Since 1969, restaurant, hotel, travel & other witty reviews by a handpicked, worldwide team of discerning professionals—and your views, too.


Phoenix/Scottsdale Best Value Restaurants


Looking for a steal of a meal? For a gourmet experience that won't break the bank, check out these Best Value Restaurants in Phoenix/Scottsdale that give the most bang for the buck, including fine destinations where one can dine well for a reasonable price.

Backstreet Wine Salon French
14/20
Gaslight Sq.
3603 E. Indian School Rd.
Phoenix, AZ 85018
602-550-7900
Backstreet is half a well-stocked wine shop and half a terrific European wine bar-bistro. More...

The Breadfruit Jamaican
12/20
108 E. Pierce St.
Phoenix, AZ 85004
602-267-1266
Authentic Jamaican dishes such as flame-thrower-spicy jerk meats and escovitch tilapia. More...

C-Fu Gourmet Chinese
12/20
Citrus Plaza
2051 W. Warner St.
Chandler, AZ 85224
480-899-3888
One of the Valley's best Chinese restaurants, C-Fu is frequented by those who appreciate the fresh seafood and excellent dim sum. More...

Café Bink French
13/20
Carefree Court Shopping Center
36899 N. Tom Darlington Dr.
Carefree, AZ 85377
480-488-9796
From Binkley’s chef-owner Kevin Binkley, a more casual sibling featuring a less complicated and more affordable menu that's entirely engaging. More...

Café Zuzu American
13/20
Hotel Valley Ho
6850 E. Main St.
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
480-248-2000
Zuzu applies snazzy twists to American comfort food favorites like buttermilk pancakes, burgers and shakes. More...

Cafepino Italian
Quick Bite
7000 E. Mayo Blvd.
Phoenix, AZ 85054
480-513-7466
Artisan wood-oven pizzas, garden fresh salads, homemade desserts and breads inspired by authentic European recipes. More...

Chelsea's Kitchen American
13/20
5040 N. 40th St.
Phoenix, AZ 85018
602-957-2555
This modern version of a comfortable Arizona roadhouse features good old American basics with a sophisticated spin. More...

Cheuvront Wine & Cheese Experience Wine Bar
12/20
Artisan Lofts
1326 N. Central Ave.
Phoenix, AZ 85004
602-307-0022
This hip, urban-looking restaurant---devoted to cheese and wine---makes a great pit stop before or after an event downtown. More...

Chompie's Deli Deli
13/20
9301 E. Shea Blvd.
Scottsdale, AZ 85260
480-860-0475
This popular kosher-style deli brings a taste of the Big Apple to Phoenix. More...

Chompie's Deli Deli
13/20
1160 E. University Dr.
Tempe, AZ 85282
480-557-0700
Get an authentic taste of the Big Apple at this kosher-style deli. More...

Chompie's Deli Deli
13/20
Greenway Park Plaza
3202 E. Greenway Rd.
Phoenix, AZ 85032
602-971-8010
This popular kosher-style deli brings a taste of the Big Apple to Phoenix. More...

Cibo Urban Pizzeria Café Pizza
13/20
603 N. Fifth Ave.
Phoenix, AZ 85003
602-441-2697
This ultra-cozy pizzeria serves up great wood-fired pizzas, antipasto, dessert crêpes, locally brewed beers and good Italian wines. More...

Compass American Regional
11/20
Dining Room at Compass, Phoenix, AZ Hyatt Regency Phoenix
122 N. Second St.
Phoenix, AZ 85004
602-440-3166
Arizona’s only revolving restaurant offers good views of the city and regional American food that’s more pricey than memorable. More...

Crazy Jim's Greek
11/20
4041 N. 15th Ave.
Phoenix, AZ 85015
602-264-4777
There’s nothing crazy about this small, friendly diner, which specializes in affordable Greek and Italian food. More...

Crazy Jim's Greek
11/20
305 W. Washington St., Ste. 104
Phoenix, AZ 85003
602-254-6550
There’s nothing crazy about this small, friendly diner, which specializes in affordable Greek and Italian food. More...

