Sedona offers every kind of experience imaginable. From rugged outdoor adventures to family getaways to unforgettable romantic getaways, you’ll find it all in Arizona’s Red Rock Wonderland.
Such diversity may explain Sedona’s broad culinary scene. It’s rare to find this level of gastronomic quality and variety in such close proximity. Hearty breakfasts to start the day, casual Mexican restaurants, pizza, seafood, and sophisticated chef-led restaurants with stunning views are all part of the mix.
Here are 10 of the best restaurants you can find in Sedona’s towering red rock landscape.
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sandpipers and plovers
Try a few items from Shorebird’s raw bar and you’ll be convinced you’re in a seaside town. .
The ahi tuna nigiri is fresh and light in flavor and goes great with the ginger dressing. Landlovers will find plenty to enjoy, including traditional pork chops with brussels sprouts and brandy and poached apples. Shorebird also offers a daily brunch his menu including chicken chilaquiles, egg white frittata, and Maryland crab eggs Benedict.
detail: 150 State Route 179. 928-203-5465, www.shorebirdca.com.
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sedona crepe
Despite its name, Sedona Crepe’s menu is packed with a variety of breakfast options. The chorizo crepe is chock-full of eggs, potatoes, guacamole and cheese. They also offer omelets, waffles, breakfast platters, paninis, tacos, and other lunch choices.
But it takes a special kind of willpower not to walk into a crepe restaurant and try a sweet version of these delicate pancake rolls. Arrive at
detail: 164 Coffee Pot Drive, Suite H. 928-862-2037, www.sedonacrepes.com.
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Vespa Healthy Italian Cafe
Discover the origins of pizza at Vespa Healthy Italian Cafe, one of Sedona’s newest restaurants. This bright and airy order-counter spot has the feel of a New Age Italian deli. Featuring a variety of flatbreads served in rustic elongated ovals, they’re made with a lightly crunchy crust that’s gluten-celiac-keto friendly and organic.
La pina Romana, or Roman flatbread, is considered the ancestor of pizza. At Vespa, Contadina is topped with whole-milk mozzarella, roast he mushrooms, Italian sausage, arugula and parmigiano. Sandwiches are made using the same delicious dough. Salads and some exquisite desserts round out the menu.
detail: 1350 State Route 89A. 928-862-2228, www.vespaitaliancafe.com.
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Mariposa Latin Grill
This upscale, romantic restaurant is Chef Lisa Dahl’s most ambitious undertaking, a perfect blend of art and architecture. Stacked natural stone, rusted metal paneling, and a wall of windows framed by a shaded patio are part of the decor unlike anywhere else in Sedona.
Perched on a bluff, Mariposa offers stunning views with a warm atmosphere and excellent South American-inspired cuisine. Start with crispy handcrafted empanadas and progress to creatively prepared steak, fish and chicken entrees.
It’s not required, but it’s one of those places where it’s fun to dress up a little. We are also open for lunch.
detail: 700 State Route 89A. 928-862-4444, www.mariposasedona.com.
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Mole Sedona
More, located at the Arabella Hotel, serves sophisticated Mexican cuisine that combines traditional flavors with modern techniques. Start with the iron skillet cornbread. Crunchy on the outside, soft on the inside, and smothered in sweet butter full of hatch green chillies, it heats up.
Mole con pollo is rich, complex, and nothing like your typical neighborhood chicken enchilada. Homemade smoked organic chicken mixed with pickled red onions, sesame seeds, queso fresco and Oaxacan cheese topped with mole chocolate to add a sweet smoky touch to the dish.
detail: 725 State Route 179. 928-282-7177, www.molecomida.com.
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The Table at Junipine Resort
While the farm-to-table movement has been popular for years, the forest-to-table movement is a relatively new concept. A table at Junipine Resort, tucked away in Oak Creek Canyon, might be changing that. Whatever his two award-winning chefs, Jaren Bates and Brett Vibber, forage on Monday and Tuesday, determine his menu for all of Arizona for the rest of the week.
