The Michelin Guide just debuted in the Southwest region at the end of August, covering Utah, Nevada, Arizona, and New Mexico. This addition to the scene confirmed what many of us Phoenix foodies already knew: Our food scene really is amazing.
Although we didn’t take home any coveted stars, Arizona still earned awards and accolades that prove just how much our food scene has expanded over the past decade or so.
Michelin, which originated in France in the early 1900s as a way to encourage more road trips, is today widely considered one of the most prestigious restaurant guides in the world. One thing Michelin does particularly well is acknowledge that good food isn’t always attached to high price tags and fine dining. One of its distinctions, the Bib Gourmand, recognizes restaurants serving high-quality food at more affordable price points in the $35 range (for an entree and dessert or drink).
Because these are typically the sorts of restaurants I love to write about, I was especially excited for this category—and I have to say, I was pretty happy with Michelin’s inspectors’ choices. Although there are a few more restaurants I believe deserve to be highlighted, Arizona took home about 40% of the Bib Gourmands awarded across the Southwest region. Pretty impressive.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Michelin Bib Gourmand winners, as well as the restaurants it officially recommended and the honored Arizona chefs.
Pizzeria Bianco
This one was a no-brainer. You don’t partake in Phoenix’s food scene without learning about the legendary Chris Bianco and his beloved pizzeria, which helped revolutionize the way we Phoenicians think about sourcing and using local ingredients. I even once met Bianco in a garden, plucking basil, so yes, he’s the real deal.
If you’ve never eaten at his restaurant, consider this your overdue assignment. Oh, and Oprah once signed off on it, in case you needed one more reason. Get a wood-fired pie, and you can’t go wrong with the classic Margherita. Add on a local greens salad for balance and for a taste of Arizona’s bounty. Multiple locations, pizzeriabianco.com
Valentine
There’s nowhere else quite like Valentine, housed at the front of a midcentury antique store in Central Phoenix in a former car wash. This multi-time James Beard Award finalist already had plenty to brag about before earning a 2026 Bib Gourmand.
With a commitment to using Southwestern ingredients in innovative ways, eating here is a true Sonoran experience. Try the Steak & Eggs served with huitlacoche tortillas, the Tres Leches French Toast topped with sorghum-sage syrup, and fresh pastries. Don’t miss the inventive drinks either, from coffee to cocktails. 4130 N. 7th Ave., Phoenix, valentinephx.com
Little Miss BBQ
Times are good for this lauded barbecue joint, which serves up pretty legendary Central Texas-style barbecue. This one’s a family-run operation with a deep commitment to the local community, making its current success all the sweeter.
Here, Scott Holmes serves as pitmaster, with his wife, Bekke, as baker extraordinaire. The brisket, dry-brined and seasoned with plenty of black pepper, is smoked over Arizona oak and pecan wood, and sliced to order. Also look toward the pork ribs, which have a touch of sweetness and are a personal favorite. Order a side of jalapeño cheddar grits or ranch-style beans to round out the meal. 4301 E. University Dr., Phoenix; and 8901 N. Seventh St., Phoenix, littlemissbbq.com
Kid Sister
Kid Sister, a wine bar in Central Phoenix, has been the scene of some of my favorite girls’ nights. Michelin awarded it a Bib Gourmand for the seasonal menu and approachable wine list. Start with a warm pretzel and Dijon butter, grab a bottle of sparkling wine—or any wine, for that matter—and dig into the Beef Albondigas or Octopus Niçoise to round out the meal. But wait, the night isn’t complete without a slice of icebox cake with blueberry compote. 4810 N. Seventh St., Phoenix, kidsisterphx.com
The Original Huarachis Taqueria
When you’re in the mood for shareable plates, this casual downtown Phoenix eatery stands ready to serve up some Michelin-worthy carnitas. The interior is an experience in itself: Think soft baby-pink walls, plants, and funky art. Like its sister restaurant, Bacanora, Huarachis explores heritage and Indigenous ingredients, with much of the cooking done over a wood fire.
