A curated set of standout tables and local favorites.
Local favorites & classics
Pizzeria Bianco. Downtown / Heritage Square · Wood-fired pizza — Chris Bianco's two-time James Beard Award-winning original location (Outstanding Restaurateur, 2022) set the standard for artisan pizza in America.…
Bacanora. Grand Avenue · Sonoran / Wood-fired Mexican — James Beard Best Chef Southwest 2024 (René Andrade) runs an open-fire kitchen in the restored Bragg's Pie Factory. Every protein — from carne asada to…
Lom Wong. Downtown · Regional Thai — 2025 James Beard Best Chef Southwest winner Yotaka Martin cooks village-style Thai food from across Thailand's regions, including charcoal-grilled sausage and hand-pounded…
Chilte. Grand Avenue (Egyptian Motor Hotel) · Experimental Mexican — A former NFL athlete-turned-chef and his partner created this inventive pop-up-turned-permanent restaurant inside a retro motel. Named…
Little Miss BBQ (University location). South Phoenix / University Drive · Central Texas BBQ — Phoenix's most celebrated barbecue spot earns consistent recognition from Texas Monthly for its Central Texas-style brisket, pork ribs, and…
Kid Sister. Uptown · Wine bar with seasonal small plates — A rotating tapas menu of dishes like broccoli toast and beef tataki pairs with an accessible, well-curated wine list in a relaxed uptown setting. One…
Bacanora (noted above) / FnB. Old Town Scottsdale · Arizona farm-to-table — FnB (Food & Beverage) has long anchored Scottsdale's serious dining scene with a menu built around locally sourced Arizona ingredients and a…
Miel De Agave Phoenix. 705 N 1st St #110 · 4.8★ (9,266 reviews)
Cafés, bakeries & casual
The Fry Bread House. Melrose District · Native American — Founded in 1992 by a Tohono O'odham Nation citizen and a 2012 James Beard American Classic award winner. The Native Taco — fry bread topped with red chili beef…
Tacos Chiwas. Midtown (Indian School Road) · Chihuahuan Mexican — Family-run taqueria serving handmade-tortilla tacos anchored in Chihuahua family recipes, including lengua, tripe, gorditas, and carnitas for…
Stoop Kid. Downtown · Bagels / New York-style deli — A daytime favorite for house-made bagels loaded with creative schmears and sandwiches like the Money Shot (bacon jam, egg, cheese). The Infatuation calls it…
Lux Central. 4402 N Central Ave · 4.5★ (3,152 reviews)
SugarJam The Southern Kitchen. 15111 Hayden Rd Suite 170 Suite 170 · 4.5★ (2,453 reviews)
nami. 2014 N 7th St · 4.6★ (1,978 reviews)
Urban Cookies Bakeshop - Phoenix. 2325 N 7th St · 4.7★ (1,269 reviews)
Songbird Coffee & Tea House - Phoenix, AZ. 812 N 3rd St · 4.7★ (1,192 reviews)