Diners' Choice: Lively restaurants in Phoenix

OpenTable

Updated October 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants that have the most vibrant bar scenes in Phoenix? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Nook Kitchen - Phoenix

4.8

4.8 (456)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Central Phoenix

About the restaurant

Enjoy delicious American-Italian cuisine at Nook Kitchen. This modern restaurant serves dinner in an elegant space. Overseen by chef Nick LaRosa, the menu features appetizers, salads, pizza and a choice of entrees. Nook Kitchen also serves vegetarian and gluten-free fare. Diners rave about the restaurant's selection of delicious wood-fired pizza. Other menu highlights include the chicken masala, pan-seared salmon with liquor and glazed pork chops served with potato.Voted one of the best new restaurants in the year of its opening, Nook Kitchen is located in Phoenix, Arizona. To complement its meals, the restaurant offers craft cocktails and boutique wines. Cozy but inconspicuous, Nook Kitchen is a nice place to enjoy a meal and glass of wine with friends or family.

Top review

Brad

Dined 2 days ago

Everything from ambience to the staff and the food are always top notch and consistently amazing can’t say enough about how happy we are every time we eat here !!!

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Popular dish

Diavolo

Highball

4.8

4.8 (220)

$31 to $50

Cocktail Bar

Downtown Phoenix

About the restaurant

**Reservations are available up to 14 days in advance at www.Highballphx.com/reservations for parties of 10 or less guests. For parties larger than 10, please contact us via email, or at the Large Parties tab on our website.

Experience Highball, Downtown Phoenix’s award winning neighborhood cocktail bar & lounge, featuring a rousing collection of spirits and invigorating cocktails. Curated for the adventurous, cocktail forward and late-night revelers, industry folk, and everyone in between. Led by veteran bartenders and industry professionals, Highball’s programming is inspired by unifying avant-garde, playful ingredients and memory-jogging flavors, propelled by an inclusive community feel with something for everyone to enjoy.

Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Awards Regional Nominee "Best New US Cocktail Bar 2022", "Best US Bar Team" 2023, "Best US Cocktail Bar" & "Best US Bar Team" 2024

Top review

Eric

Dined 1 day ago

This place has fantastic drinks and ambience!!! We had the perfect 4 seat table in the corner. Our waitress Jordan was super attentive, friendly, and very knowledgeable about ALL the cocktails on the menu. Will absolutely be returning.

Across the Pond

4.8

4.8 (211)

$30 and under

Sushi

West Phoenix

About the restaurant

Currently offering dine-in service 5PM-12PM Tuesday-Sunday! Reservations are encouraged but not required.

We are an intimate sushi bar and cocktail room setting offering an eclectic sushi fare, craft cocktails, beer and wine, as well as a variety of local and adventitious sake at our picturesque central Phoenix location. Our menu is focused on traditional Japanese styling of sushi with an emphasis on nigiri, sashimi, and a variety of house specialties using hand selected fish with local and seasonal pairings. Here you will find a knowledgeable staff to guide you through our menu and multifaceted beverage options in order to create the perfect dining experience for you.

We look forward to serving you!

Top review

Daniellevip

Dined 7 days ago

Wanted to try a new sushi restaurant and so glad we did. Went early before a crowd and felt completely pampered. Dinner was delicious (sashimi, veggie roll, yellowtail roll, coffee cured salmon, poke chips). Drinks memorable. Frankly, I’m ready to go back.

Dahlia Tapas Tequila & Wine

4.8

4.8 (182)

$50 and over

Tapas / Small Plates

West Phoenix

About the restaurant

A collaboration between Boycott Bar's, Audrey Corley and Chubasco Tacos', Andrew Renteria. The duo brings an elevated dining experience to the Coronado Community with unparalleled flavors, cocktails, wines and boutique liquors that make Dahlia a must-try destination. Unforgettable dining awaits!

*Note* Kitchen Hours
Kitchen Closes daily @ 10pm with the bar remaining open til 11pm Fridays & Saturdays
Sundays Kitchen closes @ 9pm.

Top review

Jeffvip

Dined 5 days ago

Fantastic food, stellar wine list and superb service! Will dine again on next trip to Phoenix.

Clever Koi - Phoenix

4.7

4.7 (876)

$30 and under

Asian

North Central Phoenix

About the restaurant

We are offering dine in, take out, curbside and delivery services through our online ordering platform at cleverkoi.com, UberEats, DoorDash, Grubhub. Support local!

Reservations Welcome! We are excited to have you experience Clever Koi!

