The 13 Best Restaurants in Mesa (2024)

East Valley foodies, this guide is for you! And if you aren’t in the East Valley, you’ll likely want to make the trip for these Arizona eateries. Mesa’s food scene has been growing over the last few years, and these restaurants are worth the drive. Mesa is one of the more culturally diverse food cities in the Phoenix area, and restaurants here offer authentic, incredibly well-executed cuisines that can be hard to find elsewhere. Read on for some of the best restaurants in Mesa.

See Also: 10 Best Downtown Phoenix Restaurants

13. Mexican: Los Dos Molinos

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Proudly proclaiming “some like it hot” on the side of their restaurant, Los Dos Molinos is not for the heat-averse. This family-run joint’s menu proudly proclaims they “don’t know how to make mild”, and almost all of the dishes on the menu are marked with a chili pepper symbol, indicating that they are packing some heat. Even their queso fundido is made with fiery green chilis for a spicy, but delicious combination. Their signature dish, the adovada ribs, served with rice, beans, and a thick flour tortilla, are fork tender, so flavorful, and again, pack a punch with a red chili-based sauce. If the heat is too strong, they’ll gladly bring you a side of sour cream to help cool your tongue.

Los Dos Molinos

$$ Mexican, Bars, Venues & Event Spaces

260 S Alma School Rd #137, Mesa, AZ 85210

(480) 969-7475

12. Mediterranean: Green Corner

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Located in the Fiesta District, Green Corner is one of the only restaurants in Mesa to offer authentic Mediterranean food. You’ll order at the counter at this fast-casual establishment and choose from falafel, gyros, shawarma, kababs, and more. Each entree comes with a side of yellow rice, pita, greek salad, and hummus. We love the beef shawarma wrapped in a pita and topped with copious amounts of delectable hummus and flavorful garlic sauce. And for the sweetest ending to your meal, each entree comes with a complimentary slice of baklava.

Green Corner

$$ Mediterranean, Salad Greek

1010 W Southern Ave #7, Mesa, AZ 85210

(480) 835-2313

11. Tacos: Tacos Chiwas

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For a fast-casual lunch or dinner, head to Tacos Chiwas for street tacos that are tasty and friendly on the wallet. Tacos Chiwas is a Phoenix staple with three locations throughout Arizona, including a hip new spot in downtown Mesa. The menu is simple: choose from tacos, gorditas, burritos, or a quesadilla, but “tacos” are the namesake of the restaurant for a reason and are our personal favorites as well. We love the asada, the pastor, and, our favorite, the pollo. With seasoned grilled chicken, pickled red onions, and cilantro crema on a house-made tortilla, it’s a practically perfect chicken taco. You’ll also want to grab a gordita with shredded beef in red or green salsa and potatoes stuffed into a masa shell. Whatever you order, stop by the salsa bar to grab some caramelized onions to top it all off.

Tacos Chiwas

$ Tacos

127 W Main St, Mesa, AZ 85201

(480) 590-7163

Read Next: Best Pizza in Phoenix: Top 10 Spots

10. Korean: Hodori

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Mesa is a bit of a destination for Asian food, and its Asian district here offers a cornucopia of authentic cuisine. Our pick for Korean fare is Hodori. The kimchi jun, a crispy kimchi pancake with bits of pork, is a must-order. While Hodori is not a KBBQ spot and you don’t cook your meat at your table, the kalbi marinated short ribs are another fan favorite, served sizzling over a bed of onions with a variety of banchan, or small side dishes, to try as well. Speaking of the side dishes, we love the kimchi (of course!) and the potatoes.

Hodori

$$ Korean

1116 S Dobson Rd, Mesa, AZ 85202

(480) 668-7979

9. Barbecue: Jalapeno Bucks

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Jalapeno Bucks is not your typical barbecue joint, proudly serving “Arizona-style barbecue” from a small walk-up window in front of B.B. Citrus Farms. We’re not totally convinced that Arizona-style barbecue is a legitimate thing, but from their interpretation, it seems to be a barbecue/Mexican fusion, and they offer as many varieties of house-made salsas as they do barbecue sauce. Needless to say, they know their way around a kitchen, so we won’t worry about semantics. What really shines here are the sandwiches. The brisket sandwich is simple but perfect, with tender brisket and ”thunder sauce” (a savory, mayo-based spread) on a toasted bun. Place your order at the window then grab a table to feast next to the orange trees in the Arizona sunshine.

Jalapeño Buck’s

$$ Mexican, Barbeque, Sandwiches

3434 N Val Vista Dr, Mesa, AZ 85213

(480) 459-3050

8. Vietnamese: Pho Thuan Thanh

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You can’t spell Phoenix without Pho, and Mesa has some of the best pho around. We especially love Pho Thuan Thanh, one of the best restaurants in Mesa. The menu has a wide range of dishes like banh mi and vermicelli, but the pho is what keeps us coming back. Choose from 13 different varieties, all with beef broth and rice noodles served with different combinations of meat and vegetables. Your pho will be served with bean sprouts, fresh mint, jalapeno, and lime, and the table is pre-set with hoisin sauce, soy sauce, Sriracha, and chili paste, so you can doctor your pho to your liking, but the broth here is so rich it stands on its own. Pro tip: order the XL and ask for an extra bowl to share with a friend and split some spring rolls or a banh mi to really get a full sampling of what Pho Thuan Thanh can do.

