The Top 100 Places to Eat and Drink Near Everything Just Rocks

Updated June 17, 2026

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  1. Rank 1. Arai Pastry

    Japanese Bakery

    Awards
    Address
    1335 W University Dr, Unit 4, Tempe, AZ · Tempe
    Online
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    On the Way What's Around

  2. Rank 2. 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.

    Awards
    Address
    5009 E Washington St, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
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  3. Rank 3. 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.

    Awards
    Address
    1021 W University Dr, Tempe, AZ · Tempe
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  4. Rank 4. 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.

    Awards
    Address
    849 W University Dr, Tempe, AZ · Tempe
    Online
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  5. Rank 5. The Shop Beer Co

    Awards
    Address
    922 W First St, Tempe, AZ · Tempe
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  6. Rank 6. Bad Jimmy’s

    Awards
    Address
    505 W University Dr, Tempe, AZ · Tempe
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  7. Rank 7. Nutowne Saloon

    Beer Bar

    Nu Towne Saloon has been Phoenix's oldest gay bar since 1971, surviving fires and decades with the same kitschy spirit—a narrow room stuffed with a seven-foot plaster rooster, Eiffel Tower roof replica, and grandma's attic memorabilia. Regulars come for cheap draft beer on Tuesday nights, pool games, and the kind of campy, low-key vibe that doesn't take itself seriously.

    Awards
    Address
    5002 E Van Buren St, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
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    On the Way What's Around

  8. Rank 8. 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.

    Awards
    Address
    850 S Ash Ave, Tempe, AZ · Tempe
    Online
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  9. Rank 9. The Chuckbox

    Southwestern

    Awards
    Address
    202 E University Dr, Tempe, AZ · Tempe
    Online
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  10. Rank 10. Press Coffee

    Awards
    Address
    601 W Rio Salado Pkwy, Unit 101, Tempe, AZ · Tempe
    Online
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  11. Rank 11. Quiessence At The Farm

    Arizonan

    Awards
    Address
    6106 S 32nd St, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
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  12. Rank 12. 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
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    On the Way What's Around

  13. Rank 13. Cafetal Coffee

    Columbian

    Awards
    Address
    777 S College Ave, Unit 101, Tempe, AZ · Tempe
    Online
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  14. Rank 14. 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
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  15. Rank 15. 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.

    Awards
    Address
    4502 E Thomas Rd, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
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    On the Way What's Around

  16. Rank 16. Taco Chelo

    Mexican

    Awards
    Address
    521 S College Ave, Unit 112, Tempe, AZ · Tempe
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  17. Rank 17. Chula Seafood

    Awards
    Address
    8015 E Roosevelt St, Scottsdale, AZ · Scottsdale
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  18. Rank 18. JL Patisserie

    Awards
    Address
    2601 S 24th St, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
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  19. Rank 19. Pedal Haus

    Awards
    Address
    3745 E Sky Harbor Blvd, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
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  20. Rank 20. El Pollo Supremo

    Awards
    Address
    221 W University Dr, Tempe, AZ · Tempe
    Online
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  21. Rank 21. 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.

    Awards
    Address
    3626 E Indian School Rd, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
    Online
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    On the Way What's Around

  22. Rank 22. Hai Noon

    Japanese

    Awards
    Address
    7017 E McDowell Rd, Scottsdale, AZ · Scottsdale
    Online
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  23. Rank 23. 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.

    Awards
    Address
    2125 N 24th St, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
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    On the Way What's Around

  24. Rank 24. 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.

    Awards
    Address
    1028 E Indian School Rd, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
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    On the Way What's Around

  25. Rank 25. Bagelfeld's

    NY-Style Bakery

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    Address
    2940 E Thomas Rd, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
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    On the Way What's Around

  26. Rank 26. Lucero Rooftop Lounge and Terrace

    Awards
    Address
    7 E University Dr, Tempe, AZ · Tempe
    Online
    Website
    On the Way What's Around

  27. Rank 27. Press Coffee

    Awards
    Address
    100 S Mill Ave, Tempe, AZ · Tempe
    Online
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    On the Way What's Around

  28. Rank 28. Vecina

    Latin-Inspired

    Awards
    Address
    3433 N 56th St, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
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  29. Rank 29. 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.

    Awards
    Address
    1845 E Broadway Rd, Tempe, AZ · Tempe
    Online
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    On the Way What's Around

  30. Rank 30. Golden Restaurant & Bakery

    Levantine Middle Eastern

    A casual Tempe spot where the flatbread menu alone—over 30 varieties, from za'atar manakeesh to spiced tomato wraps—could keep you coming back for months. The Levantine classics like hummus and baba ganoush are properly made, the slow-cooked beef dishes hit hard, and the house-made kenafa is the kind of dessert that justifies the trip.

