Food >>

• Best Merry-Go-Round with a Meal
  Compass Restaurant
  Who says kids get to have all the fun? The best merry-go-round in Phoenix just happens to be a grown-up playground, a place where you can eat an upscale dinner while watching the world go by. It's the Compass Restaurant, a revolving eatery at the top of downtown's Hyatt Regency. There are... More >>
• Best Circus Animal Tale
  Harold's Cave Creek Corral
  Harold's Cave Creek Corral has long billed itself as "the original Wild West Saloon and Restaurant," but back in the day, the proprietors took the roaring good time in a whole different direction. Harold and Ruth Gavagan, who'd bought Cave Creek Corral in 1950 and added "Harold's" to the name,... More >>
• Best Corn Dog
  Al's Chicago Style
  A carnival ain't a carnival unless your dining options include some manner of foodstuff that's been placed on a stick. In fact, on our last visit to the midway, our repast consisted of individually skewered deep-fried Twinkies, tasty egg rolls, and the undisputed king of impaled edibles, the... More >>
• Best Fry Bread
  The Fry Bread House
  Besides corn dogs, funnel cakes, or any other foodstuff that's been cooked in an unhealthful amount of grease or lard, a longtime staple of local carnivals, fairs, or street festivals has been Indian fry bread. And much to our doctor's chagrin, we've eaten more than our fair share of this... More >>
• Best Funhouse
  House of Tricks
  You won't find any wacky mirrors in this funhouse, although House of Tricks does have a way of skewing one's perspective — in a good way. Once you set foot into the outdoor patio, sheltered by huge leafy trees and decked out with tiny white lights, all feels right with the world. Your mood... More >>
• Best Candy Apples (1 Comment)
  Candy's Apples
  Thanks to an overzealous dentist and a few mishaps with broken fillings, we were reluctantly forced as children to swear off candy apples, as the sticky-yet-fruity confection murdered the inside of our mouth. And our promise stuck — up until last year, that is, after we started indulging... More >>
• Best New Restaurant (1 Comment)
  Digestif
  How do we love Digestif? We'd count the ways, but there are just too many. For starters, there's executive chef Payton Curry, who puts his heart into handmade pasta and housemade charcuterie. There's pastry chef Tracy Dempsey, who had already impressed us at Digestif's sister restaurants (Cowboy... More >>
• Best Authentic Arizona Restaurant
  Pinnacle Peak Patio
  These days, there aren't too many reminders that Scottsdale is "The West's Most Western Town," a slogan coined by the city's first mayor, Malcolm White, back in 1951. Heck, if it weren't for the lack of an ocean nearby, the glitzy scene in downtown Scottsdale might even pass as Miami or L.A. But... More >>
• Best Destination Dining
  Binkley's Restaurant
  You think it's a hike up to Cave Creek for dinner? Consider that foodies from around the country fly into town just to try chef-owner Kevin Binkley's inventive, French-influenced American cuisine, and then see how you feel about going the extra mile for a top-notch gourmet experience. Of... More >>
• Best Local Eatery We're Glad is a Chain
  Thai Basil
  What is it in the desert soil that's making Thai Basil flourish? We're not sure, but we suspect it has something to do with locals' taste for fiery food. (Surely you didn't think we limit ourselves to spicy Mexican cuisine, did you?) In just three years, Thai Basil has grown from one modest... More >>
• Best Local Eatery We Wish Were a Chain
  Matt's Big Breakfast
  Matt and Erenia Pool, we love you guys. And, boy, we'd love to clone you — or at least your fantastic little, er, big breakfast joint. The buzz on Matt's Big Breakfast has been strong ever since it opened a few years ago, and indeed, there's always been a bit of a wait for a table. The... More >>
• Best Place to Take a Foodie
  Noca
  What happens when a food-obsessed restaurant fanatic teams up with an equally passionate young chef with an impressive résumé? You end up with Noca, one of the most highly anticipated restaurants of 2008. Without a doubt, Eliot Wexler is the city's most tireless gourmet, who not... More >>
• Best Place to Take a Slow Foodie
  Rancho Pinot Grill
  These days, it's not too hard to come by restaurants that feature some kind of local, seasonal produce, but Slow Food isn't just about an approach to cooking — it's a full-on worldview. So if you're looking for a place to show your favorite Slow Food fanatic a good time, head to Rancho... More >>
• Best Place to Take a Wine Geek
  Fine's Cellar
