Beloved Phoenix food influencer Bryan Soto, known as Señor Foodie, was rushed to the hospital after suffering a stroke. Now, chefs, restaurants and fans across the Valley are rallying around him.
Read more at the link in bio. 🔗
Written by: Bahar Anooshahr ✍️ | Photos provided by Bryan Soto and Megan Mendoza/The Republic 📸
Restaurant Week is returning to Arizona, which means its time to try something new at some of the best locally-owned restaurants in the state for lower-than-usual prices.
Spring Restaurant Week lasts from May 15-24, and will return in the fall from September 18-27. During those weeks, three-course prix fixe menus are available at over 200 local restaurants for $33, $44 or $55.
With so many to choose from, we combed through the offerings to find the stand out deals. Many of the participating restaurants have appeared on The Arizona Republic's list of 100 essential restaurants. Others have received numerous national awards and recognitions, including several James Beard Foundation Awards semifinalists.
Here are 8 of the best menus to try during Arizona Spring Restaurant Week 2026.
Tap the link in bio to see the full list.
(📸Rob Schumacher/The Republic 📰 by @erfontanez )
#phxfoodculture #arizonafoodculture #phx #azcdining #azcentral #foodstagram #arizonagram #foodnews
Gordon Ramsay's most hated episode of any show he ever shot? Take a wild guess which Arizona restaurant broke him.
What to know at the link in bio. 🔗
Written by: Bahar Anooshahr ✍️ | Photo by: Doug Hoke/The Oklahoman 📸
Hundreds of readers voted on the best burger in Phoenix. The winner is an old-school joint that's been around since the '70s. Have you tried it? 👀
Read more about the Burger Battle winner at the link in bio. 🔗
Written by: Eddie Fontanez ✍️ | Photos by: Rob Schumacher/The Republic 📸
The Arizona Republic has named its new restaurant critic. Bahar Anooshahr is no stranger to metro Phoenix. She's been covering dining and nightlife at The Republic since May 2022.
In her story, she talks about being inspired by people who use food as a medium of creativity. She wants to see the already vibrant metro Phoenix culinary scene continue to grow. She wants the restaurants to thrive. And she wants to help the diners make educated decisions about where to spend their dining dollars.
As a critic, Bahar will advocate for and highlight exceptional hospitality, which she believes turns a great meal into something truly memorable.
"I will keep sharing the stories behind the food and putting a spotlight on the people making it. And, as an immigrant, I’m excited to bring a different lens to food criticism."
Tap the link in bio to learn more.
(📸 Diannie Chavez/The Republic📰@baharcreative )
#phxfoodculture #arizonafoodculture #phx #foodstagram #arizonagram #phxrestaurants #wheretoeataz #arizonafood #phoenixfoodie
Malegría Latin Cafe opened in downtown Phoenix in July 2025.
Owner Melina Ruano Serrano said she found the listing for the space online and, after a quick tour, knew right away it was the perfect location for her dream cafe. And she was right. Malegría fits in perfectly with the artsy, Southwestern-heavy vibe of the Grand Avenue Arts District.
Before opening Malegría, Serrano had never owned her own business before. She had worked in the kitchen at The Phoenician and had limited barista experience at Starbucks, but she dreamed of opening her own coffee shop.
"I was either going to buy a house for myself and continue working somewhere else, or do this and focus on my business," Serrano said.
Tap the link in bio to read the full story.
(📸Rob Schumacher/The Republic 📰 by @erfontanez )
#phxfoodculture #arizonafoodculture #phx #azcdining #azcentral #foodstagram #arizonagram #foodnews
Tasting Table (@tastingtable ) released its list of "14 Best French Bakeries In The US." Essence Bakery Cafe in Phoenix made the list, standing shoulder to shoulder with spots like Dominique Ansel Bakery in New York and République in Los Angeles, which was shouted out by Michelin and whose chef won a James Beard award.
Essence Bakery is owned by chef Eugenia Theodosopoulos, who trained and worked in France. She is best known for introducing macarons to Phoenix at Essence Bakery, a feat that earned her induction into the Arizona Culinary Hall of Fame in 2011. Essence's chocolate croissants were especially lauded by The Arizona Republic.
Tap the link in bio to learn more.
(📸 Bahar Anooshahr and John Samora/The Republic, Provided by Essence Bakery📰@baharcreative )
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Hundreds of readers agree that this Arizona-born grocery store has the best ready-to-eat options in its swanky deli. Do you agree? 👀
Hit the link in bio to learn more. 🔗
Written by: Reia Li ✍️ | Photo by: Nick Oza/The Republic 📸
Malegría Latin Cafe opened in downtown Phoenix in July 2025.
Owner Melina Ruano Serrano said she found the listing for the space online and, after a quick tour, knew right away it was the perfect location for her dream cafe. And she was right. Malegría fits in perfectly with the artsy, Southwestern-heavy vibe of the Grand Avenue Arts District.
Before opening Malegría, Serrano had never owned her own business before. She had worked in the kitchen at The Phoenician and had limited barista experience at Starbucks, but she dreamed of opening her own coffee shop.
"I was either going to buy a house for myself and continue working somewhere else, or do this and focus on my business," Serrano said.
Tap the link in bio to read the full story.
(📸Rob Schumacher/The Republic 📰 by @erfontanez )
#phxfoodculture #arizonafoodculture #phx #azcdining #azcentral #foodstagram #arizonagram #foodnews
Arizona farmers are feeling the squeeze from rising fuel costs tied to the war in Iran, with some forced to raise prices as costs climb.
What to know at our link in bio. 🔗
Story by: Reia Li ✍️ | Video by: Diannie Chavez/The Republic 🎥
Summer means hamburgers. And Arizona residents have plenty to choose from. But which ones are the absolute best? The Arizona Republic has once again launched the Burger Battle to determine who makes the very best burger in all of metro Phoenix, according to readers.
Last week, you voted for the winner in each of the three categories. Now, we're asking you to choose which of those top three winners is the ultimate Burger Battle champion.
Voting for the second round of the Burger Battle is open now through 9 p.m. Sunday, May 10.
Tap the link in bio to place your vote.
(📸Rob Schumacher, Diannie Chavez/The Republic 📰 by @erfontanez )
#phxfoodculture #arizonafoodculture #phx #azcdining #azcentral #foodstagram #arizonagram #foodnews
From pubs to steakhouses, over a dozen restaurants closed across metro Phoenix in April.
This month's restaurant closures included a James Beard semifinalist, one of the oldest family-owned bakeries in the city, a nationally acclaimed ice cream shop and a national chain.
Tap the link in bio to read the full story.
(📸Patrick Breen, Bahar Anooshahr, Jennifer McClellan/The Republic 📰 by @baharcreative )
#phxfoodculture #arizonafoodculture #phx #azcdining #azcentral #foodstagram #arizonagram #foodnews
