Flagstaff Arizona’s Restaurant Scene: The Most Overrated & Underrated Choices

Flagstaff is a very popular road trip stop due to its’ close proximity to numerous national wonders/parks. Because of its’ many hotels, restaurants, and attractions, it’s also a convenient stopping point for travelers and truckers driving I-40 on the way to big city destinations like Los Angeles and Las Vegas. To top it off, thousands of Southern Arizona residents (Phoenix in particular) flee to the region year-round, in the summer (to escape the extreme desert heat), in the fall (to see the beautiful changing colors), and in the winter (to see the snow and ski).

Millions of tourists and road trip travelers visit or pass through this small town each year. This high influx of visitors year-round means at times (more often than not!) intense crowds, especially on weekends as everyone heads to various recreational hotspots and restaurants.

I have loved every minute of living in this city, especially the close access to so many natural wonders. Of course, the city itself offers a number of great amenities including an awesome food scene. It’s nice to come back from a long day on the trails to a great local restaurant. I have had a great time exploring the various local restaurants. The scene is really great for a city this small.

An emerging foodie destination

Flagstaff is home to a surprising number of great restaurants despite its’ small size, with both standard chains and local choices. Aside from your popular chain options like The Olive Garden, Chili’s, and the Outback Steakhouse, you will also find a diverse selection of local establishments. I prefer to support local business, and honestly, the restaurants are so good I barely even think about any of the common chains.

So, if you are feeling adventurous and want to try something new, you’ll want to bypass the chains in favor of one of the numerous local options. Options range from Japanese sushi, to Thai and Indian, to lively sports bars, to Italian restaurants. As in all touristy areas, restaurants can be a hit or miss. There are many overrated restaurants, as well as hidden gems which you probably would never have heard about during your short stay.

In my guide, I will cover some of my favorite local establishments and also a few that are a bit overrated. Note that this is not a list of the best restaurants in town, but more so the most underrated. In terms of best overfall restaurants, my votes would go to: Delhi Palace, Beaver Street Brewery, Salsa Brava, Oregano’s, Mix, and Wildflower Bread.

Picazzo’s Organic Italian Kitchen

Picazzo’s is a regional healthy Italian chain with several locations in Phoenix, along with one in Sedona. The menu is 100% free of GMOs and completely gluten-free. Picazzo’s is by far the best choice in town for anyone requiring gluten or dairy-free fare as there are many creative allergy friendly entrees to choose amongst. Where else can you find gluiten-free lasagna, baked mac and cheese, and pizza all in one place?

The food here is absolutely delicious, whether or not you have any dietary restrictions. It was the first restaurant I visited after moving here and now one of my favorites. I love visiting during their “Healthy Hours” (daily from 3-6pm) when appetizers priced 1/2 off. I always order the amazing spinach artichoke dip, hummus plate, and cheesy bread. If you are looking for something a bit more filling, the Butternut Squash Ravioli topped with a creamy Alfredo (dairy-free also available) is an excellent choice. And do not pass up on dessert – they have the most delicious cookie and brownie cakes!

Unfortunately, people often rate Picazzo’s low because it is pricey, however, in reality the food is not much more expensive than the pricey pubs downtown. At least you are treating yourself to healthy organic food and friendlier service, not to mention enjoying the laid-back setting without insane tourist crowds!

Update: The Flagstaff location closed, however, you can still enjoy healthy vegan and GF fare at the Sedona location. The drive along Oak Creek Canyon is so beautiful, so it’s a win-win!

Zenith Steakhouse

For a fine dining, date night choice look no further than the Zenith Steakhouse, located inside the Twin Arrows Casino, just 20 minutes or so outside of town. While I am not a fan of this particular casino, I’ll make an exception for dinner at this fantastic steakhouse. If you were to ask any random person what the best fine dining restaurant in the city is, they are likely to list choices such as Brix, Cottage Place, Karma Sushi, or Josephine’s. However, these restaurants are small and cramped with a noisy atmosphere. Zenith offers a more upscale setting in a gorgeous dining rom.

A night out at this beautiful restaurant is a dining experience unlike anything else in town. Highlights include exceptional service, an outstanding menu and wine list, and an elegant romantic setting. The gorgeously designed dining room actually gives you room to breathe and the privacy to actually hold a conversation, which unfortunately is a rare luxury anywhere else in this region.