Mushrooms are collected from the pine forests around Flagstaff, chola buds, ocotillo flowers, and mesquite pods from the high desert. It’s all incorporated with trout from Sedona, wheat pasta from Sonoran, and local Iberian pig fed on Arizona acorns. The result is a deliciously innovative sampling of Arizona’s terroir.
detail: 8351 N. State Route 89A. 928-282-3375, www.junipine.com/dining.
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mesa grill
The sunlit Mesa Grille sits high above Sedona Airport and offers panoramic views. Various menus are prepared over the wall of windows, so you can enjoy not only the view of the red rocks, but also planes and helicopters taking off and landing.
With fresh ingredients, the menu has an innovative Southwestern flair. Crispy-skinned red trout is served with sautéed spinach, green chili grits, caper butter sauce, and crispy trout chicharron. Or let him start the day with a hearty breakfast taco of house-made chicken chorizo, scrambled eggs, cheddar, jalapeños, pico, and fire-roasted salsa.
detail: 1185 Airport Road. 928-282-2400, www.mesagrillsedona.com.
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Tortas de Fuego
How does one of Sedona’s smallest restaurants maintain the most extensive menu?
Anyone wanting to eat authentic Mexican food should visit this box of unassuming little pink buildings. The eponymous torta is a towering concoction of house-made meats and fresh ingredients. Complete yourself his one of these stacked sandwiches.
The rest of the menu is an encyclopedia of Sonora-style selections. Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and try something new, like fried cactus toasted. His second store in the larger Tortas de Fuego is on State Route 179-6657 in the village of Oak Creek.
detail: 1630 State Route 89A. 928-282-0226, www.tortasdefuegosedona.com.
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Salt Rock Southwest Kitchen
Unobstructed views of the red rocks pair well with the food at Amara Resort and Spa’s Salt Rock Southwest Kitchen. With a spacious patio, it’s the perfect place to enjoy casual cocktails and appetizers, or to celebrate a special occasion. The recently revamped menu highlights seasonal flavors and creative twists on signature classics.
Start with the Skillet Street Cone. This is a creamy and spicy medley of sweet, salty and appetizing. The Butternut Squash Relleno is a roasted poblano stuffed with squash, grilled button onions, golden raisins, crunchy pepitas, Oaxacan cheese and served with forbidden black rice. Tasty and healthy. SaltRock serves breakfast, lunch and dinner.
detail: 100 Amara Lane. 844-489-9662, www.amararesort.com.
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hideaway house
This casual, family-friendly restaurant offers the kind of gorgeous panorama you’d expect from an upscale resort. Three large porches nestle among the trees in the shadow of Snoopy Rock. Gourmet pizzas feature, including white pies topped with roasted peaches, pancetta and seasoned ricotta cheese.
Hideaway House also offers a wide selection of sandwiches, salads and entrees, such as sautéed shrimp and gnocchi with tomato basil sauce. Save space for one of our made-from-scratch desserts.
detail: 231 State Route 179. 928-202-4082, www.sedonahideawayhouse.com.
Meet Roger Naylor
Arizona Republic contributor and author Roger Naylor discusses his new book, Amazing Arizona: 200 Amazing Facts About the Grand Canyon State, across the state. Here you can meet him and listen to his talks and slide presentations. All events are free and books are for sale.
- Wednesday, April 26th: 10:00 AM, Sedona Heritage Museum, 735 Jordan Road. 928-282-7038.
- April 29th (Sat): 2:00 p.m. at the Peregrine Book Company, N. Cortez St. 219A, Prescott. 928-445-9000.
- Tuesday, May 2nd: 1:00 PM, Rim Country Museum, 700 S. Green Valley Parkway, Payson. 928-474-3483.
- Saturday, May 6th: 11:00 a.m. North Mountain Visitor Center, 12950 N. 7th Street, Phoenix. 602-343-5125.
- Monday, May 8th: 12:15 p.m. Riordan Mansion State Historic Park, 409 W. Riordan Road. 928-779-4395.
find a reporterwww.rogernaylor.com. Or follow him on Facebookwww.facebook.com/Roger NaylorinAZ Or Twitter @AZRogerNaylor.