Arizona received no Michelin stars, but the state's restaurants at least received some Michelin Guide recognition.
The same can't be said about Tripadvisor's 2026 Travelers' Choice Best of the Best.
Over the past five years, Tripadvisor's users bestowed 10 Arizona restaurants — including five in Sedona, one of its users' favorite places in the United States — with honors on its best restaurants lists, split into multiple categories like fine dining, casual dining and date night spots.
Tripadvisor released its 2026 best restaurants list on Sept. 15. Top ranked restaurants included Ristorante Paoletti in Highlands, North Carolina for fine dining and Hook & Barrel in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina for casual dining.
Arizona was notably absent from the
rankings, which skewed heavily toward spots in the Northeast and the South.
Tripadvisor selects its Best of the Best honorees based on high volumes of "above-and-beyond reviews and opinions" from its users over a 12-month period. The website states that fewer than 1% of places achieve a placement
While Arizona was snubbed in 2026, 10 restaurants in the state received Best of the Best honors over the last five years. Here's a look at them.
Metro Phoenix restaurants named Best of the Best
Cafe Monarch, Scottsdale
This Old Town Scottsdale restaurant known for its refined, four-course prix-fixe menu was named one of the best fine dining restaurants, coming in at No. 2 in 2021 and No. 4 in 2022.
Ranked as the No. 1 Scottsdale restaurant with a 4.8 average rating, Cafe Monarch gets praise from Tripadvisor users for its "first-rate service, elegant ambiance, and five-star cuisine," with a constantly evolving menu emphasizing fresh and local ingredients. The restaurant's website highlights a long list of accolades that include Tripadvisor recognition as far back as 2011.
Details: 6939 E. First Ave., Scottsdale. 480-970-7682, cafemonarch.com.
Cocina Madrigal, Phoenix
This family-run Mexican restaurant is no stranger to high recognition, as Yelp declared it the No. 1 restaurant in the United States in 2022. Tripadvisor named it the No. 22 hidden gem restaurant of 2024, despite it closing after a kitchen fire in March of that year.
Tripadvisor users love Cocina Madrigal because of ther restaurant's "fresh, authentic dishes served in a lively atmosphere," also praising the portion sizes and service.
Multiple sources, including the Phoenix New Times, reported that Cocina Madrigal's original restaurant could reopen as early as October as the Madrigal family finishes repairs. Since April 2025, the family continued to serve favorites from the menu through a food truck located about 200 feet away during the restaurant's closure.
Details: 1530 E. Wood St., Phoenix. 602-243-9000, cocinamadrigal.com.
Arrowhead Grill, Glendale
Arrowhead Grill, a high-end steakhouse in Glendale was opened in 2008 by chef Charles Schwerd, was named the nation's No. 22 fine dining restaurant in 2025.
Tripadvisor users described the restaurant's ambiance as "special without being stuffy," and most reviewers stated they visited to gather with family and friends. Reviewers raved about the steak and lamb chops, adding the happy hour menu and the butter cake for dessert are also worth considering.
Details: 8280 W. Union Hills Drive, Glendale. 623-566-2224, arrowheadgrill.com.
Sedona restaurants named Best of the Best
Golden Goose American Grill
Known for its American and Italian specialties and revered for its steaks, seafood and burgers, Golden Goose American Grill in Sedona was ranked one of the best restaurants for everyday eats for four consecutive years from 2020-23. It achieved a high mark of No. 7 in 2023.
Tripadvisor users who reviewed the restaurant praised the quality of the steaks, seafood and prime rib. They also shouted out servers for outstanding service.
Despite not appearing on Tripadvisor's Best of the Best restaurant rankings since 2023, it maintains high praise from users. It ranks as the website's No. 1 restaurant in Sedona, with a 4.7 average rating based on 7,634 reviews.
Details: 2545 W. State Route 89A, Sedona. 928-282-1447, goldengoosegrill.com.
Dahl & Di Luca Ristorante Italiano
Dahl & Di Luca Ristorante Italiano is the flagship restaurant of chef Lisa Dahl, also renowned in Sedona for Mariposa Latin Inspired Grill (which inspired the design of the landscape hotel Ambiente), Cucina Rustica, Butterfly Burger and Pisa Lisa.
The farm-to-table Italian restaurant, which celebrated its 30th year in business in 2025, was recognized as the No. 7 date night restaurant in 2024.
TripAdvisor users mentioned the quality of the food along with the wine list, service and romantic ambiance — including a piano player — as highlights of their experiences. Most reviewers said they visited the restaurant to celebrate special occasions.