  We'd call this the best wine bar in town, except that Fine's Cellar is so much more than that — it's a casual breakfast and lunch spot, a laid-back espresso and gelato bar, a wine boutique, and a hip bistro all rolled into one. You don't need a single sip of syrah to appreciate chef Cullen... More >>
• Best Place to Take a New Yorker
  Kai
  Sometimes you just have to turn the tables. Got a New Yorker pal who's hard to impress? Yeah, we feel ya. It's not always easy coming up with something that outshines the allure of the Big Apple, but after years of racking our brains, we've come up with a bunch of ways to show off the joys of... More >>
• Best Place to Take an Adventurous Eater
  Roka Akor
  Don't be scared off by our brazen Best Of category name here; Roka Akor has plenty of options for folks who're just looking for accessible Japanese food, like edamame, California rolls, and skewers of grilled chicken. For us, that's all fine and good, but that's not really the true allure of... More >>
• Best Seafood Restaurant
  Eddie V's
  For being the best seafood spot in town, it's a little bit surprising that Eddie V's doesn't really scream "ocean." Yeah, there's a giant fish sculpture over near the kitchen, but besides that, the place is pretty quiet about its top-rung status. Instead, this classy restaurant lets the seafood... More >>
• Best Upscale Steakhouse (1 Comment)
  Bourbon Steak
  Since it opened earlier this year, celebrity chef Michael Mina's Scottsdale outpost has certainly raised the bar on luxury dining in the Valley. Located at the posh Fairmont Scottsdale resort, Bourbon Steak takes premium ingredients and serves them up in the most decadent way possible, whether... More >>
• Best Upscale Italian Restaurant
  Sassi
  Just glancing at Sassi's dramatic entranceway, with its gurgling fountains, elegant lighting, and rustic courtyard leading to a heavy wooden door, you'd be forgiven for thinking this was an over-the-top private estate or, perhaps, even a resort. Indeed, this restaurant takes "destination... More >>
• Best Corner Italian Restaurant
  Pizza A Metro
  This category doesn't literally have to mean an Italian restaurant that's on a corner, but in the case of Pizza A Metro, it's exactly that: nestled alongside a Circle K in a tiny corner strip. Really, it's an unlikely location for such a cool restaurant; walking through the door into this... More >>
• Best French Restaurant
  Sophie's Bistro
  We're completely aware of the stuffy reputation that French restaurants have, and we're certain that the folks at Sophie's are, too. In fact, it seems like they're trying to completely defy that snooty stereotype. The service is warm and welcoming, and the setting — with wood floors,... More >>
• Best German Restaurant
  Black Forest Mill
  There aren't too many restaurants that put us into party mode, but we have to smile whenever we think of Black Forest Mill. No matter what month it is, it feels like Oktoberfest as soon as we set foot in this place. Crisp, golden wiener schnitzel, potato pancakes, grilled beer-soaked bratwurst,... More >>
• Best Greek Restaurant
  GreekTown Restaurant
  It's remarkable that the folks behind GreekTown Restaurant have managed to capture the pleasurable atmosphere of a Greek taverna, but they've really pulled it off. The music is distinctively Greek, and the service — as welcoming as if you were a member of the family — is true to the... More >>
• Best Middle Eastern Restaurant
  Sabuddy
  Wow, do they serve anything at Sabuddy that isn't completely scrumptious? Not that we can tell. It seems hard to go wrong at this friendly, casual north Scottsdale spot, where the menu is chock-full of made-from-scratch Middle Eastern treats. Smooth hummus, drizzled with tahini, is lightly... More >>
• Best Afghan Restaurant
  Kabab Palace
  Just because Kabab Palace happens to be the only Afghan restaurant in town doesn't mean it's any less worthy of "Best Afghan Restaurant." For one thing, after such a long dry spell with no Afghan cuisine to speak of in these parts (Chopandaz, the first and last Afghan restaurant in this area,... More >>
• Best Indian Restaurant
  The Dhaba
  What is it that makes Indian food so craveable? We're not sure whether it's the fragrance of raisin-studded biryani, the tenderness of marinated meats, the complex, exotic seasonings, or the mouthwatering yin-yang of spicy heat and creamy coolness. Whatever it is, it's something that no other... More >>
• Best Chinese Restaurant
  Asian Café Express
  What's in a name? Well, not always what you might think. To the uninitiated, Asian Café Express might seem like a nondescript fast-food joint serving a mishmash of Asian food, but in truth, this unassuming eatery is pure Hong Kong, baby. Like so many good Chinese restaurants, Asian... More >>