    Awards
    Address
    1849 N Scottsdale Rd, Tempe, AZ · Tempe
    Online
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    On the Way What's Around

  31. Rank 31. Caffe Boa

    Awards
    Address
    398 S Mill Ave, Tempe, AZ · Tempe
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  32. Rank 32. Lou’s at Papago Golf

    Awards
    Address
    5595 E Karsten Way, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
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  33. Rank 33. Devil's Hideaway

    Cocktail Bar

    Awards
    Address
    401 S Mill Ave, Ste 101, Tempe, AZ · Tempe
    Online
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  34. Rank 34. 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.

    Awards
    Address
    2001 E Apache Blvd, Tempe, AZ · Tempe
    Online
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  35. Rank 35. 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
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  36. Rank 36. Jewel's Bakery And Cafe

    Gluten-Free Bakery

    A breakfast counter in east Phoenix where the entirely gluten-free menu somehow makes carbs the main event—doughnuts with real spring, waffles sturdy enough for crispy chicken and spicy bacon, burritos in supple tortillas. Whether you're avoiding gluten or just hungry, nothing here tastes like it's missing a thing, and bottomless mimosas help seal the deal.

    Awards
    Address
    4041 E Thomas Rd, Unit 101, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
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    On the Way What's Around

  37. Rank 37. The Dhaba

    Punjabi Indian

    The Dhaba takes its name from Indian roadside truck stops, and this cozy Tempe spot captures that same unpretentious energy with homemade breads, tandoori meats, and fried street snacks at prices that won't hurt. Order one of the three thali options if you want to sample across the menu without deciding—you'll get masala chai, fresh naan, and dessert bundled in with your choice of vegetable or meat curries.

    Awards
    Address
    1872 E Apache Blvd, Tempe, AZ · Tempe
    Online
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  38. Rank 38. 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.

    Awards
    Address
    1605 E Garfield St, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
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    On the Way What's Around

  39. Rank 39. Three Thirty Three

    Awards
    Address
    430 N Scottsdale Rd, Unit 101, Tempe, AZ · Tempe
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  40. Rank 40. UNiQ Burger

    Awards
    Address
    7730 E McDowell Rd, Scottsdale, AZ · Scottsdale
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  41. Rank 41. 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.

    Awards
    Address
    3996 N Alma School Rd, Scottsdale, AZ · Scottsdale
    Online
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    On the Way What's Around

  42. Rank 42. Joe's Italian Ice

    Italian Dessert

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    Address
    2019 S McClintock Dr, Tempe, AZ · Tempe
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  43. Rank 43. Palo Verde Lounge

    Dive Bar

    At this dark, cash-only Tempe dive, the crowd swings wildly—construction workers at happy hour, ASU students, neighborhood regulars—and so does the vibe, from pool-and-TV quiet to packed dance floors to metal bands in the parking lot. Owner Chuck Marthaler pours drinks strong and cheap, and remembers what you drink.

    Awards
    Address
    1015 W Broadway Rd, Tempe, AZ · Tempe
    On the Way What's Around

  44. Rank 44. 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.

    Awards
    Address
    4301 E University Dr, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
    Online
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    On the Way What's Around

  45. Rank 45. Pozoleria Mexican Food

    Awards
    Address
    2801 E Van Buren St, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
    On the Way What's Around

  46. Rank 46. Hundred Mile Brewing

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    Address
    690 N Scottsdale Rd, Tempe, AZ · Tempe
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  47. Rank 47. Sweet Republic

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    Address
    410 N Scottsdale Rd, Ste 105, Tempe, AZ · Tempe
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  48. Rank 48. pa'la wood-fired cooking

    Wood-fired Mediterranean

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    Address
    2107 N 24th St, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
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  49. Rank 49. T. Cooks

    Mediterranean

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    Address
    5200 E Camelback Rd, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
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  50. Rank 50. Grey Hen Rx at Century Grand

    Chinese-American

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    Address
    3626 E Indian School Rd, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
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  51. Rank 51. Kare Ethiopian Restaurant

    Ethiopian

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    Address
    4729 E McDowell Rd, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
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  52. Rank 52. UnderTow

    Tiki Cocktail Bar

    You're in the cargo hold of a 19th-century ship, complete with portholes and ambient sound effects, ordering rum-forward tiki drinks that range from classic to inventively modern. UnderTow has been Phoenix's best bet for that kind of theatrical, immersive cocktail experience since 2016, and it's still worth the visit.

