Italian
An entrée from Bella Vita Ristorante at the Sedona Pines Resort in West Sedona.
Bella Vita Ristorante
Bella Vita Ristorante combines a charming atmosphere with fresh, homemade Italian fare. Quaint interior details include a real fireplace, warm red walls and chandeliers that will make you want to linger. The menu focuses on homemade pasta, fresh seafood, meats and desserts made in house. Wanting to sample everything, we started with the fresh Caesar, made the traditional way with egg yolks and white anchovies. Our entrée was the Bella Vita Bistecca.
Bella Vita’s interior features charming details like a fireplace and hanging chandeliers.
This Angus ribeye was served in a hearty and rich wild mushroom brandy sauce over a chianti demi glaze, making it a quintessential Italian dish. The decadent Torta di Cioccolato dessert was too tempting to pass up, so we shared a slice of the flourless, bittersweet chocolate cake, served with strawberries, mint leaves and whipped cream.
6701 W. AZ-89A at the Sedona Pines Resort (928-282-4540)
An entrée from Hideaway House, which is known for its “curious country Italian” cuisine.
Hideaway House
We can’t get enough of the friendly vibe at Hideaway House. It’s a place where old friends gather at a very lively bar and new friends meet to enjoy “curious country Italian,” as the restaurant describes its cuisine. We started with the Roasted Vegetables and Polenta, featuring roasted eggplant, ricotta, tomatoes, onions and chilled seasonal vegetables on polenta with balsamic and goat cheese. This house specialty is a great example of the stellar vegetarian fare on this menu. For dinner, we ordered the New Zealand Green Lipped Mussels with Pasta. Pick your own pasta – we went with spaghetti noodles – and then choose between Fra Diavola (a spicy Calabrian red pepper marinara sauce) or a garlic white wine sauce. They’re both excellent. Dip the leftover sauce in the house-made bread. For dessert, we went with the classic and decadent espresso-laced Tiramisu.
231 AZ-179 in South of the “Y” (928-202-4082)
An interior shot of Cucina Rustica, an Italian restaurant in the Village of Oak Creek.
Cucina Rustica
The moment you pass through the iron gates of Cucina Rustica, you know you’re in for a special treat. Inside, diners will find a fountain and a live fireplace that contribute to the romantic setting. An entrée we recently fell for was the Vitello Saltimbocca, veal scaloppini sautéed and layered with melted mozzarella and imported prosciutto that was topped with a rich Marsala sauce. We finished our night with the sweet, savory and decadent Luscious Lemon Cheesecake. Served on a lemon cookie crust with organic house-made limoncello syrup, this refreshing dessert is the perfect way to close out the night. Pair your food with wine from a selection of more than 135 bottles. Editor’s note: Cucina Rustica has temporarily closed and is undergoing a renovation. Visit cucinarustica.com for current updates.
7000 AZ-179 in The Collective Sedona (928-284-3010)
Southwestern
Open Range Grill & Tavern
Whether you sit at a table in the cowboy-themed dining room or outdoors on the patio, the red rock views from Open Range Grill & Tavern are jaw-dropping. To start, we had to order the decidedly southwestern Signature Cornbread. This savory appetizer includes corn, sweet green chili and mixed cheese that’s topped with tangy prickly pear butter. We also ordered the 14-ounce Cowboy Steak ribeye. Open Range takes pride in using Arizona-grown, hormone-free, antibiotic-free, all-natural, never-frozen beef, and it shows. If you are a meat-and-potatoes type of diner, this is your entrée. The rest of the menu is rounded out by Mexican fare including tacos, enchiladas and quesadillas. For dessert, consider the unbelievably decadent Seven Layer Chocolate Cake.
320 N. AZ-89A at Sinagua Plaza at Sedona Center (928-282-0002)
An entrée from West Sedona’s Mesa Grill. Mesa Grill is helmed by noteworthy chef Mercer Mohr and boasts spectacular red rock views.
Mesa Grill
Grab a table next to the panoramic windows that look out over Sedona Airport and watch the planes land and take off, or take a seat on the patio that boasts the same spectacular vistas. The extensive menus at Mesa Grill focus on favorites like stacked sandwiches and thick burgers alongside fish, steak and pasta. For appetizers, we’d have to recommend the truly epic Tableside Guacamole. This towering appetizer is made with two avocados, pico de gallo, jalapeno, red onion, cilantro, fresh lime, cotija cheese and peppers. During our lunch visit, we noshed on Executive Chef Mercer Mohr’s Mesa Fish-Wich, the Parmesan-crusted Red Snapper topped with Creole remoulade and jalapeno slaw was tangy, spicy and crunchy.