• Best Thai Restaurant
  Sala Thai
  Looks aren't everything, but here's a place that's as humbly adorable as it is delicious. Tucked into a narrow space that seems like it was intended for a bare-bones diner, Sala Thai serves up affordable, authentic Thai cuisine in a friendly, casual atmosphere. Thai wall hangings and elaborate... More >>
• Best Korean Restaurant
  Takamatsu Restaurant
  There's something so nice about finding a great restaurant and sharing the news with your friends. And there's no better place to go with a hungry gang of your nearest and dearest than Takamatsu. Trust us: You'll need a lot of mouths to feed when you see how much food comes with a Korean... More >>
• Best Japanese Restaurant
  Yasu Sushi Bistro
  Casual but stylish, with sleek furnishings and moody lighting, Yasu Sushi Bistro reminds us of modern izakaya in Japan, where top-notch eats and premium sake are served with an extra helping of hipness. We love to snag a seat at the tiny sushi bar and let chef-owner Yasu Hashino guide us through... More >>
• Best Vietnamese Restaurant
  Pho Avina
  Consider us impressed. For such a tiny restaurant, Pho Avina sure has managed to bulk up its menu with a wide variety of Vietnamese specialties. There are more than a hundred items in all, from simple classics like bun (rice vermicelli noodles) and piping hot pho (noodle soup with a... More >>
• Best Ethiopian Restaurant
  Café Lalibela
  Mom always got after us when we ditched the knife and fork to eat with our fingers, but we got our comeuppance when we discovered Ethiopian cuisine, traditionally scooped up by hand with moist, spongy bread called injera. At Café Lalibela, the food's so tasty that we'd like to call it... More >>
• Best Vegetarian Restaurant
  Green
  Technically, Green serves vegan food — that is, it contains no milk, eggs, cheese, or any other animal product. That may sound intimidating, but trust us: It's the tastiest meatless cuisine in town. The beauty of this place is how even full-blown carnivores can appreciate it. While... More >>
• Best Asian Vegetarian Restaurant
  Fresh Mint
  It's no secret that Asian restaurants are a vegetarian's best friend. When in doubt, you can always go for a veggie stir-fry with rice, or anything with tofu. That's fine with us, but we always did find it kind of strange that so few Asian joints actually cater to the veggie crowd. At Fresh... More >>
• Best Jewish Deli
  Scott's Generations
  If you think New York has a monopoly on good Jewish delis, then you clearly haven't been to Scott's Generations yet. This casual, family-run joint is just like the best neighborhood spots in the Big Apple, from the walls covered in framed family photos to the big comfy booths, where you can nosh... More >>
• Best Italian Deli
  Andreoli Italian Grocer
  Consider our world rocked. All these years, we thought we knew what an Italian deli was, but it turns out we were eating tortellini salad and meatball subs in vain. What about a panino with homemade sausage, peppers, and onions or, perhaps, bresaola with arugula and shaved Parmesan? When... More >>
• Best Soul Food
  Lo-Lo's Chicken & Waffles
  Whenever we need a little bit o' soul to put us right, we head straight to a little place called Lo-Lo's, where the star dish is (no surprise) the best fried chicken and waffles we've ever tasted. Owner Larry "Lo-Lo" White is the grandson of the legendary Mrs. White (of Mrs. White's Golden Rule... More >>
• Best Barbecue Restaurant
  Stacy's Smokehouse
  How nice to see a familiar face back on the local dining scene. Stacy Phipps, who owned the now-defunct Stacy's soul food restaurant on Jefferson, opened his new barbecue place earlier this year, and we were there just as soon as we could smell that mouthwatering almond and hickory smoke wafting... More >>
• Best Cajun Restaurant
  Baby Kay's Cajun Kitchen
  Cajun restaurants are few and far between in these parts, but thankfully there's one place we can count on when we're ready to let the good times roll: Baby Kay's Cajun Kitchen. It's the kind of place you have to seek out, since it's planted in the middle of the Town & Country Shopping... More >>
• Best Chicken-Fried Steak
  Ranch House Grille
  It seemed there was a revolving door for restaurants at this vintage strip mall until Ranch House Grille came on the scene, tempting locals with cheap, old-fashioned eats at bargain prices. From huevos rancheros to Philly cheesesteaks, there are plenty of things to splurge on, but the hands-down... More >>