    Awards
    Address
    3626 E Indian School Rd, Unit 100, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
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    On the Way What's Around

  53. Rank 53. TT Roadhouse

    Awards
    Address
    2915 N 68th St, Scottsdale, AZ · Scottsdale
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  54. Rank 54. Rift Wine + Tap

    Beer Bar

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    Address
    431 N Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale, AZ · Scottsdale
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    On the Way What's Around

  55. Rank 55. 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
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  56. Rank 56. Kuka Izakaya Sushi & Bar

    Awards
    Address
    1221 E Apache Blvd, Tempe, AZ · Tempe
    Online
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    On the Way What's Around

  57. Rank 57. Tacos Veganos

    Vegan Mexican

    A casual counter where vegan Mexican food tastes as indulgent as the real thing, with jackfruit quesabirria tacos and loaded burritos that won't leave you feeling deprived. Carnivores and plant-based eaters alike come back for the bold flavors and cheap thrills.

    Awards
    Address
    3301 E Indian School Rd, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
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  58. Rank 58. Low Key Piano Bar

    Cocktail Bar

    Head down the basement stairs to a quirky amphitheater where dueling pianists lead crowds through singalong standards and jazz covers, the energy raucous and everyone well-lubricated on fish bowls. It's the kind of place you go with a crew to stay until closing time, and the mango mule doesn't hurt.

    Awards
    Address
    501 S Mill Ave, Tempe, AZ · Tempe
    Online
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    On the Way What's Around

  59. Rank 59. Taco Boys

    Mexican

    Awards
    Address
    699 S Mill Ave, Tempe, AZ · Tempe
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  60. Rank 60. Taco Boys

    Mexican

    Awards
    Address
    2949 N 32nd St, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
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  61. Rank 61. The Chill Room

    Coffee

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    Address
    1320 E Broadway Rd, Unit 108, Tempe, AZ · Tempe
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  62. Rank 62. Pedal Haus

    Awards
    Address
    730 S Mill Ave, Unit 102, Tempe, AZ · Tempe
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  63. Rank 63. Pizzeria Virtu

    Wood-fired Pizza

    Chef Gio Osso runs this wood-fired pizzeria out of a house with a backyard patio in Old Town Scottsdale, where fine dining ease meets casual neighborhood warmth. The pies come topped with San Marzano tomatoes, chestnut honey, rapini pesto, and peppered bacon, all cradled in fluffy, bubbly dough.

    Awards
    Address
    6952 E Main St, Scottsdale, AZ · Scottsdale
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  64. Rank 64. Sizzle Korean Barbecue

    Korean

    At Sizzle, the servers do the grilling tableside while you sit back with a drink, moving around the room like seasoned dancers to flip cuts and manage the flow. Order a sampler platter of pork or beef and you'll get a rotating parade of different cuts, vegetables, and sides that turns dinner into something between a meal and a show.

    Awards
    Address
    3720 N Scottsdale Rd, Unit 200, Scottsdale, AZ · Scottsdale
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    On the Way What's Around

  65. Rank 65. Mandi House

    Yemeni Middle Eastern

    Awards
    Address
    1639 E Apache Blvd, Tempe, AZ · Tempe
    Online
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    On the Way What's Around

  66. Rank 66. Beginner's Luck

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    Address
    7240 E Main St, Ste C100, Scottsdale, AZ · Scottsdale
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  67. Rank 67. King Salmon Arcadia

    Awards
    Address
    4041 E Thomas Rd, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
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  68. Rank 68. Uchi

    Japanese

    Chef Tyson Cole's upscale Japanese restaurant brings its Austin sophistication to Old Town Scottsdale, with precise sushi and sashimi anchoring a menu that ranges from tempura to grilled meats and inventive crudos. Order à la carte, go full omakase, or build a custom tasting menu, but don't skip the signature Hama Chili with yellowtail, ponzu, and Thai chile.

    Awards
    Address
    3821 N Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale, AZ · Scottsdale
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  69. Rank 69. 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.

    Awards
    Address
    132 S Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
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    On the Way What's Around

  70. Rank 70. Pita Jungle

    Mediterranean

    Awards
    Address
    4 E University Dr, Tempe, AZ · Tempe
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  71. Rank 71. Sala Thai Tempe

    Awards
    Address
    1740 E Broadway Rd, Ste 106, Tempe, AZ · Tempe
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  72. Rank 72. Haji-Baba

    Middle Eastern

    Awards
    Address
    1513 E Apache Blvd, Tempe, AZ · Tempe
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  73. Rank 73. JL Smokehouse

    Barbecue

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    Address
    2010 E Broadway Rd, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
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  74. Rank 74. 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.

    Awards
    Address
    2 N Central Ave, Ste 101, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
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  75. Rank 75. Rosita's Place

    Sonoran Mexican

    A modest storefront hides a dining room of colorful tile and weathered wood, where a small waterfall burbles in the corner while you eat some of the best tacos in the Valley. Rosita's has been serving Sonoran classics for over three decades—the albóndigas are impossibly tender, the flan is pure caramel cream—and the place still runs circles around younger competitors.

    Awards
    Address
    2310 E McDowell Rd, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
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  76. Rank 76. 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.

