Must-Visit Restaurants in Arizona Deserving of Michelin Stars

Arizona is known for many incredible things – the Grand Canyon, Sedona, the Petrified Forest National Park, the Saguaro National Forest, and of course its delicious and vibrant food scene. For visitors and locals alike, the Grand Canyon State offers several creative flavors that might leave you wondering if there are any Michelin-star restaurants in the state.

Despite Arizona having popular cities like Phoenix, Tucson, and historic Scottsdale, there aren’t any Michelin Star restaurants in the state. Even though Michelin created the first guide in 1900, it didn’t make its way to the United States until 2005. Currently, there are only a handful of U.S. locations with Michelin Guides, and it’s not surprising that places like New York City and California were the first to make the list.

With Michelin adding two new locations this year, there’s a possibility they could add an Arizona Michelin Guide at some point. Keep reading to find out what Arizona restaurants could make the list if Michelin created an Arizona Guide.

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Michelin Star Restaurants in Arizona

When it comes to Michelin Star Restaurants across the world, restaurants have to meet specific criteria to be considered worthy of a star. From the quality of the ingredients to the chef’s personality, it takes a lot for a restaurant to earn even one Michelin star, let alone two or three stars.

Arizona is home to some delicious restaurants that offer unique flavors and items that are specific to the Grand Canyon State. There’s plenty of history and tradition to explore when it comes to the top restaurants and fine dining in Arizona.

If Michelin decided that Arizona was worthy of a Michelin Guide in the future, here are some of the Arizona restaurants that could make the cut:

• The larder & the delta 
• Sel
• Cafe Monarch
• Kai
• Maple & Ash
• Quiessence

The Michelin Star is still considered the most prestigious award that any restaurant can achieve. Keep reading to find out why each restaurant may be worthy of the elusive Michelin Star rating.

Binkley’s

The Larder & the Delta took over the space previously occupied by Binkley's, one of Arizona's original fine-dining restaurants. Owners Kevin and Amy Binkley turned over their restaurant to Chef Stephen Jones of the Larder & the Delta and it recently opened in September 2024.

This new fine dining establishment offers a cozy dining establishment with one seating per evening – 6 pm – Wednesday through Saturday and features a 12-course menu using locally grown produce and locally raised cattle that features the cuisine of the American South.

Dining at the Larder & the Delta typically takes about 2 hours. The menu changes regularly to keep the ingredients fresh and within the season. Prices for the 12-course meal start at $155 per person.

Part of the 12 courses include items like like chicken skin with orange blossom honey, citrus, lavender, royal Ossetra caviar; akara with okra, watermelon molasses, and Morita pepper; antebellum yellow dent corn grits, Dungeness crab salad, sea urchin, and tarragon.

Sel

Whether you choose a seat in the vibrant, colorful dining room or on the quaint patio area, your experience at Sel will certainly be one to remember.

Located in Old Town Scottsdale, Sel is owned and operated by Chef Brandon Levine and his wife May. It's easily one of the best restaurants in the Phoenix area.

The dinner at Sel is focused on fresh local ingredients and a blend of cuisines from all around the world. Like all the items on the menu, the Chef's Tasting Menu is constantly changing. It's also the best way to experience all that Sel has to offer. You might enjoy dishes such as the Malpeque Oyster Stew or the Blue Fin Tuna Tataki. Delicious desserts can include the Strawberry-Marzipan Shortcake and the Flourless Chocolate Tiramisu.

Café Monarch

Prepare to be amazed as you walk into the extravagant, chandelier-lit atmosphere of Café Monarch. They combine exceptional service and delicious cuisine to create an all-around elegant dining experience.

Café Monarch aims to offer fine dining redefined. With an ever-changing variety of menu items, they focus on including the best local and sustainable ingredients.

In addition to their exceptional service skills, each server at Café Monarch goes through the Court of Masters Sommeliers Program. This ensures they have the training and experience necessary to help you find the perfect wine pairing for each part of your meal. 

The Chef's Tasting Menu includes eight delicious courses. You might experience items such as the Argentinian Shrimp Ceviche or the Berkshire Pork Belly with tomatoes, Bulgarian feta, and tarragon. The Chef's Tasting Menu is priced at $285/person. For a cheaper alternative, try the standard four-course dinner menu.

Kai

Located within the Sheraton Grand Resort, Kai is one of the best fine dining establishments in Arizona. This restaurant has won the Forbes 5 Star award and the AAA Five Diamond Award for its excellent food. 

The cuisine at Kai is meant to celebrate the culture, history, and flavors of Native Americans. With a breathtaking view overlooking the Komatke Mountain Range, the atmosphere of the restaurant is divine. 

Chef Drew Anderson leads the way to delicious cuisine and menu items focused on the local flavors in the community. The menu specifically includes items from the Native Seed Search Foundation that focus on preserving ancient lines of indigenous seeds. You might enjoy items such as the Wheat Berry & Black Garlic Risotto, or the Grilled American Bison Tenderloin. For dessert, enjoy dishes like their Sweet Corn Custard and Dark Chocolate Mousse.

Maple & Ash

Maple & Ash is the epitome of a luxury steakhouse. Located in Scottsdale, Arizona, Michelin Star Chef Danny Grant created the menu at Maple & Ash to craft an innovative and authentic approach to fine dining. Maple & Ash also has a location in Chicago. 

On the dinner menu, you’ll find items such as the Alaskan King Crab Legs or the Fire-roasted Seafood Tower. The tower includes a collection of seafood roasted in the hearth and drizzled with garlic butter and chili oil. You can’t miss out on dessert when there are choices like the Blood Orange Mousse with toasted meringue or the Coconut Cream Pie with brown butter graham crust and rum Chantilly.

If you want the full experience at Maple & Ash, you can also choose their take on a tasting menu. The kitchen staff will curate your experience for you, ensuring a truly unique dining experience.

Quiessence

Quiessence is a true farm-to-table experience in Arizona. Each week, Chef Dustin Christofolo creates the menu based on the vegetables, flowers, eggs, and herbs gathered from the onsite garden and local farms. Chef Christofolo brings a level of luxury to fresh ingredients that no other restaurant in Arizona has.

There are numerous seating areas at Quiessence at the Farm, and each seat offers an intimate, romantic, and unique experience. On the way into the restaurant, you can stop by the Soil & Seed Garden at the Farm. It’s in this lush garden that you’ll find the connection between fresh produce and an incredible dining experience.

As the freshest ingredients change throughout the year, so does the menu at Quiessence. As part of the seasonal tasting menu, you can choose from the three-course, four-course, or five-course meal. On each menu, you'll find distinguished items, such as the Duck Confit Leg with zucchini puree. Or you might enjoy the Potato Gnocchi with Bolognese, carrots, celery, and ricotta.

Finding the Top Restaurants in Arizona

From beautiful scenery to delectable restaurants, Arizona is one of the top states in the country to visit. No matter how delicious some of the restaurants are, there are currently no Michelin Star restaurants in Arizona. Michelin hasn’t chosen to rate the Grand Canyon State yet, but it could always add Arizona to the list in the future.

No matter what your thoughts are on awards and restaurant ratings, the Michelin Star is still considered the most prestigious rating a restaurant or chef can receive. If Michelin decides to add Arizona to their list, it would have a significant impact on the dining scene and nightlife in the state.

The image featured at the top of this post is ©Davel5957 / iStock via Getty Images.