The 16 best restaurants in Phoenix

This long-running pizzeria is the downtown destination for addictive Italian. Made extra cozy by the combo of a dimly-lit room and a blazing wood-fired oven, it is suitably snug enough for a date. The signature pies can be spiced up with a wide range of toppings, from house-smoked mozzarella to locally sourced pistachios. Celebs from Oprah to Martha Stewart have publicly raved about the food made by this joint’s main man, Chris Bianco. He has a slew of awards under his belt, including a much-coveted one from the James Beard Foundation. This is legit pizza heaven. 

Price: Average

Ask any Phoenix foodie about great sushi in town, and Hana will often, if not always, be at the top of the list. It also consistently hovers in the top slots of the annual “best of” lists compiled by local media. An intimate and casual setting is what you get at Hana, letting you focus on satisfying your appetite. Some sweet, glazed eel nigiri can lead the way to specialties like the Hana mint leaf, where uni or tuna is wrapped in shiso leaves before getting battered and fried. Count on insanely fresh, artfully presented dishes every time.

Price: Pricey

Smack dab in the center of town, this old-school steakhouse has anchored the city’s dining scene for nearly 70 years. Thick steaks and classic dishes like sautéed chicken livers and double-cut lamb chops make it a meat lover’s paradise. Fun fact: you enter the restaurant from the kitchen. It’s fun to see what’s going on behind the scenes as you stroll to your loungey red vinyl booth. The martinis are stiff, and the stories about the place’s colorful founder Jack Durant are aplenty. Do you really need any more convincing?

Price: Blowout

This place for Texas-style smoked and saucy meats opened in 2014, and no one has stopped yapping about it ever since. A beacon in a largely industrial neighborhood, you’ll recognize it by both the retro-style sign and the long line. There are picnic tables outside for on-the-spot dining near the smokers where the magic happens. Go for ribs that effortlessly fall off the bone and tender brisket. No offense to the delish sides like cheesy grits, but the meat here is the star. The line is usually long but seek comfort in the slice of brisket served to those waiting to ease—or intensify—your salivation.

Price: Average

The hotspot in north central Phoenix is a sister to Gallo Blanco, located downtown. Here, contemporary Mexican food is served in a bright, airy restaurant loaded with cool art on the walls. The food is as good as the flair, with modern takes on classic dishes stealing the scene. Breakfast dishes served all day are one reason to hit up Otro. Huevos rancheros eggs cooked to order on top of two quesadillas with red or green sauce to suit the heat level you can best handle? You know where to go.

Price: Average

Asian-inspired fare at this centrally located restaurant includes steaming bowls of ramen made in an open kitchen, viewable by all seats in the house. The vegetarian ramen is a treat for non-meat-eaters, with its smoked tomato broth. But it is not all about the soup: a plethora of steamed buns, apps, and meaty entrées round out the menu. Plus, the cocktail menu alone is worth a visit. A minimal amount of bar seats gets you a really up-close-and-personal look at the hustle happening behind the scenes. 

Price: Pricey

The name indicates what you’re getting, but it’s all about how you want the foods to be prepared that put your taste to the test. The plastic boots and doughnut counter make it look like an unremarkable joint, but falser words have never been spoken: the texture and flavor of the food here are otherworldly. Pick the part of the chicken you like and have them douse it with the sauce of your choice (Korean chili, Japanese barbecue, and Vietnamese herb are your options). Order the combo for an additional hot cake doughnut—ranging from a classic apple fritter to a rosemary cacao version.

Price: Average

Mexican and Chinese may seem like an odd combo, until you taste it… Ever had teriyaki chicken in a burrito? How about carnitas with chicken fried rice? Well, now's your chance. At Chino Bandido, you can mix and match everything, so you can have your Mexicanese (or Chinexican?) exactly to your liking.

Price: Bargain

This 100% vegan eatery offers comfort food minus the cruelty. Yep, this is plant-based fare at its best. Lifelong carnivores have had their perceptions about vegan eats shattered by just one bite of sammies like the Big Wac, a whopping two-patty burger reminiscent of the one popularized by the spot with the golden arches. Saucy “wings” and chili-“cheese” fries are other easy lures. This central Phoenix location is also next door to sister spot, Nami, which offers vegan pastries.

Price: Average

Rito’s is a family-owned shop specializing in the kind of Mexican fare that highlights plump burritos, chimichangas, and enchiladas. While waiting for your grub in the take-out hub, ogle at all the “best burrito” plaques that line the walls. They’re there for a reason. Burritos here aren’t just mammoth in size, they are also so tasty. The green chile burrito is a great way to try the family recipes passed down by Rosemary and Jose Salinas, who started the place in the 1970s. Get it enchilada style, which weighs it down even further with melty cheese and sauce.

Price: Bargain

The proof is in the tastin' at this Phoenix institution, which is so popular amongst locals that you'll often see queues out the door. But trust us – it's totally worth the wait. Hands down, this is amongst the best chicken 'n' waffles you'll ever eat. The chicken is crispy, tender, and flavorful; the waffles are hot and fluffy, and when the two come together drenched in syrup (and a dash of hot sauce), it's practically heaven.

Price: Average

Not your Mickey D’s drive-through, you might have a few extra minutes to scroll through your phone at this burger joint in Phoenix’s Arcadia ‘hood. The wait? Worth it. The menu is uncomplicated here – it’s just burgers, fries, and shakes – but it's all done well. A blend of beef gets ground on site each day to produce thick, tender, and juicy burgers that you can get slathered in cheese or not. Topping options include buttery onions and sautéed jalapenos for an extra kick. You don’t have to be vanilla about your shake order; banana or salted dulce de leche are tasty adventures.

Price: Bargain

This place rose above the constrictions of a mediocre location—a small strip mall next to a Circle K and right by a freeway entrance—thanks to its outstanding Italian dishes. There aren’t more than ten tables on-premise (which is fine—there isn’t a ton of parking space), so take-out is a very enticing option. The name means “pizza by the meter.” Not into pizza (who are you?)? Opt for some hearty Italian dishes that make you want to pop multiple corks and feast all night. The spaghetti dish covered in thick, rich Bolognese sauce is as hearty as the linguine with white wine and mussels.

Price: Average

This industrial-looking box may not appear to be a restaurant from most sides, but trust us when we say you'll want to cross the threshold into Matt's Big Breakfast. You don't have to go for breakfast (they serve lunch and dinner), but you should definitely go hungry because Matt's is here to fill you up. Fat waffles come slathered in syrup and crispy bacon, and the scrambled egg with salami is a pure delight. Those after something a little less breakfasty (although they do serve that all day) can enjoy a darn good chili bowl or a big butter burger.

Price: Average

A family-run joint serving authentic Mexican grub since the 1950s, Carolina's is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, so you can get some great, wallet-friendly Mexican food here any time of the day. They also make their tortillas in-house, which you can have dished up in a meal or buy a batch to take home.

Price: Bargain

When you want to cheat on your diet or are just hungry for good, old-fashioned southern cooking (think food smothered in white gravy), go to Texaz Grill. The experience is as friendly as the fare. It’s a kitschy joint loaded with memorabilia, so you can get up to speed on some history of the P-H-X while you dine. Order one chicken fried steak, and you’ll find two on your plate. Just go for it. Oh, while you’re at it, get the mashed potatoes as well. The whole thing floats in a pool of gravy. And don’t worry, it is all accompanied by a flaky biscuit for proper sopping.

Price: Average