Phoenix may be best known for its sunny desert location and nearly 200 golf courses, but the city is also fast becoming a destination for foodies. Here, we share some of our favorite Phoenix restaurants.
As always, check for travel guidelines and closures before planning your trip.
Matt’s Big Breakfast
Originally tucked into a quiet Phoenix neighborhood, Matt’s Big Breakfast quickly won a loyal following for its perfect black coffee, thick-cut toast, crispy bacon, bright, fluffy eggs, and buttery waffles — all used with ingredients sourced from local, organic, and/or small-batch purveyors.
As word spread, Matt’s spawned several locations, including one in Phoenix’s Sky Harbor International Airport, gaining national notice on the Food Network.
OHSO Brewery
Short for “Outrageous Homebrewer’s Social Outpost,” OHSO Brewery features an ever-rotating menu of small batch brews and pub-style food. There are a few locations, but you can visit the original in the Arcadia neighborhood, where the nano-brewery offers seating around the kettles and tanks or outside on a sprawling patio with plenty of water bowls for four-legged guests.
The menu features everything from nachos, to a dozen different burgers and sandwiches, like the AZ Burger with jalapeño cream cheese and poblano aioli. The weekend Beer Brunch on Saturdays and Sundays includes your choice of a beer or mimosa with an entree.
Pizzeria Bianco
James Beard Award-winning chef Chris Bianco started with a passion for artisanal pizza decades ago and has since built a mini-empire of Italian restaurants under the Pizzeria Bianco nameplate.
Beyond their signature pizza and pasta dishes, Bianco’s restaurants also are known for their welcoming ambience and interior design. In the downtown Phoenix location, the Pizzeria is located in a former machine shop from the 1920s that still shows off its original red brick and display windows.
Los Dos Molinos
Given its geography, Phoenix offers a range of authentic Mexican restaurants. One of the best known is Los Dos Molinos, which serves enchiladas, tacos, tamales, and other traditional favorites from south of the border. The food packs plenty of heat, courtesy of its signature New Mexico chilis. As the disclaimer on the menu says: “Food is spicy. You order it. You own it.”
The Parlor
Located in the heart of central Phoenix, The Parlor offers another example of delicious food served in a unique architectural adaptation. Once a former mid-century beauty parlor, the restaurant’s bar features real salon chairs, exposed brick, wood beams, and a covered patio.
An on-site garden showcases blooming herbs and ingredients used in the dishes and cocktails. The rustic, casual menu spans thin crust pizza from a wood-fired oven, handmade pastas, and traditional Italian dishes like fritto misto and arancini.
Kai
Located on the outskirts of the city surrounded by mountain and golf course views, Kai at the Sheraton Grand at Wild Horse Pass is the only AAA Five Diamond/Forbes Five Star restaurant in the state.
Its name, which means “seed” in the Pima Indian Tribe language, sets the tone for a menu that incorporates locally sourced ingredients from the Gila River Indian Community into dishes like mesquite-smoked caviar and saguaro-lacquered quail breast. For the most adventurous diners, the seven-course tasting menu offers a taste of signature and seasonal dishes across the menu.
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