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Your Week with AZCentral

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Fri Jun 27 2025

Kara Edgerson | Manager of Digital Operations

Hey readers,

It’s that time of year when the question, “Where should we eat?” hits a little harder. Maybe you’ve got friends or family in town, or you’re just trying to make brunch or dinner plans without overthinking it.

That’s why I’m bringing back one of our most popular lists: our guide to the 100 essential restaurants in metro Phoenix. We first brought you this list in January. It’s packed with places locals love: neighborhood staples, hidden gems and restaurants you’ll want to take your out-of-town guests to. From taco spots to special-occasion destinations, these are the places our Republic reporters return to again and again, and the ones we think every Arizonan should try at least once.

This list isn’t something we pulled together overnight. It reflects months of reporting, hundreds of meals and countless conversations about what makes a restaurant essential in metro Phoenix. Our team built this with intention — thinking about what defines the dining scene here, and which places truly stand out for service, quality, consistency and sense of place.

So if you’re mapping out your summer dining plans or just want to try something new this weekend, this list is a great place to start.

👉 100 metro Phoenix essentials: The best restaurants to try in 2025

Essential restaurants: 100 places to dine in 2025

Welcome to our guide to metro Phoenix restaurants. Check out 100 essential spots, new and iconic, for Mexican food, Italian, pho, pizza and burgers.

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🔥 Could Arizona face a megafire? The signs are already here

🔥 Could Arizona face a megafire? The signs are…

Your Week with AZCentral

Kara Edgerson | Manager of Digital Operations

Essential restaurants: 100 places to dine in 2025

Gov. Hobbs breaks her own single-year veto record

‘An adjudicated liar’: AZ Dem rips Kari Lake in hearing

Here are 5 potential free agent targets for Phoenix Suns

Adam Sheafe wants to be executed for killing ‘Pastor Bill.’ Let’s make his day

If we don’t tell the stories of local chefs, who will?

Sign up for the news you want

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