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11 Favorite Phoenix Fine-Dining Restaurants

Dine and be dazzled at these seven Phoenix fine-dining restaurants.

Who doesn't dream of experiencing a chic restaurant with impeccable culinary creations and flawless service? The kind of top-shelf affairs in which the waiter anticipates your requests before you think to ask, and who deftly whisks the trail of fresh bread crumbs from the white tablecloth without notice. While such meticulous dining focus is a case of food fiction in many restaurants, the one-of-a-kind treatment and penchant for detail is a reality in these high-end Phoenix restaurants, which cater to customer's dining expectations from the first plating to final course in gracious style.

Kai

It’s not easy to command the wait staff’s attention at some restaurants, but that isn’t the case at Kai, the upscale dining establishment located at the Sheraton Grand Wild Horse Pass Resort. As the only AAA Five Diamond and Forbes Five-Star restaurant in Arizona, Kai takes service—and a carefully crafted menu—seriously. Course by course, guests are treated to a creative and culturally significant food presentation representing elegant Native American fare, which unfolds in a dynamic storytelling journey guided by the wait staff who masterfully deliver the dining narrative without being intrusive.

LON’s at The Hermosa Inn

Earthy adobe meets sophisticated setup with a world-class view at Lon’s at the Hermosa, where old-age methods of smoking, roasting and grilling converge with classic European cooking techniques for an exceptional modern culinary event. The artful cuisine created with herbs and heirloom fruits, vegetables and grains picked from the inn’s garden are incorporated into the extraordinary dishes that define New American flavors.

Discerning guests also can sample above-board picks from Lon’s subterranean wine cellar and three wine vaults, a lineup consistently recognized by Wine Spectator, which house more than 500 food wines from American appellations to classic Old World vintage.

Quiessence at The Farm

Don't let the quaint rustic appearance fool you. Quiessence, located in a historical house at the end of a tree-lined lane at The Farm at South Phoenix, is a high-end epicurean adventure for those with a taste for market-driven, American-inspired, sustainable food and wines. The seasonal, farm-to-table selections help set the stage for an idyllic evening of pure fine dining without pretense in an off-the-beaten path destination that is worth the trip to the “country.” The refined, but simple menu includes house-made breads, fromage, handcrafted pastas and local produce from The Farm and other Valley farms.

T. Cook's

Once the winter estate for a New York financier in the 1930s, the Royal Palms Resort exudes the gracious sophistication and timeless glamour of Phoenix as a desert retreat for the rich and famous. At T. Cook’s, executive chef Todd Allison creates inspired, ingredient-driven dishes made with fresh, seasonal ingredients. Feast like a king on such creations as herb-roasted Norwegian halibut served with ruby grapefruit; or handmade forest mushroom lasagna with Blue Sky Farms spinach, Japanese eggplant and celery root. Whether you’re dining in the lush dining room, the cobblestone patio brimming with flowers, or tucked away in a candlelit romantic nook, you’ll experience Phoenix fine dining at its best.

Binkley's Restaurant

For a truly unique dining experience, reserve a seat at Binkley’s, owned by acclaimed chef Kevin Binkley. Come prepared, however, because dining at Binkley’s is a commitment—one that explores 20 courses stretched out over more than three hours. The dinner is truly experiential, featuring tempting first bites, bar “snacks,” inspiring main dishes, and creative desserts—all served by Binkley himself, who engages and interacts with diners throughout the evening. Past menus have included scallop mouse and sweet potato puree with uni; charred poke salmon; milk-fed lamb with freshly baked pita; and chocolate “puddin’ cake.” There is one seating and one set menu each evening, and reservations are required in advance.

Vincent on Camelback 

The desert Southwest meets the cafés of France at Vincent on Camelback, one of the longest-running restaurants in the Valley. Opened in 1986 by chef-owner Vincent Guerithault—who received the James Beard Award for America’s Best Chef: Southwest—the restaurant is decidedly intimate and intriguing, serving classic French cuisine infused with Southwestern ingredients. The dinner menu changes daily, but expect such creations as lobster chimichanga with goat cheese and basil buerre blanc; duck confit with pommes Lyonnaise and citrus sauce; and raspberry clafoutis with amaretto ice cream. C’est magnifique!

Steak 44

Opened by two James Beard-nominated restaurateurs, Steak 44 redefines what the classic American steakhouse looks like. The menu features USA Prime steaks sourced from the farms of America's heartland. While most guests visit Steak 44 for a taste of their legendary steaks, they also offer high-quality lamb, pork, and fresh seafood. Enjoy your pick of succulent Alaskan king crab, Maine lobster, and Hawaiian poke from the raw bar, including hand-picked oysters from the Atlantic and Pacific ocean. Wine lovers will appreciate the 3,000-bottle wine vault sweeping across the entryway of Steak 44. For those looking for an intimate dining experience, book a private dining suite, where you can watch the master chefs make your meal in front of you. 

Bacanora

Based out of the historic Braggs Pie Factory building in the Grand Ave neighborhood, Bacanora serves wood-fired Sonoran Mexican comfort food. Nominated twice for a James Beard award, Chef Andrade sources his ingredients locally and brings his unique blend of Sonoran flavors to the Valley. His Carne Asada gets the same treatment as the elote and pollo asado—everything is charred through the Mesquite-fired grill. Bacanora was named one of the top 50 restaurants in the U.S. by Bon Appetit in 2022 when it first opened. Andrade's buzzy restaurant only seats 36, so make sure you book a reservation early. 

Valentine

With a standout menu inspired by the Southwest, Valentine features unique ingredients sourced locally such as chiltepin chili, O'odham squash, prickly pear, stone-fruit cajeta, and more. A hot dog at Valentine will be unlike any other hotdog in Phoenix. The "Valentine dog" has yuzu mayo, chayote slaw, and mesquite smoked trout roe. Crystal Kass, Valentine's pastry chef, was nominated for a 2024 James Beard Award. With pastries like the mesquite mayo chocolate chip cookie, green chili cheddar and chorizo scone, and the chiltepin eclair, it's easy to see why James Beard is knocking on Valentine's door. Valentine Chef Donald Hawk, one of the top emerging chefs in the Valley, was also nominated for a James Beard award back in 2023. 

Tia Carmen

Impress your date with dinner at Tia Carmen, where desert and minimalist-inspired aesthetics will inspire you to Instagram your dinner. The Latin-inspired fare at Tia Carmen includes dishes such as wagyu tomahawk ribeye served with a tepary bean mole, tuna crudo, and mushroom menudo. Chef Andrew Sosa named the restaurant after his Tia Carmen, who's cuisine and life lessons inspired him to become a chef. The chef has been recognized as the winner of Top Chef: All Stars and appeared on the Max original show from Selena Gomez, Selena + Chef. 

théa

Named after the goddess of light, théa is located on the rooftop of The Global Ambassador Hotel, overlooking Camelback Mountain. The menu at théa offers fresh and refreshing mediterranean dishes, with vibrant mezze platters designed to be shared family-style. Dishes on the menu include pasta, coastal seafood, flatbreads, vegetables, protein skewers, and much more. The cocktails are not to be missed—from It Was All A Dream to The Greek Prince, you can't go wrong with any of their selections. The 18,000-square-foot restaurant offers a cozy, intimate ambiance inside and a unique rooftop with unforgettable views of the Phoenix skyline.