Apache Junction

Hang on to your hat – cowboy hat that is! Apache Junction’s Mining Camp Restaurant serves portions the size of a ranch, so the cowgirl or cowboy wannabe in your family is sure to feel right at home. Cozy up to the bar at all of Apache Junction’s local pubs, bar and grills and even a local saloon. Or, try Los Tacos – authentic Mexican food with friendly locals. Strangely enough, we’ve heard AJ has one heck of a gyro too – check out Chicago’s Number One Gyro.

Jake’s O Mine Saloon
What the Hell Bar & Grill
Mining Camp Restaurant
Apache Junction Restaurants & Nightlife

Avondale

Avondale offers a diverse selection of foods from around the world, all with rave reviews – like Flavors of Louisiana, Thai Orchid Garden and Tortas Paquime. Or, grab a thick steak and check out some live music at Cowgirls Steakhouse & Saloon. Locals’ favorite TJ’s Homestyle Restaurant prepares large portions of down-home food like chicken fried steak. Avondale also has several familiar -- yet crave-worthy – options for burgers and the like, with stops like In-n-Out Burger and Smashburger.

Flavors of Louisiana
Thai Orchid Garden
Tortas Paquime
Cowgirls Steakhouse & Saloon
Avondale Restaurants & Nightlife

Buckeye

Don’t miss the Mexican food in Buckeye, a small town with no less than eight Mexican restaurants. Local favorites include La Placita Café, Verrado Grille and The Sheep Camp, as well as local hotspot Grazie Pizzeria Wine Bar. Sports fan? Watch a football game at Halftime Sports Bar or play some pool or darts at Waddell’s Longhorn corral.

Waddell’s Longhorn Corral
Halftime Sports Bar and Grill
La Placita Café
Verrado Grille
Buckeye Restaurants & Nightlife

Casa Grande

Greater Phoenix and great Mexican food go hand in hand, but Casa Grande may offer more Mexican food per capita than in any other local city. They’re so good, you’ll want to try them all. Craving something besides burritos? Check out Creative Café, Tommy’s Bistro or Feli’s Cuban Kitchen. For a casual drink, try the Silver Bullet bar and for something a little fancier, check out Francisco Grande Hotel and Golf Resort.

Creative Cafe
Tommy’s Bistro
Francisco’s Grande Hotel & Golf Resort
Casa Grande Restaurants

Chandler

Cosmopolitan and casual in one, Chandler’s the place to find pretty much any kind of food – in fact, it’s home to hundreds of top-rated restaurants – including more than 70 Asian destinations. For a real treat, try the unique Native American flavors of Kai at Sheraton Wild Horse Pass, Japanese specialties at Shimogamo and Tokyo House or Hawaiian fusion at Roy’s. There is also a variety of local pubs and lounges, and Pesto’s Pizza & Wine Bar is a hot spot for both yummy pizza and fabulous wine.

Kai
Shimogamo
Roy’s
Pesto’s Pizza & Wine Bar
Chandler Restaurants & Nightlife

Fountain Hills

In one of the prettiest cities in Greater Phoenix, most of Fountain Hills’ establishments have a beautiful view of the natural, mountainous surroundings – like Vu Bistro, with its panoramic view, it’s the perfect place for a romantic night out. Or, try a slice of Italy at Sapori D’Italia or tapas and sangria at Sofrita. There are plenty of options for both dining and nightlife, but many will say you haven’t lived until you’ve tried the flapjacks at – you guessed it – Flapjacks in Fountain Hills.

Sapori D’Italia
Sofrita
Vu Bistro
Flapjacks
Fountain Hills Restaurants

Gila Bend

Gila Bend is a small community bound to grow with its recent success in the solar industry. The Little Italy Pizza & Restaurant is a popular spot for locals, as is Sofia’s Mexican Restaurant. But mention Gila Bend and you’re sure to hear about the Space Age Restaurant, which feels a little like you stepped into the future with its space theme, but also like you’ve stepped back in time with its 1950s diner feel.

Little Italy Pizza & Restaurant

Gilbert

With more than 250 restaurants, it’s fun to try something new almost every day of the year in Gilbert. Ask a local and you’ll hear rave reviews for restaurants like Casanova Brothers Pizza, Liberty Market, Joe’s Farm Grill, Sushi San and Phoenicia Grill. The area also boast various sports bars, lounges and a few cigar bars, including Fox Cigar Bar, one of the coolest-looking places to smoke a stogie ever. Down Under Wines & Bistro is also a local favorite for a fun night out.

