The Top 100 Places to Eat and Drink Near Aji Spa

Updated June 17, 2026

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  1. Rank 1. KAI

    American

    Chef Drew Anderson sources saguaro fruit, tepary beans, and wild sumac from the Sonoran Desert and Gila River Community lands to build an ambitious tasting menu that filters indigenous ingredients through global fine-dining technique. It's an intimate, rooted experience where cactus key lime pie and buffalo with saguaro syrup sit alongside dishes that feel both deeply local and expansively creative.

    Awards
    Address
    5594 W Wild Horse Pass Blvd, Phoenix, AZ · Chandler
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    On the Way What's Around

  2. Rank 2. Sushi Nakano

    Edo-style Sushi

    Leo Nakano left Scottsdale's sushi establishment to open this strip-mall counter in Ahwatukee, where he crafts Edo-style nigiri with meticulous sourcing and a respect for rice that most neighborhood joints never bother with. The prices stay humble despite the quality, and if you ask nicely on a slow night, he'll make you signature preparations like salmon with pickled kombu or cold-smoked kuro-dai.

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    Address
    4025 E Chandler Blvd, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
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  3. Rank 3. Wren Südhalle

    German Beer Bar

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    Address
    4025 E Chandler Blvd, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
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  4. Rank 4. Origami Ramen Bar

    Noodles

    An Osaka-born chef who trained at Nobu cooks classical ramen with real depth—his paitan broth is creamy and unctuous, his miso blends Hokkaido pastes into something that rivals the Valley's best. Casual counter spot slinging solid bowls alongside takoyaki made the way his mother taught him.

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    Address
    4810 E Ray Rd, Unit A-1, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
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  5. Rank 5. El Fogon Taqueria

    Authentic Mexican

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    Address
    1327 E Chandler Blvd, Unit 108, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
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  6. Rank 6. Perfect Pear Bistro

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    9845 S Priest Dr, Tempe, AZ · Tempe
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  7. Rank 7. Feringhee Modern Indian Cuisine

    Modern Indian

    Chefs Sujan Sarkar and Karan Mittal push Indian cuisine in new directions at this bright spot in a Chandler shopping center, where cocktails arrive infused with masala chai and ghee and small plates invite family-style grazing. The Kashmiri lamb chops are stunning, the black dairy dal is essential, and the gulab jamun cheesecake shows they're not afraid to reimagine the classics.

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    Address
    3491 W Frye Rd, Chandler, AZ · Chandler
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  8. Rank 8. Bahaara Indian Kitchen

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    Address
    9920 S Rural Rd, Unit 105A, Tempe, AZ · Tempe
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  9. Rank 9. Supreme Shawarma

    Spit-roasted Middle Eastern

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    Address
    4929 W Ray Rd, Unit 1, Chandler, AZ · Chandler
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  10. Rank 10. The Bagel Man

    New York

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    Address
    5035 E Elliot Rd, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
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  11. Rank 11. Bar Capri

    Italian

    A strip-mall Italian spot with deep green walls, gold candelabras, and the intimate feel of a historic downtown room, Bar Capri serves straightforward, satisfying plates of lasagna, calamari, and arrancini alongside a carefully chosen wine list and stellar cocktails. Linger over tiramisu or chocolate torte at the small bar in back and you'll understand why this cozy neighborhood joint has become a genuine destination.

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    Address
    1730 E Warner Rd, Unit 10, Tempe, AZ · Tempe
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  12. Rank 12. Feta Cowboy

    Mediterranean

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    Address
    1840 E Warner Rd, Unit 108, Tempe, AZ · Tempe
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  13. Rank 13. Mariscos San Diego Bay

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    Address
    9201 S Avenida del Yaqui, Guadalupe, AZ ·
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  14. Rank 14. The Peppermill

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    Address
    7660 S McClintock Dr, Unit 104, Tempe, AZ · Tempe
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  15. Rank 15. Shimogamo

    Sushi

    A polished sushi counter in a Chandler strip mall where the focus lands on pristine raw fish rather than elaborate rolls, with occasional treasures like escolar and sweet shrimp alongside more familiar nigiri and sashimi. The Zen Roll—spicy yellowtail with shishito peppers and pickled burdock, topped with albacore and spicy soy—shows the kitchen's willingness to riff without abandoning restraint.

