The Top 100 Places to Eat and Drink Near Gamers Guild AZ
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- Phoenix New Times 2024 · Best Chicken Wings · Best of Phoenix
- Phoenix New Times 2024 · Best Chicken Wings · Best of Phoenix
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Rank 6. City of Spice
Indian
The owners opened City of Spice after tiring of mediocre Indian food around Phoenix, and their families' restaurant pedigree shows in every plate—there are shatteringly crisp dosa, silky malai kofta, and expertly balanced biryanis, with explanatory slides overhead encouraging you to try something unfamiliar. The staff guides you through the menu with genuine warmth, making this a casual neighborhood spot where you feel welcomed whether you're ordering your go-to dish or taking a chance on something new.
- Phoenix New Times 2024 · Best Halal Restaurant · Best of Phoenix
- Phoenix New Times 2024 · Best Halal Restaurant · Best of Phoenix
- Phoenix Magazine 2025 · Best Chai High · Best of the Valley
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Rank 8. Balkan Bakery
Eastern European Bakery
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Rank 9. Mr. Sweets Bakery
Middle Eastern Bakery
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Rank 10. Las 15 Salsas Restaurant Oaxaqueño
Oaxacan Mexican
A colorful patio strung with lights sets the scene for serious Oaxacan cooking at this Sunnyslope spot, where memelas and tamales wrapped in banana leaves are just the warm-up act. The five styles of mole are the real draw, paired with cocktails built from rare agave spirits and earthy café de olla.
- Phoenix New Times 2025 · Best Oaxacan Restaurant · Best of Phoenix
- Phoenix New Times 2023 · Best Mole · Best of Phoenix
- Phoenix New Times 2024 · Best Mole · Best of Phoenix
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Rank 12. Taco’s Javi
Mexican
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Rank 13. MIDEAST EATS | AVA BAKERY
Persian Bakery
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The Tamale Store is a no-frills counter where tamales—hand-filled with everything from beef and chile to spinach cream cheese—are the only thing on the menu, made without lards, preservatives, or shortcuts. A twenty-year family operation that rotates seasonal flavors and dessert varieties alongside the classics, so there's always something new to try alongside the standards.
- Phoenix New Times 2025 · Best Tamales · Best of Phoenix
- Phoenix New Times 2023 · Best Tamales · Best of Phoenix
- AZ Central 2026 · The 100 Best Metro Phoenix Restaurants
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- AZ Central 2026 · The 100 Best Metro Phoenix Restaurants
- Phoenix New Times The 10 best Indian restaurants in Phoenix
- AZ Central 2025 · The 100 Best Metro Phoenix Restaurants
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- Phoenix New Times The 10 best Indian restaurants in Phoenix
- Phoenix New Times 2025 · Tellicherry Lamb Fry · The 10 best bites we tasted at Phoenix restaurants
- Phoenix Magazine 2025 · Best Indian Cuisine: West Valley · Best of the Valley
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Rank 19. Los Reyes De La Torta
Mexican
A casual counter spot where enormous tortas—layered with fried beef, chorizo, egg, avocado, and more on soft telera bread—arrive as genuine meals for two. The juice bar pulls fresh aguas frescas and wild fruit bombas topped with paper umbrellas, turning a sandwich run into something celebratory.
- Phoenix New Times 2025 · Best Tortas · Best of Phoenix
- Phoenix New Times 2023 · Best Tortas · Best of Phoenix
- Phoenix New Times The 10 best Mexican restaurants in Phoenix
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Rank 23. Kitsune Brewing
Beer Bar
Owner Tyler Smith's infectious energy fills this neighborhood craft brewery, where a rotating sour program spins out nostalgic riffs like margarita and Star Wars–inspired Bantha Milk alongside their core IPAs and brown ales. Food trucks park outside to fuel another round while you wait for the adjoining ramen bar to finally open.