Casanova Brothers Pizza
Liberty Market
Joe’s Farm Grill*
Sushi San
Phoenicia Grill
Down Under Wines & Bistro
Fox Cigar Bar

*Featured on the Food Network’s Diners, Drive-ins and Dives

Glendale

Glendale offers a plethora of sophisticated dining choices from its popular Polish spot, A Touch of European Café, to Le Chalet, a top-rated restaurant dedicated to two of the best dishes in the world – crepes and fondue. For those seeking something truly different, try the German restaurant Haus Murphy’s, featured on the Food Network’s Diners, Drive-ins and Dives. And when you’re ready to hit the town, you’ll find the whole range: dive bars, sports bars and lounges. But two Glendale spots offer the opportunity to be the entertainment – Mighty Club and The Shout House.

A Touch of European Café
Siam Thai Cuisine
Haus Murphy’s*
La Piazza Al Forno*
Le Chalet
Tutti Santi
The Shout House

*Featured on the Food Network’s Diners, Drive-ins and Dives

Goodyear

Goodyear has grown quite a bit in recent years and its restaurant community has grown in size and diversity as well. For a casual bite, head to Ivy League Dogs for hot dogs that definitely rival Los Angeles’ Pinks, or to Naked Pizza for all-natural, organic pies that don’t taste like they’re good for you. Naked Pizza’s headquarters are in Goodyear as well. For higher-end cuisine, try the popular Tomo Japanese Cuisine, Ah-Hai Sushi & Grill or Nakama Sushi Restaurant & Lounge, also a popular spot for singles and sake.

Tomo Japanese Cuisine
Ah-Hai Sushi & Grill
Naked Pizza
Nakama Sushi Restaurant & Lounge

Maricopa

Maricopa is home to Harrah’s Hotel & Casino, which is not only a popular spot for cocktails and gambling, but is home to The Buffet – a massive all-you-can-eat feast rivaling those in Las Vegas where you can eat your weight in crab, shrimp and other seafood. Locals also love the Sunrise Café for friendly service and a delicious breakfast, or Romy’s BBQ, where Romy himself prepares a rack of ribs that cooks all day long.

Harrah’s Hotel and Casino
Sunrise Café

Mesa

Find something new on every corner in this city filled with more than 900 restaurants. If you prefer a bit of history with your dinner, try The Landmark Restaurant in historic downtown. Meanwhile, the Cornish Pasty Company constantly gets rave reviews for both its traditional – and decidedly nontraditional – takes on the traditional British dish, while The Organ Stop offers a unique experience with the Mighty Wulitzer, one of the largest theater organs in the world, serving as its centerpiece. A plethora of bars give you nightlife options galore, from county music star Toby Keith’s bar/restaurant to the Monastery, where you can play sand volleyball and enjoy some drinks with friends all at once.

Cornish Pasty Company
The Organ Stop
The Landmark Restaurant
The Monastery
Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar & Grill
Mesa Restaurants & Nightlife

Peoria

Choose from casual or fine dining in Peoria, a comfortable community with plenty of options. Its Vistancia Country Club is a popular gathering place, but locally owned Leo’s Island BBQ, Satara and many others are always busy as well. Visit the enormous Lee Lee Asian Supermarket – featuring foods from countries across the continent – to create your own culinary masterpiece, or for a night out on the town, check out SKYE nightclub, Sandbar or Salty Senorita.

Lee Lee Asian Supermarket
Satara
SKYE Nightclub
Sandbar
Peoria Restaurants & Nightlife

Phoenix

Phoenix is a large city – and has all the dining and nightlife you’d expect from a major metro. Old-school favorites include Lo-Lo’s Chicken & Waffles (don’t knock it ‘til ya try it), Durant’s (a dimly lit, mob-like steakhouse), Los Dos Molinos (as spicy as spicy food gets), Pizzeria Bianco (featured as the best pizza in the world in more than one publication) and Carolina’s (best homemade tortillas on earth). Newer, independently owned spots pop up almost daily – some of the local favorites include Cibo, Postino, Richardson’s of New Mexico and Barrio Café. Phoenix is home to some delicious breakfast joints too, including comfort-food favorites like Matt’s Big Breakfast and Over Easy – both featured on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives – and sunny outdoor destinations like the Farm at South Mountain. Nightlife includes casual yet funky stops all over our bustling downtown – like the independent theater and bar, FilmBar, Lost Leaf and live music venue Crescent Ballroom. For something slightly more formal, try Merc Bar in the chic Biltmore area or Blue Martini in North Phoenix, or any of the local resort’s restaurants or bars.