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    Address
    2051 W Warner Rd, Unit 14, Chandler, AZ · Chandler
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    On the Way What's Around

  16. Rank 16. Quiessence At The Farm

    Arizonan

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    6106 S 32nd St, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
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  17. Rank 17. The Sicilian Butcher

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    Address
    3151 W Frye Rd, Chandler, AZ · Chandler
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  18. Rank 18. The Sicilian Baker

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    Address
    3151 W Frye Rd, Chandler, AZ · Chandler
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  19. Rank 19. La Casa de Juana

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    Address
    1805 E Elliot Rd, Tempe, AZ · Tempe
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  20. Rank 20. The Mexicano

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    Address
    3095 W Chandler Blvd, Chandler, AZ · Chandler
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  21. Rank 21. Press Coffee

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    Address
    1085 W Queen Creek Rd, Unit 4, Chandler, AZ · Chandler
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  22. Rank 22. Peixoto Coffee

    Brazilian

    Julia and Jeff Peters roast their family's Brazilian coffee beans right in the corner of this bright Chandler cafe, where the straightforward menu—espresso, cappuccino, cortado, nothing fancy—lets the sourcing and roasting speak for themselves. Pair your cup with pastries from Pistol Whipped or empanadas from AZ Food Crafters, and you've got a casual spot that takes its coffee seriously but wears it lightly.

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    Address
    11 W Boston St, Unit 6, Chandler, AZ · Chandler
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  23. Rank 23. Huss Brewing Company

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    Address
    1520 W Mineral Rd, Unit 102, Tempe, AZ · Tempe
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  24. Rank 24. Highball

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    Address
    1514 N 7th Ave, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
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  25. Rank 25. Little Rituals

    Cocktail Bar

    Ascend to this fourth-floor hotel bar where a metal beaded curtain announces your arrival at a glittering den of upholstered luxury, and order a cocktail from a menu illustrated like a picture book with drinks you won't find elsewhere. The sophisticated crowd here ranges from hotel guests to locals making a night of it, and the bar snacks run from small bites to proper meals.

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    Address
    132 S Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
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  26. Rank 26. Carry On

    Cocktail Bar

    Step into a meticulously designed 1970s first-class cabin where flight attendants in vintage uniforms serve martinis and roving beverage carts dispense cocktails crafted by award-winning bartender Jax Donahue, all while the city vanishes from the cabin windows. It's an immersive splurge that requires advance reservations and a willingness to suspend disbelief—think Mad Men luxury without the turbulence.

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    Address
    2 N Central Ave, Ste 101, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
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  27. Rank 27. Craft 64

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    Address
    68 W Buffalo St, Chandler, AZ · Chandler
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  28. Rank 28. Best Donuts

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    Address
    2320 E Baseline Rd #162, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
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  29. Rank 29. Bitter & Twisted Cocktail Parlour

    Cocktail Bar

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    Address
    1 W Jefferson St, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
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  30. Rank 30. Lom Wong

    Regional Thai

    In a black bungalow downtown, Lom Wong serves northern Thai food rooted in owner Yotaka Martin's childhood in Chiang Rai—hand-pounded curry pastes, charcoal-grilled sausage, and dishes meant for sharing. Boozy cocktails spiked with fish sauce and rose water pair beautifully with the bold, layered flavors.

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    Address
    218 E Portland St, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
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  31. Rank 31. Platform 18 at Century Grand

    Cocktail Bar

    Platform 18 at Century Grand recreates the interior of a Prohibition-era Presidential train car with wood paneling and digital windows showing mountain vistas, making it easy to forget you're in downtown Phoenix. The bar specializes in reimagined classic cocktails and original drinks inspired by 1920s New York—try the Film Star, a Vesper variation with olive oil-washed gin and lemon Lillet served with orange and thyme caramel corn, though you'll need a reservation to board.