The Zenith menu includes standard Steakhouse fare, along with some tempting seafood entrees like Herb Crust Scottish Salmon, Cold Water Lobster Tails, and Crab and Clam Spaghetti. We love the Wild Mushroom and Asparagus Risotto and the Pan Roasted Chicken. The staff had no problem accommodating gluten-free requests, although I recommend additional gluten-free appetizers and bread to enhance the variety of choices.

The dining room has an elegant modern appeal with a simplistic clean look. Extra touches like a fireplace and unique art make the setting even more cozy and romantic.

Overall, this steakhouse would be my top choice for a date or celebratory dinner. Attentive refined service, fantastic food and presentation, along with a classy ambiance easily make Zenith a great date night choice.

Charly’s at the Weatherford Hotel

Charly’s is a casual Southwestern restaurant located inside the historic Weatherford Hotel in downtown Flagstaff. Surprisingly, this restaurant is underrated despite the fact that the food and service are both great, the outdoor patio is the best downtown, and the charming historic ambiance of the dining room is unmatched elsewhere. There is also a lot of history here (it’s the oldest hotel in the city) and it is reportedly haunted. I saw an episode of Ghost Adventures where Zak and crew captured a lot of evidence.

Charly’s offers a more creative menu than most of the standard pub/pizza places lining the streets of downtown. One interesting choice is the Navajo Taco; Zagat included it as part of a special feature on “50 sandwiches, 50 states.” Basically, Navajo fry bread is topped with all sorts of veggies such as tomatoes, onions, olives, cilantro, as well as black or pinto beans. I really enjoyed this unique Native American dish. I am a vegetarian but you can opt to add meat to your plate for a more filling dish. The Mac and Cheese is super delicious as well!

Charly’s offers great indoor and outdoor seating, and unlike most of the cramped choices downtown, the setting feels more spacious, less congested, and more cozy. Indoors, there are brick walls and an old fireplace making it a great choice for a date or special occasion. I love the seasonal Halloween decor; they also offer special events this time of year.

I love dining al fresco during the summer months as the weather is just perfect (unlike Phoenix!). The patio is covered and located mid downtown for perfect people watching opps.

For comfort food at affordable prices in a great setting, look no further than Charly’s. Despite the mostly negative feedback, I would rate it as one of the better choices downtown.

The Toasted Owl Cafe

The Toasted Owl serves up the freshest breakfast in town at affordable prices. On the menu, you will find all your traditional favorites such as omelets, burritos, and pancakes. They also cater to those with allergies (gluten-free and dairy-free ginger buckwheat pancakes, vegan corn cakes, and veggie burritos to name a few entrees). They even offer gluten-free tortillas, so really nothing is off limits.

My favorite entree is the make your own taco selection, where you get to pick 4 toppings to go along with the scrambled eggs and corn tortillas (cheese and salsa included). Along with potatoes and fruit, this is a pretty hefty serving, making it a great option pre or post hike! I also love the bottomless coffee special (at just 2 bucks, it’s the cheapest in town). They serve the most delicious dark roast organic brew from Cave Creek Roastery.

The unique dining room (owl decor everywhere) and an old-fashioned diner appeal give it a unique, old style tone. The decor is quite interesting and not at all chain like. I like the unique ambiance, which makes it feel more cozy and local.

Overall, this is probably my favorite affordable breakfast place in town. I cannot see anyone being disappointed in the food, pricing, or service here. Before embarking on one of the many outdoor adventures Northern Arizona has to offer, treat yourself to a hearty breakfast at Toasted Owl: you will need the extra energy before any high altitude adventures!

La Fonda Mexican Restaurant

La Fonda is the best place in town to indulge in authentic Mexican food. While Salsa Brava tends to get all the attention because it was featured on the Food Network, La Fonda also serves wonderful Mexican food in a less touristy setting. The 1/2 lb veggie fajitas and Chicken Chimichangas are awesome! While the setting isn’t as colorful and exciting, the great food more than makes up for the less-than-ideal atmosphere. Overall, La Fonda surpasses other Mexican dining choices in town due to a winning combination of great pricing, huge portions of tasty food, not to mention the best sopaipillas! That being said, Salsa Brava is an amazing gem along Rt. 66. It’s one of my favorite places in town. I would recommend a visit to both.