Pho Thuan Thanh

$$ Vietnamese

502 S Dobson Rd #3, Mesa, AZ 85202

(480) 834-3449

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7. Empanadas: Republica Empanada

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This bright and trendy spot is one of the only restaurants in Mesa that serves authentic empanadas. Choose from a selection of both savory and sweet empanadas, as well as a handful of tasty tortas. For the empanadas, we love the Pernil, simple and delicious with juicy slow-roasted pork. For something more adventurous, try the jalapeno potato popper empanada with grilled jalapenos, cream cheese, and achiote-seasoned potatoes. All empanadas are served with a jalapeno-cilantro salsa that is so fresh you’ll want to drown your food in it.

República Empanada Restaurant

$$ Latin American, Empanadas, Comfort Food

204 E 1st Ave, Mesa, AZ 85210

(480) 969-1343

6. Ukranian: All Pierogi

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For adventurous foodies, check out the quaint Euro-market and Ukrainian restaurant All Pierogi, where you’ll feel like a welcomed guest in a family kitchen in Eastern Europe. The small restaurant is often busy, which is always a good sign. The food is prepared from scratch by a single chef, and both Eastern Europeans and foodies alike are crowded into the tiny dining room, all thrilled with an authentic taste of Ukrainian cuisine at one of the best restaurants in Mesa. So expect slower, but friendly and attentive service, and make reservations to avoid a long wait for a table, especially on the weekends. As for the menu, you’ll see a few familiar favorites – pork schnitzel, for example – but the Ukrainian specialties are worth trying. We love their namesake dish, the fried pierogies. There are 17 flavors; our go-tos are the farmer’s cheese and chive and the potato, cheddar, and jalapeno. For your main, try the beef cabbage roll. This beef and onion blend is reminiscent of an American meatloaf stuffed inside cabbage and covered in a savory tomato sauce. It’s a simple and deliciously comforting meal.

All Pierogi | Kitchen Restaurant & Euro Market

$$ Grocery, Polish, Ukrainian

101-103, 1245 W Baseline Rd, Mesa, AZ 85202

(480) 262-3349

5. Dumplings: Happy Bao

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Also located in Arizona’s Asian district, Happy Bao serves up steamy, delicious dumplings and noodles from a small restaurant inside the Mekong Market. Start with the spicy chili wontons stuffed with pork and shrimp and paired with housemade chili oil for just the right amount of spice. Xiao Long Bao, or soup dumplings, are also an absolute must. Filled with pork and a savory, warm broth, poke a hole in the dumpling to slurp up the broth, dip it liberally in vinegar sauce with fresh ginger, add a bit of housemade chili oil, and enjoy. Craving noodles? The beef chow fun noodles with thick, chewy rice noodles, fried with strips of beef and tender onions are phenomenal.

Happy Bao’s

$$ Chinese, Noodles, Comfort Food

66 S Dobson Rd STE 112, Mesa, AZ 85202

(480) 912-1207

Read Next: Best Ice Cream in Phoenix: 8 Local Favorites

4. Board and Batten

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Hidden away in North Mesa, Board and Batten is a quiet, high-end option on our guide to the best restaurants in Mesa. Part restaurant part event venue, this white brick building is set behind the Stonebridge Manor and was constructed in the same, charming style. They describe themselves as a bistro with Italian influence, so pay attention to the pasta section. Their menu varies seasonally, but the classic cacio e pepe is almost always available and is our go-to. With al dente rigatoni noodles, this dish is prepared in the classic style with simple ingredients combined to create a rich, peppery, and buttery sauce. From the mains, the seasonal pork shoulder was fork-tender and was perfectly paired with creamy applesauce and crispy brussels sprouts.

Board & Batten

$$ American (New), Wine Bars

4012 E Palm St, Mesa, AZ 85215

(480) 641-4148

3. Pizza: Myke’s Pizza

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Some of the best pizza in all of Arizona is served from the back of Cider Corps Brewery in downtown Mesa. Chef Myke is known for his quality pies served with a creative twist. Go for the Red, White, and Bacon—it’s layered with both your traditional red sauce (made with San Marzano tomatoes) and a garlic cream sauce, a combination that is reminiscent of our favorite pink sauce pasta. Or, try the salami pizza with red sauce, mozzarella, salami, and hot honey drizzled generously on top. If you’re a fan of pineapple pizza (we won’t judge), the hot honey is also featured on their pineapple pizza and is worth a try. Wash it all down with a bottle of Arizona’s Own Sasparilla, another local business we love.

