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While Sedona, Arizona might seem only like an outdoorsy destination, it’s also a place where foodies can find joy. Throughout the small city, you can discover fine-dining experiences unlike any other or deceivingly delicious hole-in-the-wall joints.
Whether it’s your first time venturing out to Verde Valley or your twentieth, you can’t go wrong with any of the best Sedona restaurants we’ve listed for you below.
Best Restaurants You Should Try
After a day’s long adventure exploring the various hiking trails, taking in the red rock views, and shopping along Sedona’s quaint uptown and upscale Tlaquepaque arts square, you probably want a bite to eat. Fortunately, Sedona has plenty of delicious restaurants to choose from whether you’re in the mood for hearty Italian or spicy Southwestern.
Dahl & Di Luca Ristorante Italiano
This Italian restaurant is one of several owned and operated by Chef Lisa Dahl’s restaurant group. The rustic interior and patio seating compliments the delectably authentic Italian dishes offered at Dahl & Luca Ristorante Italiano.
Choose a classic Italian dish like the savory pollo piccata, or choose one of Chef Lisa’s signatures like Lisa’s luscious lasagna that features melt in your mouth ricotta.
Since Dahl & Di Luca Ristorante Italiano is popular among locals and tourists, they require reservations. Guests must also adhere to the upscale dress code to sit in the dining room. Or, you can dress a bit more casually and have a seat at the outdoor patio.
Of course, if you don’t feel like dressing up or don’t have the time, you can always order your meal for curbside takeout instead and bring those rich Italian flavors back to your hotel room to enjoy.
Che ah Chi
Che ah Chi, open for breakfast and dinner, offers guests American cuisine with Native American influences, locally sourced ingredients, and an extensive wine list. The restaurant’s menu boasts various options from prime New York steak to Crispy Skin Opakapaka, most of which are dietary restriction-friendly.
You can also swing by the restaurant after a hike or a day of excursions to pick up a smoothie or refreshing juice from Che ah Chi’s juice bar to rehydrate.
You’ll find this restaurant located within the Enchantment Resort, nestled among the Boynton Canyon backdrop. You can enjoy your meal with stunning views no matter where you sit on the patio.
Tamaliza
Don’t let Tamaliza’s quaint exterior fool you; it’s one of the best spots in Sedona, if not in all of Arizona, to find high-quality home-style Mexican food. It’s slightly off the beaten path from uptown Sedona and the Tlaquepaque arts square but is well-worth venturing outside the norm for its signature gourmet tamales and unbeatable tacos.
Owner and Chef Claudia was raised in Mexico with a rich heritage and strong cultural ties that she incorporates into her cuisine along with fresh, organic ingredients. While her traditional Mexican staples are undeniably delicious, Tamaliza’s breakfast menu might steal the show with the customer favorite, huevos con chorizo.
Coffee Pot Restaurant
Before you begin a hike or daily excursion itinerary, you’ll need to fuel up with a quality breakfast. Luckily, the Coffee Pot Restaurant is a Sedona staple for breakfast and has been for many years. The environment here is friendly and casual, perfect for a quick stop in before hitting the trails.
You can choose from an endless breakfast menu of waffles, pancakes, bacon, eggs, over 100 omelet combinations, and a cup of rich Colombian coffee.
The restaurant shares its space with a gift shop for you to stock up on essential tourist gear before leaving. Plus, if you enjoyed their coffee, you can pick up a bag in the shop to keep your fill going even when you return home.
Tii Gavo
Like Che ah Chi, you’ll find Tii Gavo inside the Enchantment Resort, too, only it’s a bit more relaxed and offers Southwest fare. Plus, you can take advantage of Tii Gavo’s cocktail menu for unique handcrafted margaritas with unique flavors you might not find elsewhere, including prickly pear, habanero, and chipotle.
Finally, the eatery offers equally impressive artisanal sodas for those underage or who don’t prefer alcoholic beverages.
Like Che ah Chi, Tii Gavo offers outdoor seating with panoramic views of the red rock landscape along with fire pits to huddle around with friends during the colder months. It’s an ideal restaurant spot for those looking for a bite to eat and a high-quality drink to match.