Be aware – Locals love this restaurant, so you may be waiting for a seat, even on a weekday!

Overrated Restaurants

I would recommend skipping the following restaurants. In my experience, these restaurants are overpriced, overcrowded, or simply not the best value. In a town with many great local dining choices, you want to focus on the best.

Josephine’s Modern American Bistro

In my honest opinion, Josephine’s is one of the more overrated restaurants in town. Sadly it doesn’t live up to the standards of a fine dining establishment due to the mediocre food, unprofessional service, and bland setting. The setting was just too casual to justify the pricing.

I cannot comment on the dinner, however, the breakfast at Josephine’s was a major disappointment. After hearing great reviews, I was eager to try out the brunch menu. The scrambled eggs were brought over in a weird patty shape, similar to a diner presentation. I have nothing against casual restaurants (in truth, they are usually much better than fine dining experiences), however, I was expecting something nicer.

Second, allergy friendly options are limited. In fact, the waiter even recommended that we visit another restaurant (Mix). Although service was very friendly, it just didn’t seem professional enough to justify the high pricing.

The dining room is a bit bland and uninteresting as it is located in an old, rundown house. In my opinion, transforming an old house into a restaurant only works in areas with amazing historical architecture, like New England.

Despite the setbacks, Josephine’s has one redeeming quality, and that is a beautiful outdoor patio. Although I would not recommend a full meal here, relaxing on the deck during the gorgeous mild summer months, with a glass of wine and a few appetizers, sounds pretty nice.

Macy’s European Coffeehouse & Bakery

Macy’s is one of the most popular and well known hotspots within the city, both for the coffee and food. To be honest, I find it overrated. After multiple visits during various times of the year, I can attest that the setting is just too cramped and noisy (all the time!) to enjoy the food and drinks. I wouldn’t recommend visiting for a loungey coffeehouse experience. The one exception I make is for lunch as they offer a great vegetarian menu.

You would think Macy’s is so popular because they have awesome espresso drinks. This is far from the case as every drink I have tried has tasted completely burnt. Not sure why people rate this place so high. I am guessing they have a lot of loyal locals who have been visiting for years.

The menu is 100% vegetarian with your standard easy-to-make options like sandwiches, salads, and breakfast plates. While the quinoa nachos and veggie sandwich were both pretty good, it is near impossible to enjoy your meal in this crazy setting. In fact, sometimes it is so busy that we have to stand up waiting for a seat. As a vegetarian, I do appreciate having many options to choose amongst. As I mentioned before, the food is delicious and healthy. I am personally not a fan of over roasted coffee, although their tea selection is great.

Service feels very rushed and stressful (you order a counter where there is always a full line behind you, forcing you to feel completely rushed as you try to scan the barely legible chalkboard menu). And there really is no ambiance due to the lack of decor – they obviously couldn’t do much with the limited space besides stuff a bunch of tables right on top of each other. I wish they would open another location to help disperse the traffic a bit.

Red Curry Vegan Kitchen

After hearing plenty of positive feedback, we decided to check out Red Curry Vegan Kitchen, also located in the Flagstaff downtown region. As we love trying out new ethnic cuisines, we figured no harm in checking it out. In addition, at the time we were eating dairy-free and this happened to be one of the few places in town offering a 100% dairy-free menu.

Both the service and ambiance left a lot to be desired. Even if the food was spectacular (it wasn’t), the cramped and dirty dining room and slow/unfriendly service does not justify a visit here. If you are looking for Thai food, there are plenty of better options in town like Patio Thai and Swadee Thai.

I am not sure why anyone would want to sit in a bland dining room only to receive sub par food and service.

The menu consists of various curry, rice, and noodle dishes. The veggie fried rice was just okay, kinda bland and way overpriced. The Tokyo Rolls (veggies, brown rice, and quinoa wrapped in a Nori Roll) were actually pretty good, although nothing I wouldn’t be able to easily whip up at home, and definitely not worth the drab experience at this restaurant.

Honestly, I believe this restaurant is popular solely based on the fact that they offer many vegan and gluten-free options. However, simply offering allergy friendly options does not necessarily make a restaurant a good choice.

