Unique Restaurants in Arizona: 12 Coolest Places to Eat in AZ

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Looking for unusual places to eat in Arizona? From the Grand Canyon’s breathtaking vistas to Phoenix and Tucson’s lively streets, the state is full of culinary surprises.

Arizona’s got a vibe that food lovers can’t resist. I’ve explored from the cool shadows of the Grand Canyon to the lively streets of Phoenix, and wow, the eating spots here are something else.

Imagine chowing down on pizza under the glow of an organ or laughing with friends at a haunted burger joint. Arizona’s best restaurants are all about unforgettable moments and flavors that pop, showcasing that distinctive Arizona charm.

From quirky cafes to upscale spots with views, Arizona’s dining scene turns meals into adventures. Ready to uncover these unique places? Let’s get going!

👉 Pro Tip: Dive into Scottsdale’s flavors with the Old Town Scottsdale Foodie Tour! Stroll through Old Town, sampling local dishes and drinks while learning about the area’s history and food culture. Perfect for food lovers, this tour offers a delicious taste of Scottsdale’s charm. Don’t miss out!

Weird & Wonderful Places to Eat in Arizona

Ready to explore Arizona’s culinary gems? We’re about to embark on a flavorful adventure, discovering everything from luxurious dining experiences to quaint, off-the-beaten-path treasures. Let’s set off on a journey to the most unique places to eat in AZ.

Ever thought about enjoying a meal amidst the sprawling beauty of the Sonoran Desert or inside a historic saloon from the Wild West? Or perhaps savoring gourmet dishes in a restaurant filled with comic book memorabilia? Arizona’s dining scene is as diverse and captivating as its landscapes. Here’s your essential guide to the most unique restaurants in Arizona, making it one of the top places to live and visit in the Southwest US.

1. Organ Stop Pizza

• 📍 Location: Mesa
• 💲 Price range: $10 – $25 per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Pizza / Salad Bar / Ice Cream
• 🔥 Standout Features: Wurlitzer theater pipe organ, classic pizza parlor, family entertainment.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Families, live music lovers, entertainment seekers, and organ music fans.

Prepare for a pizza party powered by pipes! Organ Stop Pizza in Mesa isn’t just about delicious pizza; it’s about the massive Wurlitzer theater pipe organ that rises from the stage and fills the hall with incredible music. It’s a symphony of sauce and song!

Build your own custom pizza with all your favorite toppings. Choose a specialty pie like the “Combination” or a simple pepperoni. Grab a pitcher of soda and enjoy the show as organists play everything from movie themes to pop hits.

2. Haunted Hamburger

• 📍 Location: Jerome (Historic Mining Town)
• 💲 Price range: $15 – $30 per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: American / Burgers / Bar Food
• 🔥 Standout Features: Haunted historic building, panoramic Verde Valley views, quirky haunted theme.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Ghost story fans, paranormal enthusiasts, Jerome day-trippers, and burger lovers.

Get your burgers with a side of boos at the Haunted Hamburger in the historic mining town of Jerome! Perched on Cleopatra Hill, this spot offers killer Verde Valley views and a playfully spooky atmosphere. You might get more than just ketchup!

Sink your teeth into one of their famously good Haunted Hamburgers with cheese and all the fixings. The “Double-Bypass Burger” for larger appetites, or their crispy onion rings, are also popular choices. The panoramic vistas are breathtaking.

3. Longhorn Grill and Saloon

• 📍 Location: Amado (South of Tucson)
• 💲 Price range: $15 – $30 per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: American / Tex-Mex / Steaks
• 🔥 Standout Features: Giant steer skull building, classic Southwestern fare, historic landmark.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Road trips, Southwestern food lovers, Instagrammers, and experiencing Arizona history.

You can’t miss this one! The Longhorn Grill and Saloon in Amado is in an unmissable building shaped like a gigantic steer skull, a true icon of Arizona roadside architecture. It’s a landmark that serves up hearty grub!

Step inside this unique structure. Think satisfying steaks, like a grilled sirloin. Flavorful enchiladas with red or green sauce, or classic burgers with fries, are also popular. It’s a fun, kitschy stop for travelers and locals alike.

4. Black Bart’s Steakhouse, Saloon, & Musical Revue

• 📍 Location: Flagstaff
• 💲 Price range: $30 – $60 per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Steakhouse / American
• 🔥 Standout Features: Singing servers, Old West theme, quality steaks, family-friendly entertainment.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Musical theater fans, steak lovers, families, classic show tunes, and group dinners.

Get ready for steaks and show tunes at Black Bart’s Steakhouse in Flagstaff! This lively spot combines a classic Old West saloon atmosphere with a talented troupe of singing servers who belt out Broadway hits and classic favorites while delivering your dinner.

