I am going to be honest with you- as much as I loved my hikes and outdoor adventures in Sedona- overall, I was not incredibly impressed with their food and bev scene at first. After a day out on the trails, many end up searching for a good meal along the walkable downtown stretch on Main Street (aka Uptown Sedona). This tourist district is worth a wander for an ice cream or souvenir, but most of the restaurants lack an authentic feel and are pretty overpriced for mediocre food.
Instead, I recommend driving to one of these standalone, local dining options that all proved excellent experiences after learning about them from Sedonians I met while hiking. Hang with the locals while taking in their crazy red rock views over a beer or two!
Sedona Brewery Company
Here at Sedona’s OG local brewery the staff is friendly, the beer is quality and the kitchen offers way more than standard bar fare. The NextVeg Vegan Burger and sweet potato waffle fries washed down with a Farewell Patagonia Amber Ale absolutely hit the spot after a long, hot day of hiking.
Hideaway House
A two story treehouse with 3 different patios, eclectic decor, and red rock views- Hideaway is a whole vibe. The food is local fare with a heavy Italian influence (pizzas, salads, antipasto). For obvious reasons, this place is pretty popular, so your best bet is making a reservation.
Elote Cafe
Elote was recommended to me as a local date night spot- think gourmet Mexican (I had an amazing Vegetable Mole Verde) with fresh agave margaritas and sangrias using all natural, house made mixers. And yet, it was their Tequila Manhattan that made me a true believer.
Art of Wine Sedona
This is the perfect place to try a selection of Arizona wines if you aren’t able to make it to some wineries outside of Sedona. The menu boasts 40 ish wines that you can order by the glass of in flights, and there is drink and small bites happy hour from 3-5 pm. The most memorable drink is Superstition Meadery’s BeeMosa- a carbonated mead made with honey and orange juice that is dangerously easy to imbibe.
Pump House Station Urban Eatery and Market
This funky little cafe is in the middle of Sedona’s art district that truly does it all. It’s a great place to stop off and grab coffee, build your own Benedict for breakfast, or go for a sit down dinner with live music on Friday and Saturday nights. I guarantee if I had not stopped here on my last day, I would have been back for a second go.