- Phoenix New Times 2025 · Best Place to Take a Geek Who Loves Beer · Best of Phoenix
- Phoenix New Times 2025 · The Top 100 Bars in Phoenix
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Rank 27. Casa de Falafel
Middle Eastern
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- Foodist Awards 2025 · Finalist · Top Sushi Restaurant
- Phoenix New Times Our top 12 favorite sushi restaurants in Phoenix
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Rank 29. Original Breakfast House
Californian
- Phoenix Magazine 2025 · Best Sweet-Savory Breakfast: Fried Chicken with Deep-Fried French Toast · Best of the Valley
- Phoenix Magazine 2025 · Chicken-Fried Chicken with French Toast · Top 100 Dishes of Arizona
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- Phoenix New Times 2024 · Best Restaurant to Take a Geek · Best of Phoenix
- Phoenix New Times 2024 · Best Restaurant to Take a Geek · Best of Phoenix
- Phoenix New Times The top 10 burger joints in Phoenix
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Rank 31. Little Miss BBQ
Southern Barbecue
- James Beard Awards 2026 · Semifinalist · Best Chef: Southwest · Scott Holmes
- Phoenix Magazine 2025 · Pastrami · Top 100 Dishes of Arizona
- AZ Central 2025 · The 100 Best Metro Phoenix Restaurants
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A proper Italian deli in West Phoenix where the meat and cheese counter takes center stage and sandwiches like the Italian Stallion arrive loaded with cold cuts, provolone, and house dressing on crusty Italian bread. Beyond takeout cuts, there's an antipasto bar, homemade pasta dishes, gelato, and cannoli that deserve a trip on their own.
- Phoenix New Times 2025 · Best Italian Deli · Best of Phoenix
- Phoenix New Times 2024 · Best Italian Deli · Best of Phoenix
- Phoenix New Times 2024 · Best Italian Deli · Best of Phoenix
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- Phoenix New Times 2023 · Best Neveria · Best of Phoenix
- Phoenix New Times 2025 · Best Aguas Frescas · Best of Phoenix
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- Foodist Awards 2025 · Winner: Genuine Concepts · Outstanding Hospitality Group
- Foodist Awards 2024 · Finalist: Genuine Concepts · Outstanding Hospitality Group
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Rank 35. Oscar's Pier 83
Seafood
- Phoenix New Times 2024 · Best Fast Food · Best of Phoenix
- Phoenix New Times 2024 · Best Fast Food · Best of Phoenix
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Rank 37. Seido Sushi
Sushi
- Phoenix New Times Our top 12 favorite sushi restaurants in Phoenix
- Phoenix Magazine 2025 · Best West Valley Sushi · Best of the Valley
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Rank 38. Taco Boys
Mexican
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Rank 40. Butler’s Easy
Cocktail Bar
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Rank 43. The Dubliner Irish Pub
Irish Dive Bar
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Rank 44. Cool Vybz Jamaican Restaurant
Caribbean
- Phoenix New Times 2024 · Best Caribbean Restaurant · Best of Phoenix
- Phoenix New Times 2024 · Best Caribbean Restaurant · Best of Phoenix
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Rank 47. Bobby-Q BBQ
Arizonan
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Rank 48. Yuzu Omakase
Sushi
Chef Yusuke Kuroda, who runs the popular Origami Ramen Bar, tucked this intimate six-seat sushi counter into a north Phoenix shopping center between a frozen custard shop and a hearing aid store, where he serves a precise 12-to-14-piece nigiri tasting menu for $85. The fish—buttery tuna, citrus-bright roe, sweet shrimp, marbled Wagyu—reflects a steady hand, and while reservations are essential for the bar experience, walk-ins can grab rolls at the few surrounding tables or take an omakase to go.
- Phoenix New Times 2025 · Best High-End Takeout · Best of Phoenix
- Phoenix New Times Our top 12 favorite sushi restaurants in Phoenix
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Rank 49. Alzohour Restaurant
Moroccan Middle Eastern
Zhor Saad single-handedly runs the Valley's only Moroccan restaurant from her combined dining room, market, and boutique, moving between host and kitchen with practiced grace since 2008. Steaming tagines of saffron lamb or fish, pillowy couscous, and her signature bastilla—a phyllo pie of chicken and nuts dusted with cinnamon and powdered sugar—arrive when they're ready, and they're worth the wait.