Myke’s Pizza

2. Mexican: Espiritu

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Downtown Mesa got a major upgrade with last year’s addition of Espiritu. This bustling spot is the sister restaurant to the acclaimed Bacanora in downtown Phoenix and adds a stylish, high-end dining option to Mesa’s main street. Look for the restaurant with the busy chef out front grilling fragrant meats and vegetables on a wood-fired grill right on the sidewalk. Start your meal with the ceviche mixto: shrimp, fresh fish, cucumbers, onions, and serrano peppers in a chiltepin broth that packs a bit of heat. Or, go for the queso fundido with melted menonita cheese, a mild tomatillo salsa, and piled high with crisply little shoestring potatoes served with warm corn tortillas to make your own delicious mini quesadillas. For your main, you’ll likely want to order one of the specials. Espiritu focuses on what is locally available, so most of its main courses are seasonal items. Trust your waiter to point you in the right direction.Commonly featured items include a whole roasted fish served with tortillas to make your own fish tacos and wood-grilled chicken cooked on their sidewalk grill.

Espiritu Mesa

$$$ Cocktail Bars

123 W Main St, Mesa, AZ 85201

(480) 272-6825

See Also: Best Brunch in Phoenix: Top 11 Spots

1. Sandwiches: Worth Takeaway

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Home of a chicken sandwich worth traveling across the valley for, the best burger in Arizona, and a killer brunch on the weekends, it’s no surprise that Worth Takeaway leads the pack of the best restaurants in Mesa. Any meal, any time of day, you cannot go wrong with anything on the Worth menu. In short, we’ve never met a sandwich we didn’t like here. Other items to try include the candied Bacon BLT with siracha candied bacon, smashed avocado, and red onions on cheddar-jalapeno bread, or the cheddar and havarti grilled cheese with tomato soup. Finish off your meal with their creamy, heavenly banana pudding topped with the lightest sprinkle of salt to bring out the flavor.

Worth Takeaway

$$ Breakfast & Brunch, Sandwiches, American (New)

218 W Main St, Mesa, AZ 85201

480-833-2180

The 13 Best Restaurants in Mesa (2024)

FAQs

What is the name of the number one restaurant in the world? ›

The World's 50 Best Restaurants has just announced “The World's Best Restaurant” as part of a prestigious awards ceremony in Las Vegas on Wednesday, June 5, 2024. This year's winner is Disfrutar in Barcelona, Spain.

What restaurant was voted best restaurant in the world? ›

No.1 Disfrutar

Chefs Oriol Castro, Eduard Xatruch and Mateu Casañas have many reasons to celebrate this year. In addition to marking the restaurant's 10-year anniversary, they have also received top honours. Disfrutar has been named The World's Best Restaurant 2024, sponsored by S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna.

What is the only 7 star restaurant in the world? ›

Head to Al Iwan restaurant at Burj Al Arab, dubbed to be "the world's only 7-star hotel". Enjoy a high-class buffet lunch or dinner of authentic Arabian dishes while you take in the sea and city views of Dubai.

What is the name of the most popular restaurant? ›

popularity is the % of people who have a positive opinion of a dining brand. Find out more
  1. 1 Dairy Queen75%
  2. 2 Baskin-Robbins75%
  3. 3 Wendy's72%
  4. 4 Cinnabon68%
  5. 5 IHOP67%
  6. 6 KFC67%
  7. 7 The Cheesecake Factory66%
  8. 8 Taco Bell66%

What is the meanest restaurant in the world? ›

Dick's Last Resort is a bar and restaurant chain in the United States known for its intentional employment of an obnoxious staff who "purposely provide bad service". The chain was founded in Dallas, Texas in 1985 by Richard "Dick" Chase and currently operates thirteen locations across the United States.

What's the most unpopular restaurant? ›

10 Most Hated Sit Down Restaurants
#Restaurant
4Outback Steakhouse
3Popeyes
2Panda Express
1I-HOP
6 more rows

Who is No 1 chef in world? ›

Joël Robuchon: 31 stars

Have you ever wondered which chef has the most Michelin stars worldwide? Well, here he is. Joël Robuchon holds the number one spot amongst the world's top 10 chefs, making him the best chef in the world according to Michelin star ratings.

What's the #1 restaurant in the US? ›

A fine dining icon for over 50 years, Le Bernardin is the internationally acclaimed seafood restaurant from chef Eric Ripert and co-owner Maguy Le Coze.

What is the best restaurant in the world right now? ›

Best restaurants
Year1st2nd
2017Eleven Madison ParkOsteria Francescana
2018Osteria FrancescanaEl Celler de Can Roca
2019MirazurNoma
2021NomaGeranium
18 more rows

What is the 1 most popular fast food restaurant? ›

McDonald's

Did Peru win the best restaurant in the world? ›

The honor, voted on by more than 1,000 international experts, cemented Peru's place on the culinary map. Central, with an innovative tasting menu that showcases Peru's breathtaking geography and biodiversity, led a cohort of four Lima restaurants in the 50 Best — more than from any other city in the world.

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