12 Bucket List Worthy Restaurants To Try In Arizona, One For Each Month Of The Year
By Katie Lawrence|Updated on November 15, 2022(Originally published November 10, 2022)
×
Katie Lawrence
Author
Katie Lawrence is a Southeast Texas native who graduated 18th in her high school class with a GPA of 4.25. She attended college in the Houston area and began writing for OnlyInYourState in 2015.
Today, Katie writes, edits, and performs several other tasks for OnlyInYourState and has never been more passionate about a job before. Outside of work, you can likely find her curled up on with a hot cup of coffee, practicing yoga, baking, or exploring the beautiful Lone Star State (in particular, the vast and mystical West Texas desert).
In search of the best restaurants in Arizona to try in 2023? Look no further! This is your ultimate dining bucket list, with one dozen mouthwatering restaurants to visit this year – one for each month! From the birthplace of the chimichangas (yes, you read that right) to a haunted hamburger joint that’s scary good, there’s a little bit of everything here. So, without further ado, let’s dig in! Here are our picks for the 12 best restaurants in Arizona to try this year:
Winter is for all things cozy, and Cibo Pizzeria is the kind of restaurant that warms you from the inside out. Nestled in a restored 1913 Bungalow, this charming eatery offers an outdoor fireplace and traditional, Italian-style pizza. Oh, and it only has some of the best pizza in Arizona.
Valentine's Day is on February 14th year after year, so why not bring your special someone to one of the most romantic restaurants in Arizona? Reserve is one of the best fine dining establishments in Old Town Scottsdale. It features a 12-course chef's tasting menu, as well as white-tablecloth seating on a gorgeous patio. You'll feel like you're entering a secret garden full of deliciousness.
3. March - Gertrude's at Desert Botanical Garden (Phoenix)
March signals the arrival of spring, when nature stretches its limbs and begins to wake up from a long winter's rest. Mark the occasion with a meal at Gertrude's, a scenic Arizona restaurant with a view tucked away in the Desert Botanical Garden. Not only will you get to enjoy delicious, farm-to-table cuisine, but you can also marvel at vibrant springtime vegetation.
Who's up for an adventure? April takes us to The Turquoise Room at La Posada in Winslow, one of Arizona's most iconic restaurants. The Southwestern-inspired menu and atmosphere are so perfectly Arizona. You'll love strolling through the gardens and taking in the colorful spring scenery!
Taco Tuesday happens every week, but Cinco de Mayo only comes once a year. That's why our featured restaurant for the month of May is Old Town Tortilla Factory. Nestled in the heart of historic Old Town Scottsdale, the restaurant is known for its 1,400-square-foot flagstone patio. The patio is surrounded by lush greenery and shaded by 100-year-old pecan trees. Homemade tortillas and over 120 different kinds of premium tequila dominate the menu, making for a Cinco de Mayo feast you won't soon forget. These might just be the best tortillas in Arizona. If you've never had one... you are absolutely missing out.
6. June - Agassiz Lodge & Restaurant at Arizona Snowbowl (Flagstaff)
Welcome to the highest-elevation restaurant in Arizona! At over 9,500 feet above sea level, Agassiz Lodge & Restaurant offers a full bar, outdoor deck, and extensive menu with delightfully fresh fare. The town of Flagstaff is one of the most beautiful places in the state, and this might just be the best place to eat while you're there.
Midsummer is for al fresco dining, and Sedona's Cress on Oak Creek has one of the most scenic dining patios in AZ. Under the shade of mighty oaks, enjoy a candlelit meal as the creek gently babbles along just steps from your table. We're not sure which is more beautiful: the view or the plates!
Arizona is known for its fiery summer sunsets, and there's no better place to catch one than Rustler's Rooste. Perched atop South Mountain, the Western-themed steakhouse serves up "Beef and Brew With a View" on its spacious outdoor deck. Learn more about this awesome restaurant in AZ with a view on its official website. Best ribs ever? Best ribs ever.
September 26 is National Chimichanga Day, so naturally, we're headed to the place where the dish originated. El Charro Café has been dishing out chimichangas since 1922, and no other restaurant even comes close to replicating its age-old family recipe. Learn more about the original chimichangas in AZ on El Charro Cafe's official website. Burritos are awesome, but chimichangas take it to the next level.
Happy Halloween! We're headed to the most haunted small town in Arizona to celebrate the spooky season in a big way. Haunted Hamburger features year-round Halloween décor, breathtaking panoramic vistas, and the most sinful chocolate cake you'll ever sink your fangs into. It's so good you'll probably forget about the ghosts... probably. In all seriousness, it really is amazing - and it's worth the somewhat scary drive up the mountain to reach it!
11. November - Rock Springs Cafe (Black Canyon City)
November is the month of Thanksgiving, so we've got pie on the brain. Rock Springs Cafe, established in 1918, is the best place to go when you're craving a big slice. The long-standing eatery sells more pie than any other restaurant in Arizona, with over two dozen kinds on the menu! Come see why this is the most famous pie in Arizona.
12. December - ShadowRock Tap + Table at Hilton Sedona Resort at Bell Rock (Sedona)
ShadowRock Tap + Table, 90 Ridge Trail Dr, Sedona, AZ 86351, USA
Merry Christmas! It's time to get festive at ShadowRock Tap + Table, a lively restaurant at the scenic Hilton Sedona Resort at Bell Rock. ShadowRock hops on the igloo dining trend every year for the holiday season, offering a special menu and festive cocktails. Learn more about igloo dining in Arizona on the official website.
So, there you have it: the best Arizona restaurants to try in 2023. How many have you been to already? Which ones are still on your bucket list? Which ones did we forget to include? Tell us in the comments, and don’t forget to check out our 2023 Arizona hiking bucket list! There, you’ll find some of the most amazing hiking trails in Arizona, all of which deserve a spot on your outdoor bucket list.
For more of the best dining in Arizona, you might want to check out some truly unique, themed restaurants in AZ that are just dying for a visit. On a budget? No problem; you might then be interested in our six favorite budget-friendly places to eat in AZ that you’re sure to love. Enjoy!
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
More to Explore
Best Restaurants In Arizona
Tori Jane|November 15, 2022
What are some of the best restaurants in Arizona?
Some of the best restaurants in Arizona include amazing gems like:
