Phoenix Restaurants

Tucked into the short side of an L-shaped shopping center at 16th Street and Bethany Home is a restaurant that has been pleasing palates and offering short tutorials in Phoenix history and heritage since 1997: the Phoenix City Grille. The warm, cozy ambience is enhanced by framed, well-lit color and black-and-white photos of Arizona landscapes and Phoenix movers and shakers. Diners enjoy a varied American menu with just enough hints of Southwestern and Southern cuisine to keep it interesting and memorable.

Nestled amid the Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort, Different Point of View offers a stunning setting and even more stunning views. The cuisine is creative and inventive, thanks to Executive Chef Ivan Flowers’s mixture of American and International flavors. The dinner menu changes seasonally, while a nightly tasting menu changes several times a night. The menu is partially sourced from the restaurant’s own vegetable garden located on the hotel property. If the food and views weren’t enough, an award-winning wine list offers over 1000 wines, all cellared on premise. This is a place to treat yourself, and to celebrate the …

Escape the urban sprawl of Phoenix with a visit to Quiessence on “the Farm” at South Mountain. This quaint culinary retreat offers pastoral serenity in the heart of the city. Explore this verdant agricultural oasis, before cozying up by the fireplace in Quiessence’s historic farmhouse. The menu changes seasonally to feature the freshest local Arizona foods, including those grown onsite. Quiessence serves Contemporary American Farm Cuisine with a conscience, choosing US suppliers with ethical environmental and humane practices. Whether savoring a romantic dinner or socializing at a special event, a trip to the Farm is sure to be an adventure.

Donovan’s Steak and Chop House is a little piece of steak paradise, an homage, really, to the long tradition of steakhouses so popular in America since the early 20th century. But Donovan’s is no throwback. At their handsome location at 3101 E. Camelback Road in the upscale Camelback Corridor, owners Dennis Hitzman, Tony Subia, and Mal Jozoff have created a clubby atmosphere of casual elegance with no fine-dining detail overlooked. The centerpiece of their award winning operation is the exclusive use of USDA Prime, Midwestern, corn-fed beef, which, combined with an international wine list, accommodating staff, and exclusive amenities, makes …

Located in the stylish meets traditional district of East Phoenix’s Arcadia, Chelsea’s Kitchen perfectly personifies it’s neighborhood’s dedication to quality and diversity. Head Chef Jay Boginske has created a menu that boasts intensely flavored dishes varying from mouth watering, but healthy Swordfish Tacos to Braised Short Ribs, better than your mama ever made. The restaurant solidifies it’s place in Arcadia’s always posh night life with it’s cozy but modern chic ambiance, featuring glowing candlelight, warm woods, and well chosen, new age artwork, all brought together seamlessly with contemporary furnishings, and edgy music.

Since its inception in 1994, Tarbell’s has won over 30 awards including Food and Wine’s “Best Restaurant” and Wine Spectator’s “Award of Excellence.” With highly-acclaimed Chef/Owner Mark Tarbell at the helm, Tarbell’s has catapulted itself to the top, not only in Phoenix but all over the country. Simple yet well-crafted dishes show a clear and concise understanding of textures and flavors. But despite Tarbell’s status, the restaurant retains the friendly neighborhood vibe that has helped to make it so successful. The combination of great food and great atmosphere make Tarbell’s a must when dining in East Phoenix.

The best of both dining worlds is found at Christopher’s Crush; upscale, casual, hip and cool, yet comfortable. Lounge seating, bar seating overlooking the kitchen, patio seating, and a special Chef’s Table add to the flexibility of enjoyment, forming to fit your dining desires. Pizzas, burgers, Filet Mignon, Smoked Salmon, Truffle Fries, and Chocolate Tower are all items you can find on the menu, at affordable prices. Monday through Friday, stop by for a bite to eat at the kitchen bar and receive ½ off your bill from 3:00pm-6:00pm. Fine fare, wine, and a dreamy space are what you’ll come …

Walking into Vincent on Camelback, one has the impression of entering a French country home. The atmosphere is more French than southwestern, but Chef and Owner Vincent Guerithault finds a balance of the two aesthetics in his Southwest/French fusion cuisine. Vincent uses French cooking techniques and southwest ingredients to carve a unique niche in classic style. For example, the Corn Ravioli with White Truffle Oil has been one of his signature dishes since the restaurant opened in 1986. Whether choosing from the classic or nouveau menu, patrons enjoy the timeless evening Vincent’s creates highlighted by creative dining.

