22 Arizona restaurants made national headlines in 2023: Here's why they were recognized
Arizona restaurants, bakeries and bakers made a splash on the national stage this year, with outlets from Bon Appetit, to the Washington Post and Esquire recognizing local restaurants for serving the best regional pizza, bagels, absolute best and new dishes, and as being among the top 100 restaurants in the U.S.
A few were name-checked more than once.
Chefs were recognized for cooking Mexican and Italian plates, pizza, seafood and steak. Those who used local ingredients were celebrated for their creativity and connection to the location. There were both established restaurants and brand-new ones.
Here's a look at all the Arizona restaurants that made national news in 2023.
Bagelfeld's
Bagelfeld's was among the 24 bakeries Bon Appetit recognized as "The Very Best Bagels in the US."
Details: 2940 E. Thomas Road, Phoenix. bagelfeld.com.
Cafe Monarch
This Scottsdale restaurant has been a darling of multiple travel and dining sites over the years and yet again made OpenTable's Top 100 Restaurants in America list for 2023.
Details: 6939 E. First Ave., Scottsdale. 480-970-7682, cafemonarch.com.
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Cavern Grotto
This restaurant's location, 210 feet below ground, landed it on Time Out's list of the best secret restaurants in the U.S.
Details: Route 66 Mile Marker 115, Peach Springs. 928-422-3223; gccaverns.com.
Chilte
Chilte made Bon Appetit's list of "24 Best New Restaurants of 2023," Mashed's list of "11 Best New US Restaurants To Try In 2023" and Esquire's list of "Best New Restaurants in America."
Details: 765 Grand Ave., Phoenix. 602-807-5225, chiltephx.com.
Lom Wong
The husband-and-wife-owned Thai restaurant made Esquire magazine's Best New Restaurants in America list.
Details: 218 E. Portland St., Phoenix. lomwongaz.com. Follow Lom Wong on social media at instagram.com/lomwongaz.
Lon's at the Hermosa
Lon's at the Hermosa was featured on OpenTable's Most Popular Restaurants for Outdoor Dining in America: 2023 Edition.
Details: 5532 N. Palo Cristi Road, Paradise Valley. hermosainn.com.
Mariposa
Mariposa was on OpenTable's Top 100 Restaurants in America list for 2023, and OpenTable's Most Popular Restaurants for Outdoor Dining in America: 2023 Edition.
Details: 700 W. Arizona 89a, Sedona. 928-862-4444, mariposasedona.com.
My Slice of the Pie Pizzeria
The Washington Post recognized My Slice of the Pie as Best New York Pizza overall on its best regional pizza in each state list.
Details: 3724 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix. 602-975-2026, mysliceofthepiepizzeria.com.
Ocean 44
Ocean 44 made OpenTable's Top 100 Restaurants in America list for 2023.
Details: 4748 N. Goldwater Blvd., Scottsdale. 480-867-0044, ocean44.com.
Olive & Ivy
Olive & Ivy appeared on OpenTable's Most Popular Restaurants for Outdoor Dining in America: 2023 Edition.
Details: 7135 E. Camelback Road, Scottsdale. 480-751-2200, oliveandivyrestaurant.com.
Picazzo's Healthy Italian Kitchen
The restaurant was recognized as the second-best gluten-free pizzeria on USA Today's 10Best list of the best gluten-free or vegan products in America.
Details: 1855 W. Highway 89A, Sedona. Also, 4669 E. Cactus Road, Phoenix. Additional locations at picazzos.com.
Pizzeria Bianco
Pizzeria Bianco received a rating of Best Neapolitan Pizza Overall in The Washington Post's list of best regional pizza in each state.
Details: 623 E. Adams St., Phoenix. 602-258-8300, pizzeriabianco.com.
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Raffaele's Pizza
This restaurant was recognized as Best Sicilian Pizza Overall on The Washington Post's best regional pizza in each state roundup.
Details: 7019 N. 19th Ave., Phoenix. 602-242-5117, raffaelespizza.com.
Spinato's Pizzeria
Spinato's Pizzeria was voted third best for best gluten-free pizzeria on USA Today's 10 Best list of the best gluten-free or vegan products in America.
Details: 1614 E. Bell Road, Suite 104, Phoenix. Also, 5509 N. 7th St., Phoenix. Additional locations at spinatospizzeria.com.
Spooky's Swirls
The Chandler bakery with gluten-free sweets and a year-round celebration of Halloween made USA Today's best gluten-free or vegan products in America.
Details: 3029 N. Alma School Road, Suite 117, Chandler. 707-776-6597, spookysswirls.com.
The Rec Pizza & Detroit Eat
The Rec got Best Detroit Pizza overall on The Washington Post's list of best regional pizza in each state.
Details: 20340 N. Lake Pleasant Road, Peoria. 623-328-9131, therecpizzeria.com.
Tumerico
"VegNews" recently released a list of the 25 Best Vegan Mexican Food Spots Across the U.S. and Tumerico restaurant in Tucson not only made the list but was in the top 10 for its "focus on healthy, new-age Mexican cuisine."
Details: 2526 E. Sixth St., Tucson. 520-240-6947, 402 E. Fourth St., Tucson. 520-392-0224, tumerico.com.
Valentine
Valentine's scone made with Sonora wheat, Mimolette cheese, bologna and chipotle made Bon Appetit's list of "The Absolute Best Dishes of 2023."
Valentine's pastry chef Crystal Kass was on Eater's list of "The Pastry Chefs Defining Restaurant Dessert Right Now."
Details: 4130 N. Seventh Ave., Phoenix. 602-612-2961, valentinephx.com.
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Vero Chicago Pizza
The Washington Post recognized Vero as Best Chicago Pizza overall on its list of best regional pizza in each state.
Details: 18423 E. San Tan Blvd., Queen Creek. 480-822-1225, verochicagopizza.com/restaurant-locations/queen-creek-az.
Vivace Restaurant
Tucson's Vivace Restaurant appeared on OpenTable's Most Popular Restaurants for Outdoor Dining in America: 2023 Edition.
Details: 6440 N. Campbell Ave., Tucson. 520-795-7221, vivacetucson.com.
Wildflower
Wildflower was featured on OpenTable's Most Popular Restaurants for Outdoor Dining in America: 2023 Edition.
Details: 7037 N. Oracle Road, Tucson. 520-219-4230, wildflowertucson.com.
Zinc Bistro
This French restaurant made OpenTable's Most Popular Restaurants for Outdoor Dining in America: 2023 Edition.
Details: 15034 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. 480-603-0922, zincbistro.com.
Reach the reporter at BAnooshahr@azcentral.com. Follow @banooshahr on X, formerly Twitter.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Best restaurants in Arizona in 2023, according to national media