A dessert from West Sedona’s Mesa Grill.
For dessert, you’d have to pick the Coconut Key Lime Pie. This is a silky and solid rendition of the classic, crafted on a coconut-and-graham-cracker crust. It’s sweet and tart and everything a good KLP should be.
1185 Airport Road in West Sedona (928-282-2400)
The Table at Junipine
Choose a table on the outdoor patio among the pine trees or inside by the fireplace, and start with one of Junipine’s signature cocktails like the Kombucha Mimosa crafted with locally made kombucha and sparkling wine. Pair your drink with an outstanding bar specialty (that’s also on the dessert menu) like the Rosemary Roasted Brie Cheese served with strawberry relish, garlic toast and crackers. The lunch menu features items such as Tortilla Soup, Roasted Piquillo Quesadilla or Tomato and Mozzarella Naan Bread. Dinner entrees include Machaca Boneless Ribs, Roasted Organic Chicken, or, our favorite, the Cilantro Rubbed Steelhead Trout served with fajita vegetables and grilled corn tortillas.
8351 N. AZ-89A in Oak Creek Canyon (928-282-3375)
Mexican
Flan from El Rincon. This restaurant has served Arizona-style Mexican cuisine since it opened in Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village back in 1976.
El Rincon Restaurante Mexicano
Since April of 1976, El Rincon has served Arizona-style Mexican food. Diners will also see Navajo influences on this unique menu, and the oversized margaritas are some of the best in town. The “secret” is the fresh ingredients. These are made with fresh homemade sweet and sour with real lime juice, powdered sugar, fresh egg white, tequila and triple sec. When we last visited, we ordered the house specialties: Chimichangas and Navajo Pizza. The first dish consists of hand-rolled sopaipilla masa stuffed with either meat or veggies and topped with your choice of red or green chile sauce. Instead of fry bread, El Rincon’s Navajo Pizza is built on top of a thin sopaipilla crust. Toppings include beans, lettuce, tomato, cheese and your choice of sauce. On Sunday through Tuesday evenings during the summer months, enjoy live flamenco music.
336 AZ-179 at Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village (928-282-4648)
89Agave Cantina
It would be a sin to ignore the drink menu here, which includes more than 60 premium tequilas. We started with the Classic 89 margarita featuring El Jimador Blanco tequila, orange liqueur, lime juice and agave nectar. For dinner, our server recommended the Original Mexican Tacos, three traditional Mexican tacos served in soft corn tortillas with guacamole and sour cream on the side. Choose from pork carnitas; chicken verde; beef machaca; or mahi fish (our favorite) served with cabbage slaw, chipotle and cilantro.
254 N. AZ-89A in Uptown Sedona (928-282-7200)
American
An entrée from Pump House Station, an American restaurant in West Sedona.
Pump House Station
Tucked away in Tlaquepaque North, this urban eatery is nestled between the sycamore trees. The back patio is the perfect gathering spot during warmer months and is pet-friendly. Accolades go to Chef Cord Chatham, whose culinary approach and presentation of food are outstanding. For breakfast, try the eggs benedict, savory quiches or the Urban Burrito. The Avocado Toast is one of our go-to orders. For lunch, the salads are all good as are the sandwiches – try the Pump House Grinder.
A dish from Pump House Station.
For dinner, begin with the Griddled Noble Bread appetizer. This selection changes daily. For the main entrée, check the daily specials first. Other favorites: Golden Beet Wellington, Beef Filet and the Spiced Southwestern Blackened Salmon. For dessert, Chef’s Apple Tart served in a warm iron skillet and topped with ice cream will seal the deal. Pair your dessert with some of Pump House’s topnotch coffee.
313 AZ-179, Ste. D10, at Tlaquepaque North (928-862-4141)
The doors to The Hudson, one of the most popular restaurants in Sedona that features red rock views.
The Hudson
The Hudson has had a strong following ever since it opened back in 2015. Make reservations, no matter when you plan to visit. The salads here are all stellar. Our two favorites are the Sesame Seared Rare Ahi Tuna Salad and the Kale Salad. If you’re in the mood for something heartier, we’d recommend House-Smoked Salmon Bruschetta, BBQ Braised Pork Tacos (you can make these vegan, too), Blue Cheese Crusted Prime Filet and the Hudson Mushroom Burger. You can’t go wrong with any of them.
Chicken Wings from The Hudson served with mixed vegetables.
Desserts at The Hudson are equally as creative as the rest of the menu, and we have a hard time leaving without ordering Ellie’s Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie – a decadent combination of peanut butter mousse, chocolate cookie crust and bittersweet chocolate ganache.