Keeping up with traditions, but still giving room for new culinary trends, Stockyards Steakhouse embraces what they pinpoint as “New West Cuisine.” Combining traditional Steakhouse fare, Southwestern dishes and American cuisine, Stockyards selections of premium corn-fed aged steaks and prime rib are nothing short of high-quality fine dining. Opened in 1947, this favorite Arizona restaurant is known for their “Best of the West” dishes, excellent service and antique bar.

Pappadeaux in Phoenix is a one stop destination for traditional and contemporary Cajun cuisine. Pappadeaux has a loud, fun, and fast-paced environment in a setting similar to a turn-of-the-century jazz bar, and the menu is complete with dishes seasoned in flavorful spices with unbeatable prices. Know for their seafood, Pappadeaux also has a variety of Cajun food that you don’t always find on your typical menu. Fried alligator? Yes indeed. Step inside the French Quarter of flavors and you might find what your taste buds have been looking for.

Durant’s takes diners back to the Rat-Pack era, when dim lighting, dark leather booths, and serious steaks were the epitome of a great meal. Guests flock to this classic, classy steakhouse, for some of Phoenix’s finest steaks, chops, and seafood. The menu is filled with generously portioned dishes, such as Durant’s Delmonico steak, Slow-Roasted Prime Rib, and Australian Lobster Tail. Those feeling especially indulgent can take on the 48-ounce porterhouse—finishing it in one sitting earns a plaque on the wall.

Head south to the land of gauchos (Brazilian cowboys) and churrasco (barbeque) at Brazilian Bull Steakhouse, right here in Phoenix. This authentic churrascaria serves up a bounty of savory delights cooked over open flame and beaming with flavor. Boasting a carnival atmosphere, Brazilian Bull lets its customers orchestrate their own dining experience: Ready for the parade of skewered meats to begin? Simply flip your sign to green. Can’t possibly eat any more? Turn the sign to red and sit back. And laying it on its side signals for the staff to wheel out their 6-foot display of homemade treats.

Formerly called the Dirty Drummer, North 51 Grill is a great place for a simple burger and wings, but they have an outstanding breakfast menu to boot. Preferred by locals as a great place to beat the heat, this bar and grill can shut out the hot Arizona heat with ice cold beer and a selection of upscale bar food. With a friendly staff and great prices, North 51 Grill is a great place for a family dinner or a place to watch the game.

The Pasta Bar not only has a simple name but the restaurant’s concept is simple as well: to feature handmade pastas that serve as the centerpiece of every dish. The Pasta Bar places all the emphasis on its main attraction by offering a modest menu that features meat as an accompaniment to their authentic Italian pasta. The finest ingredients are paired with the immense talent of Chef Wade Moises to create unique and flavorful dishes. Located in the cultural and arts center of Downtown Phoenix, the Pasta Bar is classic Italian cuisine with distinct modern touches.

Regarded as a popular place to go see and be seen, this contemporary American chain does what so few restaurants of its kind manage: it keeps people coming back. With a strict philosophy of using the freshest ingredients from local farms and purveyors, they serve up gracefully presented dishes in a modern setting. Stained wood, burnished brass, dim lighting, and a trendy crowd reel people in, but it’s the friendly service and delicious meat, fish, and chicken that has people returning. And if you happen to chance into one of this location—don’t forget to try their famous shoestring fries!

Notorious for their long lines and long wait, customers keep coming back to Pizzeria Bianco for their famous pizzas, salads and brews. All pizzas are oven roasted, and even though there are only 6 selections to choose from, each option is eager to please, more notably their popular Rosa Pizza with red onion, parmigiano reggiano, rosemary and Arizona pistachios. Pistachios on a pizza? Full of surprises, the modestly simply Pizzeria Bianco will leave your belly satisfied.

T. Cooks is the place to celebrate an anniversary or to have a romantic night out. Located in the Royal Palms Resort and Spa, the restaurant goes along with the Spanish-style architecture situated in a rich earthy-colored den with panoramic views. The menu serves Mediterranean cuisine and centers its food around seasonal dishes from Barcelona, Spain, and Tuscany, Italy. For dinner, guests can select Executive Chef Lee Hillson’s pre-fixe “Iron Chef” menu with the option of wine pairing. Some of the dishes include Lobster Carpaccio with ham broth and sweet corn and Stuffed Rabbit wrapped in Serrano with mushrooms and …

The Ritz Carlton has a reputation for being high class, and Bistro 24 - located in the Phoenix property - definitely lives up to the standard. Modeled after a classic French bistro with American flair, the restaurant serves authentic, simple yet flavorful cuisine in an French-American fusion. The comfortable and classy environment offers guests the option of sitting in the contemporary dining room, or outside in the fresh Arizona air. A farm-to-table menu has been masterfully created and inspired by local, organic McCledon farm produce, with menu items available daily for lunch and dinner. The casual elegance gives diners the …