The Phoenix food scene isn’t limited to just one type of cuisine. The Valley of the Sun is home to a variety of restaurants, from casual eateries to date night spots to arguably, one of the best pizza places in the U.S. So, where should you go for some tasty grub? We’ve compiled a list of the 8 best restaurants in Phoenix; so go ahead, eat up!
Pizzeria Bianco
Transport yourself to Italy at this renowned pizzeria in Heritage Square. Chef and owner Chris Bianco learned the art of pure pizza-making in Italy, and brought his talents to Phoenix after moving from New York. Since then, he has opened two restaurants and has been highly regarded as one of the best pizza makers in the country. Don’t take our word for it, though, this place has been consistently ranked one of the best restaurants in Phoenix. Try one of the six pizzas this place makes, including the Rosa which is topped with red onion, parmigiano reggiano, rosemary, and Arizona pistachios. Dine under the stars on their outdoor patio in front or eat inside where you can watch the wood-fire oven work its magic on your pie.
Neighborhood: Downtown Phoenix
Address: 623 E. Adams St. Phoenix, AZ 85004
Gallo Blanco
Phoenix is known for having some truly authentic Mexican food joints. In fact, the food is one of the top reasons to move to Phoenix. Get your taco and elote fix at this beloved spot, owned and operated by Chef Doug Robson. Gallo Blanco offers a thoughtful, delectable take on all the classic Mexican food staples like ceviche, sopas, tortas and burritos.
The tacos are served on homemade, fluffy corn tortillas and come with your choice of barbacoa, al pastor, vegetable, pork, carne asada, or campechano–a mix of al pastor, carne asada, and longaniza.
Whatever you do, be sure to try the elote here; their version of a wood grilled ear of corn covered in mayo, cotija cheese, chile piquin, and smoked paprika keeps locals coming back for more.
Neighborhood: Garfield
Address: 623 E. Adams St. Phoenix, AZ 85004
Buck & Rider
Head to the Arcadia neighborhood for some of the freshest seafood in the Phoenix area. From the daily market catch and Maine lobster to calamari with Thai dipping sauce and the Dungeness Crab wedge salad, Buck & Rider is where seafood lovers come to dine. They also serve brunch and have a daily happy hour from 11:30am to 7pm, so you’ll find a lively atmosphere at every hour of the day.
Neighborhood: Arcadia
Address: 4225 E Camelback Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85018
Welcome Chicken + Donuts
This aptly-named spot in downtown Phoenix happens to be one of the best casual restaurants in the city. Serving up tasty, all-natural and antibiotic-free fried chicken and housemade donut, Welcome Chicken + Donuts does not disappoint. For your fried chicken, choose between spicy and sweet Korean chili, Japanese BBQ with sesame seeds, and garlic Vietnamese herb with cilantro. Their donuts are hot and fresh, and change seasonally based on available ingredients.
The one tricky part to this spot is timing: they don’t start serving chicken until after 10:30am and their donuts go quickly. So, if you’re looking for a the combo, try going as close to 10:30am as possible. While you’re there early, start your brunch off right with their Thai Bloody Mary; it’s a must-have.
Neighborhood: Downtown Phoenix
Address: 1535 E Buckeye Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85034
Little Miss BBQ
Phoenix has never been known for its smoked meats, but Little Miss BBQ certainly challenges that notion. Born out of a competitive barbecue team’s passion for producing quality products, Little Miss BBQ cooks up some mouthwatering grub. Their menu consists of pulled pork, chicken, brisket (chopped or sliced), beef and pork ribs, sausage, pastrami brisket, and turkey. They also offer four sides–coleslaw, jalapeño cheddar grits, potato salad, and ranch style beans– and a smoked, mini pecan pie if you have any room left for dessert.
Neighborhood: Tempe
Address: 4301 E University Dr, Phoenix, AZ 85034
Nishikawa Ramen
Fresh, made-from-scratch noodles, a signature broth that takes 20-hours to make, and an inviting atmosphere make this authentic ramen spot a must-try in Phoenix. Start with the gyozas served with ponzu sauce and the spicy garlic and miso edamame. You can’t go wrong with your ramen choice, but the Tonkatsu and Shisho ramen are popular here. The bowl are also crowd pleasers, especially the pork belly bowl with sautéed onion, sesame seed, shredded nori, rice, and green onion.
Neighborhood: Arcadia
Address: 3141 E Indian School Rd, Phoenix, Arizona 85016
Cibo Urban Pizzeria
Cibo might take the cake for one of the best restaurants in Phoenix if the criteria were purely based on atmosphere. This romantic spot features a massive outdoor patio complete with string lights and a fire pit. It’s also proud to serve 100% neapolitan pizzas, with too many choices to count. Even if you’re more into a salad and pasta combo, you’ll have plenty of options. They always have two rotating pasta dishes and a full menu of salads and antipastas.
Neighborhood: Garfield
Address: 603 N. 5th Ave Phoenix, AZ 85003
Which one of these best restaurants in Phoenix will you try first? If you’re new in town and still looking to get settled, be sure to check out our apartments for rent and find your favorite neighborhood restaurant.
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