Mention Sedona and what comes to mind? It’s most likely red rock panoramas and hiking trails leading to majestic hidden views. Or perhaps you’re enticed by the vibrant art scene, beautiful resorts and Sedona’s proximity to Verde Valley wine country.
All of this exists in this city of mesmerizing natural beauty, but Sedona has also grown into a culinary destination boasting acclaimed restaurants and local gems.
For a home base that offers both an idyllic setting and a talented chef, book a room at Amara Resort & Spa, a boutique resort in a prime location steps away from Uptown Sedona. At its restaurant, SaltRock Kitchen, executive chef Lindsay Dale ensures guests experience some of the best Sedona has to offer with a southwestern-inspired menu featuring locally-sourced ingredients.
At breakfast, pair your mimosa flight with specialties such as the SaltRock Benedict with house-smoked salmon, avocado salsa and tomatillo hollandaise. For lunch, order a glass of Arizona rosé while enjoying the taco of the day or a signature Cuban layered with pork confit, ham, Swiss cheese and mustard and horseradish pickles made in-house. When the sun sets, settle in on the patio under the stars to savor Cornish hen with mesquite roasted corn risotto or killer vegetarian dishes such as butternut squash with parsnip puree and pomegranate-pasilla chile gastrique.
And at any time of day, you’ll want to soak in the scenery with one of SaltRock's famous margaritas or seasonal craft cocktails.
Venturing off property? Here are some of my favorite spots to visit:
Award-winning chef Lisa Dahl has played an integral role in Sedona’s emergence as a culinary destination, and all five of her concepts are beloved by locals and tourists alike. Dahl & Di Luca Ristorante Italiano offers a fine-dining Italian menu (rack of lamb, veal piccata, lobster fra diavolo) served in an elegant dining room, or al fresco on a lush landscaped patio.
Visit Pisa Lisa for wood-fired pizzas and decadent gelato, or Cucina Rustica for the regional cuisine of Umbria and Tuscany, including osso buco and lasagna.
At Mariposa Latin Inspired Grill, Chef Dahl celebrates the stunning view with a South American-inspired menu including flaky empanadas, ceviche and wood-grilled steak.
And you won’t find a burger bar more special than Butterfly Burger, home to Street Tots, Dahl’s award-winning burgers including a fab patty melt, and boozy shakes.
Indian Gardens Cafe & Market is a historic general store in lower Oak Creek owned and operated by Caleb Schiff and James Worden of the famed Pizzicletta restaurants in Flagstaff. A casual breakfast and lunch menu offers freshly baked bread and treats such as cinnamon rolls and croissants, sandwiches, salads and organic soft serve. Look for dessert specials such as chocolate-sage cake and grapefruit-buttermilk pie, and Monday and Friday IG Pizza Nights.
Locals frequent The Hudson for its fun, casual vibe and elevated comfort menu including burgers, hand-cut prime steaks, fresh seafood, homemade desserts and more. Bonus? The beautiful red rock view from their back deck.
Make a reservation at Elote Café to experience the Southwestern and Mexican-inflected dishes of James Beard nominated chef Jeff Smedstad. Here you can sip from an extensive list of mezcals and tequilas while dining on green corn tamales with salsa verde, shrimp with ancho-chimayo-honey glaze and smoked pork with cascabel chile sauce, grandma’s corn cake and buttermilk cumin drizzle.
Pump House Station is another prime spot where the locals gather. A winner of Best Lunch Spot in Sedona in 2020, this market and eatery is also known for its pastry case and breakfast dishes such as signature Benedicts and omelettes. Ingredients sourced from local farmers is part of the food philosophy and, on the weekend, enjoy dinner specials such as beet wellington with fennel, arugula and watermelon radish salad, or steelhead trout with summer succotash and corn puree.
From its perch at the Shops at Pinon Pointe, Sound Bites Grill offers beautiful views all day, but for dinner and a show, make an evening reservation. Graze on nachos, hummus and flatbreads, or feast on ribs, shrimp scampi and surf and turf. The venue features live music including jazz and rock bands, and events such as Wineaux Wednesdays and Chill on the Hill Thursdays. Tip: To experience a local musical icon, plan a visit when internationally lauded flamenco guitarist Esteban is playing
You'll want to spoil yourself with a luxurious meal creekside at L'Auberge de Sedona. During the day, Etch serves breakfast (brunch buffet on weekends) and lunch in a buccolic setting on the banks of Oak Creek. At night, white tablecloths and flickering candles transition Etch to Cress, a fine-dining experience showcasing a sophisticated seasonal prix-fixe menu.