Overall, the food at Red Curry is nothing to write home about. Yes, they offer an allergy friendly menu, however, it’s up to you if you wish to sacrifice an enjoyable dining experience in exchange for “healthier” food. If you want good curry dishes, go to Delhi Palace (also very allergy friendly).

Pizzicletta

In my honest opinion, Pizzicletta is by far the most overrated of all. Despite winning many awards, including being named one of the best pizza places in the US, I would have to say I was extremely disappointed with my experience at this downtown pizza establishment. I have seen people say that they would drive from Phoenix or the Grand Canyon (2 hours away) just to dine here. Do not believe the hype! In my opinion, it is not even the best pizza in Arizona, let alone in the country.

To be frank, the pizza was bland and unappetizing, not to mention severely overpriced. A pizza (large enough only for one) will set you back at least $13. Keep in mind that this is for a bland, overcooked pizza with barely any sauce. To top it off, there is only one large table that seats about 12, so unless you like rubbing elbows with other guests and overhearing private conversations – stay far away. Service is horrendous – no one refilled our drinks or asked if we liked our meal.

For a place so highly regarded, you would think the service and ambiance would be spectacular.  Unfortunately, like the food, the service and setting were just horrible. It’s nice that they allow their dough to ferment for several days to make it more digestible, unfortunately that does not matter if the pizza has no taste. Maybe burnt, dried out pizza is not my thing. My recommendation: head next door to Fratellis for better tasting, more affordable pizza, a more spaced out comfortable dining room, and friendlier service.

 Criollo Latin Kitchen

Update: Criollo closed

Criollo Latin Kitchen is another over hyped downtown restaurant to add to your skip list. This Latin inspired eatery is popular due to its’ prime location downtown and attractive Happy Hour deals. However, despite the generally positive praise, the entrees we tried definitely were a major disappointment. The breakfast burrito was bland and served alongside completely burnt potatoes. The veggie tacos were incredibly bland, as well as overpriced for the tiny serving.

The cramped, noisy vibe was unattractive. It’s so loud in fact that you cannot hold a conversation and will likely want to leave the restaurant just to get out of the loud bar like setting. Servers are unfriendly with an apathetic attitude, definitely a major downer for a place that classifies itself as a fine dining experience.

The one thing Criollo has going for them is their commitment to use local produce, meats, and tortillas, as well as the avoidance of GMO’s. Unfortunately, many other places in town also do this, so there really is no reason to visit this place in particular.

Criollo feels more like a college bar than a restaurant. If you are willing to pay a premium for a bar like setting, service, and mediocre food, then your experience may be different.

The Best of the Best

I have highlights some of the best restaurants in each category. I would definitely place these local gems highest on your must-try list.

Best overall restaurant in town: Delhi Palace

If you have never tried Indian cuisine, Delhi Palace is a great place to start! Don’t let the strip mall location fool you. This local gem is one of the best restaurants in town, and definitely home to some of the best tasting Indian food you will ever find. The service is wonderful, decor is pleasant, and the food is always fresh and wonderful.

Try the Vegetable Korma and the Saag Paneer: both outstanding! For the ultimate treat, visit during the daily lunch buffet (11am-2:30pm). Here you can feast on all sorts of great Indian dishes for just 10 bucks! I dined here at least once a week; it’s so good I never want to go anywhere else, seriously. Update: Lunch buffet no longer offered.

Best fine dining experience:  Zenith Steakhouse

Zenith Steakhouse offers an elegant setting not found anywhere else in town. Located in the Twin Arrows Casino away from the congestion of the city, it is a quiet and upscale destination for a date or celebratory dinner. The exceptional menu and top notch service, make it the go-to date night/special occasion destination.

Best meal under 10 bucks: Mix or Wildflower Bread Company

There are many casual restaurants in Flagstaff, unfortunately many are overpriced and overall just not a great value. Two exceptions are Mix and Wildflower Bread. Mix offers a full salad bar, daily homemade soups, and fresh sandwiches. For just 10 bucks, you can customize your own healthy lunch option with more than enough toppings to choose amongst. I really love the salads here; honestly, it’s probably the best I’ve ever had. This is one of my go-to weekly picks.