- Phoenix New Times 2024 · Best North African Restaurant · Best of Phoenix
- Phoenix New Times 2024 · Best North African Restaurant · Best of Phoenix
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Rank 53. Japan Express
Japanese
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Rank 56. West African Cuisine
West African
- Phoenix New Times 2024 · Best West African Restaurant · Best of Phoenix
- Phoenix New Times 2024 · Best West African Restaurant · Best of Phoenix
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- Foodist Awards 2025 · Winner: Double Burger · Most Crave-Worthy Burger
- AZ Central 2026 · The 100 Best Metro Phoenix Restaurants
- Phoenix New Times The top 10 burger joints in Phoenix
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- AZ Central 2025 · Best bars in metro Phoenix
- Phoenix New Times 2025 · The Top 100 Bars in Phoenix
- Phoenix New Times 2025 · Chicken Tecolota @ Requinto · The 10 best bites we tasted at Phoenix restaurants
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Rank 62. D & Y Chinese Food
Chinese
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Rank 63. La Purisima Bakery
Mexican Bakery
A line usually snakes out the door of this traditional Mexican bakery in Glendale, where the pastry cases overflow with molasses cochinitos, fruit-filled pan dulce, and those giant pink pig-shaped cookies that are dangerously addictive. The fresh tortillas and chile tamales are stellar, but come hungry and bring cash—it's the kind of place where you'll want to try everything.
- Phoenix New Times 2025 · Best Mexican Bakery · Best of Phoenix
- Phoenix New Times 2023 · Best Mexican Bakery · Best of Phoenix
- Phoenix New Times 2024 · Best Mexican Bakery · Best of Phoenix
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Rank 64. Fabio On Fire
Italian Pizza
Fabio Ceschetti, a third-generation Italian baker from near the Swiss border, runs this neighborhood trattoria in Peoria where the pizza arrives blistered and chewy from a pizzaiolo who actually cares about the dough. The silky house-made porchetta and delicate handmade pastas—like lasagna layered with besciamella and ragu—are just as compelling as the pies.
- Phoenix New Times 2025 · Best Italian Restaurant · Best of Phoenix
- Phoenix New Times The top 50 restaurants in Phoenix right now
- AZ Central 2026 · The 100 Best Metro Phoenix Restaurants
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- Foodist Awards 2025 · Finalist: Hush Burger · Most Crave-Worthy Burger
- Foodist Awards 2024 · Winner: Cast Iron Concepts · Outstanding Hospitality Group
- Foodist Awards 2024 · Winner: Hush Burger · Standout Signature Dish
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- Foodist Awards 2025 · Winner: Genuine Concepts · Outstanding Hospitality Group
- Foodist Awards 2024 · Finalist: Genuine Concepts · Outstanding Hospitality Group
- AZ Central 2025 · Best bars in metro Phoenix
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Rank 69. Kembara
Asian
- Foodist Awards 2025 · Finalist: Beef Rendang · Standout Signature Dish
- Phoenix Magazine 2025 · Chili Crab · Top 100 Dishes of Arizona
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Rank 70. Tell Your Friends
Cocktail Bar
Descend into this velvet-draped speakeasy beneath The Americano for cocktails that blend unexpected flavors—chile liqueur with goat cheese, vanilla pudding stirred into spirits—while live musicians set the mood. It's a splashy, gold-trimmed kind of place where the drinks are inventive and the bill reflects the glamorous underground atmosphere.
- Industry Excellence Awards Bar of the Year
- Sunset 2025 · Better Bars · Where to Eat and Drink
- Foodist Awards 2025 · Winner · Iconic Speakeasy Experience
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Rank 71. 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.
- James Beard Awards 2026 · Semifinalist · Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service · Zac Adcox
- James Beard Awards 2025 · Semifinalist · Best New Bar
- Phoenix New Times 2025 · Best Small Plates · Best of Phoenix
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Rank 72. Hana Japanese Eatery
Japanese
- AZ Central 2026 · The 100 Best Metro Phoenix Restaurants
- Phoenix Magazine 2025 · Sushi/Japanese · Best of the Valley
- Phoenix Magazine 2025 · Honeymoon Shooter · Top 100 Dishes of Arizona
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Rank 73. Richardson's
Mexican
Richardson's is a swanky New Mexican dining room with leather booths, copper accents, and a massive marble bar—nothing dusty about it, despite the Southwestern setting. The kitchen does hearty stuff well, from carne adovada eggs Benedict at brunch to rack of lamb basted with green chile jelly and pecan-wood-grilled burgers at dinner.
- Foodist Awards 2025 · Finalist · Uniquely Arizona
- Phoenix New Times 2024 · Best New Mexico Cuisine · Best of Phoenix
- Phoenix New Times 2024 · Best New Mexico Cuisine · Best of Phoenix
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Rank 74. Chula Seafood
Seafood
The owners of this seafood counter in Uptown Plaza catch their own swordfish and deep-sea buoy fish off California waters aboard their harpoon boat, then sell it never-frozen by the pound or in composed dishes. Poke bowls, confit tuna sandwiches, and swordfish tacos anchor the menu, with grilled oysters and Mexican wild shrimp filling out a rotation that takes sustainability seriously without sacrificing flavor.
