10 Underrated Restaurants In Arizona That Will Totally Surprise You
Arizona’s food scene is full of hidden gems waiting to be discovered. Beyond the well-known spots in Phoenix and Scottsdale, there are amazing restaurants tucked away in small towns and unexpected places.
I’ve explored the state to find places that locals love but tourists often miss. Get ready to discover some mouthwatering spots that deserve way more attention!
1. Cafe Roka In Bisbee
Nestled in the quirky mining town of Bisbee, Cafe Roka offers fine dining without any pretentiousness. The chef transforms local ingredients into Mediterranean-inspired dishes that would impress even the pickiest food critics. Their four-course prix fixe menu changes seasonally, ensuring the freshest flavors possible.
What makes this place special is the historic building it occupies a beautifully restored 1907 structure with original brick walls and hardwood floors. Jazz music often fills the intimate space, creating the perfect backdrop for a memorable meal.
Don’t miss their homemade bread and incredible wine selection. The staff treats you like family while maintaining professional service that rivals big-city establishments.
2. Elote Cafe In Sedona
Hidden away from Sedona’s tourist traps, Elote Cafe serves Mexican-inspired cuisine that will blow your taste buds away. Chef Jeff Smedstad spent years traveling through Mexico, learning authentic recipes and techniques before opening this gem. The signature elote (fire-roasted corn with spicy mayo) is absolutely life-changing.
Lines form before opening because locals know how special this place is. The restaurant doesn’t take reservations, but trust me the wait is worth every minute. Sunset views from their patio make the experience even more magical.
Try their lamb adobo or smoked pork cheeks with handmade tortillas. Pair your meal with their impressive selection of mezcal or a prickly pear margarita.
3. Proper In Tucson
If you’re looking for farm-to-table dining that doesn’t break the bank, Proper will exceed your expectations. This Tucson hotspot sources ingredients from within a 100-mile radius whenever possible. The menu changes frequently based on what’s fresh, making each visit a new adventure.
The restaurant occupies a converted gas station with industrial-chic vibes and an open kitchen where you can watch chefs work their magic. Their creative cocktail program features herbs grown in their own garden, adding unique flavors you won’t find elsewhere.
Must-try dishes include their duck confit hash at brunch and the mesquite-grilled vegetables at dinner. Even simple items like their house-made butter will make you rethink what food should taste like.
4. Criollo Latin Kitchen In Flagstaff
Flagstaff’s food scene has exploded in recent years, but Criollo remains a standout that many visitors miss. This Latin-inspired restaurant takes sustainable dining seriously, partnering with over 40 local farmers and producers. Their commitment to environmental responsibility extends to composting food waste and using eco-friendly packaging.
The cozy, colorful space feels like dining in someone’s home rather than a restaurant. Walls feature work from local artists, and the staff knows regulars by name. Even the music playlist feels carefully curated to enhance your meal.
Order the chilaquiles for breakfast or the chimichurri steak for dinner. Their homemade hot sauces add the perfect kick to already flavorful dishes.
5. Pizzeria Bianco in Tucson
Everyone knows about Chris Bianco’s famous Phoenix location, but the Tucson outpost flies surprisingly under the radar. Located in downtown Tucson, this spot offers the same incredible wood-fired pizzas without the notorious multi-hour waits of the original.
The space feels more relaxed than its Phoenix counterpart, with high ceilings, large windows, and a welcoming bar area. You’ll still find the same obsessive attention to ingredients from the perfect San Marzano tomatoes to housemade mozzarella.
Though pizza is the star, don’t skip their market salad or wood-roasted vegetables. The simplicity of each dish highlights the quality of ingredients and Bianco’s culinary philosophy. This location proves that sometimes the second outpost of a famous restaurant can be just as good as the original.
6. Garland’s Indian Gardens Cafe In Oak Creek
Halfway between Sedona and Flagstaff sits this charming cafe that most tourists speed right past. Garland’s serves breakfast and lunch in a historic apple orchard with outdoor seating that puts you right in the heart of Oak Creek’s natural beauty. The building dates back to the 1940s and has retained its rustic charm.
Ingredients come from their own garden when possible, and everything is made from scratch daily. Their sandwiches feature house-baked bread that will make you swear off store-bought forever. The homemade pies change with the seasons but are consistently amazing.
After eating, browse their small market section for local jams, honey, and crafts. This spot perfectly captures the laid-back, nature-loving spirit of northern Arizona.
7. Kai At Wild Horse Pass
Did you know Arizona has the only Native American-owned restaurant with both Forbes Five-Star and AAA Five-Diamond ratings? Kai, which means ‘seed’ in the Pima language, offers a dining experience that tells the story of the Pima and Maricopa tribes through food.
The restaurant sits on the Gila River Indian Reservation with stunning desert views. Chef Ryan Swanson creates dishes using indigenous ingredients like tepary beans, cholla buds, and mesquite. Each plate is a work of art that honors tribal traditions while pushing culinary boundaries.
Though not cheap, the tasting menu offers value beyond the food it’s a cultural education. The staff explains the significance of each ingredient and preparation method, making dinner here a truly memorable Arizona experience.
8. Cowboy Club In Sedona
While tourists flock to Sedona’s newer restaurants, locals still love The Cowboy Club for its authentic Southwestern cuisine and fascinating history. The building once housed the Oak Creek Tavern, where Hollywood stars like John Wayne hung out while filming Westerns in the area.
Their menu features game meats rarely found elsewhere think elk, buffalo, and venison prepared with regional spices and cooking techniques. The cactus fries appetizer has become legendary, serving prickly pear cactus paddles battered and fried to crispy perfection.
The walls are decorated with movie memorabilia and Western artifacts that tell the story of Sedona’s past. After dinner, check out the Silver Saddle Room upstairs for craft cocktails in an atmosphere that feels like stepping back in time.
9. The Coronado In Phoenix
Vegans and meat-eaters alike flock to this unassuming spot in a converted 1950s home in Phoenix’s Coronado neighborhood. The plant-based menu draws inspiration from Mexican, Southwestern, and American comfort foods, creating dishes so satisfying you won’t miss animal products at all.
The space feels like dining at a hip friend’s house, with mismatched vintage furniture, local art, and a small but lovely patio. Their coffee program rivals specialty cafes, featuring house-made nut milks and syrups that complement their food perfectly.
Try their jackfruit carnitas tacos or the mushroom “chorizo” breakfast burrito. Even their desserts like the coconut-cashew cheesecake might convert the most dedicated dairy lovers. This spot proves that plant-based dining in Arizona goes way beyond basic salads.
10. Cafe Poca Cosa In Tucson
Though it’s been around for decades, Cafe Poca Cosa remains criminally underrated outside Tucson. Chef-owner Suzana Davila changes the menu twice daily based on market availability, writing it on a portable chalkboard that servers bring to your table. If you’re indecisive, order the Plato Poca Cosa a chef’s choice of three different entrees that showcase the kitchen’s range.
The downtown space balances elegance with approachability, featuring bold colors and Mexican folk art. Davila often circulates through the dining room, greeting guests like old friends regardless of whether it’s your first visit or hundredth.
Their mole sauces are legendary, often featuring up to 30 ingredients and days of preparation. Don’t miss their signature margaritas and homemade agua frescas that perfectly complement the complex flavors.
