The Top 100 Places to Eat and Drink Near Ted's Hot Dogs
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Rank 1. 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.
- Phoenix New Times 2024 · Best Hot Dogs · Best of Phoenix
- Phoenix New Times 2024 · Best Hot Dogs · Best of Phoenix
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Rank 2. 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.
- Phoenix New Times 2024 · Best Traditional Chinese Restaurant · Best of Phoenix
- Phoenix New Times 2024 · Best Traditional Chinese Restaurant · Best of Phoenix
- Phoenix New Times The top 50 restaurants in Phoenix right now
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Rank 3. Joe's Italian Ice
Italian Dessert
- Phoenix New Times 2024 · Best Italian Ice · Best of Phoenix
- Phoenix New Times 2024 · Best Italian Ice · Best of Phoenix
- Phoenix New Times 2025 · Best Italian Ice · Best of Phoenix
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Rank 5. 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.
- Phoenix New Times 2024 · Best New Brewery · Best of Phoenix
- Phoenix New Times 2024 · Best New Brewery · Best of Phoenix
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Rank 6. 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.
- James Beard Awards 2024 · Semifinalist · Outstanding Restaurateur · Armando Hernandez and Nadia Holguin
- USA Today 2024 · Restaurants of the Year
- Phoenix New Times 2023 · Best Chiles Rellenos · Best of Phoenix
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Rank 7. 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.
- Phoenix New Times 2024 · Best Neighborhood Indian Spot · Best of Phoenix
- Phoenix New Times 2024 · Best Neighborhood Indian Spot · Best of Phoenix
- Phoenix New Times The 10 best Indian restaurants in Phoenix
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Rank 8. The Chill Room
Coffee
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Rank 9. Mandi House
Yemeni Middle Eastern
- Phoenix New Times Our top 10 favorite restaurants in Tempe
- AZ Central 2025 · The 100 Best Metro Phoenix Restaurants
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Rank 10. Haji-Baba
Middle Eastern
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Rank 12. Aruma Cafe
Mexican
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- Foodist Awards 2023 · Winner: The Joy Bus · Favorite Local Craft Beer
- Eater The Best Bars in Phoenix
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Rank 14. Taco Boys
Mexican
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Rank 15. 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.
- James Beard Awards 2026 · Semifinalist · Best Chef: Southwest · Scott Holmes
- Phoenix New Times 2024 · Best Barbecue · Best of Phoenix
- Phoenix New Times 2024 · Best Barbecue · Best of Phoenix
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Rank 17. The Chuckbox
Southwestern
- Foodist Awards 2025 · Finalist: The Great One · 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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Rank 18. Cafetal Coffee
Columbian
- Phoenix New Times 2025 · Best Coffee Shop · Best of Phoenix
- Phoenix New Times The 10 Best Coffee Shops in Phoenix
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Rank 19. 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.
- Phoenix New Times 2024 · Best Dumplings · Best of Phoenix
- Phoenix New Times 2024 · Best Dumplings · Best of Phoenix
- Phoenix New Times 2025 · Best Dumplings · Best of Phoenix
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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.
- Phoenix New Times 2023 · Best Bar · Best of Phoenix
- Phoenix New Times 2024 · Best Neighborhood Bar · Best of Phoenix
- Phoenix New Times 2025 · Best Neighborhood Bar · Best of Phoenix
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Rank 21. 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.
- Phoenix New Times 2025 · Best Rooftop Pool · Best of Phoenix
- Phoenix New Times 2024 · Best Rooftop Bar · Best of Phoenix
- Phoenix New Times 2023 · Best Rooftop Bar · Best of Phoenix
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Rank 22. 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.
- Phoenix New Times The top 50 restaurants in Phoenix right now
- AZ Central 2026 · The 100 Best Metro Phoenix Restaurants
- Phoenix New Times Our top 10 favorite restaurants in Tempe
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Rank 23. 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.
- Foodist Awards 2025 · Finalist · Emerging Restaurant of the Year
- Phoenix New Times 2025 · Best Ramen · Best of Phoenix
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- James Beard Awards 2026 · Semifinalist · Best Chef: Southwest · Kyle Kent
- Foodist Awards 2025 · Finalist · Phenomenal Fast Casual Concept
- Foodist Awards 2024 · Finalist: Thai Peanut Poke Bowl · Standout Signature Dish
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- Foodist Awards 2025 · Winner: Double Burger · Most Crave-Worthy Burger
- Phoenix New Times The top 10 burger joints in Phoenix
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Rank 26. Taco Chelo
Mexican
- Foodist Awards 2025 · Winner · Phenomenal Fast Casual Concept
- Foodist Awards 2024 · Finalist · Phenomenal Fast Casual Concept
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- Phoenix New Times 2025 · Best Chinese Restaurant · Best of Phoenix
- Phoenix New Times The 10 best Chinese restaurants in Phoenix
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- AZ Central 2026 · The 100 Best Metro Phoenix Restaurants
- Phoenix New Times The 10 best Chinese restaurants in Phoenix
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Rank 29. 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.
