Dinner with a View: Nine Sedona Restaurant Patios

Cowboy Club

COWBOY CLUB

Uptown Sedona’s Cowboy Club’s bustling patio offers red rock views and is a great place to people watch in one of the city’s busiest areas. Cowboy Club is a Sedona institution that goes way back. Cowboy Club was originally the Oak Creek Tavern, which opened in 1946. It was said to be a popular spot where Western stars (like John Wayne) hung out. In 1965, the Cowboy Artists of America was founded here. In its current iteration, the Cowboy Club has served “high-desert” cuisine since it re-opened in 1993. The menu offers steaks, tangy cactus fries, wild game and only-in-Arizona rattlesnake. The BBQ and bacon are smoked daily on local pecan wood. If you want to go all out, consider the Cowboy BBQ Plate, BBQ chicken, baby back pork ribs, smoked brisket, cilantro-peanut coleslaw, BBQ baked bean, cast-iron cornbread and house-made pickles. We’d recommend ordering a Famous Cowboy prickly pear margarita – one of our top drinks in town – as you soak up the views.

241 N. AZ-89A in Uptown Sedona, 928.282.4200, cowboyclub.com

Che Ah Chi

CHE AH CHI

We’ve enjoyed many memorable evenings at Che Ah Chi, Enchantment Resort’s signature restaurant. But our absolute favorite way to experience this place is at sunset outside. There’s just nothing else like enjoying the fine cuisine here as the sun sets and illuminates the walls of Boynton Canyon. Che Ah Chi is actually the Apache name for Boynton Canyon. You can literally taste the Native American roots in the food menu. Enjoy modern American dishes made with indigenous ingredients using Native American traditions. Anticipate Arizona grass-fed Beef Tenderloin, Coal Charred Bison Strip Steak and Heirloom Bean Cassoulet. We can’t think of a better way to finish your dinner here than by toasting with a glass of wine from the nationally recognized list.

Editor’s note: Che Ah Chi is currently only available to registered guests of Enchantment Resort. Contact the resort directly to ensure if this is still true.

525 Boynton Canyon Road at Enchantment Resort in West Sedona, 928.282.2900, enchantmentresort.com

SaltRock Southwest Kitchen

SALTROCK SOUTHWEST KITCHEN

The patio is where you’ll want to be at SaltRock Southwest Kitchen at the Amara Resort and Spa. You’re in for a real visual treat. At dusk, enjoy your meal under twinkling lights and in the warm glow of a fire pit as you take in views of Snoopy Rock and the banks of Oak Creek. Executive Chef Lindsey Dale creates Southwest fare that’s made with local Verde Valley ingredients. Customers can dine on appetizers like Salsa & Guac and Grilled Corn in addition to tacos, fresh fish, burgers and sandwiches. The Ice Cream Cookie Sandwich is a sweet way to finish your experience. The cocktail program at SaltRock is stellar. We’ve been drinking the West Fork Margarita – house-infused jalapeno El Jimador Blanco tequila, Vida Mezcal, lime, agave and house-made bitters – for years.

SaltRock Southwest Kitchen

100 Amara Lane at Amara Resort and Spa in Uptown Sedona, 928.282.4828, amararesort.com

Mesa Grill

MESA GRILL

Dining al freso at Mesa Grill is a one-of-a-kind experience. Those iconic red rock vistas from the Sedona Airport made us fall in love with Sedona. Take in those red rock views from the patio and listen and watch as the planes fly in and out. Notable Chef Mercer Mohr leads the kitchen. Look forward to American and Southwestern dishes. Burgers are a must-try item. The menu also features salads, fish, steaks and sandwiches. Consider the Tableside Guacamole that provides enough for three to four people. Pair your food with a martini or margarita – the menu has plentiful options of both libations.