*Featured on the Food Network’s Diners, Drive-ins and Dives

Queen Creek

Tucked away in a semi-rural setting, Queen Creek offers some of the most unique dining experiences around. The Queen Creek Olive Mill produces the state’s only extra virgin olive oil – 16 varieties, in fact. You can purchase products at the market, take classes, or pull a seat up to its in-house deli. Another deli, aptly called The Deli, is a popular spot for sandwiches made with all organic, locally grown products. The County Place Mexican Food offers great Mexican fare served by its friendly owner in a Queen Creek home, and for something truly unique, make reservations at Schnepf Farms for one of its Dinner Down the Orchards, a four-course meal and wine pairing with a local chef literally served in the peach orchards at the farm. Sports bars and dive bars abound here, or head to San Tan Flat for food, alcohol, live music and the ability to make your own s’mores!

Queen Creek Olive Mill
The Deli
San Tan Flat
The Country Place Mexican Food
Schnepf Farms

Scottsdale

Scottsdale’s restaurant and nightlife scene rivals that of Los Angeles or Chicago. In Scottsdale, it’s really about what you’re in the mood for – a foodie’s paradise, it features highly regarded restaurants like FnB, Mastro’s City Hall Steakhouse, Fogo de Chao, Petite Maison, Roka Akor and Sassi – among hundreds of others! At night, Scottsdale has all the see-and-be-seen style you could ask for, but you’ll find a variety of bars, lounges and nightclubs. From the super casual like Rusty Spur, Coach House and Dos Gringos to lounges like Red Revolver, Suede and Mabel’s On Main to full-blown nightclubs like Axis-Radius and Myst, pretty much every night is happenin’ in Scottsdale. Additionally, many of the local hotels and resorts offer hot bar scenes and some of the most popular events, particularly poolside.

Surprise

Take your taste buds on a trip around the world in Surprise, which is home to a variety of ethnic restaurants like Vogue Bistro (French), Saigon Kitchen (Vietnamese), Mike’s Bistro (Greek), Fresh Wasabi Sushi & Grill (Japanese), Caramba (Mexican) and Picazzo’s Organic Italian Kitchen (Italian – also serves gluten-free, dairy-free and vegetarian). For nightlife, there are several sports bars to choose from as well as the High Octane Lounge.

Vogue Bistro
Amuse Bouche
Fresh Wasabi Sushi & Grill
Caramba Fresh Mexican Food
High Octane Lounge
Surprise Restaurants & Nightlife

Tempe

Home to the main campus of ASU, Tempe is a walkable city filled with plenty of youthful energy. The main street, Mill Avenue, is jam-packed with restaurants and bars, like La Bocca, a chic pizza-and-wine bar, Z’Tejas, known for its stealthily strong margaritas, and plenty of casual options including sandwich and sub shops. Just off Mill, you’ll find the renowned Chuck Box, known for its fantastic cheeseburgers, as well as more upscale dining like House of Tricks, the ultimate spot for a first date. Beyond the literally hundreds of dining options is a lively nightlife with something fun to do everywhere you look. Attend an event at Gammage Auditorium or Tempe Center for the Arts, hit up a local brewery Four Peaks, or just relax at one of several taverns or hookah lounges. You’ll also find old favorites like Casey Moore’s and new additions like Canteen Tequila Bar, as well as a multitude of patio bars – it is a city where you can sit outside all year round, after all.

Tolleson

Tolleson has a handful of tasty Mexican restaurants, including the locally beloved La Flor De Michoacan and Tamales Guadalajara Restaurante. If you’re in the mood for something a bit more exotic, check out Hula Hawaiian BBQ or Blossom Asian Cuisine. For nightlife, try Fuego Bar & Grill or Longbranch, a no-frills, cash-only bar with live music and pool tables.

City of Tolleson

Wickenburg

Wickenburg is known for more than just its Old West feel – it’s got some great cooks, and nearly all the restaurants in town are locally owned. For starters, try Horseshoe Café for a home-cooked breakfast or brunch. El Ranchero cooks up some tasty Mexican food, Avi’s Screamers Drive In knows how to make a mean burger, Hog Trough Smokehouse BBQ has some finger-lickin’ sauce and at Nana’s Sandwich Saloon, start with the sandwich and end the night with cocktails.

Hog Trough Smokehouse BBQ
City of Wickenburg