- Phoenix New Times 2025 · Best Old-School Diner · Best of Phoenix
- Phoenix New Times 2026 · The 10 best brunch restaurants in Phoenix
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Rank 30. Shaanxi Garden
Northern Chinese
- AZ Central 2026 · The 100 Best Metro Phoenix Restaurants
- Phoenix New Times The 10 best Chinese restaurants in Phoenix
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The Stone is a bright, casual Korean spot in Mesa's Asian District where bubbling soondubu arrives in an earthenware crock and you crack a raw egg into the fiery broth yourself, watching it cook alongside house-made tofu and your choice of seafood or beef. Beyond the signature tofu stews, there's beef bulgogi and bibimbap, though fair warning: the red broth means white shirts don't survive the meal.
- Phoenix New Times 2025 · Best Korean Restaurant · Best of Phoenix
- Eater The 38 Best Restaurants in Phoenix
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Rank 32. Tacos Chiwas
Chihuahuan Mexican
- James Beard Awards 2024 · Semifinalist · Outstanding Restaurateur · Armando Hernandez and Nadia Holguin
- James Beard Awards 2026 · Semifinalist · Best Chef: Southwest · Armando Hernandez and Nadia Holguin
- Foodist Awards 2025 · Winner · Phenomenal Fast Casual Concept
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Rank 34. 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.
- Phoenix New Times 2024 · Best Middle Eastern Restaurant · Best of Phoenix
- Phoenix New Times 2024 · Best Middle Eastern Restaurant · Best of Phoenix
- Phoenix New Times 2025 · Best Middle Eastern Restaurant · Best of Phoenix
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- Foodist Awards 2023 · Winner · Top Arizona Brewery, Winery, or Distillery Experience
- Foodist Awards 2024 · Finalist: Mango Foxtrot · Favorite Local Craft Beer
- Foodist Awards 2025 · Finalist: American Pie · Favorite Local Craft Beer
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Rank 37. Espiritu
Mexican Cocktail Bar
- Eater 2022 · The Best New Restaurants in America
- James Beard Awards 2024 · Semifinalist · Emerging Chef · Roberto Centeno
- James Beard Awards 2026 · Semifinalist · Best Chef: Southwest · Roberto Centeno
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Rank 38. All Pierogi Kitchen
Eastern European
A charming family spot in Mesa that trades strict Ukrainian borders for the meat-and-potatoes soul of Eastern Europe, with thick, buttery pierogi stuffed with everything under the sun and sausage griddled to a juicy snap. Beef goulash and pork schnitzel that outshine the competition, plus a market counter stocked with frozen pierogi and chilled soups to take home.
- Phoenix New Times 2025 · Best Eastern European Restaurant · Best of Phoenix
- Phoenix New Times 2024 · Best Eastern European Restaurant · Best of Phoenix
- Phoenix New Times 2024 · Best Eastern European Restaurant · Best of Phoenix
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Rank 39. Main Burgers
American
Retro-cool burger counter from a trio of James Beard-nominated restaurateurs, with pastel tiles and a cartoon burger on the wall, where semi-smashed patties arrive hot off the line. The Sonora burger—griddled cheese, chiltepin, bacon—is the real draw, best enjoyed with crispy fries and an eventual craft beer from their upcoming brewery next door.
- Phoenix New Times The top 50 restaurants in Phoenix right now
- Phoenix New Times The 10 best new Phoenix restaurants of 2025
- Phoenix New Times 2025 · Sonora Burger · The 10 best bites we tasted at Phoenix restaurants
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- Phoenix New Times 2024 · Best Vegan Restaurant · Best of Phoenix
- Phoenix New Times 2024 · Best Vegan Restaurant · Best of Phoenix
- Phoenix New Times 2025 · Best Vegan Burger · Best of Phoenix
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Rank 43. Hai Noon
Japanese
- Eater Sashimi Spoons · The Most Iconic Dishes in Phoenix
- Phoenix Magazine 2025 · Sashimi Spoons · Top 100 Dishes of Arizona
- Eater The 38 Best Restaurants in Phoenix
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Rank 46. Devil's Hideaway
Cocktail Bar
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Rank 47. 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.
- Phoenix New Times 2025 · Best Historic Restaurant · Best of Phoenix
- Phoenix New Times 2024 · Best Steakhouse · Best of Phoenix
- Phoenix New Times 2024 · Best Steakhouse · Best of Phoenix
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- AZ Central 2026 · The 100 Best Metro Phoenix Restaurants
- AZ Central 2025 · The 100 Best Metro Phoenix Restaurants
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Rank 53. Ban Chan Korean Cuisine
Traditional Korean
- Phoenix New Times 2024 · Best Korean Restaurant · Best of Phoenix
- Phoenix New Times 2024 · Best Korean Restaurant · Best of Phoenix
- Eater The 38 Best Restaurants in Phoenix
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- Phoenix New Times Our top 10 favorite restaurants in Tempe
- Phoenix Magazine 2025 · Curry Lamb Pot Pie · Top 100 Dishes of Arizona
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Rank 55. Drunken Tiger
Korean
- AZ Central 2026 · The 100 Best Metro Phoenix Restaurants
- AZ Central 2025 · The 100 Best Metro Phoenix Restaurants
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Rank 57. Rift Wine + Tap
Beer Bar
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Rank 58. 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.
- Phoenix New Times The top 50 restaurants in Phoenix right now
- Phoenix New Times The 10 best new Phoenix restaurants of 2025
- Phoenix New Times Our top 10 favorite restaurants in Tempe
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Rank 59. Arai Pastry
Japanese Bakery
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Rank 60. Taco Boys
Mexican
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Rank 61. 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.
- Phoenix New Times 2024 · Best Gambling with Gay Men · Best of Phoenix
- Phoenix New Times 2023 · Best Gay Bar Decor · Best of Phoenix
- AZ Central 2025 · Best bars in metro Phoenix
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Rank 63. 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.
- Phoenix New Times 2023 · Best Piano Bar · Best of Phoenix
- Phoenix New Times 2025 · The Top 100 Bars in Phoenix
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Rank 64. Pita Jungle
Mediterranean
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Rank 69. 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.
- Foodist Awards 2023 · Finalist · Best World Flavors
- Phoenix New Times 2025 · Best Japanese Restaurant · Best of Phoenix
- Phoenix New Times 2024 · Best Sushi · Best of Phoenix
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Rank 72. 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.
- Phoenix New Times 2023 · Best Dive Bar · Best of Phoenix
- Phoenix New Times 2025 · The Top 100 Bars in Phoenix
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Rank 73. Com Tam Thuan Kieu
Vietnamese
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Rank 74. Chupacabra Taproom
Beer Bar
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Rank 77. Que Chevere
Venezuelan
After years running a food truck, Orvid Cutler and Maria Fernanda opened this casual Venezuelan spot in downtown Mesa where arepas—thick, griddled corn flatbreads—anchor both sides and mains, stuffed with everything from shredded chicken to black beans. The menu surprises with fried-plantain sandwiches and corn pancakes with an almost mysterious sweetness, plus fresh cheese sticks and tropical drinks.
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Rank 79. Rebel Wine Lounge
Wine Bar
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A midcentury diner transplanted into Scottsdale's neighborhood breakfast scene, The Eleanor pairs cozy booths and a counter with a menu that moves easily between fluffy blueberry pancakes and avocado toast. Ellefson and Macaulay built the place to let you linger over slow coffee or grab something quick, and their in-house maple butter alone justifies the trip.
- Phoenix New Times 2025 · Best Breakfast · Best of Phoenix
- Phoenix New Times The 10 best breakfast spots in Phoenix
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Rank 83. Proof Artisan Bread
Sourdough Bakery
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- AZ Central 2026 · The 100 Best Metro Phoenix Restaurants
- AZ Central 2025 · The 100 Best Metro Phoenix Restaurants
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Rank 86. Quiessence At The Farm
Arizonan
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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.
- Phoenix New Times 2025 · Best Korean Barbecue · Best of Phoenix
- Phoenix New Times 2024 · Best Korean Barbecue · Best of Phoenix
- Phoenix New Times 2024 · Best Korean Barbecue · Best of Phoenix
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- Phoenix Magazine 2025 · Date Shake · Top 100 Dishes of Arizona
- Eater Date Shake · The Most Iconic Dishes in Phoenix
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- Foodist Awards 2025 · Finalist: In-Good Spirits · Outstanding Hospitality Group
- James Beard Awards 2025 · Semifinalist · Best Chef: Southwest · Bernie Kantak
- Phoenix New Times 2025 · Best Salad: The Original Chopped Salad · Best of Phoenix
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Rank 90. Don Guerra's Barrio Bagel & Slice
Sonoran Bakery
- Phoenix New Times 2024 · Best Tucson Import · Best of Phoenix
- Eater The Best Bakeries in Phoenix, Arizona
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Rank 91. Woodnotes Cellar
Belgian Beer Bar
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- Foodist Awards 2025 · Winner · Outstanding Bar/Nightlife Experience
- Phoenix New Times 2025 · The Top 100 Bars in Phoenix
- The Infatuation The Best Restaurants In Scottsdale
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Rank 93. 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.
- Foodist Awards 2025 · Winner · Top Sushi Restaurant
- Phoenix New Times 2024 · Best Place to Take a Foodie · Best of Phoenix
- Phoenix New Times 2024 · Best Place to Take a Foodie · Best of Phoenix
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Rank 94. Feta Cowboy
Mediterranean
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Rank 96. 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.
- Phoenix New Times 2025 · Best Pizza · Best of Phoenix
- Phoenix New Times The top 50 restaurants in Phoenix right now
- Phoenix New Times The 12 best restaurants in Scottsdale
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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.
- James Beard Awards 2026 · Semifinalist · Outstanding Chef · Charleen Badman
- Phoenix New Times 2024 · Best Arizona Wine Selection · Best of Phoenix
- Phoenix New Times 2024 · Best Arizona Wine Selection · Best of Phoenix
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