- James Beard Awards 2026 · Semifinalist · Best Chef: Southwest · Kyle Kent
- Foodist Awards 2024 · Finalist: Thai Peanut Poke Bowl · Standout Signature Dish
- Foodist Awards 2025 · Finalist · Phenomenal Fast Casual Concept
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Rank 75. Otro Cafe
Mexico City-Style Mexican
A colorful, modern neighborhood spot in uptown Phoenix where weekend brunch tables go fast and the salsas pack real heat. Chef Doug Robson's Mexico City-style menu shines with crispy papas fritas and cajeta pancakes topped with banana, crème fraîche, caramel, and candied peanuts.
- Phoenix New Times 2026 · The 10 best brunch restaurants in Phoenix
- Eater Chilaquiles · The Most Iconic Dishes in Phoenix
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Rank 76. 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.
- James Beard Awards 2024 · Nominee · Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker · Crystal Kass
- James Beard Awards 2023 · Semifinalist · Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker · Crystal Kass
- Spirited Awards 2025 · Top 10 U.S. Nominee · Best U.S. Restaurant Bar
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- Spirited Awards 2026 · Top 10 Nominee · U.S. Bartender of the Year · Libby Lingua
- Spirited Awards 2026 · Top 10 Nominee · Best U.S. Bar Team
- James Beard Awards 2026 · Semifinalist · Outstanding Bar
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- Foodist Awards 2025 · Winner · Exceptional Culinary Experience
- Phoenix New Times 2024 · Best Restaurant Views · Best of Phoenix
- Phoenix New Times 2024 · Best Restaurant Views · Best of Phoenix
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Chef Cory Oppold's stripped-down fine-dining room sits anonymously in a Scottsdale strip mall, but the tasting menu inside is where he stakes his claim after years working some of the Valley's best kitchens. Expect five courses on weeknights or eight on weekends, with small bites that shift with the seasons.
- The Pinnacle Guide 2026 · 1 Pin
- USA Today 2025 · Restaurants of the Year
- James Beard Awards 2025 · Semifinalist · Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker · Antonia Kane
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- Phoenix New Times The 10 Best Coffee Shops in Phoenix
- AZ Central Best Uptown Phoenix coffee shops for working or studying · The ultimate guide to the best Phoenix cafes
- Phoenix Magazine 2025 · Best Neighborhood Coffee Shop: Phoenix · Best of the Valley
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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.
- AAA Four Diamonds
- Foodist Awards 2025 · Winner · Ultimate Patio Atmosphere
- Foodist Awards 2023 · Finalist: Sticky Toffee Pudding · Most Delectable Dessert
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Rank 82. 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.
- The Pinnacle Guide 2 Pins
- Spirited Awards 2024 · Top 10 Nominee · U.S. Bartender of the Year · Nicole Giampino
- Spirited Awards 2024 · Top 4 Finalist · Best U.S. Bar Team
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Rank 83. Tía Carmen
Southwestern Mexican
- Foodist Awards 2024 · Finalist · Top Chef · Angelo Sosa
- Foodist Awards 2023 · Finalist · Emerging Restaurant of the Year
- Phoenix Magazine 2025 · Ember-Roasted Purple Yam · Top 100 Dishes of Arizona
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- Phoenix New Times 2025 · Best Hot Dogs · Best of Phoenix
- AZ Central 2025 · The 100 Best Metro Phoenix Restaurants
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- AZ Central Best Uptown Phoenix coffee shops for curling up with a book · The ultimate guide to the best Phoenix cafes
- AZ Central 2025 · Best bars in metro Phoenix
- Phoenix New Times 2025 · The Top 100 Bars in Phoenix
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Rank 88. JL Patisserie
French Bakery
A European bakery where owner Jenna Leurquin turns out exceptionally flaky croissants, kouign-amann, and pain au chocolat alongside thick slices of quiche. The seasonally rotating coffees and buttery viennoiserie justify a morning detour, and the macarons and fresh bread travel well for later.
- James Beard Awards 2023 · Semifinalist · Outstanding Bakery
- Phoenix New Times 2025 · Best Pastries · Best of Phoenix
- Phoenix New Times 2024 · Best Pastries · Best of Phoenix
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Rank 89. 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.
