Phoenix’s international flavors featured on ‘Check, Please! Arizona’
Did you know you can travel the flavors of the world without having to leave Phoenix? On our local program “Check, Please! Arizona,” we’ve featured international flavors found right here in the heart of Arizona.
View the list below to find your next spot among these highly recommended Arizona restaurants.
Clever Koi
Clever Koi is an Asian-inspired kitchen with a craft cocktail bar.
Joshua James, co-owner of the restaurant, said they are best known for their ramen but also serve up food from all over the continent of Asia. He said the bar is the pride and joy of the eatery, with mixologists who know the ins and outs of spirits and cocktail history.
Guest Tara Anderson said the restaurant is both “intimate and quaint,” where guests can watch the activity both behind the bar and in the kitchen. “It’s very much a neighborhood place,” she said.
You can visit Clever Koi at 4236 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, AZ, or visit their website for more information.
Pa’La
Pa’La combines Italian and Japanese flavors to create an unbelievably interesting restaurant where the only move is to come with your friends and an empty stomach.
The menu at the new Pa’La has a definite Japanese aesthetic to it, with an emphasis on thoughtfully sourced seafood, both cooked and raw in sashimi-like crudos.
Guest Todd Gibbons said he loves to dine at Pa’La, with the food being like no other restaurant. “One of the things we enjoy about it is it’s such a relaxing atmosphere,” he said. “They have a wood-fired oven and a big wood deck patio.”
You can visit Pa’La at 2107 N. 24th Street, Phoenix, AZ, or you can visit their website for more information.
Farish House
Located near the historic Roosevelt Row in Downtown Phoenix, Farish House, owned and helmed by Chef Lori Hassler, invites guests to savor what is best described as “French grandma food.”
Hassler describes their culinary approach as “French grandma” cooking, because of their slow and braised techniques. She said that Farish House is about more than just the food: It’s an immersive experience combining ambiance and community.
Guest Pedro Sanchez ordered their award-winning tiramisu, naming it “the best tiramisu I have had in my life.” Sanchez recommends guests take a seat on the front patio to elevate their dining experience.
You can visit Farish House at 816 N. 3rd Street, Phoenix, AZ, or you can visit their website for more information.
George’s Kitchen
George’s Kitchen is a family-owned Greek-style restaurant, perfect for a family dinner with its expansive menu and flavorful dishes.
The restaurant is best known for its smooth and creamy hummus as well as its fresh salads. George’s Kitchen makes you feel right at home, all while providing delicious Greek cuisine.
Guest Charlotte Shaff said it is a “gem in the North Central Phoenix neighborhood” and a place with “something on the menu for everybody.”
Guests are most impressed by the moist and flavorful gyro meat as well as the grilled chicken Greek salad. Shaff said you “cannot go wrong” with the creamy and tangy dressing.
You can visit George’s Kitchen at 6102 N. 16th Street, Phoenix, AZ, or you can visit their website for more information.
Greektown
Owner George Vassiliou said Greektown is a family-owned and operated Arizona restaurant. He said the restaurant provides the food and ambiance people fly across the world for.
Vassiliou said hospitality is a big part of Greek culture, and it carries over to the overall atmosphere of the restaurant. He said there is always someone to greet guests at the door, and they practice a beloved Greek tradition of breaking plates in times of celebration or to ward off negative spirits.
Guest Molly Bohannon said she stumbled upon the best Greek food in town when searching for nearby Greek restaurants for dinner. Now, Bohannon visits Greektown regularly.
You can visit Greektown at 8519 N. 7th Street, Phoenix, AZ, or you can visit their website for more information.
CiBo Pizzeria
CiBo Pizzeria is an Italian and culinary experience found right in downtown Phoenix. Beyond its celebrated pizzas, CiBo’s menu is adorned with exquisitely delicate pastas and hearty salads, catering to a myriad of tastes.
Chef Guido Saccone, coming directly from Italy, offers a pizza experience at CiBo unlike any other. He said the secret lies in the crust, achieved through a meticulous process that results in a texture both chewy and robust, then masterfully fired in a 900-degree oven for a mere 90 seconds.
Guest Erica Fernette said she was impressed by CiBo’s house salad, describing it as a perfect combination with its spring mix, olive oil, vinegar and pine nuts. Her experience was further sweetened by the fresca dessert, which she described as “super-light, super-sweet.”
You can visit CiBo Pizzeria at 603 N. 5th Avenue, Phoenix, AZ, or you can visit their website for more information.
Cocina Madrigal Tacos + Tequila
Not only was Cocina Madrigal Tacos + Tequila named one of Yelp’s Top 100 Places to Eat in 2022, but it also showcases rich flavors and ingredients from Oaxaca, Mexico.
Owner and chef Leo Madrigal, who is from Oaxaca, said his family plays a big role in the dishes they offer. He also said the restaurant offers an ambiance that is not only warm but also exciting, leaving guests feeling a part of the family.
Guest Nora Montaña recommended Cocina Madrigal because it made her fall in love with enchiladas, which she said are “life-changing.”
“Everything in that menu will surprise you with flavor from the beginning to the end,” Montaña said.
You can visit Cocina Madrigal Tacos + Tequila at 4044 S. 16th Street, Phoenix, AZ, or you can visit their website for more information.
Cielo Rojo
Cielo Rojo makes guests feel right at home while also offering a variety of delicious flavors. Owner Emmanuell Maldonado said the restaurant offers a combination of Mexican and seafood dishes inspired by his family’s hometown of Guanajuato, Mexico, and his experience growing up alongside his mother and grandmothers.