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    Address
    3626 E Indian School Rd, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
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  32. Rank 32. Los Dos Molinos

    Mexican

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    Address
    8646 S Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
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  33. Rank 33. The Silver Pony

    Dive Bar

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    Address
    620 W Dobbins Rd, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
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    On the Way What's Around

  34. Rank 34. Hash Kitchen

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    Address
    2855 W Ray Rd, Unit 4, Chandler, AZ · Chandler
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  35. Rank 35. Chilte

    Modern Mexican

    LT Smith and Aseret Arroyo run this modern Mexican restaurant in a converted motor lodge on Grand Avenue with a swagger that matches the food—birria stuffed into hand-pressed squid ink tortillas, mole de la casa, grasshopper quesadillas. The seasonal menu and frequent chef collaborations reward repeat visits from people who take their eating seriously but refuse to take themselves too seriously.

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    Address
    765 Grand Ave, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
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    On the Way What's Around

  36. Rank 36. Paradise Valley Burger

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    Address
    815 E Baseline Rd, Tempe, AZ · Tempe
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  37. Rank 37. Paradise Valley Burger Company

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    Address
    815 E Baseline Rd, Tempe, AZ · Tempe
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  38. Rank 38. Casey Moore's Oyster House

    A 1910 house in Tempe where college kids and seasoned drinkers mix happily over cheap drinks and solid food, with the kind of homey chaos that makes you feel like you've always belonged there. The place has earned its reputation as the real heart of the town—and possibly a ghost or two—by never taking itself seriously and always getting the good times rolling.

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    Address
    850 S Ash Ave, Tempe, AZ · Tempe
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  39. Rank 39. Valentine

    Southwestern

    A cozy Melrose spot in a midcentury furniture store where chef Nico Zades builds the entire menu around Arizona ingredients—Sonoran wheat pretzels with guinea hen butter, elote pasta with local cheese, grass-fed beef at brunch. The adjacent Bar 1912 speakeasy leans into the same hyperlocal obsession with cocktails built on foraged pine liqueur and Arizona-sourced spirits, all served in a sophisticated but entirely unsnobby room.

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    Address
    4130 N 7th Ave, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
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  40. Rank 40. Tacos Chiwas

    Chihuahuan Mexican

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    127 W Main St, Mesa, AZ · Mesa
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  41. Rank 41. Pretty Penny

    International

    A sleek Roosevelt Row dining room draped in forest green where two bartenders known for rowdy nightlife pivoted to cooking serious food—think hamachi al pastor and orecchiette with charred-tomato bolognese, plus caviar service if you're splurging. The cocktails (charred tomato martini, passionfruit negroni) are built to match the boldness on the plate, making this an upscale celebration of a meal.

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    Address
    509 E Roosevelt St, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
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  42. Rank 42. The Original Huarachis Taqueria

    Mexican

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    Address
    814 N Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
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  43. Rank 43. Huarachis Taqueria

    Sonoran Mexican

    Under the electric pink glow of its neon sign, this casual Sonoran spot serves family-style platters of charred meats—ribeye, roasted chicken, carnitas—with an abundance of sides meant for sharing and tucking into soft tortillas. Chef René Andrade's approach balances earnest technique with playfulness, backed by shareable snacks like loaded asada fries and one of Phoenix's more inventive cocktail programs.

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    Address
    814 N Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
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  44. Rank 44. Tacos Chiwas

    Chihuahua-style Mexican

    A husband-and-wife operation that started as a tight counter serving Chihuahua-style street food and has grown into a proper local chain without losing its edge. The barbacoa and pastor tacos are the ones to order, though the rajas quesadilla—spicy enough to make you crave horchata—proves they're equally skilled with everything else on the menu.