- 50 Best 2025 · Best Bar Design Award
- Spirited Awards 2025 · Top 10 U.S. Nominee · Best New U.S. Cocktail Bar
- James Beard Awards 2025 · Semifinalist · Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service · Jax Donahue
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Rank 90. 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.
- The Pinnacle Guide 1 Pin
- James Beard Awards 2024 · Semifinalist · Outstanding Bar
- James Beard Awards 2026 · Semifinalist · Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service · Ross Simon
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Rank 91. Great Wall
Cantonese Chinese
A sprawling dim sum hall in the West Valley where carts of Cantonese staples trundle past your table and weekend afternoons descend into controlled chaos, with crowds queuing for lacquered duck, chewy lo mein, and fried wontons. It's the kind of place where you point at what you want and let the noise and bustle of hungry diners around you make the meal feel like an event.
- Phoenix New Times 2025 · Best Dim Sum · Best of Phoenix
- Phoenix New Times 2024 · Best Dim Sum · Best of Phoenix
- Phoenix New Times 2024 · Best Dim Sum · Best of Phoenix
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Rank 92. The Fry Bread House
Native American
The Fry Bread House has been a Melrose institution since 1992, serving Tohono O'odham dishes in a family-run spot that predates the neighborhood's current wave of trendy arrivals. The pillowy namesake fry bread — whether stuffed with beef and beans or topped with chocolate — is why people keep coming back.
- Phoenix New Times 2025 · Best Authentic Arizona Restaurant · Best of Phoenix
- Phoenix New Times 2024 · Best Authentic Arizona Restaurant · Best of Phoenix
- Phoenix New Times 2024 · Best Authentic Arizona Restaurant · Best of Phoenix
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- Phoenix New Times 2024 · Best Canto-American Chinese Food · Best of Phoenix
- Phoenix New Times 2024 · Best Canto-American Chinese Food · Best of Phoenix
- Phoenix New Times The 10 best Chinese restaurants in Phoenix
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Rank 94. Ta'carbon Mexican Grill
Sonoran Mexican
- USA Today 2025 · Restaurants of the Year
- Phoenix New Times 2025 · Best Tacos · Best of Phoenix
- Phoenix New Times 2024 · Best Carne Asada · Best of Phoenix
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Rank 95. Harvey's Wineburger
Dive Bar
A decades-old Phoenix dive with billiards and a jukebox, Harvey's draws a neighborhood crowd with seven-dollar burgers seared on the flat top with red wine and a reliably friendly bar staff. The bright green walls, generous weekend happy hours, and late-night hours until midnight make it an easy place to settle in for a drink and something to eat.
- Phoenix New Times 2025 · Best Hamburgers · Best of Phoenix
- AZ Central 2026 · The 100 Best Metro Phoenix Restaurants
- Phoenix New Times The top 10 burger joints in Phoenix
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- Phoenix New Times 2025 · Best Coffee Flavors · Best of Phoenix
- AZ Central Best Uptown Phoenix coffee shops for working or studying · The ultimate guide to the best Phoenix cafes
- Phoenix Magazine 2025 · Best Americano · Best of the Valley
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Rank 97. Bitter & Twisted Cocktail Parlour
Cocktail Bar
- The Pinnacle Guide 2 Pins
- Spirited Awards 2024 · Top 10 Nominee · Best U.S. Hotel Bar
- Spirited Awards 2025 · Regional Top 10 Honoree · Best U.S. Cocktail Bar – U.S. West
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- Esquire 2023 · The Desert Martini · The Best Martinis in America
- Foodist Awards 2025 · Finalist · Most Creative Handcrafted Cocktail Program
- Phoenix New Times 2025 · Best One-Two Punch · Best of Phoenix
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Rank 100. Restaurant Progress
European
A corner of the historic Wagon Wheel building in Melrose has been transformed into a lush, intimate dining room where plants and twinkle lights set a quietly romantic mood. Chef-driven European cooking arrives as a five-course tasting menu or à la carte—handmade pasta and steak tartare are equally at home whether you're committing to the full experience or just dropping in with a bottle of wine.
- James Beard Awards 2026 · Semifinalist · Best Chef: Southwest · TJ Culp
- Phoenix New Times 2024 · Best Date Night Spot · Best of Phoenix
- Phoenix New Times 2024 · Best Date Night Spot · Best of Phoenix