Cyclo Vietnamese
14/20
1919 W. Chandler Blvd.
Chandler, AZ 85224
480-963-4490
The small but charming Cyclo serves up traditional Vietnamese favorites as well as Asian flights of fancy, drawing blue collar workers and foodies alike. More...

Delux Burgers
13/20
Biltmore Plaza
3146 E. Camelback Rd.
Phoenix, AZ 85016
602-522-2288
Everybody loves this this cramped contemporary spot where burgers and beer seem both haute and hot. More...

Drift Polynesian Restaurant & Lounge Polynesian
13/20
4341 N. 75th St.
Phoenix, AZ 85251
480-949-8454
Despite the cute tiki lounge décor, the Polynesian-Asian cuisine here is entirely sophisticated and striking. More...

Duck & Decanter Deli
Quick Bite
1651 E. Camelback Rd.
Phoenix, AZ 85016
602-274-5429
On a beautiful day, there’s no better place to have lunch than the patio of the "Duck." More...

Durant's Steakhouse
12/20
2611 N. Central Ave.
Phoenix, AZ 85004
602-264-5967
This downtown institution, going strong since the 50s, is famous for its steaks, martinis and business lunches. More...

Farm Kitchen American
Quick Bite
The Farm at South Mountain
6106 S. 32nd St.
Phoenix, AZ 85040
602-276-6360
Farm Kitchen offers healthy salads, soups and sandwiches to be eaten at picnic tables under wonderful old pecan trees. More...

Fenix Bar & Eatery French
12/20
3943 E. Camelback Rd.
Phoenix, AZ 85018
602-952-0013
A classic French bistro with coq au vin and duck a l’orange. More...

Fez Mediterranean
11/20
3815 N. Central Ave.
Phoenix, AZ 85012
602-287-8700
Chic urban hot-spot with decent to good Mediterranean tastes. More...

Grazie Pizza
12/20
6952 E. Main St.
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
480-663-9797
This lively pizzeria and wine bar turns out terrific thin-crust pizzas and calzones from a wood-burning oven, rounding out the limited menu with Italian appetizers, salads and wines. More...

Havana Café Cuban
12/20
4225 E. Camelback Rd.
Phoenix, AZ 85018
602-952-1991
Small on space, big on charm, this cute café offers patio dining, mojitos and a lengthy menu that includes Spanish, Cuban and Latin American specialties. More...

Havana Patio Café Cuban
13/20
North Ranch
6245 E. Bell Rd.
Scottsdale, AZ 85254
480-991-1496
Larger than the original Havana, this location features the same mojitos and Latin American specialties in a more family-friendly setting. More...

Honey Bear's Barbecue Barbecue
Quick Bite
5012 E. Van Buren St.
Phoenix, AZ 85008
602-273-9148
On the weekends, there are lines out the door at this plain-Jane ’cue joint, which offers plenty of room for families as well as a small bar. More...

Humble Pie Pizza
13/20
Hilton Village
6149 N. Scottsdale Rd.
Scottsdale, AZ 85250
480-556-9900
High-end pizzas with gourmet toppings plus a first-rate boutique wine and beer list. More...

L'Ecole French
13/20
Scottsdale Culinary Institute
8100 E. Camelback Rd.
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
480-425-3111
This pleasant restaurant is Scottsdale Culinary Institute’s training ground for chefs, so expect classic preparations at moderate prices with only the occasional mistake. More...

Lo-Lo's Chicken & Waffles Soul Food
13/20
10 W. Yuma St.
Phoenix, AZ 85003
602-340-1304
Diet be damned, there’s no resisting the soul food at this south Phoenix spot. More...

Los Dos Molinos Mexican
Quick Bite
260 S. Alma School Rd., Suite #137
Mesa, AZ 85210
480-969-7475
Order milk or bring a fire extinguisher because the New Mexico-style food at this casual restaurant is seriously hot. More...

Los Dos Molinos Mexican
Quick Bite
8646 S. Central Ave.
Phoenix, AZ 85042
602-243-9113
Order milk or bring a fire extinguisher because the New Mexico-style food at this casual restaurant is seriously hot. More...

