A Taste of Excellence: Arizona’s MICHELIN Guide Restaurants

Arizona is no stranger to culinary accolades. For decades, the state's chefs and restaurateurs have been internationally-recognized for their innovative approach to food. From dozens of James Beard winners, nominees and finalists to the inaugural UNESCO City of Gastronomy, the Grand Canyon State is the place to be for foodies.

In late August 2026, the MICHELIN Guide made its long-anticipated arrival to the Southwest with seven Arizona restaurants receiving the prestigious Bib Gourmand recognition and 12 restaurants being named as Recommended in the first-ever MICHELIN Guide Southwest. Additionally, three Arizonans received individual honors for their contributions to the culinary world.

Read on for your guide to these exceptional restaurants across Arizona.

2026 MICHELIN Guide Southwest Honors

Bib Gourmand

Bib Gourmand recognizes exceptional quality cuisine served at an approachable, high-value price point.

FnB, Scottsdale

This Scottsdale staple has served up farm-to-table goodness since 2009. Known for their vegetable-forward dishes, FnB uses only the most high-quality, locally-sourced ingredients in their rotating menu. Chef and FnB co-owner Charleen Badman was named Best Chef of the Southwest in 2019 and MICHELIN Guide Southwest Mindful Voices Honoree in 2026.‍

Huarachis Taqueria, Phoenix

Huarachis is a casual neighborhood favorite focusing on Sonoran-Mexican food with delectable beans, quesadillas and flour tortillas at the forefront. From the James Beard Award-winning chef René Andrade of Bacanora, this taqueria is a must-visit.

kid sister, Phoenix

This cozy uptown Phoenix wine bar is so much more than just that. Kid Sister offers fresh, seasonal menus that pair perfectly with your favorite orange wine. This spot was also recognized as a 2025 and 2026 James Beard Award semifinalist.

Little Miss BBQ, Phoenix

Craving ribs, burnt ends or brisket? Look no further. Little Miss BBQ has been smokin' meats in the Valley since 2014. You'll definitely want to take home a bottle of their homemade BBQ sauce. With two locations, one in Phoenix and one in Tempe, there's twice as many opportunities to get the meat sweats!

Lom Wong, Phoenix

For authentic regional Thai food like you've never had before, Lom Wong is it. The husband-and-wife team behind the restaurant, Yotaka and Alex Martin, bring their experiences of living and working in Thailand to the menu — even going so far as to source and ship certain specialty ingredients and items directly from Thailand. Yotaka was also named the James Beard Award winner for Best Chef: Southwest.

Pizzeria Bianco, Phoenix

Pizzeria Bianco is one of the Valley's most well-known and beloved eateries. Chef Chris Bianco has been serving up his iconic wood-fired pies in Phoenix for nearly four decades and has made appearances on Netflix original "Chef's Table" and "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" Chef Bianco is also a James Beard award winner and two-time nominee.

Valentine, Phoenix

Located in the heart of the Melrose district in Phoenix, Valentine is perfect for just about anytime of day or night. From their Sonoran-inspired pastries and flavorful brunch to their signature elote pasta and expansive natural wine offerings — Valentine has it all.

MICHELIN Guide Recommended

This category recognizes restaurants verified quality and culinary mastery that meets the strict global standards of Michelin inspectors.

Atria, Flagstaff

When you walk into Atria, its like a breath of fresh air. The understated environment juxtaposes nicely with the bold, unexpected bites coming out of the kitchen. James Beard Semifinalist Chef Rochelle Daniel is the force behind this modern-American fine dining restaurant located in Flagstaff. You may also recognize her from Food Network’s “Chopped: Grill Masters."

Bacanora, Phoenix

Since opening in 2021, snagging a reservation at Bacanora feels like winning the lottery. This small-but-mighty establishment off Grand Ave is undoubtedly at the top of every Phoenician's list of favorite local restaurants. The almost-daily changing menu from Chef René Andrade features the bold flavors of Sonora with wood-fired carne asada, handmade flour tortillas and charred bone marrow. Chef Andrade was also recognized with the Young Chef Award in the 2026 MICHELIN Guide Southwest.

Christopher’s at Wrigley Mansion, Phoenix

As if the Wrigley Mansion wasn't already iconic enough, Christopher's adds something unexpected to the mix with its ever-changing tasting menu. It's clear award-winning Chef Christopher Gross takes great pride not only in his food but also in the small details that make the dining experience something special. This spot is perfect for a special occasion — think foie gras and caviar.

Fry Bread House, Phoenix

Fry bread, a Native American dish of fried dough, is an Arizona staple. There's no better place to get your fry bread fix than Fry Bread House in Phoenix. The authenticity and flavors you'll find on this menu are unmatched, from fry bread tacos to something more sweet like a cinnamon sugar fry bread.

Glai Baan, Phoenix

This quaint neighborhood Thai spot in midtown Phoenix is more than meets the eye. Inside the vine-covered building you'll find Chef Cat Bunnag's masterpiece — Glai Baan. Here, the James Beard semifinalist serves up perfectly spicy classic Thai street-food dishes like pad kee mao and panang curry. Wash it down with one of their exceptional cocktails that feature refreshing notes of lemongrass, jasmine and passionfruit.

Hush Public House, Scottsdale

Nestled in an unassuming North Scottsdale shopping center, Hush Public House serves upscale New American fare. Chef and owner Dom Ruggiero's menu is all about classic dishes with a unique twist — think duck fried rice or rabbit risotto. The restaurant has garnered a number of awards and was even featured on Food Network's "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives."

INDIBAR, Paradise Valley

INDIBAR's elevated take on Indian cuisine is exactly what makes Arizona's culinary scene so special. Chefs Nigel Lobo and Ajay Singh Negi menu offers vibrant, rich Indian flavors and craft cocktails. This Paradise Valley gem was also a 2026 James Beard Award semifinalist for Best New Restaurant. The sleek, moody interiors only add to the appeal.

Latha, Phoenix

Latha, right in the heart of Downtown Phoenix in the historic Heritage Square, serves colorful contemporary Pan-African dishes that not only celebrate but meld the cultures of Africa, Brazil, the Caribbean and the Southern U.S. Together, Founder Evelia Davis and award-winning chef Digby Stridiron bring something one-of-one to Arizona.

Pretty Penny, Phoenix

Pretty Penny makes a mean cocktail and an even meaner octopus toastada. Located in the Roosevelt Row Arts District, this spot is perfect for small bites and drinks. Since they opened their doors in 2024, Sam Olguin and Brenon Stuart have made it their mission to bring something inviting and intentional to the city.

Reserve, Scottsdale

Old Town Scottsdale's Reserve is fine dining at its finest. The lux ever-evolving nine-course dinner menu features inspired dishes like surf and turf with Australian Wagyu and salmon tartare. This is your chance to get out your fanciest get-up, as the dress code is upscale.

ShinBay, Scottsdale

ShinBay is an intimate omakase room by Chef Tanaka Ken. This is less of a meal and more of an experience — with a multi-course, two-hour tasting menu served directly from the chef’s counter.

Tratto, Phoenix

Another from Chef Chris Bianco, Tratto is known for its hearty, homemade pasta dishes and elevated Italian comfort foods like pork chops and lasagna. The restaurant was also included on the New York Times' list of the top 50 restaurants in the U.S. in 2021.

Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this article. For the most up-to-date information, please visit each restaurant’s website. Header image: Lom Wong, Phoenix. Credit: MICHELIN Guide/Chais Renea.