The top 50 restaurants in Phoenix right now
Welcome to our list of the best restaurants in Phoenix. You may notice that things look a little different this time around.
Every year, Phoenix New Times publishes a list of the top spots to eat in the Valley. Until now, that list has featured 100 restaurants. This year, we’ve cut that in half, selecting the Top 50 restaurants in Phoenix.
Why put 50 top-flight establishments on the chopping block? We’ve narrowed our picks to give you a more refined selection of the very best places to eat in the Valley right now. And instead of waiting a year to declare the next batch, we’ll revise this list throughout the year, removing restaurants that close and adding new ones as they rise to the top echelon of Phoenix dining.
Selecting just 50 restaurants to celebrate has been no easy task. Phoenix is packed with superb places to enjoy a meal. Valley chefs are pushing boundaries, sharing their culture through cuisine and delighting eaters with unique flavors and techniques.
To choose which spots would make it to the Top 50, we considered each restaurant’s ambiance, level of service and drink program (and how well it complements the food). We also weighed the intentionality of the concept and cuisine — does the menu accomplish what the chef has set out to do? And, of course, we considered the taste of the food.
Most of these restaurants excel across several of our criteria. At a few, the food is just so dang good, nothing else matters.
To help you navigate these restaurants, we’ve split our list into four categories. We start with the exciting newcomers that opened during the past year. We’ve got special-occasion eateries, perfect for a birthday or anniversary. Next up are everyday neighborhood favorites, where you’ll dine among regulars. Finally, there are casual, counter service spots that are quick, easy and memorable.
We hope you’ll use this list to eat your way around the Valley. Any time you need a recommendation, start here. And come back often, as we update the list with the hottest new spots and our own recent obsessions.
Compiling this list takes a lot of research and intense conversations about the intricacies of what makes a restaurant truly great. All that work ensures you can find an easy answer the next time you wonder where you should go for dinner. With that — bon appétit!