The restaurant scene in Phoenix has grown significantly in the past decade. Metro Phoenix, once known for steakhouses and mainstream Mexican eateries, has seen a recent explosion in culinary diversity, particularly in the last five years, with even more growth in the past two.
Despite losing several restaurants during the pandemic, many new ones have emerged, often owned by daring entrepreneurs seizing the opportunity. While Phoenix has always had upscale steakhouses and resort dining, it now boasts a wide array of multicultural restaurants offering Caribbean, Modern Mexican, regional Thai, and sophisticated Indian cuisines.
1. Fire At Will
Owned by Dom and Holly Ruggiero of Hush Public House, Fire at Will is a standout addition to North Phoenix’s dining scene. Specializing in refined comfort food, the menu features influences from Spain, Italy, and the Middle East. The ambiance is moody yet inviting, with a diverse menu including lamb tartare and soba noodles alongside classic offerings like the Hush burger.
2. Course Restaurant
Chef Cory Oppold’s restaurant in Central Scottsdale offers a five-course prix fixe menu or a 10-course chef’s-choice tasting menu, showcasing Modernist cuisine techniques. On Sundays, the restaurant transforms into Morning Would, offering a seven-course tasting menu.
3. The Neighborly Public House
Owned by Chris Collins, this charming spot features a cozy atmosphere with a covered patio, deep booths, and a spacious bar. The menu includes crowd-pleasers like rotisserie chicken and Maryland-style crab cakes, as well as a must-try coconut cream pie.
4. Lom Wong
Run by Alex and Sunny Martin, Lom Wong offers fresh and light Thai dishes in a sophisticated setting. The focus is on texture and flavor, with hand-pounded Thai red chiles and house-squeezed coconut milk elevating each dish.
5. Sottise
Opened by T.J. Culp and Esther Noh, this French-style bistro in Roosevelt Row serves classic bistro fare like pate, escargot, and steak tartare in a cozy setting with a global wine list.
6. Bacanora PHX
Helmed by Nogales-born Rene Andrade, this spot offers vibrant Sonoran cuisine cooked on a Santa Maria-style grill. The menu features Mexican favorites like caramelos and pollo asado, with daily specials showcasing a variety of grilled delights.
7. Chilte
Lawrence Smith and Aseret Arroyo’s restaurant in the Egyptian Motor Hotel serves modern Mexican street food with unique twists, such as roasted grasshoppers and Oaxacan ants. Don’t miss the pan de elote cheesecake.
8. Wren & Wolf
Owned by Teddy and Katie Meyers, this downtown venue boasts eclectic decor and innovative cocktails. Dishes like beef carpaccio and hiramasa crudo are highlights, with splurge options including A5 wagyu cooked table-side.
9. LATHA
LATHA offers a fusion of African, Brazilian, Caribbean, and Southern American cuisines in a vibrant setting. Chef Digby Stridiron’s menu features dishes like piri piri chicken wings and shrimp escabeche.
10. Hai Noon
Run by James Beard Award winner Nobuo Fukuda, Hai Noon serves Japanese cuisine in an intimate, bar-like space. The menu includes share plates like panko-fried tofu skewers and pork belly bao buns.
11. Cocina Chiwas
Armando Hernandez and Nadia Holguin’s upscale Mexican spot in Culdesac Tempe offers modern takes on traditional dishes like quesadillas and costilla de res in a stylish setting.
12. Espiritu Mesa
From the team behind Bacanora, Espiritu is a seafood-centric Mexican restaurant in Mesa known for its lively atmosphere and creative cocktails. Chef Robert Centeno’s menu features dishes like hiramasa tostada and ceviche.
13. Shimogamo Japanese Restaurant
Yoshio and Sanae Otomo’s neighborhood Japanese restaurant in Chandler sources top-quality Japanese fish and Wagyu beef, offering an exceptional dining experience with cocktails and sake.
14. Feringhee Modern Indian Cuisine
Feringhee, led by chef Karan Mittal, offers sophisticated Indian cuisine with a modern twist. Dishes like elevated chaat showcase India’s diverse culinary traditions in a fine dining setting.
With a vibrant culinary landscape showcasing diverse cuisines, Phoenix’s dining scene has blossomed in recent years, offering a rich tapestry of flavors for food enthusiasts to explore. From upscale steakhouses to multicultural gems, the city continues to evolve as a hub for culinary innovation and gastronomic delights.
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