Michelin Star-Worthy Restaurants in Arizona You Need to Visit

Although there are no Michelin Star restaurants in Arizona, it isn’t because the restaurants are unworthy. There isn’t a Michelin Guide for Arizona, and only two (soon to be three) U.S. States currently have a Michelin Guide. There are plenty of excellent restaurants in Arizona, even though the Grand Canyon State doesn’t have a Michelin Guide. We’ve picked a few Michelin Star-worthy restaurants that you should visit.

How Restaurants Earn Michelin Stars

When a restaurant has earned one, two, or even three Michelin Stars, they have done several things right. Consistently. The inspectors visit a restaurant as many times as they need to before deciding. Michelin inspectors are looking for a few things:

• Quality & Consistency: These restaurants use ingredients of the best quality, typically sourced locally. Dishes are consistently well-prepared with distinct flavor profiles.
• Chef’s Personality: Does the chef’s personality shine in the menu? Are the dishes expertly crafted with refined flavors?
• Cooking Elevated to an Art Form : This is a little more subjective, but it’s what separates the 2-star restaurants from the 3-Michelin Star restaurants.

Arizona has quite a few restaurants that are worthy of at least one Michelin Star, here are our favorites.

Sel

Old Town Scottsdale has its share of treasures to discover, one of them is the delectable food at Sel . It’s owned and operated by Chef Brandon Levine and his wife May. It’s tucked away, among the art galleries and delivers one of the best restaurant experiences in the city, if not the state.

This family-owned restaurant caters to a refined palate with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Chef Levine’s food is impeccably prepared and served in this casual but elegant restaurant. For a sampling of Sel’s best, try the Chef’s Tasting Menu, which changes frequently. Regular menu items include Blue Fin Tataki and Strawberry-Marzipan Shortcake.

When Arizona gets a Michelin Guide, Sel should be at the top of the list.

Café Monarch

Another Old Town Scottsdale restaurant, Café Monarch serves delicious cuisine and world-class service in an intimate atmosphere that customers love. Their menu changes with the season, offering the finest fresh, local, and sustainable ingredients.

Exceptional food combines with a curated wine selection – each server completes training through the Court of Masters Sommeliers Program. This education helps each server recommend the right wine pairing for your meal.

The Chef’s Tasting Menu includes samplings of eight dishes. Depending on the season, you could have Argentinian Shrimp Ceviche or the Berkshire Pork Belly with tomatoes. It is not for the budget-conscious, however, the Chef’s Tasting Menu is priced at $290/person.

Kai

The Sheraton Grand Resort hosts Kai , one of Arizona’s best fine-dining restaurants. For its exceptional food, it has received numerous awards, including the Forbes 5 Star award and the AAA Five Diamond Award. Kai’s cuisine celebrates the culture and flavors of  Native Americans. The restaurant’s location in the hotel overlooks the Komatke Mountain Range, and the view is stunning.

Chef Drew Anderson focuses on local flavors and items from the Native Seed Search Foundation, which works to preserve ancient indigenous seed lines. Dishes like Wheat Berry and Black Garlic Risotto and Grilled American Bison Tenderloin dazzle the palate. Then, finish your meal with Sweet Corn Custard or Dark Chocolate Mousse for dessert.

Maple & Ash

If you’re looking for a luxury steakhouse, Maple & Ash is it. This steakhouse does things a little differently and if any restaurant deserves a Michelin Star, it’s Maple & Ash. Chef Danny Grant created the menu at Maple & Ash to offer an innovative  approach to fine dining.

Popular dinner items include Alaskan King Crab Legs and the Fire-roasted Seafood Tower. The unique take on a seafood tower includes a collection of seafood roasted in the hearth and drizzled with garlic butter and chili oil. For dessert, the Blood Orange Mousse with Toasted Meringue is an instant favorite.

Maple & Ash also offers a tasting menu, where they serve up a four-course meal for $200 per person, and for an additional $150 per person, kitchen staff will curate wine pairings for each course.

Quiessence

Rounding out our list is Quiessence , a farm-to-table dining experience in Arizona. The menu changes weekly, based on the produce and eggs gathered from the onsite garden and local farms. Chef Dustin Christofolo fosters a connection to the source of our food in each luxurious meal served.

The garden seating at Quiessence gives each meal a romantic feel that is perfect for a quiet date with a special person. There are numerous seating areas at Quiessence at the Farm–each is unique. Before you head into the restaurant, stop at the Soil & Seed Garden at the Farm.

From the seasonal tasting menu, choose from a three-course, four-course, or five-course meal. Each menu includes items like Duck Confit Leg with zucchini puree or Potato Gnocchi with Bolognese, carrots, celery, and ricotta.

Finding the Top Restaurants in Arizona

Arizona’s best restaurants offer gorgeous ambiance and stunning plating with food that deserves a Michelin Star. There are certainly more restaurants that deserve the honor, but until Michelin creates an Arizona guide, all we can do is hope. And enjoy some of the best food in Arizona.

Whether Michelin creates an Arizona guide or not, these restaurants are serving up food and experiences that delight even the pickiest diner.

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