Must-see restaurants in The Southwest

  • Pop Fizz

    Albuquerque

    These all-natural paletas (popsicles) straight-up rock: cool off with flavors such as cucumber chile lime, mango or pineapple habanero – or perhaps you'd…

  • Cafe Roka

    Southern Arizona

    Past the art nouveau steel door awaits this sensuously lit grown-up spot with innovative American cuisine that is at once smart and satisfying. The four…

  • Raku

    Las Vegas

    At the place where LA chefs come to dine when they're in town, Japanese owner-chef Mitsuo Edo crafts small plates blossoming with exquisite flavors. You…

  • Catch

    Las Vegas

    Fresh from a $7 million renovation, this space had better be beautiful – and it does not disappoint. The seafood-centric menu is massive, focusing on…

  • Lotus of Siam

    Las Vegas

    Saipin Chutima's authentic northern Thai cooking has won almost as many awards as her distinguished, geographically diverse wine cellar. Critics have…

  • Wicked Spoon Buffet

    Las Vegas

    Wicked Spoon makes casino buffets seem cool again, with freshly prepared temptations served on individual plates for you to grab and take back to your…

  • Umami Burger

    Las Vegas

    This SLS burger offering is one of the best on the Strip, with its outdoor beer garden, extensive craft-beer selection and juicy boutique burgers made by…

  • Proper Meats + Provisions

    Flagstaff

    Don't miss the sensational sandwiches at this local butcher's shop, which sells house-made salami and pancetta, local grass-fed beef for the barbecue and…

  • Golden Crown Panaderia

    Albuquerque

    Who doesn’t love a friendly neighborhood cafe-bakery? Especially one in a cozy old adobe, with gracious staff, oven-fresh bread and pizza (with green…

  • Pizzeria Bianco

    Phoenix

    James Beard–winner Chris Bianco has returned to the wood-fired oven and his thin-crust gourmet pies are as popular as ever. The tiny restaurant – a…

  • Basil

    Nevada

    Who would have thought some of the best (seriously) Thai cuisine outside Thailand would be found in downtown Carson City in this spotless restaurant?…

  • Indian Gardens Cafe & Market

    Arizona

    Grab a breakfast sandwich here before heading north to the West Fork Trail or stop by for lunch (until 4pm). Lunch choices include a butternut squash and…

  • Herm's Inn

    Utah

    Logan's premier breakfast spot slings comfort food such as multigrain pancakes with house-made lemon butter and an artery-choking fried chicken with…

  • Raven Café

    Arizona

    This laid-back cafe-bar, Prescott's closest thing to a bohemian hot spot, changes its stripes from daytime coffee hangout to after-dark pub with live…

  • Buckhorn Saloon

    New Mexico

    Once part opera house, this venerable saloon is Silver City's most atmospheric dining option, offering serious steaks and seafood amid 1860s Wild West…

  • La Choza

    Santa Fe

    Blue-corn burritos, a festive interior and an extensive margarita list make La Choza a perennial (and colorful) favorite among Santa Fe's discerning…

  • Asylum Restaurant

    Arizona

    Deep-red walls, lazily twirling fans, gilded artwork and captivating views make the venerable dining room at the Jerome Grand Hotel one of the state's top…

  • Esther's Kitchen

    Las Vegas

    Locals are justifiably mad for the housemade seasonal pasta and heritage sourdough at this little Arts District bistro. Everything is extremely delicious,…

  • Cafe Cornucopia

    Southern Arizona

    Local art hangs from the exposed brick walls at this small cafe, a welcoming place that feels like home – in a good way. Order homemade soup, quiche,…

  • Echo & Rig

    Summerlin

    Sourcing the freshest cuts from its eponymous butcher, the idea is that customers will stop by the butcher and try it at home, once these talented folk…

  • Shooting Star Saloon

    Wasatch Mountains

    Open since 1879, tiny Shooting Star is Utah's oldest continuously operating saloon. Seek this place out: the cheeseburgers – and cheap beer – are…

  • Mimi's Bakery & Deli

    Southwestern Utah

    Everything in this French-inspired bakery is made from scratch, including exquisite pastries, freshly baked artisan bread and vegetarian black-bean chili…

  • Jambo Cafe

    Santa Fe

    Hidden within a shopping center, this African-flavored cafe is hard to spot from the road; once inside, though, it’s a lovely spot, always busy with…

  • Centro Woodfired Pizzeria

    Southwestern Utah

    Serving wood-fired Neapolitan pizza and heaping bowls of fresh salad in a sleek atmosphere, Centro is a hub for hedonist appetites. Touches like hand…

  • Stone Hearth Grille

    Southwestern Utah

    In a lovely rural setting staring out at the bluffs, this upscale lodge restaurant serves rib-eye steaks, vegetarian-style stuffed peppers and satisfying…

  • Hot n Juicy Crawfish

    Las Vegas

    The name says it all: spicy, hot and juicy crawfish served by the pound or in baskets and a wide range of other seafood treats. Ridiculously popular.

  • Comb Ridge Eat & Drink

    Southeastern Utah

    An adobe gallery and cafe with standout single-pour coffee and blue-corn pancakes. For lunch, try the beer-battered fish and chips and for dinner you…

  • La Plazuela

    Santa Fe

    One of Santa Fe’s greatest pleasures is a meal in the Fonda’s irresistible see-and-be-seen central atrium, with its excited bustle, colorful decor and…

  • Artichoke Cafe

    Albuquerque

    Elegant and unpretentious, this popular bistro prepares creative gourmet cuisine with panache and is always high on foodies’ lists of Albuquerque’s best…

  • Cornerstone Bakery

    Southeastern New Mexico

    Totally irresistible, hugely popular local bakery and cafe, where everything, from the breads, pastries and espresso to the omelets and croissant…

  • Bombay House

    Wasatch Mountains

    One of Utah's top Indian restaurants, this busy locals' favorite excels in classics like lamb biryani, tandoori dishes and more than a dozen vegetarian…

  • Mesa Farm Market

    Southwestern Utah

    Stop in Caineville at Mesa Farm Market for straight-from-the-garden organic salads, juices, award-winning aged goat's cheese and freshly baked artisan…

  • Painted Pony

    St George

    Think gourmet comfort food and great salads. At dinner you might choose a juniper-brined pork chop; at lunch, meatloaf with a port-wine mushroom gravy and…

  • Star Hotel

    Northern Nevada

    If you've never sampled Basque food, the best place in town for your inaugural experience is the Star Hotel, a family-style supper club located in a 1910…

  • eat.

    Las Vegas

    Community spirit and creative cooking provide reason enough to venture off Fremont St to find this cafe. With a concrete floor and spare decor, it can get…

  • Middlegate Station

    Northern Nevada

    A legendary pit stop on the 'Loneliest Road in America,' 47 miles from Fallon, this quirky, ramshackle ranch-style saloon is famous for its Middlegate…

  • Bacchanal

    Las Vegas

    As over-the-top as Caesars Palace's statuary of Roman gods and goddesses, this is the Strip's most expansive and expensive buffet. An all-you-can-eat…

  • Old Granite Street Eatery

    Reno

    A lovely well-lit place for organic and local comfort food, old-school artisanal cocktails and craft beers, this antique-strewn hot spot enchants diners…

  • Chinatown Plaza

    Las Vegas

    Head west from the Strip along Spring Mountain Rd and you'll find yourself in the heart of Las Vegas' strip-mall Chinatown. Slightly off the tourist radar…

  • Top of the World

    Las Vegas

    While taking in the cloud-level views at this revolving romantic roost perched atop the Stratosphere tower, smartly dressed diners enjoy impeccable…