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    Address
    1028 E Indian School Rd, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
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  45. Rank 45. Barcoa Agaveria

    Mexican

    A converted warehouse on First Avenue houses two agave-focused bars run by the Phoenix food-festival producer David Tyda: the energetic main-level cantina opens onto a patio where you can sip mezcal cocktails among local artists' work, while the basement bar downstairs trades volume for intimacy and an encyclopedic selection of spirits. Provecho food truck camps outside if you want tacos with your tequila.

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    Address
    829 N 1st Ave, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
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  46. Rank 46. The Chuckbox

    Southwestern

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    202 E University Dr, Tempe, AZ · Tempe
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  47. Rank 47. Little Miss BBQ - University

    Texas-style Barbecue

    You'll stand in line with your nose in the smoke, watching the menu board get taped over as items sell out, then order your meat from the counter guy before moving on to sides that range from mac and cheese to jalapeño cheddar grits. This casual Texas Hill Country-style barbecue shop run by competitive pitmasters does straightforward, top-tier brisket, pulled pork, and butter-soft beef short ribs on weekends.

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    Address
    4301 E University Dr, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
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  48. Rank 48. Quiches & Pies

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    Address
    961 W Ray Rd, Chandler, AZ · Chandler
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  49. Rank 49. Chou's Kitchen - Chandler

    Northeast Chinese

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    910 N Alma School Rd, Chandler, AZ · Chandler
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  50. Rank 50. Old Town Taste

    Sichuan Chinese

    A bright neon sign marks this strip-mall Sichuan spot where turquoise booths and lazy susans signal you're in for a casual, convivial meal. The Chongqing-style spicy chicken—tender meat in crunchy batter studded with chiles and numbing Sichuan peppercorns—is worth the trip alone.

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    Address
    1845 E Broadway Rd, Tempe, AZ · Tempe
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  51. Rank 51. T. Cooks

    Mediterranean

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    5200 E Camelback Rd, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
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  52. Rank 52. Pizzeria Bianco

    Neapolitan Pizza

    Chris Bianco's compact brick room in Heritage Square has been the reason Phoenix became a pizza town—his Neapolitan pies, built on tomato, fresh mozzarella, and basil, inspired a generation of American pizzaioli since 1996. Lines still wrap around the block for wood-fired pizza from a man who won two James Beard Awards and fundamentally changed how Americans think about pizza.

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    Address
    623 E Adams St, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
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  53. Rank 53. Cafe Lalibela

    Ethiopian

    A husband-and-wife team has run this stripped-down Tempe spot for decades, serving some of the best Ethiopian food in the Phoenix area with an emphasis on vegetarian dishes and the spongy injera bread that anchors most meals. The key sega wat—a spicy beef stew—is worth the trip, and the glossary menu means newcomers won't feel lost navigating unfamiliar territory.

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    849 W University Dr, Tempe, AZ · Tempe
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  54. Rank 54. Melindas Alley

    Cocktail Bar

    Duck into the alley beside the Renaissance Downtown and descend into a crimson cocktail lounge that swallows all other colors whole, its low velvet seating and rotating chalkboard of drink specials designed for lingering. Open just two nights a week, this moody basement spot rewards the effort to find it with glamorous coupe glasses and the sense that you've stumbled onto something truly private.

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    50 E Adams St, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
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  55. Rank 55. Bad Jimmy's

    American

    Bad Jimmy's is a casual downtown burger joint with a cocktail bar tucked in, where a pop-up concept has solidified into a breezy hangout slinging smash burgers and rotating specials. The waffle fries are properly crisp, the wings move fast, and the vanilla soft serve finished with olive oil is the kind of small flourish that keeps people coming back.

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    Address
    108 E Pierce St, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
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  56. Rank 56. Happy Baos

    Northern Chinese

    A modest counter tucked into Mekong Plaza's food court, Happy Baos has stayed put while restaurants around it come and go, turning out chewy handmade dumplings and plump steamed buns that justify the loyalty. The 20-piece dumpling combo hits five different fillings, and the dan dan noodles with crunchy peanuts are sharp enough to remember on the drive home.

