Best Restaurants in Sedona — Where Locals Eat (12 Picks)
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Best Restaurants In Sedona, Arizona

Twelve dinner spots, three breakfast picks, and the local intel on which ones need reservations days in advance. From your Superhost team — not a travel blog.

Where To Eat

Best Restaurants in Sedona for Dinner & Drinks

Sedona's restaurant scene punches well above its size. Reserve ahead for the top spots — Elote and Mariposa book out days in advance on weekends. Below are the 12 places our team sends every guest.

01
Modern Mexican · Dinner Only · Tue–Sat
The best meal in Sedona. Chef Jeff Smedstad's award-winning modern Mexican — fire-roasted corn, lamb adobo, smoked brisket enchiladas, and an extensive mezcal list. James Beard semifinalist.
Book 3–5 days ahead on weekends. Walk-ins can wait at the bar — arrive at 5pm when they open.
350 Jordan Rd · Tue–Sat, 5pm–9pm · reservations up to 60 days in advance at elotecafe.com
Our #1 Pick · 329 locals recommend
02
Latin Fine Dining · Dinner
Upscale Latin-inspired grill with sweeping red rock views from every table. Scallops, grilled octopus, and their signature Mariposa margarita are must-orders. The most sought-after dinner reservation in Sedona.
Reserve well in advance. 700 W Hwy 89A · outdoor patio has the best views
425 locals recommend
03
Italian · Lunch & Dinner
Casual Italian with panoramic red rock views — two floors of open-air seating overlooking Oak Creek toward Snoopy Rock. Meatball sandwich, peach pizza, onion soup. Dog-friendly.
Opens 11am · great post-hike lunch · Jordan Rd & Hwy 179
109 locals recommend
04
American · Lunch & Dinner
Outdoor deck with red rock views. Bison burger, prickly pear BBQ ribs, corn chowder, and the famous chocolate skookie dessert. Lively, casual, great for groups.
Arrive at 5pm or reserve for dinner · bar seating first-come
296 locals recommend
05
American · Views · All Day
Southwest-style grill at Airport Mesa with 360° red rock panoramas. Serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Lemon ricotta pancakes and huevos rancheros are standouts. Full bar, happy hour 3:30–5:30pm daily.
1185 Airport Rd · mesagrillsedona.com · great for a sunset dinner
150 locals recommend
06
American · Upscale Casual
Seasonal American cuisine with open-air kitchen, outdoor patio, and red rock views. Great happy hour, creative bar with local beers, shareable starters. Lively but relaxed — great for groups.
Creekside Plaza · lunch, brunch, dinner & happy hour
114 locals recommend
07
Rooftop Bar · Views
A welcoming Uptown Sedona restaurant with a relaxed atmosphere and solid American menu — a great option when the more popular spots are fully booked. 72 locals recommend it as a reliable, accessible choice right in the heart of Uptown.
Uptown Sedona · no reservation typically needed · good for lunch or casual dinner
08
Uptown · Patio Views
Centrally located in Uptown with a great patio overlooking the red rocks. Solid American menu, full bar, and one of the most convenient locations for a meal between shopping and sightseeing.
Uptown Sedona · 104 locals recommend · walk-in friendly
09
Urban Eatery · Market
A distinctive urban eatery and market with an industrial-chic atmosphere. Eclectic menu, great coffee, and a strong local following. One of the most unique dining atmospheres in Sedona.
151 locals recommend · great for a casual meal or coffee break
10
Brewpub · Lunch & Dinner
Sedona's only brewpub — craft ales brewed on-premises, second-floor patio with red rock views. Gourmet burgers, pizza, sandwiches. A genuine Sedona institution for a cold one after a hike.
Grab the second-floor patio table · great happy hour
Only Brewpub in Town
11
Patio · Red Rock Views
In the heart of Uptown with a heated patio overlooking Sedona's iconic red rock formations. Solid dining right in the middle of the Uptown action — convenient and atmospheric.
Uptown Sedona · 15 locals recommend · convenient after shopping
12
Upscale Burgers
Chef Lisa Dahl's elevated burger concept — hand-formed patties, freshly baked buns, inventive sides. A great casual option when you want quality food without the fine dining commitment.
Central Sedona · easy for a quick lunch between hikes · usually no wait at lunch
🍦
Black Cow Cafe in Uptown is the go-to for homemade ice cream and coffee — 19 locals recommend it. Look for the red awning. Perfect after shopping or sightseeing.

