be a decent human being to your server and they might be able to control what lands in the bag. Multiple locations in the Valley, dynamitebeer.com
Best Brewery Cocktails
Peoria Artisan Brewing
If the crispy pig ears with aioli, grilled oysters with lardon and grilled watermelon salad with feta don’t set this West Valley craft hideout apart from the brewpub norm, then the speakeasy in the back with the killer display kitchen surely will. Enjoy a lemony, bacanora-based El Hefe Grande or Ivory Coast martini made with Arizona’s own Suncliffe gin, and save the Double IPA for next time. 10144 W. Lake Pleasant Pkwy., Peoria, 623-572-2816, peoriaartisanbrewing.com
Best Dive
Rum Runners Bar
Sometimes you don’t need fancy ice cubes and high-end liquor to have a good time. You just need a good jukebox, cheap food, friendly bartenders, goldfish racing (exactly what it sounds like) and shuffleboard. Sunnyslope’s Rum Runners Bar checks all those boxes and then some, all with a fun pirate theme. 8355 N. Seventh St., Phoenix, 602-944-8616, rumrunnersbaraz.com
Best Frozen Alcoholic Beverages
Six Byrd Cider Company
The well-balanced ciders at Six Byrd are the perfect accompaniment to the laidback, neighborhood feel the Arcadia Lite bar exudes. But when the bartender combines those ciders with ice and a powerful blender? Game changer. While it may taste best in summer, there are a couple of rotating slushies available year-round with the pull of a tap. They’re a balance of tart and sweet, icy, with just a touch of buzz. 3619 E. Indian School Rd., Phoenix, 602-607-5478, sixbyrd.com
Best Cocktail Wizardry
Bitter & Twisted Cocktail Parlour
Part of our inaugural BOV Hall of Fame class of 2024, this seminal Downtown cocktail emporium always finds a way to out-do itself – both with its elaborate, graphic-novel-style menus (reconceived and republished every year) and its incomparably fun, delicious and photogenic cocktails. Under the sage guidance of founder and mixology chieftan Ross Simon, B&T always strikes a balance of smart and fun. Here are some of the 2026 highlights. 1 W. Jefferson St, Phoenix, 602-340-1924, bitterandtwistedaz.com
BEST OF THE VALLEY
HALL OF FAME
Page Springs Cellars
Best Winery (2015-2026)
Before Eric Glomski founded Page Springs Cellars in the Yavapai County town of Cornville in 2003, he studied rivers and forests across Arizona. Through his work, he stumbled on remote heirloom apple orchards and tried his hand at apple wine. Later, he uncorked a bottle and the memory floodgates opened. “It reminded me exactly of the place where I harvested those apples. It was so evocative and moving. That was the point I became a winemaker,” he says. Since opening Page Springs Cellars, which has won the BOV Readers’ Pick for Best Winery each of the 12 years we’ve had the category, Glomski has committed to making high-quality, locally curated wines. He credits his success to building a great team and growing the best grapes possible. The cooler northern Arizona weather and idyllic grounds are also a pull for Valley residents, whether they come for wine tasting, a winery tour or special event. “Wine is about getting people together and building community,” he says. “I’ll continue to do that and I’m immensely proud of what we’ve built.” pagespringscellars.com
PRODUCTS & SHOPS
Best Reason to Bake a Cake
Hayden Flour Mills’ Confetti Cake Mix
In this era of stress-baking, we are grateful for an easy, delicious and local cake mix. The collab between Hayden Flour Mills and colorful Instagram fave Molly Yeh is fast and fun, resulting in an almost foolproof cake. It’s even dye-free, for the MAHA among us. haydenflourmills.com
Best Selection of Local Food Products
Sphinx Date Co. Palm & Pantry
An Arizona institution for more than 70 years, Sphinx Date Co. recently moved from its historical digs on Scottsdale Road to a revived strip center on Hayden Road that also houses The Eleanor and Oliver’s Modern American. Besides stocking the best selection of local goods in town, they also blend a mean date shake. 3221 N. Hayden Rd., Scottsdale, 480-941-2261, sphinxdateranch.com
Best Farmer’s Market Bagel
Bagel Daddies
A trip to Uptown Farmers Market should always include a stop at Christopher Fregozo’s Bagel Daddies. Whether slathered with cream cheese or stacked with bacon and eggs, these chewy treats nail the important bagel formula – pillowy soft on the inside and crispy outside. Try an everything bagel with elote cream cheese. You can thank us later. @bageldaddies
PM Product Diva Marilyn Hawkes’s
Top 5 Local Food Products of 2026
His and Her Cheesecake
Husband-and-wife duo Xiao Lin and Judy Li whip up individual crustless Basque cheesecakes inspired by Western and Asian flavors, including ube, yuzu and matcha. One creamy bite and you’ll be a fan. @hisandhercheesecake
Olive & Penelope
As a side hustle, elementary school teacher Alison Bunde makes dreamy small-batch toffee, candied pecans, dark chocolate peanut butter cups and peppermint patties. These hand-crafted sweet treats are the real deal. oliveandpenelope.com
Love’s Jerky
This crispy beef jerky comes in an array of protein-packed flavors, from best-selling Hatch green chile to newbie umi sesame seed. Each razor-thin, hand-sliced piece will beef up your tastebuds. lovesjerkyco.com
Yellow Spruce Roasters
Retired Phoenix Police sergeant Brian Fernandez has gone all-in on coffee and roasts some of the Valley’s most sultry beans. Their rich, earthy scent and taste are exhilarating. yellowspruceroasters.net
Süss Pastries
Pastry chef Jasmin Smith turns out a host of baked goods, but her elevated fruit pockets steal the show. Snag a flaky Pop-Tart-like pastry and a cup of coffee for the win. susspastries.com
BOV TASTE TESTS
Two local celebrities decide the Valley’s best Chicken Tikka Masala and Arizona Pilsner via blind taste tests.