We are an Asian inspired kitchen and bar, that uses a crafty American approach. A seasonally and locally refined menu includes steamed buns, house made dumplings, and progressive noodle dishes, reflecting regions such as Thailand, Korea, China, Vietnam, Japan, and Indo-China. This comfortable urban setting features a heavy emphasis on seasonal craft cocktails, house made shrubs, an eclectic wine list, a variety of local beers and sakes to round out the palate creating a unique dining experience in the Central Phoenix Corridor.

Top review

Madison

Dined on Sep 28, 2024

Had dinner with family. They were very accommodating to our reservation changes and were able to move us inside. Service was great and the food and drinks were outstanding! Everyone had a great time!

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4.7

4.7 (647)

$30 and under

Asian

Downtown Phoenix

About the restaurant

Engulfed in a nursery of palm trees, Palma is your own private gathering in the heart of Downtown Phoenix. At Palma, you’ll find no judgements, preferences, or labels - just damn good food, killer energy, and the constant beat of great music. Retreat to the palms and release your inner worries and daily stresses. Come as you are, let’s laugh by the fire and cheers to the good times.

We accept a limited number of reservations for parties of up to 6 for indoor and outdoor dining. We do not accept reservations for our firepits or lounge areas at this time! The rest of our seating is available for walk-in parties. Please respect a 2-hour dining limit given our limited space.

Top review

Michele

Dined 2 days ago

First time here and it was more than we could hope for great quality food. Margarita was on point. The popcorn chicken is super tasty sushi fresh outdoor seating area was lovely event at 6 PM. Great service definitely come back.

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Popular dish

Matcha Stuffed French Toast

Popular dish

Sweet Potato Yummy Fries

Popular dish

Popcorn Chicken

Sandfish Sushi and Whiskey

4.7

4.7 (281)

$31 to $50

Sushi

Downtown Phoenix

About the restaurant

The highly anticipated first Sushi & Whiskey bar, located in uptown Phoenix, By Engin Onural.

Within its Scandinavian-designed interior, you’ll enjoy a judicious selection of hand-crafted sushi and whisky pairings, making Sandfish an ideal destination for both epicures and the curious.

We can’t wait for you to experience our expectations of an excellent Menu

Top review

Astridvip

Dined 2 days ago

Love this place, service is always excellent and the food is on point

Copper Blues (Downtown)

4.5

4.5 (527)

$30 and under

American

Downtown Phoenix

About the restaurant

Welcome to downtown Phoenix"s greatest hotspot! Featuring live music on a stage bar, over 60 beers on tap, truly elevated American comfort food, and an inspiring patio view over Cityscape into the heart of the downtown skyline. Come join us as we make good times a description no longer reserved for the past! From lunch to late night, and everything in between, come feed your souls with goodness.

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined on Sep 21, 2024

Place is a great vibe they have amazing live bands and the food not the best the chips were stale and the service is hit and miss. But other than that the music and people were amazing.

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Experience

I'm With The Band: Live Band Karaoke

Experience

Reserved Seating @ Stand Up Live EARLY SHOW

Experience

Reserved Seating @ Stand Up Live Late Show

Copper Blues (Desert Ridge Marketplace)

4.3

4.3 (403)

$30 and under

American

Desert Ridge

About the restaurant

Copper Blues was one of the first destination sites for live entertainment in downtown Phoenix over a decade ago, and now it’s coming to the Desert Ridge Marketplace! Don’t miss the best in local live music 7 nights a week while you enjoy an elevated pub fare menu for happy hour, dinner or late night!

Located next door to the Desert Ridge Improv and adjacent to Barnes & Noble

Top review

KRistina

Dined 1 day ago

We really enjoyed the change of pace from a normal weekend dining experience. Service was great.

BackYard - Desert Ridge

4.0

4 (50)

$31 to $50

American

Desert Ridge

About the restaurant

Now Open at Desert Ridge Marketplace!

Meet your friends at Backyard, where the game is always on! Park it in front of one of our massive TVs or challenge your friends to a game of your own in our open-air playground. Dog-friendly (dog park opening soon!) and fun-driven, Backyard is comfortably familiar, while keeping things exciting on a daily basis! So grab your furry (and non-furry) friends and swing on in for a good time.

Top review

Ranellevip

Dined on Sep 27, 2024

First time dining. The noise from music and tv made conversation impossible. Do not go here if you want a quiet dinner. We enjoyed salmon, street tacos and lettuce wraps.

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