    Awards
    Address
    928 E Pierce St, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
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  77. Rank 77. AZ88

    Awards
    Address
    7353 Scottsdale Mall Scottsdale, AZ · Scottsdale
    Online
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  78. Rank 78. Glai Baan

    Thai

    Chef Cat Bunnag's tight menu pulls from her Bangkok and Isan roots, delivering kao soi, larb moo, and pork skewers that taste like street food from a Thai night market. This casual neighborhood spot fills up fast, so book ahead and expect to stand around a cocktail if you arrive walk-in—the wait is worth it.

    Awards
    Address
    2333 E Osborn Rd, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
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  79. Rank 79. 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.

    Awards
    Address
    623 E Adams St, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
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  80. Rank 80. Bitter & Twisted Cocktail Parlour

    Cocktail Bar

    Awards
    Address
    1 W Jefferson St, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
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  81. Rank 81. Craft 64

    Awards
    Address
    6922 E Main St, Scottsdale, AZ · Scottsdale
    Online
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  82. Rank 82. Essence Bakery Cafe

    French Bakery

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    Address
    3830 E Indian School Rd, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
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    On the Way What's Around

  83. Rank 83. Sphinx Date Co Palm & Pantry

    Awards
    Address
    3039 N Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale, AZ · Scottsdale
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    On the Way What's Around

  84. Rank 84. 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
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    On the Way What's Around

  85. Rank 85. 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
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  86. Rank 86. Ted's Hot Dogs

    American

    A New York transplant runs this casual counter joint where the hot dogs are properly plump and juicy, the brats equally impressive, and both land on fluffy toasted buns. The real draw is the sides—fries smothered in gravy, a regional rarity—and specials like the White Hot, which pairs sauerkraut and mustard with dead-serious intent.

    Awards
    Address
    1755 E Broadway Rd, Tempe, AZ · Tempe
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  87. Rank 87. 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.

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

  88. Rank 88. The Vig

    Awards
    Address
    4041 N 40th St, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  89. Rank 89. DeFalco's Italian Grocery

    Italian

    Awards
    Address
    2334 N Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale, AZ · Scottsdale
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  90. Rank 90. Taco Boys

    Mexican

    Awards
    Address
    1015 S Rural Rd #101, Tempe, AZ · Tempe
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  91. Rank 91. Paradise Valley Burger Company

    Awards
    Address
    815 E Baseline Rd, Tempe, AZ · Tempe
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  92. Rank 92. Paradise Valley Burger

    Awards
    Address
    815 E Baseline Rd, Tempe, AZ · Tempe
    Online
    Website
    On the Way What's Around

  93. Rank 93. Cocina Madrigal

    Awards
    Address
    1530 E Wood St, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
    Online
    Website
    On the Way What's Around

  94. Rank 94. Pizza to the Rescue

    Pizza

    Awards
    Address
    2601 E Indian School Rd, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  95. Rank 95. Mariscos San Diego Bay

    Awards
    Address
    9201 S Avenida del Yaqui, Guadalupe, AZ ·
    Online
    Website
    On the Way What's Around

  96. Rank 96. Four Peaks Brewing Company

    Awards
    Address
    1340 E Eighth St, Unit 104, Tempe, AZ · Tempe
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  97. Rank 97. Catalyst Crafted Ales

    Beer Bar

    Will Walthereson's sleek 2023 brewhouse in Tempe makes a serious play for adventurous beer drinkers with playful sours, assertive IPAs, and an Italian pilsner poured European-style with a dramatic foam collar. The in-house taco counter keeps pace with the bold brews, and the sprawling patio gives you plenty of room to work through the list.

    Awards
    Address
    1845 E Broadway Rd, Unit 106, Tempe, AZ · Tempe
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  98. Rank 98. The Stand Arcadia Burger Shoppe

    Awards
    Address
    3538 E Indian School Rd, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  99. Rank 99. Hola Cabrito

    Mexican

    Maria Lopez has been roasting whole goats in banana leaves since 2011 at this South Phoenix counter, following her mother's recipe from Guanajuato, and the consommé runs clear and deep while the meat stays tender with a gentle gaminess. Order the birria tatemada—meat pressed on the griddle with rendered fat until it crisps—and you'll understand why locals line up here instead of chasing the Instagram version.

    Awards
    Address
    4835 S 16th St, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  100. Rank 100. Casa Corazon Restaurant

    Southern Mexican

    Casa Corazon's salsa bar is a well-curated spread of a dozen house-made salsas with flavors ranging from creamy pineapple to bracingly fresh serrano, all paired with the restaurant's own tortillas chips. This gourmet Mexican spot in central Phoenix rewards multiple visits to the bar alone, and the smoky morita salsa is worth seeking out if you like heat.

    Awards
    Address
    2637 N 16th St, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

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