The Edit

The MICHELIN Guide is coming to the American Southwest. Here’s how Michelin works, why Arizona belongs in the conversation, and the restaurants from EatLoveTravelPlay Magazine that already tell a star-worthy desert story.

Some restaurants become more than a reservation. Pretty Penny has become one of my most trusted Phoenix recommendations, the kind of place I chose to close one year and open the next. With food from Chef Steven “Chops” Smith, cocktails with intention, a Page Springs wine collaboration, and a team led with grace and heart, this downtown Phoenix favorite reminds me why I love telling local food stories.

Arizona Restaurant Week is back, and this is your saveable guide to the tables worth booking. From resort dining and sushi nights to modern Mexican, French bistro energy, neighborhood favorites, and big-night-out restaurants, here’s where to start.

Discover Heritage Kitchen & Cocktails in North Scottsdale, where Chef Christopher Brugman blends precision, balance, and modern American flavors into one of Arizona’s rising dining destinations.

Your 2026 guide to Valentine’s and Galentine’s in Phoenix and Scottsdale—chef dinners, prix fixe menus, brunches, and wine-forward nights, plus Merkin in Cottonwood and Atria in Flagstaff.