Maldonado said he focuses on giving guests the best experience and wants them to feel right at home when they enter the door.
Guest Athena Sanchez said she first discovered Cielo Rojo because of its close proximity to where she lives. Every time she walks in, she said it brings her right back to being at her grandmother’s house.
She also said she enjoys the live music and happy hour menu guests can enjoy Thursday through Saturday night.
You can visit Cielo Rojo at 1919 N. 16th Street, Phoenix, AZ, or you can visit their website for more information.
Casa Corazon
Casa Corazon is both rich in flavor and history and serves as a place where people gather to experience authentic Mexican food. Owner Javier Verdugo said the recipes are inspired by the flavorful dishes he enjoyed when visiting southern Mexico.
Originally built in the 1930s, Verdugo said he, alongside his son, remodeled the house into what it is today. Guests can expect a warm and inviting atmosphere to enjoy their relaxing lunch. When the sun goes down, he said dinner guests can expect a more romantic atmosphere, fit for couples.
Guest Kelli Donley Williams said the fresh food and service keep her coming back for more. Williams said their slice of the hibiscus cheesecake was “unlike anything I have ever had.”
You can visit Casa Corazon at 2637 N. 16th Street, Phoenix, AZ, or you can visit their website for more information.
Taco Guild
Once an old church, Taco Guild serves up delicious Mexican food packed not only with flavor but also with history.
Owner of Taco Guild, Dominick Scarpinato, said the church, now a beloved restaurant, was originally built in 1893, making it the second-oldest building in Phoenix. He said the restaurant has a unique ambiance, making it perfect for an intimate date night or a casual midday lunch.
Out of all the Mexican restaurants in Arizona, guest Angela McWilliams said the architecture and dishes caught her eye the most. She also raved about the creamy queso and rich flavors of the tacos.
“There are so many good things about this restaurant,” McWilliams said.
You can visit Taco Guild at 546 E. Osborn Road, Phoenix, AZ, or you can visit their website for more information.
Chino Bandido
Chino Bandido is a culinary gem that captivates the palate with its seamless blend of Mexican, Caribbean and Asian flavors.
Founded by Eve Collins and her late husband, Frank, guests get to choose from a diverse menu that includes popular dishes like the Jade Red Chicken, a sweet and sour dish with a spicy kick. Their dishes are customizable, making it perfect for any guest to enjoy.
Guest Allison Cuoco said the Jade Red Chicken is red, sweet and pleasantly spicy, a dish so good that she consistently orders it.
“The food is delicious, so I can be pretty certain that when I go, I’m going to get a great meal,” Cuoco said.
You can visit Chino Bandido at 310 W. Bell Road, Phoenix, AZ, or you can visit their website for more information.
Otro Cafe
Otro Cafe offers dishes perfect for all times of the day and has an inclusive menu to accommodate dietary restrictions so everyone can enjoy.
Chef and Owner Doug Robson said Otro Cafe takes inspiration from his experience living in Mexico City and San Antonio, Texas. They also use an open grill, which gives their dishes a hint of a smoky undertone and unique flavor.
Guest Jessica Wenger-McPhaul has celiac disease limitations so she often has to settle on dishes when she eats out. At Otro Cafe, she gets to have her pick.
You can visit Otro Cafe at 6035 N. 7th Street, Phoenix, AZ, or you can visit their website for more information.
Thai E-San
Thai E-San is located right in North Phoenix and makes good and fresh ingredients their top priority while also emphasizing cuisine from the Northeast part of Thailand.
The restaurant is the perfect location for guests who love spice, but they offer a customizable spice level that can suit all in your party, regardless of spice tolerance.
Guest Angela Smith found Thai E-San because she wanted a little spice in her life, which she found in this family-owned gem. Smith also thoroughly enjoyed the chicken and green beans served with a sauce, which she said had a “perfect spice level.”
You can visit Thai E-San at 616 W. Indian School Road, Phoenix, AZ, or you can visit their website for more information.
Lom Wong
Located in downtown Phoenix, Lom Wong offers cuisine from across Thailand, with a focus on creating an environment where people can sit together and gather while enjoying a flavorful, authentic meal.
Owner Yotaka “Sunny” Martin said their menu showcases different Thai towns’ dishes, with handcrafted ingredients such as their hand-ground curry powder and hand-squeezed coconut milk.
Guest Mikaela Hatfield’s said the vegetables stood out the most and elevated the dishes to something guests wouldn’t find at home.
“It’s Thai cuisine on a level you’ve never seen before,” Hatfield said.
You can visit Lom Wong at 218 E. Portland Street, Phoenix, AZ, or you can visit their website for more information.
Cornish Pasty Company
Cornish Pasty Company brings an English pub right to downtown Phoenix. Owner Dean Thomas they are best known for their handmade pasties, which feature a flaky pastry pocket filled with meat and vegetables. The eatery offers more than 40 kinds of pasties, including vegetarian and vegan options.
The restaurant has three floors, each with its own bar: the main floor where the kitchen is located, a basement bar and an upstairs area with ample seating.
Guest Allison Otu said Cornish Pasty Company offers great comfort food, and she said she has one word for the Greek pasty: “fantastic.”
You can visit Cornish Pasty Company at 7 W. Monroe Street, Phoenix, AZ, or you can visit their website for more information.
Want more Arizona restaurant recommendations? Watch “Check, Please! Arizona” for inspiration for your next meal out, or view a different list of Arizona restaurants featured on “Check, Please! Arizona.”
