As far as we—and our taste buds—are concerned, Arizona’s cities certainly deserve to be among culinary capitals like New York City and San Francisco. From south-of-the-border fare and scrumptious steaks to some of the nation’s best ice cream and sushi spots, read on as we introduce you to 50 of our favorite Arizona eateries.
St. Francis
St. Francis is an inviting, modern neighborhood spot to come together and enjoy great food in an architectural wonder. This family-owned and -operated establishment is also home to a one-of-a-kind brick oven which creates St. Francis’ signature wood-fired cuisine. Plus, we appreciate the restaurant’s nod to the neighborhood—its name comes from the area’s land deed circa the 30’s. 602.200.8111, www.stfrancisaz.com.
Kai
Kai, at the Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort & Spa, provides an unforgettable dining experience influenced by Native American culture and cuisine. Kai is the well-deserved winner of the Forbes Five-Star Award and the AAA Five-Diamond Award (the only restaurant currently with this honor in the state) and is truly a local treasure as its menu is artfully crafted to tell a story using authentic Arizona ingredients in its dishes. 602.385.5726, www.wildhorsepassresort.com.
NOCA
Between NOCA’s special Thursday-night tasting menus and Sunday Simple Suppers (Chef Chris Curtiss’s fried chicken night is a favorite), there is always something new to sink your teeth into at this top-notch Phoenix dining destination. On any given night, diners are always delighted to receive a pre-dessert heap of cotton candy. 602.956.6622, www.restaurantnoca.com.
Chestnut Lane
We love a cute cafe, and this Phoenix darling is about as charming as they get. In addition to fresh-baked goodies (the caramel cake is heavenly), Chestnut Lane has an exquisite selection of salads and sandwiches made with local, organic ingredients. 602.535.5439, www.chestnutlanecafe.com.
Modern Steak
This femme and fab Scottsdale steakhouse is a welcome departure from the dark, masculine steakhouses that we’re used to. In addition to top-notch design, Modern Steak dishes out one of our favorite salads (the warm Maine lobster salad) and desserts (the divide peanut butter cup). 480.423.7000, www.foxrc.com.