• Best Fry Bread with a Twist
  Café Laguna
  Brothers Otis and Nick Lara only opened this second branch of their father's fry bread place a few months ago, but it's already becoming a neighborhood fast-food staple. Why? Because, seriously, who wants to eat a stale burger or a taco with questionable meat sources when you can watch the Laras... More >>
• Best Gourmet Pizza
  Pizzeria Bianco
  The menu is modest: half a dozen pizzas and a handful of starters. The ingredients are humble, and mostly local, with a few standout imports like mortadella from Modena, Italy. The atmosphere's low-key, too, with a blazing wood-fired oven as the main focal point in a rustic, brick-walled dining... More >>
• Best Slice of Pizza
  Jimmy & Joe's Pizzeria
  All right, we get it. Jimmy & Joe's calls its pizza slices "serious slices" for a very good reason. These things are seriously huge, and seriously delicious. Cut from what must be a three-foot pie, and served on a wide metal pizza pan, each piping hot piece is big enough to require two hands... More >>
• Best Wings
  Half Moon Sports Grill
  Considering how many TVs are tuned to sports in this place, it's probably safe to say that it's always game day at Half Moon Sports Grill. But even if it weren't, we'd still come here just for the chicken wings. We get a hankering for a good batch of wings more often than we'd like to admit, and... More >>
• Best Fries
  Welcome Diner
  Simplicity is underrated, especially in the case of potatoes. You can do just about anything to a spud — purée it, bake it, dress it up with fancy toppings — but sometimes the best thing you can do is just revel in its delicious flavor. That's why we love the French fries at... More >>
• Best Burger
  Delux Burger
  Lately, we've noticed that we hardly ever order burgers anymore — unless we're at Delux. Why settle for less? The signature burger at this sleek, stylish bar and grill is the only one we truly crave when our carnivorous instincts kick in, and apparently we're in good company, seeing how... More >>
• Best Hot Dog
  Ted's Hot Dogs
  Some people think hot dogs are meant to be eaten only at a ballgame or a backyard barbecue — but those folks obviously haven't been to Ted's Hot Dogs. Too bad they don't know what they're missing. These charcoal-broiled wienies are plump and smoky, tucked into fresh, soft buns that are... More >>
• Best Pastrami Sandwich
  Miracle Mile Deli
  We love our guilty pleasures, and sometimes there's nothing more seductive than a kickass pastrami sandwich. Diet be damned, we say! And the best place to satisfy our serious jones for pastrami is at Miracle Mile Deli, where they make 'em as sloppy-good as they come, stuffed with tender, thinly... More >>
• Best Fish & Chips
  Rose & Crown
  It's true, a stick-to-your-ribs meal of fish and chips serves a very practical purpose: to fortify us for a long night of beer drinking, to fuel us through long-winded bar conversations, and to give us the edge in countless rounds of pool and darts. But even if we weren't up for that —... More >>
• Best Tom Kha
  Latitude Eight Thai Grill
  Do you have a certain dish that you can't help ordering every time you see it on a menu? We're that way with tom kha, the dreamy soup that's a menu staple at every Thai restaurant in town. Truly, we get giddy at the thought of eating this ambrosia, and we're constantly on the lookout for a tasty... More >>
• Best Bar Food
  Four Peaks Brewing Company
  These guys really stepped it up. Four Peaks could've easily coasted on the reputation of its award-winning beer, but instead, the local brewpub serves up delectable dishes that are noteworthy in their own right. Rounding out a classic array of burgers, beer-battered fries, wings and nachos,... More >>
• Best BYOB
  Atlas Bistro
  Here's a concept we wish we'd thought of: a BYOB restaurant with a wine shop right next door. The folks at Atlas Bistro really figured out a clever way to keep wine lovers happy. Who needs a wine list, anyway, when customers can browse the well-stocked aisles at AZ Wine Co.? The two businesses... More >>
• Best Place to Eat at the Bar
  Razz's Restaurant
  Chef-owner Erasmo "Razz" Kamnitzer is one of the best reasons to dine at his eponymous restaurant — that is, if you can get a coveted seat at the bar. If not, you're still in for a stellar meal, with polished service in a relaxed, classy setting. But snagging one of those bar seats, where... More >>
• Best Place to Dine with the Beautiful People
  Canal
  At certain restaurants, sometimes the scene is just as delicious as the cuisine. That's definitely the case at über-chic Canal, one of the fine-dining establishments at the upscale SouthBridge development. Nope, we won't set foot in this place on a bad hair day — not when the rest of... More >>
