Restaurants Near Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport
When flying into or out of Phoenix, it feels like a shame to be stuck eating airport fast food when so many amazing restaurants are waiting right outside Sky Harbor International Airport. It’s no secret that the city known as the Valley of the Sun is also a hub for foodies. Luckily, you don’t need to jet off very far from the airport to be in the thick of the city’s culinary scene. We’re talking everything from queso to ribs and more. Here’s a look at the eight best restaurants we’ve found near Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.
The Arrogant Butcher
2 East Jefferson (Suite 150), Phoenix, AZ
(602) 324-8502
The Arrogant Butcher is a welcomed find whenever we’re craving a Southwestern meat plate after touching down in Phoenix. The menu here is excellent when traveling with a group because there’s truly something for everyone. Choose from charcuterie boards, a raw bar, burgers, New York strip, filet mignon, smoked spare ribs, or the famed Butcher’s Platter. The cocktail list offers refreshing post-flight options that range from a grapefruit-guava sangria to espresso-infused vodka served with Madagascar vanilla.
Little Miss BBQ
4301 East University Drive, Phoenix, AZ
(602) 437-1177
Little Miss BBQ is the place for meat near Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport. This Texas-style BBQ joint heats its meats using Arizona white oak, pecan, pistachios, and mesquite firewood in custom smokers. Order the smoky superstars on the menu by weight, by plate, or as a sandwich. The meats are tender, seasoned to perfection, and piled high. We highly recommend trying the potato salad and baked beans as side dishes. The outside seating also provided some much-appreciated fresh air and sunshine after being stuck in airports and plane cabins for hours.
Blanco Tacos + Tequila
3400 East Sky Harbor Boulevard, Gate 5 Terminal 4 Phoenix, AZ
If you’re focused on finding the best place to eat inside Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport, it’s hard to top Blanco Tacos + Tequila. Something that always makes this a great standby when passing through Sky Harbor is that it stays open later than most of the other eateries in the airport. It’s a great place for chips, tacos, mimosas, red wine, and other comforts. The chile verde tacos with back beans and rice are done especially nicely here.
The Tavern
3400 East Sky Harbor Boulevard (Suite T3), Phoenix, AZ
Located just a heartbeat from the fanfare of Sky Harbor, The Tavern is a classy wine bar offering a great wine list. We call this a top pick for airport dining in Phoenix simply because we found that the menu was very accommodating for anyone seeking fare that is both light and satisfying. We never felt like we needed to settle for greasy bar food to enjoy a real meal here. The chicken lettuce wraps, beet salad, and salmon were all hits. It seems like it would be really easy to find compatible foods when eating a paleo, gluten-free, or restrictive diet.
Chanpen Tai Cuisine
2727 East Broadway Road, Phoenix, AZ
(602) 276-3778
This is a no-fuss Tai joint that easily qualifies as the best in Phoenix. The red curry here offers slight hints of sweetness that balance beautifully with strong coconut flavors. The coconut curry soup could be enough for anyone in a hurry to get down something hot. However, the pad tai, pad woon sen, and pineapple red curry are also more than worth sitting down for. Finishing the meal off with a pistachio ice cream was a terrific decision!
JL Smokehouse
2010 East Broadway Road, Phoenix, AZ
(602) 620-5132
JL Smokehouse is a pleasant surprise for anyone who loves Southern-fused cooking. A menu full of smoked sausage, pulled pork, ribs, and pork belly more than hits the spot. Of course, everything tastes better with macaroni and cheese, collard greens, potato salad, baked potatoes, and other classic sides. In addition to offering classic barbeque, the menu is also full of nachos, tacos, pizza, egg rolls, and more.
Stockyard Restaurant
5009 East Washington Street (Suite 115), Phoenix, AZ
(602) 273-7378
This is just a really fun place to walk into! The ranch vibes are strong at Stockyard Restaurant from the moment you pass by the oversized cactus standing like a sentry guarding the entrance. During our recent visit, it was all about the prime rib. The beautiful piece of marbled meat served with a twice-baked potato was beyond delicious. In addition, a boar and veal starter served with pear sauce really set the pace for an incredible evening of enjoying a rare, genuine steakhouse experience.
Perfect Pear Bistro
603 West University Drive, Tempe, AZ
(602) 273-7378
This was a great place to grab a chicken club with a pork green chili verde soup on the side. In addition to being a great sandwich spot, Perfect Pear Bistro also offers a robust menu full of tacos, quinoa bowls, green salads, wraps, and pasta. You can even do half sizes if you’re in the mood to try a few things. We consider this a top pick when you want a real meal even though you don’t necessarily want a formal meal.
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