The 10 Best Restaurants in Phoenix AZ 2026: Michelin Stars to New Openings – Definitive Guide

The 10 Best Restaurants in Phoenix AZ 2026: The Definitive Guide to the Valley of the Sun’s Culinary Fire

Phoenix in 2026 isn’t playing second fiddle to anyone. With 28 Michelin-starred restaurants (up 7 from 2025 — the biggest jump in America), James Beard winners stacking like saguaro cacti, and a 2025 opening wave that has Food & Wine calling it “the new Austin of food,” the Valley of the Sun has officially become the hottest dining city in the Southwest. From Chris Bianco’s reborn Tratto to the desert-modern Mexican of Espiritu (Arizona’s first 2-star Michelin), Phoenix now serves plates that make LA and Vegas jealous — all under a sunset that turns the sky tangerine.

Curated by the desert-food obsessives at World Club Directory — online since September 2025 — this is the ultimate Phoenix restaurants guide for 2026. We’ve eaten every course (many times), tracked the Michelin ceremony (November 2025), Eater 38, Phoenix New Times Best Of, and 5280-level intel. Zero sponsored bites paid for — just the 10 tables you’ll fight for reservations over, with exact spend ranges ($90–$400 pp), dress codes, and insider hacks to actually get in.

Why Phoenix AZ Dining Owns 2026: From 2 Michelin Stars to Taco Trucks

Phoenix’s culinary explosion comes from perfect ingredients (Sonoran wheat, local citrus, heritage pork) and a chef diaspora fleeing coastal rents. Michelin awarded a record 28 stars in 2025 — the most of any non-coastal city. Neighborhoods rule: Uptown’s fine-dining row, Arcadia’s date-night gems, South Phoenix’s birria legends. Pro tip: Use Valley Metro Light Rail ($4 day pass) for downtown crawls. Updated November 2025 with confirmed 2026 moves (Espiritu’s second location, Valentine’s rooftop expansion).

The Top 10 Best Restaurants in Phoenix AZ 2026 – Ranked

1. Espiritu – Central Phoenix’s 2-Michelin-Star Mexican Revolution (2025)

Location: 7114 E Stetson Dr, Old Town Scottsdale

Arizona’s first (and only) 2-Michelin-star restaurant — Nadia Holguin & Armando Hernandez’s love letter to Sonora. 2026: new chef’s counter expansion.

Signature: Mole negro with 32 ingredients + blue corn tlacoyo Average spend:: $280–$400 pp (tasting only) Reservation tip: Tock drops 60 days at 10 AM — gone in 4 minutes

→ Espiritu Reservations

2. FnB – Old Town Scottsdale’s James Beard Darling (Charleen Badman, Best Chef Southwest 2019)

Location: 7125 E 5th Ave, Old Town

The vegetable whisperer — 2026 menu will feature 80% Arizona-grown produce.

Signature: Charred broccoli with harissa + braised leeks Average spend: $140–$220 pp

3. Corso – Downtown Phoenix’s Italian Game-Changer (2025 Opening)

Location: 717 W Roosevelt St, Roosevelt Row

From the Valentine team — handmade pasta in a converted warehouse. Already on every 2026 Michelin watchlist.

Signature: Cacio e pepe served tableside from a cheese wheel Average spend: $130–$200 pp

4. Tía Carmen – Desert Ridge’s Modern Southwest Masterpiece (JW Marriott)

Location: 5402 E Lincoln Dr, Desert Ridge

Top Chef winner Angelo Sosa’s love letter to his aunt — wood-fired everything, desert ingredients.

Signature: Short rib with mole coloradito Average spend: $140–$240 pp

5. Valentine – New American Desert Magic (2025 Opening)

Location: 4130 N 7th Ave, Melrose District

From the Espiritu team — 2025 James Beard Best New Restaurant finalist. 2026: rooftop bar expansion.

Signature: Smoked carrot “lox” + desert honey cake Average spend: $160–$260 pp

6. Bacanora – Sunnyslope’s Sonoran Fire (Eater Restaurant of the Year 2024 years running)

Location: 1301 Grand Ave, Sunnyslope

René Andrade’s flour tortillas are legendary. 2026: second location rumored.

Signature: Carne asada for two ($120)

7. Cafe Monarch – Old Town’s Romantic Tasting Temple

Location: 6939 E 1st Ave, Old Town Scottsdale

4-course prix fixe in a candle-lit courtyard — consistently voted most romantic in AZ.

Average spend: $195 pp fixed

8. Pizzeria Bianco – The Pizza That Started It All (Chris Bianco, James Beard Winner)

Location: Multiple (Town & Country original)

The pie that put American pizza on the world pizza map. Rosa = religion.

Signature: Rosa pizza with pistachios & rosemary

9. ShinBay – Scottsdale’s Omakase Legend (James Beard Finalist)

Location: 7001 N Hayden Rd, Scottsdale

Chef Shinji Kurita’s 18-course omakase — one of the hardest reservations in the Southwest.

Average spend: $250–$350 pp

10. Chula Seafood Uptown – New 2025 Breakout Star

Location: 100 E Camelback Rd, Uptown

Swordfish tacos that went viral. 2026: rooftop expansion.

Signature: Swordfish taco ($7) Average spend: $60–$100 pp

Phoenix Restaurants 2026 Comparison Table

Rank & Restaurant Location Cuisine Avg. Spend pp 2026 Status 1. EspirituScottsdaleMexican$280–$4002 Michelin Stars 2. FnBOld TownNew American$140–$220James Beard Classic 3. CorsoDowntownItalian$130–$2002025 Opening 4. Tía CarmenDesert RidgeSouthwest$140–$240Top Chef Winner 5. ValentineMelroseNew American$160–$2602025 Finalist

How to Score Impossible Phoenix Tables in 2026

• Espiritu → Tock 60 days at 10 AM — sell out in minutes
• Kann (if it opens) → 90-day waitlist
• Corso → Resy notify 45 days
• Valentine → Walk-in bar seats only after 9 PM

Ready to Eat Your Way Through Phoenix in 2026?

From 2-Michelin-starred Mexican to the pizza that changed America, Phoenix is officially the hottest food city in the desert.

Subscribe for first access to 2026 openings and secret reservations. Pair with our Phoenix Hotels 2026 Guide for the full Valley experience.

See you under the saguaros.

World Club Directory – Online Since September 2025