Relax and Dine in the Red Rocks of Sedona
Sedona's red rocks are a world-class destination for adventure and relaxation. Numerous trails wind between sandstone buttes leading to timeworn ruins and hidden creeks. Back in town, spas await to soothe your tired muscles at day's end. No matter your itinerary, you'll find a restaurant in Sedona for every budget and taste preference.
01 Rise early for adventure
Sedona can seem like a sleepy little community, with many businesses opening after 9 a.m. and closing before 9 p.m. Coffee Pot Restaurant caters to the early birds with breakfast served as early as 6 a.m. Start with a cup of coffee in a one-of-a-kind hand-crafted mug (you can buy these in the restaurant's gift shop). The extensive menu includes more than 80 variations of omelet, plus Belgian waffles, pancakes, egg combos, and southwestern delights such as huevos rancheros. Coffee Pot stays open for lunch, specializing in authentic Mexican food such as enchiladas, chimichangas, and combination plates.
02 Start the day in a scenic garden
A drive up Oak Creek Canyon is picturesque at any time of day, but it's most enjoyable when traffic is light in the morning. Start your day with a traditional egg breakfast at Indian Gardens Cafe & Market. You might opt for alternatives such as greens instead of potatoes or toast; or avocado as a substitute for bacon or sausage. Nosh on a Javelina sandwich for lunch (not made from the local animal, of course) or a greens and grain wrap. Enjoy your feast in a garden surrounded by towering trees, lush vegetation, and red rock views. The kitchen closes at 3 p.m., just in time to grab a hand-tossed pizza to accompany you after a long day hiking the canyon trails or slipping along in the creek at Slide Rock.
03 Build a custom mile-high sandwich
Whether you're heading out on the trail or want to dine at Sedona Memories' limited outdoor patio seating, you'll get the sandwich of your dreams at this locals-oriented restaurant. You custom-craft your sandwiches from base ingredients like roast beef, vegetarian, turkey, crab salad, and more. Choose from six types of bread and select accompanying components. The sandwiches come stacked high. If you don't have a large appetite, you'll likely only eat half, so consider sharing with a friend or packing a foldable cooler and an ice pack to save the other half for an afternoon snack when you're on the trail.
04 Munch on hot dogs and hamburgers
It's easy to miss Senor Bob's Hot Dogs, tucked away behind the visitor center in West Sedona, but once you eat there, you're likely to want to come back. You can smell the homemade buns from the parking lot, and hand-hewn alligator juniper tabletops punctuate the colorful decor inside. The burgers and dogs are big—⅓ pound for burgers and ¼ pound for all-beef hot dogs. Try one of the many menu options for each, and you'll probably want to come back to work your way through the entire menu. For a taste of the region, try Carnitas fries smothered in pulled pork, tomato, onion, jalapeno, and chipotle mayo, which are a meal in themselves.
05 Discover couture hamburgers
Butterfly Burger in the Village of Oak Creek is a prime place to start your Sedona adventure as you enter the city on Highway 179. The "couture burger lounge" elevates this American favorite with innovative ingredients. The sultry lounge atmosphere features a dark palette offsetting a bronze butterfly and the amber lighting reflected in rose-gold mirrors. Sip a boozy milkshake and order from a menu of signature burgers that have won top honors at Scottsdale Burger Battle for three years. Start with the Waco Kid, the Judge's Choice winner, in 2019. White, aged cheddar, 4 Roses bourbon with maple caramelized onion, bacon confit, and dijon sauce compliment the burger served on an artisan bun.
06 Enjoy the flavors of the southwest
Don't let the word "cafe" fool you. Elote Cafe's fine dining cuisine is curated from its owner/chef Jeff Smedstad's extensive travels in Mexico and the American southwest. Savor bites that transport you across the border, such as pumpkin-seed-encrusted goat cheese balls with a drizzle of honey. The dinner menu offers hearty fare, including lamb shank adobo served with ancho chile sauce, smoked brisket enchiladas, and braised buffalo short ribs in a traditional mole poblano. Save room for dessert and treat your taste buds to pumpkin flan, lime creme brulee, or a decadent chocolate pie.
07 Savor classic American food
When you're in the mood for classic American cuisine done well, head to the Golden Goose American Grill in West Sedona. The restaurant is open seven days a week for lunch and dinner, with an extensive menu that includes steaks, chops, fish, pasta, burgers, and sandwiches. Try one of the house specialties. Pollo Nirvana features chicken breast stuffed with prosciutto and fontina topped with mushroom sauce. Sesame-crusted ahi is lightly seared and served with ginger-soy sauce.
08 Enjoy healthy Mexican food and views
Oaxaca is one of the city's oldest Mexican restaurants, serving classic Mexican flavor with attention to the finest and healthiest ingredients. The "Dine to Your Heart's Content" menu items include heart-healthy and gluten-free selections prepared by the establishment's Registered Dietitian. Start your meal with grilled Arizona cactus with Romesco sauce, roasted tomato, red peppers, chile peppers & almonds. For the main course, select from dishes that include pork adobo chimichangas or avocado, cheese, and sour-cream-filled enchiladas, among other delights.
09 Dress for dinner
Although most Sedona restaurants have a fairly casual dress code, you'll want to dress up when you go to Mariposa. This spectacular fine dining restaurant rests on a butte surrounded by dramatic red rock vistas to enjoy while dining on an expansive patio or indoors, gazing at the beauty through floor-to-ceiling windows. A wood-fired grill and wood-burning oven at the restaurant's center create the authentic flavors of delights such as fresh fish, handmade empanadas, house-made chimichurri and mole sauces, grilled chorizos, and ceviches.
10 Turn up the romance factor
Cress on Oak Creek at L'Auberge de Sedona nestles into the banks of Oak Creek with a mission to provide unparalleled cuisine and ambiance in a natural setting. Classic flavors from the southern regions of France, Italy, and Spain marry with fresh, local ingredients. Try the Elk Osso Bucco, accompanied by wild mushroom gremolata and stone ground polenta. There's perhaps no setting more romantic in Sedona than the Creekside Reserve Private Dining at L'Auberge de Sedona. The creekside venue tucks beneath a canopy of vines lit by chandelier light. Your private dinner includes a six-course tasting menu from the chef and dedicated service. Unique pairings from the wine room are also available.
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