Restaurants Reviews for Flagstaff, Arizona
I've lived in Flagstaff, AZ, since 2003, where I'm an active member of the Coconino County Sheriff's Search & Rescue team and an avid hiker.
The Best Places to Eat in Flagstaff
Flagstaff isn't a big city—the population is around 65,000, including college students, and it's only about an 8-mile drive from one end to the other—but we do have more than our fair share of restaurants. So, this certainly isn't a collection of ALL the good places to eat in Flagstaff, but these are some of the best. (Or I think so, anyway.)
Each restaurant listing is followed by a poll, so if you've been to any of these eateries, please share your opinion. You can vote in the poll and then leave any comments you'd like.
Diablo Burger: Local, Open Range-Raised Beef
120 N Leroux St # 112
Flagstaff, AZ 86001-4527
(928) 774-3274
Diablo Burger is all about local, open range-raised, antibiotic- and hormone-free beef. And much of the produce they use is also from local farms.
DB burgers are char-broiled and served on a branded English muffin (which of course makes it taste better—the brand, I mean), with seasonal greens, tomato, pickle, and their yummy seasoned "DB frites." They also serve soups and salads, beer and wine, milkshakes, sodas, desserts and a couple of other sandwiches.
The limited amount of indoor seating in this tiny restaurant is community-style, so if it's busy, expect to make new friends at the table. In the nice weather, you can take your meal outdoors and sit in and around Heritage Square.
NOTE: Bring cash. Diablo Burger does not accept credit cards.
Read more about Diablo Burger and check out the menu.
Visit the Diablo Burger home page
What do you think of Diablo Burger?
Read More From Delishably
Alpine Pizza: A Long-Time Downtown Pizzeria
7 North Leroux Street
Flagstaff, AZ 86001-5535
(928) 779-4109
Located downtown near the Weatherford Hotel, Alpine Pizza is Flagstaff's longest established pizzeria. And you can see a lot of that history carved into the tables and walls of the restaurant. I don't know if that was approved of by the owners when it began, but it's now become a tradition. So carve away!
Oh, and the pizza is good, too!
NiMarco's: Not Fancy or Gourmet, but It's Good!
101 South Beaver Street
Flagstaff, AZ 86001
(928) 779-2691
NiMarco's Pizza was founded in 1979. The original owner built a small, take-out only pizza kitchen on the corner of Beaver Street and Cottage Avenue, where there now stands a big apple tree. He named the business after his two sons, Nick and Marc, hence the name NiMarco's.
Today, NiMarco's is owned by Dave and Angie Ledbetter, who both began working there in 1994, when they were NAU students. In September of 2000, a few years after graduating, they purchased NiMarco's and, since then, have sought to improve the quality of the food, modernize the restaurant, and expand the menu, while maintaining the qualities that have allowed Nimarco's to remain a Flagstaff favorite for decades.
Check out their menu. Visit NiMarco's home page
Oregano's: Pizza and Other Italian Dishes
605 West Riordan Road
Flagstaff, AZ 86001
(928) 773-8600
Now I understand why there's often a line of people waiting to get tables at Oregano's during peak meal times ... and sometimes even at off-hours too. The food is delish!
And the menu is huge—pizzas, pasta dishes, big and interesting salads, yummy sandwiches. Try their sweet potato fries and zesty dipping sauce, too. My favorite sandwich is the Veggie Wedgie, in case you were wondering.
Oh, and when they ask you if you want "big or small," you'd better be HUNgry or want enough take-home to make another full meal if you get the big (which is actually the regular size). My friend's small salad was as big as any full-sized salad I've seen anywhere else.
Check out the menu online.
Picazzo's
Gourmet and gluten-free pizzas, pastas, salads, soups and more
1300 South Milton Road
Flagstaff, AZ 86001
(928) 226-1000
Picazzo's founder, Rick Freedman, says, "We have always provided a gluten-free menu, but now I believe it is time to stand up for greater change and provide a smarter, healthier choice for our valued customers. Going organic, natural, gluten-free and preservative- and hormone-free is the result. In our kitchen, you won't find any additives, just like Grandma used to cook, and it's delicious."
I agree.
Macy's: Great Coffee, Vegan/Vegetarian Baked Goods, and Meals
14 South Beaver Street
Flagstaff, AZ 86001
(928) 774-2243
Native Californian Tim Macy opened his European coffeehouse in downtown Flagstaff in 1980. Macy's was the first commercial coffee roaster in Arizona. And in addition to all the java, including their tasty Macy's special with some cocoa in the mix, you'll find a variety of classic baked goods, such as pies, tarts, layer cakes, cheesecakes, brownies and cookies, and an all-vegetarian menu with an assortment of wheat-free, dairy-free and vegan options.
Order at the counter, find a seat, and they'll call your name and come find you when your food is ready. You can always get a tasty pastry to nibble on while you wait.
Macy's European Coffeehouse home page
Criollo Latin Kitchen: Family-Owned and High Quality
16 North San Francisco Street
Flagstaff, AZ 86001
(928) 774-0541
With more than 20 years of experience in the restaurant industry, owners Paul and Laura Moir met while working at a restaurant in Phoenix. Paul later earned a culinary degree from Johnson & Wales University in Colorado, and both Paul and Laura earned first-level Sommelier certifications.
In mid-2005, Paul and Laura moved from Colorado to Flagstaff, and in May of 2006, they opened Brix Restaurant & Wine Bar. (see below). They opened Criollo in 2009. Criollo is built upon the philosophy of local and sustainable foods.
FYI: When it's warm, you can ask to sit out back on their cozy, enclosed patio.
Dara Thai: Great Thai Food South of the Tracks
14 South San Francisco Street
Flagstaff, AZ 86001
(928) 774-0047
I always said I didn't like anything with coconut ... until I tried Dara Thai's Jungle Tofu (and it's non-vegetarian counterpart, Evil Jungle Princess). I love the sauce, which includes coconut milk, which really makes this dish. In fact, I can eat the sauce like a soup when the food in it is gone or pour it over one last helping of rice.
Dara Thai has a BIG menu, and all items can be ordered on a spiciness scale of 1 through 5. (And my father once actually ordered zero, and there wasn't a hint of spice in his meal.)
Swaddee Thai: The Best Thai Food North of the Tracks
115 E Aspen Ave.
Flagstaff, AZ 86001
(928) 773-1122
Given that I'm such a big fan of Dara Thai, I was reluctant to try this restaurant. But I'm glad I was talked into branching out, as the meal I had here was excellent. I don't actually remember what it was called, but I really liked the transparent flat noodles—their chewy texture—and the sauce on the dish, which was a lot of food for the price.
It's not a large restaurant, so there's often a wait for a table at peak meal times, but you can go hang out in Rendezvous in the adjacent hotel and have a drink or something to nibble on while you wait. Someone from Swaddee Thai will come get you when it's your turn to be seated.
Himalayan Grill: Cuisine of India, Nepal and Tibet
801 South Milton Road Unit "A"
Flagstaff, AZ 86001
(928) 213-5444
Try some grilled tender tandoori chicken, flavorful lamb and creamy curries, along with fresh vegetables in flaky samosas and delicate naan bread.
I recommend the daily all-you-can-eat buffet for lunch, so you can try a little (or a lot) of many of the dishes that are on the regular menu. The lunch buffet includes:
- Appetizers
- Chicken curry / lamb curry
- Samosa
- 4-5 vegetable dishes
- Fruit salad
- Naan (fresh bread) served in your table
- Tandoori chicken
- Butter chicken, rice
- Desserts
There are two combo meals for dinner—one vegetarian and another with meat—that are excellent (and pretty big, so possibly enough for two people when you add in the bread). If you don't have a specific dish you really want, then I'd go for the combos.
Visit the Himalayan Grill home page
Hiro's Sushi Bar & Japanese Restaurant: Best Sushi in Flagstaff
1312 South Plaza Way
Flagstaff, AZ 86001-6321
(928) 226-8030
On February 2, 2003, Hiro Hoshimoto, owner and sushi chef, opened his own sushi bar in Flagstaff, serving authentic Japanese cuisine.
Of the five sushi restaurants in Flagstaff (that I'm aware of), Hiro's is my favorite. In my opinion, you get the most raw fish for your money here, and I like the candle-lit dinner atmosphere. (Hiro's is also open for lunch.)
See the full menu, including lunches, dinners, appetizers, sushi and sushi specials, drinks and desserts.
MartAnne's Burrito Place: Breakfast and Lunch, Mostly Mexican-Style
10 N San Francisco St
Flagstaff, AZ 86015
The reason you'll usually see people standing outside, waiting to get a table at Martanne's is not only because the food is really good, but it's also one of the smallest restaurants in town. But I've always found it worth the wait.
NOTE: Martanne's does not take credit cards. Cash or check only.
Visit Martanne's Facebook fan page
Monsoon: Chinese Food and Sushi
6 E Aspen Ave # 100
Flagstaff, AZ 86001-5297
(928) 226-8844
Located in the Hopi Building in downtown Flagstaff, Monsoon offers all-you-can-eat sushi FOR $19.99 on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11am - 9pm (limited menu), with edamame and soup included at the sushi bar.
Chinese dishes include Mandarin Orange, Thai Yellow Curry, Mongolian, Thai Spicy, Teriyaki, Szechuan Broccoli, Kung Pau and more. All dishes have a choice of chicken, beef, or tofu.
Mountain Oasis: An International Cafe [[NOW CLOSED]]
11 East Aspen Avenue
Flagstaff, AZ 86001
(928) 214-9270
Mountain Oasis makes the best smoothies, so you might want to start with one of those while you wait for your meal. Or get a cup of one of their homemade soups. You can't go wrong no matter what you order.
And this restaurant has a great atmosphere. Located in historic downtown, you can look out the front window over to Heritage Square, Flagstaff's outdoor living room, or check out the art on display on their interior brick walls. For dinner, the white table cloths come out, the candles are lit, and a guitar player picks and strums some soft music that doesn't interfere with conversation.
Pita Jungle: Mediterranean, French, and Southwestern Fare (Vegetarian Friendly)
320 S Regent St
Flagstaff, AZ 86001-5886
(928) 774-0086
Per the Pita Jungle website, "You can rely on our wait staff for healthy eating tips, and our resident dietitian can answer your questions about nutrition facts, food allergies, [and] vegan meals."
No, regardless of the name the restaurant, this isn't just pita place. There's a great variety of interesting dishes on Pita Jungle's large menu, with plenty of options for those who don't eat meat or who may be watching their calories but who still want delicious meals. And their pitas are second-to-none—freshly made, soft and warm.
There are two outdoor patios if you like open-air dining in the warmer weather.
Visit the Pita Jungle home page
Sakura Sushi & Teppanyaki Restaurant
1175 W Route 66
Flagstaff, AZ 86001
(928) 773-9118
[Located in the DoubleTree Hotel (formerly Woodlands Radisson) on Old Route 66.]
Sakura has been voted one of the "Best Restaurants of the Southwest" by Food and Wine Magazine. And it has received the title of best Japanese restaurant for ten years from the Arizona Daily Sun.
View the sushi and teppanyaki menus online.
Salsa Brava
2220 East Rte. 66
Flagstaff, AZ 6004
(928) 779-5293
From the Salsa Brava website: "At Salsa Brava, your food is always made to order. All of our hand-made salsas are made fresh, right here, every day. We use only all-natural, antibiotic- and hormone-free, boneless, skinless chicken as well as trimmed top sirloin and lean pork. We hand-cut 600 pounds of fresh tomatoes every week. Our cheese is from Wisconsin, always aged. We use only 100 percent cholesterol-free canola oil—no lard, no MSG, ever."
Salsa Brava has been voted "Flagstaff's Best Mexican Restaurant" and "Best Salsa" by the Arizona Daily Sun.
Visit the Salsa Brava home page
Taverna Greek Grill
2420 South Woodlands Village Boulevard
Flagstaff, AZ 86001
(928) 213-9994
At Taverna Greek Grill, you can enjoy a glass of wine and grilled artichokes by the fireplace or meet up with a friend for Happy Hour from 3 - 7 pm or 9 pm to last call at the bar built by a local artist. Taverna has an extensive, Mediterranean influenced menu, and the food is made from scratch and purchased locally whenever possible. They've partnered with Flagstaff Produce, The Village Baker, and Arizona and New Mexico breweries.
Beaver Street Brewery
Much more than great beer
11 South Beaver St # 1
Flagstaff, AZ 86001
(928) 779-0079
Beaver Street's menu offers a variety of unique sandwiches, salads, fondues and wood-fired pizzas. You can watch the chefs prepare your meal in the open kitchen and see the brewer creating ales and lagers behind the bar. There's a seasonal outdoor beer garden, and you can also choose to have your meal in the billiard room adjacent to the dining room.
Visit the Beaver Street Brewing Company home page
Brix
413 North San Francisco Street
Flagstaff, AZ 86001
(928) 213-1021
Owned by the same family who owns Criollo Latin Kitchen (above), Brix has received national and worldwide press from publications such as Conde Nast Traveler, Sunset Magazine, and Arizona Highways.
The food is so good, they're opening a new location in the Phoenix area.
Charley's: In the Weatherford Hotel in Downtown Flagstaff
The Hotel Weatherford
23 N. Leroux Street
Flagstaff, AZ 86001
928-779-1919
Serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, Charley's Grill is open from 8am to 10pm daily. Fresh soups and salads, pesole, prime rib, burgers, Navajo tacos and vegetarian dishes are some of their specialties. Sit inside or, in the nice weather, enjoy people-watching while eating your meal in their side-walk seating area.
Visit the Hotel Weatherford and Charley's Grill home page
Cottage Place
126 West Cottage Avenue
Flagstaff, AZ 86001
(928) 774-8431
Located in an old Flagstaff residence that was built in 1909, the Cottage Place restaurant has received the "Award of Excellence" from the Wine Spectator Magazine every year since 1996 and features a special six-course tasting menu with the option of wine pairings each evening. This menu changes monthly.
Considered one of the best fine dining establishments in northern Arizona, Cottage Place also offers a series of very popular cooking classes.
Visit the Cottage Place home page
Cuvee 928 : Wine Bar and Gourmet Cafe [[NOW CLOSED]]
6 E Aspen Ave # 110
Flagstaff, AZ 86001
(928) 214-9463
There's a lot of wine (and other refreshments) at Cuvee928, but there's also a lot of great food too, including appetizers, delicious salads and main dishes. Located at Heritage Square, Flagstaff's "outdoor living room," Cuvee928 offers outdoor seating in the warmer weather, where you can watch the goings on in the heart of downtown, including frequent entertainment in the square. Though I'm not personally a wine-drinker, I've found the food as well as the service to be excellent.
Josephine's Modern American Bistro
503 North Humphreys Street
Flagstaff, AZ 86001
(928) 779-3400
Located a couple of blocks from historic downtown, Josephine's offers a cozy and high-quality fine dining experience. The chef frequently updates the menu to showcase the best produce and seafood in season.
Josephine's has two fireplaces, which add to the ambience and make this a great place for romantic winter dinners. There's also a landscaped patio, perfect for casual summer lunches. The building in which Josephine's is located has been placed on the National Historic Register for its fine example of Craftsman Bungalow architecture.