Mariposa Latin Inspired Grill
If you’ve been to Sedona before, you’ve probably seen the sizable butterfly-decorated building on your way into or leaving town. That’s another one of chef Lisa Dahl’s establishments, Mariposa. The large restaurant boasts ample indoor seating, a long bar, and spacious garden patio space for outdoor seating.
Here, you’ll find upscale Latin-inspired cuisine that’ll make your mouth water while reading through the menu. Much like chef Dahl’s other restaurants, Mariposa uses fresh ingredients for every meal.
The restaurant’s position on a slight incline gives guests the ultimate view of the Sedona scenery and mountains. Even if you aren’t that hungry, you might want to try getting a reservation to watch the sunset from Mariposa because the view from there will astonish you.
Cress on Oak Creek
If you didn’t think you could find quality French cuisine in Arizona, think again. Cress on Oak Creek, the restaurant connected to L’Auberge de Sedona, is a fine-dining French and American-inspired restaurant offering breakfast, brunch, and dinner service. The restaurant’s outdoor seating sits along the edge of Oak Creek for a serene view while you enjoy your meal.
Cress on Oak Creek chefs use natural, local ingredients to create Spanish, French, and Italian-inspired dishes, such as citrus braised Spanish octopus, pan-seared ora king salmon, and the rolled lasagna skillet.
Wash your entree down with one of the restaurant’s signature handcrafted cocktails, peruse the equally appetizing dessert menu, and enjoy your relaxing dining experience at Cress on Oak Creek.
Elote Cafe
Elote Cafe is an award-winning restaurant offering all of your Southwest and Mexican comfort food favorites, including enchiladas, carnitas, and carne asada. The restaurant also offers unique, flavorful bites like goat cheese balls, smoked pork cheek, and grilled halibut, all with a signature Southwest flare.
Once you’ve finished your entree, you can polish off your appetite with one of the various handcrafted desserts that practically melt in your mouth.
If you aren’t convinced about how good Elote Cafe is, you should check out the line that starts forming when they open for service.
The Hudson
While most establishments in Sedona try to accommodate the desert landscape and red rock views, the Hudson dares to be different with its bold contemporary style. The restaurant resides on the top level of the Hillside Shopping Center. You won’t be able to miss its enormous and bold, black front doors.
Inside, you’ll find a modern industrial design that cultivates a sense of comfort and camaraderie. And, if the design doesn’t loosen you up, a few drinks from the Hudson’s happy hour deals and wine bar might.
Here, you can pop in for a quick bite before hitting the trails or stay for an evening meal. The restaurant serves American fare and classic bar food appetizers which you can enjoy indoors or out on the patio.
Heartline Cafe
The Heartline Cafe is a hidden gem for tourists tucked away in a garden setting with indoor and outdoor seating. The menu features Mediterranean and American cuisine with some Hispanic influences, like the black bean hummus starter and mesquite rack of lamb entree.
The menu paired with the setting offers guests a more relaxed fine-dining experience. The Heartline Cafe has been in business for 30 years and continues only to use the freshest ingredients, which is why the menu here rotates seasonally.
The Heartline Cafe also has an extensive wine list for the wine enthusiast in your traveling group. The Heartline Cafe probably has its stock or something close enough if you can think of the glass.
The Cowboy Club
The Cowboy Club, one of the best family-friendly restaurants in Sedona, has a little bit of everything for everyone, including a kids menu for your little ones. From its saloon exterior to its proclaimed “cowboy hour” instead of happy hour, the Cowboy Club restaurant aims to keep the spirit of the wild west alive and well in the desert community.
You can enjoy the authentic Western design, which various films have featured throughout their lifetime as you eat. Some notable actors from back in the day like John Wayne and Joan Crawford used to pass through the Cowboy Club.
While some of the furnishings and decor have been refurbished over the years, the menu is current and delicious, ideal for anyone looking for classic American food, whether a simple salad or ooey-gooey mac and cheese.
Book Your Visit
Now that your mouth is watering, it’s time to book your visit. So drive, fly, run, crawl, or hop on to Sedona for an unforgettable experience and even better food.
Header image photo credit: Lynne Neuman