I recommend the Chicharron Torta with a side of Asada Fries. Finish with a Concha Ice Cream Sandwich with strawberry compote and wash it all down with an agave-based cocktail or Mexican Coke. 814 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, huarachis.com
Lom Wong
Lom Wong is another restaurant with plenty of recent recognition, as chef Yotaka Martin took home the 2025 James Beard Award for Best Chef: Southwest. Martin and her husband Alex are all about celebrating the traditional Thai food found in the country’s villages and towns, including Chiang Rai, where Martin grew up.
There, she says, her family cooked what they grew—a tradition she wanted to bring to the States when she moved here. Get the full experience with the tasting menu, or, at the very least, order the Yam Mamuang Boran, a green mango salad, and the Scallop Crudo. The Boo Pad Pong Garee, a crab-and-egg stir-fry, is also worth mentioning. It’s an upscale spot with top-notch service, and we can’t wait to see what’s next for this award-winning restaurant. 218 E. Portland St., Phoenix, lomwongaz.com
FnB
FnB is the brainchild—or should we say heart child—of two outstanding hospitality pros. First, chef Charleen Badman (more on her below), a James Beard Award winner for Best Chef: Southwest in 2019 and a nominee for Outstanding Chef in 2026. Then there’s beverage director and house manager Pavle Milic, whose wine program earned James Beard Award nominations in 2017 and 2020.
Located in downtown Scottsdale’s historic Craftsman Court, the restaurant focuses on small plates, cheekily called FnBites, and a killer wine list, all with a decidedly local bent. Off the current menu, order the Fresh Pasta with ricotta, Bianco tomatoes, summer squash, Asiago, and basil, or the Grilled Creole Quail with johnnycake, black-eyed peas, and pickled green tomato. Milic is also a champion of Arizona wine and in 2014, he released his own wine label, Los Milics, which you must try. 7125 E. Fifth Ave., Suite 31, Scottsdale, fnbrestaurant.com
Restaurants That Made Michelin’s Selected Restaurant List
The Guide also released its list of Selected Restaurants that earned Michelin’s stamp of approval. Of the 12 Arizona restaurants selected, 11 are in metro Phoenix: Bacanora, Christopher’s at Wrigley Mansion, Fry Bread House, Glai Baan, Hush Public House, INDIBAR, Latha, Pretty Penny, Reserve, ShinBay, and Tratto.
It’s an eclectic mix of cuisines that reflects the broader diversity of Phoenix dining.
Chefs Who Received Individual Awards
Young Chef Award
35-year-old René Andrade earned the Young Chef Award, adding another major accolade to his cap (he won the James Beard Award for Best Chef Southwest in 2024). Andrade is well known for his concepts Bacanora and Huarachis Taqueria, and for his live-fire cooking, which draws on ingredients from the Sonoran Desert and his childhood in Mexico. Andrade immigrated from Sonora at just 17 years old with a pair of Levi’s, two pairs of shoes and $275. He’s been amazing everyone ever since.
Sommelier Award
John Germain, wine director of Reserve in Scottsdale, wants guests to feel inspired and educated by his more than 700-page curated wine list, which he refers to as a “wine atlas.” And while intimidated might also sound like a fitting word to describe the experience, Germain does a beautiful job making it much less so than you’d expect.
The atlas organizes wines by variety and country while weaving in regional maps, vineyard illustrations, producer profiles, timelines and other wine education along the way. Michelin describes Germain as one of the country’s most knowledgeable sommeliers—high praise, and well deserved.
The Mindful Voices Award
Charleen Badman of FnB received the Mindful Voices Award, which recognizes chefs “rewriting the rules in their respective fields,” according to Gwendal Poullennec, international director of the Michelin Guide. Badman has championed local farmers and Arizona-grown ingredients for years. She’s also a big part of the Blue Watermelon Project, committed to bringing healthier food and food education to Arizona schools, so seeing her receive the honor felt especially fitting.
