It’s often said that deserts breed creativity—and the best restaurants in Phoenix and Scottsdale, Arizona, are certainly proof. The Phoenix metro area (which includes Scottsdale) stretches through a sunny basin of the Sonoran Desert, and here, creativity has led to inventive dishes in unexpected spaces. It’s no wonder that restaurants in Phoenix and Scottsdale have been garnering national buzz: These days, the top cut of Phoenix area restaurants can hang with the best of many American cities. Better still, these Arizona standouts have the propensity to truly surprise—to make you see the Old West anew. There’s world-class pizza, but also bison steak sweetened with cactus syrup, hand-pounded Thai sausage, abstract tasting menus under purple sunset vistas, and cocktails that use ancient desert ingredients to breathe wild new life into familiar classics. You can, and will, eat well on your next Phoenix trip.
For the very best dining in Phoenix and Scottsdale, the below restaurants will have you covered. Visit these spots to experience the kind of gastronomic heat that the Valley’s best culinary talents can bring.
Every restaurant on this list has been selected independently by Condé Nast Traveler editors and reviewed by a local contributor who has visited that restaurant. Our editors consider both high-end and affordable eateries, and weigh stand-out dishes, location, and service—as well as inclusivity and sustainability credentials. We update this list as new restaurants open and existing ones evolve.
Read our full Phoenix guide here, which includes: