The Best Restaurants in Phoenix, by the Record
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Rank 94. Tacos Veganos
Vegan Mexican
Jackfruit quesabirria tacos with plant-based mozzarella are the headline at this vegan Mexican taco shop in the Arcadia neighborhood, a casual counter-order spot where the menu reads like any solid taqueria, right down to the bucket of Modelos. Burritos come stuffed with rice, beans, fries, and your pick of plant-based protein, which is either very 2010s or exactly what you wanted. The kind of place carnivores get dragged to and then quietly admit was fine.
- Phoenix New Times The top 50 restaurants in Phoenix right now
- Phoenix New Times 2025 · Best Vegan Mexican Food · Best of Phoenix
- Phoenix New Times 2023 · Best Vegan Mexican Food · Best of Phoenix
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Rank 94. théa
Mediterranean
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Rank 106. Persian Room
Persian
- AZ Central The 100 Best Metro Phoenix Restaurants
- Phoenix Magazine Kash O'Bademjan · Top 100 Dishes of Arizona
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- AZ Central The 100 Best Metro Phoenix Restaurants
- Phoenix Magazine Tiradito · Top 100 Dishes of Arizona
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Rank 106. Rito's Mexican Food
Mexican
The green chile burro is why people line up out the door at this to-go-only counter in the Garfield District, and it's been that way for a long time. Rito's is a family-run spot with no frills and no seating, just a window, a menu of Mexican staples, and the option to get anything made chimichanga-enchilada style, deep-fried and buried in red sauce. Phoenix New Times named it the city's top burrito in 2025.
- AZ Central The 100 Best Metro Phoenix Restaurants
- Phoenix New Times 2025 · Best Burritos · Best of Phoenix
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- AZ Central The 100 Best Metro Phoenix Restaurants
- Phoenix Magazine 2025 · Thai Restaurant · Best of the Valley
- Phoenix Magazine Khao Soi · Top 100 Dishes of Arizona
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- Foodist Awards 2023 · Finalist · Uniquely Arizona
- Eater Flour Tortillas · The Most Iconic Dishes in Phoenix
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- AZ Central The 100 Best Metro Phoenix Restaurants
- Phoenix New Times The Top 100 Bars in Phoenix
- Phoenix Magazine 2025 · Best Off-Label Use of Pickles: Dill Pickle Pizza · Best of the Valley
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Rank 106. The Tamale Store
Mexican
A tamale shop that sells exactly one thing, in more than twenty flavors. The family operation skips lard, gluten, and preservatives, and the masa shows it. Standards like beef red chile sit alongside spinach and cream cheese, a rotating monthly special, and dessert tamales for when you've already committed. Find them at the North Phoenix storefront on Cave Creek Road or at area farmers markets if the drive feels ambitious.
- AZ Central The 100 Best Metro Phoenix Restaurants
- Phoenix New Times 2025 · Best Tamales · Best of Phoenix
- Phoenix New Times 2023 · Best Tamales · Best of Phoenix
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- Foodist Awards 2024 · Winner: Vegan Bahn Mi · Best Vegan Delight
- Foodist Awards 2023 · Finalist: Refuge IPA · Favorite Local Craft Beer
- AZ Central Best bars in metro Phoenix
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Rank 114. China Chili Restaurant
Chinese
- Phoenix New Times The 10 best Chinese restaurants in Phoenix
- Phoenix Magazine Szechwan Prawns · Top 100 Dishes of Arizona
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Rank 114. Élephante
Mediterranean
- Phoenix New Times 2025 · Best Espresso Martini · Best of Phoenix
- Phoenix Magazine 2025 · Best New Pizza Hot Spot · Best of the Valley
- The Infatuation The Best Restaurants In Scottsdale
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Rank 114. Hai Noon
Japanese
- Eater Sashimi Spoons · The Most Iconic Dishes in Phoenix
- Phoenix Magazine Sashimi Spoons · Top 100 Dishes of Arizona
- Eater The 38 Best Restaurants in Phoenix
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- Phoenix New Times Tellicherry Lamb Fry · The 10 best bites we tasted at Phoenix restaurants
- Phoenix New Times The 10 best Indian restaurants in Phoenix
- Phoenix Magazine 2025 · Best Indian Cuisine: West Valley · Best of the Valley
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- Phoenix New Times The 10 best Indian restaurants in Phoenix
- Phoenix Magazine 2025 · Best Indian Cuisine: West Valley · Best of the Valley
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Rank 114. Hapa Food
Hawaiian
The lines at this Mesa plate lunch counter are long because the menu is short and the food moves. Hapa is one of the few independent Hawaiian spots holding its own against the chains in Phoenix, and it earned a Phoenix New Times Best Hawaiian Restaurant nod for the effort. Check their Instagram before you go since daily specials rotate fast. Save room for the malasadas, fried to order and stuffed with vanilla custard or ube cream.
- AZ Central The 100 Best Metro Phoenix Restaurants
- Phoenix New Times 2024 · Best Hawaiian Restaurant · Best of Phoenix
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Rank 114. Origami Ramen Bar
Noodles
The chef here trained at Tsuji Culinary Institute and cooked at Nobu before settling into a ramen shop in Ahwatukee, which is either a surprise or exactly what someone like that would do. The menu runs classic: tonkotsu, miso blended from Hokkaido pastes, rice bowls, takoyaki. The broth is unhurried and clear in its intentions, the kind of ramen that makes the fast-food versions feel a little embarrassed about themselves.
- AZ Central The 100 Best Metro Phoenix Restaurants
- Phoenix New Times 2024 · Best Ramen · Best of Phoenix
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Rank 114. Queen Creek Olive Mill
Italian
- Foodist Awards 2024 · Winner · Uniquely Arizona
- Phoenix Magazine Stromboli Siciliano · Top 100 Dishes of Arizona
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Rank 114. Rito's Mexican Food
Mexican
The green chile burro is what people are actually here for, and on busy days the line confirms it. Rito's is an old-school Mexican counter-service spot, been around forever, run by the same family across a handful of Valley locations. The move if you're feeling committed is to get any order done chimichanga-enchilada style, deep-fried and drowned in red sauce with cheese, lettuce, and tomato piled on top.
- AZ Central The 100 Best Metro Phoenix Restaurants
- Phoenix New Times 2023 · Best Burritos · Best of Phoenix
- Phoenix New Times 2024 · Best Burritos · Best of Phoenix
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Rank 114. Taco Boys
Mexican
- Foodist Awards 2024 · Finalist · Phenomenal Fast Casual Concept
- Phoenix New Times 2025 · Best Horchata · Best of Phoenix
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- Phoenix New Times Our top 10 favorite restaurants in Tempe
- Phoenix Magazine Curry Lamb Pot Pie · Top 100 Dishes of Arizona
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Rank 114. Tía Carmen
Southwestern Mexican
- Foodist Awards 2023 · Finalist · Emerging Restaurant of the Year
- Foodist Awards 2024 · Finalist · Top Chef · Angelo Sosa
- Phoenix Magazine Ember-Roasted Purple Yam · Top 100 Dishes of Arizona
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Rank 114. Zinc Bistro
French
- Foodist Awards 2024 · Food Pioneer · Matt Carter
- Phoenix Magazine Dungeness Crab Salad · Top 100 Dishes of Arizona
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Rank 127. Baja Roots AZ
Baja Mexican
- Foodist Awards 2024 · Finalist · Best Food Truck Experience
- Phoenix New Times 2025 · Best Mexican Food Truck · Best of Phoenix
- Phoenix New Times 2024 · Best Late-Night Mexican Food · Best of Phoenix
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- Foodist Awards 2024 · Finalist: Voodoo Fried Rice · Best Dish in a Supporting Role
- Phoenix Magazine New Orleans Shrimp and Grits · Top 100 Dishes of Arizona
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- Foodist Awards 2024 · Finalist: Voodoo Fried Rice · Best Dish in a Supporting Role
- Phoenix Magazine New Orleans Shrimp and Grits · Top 100 Dishes of Arizona
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Floor-to-ceiling glass walls frame a sweeping Phoenix skyline view, which does most of the decorating in this contemporary fine dining room beside the historic Wrigley Mansion. The chef runs a live-fire kitchen where modern French technique shapes the menu, prix fixe on weekdays and a full tasting menu on weekends. The full-service bar has a direct sightline into the kitchen, so you can watch things catch fire while sipping something civilized.
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- Foodist Awards 2024 · Finalist · Top Chef · Alex Trujillo
- Phoenix Magazine Carpaccio · Top 100 Dishes of Arizona
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- Foodist Awards 2024 · Finalist · Exceptional Culinary Experience
- Foodist Awards 2023 · Finalist · Top Chef · Jason Alford
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Rank 127. Pho 43
Vietnamese
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A private cottage across the street from its louder sibling, Reserve runs on dress codes, flickering candles, and soft piano, which tells you exactly what kind of evening this is. The tasting menu leans into caviar, dry-aged duck, and wagyu, while an enormous wine cellar offers options at most price points. The service team controls the pace deliberately, so no one is rushing you anywhere. Note that it operates seasonally.
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- Phoenix Magazine Date Shake · Top 100 Dishes of Arizona
- Eater Date Shake · The Most Iconic Dishes in Phoenix
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Sundubu jjigae arrives at the table still at a full boil, in a black earthenware bowl that stays screaming hot long after it lands. This Korean tofu house in Mesa's Asian District is the kind of place where a server drops off a raw egg and you crack it straight into the broth. The house-made tofu is silky, the broth is deeply red, and the white-shirt warning is sincere. Bulgogi and bibimbap round out the menu for anyone not ready to commit to the fire.
- Phoenix New Times 2025 · Best Korean Restaurant · Best of Phoenix
- Eater The 38 Best Restaurants in Phoenix
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Rank 137. Ban Chan Korean Cuisine
Traditional Korean
- Phoenix New Times 2024 · Best Korean Restaurant · Best of Phoenix
- Eater The 38 Best Restaurants in Phoenix
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Sandwiched between carburetor and machine shops on Buckeye Road, this cash-and-linoleum Mexican diner has been feeding the neighborhood long before the concept of "hole-in-the-wall chic" existed. Breakfast is the reason to show up: chilaquiles drowning in red or green salsa, Sunday menudo, and hearty caldo stews that have no interest in being photogenic. Phoenix New Times has named it Best Mexican Diner, and Eater flagged the machaca as one of Phoenix's most iconic dishes.
- Phoenix New Times 2023 · Best Chilaquiles · Best of Phoenix
- Phoenix New Times 2024 · Best Mexican Diner · Best of Phoenix
- Eater Machaca · The Most Iconic Dishes in Phoenix
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Rank 137. Taco Boys
Mexican
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Rank 137. Taco Boys
Mexican
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Rank 137. Taco Boys
Mexican
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Rank 137. Taco Boys
Mexican
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Rank 137. Taco Boys
Mexican
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Rank 147. Bar Capri
Italian
The curved brick entryway opens into an oblong room of deep green walls, gold candelabras, and picture frames, which is a lot to pull off inside a Tempe strip mall. Bar Capri is an Italian restaurant and bar with the bones of a big-city neighborhood spot: cocktails and a tight wine list from a back bar, lasagna and arancini coming through the kitchen window. Tiramisu closes things out, and nobody seems in a hurry to leave.
- Phoenix New Times The top 50 restaurants in Phoenix right now
- Phoenix New Times Our top 10 favorite restaurants in Tempe
- Phoenix New Times The 10 best new Phoenix restaurants of 2025
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Rank 147. La Zozzona
Italian
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Rank 147. Main Burgers
American
White tiles, pastel trim, and a cartoon burger grinning at you from the wall set the tone at this retro counter-service burger joint on downtown Mesa's main drag. The team behind Tacos Chiwas and Espiritu kept things deliberately simple: a short menu of semi-smashed burgers, hot dogs, loaded fries, and aguas frescas. The Sonora burger, stacked with griddled cheese, chiltepin, and bacon, is the one people talk about.
- 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 Sonora Burger · The 10 best bites we tasted at Phoenix restaurants
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Rank 147. Pita Jungle
Mediterranean
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Rank 147. The Green Woodpecker
Modern Mexican
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Rank 161. Happy Baos
Northern Chinese
Tucked just off the food court at Mekong Plaza, this Northern Chinese bao shop has outlasted neighbors that came and went while it quietly became a fixture. Handmade dumplings arrive chewy and properly sealed, with steamed buns and xiao long bao filling out the menu. Dan dan noodles and a cucumber salad round things out for anyone who wants something beyond the folded stuff. Phoenix New Times named it the best dumplings in Phoenix.
- Phoenix New Times The top 50 restaurants in Phoenix right now
- Phoenix New Times 2024 · Best Dumplings · Best of Phoenix
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Rank 161. Maeva
Fine dining French
Dark walls, checkerboard tile, and a four-course French tasting menu in a Gilbert strip suite, which is not a sentence anyone expected to write. Maeva runs all day, so you can stop in for a lavender latte in the morning and then come back dressed up for dinner. The kitchen does a la carte too, but the tasting menu is the main event, with servers who steer the pairings and explain each plate without making you feel like you're being graded.
- Phoenix New Times The top 50 restaurants in Phoenix right now
- Phoenix New Times Chicken Soup en Croute · The 10 best bites we tasted at Phoenix restaurants
- Phoenix New Times The 10 best new Phoenix restaurants of 2025
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At Sizzle, the servers run the grill, so you can just sit there looking relaxed and cosmopolitan while someone else does the work. This Korean barbecue spot builds its menu around pork or beef sampler platters, with different cuts arriving in waves alongside banchan, salad, and steamed egg. Soju cocktails filled with fresh fruit handle the drinks side. Phoenix New Times named it the top Korean barbecue in the area.
- Phoenix New Times The top 50 restaurants in Phoenix right now
- Phoenix New Times 2024 · Best Korean Barbecue · Best of Phoenix
- Phoenix New Times 2025 · Best Korean Barbecue · Best of Phoenix
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The communal high-top near the entrance is the first thing you notice, and on social hour nights it's the last thing you want to leave. Beckett's Table is a neighborhood restaurant in Arcadia doing Southwestern comfort food with the kind of ease that comes from a chef who's been cooking since childhood. The fork-tender short ribs and a fig-and-pecan pie that the city seems to have adopted as its own keep regulars coming back without much deliberation.
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Rank 164. Board & Batten
Modern New American
String lights, a sprawling patio, and a wedding venue next door set the tone at this cozy modern bistro tucked behind an office park in Mesa. It reads like an elegant garden party that wandered off and found a better location. The menu rotates with the seasons, leaning toward steaks, fresh seafood, and handmade pasta, with shareable starters and a dessert list worth saving room for. A Phoenix New Times top 50 pick.
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Rank 164. Da Vang
Vietnamese
The cracked-laminate menus at this Vietnamese restaurant in a Phoenix strip mall are entirely on purpose. Fourteen kinds of pho anchor the menu, portions are generous enough to require a to-go container, and the hot coffee with sweetened condensed milk is a good reason to linger. Prices hover around $15, the room is multi-roomed and no-frills, and the com tam dac biet piles broken rice with what feels like the entire menu on one plate.
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Rank 164. Malegria Latin Cafe
Central American Mexican Coffee Shop
A shaded patio tucked behind a corner cafe on Grand Avenue is a good argument for slowing down on a weekday morning. Malegria is an all-day Latin cafe drawing on Mexican, Guatemalan, and Salvadoran cooking, so the coffee comes sweetened with piloncillo or horchata, and the breakfast sandwich arrives on bolillo bread with fried plantains and crema verde. The crowd tends to linger, which the patio quietly encourages.
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Rank 164. Que Chevere
Venezuelan Caribbean
Thick griddled corn arepas, stuffed or served alongside shredded beef and rice, are the spine of this Venezuelan Caribbean restaurant in downtown Mesa. The team graduated from a food truck to a brick-and-mortar, and the kitchen still rolls out hot cheese sticks every morning. The patacon swaps buns for fried plantains, and the cachapa, a sweet corn pancake, earns its own detour. A bar handles tropical drinks.
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Rank 164. Tambayan Filipino Food
Filipino
Yellow booths, green walls, and neon lighting make Tambayan look like someone decorated with pure enthusiasm, which turns out to be the right call for a Filipino homestyle restaurant that spent years as a pop-up and food truck before landing a permanent spot on Camelback. The halo halo, layered and rainbow-colored, is the dessert equivalent of that same energy. Phoenix New Times named it the city's top Filipino restaurant.
- Phoenix New Times The top 50 restaurants in Phoenix right now
- Phoenix New Times 2025 · Best Filipino Restaurant · Best of Phoenix
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- Foodist Awards 2023 · Finalist · Top Chef · David Bowman
- Foodist Awards 2023 · Finalist: After’Mac’ Mac & Cheese · Best Dish in a Supporting Role
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Rank 170. Birrieria Obregon 2
Mexican
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Rank 170. Chicago Hamburger Company
Chicago-style American
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Rank 170. Drunken Tiger
Korean
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Rank 170. El Fogon Taqueria
Authentic Mexican
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Rank 170. Estero Beach
Mexican
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Rank 170. Los Dos Molinos
Mexican
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Rank 170. Los Dos Molinos
Mexican
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