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    Address
    66 S Dobson Rd, Unit 112, Mesa, AZ · Mesa
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  57. Rank 57. Killer Whale Sex Club

    Cocktail Bar

    A moody Roosevelt Row cocktail lounge decorated with beautifully smutty polaroids shot inside the bar—a cheeky visual joke that somehow feels democratic rather than sleazy. The veteran mixologists behind the counter match the playful irreverence with inventive, experimental drinks that taste like intimate treats.

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    922 N 6th St, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
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  58. Rank 58. Chula Seafood

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    8015 E Roosevelt St, Scottsdale, AZ · Scottsdale
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  59. Rank 59. The Stand

    A casual burger joint in Scottsdale that borrows In-N-Out's stripped-down playbook but trades it for higher-end beef and a taco menu that justifies the upgrade in price. Most dishes hit hard enough to make you a regular, even if a few menu items don't quite earn their place.

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    3996 N Alma School Rd, Scottsdale, AZ · Scottsdale
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  60. Rank 60. Ban Chan Korean Cuisine

    Traditional Korean

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    2909 S Dobson Rd, Unit 7, Mesa, AZ · Mesa
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  61. Rank 61. The Stockyards

    Western Steakhouse

    The Stockyards has been slinging corn-fed steaks and prime rib since 1947, in a dining room that feels like it's been waiting for you since the cattle-baron days, with baking soda biscuits that haven't changed and a wood-paneled saloon designed by a rancher's wife. Order the Arizona cut rib-eye, nurse a whiskey, and settle in among the Western leather and old-school swagger of a place that takes its steakhouse pedigree seriously.

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    Address
    5009 E Washington St, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
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  62. Rank 62. Bacanora

    Sonoran Mexican

    Rene Andrade mans the grill alone at this bare-bones Sonoran spot, rotating a tight menu of mesquite-charred beef, grilled octopus, and shrimp aguachiles that nod to his childhood street food while reflecting years in fine dining kitchens. His caramelo—a crisp flour tortilla layered with melted cheese and impossibly rich carne asada—is the kind of plate that lingers in your head long after.

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    Address
    1301 NW Grand Ave, Unit 1, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
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  63. Rank 63. Wren House Brewing

    Beer Bar

    A 1930s house in the Green Gables neighborhood that's been converted into a taproom where strangers become regulars around a big wooden community table and plastic dinosaurs decorate the bar. The award-winning Spellbinder hazy IPA and rotating fruit beers draw a steady crowd, and food trucks reliably park out front if you didn't bring in takeout from a nearby restaurant.

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    Address
    2125 N 24th St, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
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  64. Rank 64. Kid Sister

    Wine Bar

    Kid Sister is an intimate wine bar on Seventh Street where Progress alumni and friends have created a vibrant, airy neo-bistro inspired by travels across Europe and the U.S. The condensed, evolving wine list offers plenty by the glass alongside chef Isaac Mendoza's small bites, and don't sleep on their spritzes.

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    4810 N 7th St, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
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  65. Rank 65. Cocina Chiwas

    Mexican

    Armando Hernandez and Nadia Holguin have built a comfortable, chic room around an open kitchen where mesquite and pecan smoke chars everything from stuffed poblanos to crispy quesadillas, taking you on a journey rooted in their Chihuahuan family cooking. The sweet corn panna cotta alone—creamy and singing with corn flavor against seasonal fruit—signals that these are serious chefs having fun with the food they grew up eating.

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    Address
    2001 E Apache Blvd, Tempe, AZ · Tempe
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  66. Rank 66. Lon's at the Hermosa

    A white-tablecloth Southwestern restaurant in a tucked-away Paradise Valley inn, Lon's commands views of ruddy mountains from its broad patio and a stellar bar, with seasonal menus that might bring parsnip ravioli with elk shank ragout or buttered prawns in red curry coconut milk. The weekend brunch is the move—huevos rancheros and a yeasty monkey bread loaded with cream, caramel and chocolate that could be a meal on its own.