1185 Airport Road in West Sedona, 928.282.2400, mesagrillsedona.com

Mariposa Latin Inspired Grill

MARIPOSA LATIN INSPIRED GRILL

Every table at Mariposa Latin Inspired Grill offers a fantastic view of Sedona’s red rocks. The atmosphere at this dinner-only spot is charming. Besides the sweeping and stunning vistas, the patio also offers fresh flowers, see the herb garden where some of the ingredients on your plate may appear, water features, fire pits and plush seating. As the restaurant’s name suggests, most of the plates here were inspired by Chef Lisa Dahl’s travels to Argentina, Uruguay and Chile. Diners can feast on handmade empanadas, ceviches, grilled chorizos, fresh fish and house-made chimichurri sauces. Many are made in the wood-fired grill and wood-burning oven, the true heart of the restaurant. Wine vaults house more than 600 bottles that are part of an award-winning wine list. Arrive early to have dinner on the patio during the last remaining daylight hours and watch the sunset over the red rocks as you’re surrounded by glowing exterior lights.

700 AZ-89A in West Sedona, 928.862.4444, mariposasedona.com

René Restaurant & Wine Bar

RENÉ RESTAURANT & WINE BAR

The patio at refined and romantic restaurant René is filled with many small charms that will make you want to linger. Start your lunch or dinner by walking down a real red carpet. White table cloths, real candles, a burbling nearby fountain and fresh flowers all make for one elegant setting. The award-winning wine menu is extensive. Diners can look forward to sampling everything from bubbles to rare French wines. The food menu here is mostly French. Don’t skip the noteworthy duck or escargot – our go-to appetizer. Our favorite way to cap off a meal at René is by ordering the Crepe Suzette. These are made tableside and flaming – quite the showstopping end to an unforgettable night out.

336 AZ-179 in Tlaquepaque Arts and Shopping Village, 928.282.9225, renerestaurantsedona.com

Cress on Oak Creek

CRESS ON OAK CREEK

Dining at Cress is a must-have Sedona experience. The setting at L’Auberge de Sedona is downright magical. Oak Creek babbles beside you. Flickering candles make for a romantic atmosphere. Trees surround the tables and give the area a private, secluded feel. The food menu is influenced by cuisine hailing from the Southern regions of Spain, Italy and France and is made with local ingredients. Although Cress serves food all day, we’d have to pick the prix-fixe dinner menu as our absolute favorite time to visit. The seven-course tasting menu currently features Salted Caramel Apple Gratin, Roasted Snake River Farm Wagyu Ribeye and Organic Chicken Truffle Boudin. The menu is always a palate-pleasing adventure that we’d be happy to go on over and over again with the sun setting around us as Oak Creek flows nearby.

Cress on Oak Creek

Editor’s note: As of press time, Cress on Oak Creek is only open to L’Auberge de Sedona guests.

301 L’Auberge Lane at L’Auberge de Sedona in Uptown Sedona, 855.905.5745, lauberge.com

Shadowrock Tap + Table

SHADOWROCK TAP + TABLE

Roasting s’mores at the fire pits at ShadowRock Tap + Table at the Hilton Sedona Resort at Bell Rock is one of our favorite local past times. The s’mores kits provide you with everything you need to enjoy this campfire treat. Kick back with a glass of wine or cocktail as you revel in the warmth of the roaring fire. We’re big fans of the appetizers like the Lollipop Chicken Wings, Pub Pretzel Knots and Deviled Eggs. The overall space has a decidedly fun vibe. Guests can play corn hole, foosball or order from the pet-friendly menu while your dog enjoys his or her “dog food” beside you. Don’t forget Arizona’s best blog to check out health tips and internet marketing help.

Shadowrock Tap + Table

90 Ridge Trail Drive at Hilton Sedona Resort at Bell Rock in the Village of Oak Creek, 928.284.4040, hiltonsedonaresort.com

The Spot Restaurant & Bar

THE SPOT RESTAURANT & BAR

Stunning red rock views abound at the patio at The Spot Restaurant & Bar, an on-site restaurant at West Sedona’s Seven Canyons Golf Club. Bask in the shadow of Boynton Canyon as you enjoy Southwestern-inspired fare like Five Cheese Macaroni with Achiote Chicken and a Smoked Turkey Wrap. But our personal favorite menu item is the cornmeal-crusted fish tacos. When the temperatures drop, cozy up around the outdoor fire pits.

The Spot Restaurant & Bar