• Best Place to Meet the Chef
  Aiello's Fine Italian Dining
  We've been infatuated with this classy neighborhood Italian restaurant from our very first bite of gnocchi draped in pesto cream sauce. Food like that makes us fall in love, fast. But there's something else that's endearing about Aiello's — the personal service. This is a family operation,... More >>
• Best Place to Meet an Iron Chef
  Tarbell's
  Loyal fans of Iron Chef America can call us out on this one: Technically, chef Mark Tarbell isn't an Iron Chef. That title is reserved for the handful of regulars who do battle against a constant onslaught of culinary challengers on the popular Food Network show. Only a year ago, Tarbell... More >>
• Best Place to Meet the Farmer
  Tapino Kitchen & Wine Bar
  Ever heard the phrase "Think Globally, Act Locally"? Turns out it applies to eating, too. Somebody even coined a word for people who consume foods that were produced close to home — say, within a 50- or 100-mile radius: locavores. The motivations behind it run the gamut from environmental... More >>
• Best Place to Make Yourself at Home
  Cibo Urban Wine Café & Pizzeria
  There's a reason Cibo feels so homey that we hardly want to leave — like so many of central Phoenix's neatest restaurants, it's situated in a renovated historic bungalow. From wood floors to a cozy layout, this place has a warmth and character that make it the perfect place to share an... More >>
• Best Romantic Restaurant
  elements
  If you're going to get your mojo working, it helps to have a sexy setting. At elements, the fine-dining spot at Sanctuary on Camelback, every aspect of the restaurant seems designed to conjure up romance, from sleek furnishings and an unforgettably gorgeous view of the surrounding mountains to... More >>
• Best Mom-and-Pop Restaurant
  La Piccola Cucina
  There are so many different reasons that restaurants can find success, but somehow La Piccola Cucina has achieved a trifecta of good food (homestyle Mediterranean dishes), adorable ambiance (it's in a beautifully restored 1924 house), and personal service. How personal, you ask? Well, chances... More >>
• Best Patio Dining
  The Farm at South Mountain
  There aren't too many rain days in Phoenix, and the folks who run The Farm at South Mountain take full advantage of that. Except for the hottest stretch of the summer, when they close for three months, Morning Glory Café and The Farm Kitchen are all about dining al fresco and enjoying our... More >>
• Best Sunday Brunch
  T. Cook's
  Whenever we need a reminder of just how good we have it here in the Valley of the Sun, we have to head to T. Cook's spectacular Sunday brunch to put ourselves in the right frame of mind. Just setting foot on the Royal Palms property is enough to lighten our hearts — certainly one doesn't... More >>
• Best Makeover
  Christopher's
  At Christopher's, the swanky new restaurant from James Beard award-winning chef Christopher Gross, we get the best of the old and the new. What's new is the streamlined name and chic, contemporary setting, a welcome change from Gross's previous eatery at Biltmore Fashion Park, Christopher's... More >>
• Best Photo Op
  Hana Japanese Eatery
  Just how fresh is that sashimi you're about to gobble up? The quality of the seafood couldn't be more obvious than at Hana Japanese Eatery, where, if you're lucky, you just might witness sushi chef Rick "Koji" Hashimoto hauling in the catch of the day. The day we saw him hoist a giant piece of... More >>
• Best Comeback
  Eddie's House
  Admit it: You missed Eddie Matney. It's okay to 'fess up, because you're definitely not alone. And somehow we sense that the celebrated chef knew we were jonesing for his creative, Mediterranean-inspired cooking. After all, it had been awhile since he'd given us a taste of it. After closing his... More >>
• Best First Date
  Coup des Tartes
  It's nerve-wracking enough, trying to figure out what to talk about on a first date — who needs to worry about where to go, too? Pick a chill destination like Coup des Tartes, where the candlelit vibe is cozy, the food is classy, and there's enough subtle romance about the place to help... More >>
• Best Restaurant for Kids
  Kabuki
  We've gotta tell you, if we have to go to another American-themed restaurant simply because we've got the kids in tow, we're going to start looking for a flag to burn. Why does parenthood have to mean hot dogs, fries, and limp iceberg lettuce? It doesn't, not since we've found Kabuki. This... More >>