671 AZ-179, Ste. D, at Hillside Sedona (928-862-4099)
Burrata from ShadowRock Tap + Table at the Hilton Sedona Resort at Bell Rock.
ShadowRock Tap + Table at the Hilton Sedona Resort at Bell Rock
ShadowRock Tap + Table manages to strike that rare balance of both fun and elegant. The entrance to the restaurant – located on the ground floor of the Hilton Sedona Resort at Bell Rock – features a plush lounge area where diners can enjoy their food and play games like shuffleboard. Diners can look forward to Executive Chef Brandon Park’s modern Southwestern specialties including Carnitas Tacos and handmade Picadillo Beef Empanadas. Sharable starters include the Spanish Octopus, Drunken Ceviche and Purple Kale Salad.
A roaring fire pit on the patio of the Hilton Sedona. Guests can order s’mores kits to roast outside.
The entrée menu features sustainably sourced Seared Atlantic Salmon, Herb Roasted Chicken Breast and Grilled Pork Chop. The crowd-pleasing smoked Copper State Old Fashioned is smoked tableside and poured over a giant ice cube. Our favorite way to end an evening here? By roasting a s’mores kit outside on the expansive outdoor patio.
90 Ridge Trail Dr. in the Village of Oak Creek (928-284-6909)
Judi’s Restaurant & Lounge
From the stellar cuisine to the warm and welcoming environment, it’s easy to see why Judi’s has been in business for decades. Your meal kicks off with bread service and your choice of soup or salad. We’re fans of the Greek Chicken Salad, a char-broiled chicken breast served over fresh salad, roasted red peppers, pepperoncini and Feta cheese. Steaks and surf options dominate the menu (you can’t go wrong with the near-legendary Baby Back Ribs), but we opted for the hearty Chicken Parmesan. We loved the contrast of the light angel hair pasta, marinara sauce and well-seasoned chicken topped with warm mozzarella cheese. Made-from-scratch desserts are another highlight. We can’t recommend the Butter Brickle Chocolate Chip Cream Cheese Pie enough.
40 Soldiers Pass Road in La Pasada Plaza (928-282-4449)
A glass of wine and dish from The Golden Goose American Grill.
The Golden Goose American Grill
The Golden Goose American Grill exudes a cozy bistro-vibe. Think tea lights on every table. Colorful glass plates of all shapes and sizes on one wall. We also love the intimate bar and dog-friendly patio of this local haunt. For appetizers, we had to start with the Southwest classic, Yucca Fries. These cactus fries taste like thick, steak cut potato fries with a hint of sweetness that’s tempered by the accompanying tangy chipotle dipping sauce. The Golden Goose is well-known for its steaks and seafood. Experience the best of both worlds if you order the Filet and Shrimp, a 6-ounce certified Angus beef tenderloin paired with tiger shrimp and basted with lemon butter. Finally, our server brought out an impressive dessert tray showcasing all of the Golden Goose’s handmade sweets. We opted for a slice of decadent, layered chocolate mocha cake. Consider pairing your final course with one of four coffee cocktails – specialties here – like the Mexican Coffee – coffee, Kahlua, tequila and whipped cream.
2545 W. AZ-89A in West Sedona (928-282 1447)
Casa Sedona Inn
Here’s something you might not know: Boutique hotel Casa Sedona Inn serves one of the best breakfasts in town. The menu features fresh spins on classic breakfast orders like the decadent Truffle Brie Scrambled Eggs alongside Eggs Benedict and Huevos Rancheros. On our last visit, we ordered the Mayan Quiche made with bacon, cheddar, Boursin cheese, roasted tomato and spinach. This dish was topped with vanilla bean cream and served with refreshing bruleed grapefruit and watercress. Reservations are required (by phone or OpenTable) if you are not a guest of the Casa Sedona Inn.
55 Hozoni Drive in West Sedona (928-282-2938)
Steakhouses
Cowboy Club is one of the oldest restaurants in Sedona and is known for its steaks.
Cowboy Club/The Arizona Room
The Cowboy Club and adjoining The Arizona Room specialize in “high-desert cuisine.” This translates into Angus steaks, wild game, fresh seafood and house specialties like the only-in-the-Southwest Appetizer Sampler featuring tangy original cactus fries, rattlesnake sausage, bison brochettes and cilantro flatbread served with southwest peanut butter. The interior features Western décor and art. Diners can enjoy a lively vibe in addition to red rock views indoors or outdoors.
A salad from Uptown Sedona’s Cowboy Club.