Matt's Big Breakfast Breakfast
Quick Bite
Dining Room at Matt 801 N. First St.
Phoenix, AZ 85004
602-254-1074
A tiny diner where the breakfasts are, indeed, big and the food focuses on simple American classics. More...

The New El Portal Restaurant Mexican
Quick Bite
117 W. Grant St.
Phoenix, AZ 85004
602-271-0521
Don’t miss the chilaquiles at this neat-as-a-pin Mexican restaurant. More...

Noca Modern American
15/20
Dining Room at Noca, Phoenix, AZ Biltmore Plaza
3118 E. Camelback Rd.
Phoenix, AZ 85016
602-956-6622
Cooking from a culinary “dream team,” offering a fresh global approach to Italian, French, Asian and American. More...

Oregano's Pizza
Quick Bite
3622 N. Scottsdale Rd.
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
480-970-1860
A great place to drop by for pizza and beer, Oregano’s is beloved by 20-somethings as well as families for its inexpensive food and casual atmosphere. More...

Oregano's Pizza
Quick Bite
523 W. University Dr.
Tempe, AZ 85281
480-858-0501
A great place to drop by for pizza and beer, Oregano’s is beloved by 20-somethings as well as families for its inexpensive food and casual atmosphere. More...

Overeasy Breakfast
12/20
4031 N. 40th St.
Phoenix, AZ 85018
602-468-3447
Upscale breakfast favorites from chef Aaron May of Sol y Sombra find a casa. More...

Pink Pepper Thai Cuisine Thai
Quick Bite
Bell Towne Plaza
245 E. Bell Rd.
Phoenix, AZ 85022
602-548-1333
A longtime Valley favorite for its extensive Thai menu and range of heat levels. More...

Pizzeria Bianco Italian
14/20
623 E. Adams St.
Phoenix, AZ 85004
602-258-8300
Considered by local foodies to be the best pizza joint in this town or any other, Pizzeria Bianco offers great pies as well as salads and sandwiches, prepared with Italian flair by Chris Bianco. More...

Postino Italian
12/20
3939 E. Campbell Ave.
Phoenix, AZ 85018
602-852-3939
This friendly wine bar has everything going for it. More...

San Carlos Bay Seafood Restaurant Mexican
11/20
1901 E. McDowell Rd.
Phoenix, AZ 85006
602-340-0892
San Carlos is one of the oldest and best places in town for Mexican seafood. More...

The Spotted Donkey Cantina Mexican
14/20
el Pedregal
34505 N. Scottsdale Rd.
Scottsdale, AZ 85262
480-488-3358
Southwestern Mexican is fun but sophisticated in this casual-classy hot spot. More...

Tonto Bar & Grill Southwestern
14/20
Dining Room at Tonto Bar & Grill, Cave Creek, AZ Rancho Mañana Resort & Spa
5736 E. Rancho Mañana Blvd.
Cave Creek, AZ 85331
480-488-0698
Eclectic Arizona-themed cuisine with striking desert views. More...

Vincent’s Market Bistro French
12/20
3930 E. Camelback Rd.
Phoenix, AZ 85018
602-224-3727
Chef Vincent Guerithault’s dishes are served in a casual, gourmet marketplace setting. More...

Vogue Bistro & Bar French
13/20
Dining Room at Vogue Bistro & Bar, Surprise, AZ Marley Park Plaza
15411 W. Waddell Rd.
Surprise, AZ 85379
623-544-9109
A fashionable, swank, but friendly French bistro with an eclectic menu ranging from cassoulet to truffled mac ‘n’ cheese. More...

Welcome Diner Diner
12/20
924 E. Roosevelt St.
Phoenix, AZ 85006
602-253-7799
A refurbished 1930s diner offers classic diner food with an upscale twist. More...

 

Back to Best Value Restaurants

RESTAURANT AWARDS

Just published! Our annual restaurant issue features the Best Cheap Eats and our Top 40 U.S. selections, including including Corton in New York and more!