• Best Late-Night Nosh
  Fate
  No matter where you are in the Valley, late-night dining options are pretty slim pickings. The choices are even fewer downtown, where so many places are lunch-only (for the commuter crowd) or else they end their "dinner" service before some of us are even off work. It's a little bit of poetic... More >>
• Best Hangover Breakfast
  Over Easy
  There's certainly something to be said for the hair of the dog, but the morning after a chug-a-thon, our favorite fix is a hearty breakfast. We're convinced that's the real reason breakfast is called the most important meal of the day — because if it weren't for the redeeming qualities of... More >>
• Best Downtown Breakfast
  Palatte
  Whether it's light rail, the new ASU developments, or just business as usual, there's a lot going on in downtown Phoenix. We're glad to see so much happening, but sometimes we just need a break from it — a few moments of peace and quiet to recharge. Palatte is perfect for that, an oasis of... More >>
• Best Downtown Lunch
  CityBakery
  You can grab a bite to eat and get a taste of local culture, thanks to CityBakery tucked inside the Arizona Science Center. You're sure to fuel your way through a busy afternoon thanks to huge, fresh salads (curry chicken and Mediterranean tuna are a couple of our faves), mouthwatering... More >>
• Best Afternoon Tea
  Ritz-Carlton
  From the fragrant Summer Provence tea blend to the delicate chocolate cups holding the lemon curd and fresh whipped cream, it's all about attention to detail when it comes to afternoon tea at the Phoenix Ritz. And all that attention is bestowed by none other than Jeffrey Hattrick, the Ritz's... More >>
• Best Bruschetta
  Postino Wine Café
  If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then the most flattered place in town is Postino Wine Café, an action-packed neighborhood wine bar that's all about effortless cool. There's no attitude here, just a stylish vibe and craveable wine-friendly nibbles. The bruschetta, in... More >>
• Best Sandwiches
  Pane Bianco
  Chris Bianco and Susan Pool's downtown pizzeria gets all the glory, but it also gets all the crowds. Meanwhile, their midtown sandwich shop is still all about the locals, a casual spot where the lines are never too long for a quick lunchtime pit stop. It's counter service only, with everything... More >>
• Best Salads
  Lisa G Café Wine Bar
  It's really sad how often we go a little hungry when we're just not in the mood for a sandwich or a meat-and-potatoes entrée. Who says salads can't have substance? Thankfully, there's a restaurant where we can actually fill up when we're craving a good salad: Lisa G. This place is... More >>
• Best Caesar Salad
  radioMILANO
  From fine-dining spots all the way down to budget sandwich joints, the caesar salad is one menu item that spans cooking styles and price points. Obviously, the caesar has a devoted following. But why, then, do so many restaurants treat it like a token dish? Seriously, the caesar could be so... More >>
• Best Banana Cream Pie
  Cork
  A lot of dishes are award-worthy at Cork, the south Chandler eatery opened by co-owners Robert Morris (sommelier), his wife Danielle Morris (pastry chef), and Brian Peterson (executive chef) earlier this year. But we think the banana cream pie says it all. What you might visualize when you order... More >>
• Best Dim Sum
  China King
  It's a pretty easy rule of thumb: Eat ethnic food at places frequented by people of that ethnicity. That's usually a good sign, no matter what kind of restaurant you're checking out. On weekends, Chandler's China King transforms into a culinary mecca for homesick Chinese, who show up in groups... More >>
• Best Tapas
  Lola Tapas
  A little sangria, a few plates of goodies to share with friends, and a dark, cozy nook to enjoy it all — ah, those Spanish really know how to live, don't they? We stressed-out Americans could definitely learn a thing or two from our laid-back European friends. Who knows, maybe a little... More >>
• Best Tasting Menu
  Sea Saw
  Order off the à la carte menu if you like, but if you really want to understand why chef Nobuo Fukuda earned his James Beard Award, give in to Sea Saw's seasonal omakase. That's the premium tasting menu at this jewel box of a restaurant, a series of exquisite creations that Fukuda and his... More >>
• Best Seasonal Cuisine
  Quiessence
  Want to know why we just stifled a yawn? Well, the menus hardly change at some of the Valley's top fine-dining spots, while other places might tweak their offerings every few months. If it weren't for that, we might visit some of them more often. But there's no getting bored at delightful... More >>