The steaks here are fantastic. The Prime Top Sirloin is our go-to entrée. Another outstanding option is the Baby Back Pork Ribs, served with raspberry-plum BBQ, cilantro-peanut coleslaw and cast iron ranch beans. For dessert, dig into an enormous slice of Carrot Cake made from a classic carrot, pineapple and coconut recipe layered with rich cream cheese frosting and toasted pecans.
241 N. AZ-89A in Uptown Sedona (928-282-4200)
A steak topped with a flower at The Asylum in the Jerome Grand Hotel, about a 40-minute drive from Sedona.
The Asylum Restaurant
Although this restaurant is a short drive from Sedona, The Asylum is such a special restaurant that we had to include it in this restaurant guide. Tucked inside the spooky Jerome Grand Hotel (built in 1926 as the United Verde Hospital), The Asylum Restaurant is more than just a spot to enjoy lunch or dinner – it’s an experience. Start with The Asylum’s sophisticated and award-winning wine list or browse the cheeky cocktail menu. The dinner menu features fish, pork, steaks and pastas with a decidedly Southwestern flair.
A salad topped with salmon and piled high with fresh vegetables and a glass of wine at the Jerome restaurant.
We ordered the Char-Broiled Boneless Rib Eye Steak and Sonoran Spiced Chicken as our main courses. The 12-ounce steak one was one of the best we’ve ever had and was set on tomatillo salsa and horseradish sour cream sauce and served with steamed veggies, fried leeks and choice of fries or mashers. As for the chicken, it arrived swimming in a cilantro, onions and chili-pepper cream sauce on top of organic brown rice. Both entrées arrived covered in silver domes, which our server removed with a flourish. When was the last time you experienced that at a restaurant?
200 Hill St. at the Jerome Grand Hotel in Jerome (928-639-3197)
Asian
Minami
A comfortable, relaxed atmosphere makes this sushi bar a perfect setting for striking up conversation. Choice appetizers include Gyoza or dumplings filled with pork, beef, garlic and onion and Sweet Potato Skins that are deep fried and drizzled with teriyaki sauce and sprinkled with sesame seeds. Most food orders include complimentary miso soup and edamame. The sushi menu includes cooked, raw and vegetable selections. All those entrees we sampled were fresh and tasty. The Soft Shell Crab Roll was a particular favorite. If sushi’s not to your taste, don’t overlook other fare like the teriyaki dinners, tempura or yakitori. Cap off your meal with chocolate fudge ice cream mochi or green tea ice cream.
6586 AZ-179, Ste. A1, in the Village of Oak Creek (928-284-0684)
Hiro’s Sushi Bar & Japanese Kitchen
Nestled in West Sedona, you’ll find a quaint sushi restaurant offering something for everyone. Entrées include a sweet Chicken Teriyaki served over steamed white rice and sprinkled with sesame seeds. If you fancy a fresh bite from the sea, Hiro’s serves up a selection of sushi nigiri, sashimi and various specialty rolls. Our taste buds were pleased with the local-inspired offerings like the Red Rock Roll – spicy tuna with shrimp tempura and cucumber topped with albacore, garlic soy and green onion – or the Sedona Roll – spicy tuna roll topped with two pieces of tuna and salmon. If you’d like to sample a variety, try one of the many Bento boxes.
1730 W. AZ-89A, #6, in West Sedona (928-282-8906)
A popular noodle dish, Kao Soi, from Fresh & Natural Thai Kitchen.
Fresh & Natural Thai Kitchen
One of the newer Thai restaurants in town, Fresh & Natural Thai Kitchen is helmed by Chef Pearl Pardee. If her name sounds familiar, it’s because she also owns local spot Thai Spices Natural Kitchen. Find healthy, fresh Thai food that’s also peanut and dairy-free here.
The BYO (that’s build your own) bowl, the most popular option on the restaurant’s menu.
Some customer favorites include Kao Soi, a noodle dish with a twist of sauerkraut, fresh basil leaves, red onion slices and yellow curry; and the Wild Salmon Delicacy, featuring blanched salmon that’s carefully seasoned with turmeric, garlic, cumin and black pepper cooked in a delicious sauce of coconut milk and yellow curry. Customers also can build their own bowls, the most popular option.