Morning Fuel

Best Breakfast Spots in Sedona

Fuel up before hitting the trails. These three are our team go-tos for a great morning start.

Diner · Breakfast & Lunch
A 30-year Sedona institution facing Coffee Pot Rock. Famous for 101 different omelettes, generous portions, and some of the best prices in town. The gathering spot for locals, visitors, and the occasional psychic.
2050 W Hwy 89A · West Sedona · arrive before 8am on weekends to beat the wait
164 locals recommend · 101 Omelettes
Cafe · Breakfast & Brunch
Tucked inside Tlaquepaque village — one of Sedona's most charming breakfast spots. Cozy patio, excellent coffee, fresh pastries, and a solid brunch menu. A lovely slow-morning experience.
Inside Tlaquepaque Arts Village · Hwy 179 · limited seating, arrive early on weekends
Cafe · Breakfast & Lunch
A beloved local find in Oak Creek Canyon — lush outdoor patio alongside the creek in a historic 1940s building. Excellent coffee and seasonal menu. The most peaceful breakfast setting in the area.
3951 N Hwy 89A · Oak Creek Canyon · pair with a stop at Slide Rock State Park nearby
Team Favorite

Where To Stay

Stay Walking Distance from Uptown

Three of our Uptown homes put you within easy walking distance of the densest restaurant cluster in Sedona — Elote, Hideaway House, Pump House Station, Black Cow Cafe, Canyon Breeze, and the entire Tlaquepaque Arts Village.

Dining Questions

Sedona Restaurant FAQs

What's the best restaurant in Sedona?

Elote Cafe is widely considered Sedona's best restaurant. Chef Jeff Smedstad's modern Mexican menu — fire-roasted corn, lamb adobo, smoked brisket enchiladas — has earned James Beard semifinalist recognition. Reservations book 3–5 days ahead on weekends; walk-ins can wait at the bar starting at 5pm Tuesday through Saturday.

Do I need reservations for restaurants in Sedona?

For Elote, Mariposa, and Hideaway House — yes, especially on weekends. Book Elote and Mariposa at least 3–5 days in advance. For more casual spots like The Hudson, Creekside, Shorebird, and the breakfast cafes, walk-ins usually work fine, especially at off-peak times. Most restaurants take same-day calls if you're flexible on time.

Where do locals eat in Sedona?

Locals favor Coffee Pot Restaurant for breakfast (164 locals recommend it for the 101 omelettes), Hideaway House for casual Italian with red rock views, Oak Creek Brewery for craft beer and pub food, and The Hudson for groups. Pump House Station is the locals' coffee-and-casual spot. For special occasions, Elote and Mariposa are universal picks.

What restaurants in Sedona have the best views?

Mesa Grill at the Sedona Airport has 360° red rock panoramas (great for sunset). Mariposa's outdoor patio overlooks the western red rocks. Hideaway House has two floors of open-air seating overlooking Oak Creek toward Snoopy Rock. Canyon Breeze has a heated patio in Uptown with iconic red rock views right in the center of town.

What's the best breakfast in Sedona?

Coffee Pot Restaurant is the long-running local favorite — 30+ years, 101 different omelettes, generous portions, and reasonable prices. Arrive before 8am on weekends to beat the wait. Secret Garden Cafe inside Tlaquepaque Arts Village is a charming patio brunch. Indian Gardens Cafe in Oak Creek Canyon has the most peaceful setting — tucked alongside the creek in a 1940s building.

Are Sedona restaurants expensive?

It varies. Elote and Mariposa are upscale ($35–$65 entrees). Mesa Grill and Hudson are mid-range ($18–$32). Coffee Pot, Oak Creek Brewery, Hideaway House, and Pump House Station are casual ($12–$25). Picking up groceries from Whole Foods or Safeway and cooking at your rental is the budget-friendliest move — all our properties have full kitchens.

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