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    Address
    5532 N Palo Cristi Rd, Paradise Valley, AZ · Paradise Valley
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  67. Rank 67. Mister Pio

    Peruvian

    Smoke from an enormous rotisserie oven fills this small, modern counter spot the moment you walk in, announcing exactly what you came for. Order a whole or half bird with salad and Peruvian sauces, thick-cut fries, and an Inca Kola, and you'll understand why the parking lot smells the way it does.

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    Address
    4502 E Thomas Rd, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
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  68. Rank 68. Bagelfeld's

    NY-Style Bakery

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    2940 E Thomas Rd, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
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  69. Rank 69. Harlow's Cafe

    Diner American

    Harlow's has been the kind of place where regulars camp out with coffee for hours, turning University Drive into a proper neighborhood corner near Arizona State's campus. The kitchen does unfussy breakfast and lunch—creamed chipped beef on toast, French dips, chicken-fried steak—with the kind of competence that only comes from nearly three decades of doing the same things right.

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    Address
    1021 W University Dr, Tempe, AZ · Tempe
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  70. Rank 70. Mariscos Playa Hermosa

    Sinaloan seafood Mexican

    Bright pink and blue chairs face walls painted with Mexican landscapes at this Sinaloan seafood spot, where the dining room is almost as much fun as the food itself. The multipage menu spans grilled shrimp Micheladas, aguachiles, and seafood towers, best paired with a Serrano margarita on the colorful patio.

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    1605 E Garfield St, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
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  71. Rank 71. Cider Corps

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    Address
    31 S Robson, Unit 103, Mesa, AZ · Mesa
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  72. Rank 72. Bad Jimmy’s

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    Address
    505 W University Dr, Tempe, AZ · Tempe
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  73. Rank 73. Gallo Blanco

    Mexican

    Gallo Blanco occupies a historic brick building in Garfield with big windows and an airy feel, serving straightforward Mexican food across breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Start with the guacamole and chips, then move on to something like the barbacoa burrito or Taco Dorado, ideally chased with a house Paloma.

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    Address
    928 E Pierce St, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
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  74. Rank 74. Stardust Pinbar

    Cocktail Bar

    You yank open a freezer door at Ziggy's Magic Pizza and slip into Stardust, where a glowing dance floor, pinball machines, and disco ball await behind the speakeasy's barely-concealed entrance. It's the kind of place where goths, Disney adults, and whatever just-released concert crowd is nearby converge most nights to sing in English and Spanish until the small hours.

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    Address
    401 W Van Buren St, Unit B, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
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  75. Rank 75. Espiritu

    Mexican Cocktail Bar

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    123 Main St, Mesa, AZ · Mesa
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  76. Rank 76. Sidewinder

    Diner American

    A Garfield diner swaggering in neon and Marlboro signage, all cow skulls and dive-bar swagger, where the kitchen turns out hot chicken and five-dollar sloppy joes with equal conviction. It's the kind of place that doesn't apologize for what it is, or what it serves.

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    Address
    924 E Roosevelt St, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
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  77. Rank 77. Taco Chelo

    Mexican

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    Address
    501 E Roosevelt St, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
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  78. Rank 78. Greenwood Brewing

    Greenwood Brewing's bright, marble-and-brass taproom on Roosevelt Row feels nothing like a typical brewery, which makes sense since it was built by a former home brewer intent on welcoming everyone to craft beer. The pale ale called Herstory anchors a rotating lineup of thoughtful brews, and you can settle into one of two courtyards with a food order from nearby restaurants.

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    Address
    425 E Roosevelt St, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
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  79. Rank 79. Arizona Wilderness Brewing Co

    Arizonan

    A brewpub in a converted warehouse on Roosevelt Row with an outdoor bar built into a shipping container, where the rotating seasonal beers are matched by serious bar food—massive burgers that change monthly, duck fat fries, and a hot fried chicken sandwich. The vibe is relaxed and social, with long communal tables perfect for an evening of drinks and eating well under the Phoenix sky.