Tinderbox Kitchen
34 S. San Francisco St.
Flagstaff, AZ, 86001
928-226-8400
From the Tinderbox Kitchen Facebook page: "Tinderbox Kitchen serves American comfort food - redefined. Owners and cousins, Scott and Kevin Heinonen, offer soul-satisfying food in an upscale, contemporary atmosphere."
When I looked at their dinner menu on December 22nd, the entrees and prices were:
- Jalapeno Mac-n-Cheese, "Shake & Bake" Duck Leg Confit, Garlic Bread Crumbs 22
- Shrimp & Grits: Southern BBQ Shrimp, Blue Cheese Grits, Chow Chow 24
- Yankee Beef Pot Roast, Hand-Rolled Egg Noodles, Braising Jus, Horseradish 22
- Steak Frites: New York Strip, TBOX Steak Sauce, Broccolini, Black Pepper Frites 28
- Smoke Roasted Pork Loin, Red Chile Hominy, Crema, Cabbage, Tortilla Chips 25
- Chicken-Fried Duck Breast, "Dirty" Mashers, Maple Gravy, Sweet Slaw 25
- Juniper-Cured Venison, Sweet Potato Hash, Cherry Jus, Sweet Potato Chips 28
- Seared Sea Scallops, Bacon-Creamed Brussels' Sprouts, Rice Hushpuppies 25
- Signature Meatloaf, Mashers, Pork Belly Gravy, Panko-Crusted Onion Rings 22
- Herbed Spaetzle, Walnuts, Goat Cheese, Wilted Greens, Brown Butter 18
There are 5 sides to choose from.
Dinner is served Mon - Sat, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Visit the Tinderbox Kitchen home page
Wildflower Bread Company
530 E Piccadilly Dr
Flagstaff, AZ 86001
(928) 233-5010
I've never had anything at Wildflower that I didn't like--their hearty soups, salads, sandwiches, pasta dishes and pastries. And, of course, their fresh-baked breads, which come with most meals. You can count on the quality and the service.
In addition to the delicious food served by this family-owned chain of Arizona restaurants, Wildflower believes it's their responsibility to give back and make a difference. They volunteer, donate food, and support organizations large and small, including a number of them right here in Flagstaff, like Second Chance For Animals, the Boys & Girls Club, and our Search & Rescue team, with fundraisers.
Visit the Wildflower Bread Company home page
Chili's: Dependably Good With Friendly Service
1500 South Milton Road
Flagstaff, AZ 86001
(928) 774-4546
At least, with most chain restaurants, you know what to expect no matter which of their locations you visit. And the Flagstaff Chilis is a good as any I've been to. I've never had a bad meal there, and I've found the service to be excellent. At least, in my experience. And I like their "guilt free" menu options ... and their quesadillas ... and burgers and salads and ... well, it's all good.
Chilis serves a wide variety of flavorful southwestern and all-around American cuisine, and yummy (and gooey) desserts.
Olive Garden
2550 S. Beulah Blvd
Flagstaff, AZ 86001
(928) 779-3000
Another reliable standby, this one serving authentic Italian dishes, most accompanied by your choice of soup or salad and soft, warm breadsticks. If you go around peak dinner time, be prepared to wait a bit, as this is a popular place, especially on Friday and Saturday evenings. I've never had a wait at lunchtime, though.
What are some of your favorites? Or what about Flagstaff restaurants that won't be seeing YOU again? Please let us know in the guestbook below. Thanks!
More Flagstaff Restaurant Guides
- Flagstaff Dining by the Flagstaff Convention & Visitor's Bureau
Information about 40 of their favorite eateries - Flagstaff Restaurant Reviews from Trip Advisor
Reviews of 159 local restaurants
This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.
© 2010 Deb Kingsbury