Dahl & Di Luca reopened on Sept. 12 after closing this summer for renovations, including a new kitchen and a redesign of the dining room and terrace.
Details: 2321 W. State Route 89A, Sedona. 928-282-5219, dahlanddiluca.com.
Casa Sedona Restaurant
The restaurant at the Casa Sedona Inn, an adults-only boutique hotel nestled along Sedona's famous red rock buttes, was named the No. 15 date night restaurant in the U.S. in Tripadvisor's 2025 ranking.
Travelers who reviewed Casa Sedona said they enjoyed the mountain views on the restaurant's patio, its location secluded from the most crowded tourist areas, and the inventive specialties on the breakfast and brunch menus such as lemon ricotta pancakes. Reviewers frequently singled out the server Jorge for outstanding service.
Details: 55 Hozoni Drive, Sedona. 928-282-2938, casasedona.com.
Elote Cafe
Four spots below Casa Sedona at No. 19 on Tripadvisor's 2025 list of the nation's best date night spots is another Sedona restaurant: Elote Cafe, a Southwestern restaurant inspired by chef Jeff Smedstad's travels in Mexico's local markets.
Tripadvisor users praised the restaurant for "creative Southwestern-inspired dishes and laid back energy, overlooking some pretty scenic Sedona views." Menu items that stood out include the sweet corn bisque, smoked pork cheeks and the elote appetizer.
Reservations are recommended because the restaurant is highly popular with locals and travelers.
Details: 350 Jordan Road, Sedona. 928-203-0105, elotecafe.com.
Vespa Healthy Italian Cafe
Tucked away in a strip mall along Route 89A, Vespa Healthy Italian Cafe is popular for its pinsa Romana, or Roman-style flatbread pizzas, which have a lighter and crispier taste compared to traditional pizza.
Vespa was named the No. 18 pet-friendly restaurant of 2025 for its dog-friendly patio dining. Tripadvisor users enjoyed the restaurant for its flavorful, high-quality dishes that incorporate imported Italian ingredients and local produce, citing the Roman-style pizzas and the tiramisu as highlights. Other reviews highlighted the friendly staff.
Details: 1350 W. State Route 89A, Suite 22, Sedona. 928-862-2228, vespaitaliancafe.com.
Other Arizona restaurants named Best of the Best
BirdHouse, Page
BirdHouse, a hole in the wall located about 2 miles east of the Glen Canyon Dam Overlook, keeps its menu simple — it only serves fried chicken. But not just any fried chicken. The restaurant claims it's the "best tasting fried chicken in town."
Tripadvisor users agreed and they ranked BirdHouse one of America's best restaurants for quick bites each year from 2021 to 2024, placing as high as No. 2. It has a similarly high standing with Yelp users, who named BirdHouse the best fried chicken restaurant in Arizona.
People can order chicken breasts, thighs, legs, wings and tenders in original, spicy and honey butter varieties. They can pair their chicken with a wide selection of sauces and sides, as well as local craft beers.
Tripadvisor users noted the restaurant has the ambiance of a fast food restaurant, but the quality of the food made up for it, with the chicken described as moist on the inside and crispy on the outside.
Details: 707 N. Navajo Drive, Page. 480-485-1571, birdhouseaz.com.
Mi Casa Restaurant, Benson
Vacationers heading east of Tucson on the way to Kartchner Caverns, Tombstone or Bisbee can find outstanding Baja-inspired Mexican cuisine in Benson. But they'll have to look hard for it.
Tripadvisor users ranked Mi Casa Restaurant as the No. 18 hidden gem restaurant of 2022. They said that most people might blink and miss the restaurant because the kitschy-looking blue house where it's located is not easily visible from the main road, tucked behind a rock shop.
But users said a stop at Mi Casa is worth it because of the flavorful Mexican dishes, outstanding service and a welcoming atmosphere. They singled out the restaurant's guacamole appetizer, enchiladas and desserts of sopapillas and carrot cake for praise.
If you go, be aware they're only open four days a week, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays.
Details: 723 W. Fourth St, Benson. 520-245-0343, mi-casa-mexican-restaurant-arizona.nearby-res.com.
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Michael Salerno is an award-winning journalist who’s covered travel and tourism since 2014. His work as The Arizona Republic’s consumer travel reporter aims to help readers navigate the stresses of traveling and get the best value for their money on their vacations. He can be reached at Michael.Salerno@usatodayco.com.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona restaurants named best in US by travelers over the years