• Best Fusion Cuisine
  Asia de Cuba
  It's hard to imagine what Cuban and Caribbean food, mixed with a greatest-hits of Asian cuisine, would taste like. Well, what can we say? It's surprisingly delish. And it's not as offbeat as it might sound. Southeast Asian dishes make good use of tropical fruits, while Chinese tradition... More >>
• Best Use of a Chickpea
  Bombay Spice
  Although the juicy, perfectly grilled lamb chops come in a close second, our first pick for favorite dish at Bombay Spice is the unforgettable chickpea ceviche, a dish that turns a humble ingredient into a dazzling one. This heap of tender chickpeas is tossed with diced tomatoes, onions, and... More >>
• Best Use of Grape-Nuts
  The Breadfruit
  You know, we're not sure we've ever seen Grape-Nuts on a menu anywhere, and we're definitely certain we've never eaten them past breakfast time. Who'd have guessed they'd make such a splendid dessert? At The Breadfruit, a bright, cheery Jamaican restaurant that opened downtown earlier this year,... More >>
• Best Sticky Buns
  El Chorro Lodge
  El Chorro Lodge is a bastion of old-school cool, the kind of place where you can rely on stiff cocktails, a leisurely Arizona-glam atmosphere, and classic dishes like shrimp Louie, sautéed chicken livers with bacon, tableside chateaubriand, or a glorious mesquite-broiled prime steak. But... More >>
• Best Croissants (1 Comment)
  Au Petit Four
  We love everything about Au Petit Four, from the strong coffee and the case full of colorful pastries to the outstanding omelets. Indeed, there are plenty of reasons to come to this tiny cafe, but even if there were just one — that is, their amazing croissants — we'd still make a... More >>
• Best Pastries
  Scratch Pastries
  Ooh-la-la, we can't tell you how delighted we were when we discovered this honest-to-goodness French patisserie. Open since January, Scratch Pastries is a labor of love run by two Parisian transplants, Duc and Noelle Liao, who left behind glamorous careers (fashion photographer and model,... More >>
• Best Cupcakes (2 Comments)
  Wicked Bakery
  Leave it to Oprah Winfrey's pal Gayle to spill the beans on what we thought was a well-kept secret: the dreamy cupcakes at Wicked Bakery. The delicate crumb is moist but not too heavy, and the frosting is ultra-creamy, so fluffy we could eat it with a spoon. Wicked's flavors are wickedly... More >>
• Best Bakery (7 Comments)
  Barb's Bakery
  It would be easy enough to celebrate about Barb's Bakery just for the beautiful wedding cakes, done up in the same kind of elegant designs that Martha Stewart would approve of, in flavors from devil's food to pink champagne. After all, hearing your guests rave about how good the thing looks and... More >>
• Best Jewish Bakery (1 Comment)
  Karsh's Bakery
  These days, you can find bagels and challah and maybe even a decent rye bread at plenty of neighborhood grocery stores, but Karsh's Bakery still makes the best, using all kosher ingredients, the way they've been doing since the '60s. This bakery's almost like a time capsule, an old school,... More >>
• Best Bread
  Simply Bread
  It would be easy enough to say that Simply Bread is the best in town because it's featured at some of Phoenix's finest eateries. After all, top local chefs are proud to feature it on their menus, and if it's good enough for them, well, it's good enough for us. The endorsements are nice, to be... More >>
• Best Pretzels
  Tammie Coe Cakes
  Tammie Coe's the frontwoman with the famous zebra-striped wonderland cakes, but her hubby Michael, of MJ Bread, is the guy in the back, making bread. And his bread is fantastic — we've long loved his crispy loaves. Recently, we discovered MJ's pretzel — a pretzel made the way God... More >>
• Best Bagels
  NY Bagels 'N Bialys
  A really good bagel is no mere alternative to toast — it's a meal unto itself. We're especially fond of NY Bagels 'N Bialys' hefty bad boys, whose thick crust and moist, dense crumb are just as satisfying (and filling!) as what you'd find in the best Big Apple bagel joints. That's because... More >>
• Best Spelt Bread
  Bread Basket Bakery
  Spelt doesn't sound tasty. Not at all. Doesn't even sound like food, let alone an ancient substance that lost out to wheat and barley in history's great grain race. Say you've got a kid who's allergic to wheat (there are worse things). Make your PB&J on two slices of good old-fashioned... More >>
• Best Chocolate
  Chatham's Fine Chocolates