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    Address
    721 N. Arizona Ave Gilbert, AZ · Gilbert
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  80. Rank 80. Lovebite Dumpling

    Chinese

    Awards
    Address
    116 E Roosevelt St, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  81. Rank 81. Sottise

    French

    A converted white bungalow on Second Street draws crowds who settle into marble-topped tables under exposed brick to work through the wine list and oysters on the porch. The French bistro moves easily from casual (baked brie with pear and sage) to splurge-worthy (caviar by the gram), backed by a soundtrack of vinyl records and the warm hum of people having a genuinely good time.

    Awards
    Address
    1025 N 2nd St, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  82. Rank 82. Rough Rider

    Cocktail Bar

    A hidden basement speakeasy in downtown Phoenix where you take the elevator down to a moody, wood-lined room that feels plucked from another century, all dark corners and cozy nooks. Cocktails carry cheeky Victorian names and the kitchen matches the mood with chicory-rubbed duck, black garlic pork chops, and fried cauliflower that tastes like upscale fish and chips.

    Awards
    Address
    1001 N Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  83. Rank 83. The Little Woody

    Dive Bar

    Red-lit dive with darts, pool, and a game room where young crowds gather on weekends to dance and play until 2 a.m. The cocktails are sharp—try the bourbon Gun Shy Sour—and the kitchen turns out flatbreads and hot dogs that hit the spot.

    Awards
    Address
    4228 E Indian School Rd, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  84. Rank 84. Gracie's Tax Bar

    Beer Bar

    A faded pink building tucked off Seventh Avenue conceals a dive bar that's part neighborhood living room, part rotating nightclub, where cheap beer and a jukebox set the tone for games of Scrabble and late-night DJ sets on the patio. Gracie's Tax Bar, housed in a former tax office since 2017, keeps things loose with themed watch parties and tournaments, the kind of place where strangers become drinking buddies by closing time.

    Awards
    Address
    711 N 7th Ave, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  85. Rank 85. Skysill Rooftop Lounge

    Cocktail Bar

    Eighteen stories above Mill Avenue, this rooftop bar trades indoor comfort for unobstructed views of A Mountain, downtown Tempe, and the glittering Mill Avenue Bridge at night—grab a cocktail at the covered bar and wander the open deck with a drink in hand. The food menu of carne asada tacos, Caesar wraps, and flatbreads works hard to keep up with Arizona beers and seasonal drinks that shift with the weather.

    Awards
    Address
    11 E Seventh St, Tempe, AZ · Tempe
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  86. Rank 86. Ollie Vaughn's

    Bakery

    Ollie Vaughn's is a neighborhood bakery and cafe tucked into a strip mall on McDowell Road, where a decade of careful cooking with local ingredients shows in things like pork chile verde with fried egg in cast iron or lemon ricotta pancakes topped with blueberry compote. Grab a pastry from the case and a cozy table inside, or linger on the small patio while the morning light stretches across.

    Awards
    Address
    1526 E McDowell Rd, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  87. Rank 87. First & Last

    New American

    The Gold Spot building's soaring ceilings and candlelit booths make this a date-night spot where the Hammonds' rotating menu swings from buttery clams to inventive sourdough bolognese, anchored by craft cocktails with real backbone. By day it's a counter operation slinging focaccia sandwiches and grandma pizza slices that draw lines, though dinner is when the romance kicks in.

    Awards
    Address
    1001 N 3rd Ave, Ste 1, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  88. Rank 88. Saint Pasta

    Italian

    Chef Racan Alhoch runs a boisterous downtown pasta spot that channels East Coast red-sauce nostalgia through a neon-lit open kitchen playing Frank Ocean and the Sopranos on loop. The rigatoni in vodka sauce and Caesar salad are worth the wait at this no-reservations room where the food stays composed even as the energy around you doesn't.

    Awards
    Address
    100 W Portland St, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
    Online
    Website
    On the Way What's Around

  89. Rank 89. The Dirty Drummer

    Dive Bar

    A longtime Phoenix dive that shuttered and roared back to life in 2019, The Dirty Drummer serves wings and burgers alongside a rotating slate of country, rockabilly, and touring acts that might have you line dancing one night and catching back-to-back sets the next. Sports fans and folks hunting a no-frills good time will find plenty of reasons to return, especially during happy hour.