1439 W. AZ-89A in West Sedona (928-862-4499)
Thai Spices Natural Restaurant
This local favorite is always bustling with diners, even on weeknights. We started with a chicken Fresh Roll Wrap: organic mixed greens and fresh herbs wrapped in rice paper served with plum sauce and crushed roasted peanuts. Our main course was the Pineapple Curry. Diners pick their spicy level and choose mild, medium or hot. We went with mild and happily feasted on the dish – a sweet and spicy mix of shrimp, pineapple, onion, carrot, broccoli, red bell pepper in coconut milk and Thai red curry sauce. We couldn’t leave without trying the Thai iced tea. Served over ice with cream, the strong, sugary tea was a perfect foil for the spicy food, and it satisfied our sweet tooth.
2611 W. AZ-89A in West Sedona (928-282-0599)
Red Chopstick
From a menu offering a broad choice of three Chinese cooking styles – Hunan, Szechuan and Mandarin – with a sprinkling of dishes from Thai and Vietnamese origins, we selected two entrées that impressed with intensely fresh vegetables, fragrant meats and fresh seafood. One of the House Royal Specialties, the Sizzling Plate Delight mixes sautéed chicken, beef, shrimp and pork with fresh mushrooms and a strong ground bean sauce that perfectly flavors the steamed rice. For vegetarians, the restaurant serves a variety of tofu dishes. We’re fans of the Sweet & Sour Tofu that’s served with pineapple, peppers, carrots and onions.
111 Bell Rock Plaza in the Village of Oak Creek (928-284-9088)
A dish from Szechuan Chinese Restaurant.
Szechuan Restaurant
Grab a seat at the bar and watch the sushi chefs create colorful works of art or take a seat in the dining room that features traditional Asian décor. The Instagramable Black Dragon Roll features soft-shell crab, fried roe, avocado and cucumber, all topped with eel. If you like it hot, go with the Spicy Girl Roll. Tuna and avocado are topped with spicy salmon and hot sauce. If you’re dining midday, don’t miss out on the lunch menu’s Chirashi, a bowl of perfectly steamed white rice topped with tuna, salmon, yellowtail sashimi, egg tamago and cooked shrimp, that’s sprinkled with salty salmon eggs. If it’s Chinese that you’re craving, start with the Fried Dumplings and then move on to traditional offerings like the Kung Pao Chicken or Shrimp Fried Rice.
1350 W. AZ-89A, Ste. 21, in Old Marketplace in West Sedona (928-282-9288)
Fine Dining
French onion soup from Cress on Oak Creek, the signature fine dining restaurant of Uptown Sedona’s L’Auberge de Sedona hotel.
Cress on Oak Creek
There is no shortage of remarkable experiences to be had in Sedona, and dining at Cress on Oak Creek has to be at the top of that list. The terrace features intimate, linen-clad tables topped with real candles underneath the sycamore trees along the banks of babbling Oak Creek. A menu would have to be exceptional to compete with these surroundings, and Cress’ chefs are certainly up to the task. The multi-course menu changes regularly. As of press time, menu highlights include the fresh and expertly crafted Burrata Cheese & Beet Salad, featuring candy striped beets, sweet quinoa soil crisp Frisee and wild strawberry vinaigrette. Next, we had the divine Roasted Lobster Tail, served with basil polenta cake, chorizo oil, manchego cheese, Espelette pepper and spicy Spanish broth. This entrée was perfect, just like a night out at Cress is guaranteed to be. Reservations are recommended. Editor’s note: Cress on Oak Creek is currently only open to L’Auberge de Sedona guests.
301 L’Auberge Lane at L’Auberge de Sedona Resort (928-282-1661)
An interior shot of Che Ah Chi, the signature restaurant of Enchantment Resort.
Che Ah Chi at Enchantment Resort
Some of our most memorable Sedona dining experiences have taken place at Che Ah Chi, Enchantment Resort’s signature restaurant. Each moment here is one to be savored. Although every meal we’ve enjoyed at Che Ah Chi has been incredible, dinner is our favorite. Spend time perusing the resort’s nationally recognized wine list. The menu at Che Ah Chi pays homage to ingredients used by Native American tribes. The Char-Grilled Bison Tenderloin is served with Ramona Farm wheat berries, wild spinach and Aleppo chimichurri. The Sherry Butter Scallops are accompanied by Arizona corn sponge cake, spring pea variations and wild rice crispy. Vegetarians can enjoy the Yuma Spring Vegetable Chili.
Diners can look forward to a menu that pays homage to Native American tribes. Pictured on the black plate is A Journey of Flavors Through Chocolate dessert.
We haven’t met a chocolate dessert at Che Ah Chi that hasn’t made us swoon, so end your night with A Journey of Flavors Through Chocolate. Sample dark, milk and ruby chocolates that are as luxurious as dinner at Che Ah Chi.
525 Boynton Canyon Road at Enchantment Resort (928-204-6000)