Wildflower Bread, a pretty good knockoff of Panera Bread, offers a similar menu of salads, daily soups, sandwiches, and pastries. The “Wildflower Two,” a copycat of Panera’s popular “You Pick Two” special lets you taste half a sandwich or salad with a bowl of soup and a side of fresh bread. The soups, which vary everyday, are filling and delicious (try the Autumn Pumpkin or Broccoli cheese!). The bread is always fresh, and the salads are green with lots of veggies. You will not leave hungry nor overstuffed.

Best bar style food: Lumberyard Brewing Company

Lumberyard Brewing offers the best pub food and atmosphere (take a free country line dancing lesson on Friday nights!) in town. Although it gets crowded, they actually have a larger space than most downtown restaurants and are therefore better equipped to handle the large crowds. In addition, the outdoor dining area is just perfect on warm summer nights. Out of all the casual pubs downtown (and there are many), Lumberyard offers the best value for your money, hires the friendliest servers, and serves the best appetizers (try the Southwestern Spin dip). They offer a nice selection of vegetarian entrees which is a bit rare for a pub.

Best allergy friendly menu: Picazzo’s Organic Italian Kitchen

Update: Picazzos is closed.

This regional Italian chain is unique as it offers a 100% gluten-free menu. As the gluten-free trend is super popular these days, many diners will be happy to know that they offer a wide variety of gluten-free dishes never seen in a restaurant before (they even offer gluten-free ravioli!). Vegans will also be pleased with the variety of menu options. The best choice here is a Sweet Potato Ravioli smothered in a roasted cauliflower/garlic Alfredo sauce. I would also say their appetizers are easily the best in the region. Ingredients completely free of GMOs is another bonus.

Best service: Delhi Palace

Who would guess that a tiny restaurant located in a strip plaza would offer the best service in town? No question, the waiters at this local Indian gem strive to leave every customer completely satisfied with their professional, above and beyond service attitude. Drinks are always refilled, the buffet station is spotless and continuously refilled, and they even go so far as to remember regular customer’s specific requests! I love that the staff always remembers our order when we visit during dinner hours.

Best coffee: Late for the Train

Late for the Train, a local roaster with 2 Flagstaff locations, offers the best espresso drinks in town. The Americano is perfectly smooth with a nice crema layer, and their mocha drinks are by far the most delicious you will find in this small town. Try the Dark Skies mocha – it’s the best drink ever! With 2 convenient locations, including one downtown and another on Hwy 180 enroute to Snowbowl area hiking trails and the Grand Canyon, it’s easy to enjoy a delicious drink before exploring the beautiful natural sights & attractions in this beautiful area of the country. Update: Unfortunately, they closed the Hwy 180 location.

Worst coffee: Flagstaff Brewing Company

After trying many a bad espresso drink in town, I can say that Flagstaff Brewing Company offers the overall worst coffee experience. The drinks were not up to par, and unfortunately, the same can be said for the unfriendly service. They have a nice outdoor seating area, however, this does not make up for the low quality drinks and lackluster service.

Most overrated: Macy’s, Runner Up: Steep

Sadly, there are many over hyped restaurants in this city which is expect for any tourist town. However, the most overrated would probably be Macy’s. Although everyone raves about the coffee here, I have to say that the espresso drinks are my least favorite in town (completely burnt tasting on every occasion). Rushed service, not enough seating, and overpriced coffee are just a few of the reasons why you should skip Macy’s.

Steep, a trendy tea shop downtown, is another highly overrated hotspot. Steep is everything a tea shop shouldn’t be – noisy with bad service and a strange almost bar-like setting. Staff is unable to answer any questions about tea, which is rare as most employees at tea shops are passionate about tea and more than willing to make suggestions. To top it off, you often have to stand around waiting for a seat! It’s too noisy to hold a conversation, which is sad as drinking tea is supposed to be a relaxing break.

And if that isn’t enough, they charge 3 bucks for a small mug of tea and over $5 for a chai latte! On a side note, I do love their Witch’s Brew tea, although I usually just pick it up to brew at home due to the rowdy ambiance.

Note: Your experience at any of these listed restaurants may differ than mine based on what you order, what time you visit, and the particular service you receive. I have given my honest opinion on which restaurants I believe to be overrated and underrated in town based on multiple visits during a 4 year period.