    Awards
    Address
    2303 N 44th St, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  90. Rank 90. Cafetal Coffee

    Columbian

    Awards
    Address
    777 S College Ave, Unit 101, Tempe, AZ · Tempe
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  91. Rank 91. Bikini Lounge

    Tiki Dive Bar

    A wood-paneled relic from 1947, Bikini Lounge still pulls you in with drafts poured into frozen glasses and a bar dressed in kitschy tiki tchotchkes, pool tables, and a patio for smoking. Tuesday nights transform the place into a dance floor when a DJ spins vinyl, though come prepared with cash and patience for a crowd that won't let you leave early.

    Awards
    Address
    1502 Grand Ave, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
    Online
    Instagram
    On the Way What's Around

  92. Rank 92. Beginner's Luck

    Awards
    Address
    7240 E Main St, Ste C100, Scottsdale, AZ · Scottsdale
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  93. Rank 93. The Hidden House

    New American

    Awards
    Address
    159 W Commonwealth Ave, Chandler, AZ · Chandler
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  94. Rank 94. Marisco Boys

    Seafood

    The team behind Taco Boys swapped casual for swanky with this new seafood spot on Seventh Street, where mesquite-grilled fish and ceviches get the date-night treatment. Yellowtail tostadas arrive piled with black garlic aioli and fried leeks, and the molcajetes—stacked with shrimp, octopus, and your choice of ceviche or steak—are built for sharing.

    Awards
    Address
    2026 N 7th St, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
    Online
    Website
    On the Way What's Around

  95. Rank 95. FnB

    Charleen Badman sources vegetables and rare ingredients from Arizona farms and beyond, braiding them into dishes that range across the Sonoran Desert, South America, and the Levant in this Scottsdale fine-dining kitchen where she still cooks most nights. Co-owner Pavle Milic's wine list—heavy on Arizona producers—is reason enough to tuck into the hidden bar, which might be the best seat in the house.

    Awards
    Address
    7125 E 5th Ave Unit 31 Scottsdale, AZ · Scottsdale
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  96. Rank 96. Citizen Public House

    American

    Chef Bernie Kantak's Citizen Public House trades the fanciness its name suggests for a relaxed dining room where classic American cooking gets a savory edge—think crispy sesame pork belly and scallops that actually shine. The Original Chopped Salad is popular enough to have its own Facebook following, and the whole operation has the ease of a place where the staff genuinely seem to like what they do.

    Awards
    Address
    7111 E 5th Ave, Unit E, Scottsdale, AZ · Scottsdale
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  97. Rank 97. The Brickyard Downtown

    Cocktail Bar

    Awards
    Address
    85 W Boston St, Chandler, AZ · Chandler
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  98. Rank 98. Maeva

    Fine dining French

    A fine dining room in Gilbert with dark walls and checkerboard tile serves delicately crafted French cuisine—try the tuna crudo or pork ragu ravioli, or commit to the four-course tasting menu with the chef's discretionary bites. Stop by mornings for lavender lattes and smoked salmon danish, then return dressed up for a date night that feels like a brief escape to France.

    Awards
    Address
    50 W Vaughn Ave, Ste 107, Gilbert, AZ · Gilbert
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  99. Rank 99. Mensho Ramen

    Noodles

    Mensho brings an imported ramen concept to Mesa with an open kitchen ringed in light wood, where ambitious broths layered with unexpected flavors like matcha and five-fold garlic preparations pair with silky handmade noodles. It's a casual counter spot that's already spawned a second location in Phoenix, drawing crowds eager for something genuinely different in the local noodle scene.

    Awards
    Address
    805 N Dobson Rd, Ste 115, Mesa, AZ · Mesa
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  100. Rank 100. Latha

    African

    Awards
    Address
    628 E Adams St, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

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