Enjoy a quality ribeye or New York strip cooked to your liking. Classic steakhouse sides like a baked potato or sautéed mushrooms are also excellent. The real treat is the continuous musical revue performed by the energetic staff.

5. Sugar Bowl

• 📍 Location: Old Town Scottsdale
• 💲 Price range: $10 – $20 per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Old-Fashioned Ice Cream Parlor / Sandwiches / Soups
• 🔥 Standout Features: All-pink retro decor (since 1958), classic soda fountain/ice cream creations, nostalgic atmosphere, arcade games.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Nostalgia seekers, ice cream lovers, families with kids, fans of retro Americana, and sweet treat enthusiasts.

Step into a perfectly preserved pink paradise at the Sugar Bowl in Old Town Scottsdale! This iconic ice cream parlor and restaurant has been serving sweet treats and nostalgic vibes since 1958. Its charming retro decor is straight out of a time capsule.

Indulge in classic soda fountain creations. Enormous banana splits are a highlight. Frothy malts (chocolate or vanilla), or a simple scoop of your favorite ice cream in a cone, are also perfect. They offer simple sandwiches and soups too.

6. Mammoth Steak House and Saloon

• 📍 Location: Goldfield Ghost Town, Apache Junction
• 💲 Price range: $20 – $40 per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: American Western / Steaks / BBQ
• 🔥 Standout Features: Historic location, Old West saloon ambiance, hearty steaks.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Ghost town explorers, Old West fans, Goldfield visitors, steak/BBQ lovers, and themed dining enthusiasts.

Rustle up some grub in a real ghost town at the Mammoth Steak House and Saloon! Located in the historic Goldfield Ghost Town, this spot offers a taste of the Old West with its rustic saloon atmosphere and hearty American fare.

Sink your teeth into a satisfying steak, like a top sirloin or T-bone. Saucy BBQ ribs or other classic Western dishes like chili are also popular. The saloon vibe is authentic, and you’re surrounded by Goldfield’s attractions.

• Read Next: 12 Off-the-Beaten-Path Spots in Arizona You Need to Visit

7. The Persian Room

• 📍 Location: Scottsdale / Phoenix areas
• 💲 Price range: $25 – $50 per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Authentic Persian / Middle Eastern
• 🔥 Standout Features: Elegant Persian decor, kebabs, fine dining atmosphere.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Persian food, Middle Eastern cuisine, fans of exotic spices, and celebratory meals.

Embark on an exotic culinary journey at The Persian Room. With its elegant decor and commitment to authentic flavors, this spot offers a refined taste of Iran right in Arizona. Prepare for a feast fit for a Shah!

Indulge in incredibly flavorful dishes. Succulent Koobideh Kebabs (ground meat) are a must-try. Tender Barg Kebabs (filet mignon), or the classic Chicken Soltani (a combination of chicken barg and koobideh), all served with fluffy saffron rice, are fantastic.

• Read Next: 12 Fun & Unique Restaurants in Scottsdale (AZ)

8. Tortilla Flat Saloon & Restaurant

• 📍 Location: Tortilla Flat (Historic Apache Trail Stagecoach Stop)
• 💲 Price range: $15 – $30 per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: American / Southwestern / Bar Food
• 🔥 Standout Features: Walls covered in dollar bills, historic stagecoach stop, Old West saloon vibe, Prickly Pear Gelato.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Apache Trail adventurers, roadside stop fans, history buffs, chili lovers, and Prickly Pear Gelato enthusiasts.

Dollar, dollar bills, y’all! Step into the unique Tortilla Flat Saloon, where walls are plastered with thousands of signed dollar bills. Located in the tiny, historic stagecoach stop town of Tortilla Flat, this place is pure Arizona quirk.

Grab a cold beer. Their famous Killer Chili is a popular choice. A classic burger or hearty barbecue sandwiches are also good. Before you leave, you must try their unique prickly pear gelato. The atmosphere is rustic and historic.

9. The Toasted Owl Cafe

• 📍 Location: Flagstaff / Phoenix areas
• 💲 Price range: $10 – $25 per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Eclectic American Cafe / Breakfast & Brunch Focus
• 🔥 Standout Features: Owl-themed decor, comfort food, dog-friendly patios.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Owl lovers, brunch fans, casual diners, and dog owners.

Whooo’s hungry for some quirky fun? The Toasted Owl Cafe is a delightful spot adorned with owls of every shape and size! This charming cafe serves up creative comfort food in a whimsical, welcoming atmosphere. It’s a hoot!