  Proprietors Chatham and Jennie Kitz truly have taken chocolate connoisseurship to the next level with their cacao-centric boutique, which celebrates world-class chocolatiers like Chocolat Moderne, Ghyslain, and Lillie Belle Farms. Beside a wall full of chocolate bars from around the world, there... More >>
• Best Treat Boxes
  Essence Bakery Café
  One Friday morning, after a few hellacious days of office drama, a dear co-worker showed up bearing tiny cardboard boxes adorned with Essence Bakery stickers. Passing one to us, she said, "I thought we all needed to end the work week on a sweet note." We peeked inside and could barely contain... More >>
• Best Ice Cream
  Sweet Republic
  If Phoenix in the summertime is hell, then Sweet Republic is pure heaven. So don't be surprised to find us at this cool, tangerine-colored ice cream shop, blissfully Web surfing (hey, we can't pass up the free Wi-Fi!) and nibbling at fresh, made-from-scratch artisanal ice creams. Owners Jan... More >>
• Best Gelato
  Arlecchino Gelateria
  Why is there often a line out the door of this pint-size gelato shop? Well, if you have to ask the question, you probably haven't stopped by yet. That's okay, though — it usually only takes a bite of this creamy, heavenly stuff to join the initiated. Owners Moreno and Marina Spangaro are... More >>
• Best Frozen Yogurt (1 Comment)
  Ice Tango
  Who cares if the über-popular Pinkberry — a trend-setting frozen yogurt empire in Southern California and beyond — still hasn't opened a shop in these parts? Certainly not us, now that Ice Tango's on the scene. This homegrown enterprise is hip in its own right, a brightly... More >>
• Best Popcorn
  Poppa Maize Gourmet Popcorn
  The ghost of Orville Redenbacher may haunt us the rest of our days for admitting this, but for a while, we got pretty damn bored with popcorn. Don't get us wrong, we've definitely eaten our fair share of freshly popped kernels over the years, whether relaxing at the cinema, hanging out at the... More >>
• Best Potato Chips
  Poore Brothers
  TastyKake reps their Philly 'hood in baked goods. Utz is the salty-snack beast of the Northeast. Where do you turn if you want to throw your A'z up and want local munchies to rise up? Enter Poore Brothers. Since '86, the Goodyear-based company has kettle-cooked their potato chips full of... More >>
• Best Veggies
  Carl Seacat, Seacat Gardens
  Carl's designer vegetables are pure art. Heirloom seed stock, some near extinction, groomed and grown to produce some of the most tender and tasty tomatoes, greens, and herbs with an attention to detail that rivals Italian designer goods. With varietal names like Black Russian, Cherokee Purple,... More >>
• Best Olive Oil
  Queen Creek Olive Mill
  Perry Rea and his family planted a bunch of olive trees about a decade ago in what still passes for the sticks. They had a dream — make that a goal — of starting Arizona's first working olive farm and mill. And talk about hitting the jackpot. These days, some people taste the olive... More >>
• Best Homegrown Goat Cheese
  Black Mesa Ranch
  Though Snowflake, the northern Arizona town nestled in the White Mountains, is outside our coverage area, we make an exception for this fabulous cheese that is available for purchase at boutique food stores around the Valley (Whole Foods is one) and at fine restaurants such as Quiessence. If you... More >>
• Best Cheese Selection
  Whole Foods
  Quel fromage! We had to do a double-take the first time we stumbled into Whole Foods' cheese department, where the variety of fine artisanal cheeses — cow's milk, goat's milk, sheep's milk, you name it — just boggles the mind. From soft, tiny rounds of fresh chèvre and wedges... More >>
• Best Asian Market
  Lee Lee Oriental Supermarket
  You know an ethnic market's good when it becomes a destination for an entire community. In the case of Lee Lee, we're talking several communities, including Vietnamese, Chinese, Korean, and Japanese. Folks from all over drive here. It's no wonder. Where else can you stock up on so many kinds of... More >>
• Best British Import
  fresh & easy
  When we heard that one of our favorite bars, the legendary Chez Nous, was being knocked down to make room for a British grocery store, we were horrified. We loved Chez Nous! And who needs another market, particularly one from the culinarily challenged Brits? Well, we stand corrected. This tidily... More >>
• Best Middle Eastern Grocery Store
  Baiz Market
  We'd always thought that enough aimless driving would lead us to the best shopping finds in Phoenix, but it took a good friend to clue us in to the city's finest destination for Middle Eastern food. Baiz Market is one spot we never would've stumbled upon, because it's tucked in a quiet... More >>