Enjoy hearty breakfast and brunch favorites. Inventive pancakes like their “Southwest Sweet Potato” pancakes are a hit. Savory breakfast burritos loaded with eggs, cheese, and green chile, or their unique omelets, are also fantastic.

• Read Next: Amazing Cabins in Flagstaff, AZ for the Ultimate Vacation

10. Matt’s Big Breakfast

• 📍 Location: Multiple locations in Phoenix Metro area
• 💲 Price range: $10 – $20 per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Classic American Breakfast & Lunch
• 🔥 Standout Features: Focus on high-quality, simple breakfast classics; cage-free eggs, thick-cut bacon, popular local spot, often a wait.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Breakfast purists, lovers of classic American breakfast, quality ingredient seekers, casual brunch/lunch, and satisfying hearty cravings.

Start your day right with a no-nonsense, high-quality breakfast at Matt’s Big Breakfast. This popular local spot focuses on doing classic American breakfast and lunch staples exceptionally well, using better ingredients like cage-free eggs and thick-cut bacon.

Trying their signature “Five Spot” breakfast platter (two eggs, bacon or sausage, hash browns, toast) is a good plan. Fluffy pancakes with real maple syrup, or their perfectly cooked omelets with fresh fillings, are also fantastic. Be prepared for a potential wait!

• Read Next: 12 Fun, Cool & Unique Restaurants in Phoenix

11. Kon Tiki Restaurant & Lounge

• 📍 Location: Tucson
• 💲 Price range: $15 – $35 per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Polynesian / Tiki Bar Fare
• 🔥 Standout Features: Historic tiki bar, tiki decor/carvings, tropical cocktails (like the Kon Tiki Mai Tai!), retro Polynesian vibe.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Tiki culture fans, retro cocktails, vintage Americana, and strong Mai Tai drinkers.

Escape to a vintage Polynesian paradise at Kon Tiki Restaurant & Lounge in Tucson! This historic tiki bar has been serving potent tropical cocktails and island vibes since 1963. It’s a gloriously retro, rum-soaked journey back in time.

Sip on classic tiki concoctions. Their famously strong Kon Tiki Mai Tai is a must. A refreshing Scorpion Bowl for sharing, or other fruity rum-based drinks like a “Zombie,” are also popular. They offer Polynesian-inspired appetizers.

• Read Next: 12 Things to Do in Tucson at Night That Locals Try to Keep Secret

12. Little Anthony’s Diner

• 📍 Location: Tucson
• 💲 Price range: $10 – $25 per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Classic 1950s American Diner
• 🔥 Standout Features: 50s diner decor/memorabilia, classic car cruise-ins, jukebox tunes, burgers/fries/shakes.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Nostalgia buffs, classic car enthusiasts, families, and milkshake/burger lovers.

Grease back your hair at Little Anthony’s Diner in Tucson! This spot is a full-blown tribute to the 1950s, decked out with classic diner decor, memorabilia, and jukeboxes playing golden oldies. It’s like stepping onto the set of “Happy Days”!

Chow down on all-American diner favorites. Juicy cheeseburgers with crispy onion rings are a classic combo. Thick, hand-spun milkshakes (chocolate, vanilla, or strawberry), or a hearty patty melt, are also fantastic. They host classic car cruise-ins.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Unique Restaurants in AZ

Are you searching for more information about where to eat in Arizona? Here are some common questions (and answers) I get asked a lot about Arizona’s most unique restaurants.

What are some unique foods in Arizona?

Arizona’s unique eats include Sonoran hot dogs, wrapped in bacon and loaded with toppings; Navajo tacos on frybread instead of tortillas; and prickly pear treats, used in everything from candies to margaritas.

What kind of food is Phoenix known for?

Phoenix shines with its Mexican cuisine, especially street tacos and chimichangas. The city also loves its wood-fired pizzas, showcasing a knack for artisanal foods.

What is unique about Arizona?

Arizona is known for its stunning natural landscapes like the Grand Canyon, a vibrant mix of cultures, and a sunny climate that’s perfect for outdoor adventures all year round. Whether you’re exploring the state’s diverse attractions or seeking relaxation, discover where to stay in Arizona for a memorable experience.

What are 3 fun facts about Arizona?

1. Arizona houses the Grand Canyon, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. This breathtaking natural formation is about 277 miles long, up to 18 miles wide, and over a mile deep.
2. It’s the sunniest state in the U.S., with Phoenix enjoying more sunny days than any other metropolitan area in the country. Perfect for solar power and year-round ice creams!
3. Arizona is the only state to contain part of the four corners, where you can stand in Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, and Colorado all at the same time. It’s a quirky geographical highlight and a must-visit for those quirky photo ops.