A great meal on a Sedona vacation once meant planning far enough ahead for a reservation at one of a handful of decent places or taking a long drive down the highway to Phoenix or Scottsdale.
No more.
These days, Sedona has more than its share of excellent restaurants. And contrary to the red rock community's health-crazed image, it's as easy to find foie gras and French wine as vegan stir-fries and green tea.
At one end of the spectrum is L'Auberge de Sedona, the creek-side AAA four-diamond winner that features French cuisine and an extensive wine list.
At the other is Thai Spices, an inexpensive local favorite that features fresh, spicy Asian food "in a spiritually energized setting."
Dress is casual in Sedona. Unless a restaurant states otherwise, golf shirts, khakis and sundresses and sandals will get you in the door anywhere.
Expect to pay within these guidelines, based on the cost of a meal for one (excluding drinks, tax and tips) $ = less than $10; $$ = $10-20; $$$ = $21-50; $$$$ = More than $50.
Here is a sampling of Sedona's restaurants:
Family friendly
Coffee Pot Restaurant — Huge selection of omelets, fluffy pancakes and a "bottomless coffee pot" at every table. This local institution is a great place to go before a day of hiking, not only for the food but for the geography and nature tips you can pick up from the friendly staff and fellow patrons. Open daily for breakfast and lunch. Visa and MasterCard. $. 2050 W. Highway 89A. (928) 282-6626.
Pizza Picazzo — Hand-tossed pizzas with crusts that taste like yeasty Italian bread. "The Vortex" will wow meat lovers with its combination of salami, Canadian bacon, pepperoni and mushrooms. Olive fans will swoon for the "Puttansesca" - olive oil, kalamata olives, feta and more. Eat there or carry out. Open daily for dinner. Visa and MasterCard. $-$$. 1855 W. Highway 89A, (928) 282-4140.
Sedona Airport Restaurant — So what if you didn't fly your own plane to Sedona? Here, you can hang with the pilots and watch tourist helicopters and private jets fly in and out of the airport next door. At breakfast, order the Red Rock Omelet (avocado, tomato, bacon, jack cheese). Or come for an early dinner, watch the sunset on the patio and enjoy the $10.95 prime rib special. Save room for peach-pecan cobbler a la mode. Early-bird and all-you-can-eat specials served most days. Open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Visa and MasterCard. $-$$. 1185 Airport Road. (928) 282-3576.
Ethnic food
Shugrue's Javelina Cantina — Great sunset view, great margaritas. What else could you ask for? How about the best salmon tostadas this side of the border? The portions are big enough to share, but you won't want to. Eat in or take out. Open for lunch and dinner. Most major credit cards. $-$$. 671 Highway 179. (928) 203-9514.
Thai Spices — Tucked between a West Sedona crystal shop and a small motel, this inconspicuous restaurant specializes in spicy Thai cuisine made with fresh, whole ingredients. Although not strictly vegetarian, it has vegetarian versions of traditional dishes like Pad Thai (pan-fried rice noodles, vegetables, peanut sauce). Be sure to try Yum Yai, a shrimp salad with a pungent lemon dressing. Long a favorite of Sedona's New Age community. Conversations overheard at Thai Spices can be as unique as the food. Open Monday through Saturday for lunch and dinner. Visa and MasterCard. $-$$. 2986 W. Highway 89A. (928) 282-0599.
Fine dining
L'Auberge de Sedona — Hands down the most romantic restaurant in Sedona, with its country French dÈcor, extensive wine list and award-winning menu that features duck breast salad, pate, escargot as well as the beef and seafood one would expect at a AAA four-diamond winner. Between April and October, L'Auberge's outdoor Terrace on the Creek is a great place to splurge on breakfast crepes while watching ducks paddle down Oak Creek. Open Monday through Saturday for breakfast, lunch and dinner and Sunday for brunch and dinner. Most major credit cards. $$$-$$$$. 301 L'Auberge Lane. (928) 204-4352.
Shugrue's Hillside Grill — The ginger walnut chicken salad and savory seafood chowder on the menu make Shugrue's a popular lunch spot. But try to get there at dusk for spectacular views of the sun sinking behind the Red Rocks. The ginger-chicken salad is also on the dinner menu, along with a wide array of meat and seafood dishes. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Most major credit cards. $$-$$$$. 671 Highway 179. (928) 282-5300.
Yavapai Dining Room at Enchantment Resort — The fine dining restaurant at Enchantment is open to the public, but you may not get through the gate unless you have a reservation. During high season, it can be impossible to get a parking space, let alone a table anywhere at Enchantment. Once you're in, linger and enjoy the 360-degree views of Boynton Canyon and the blue-corn encrusted local trout. Open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Most major credit cards. $$$-$$$$. 525 Boynton Canyon Road. (928) 282-2900 or 800-826-4180.
Light meals and coffee shops
Black Cow Cafe — This soda fountain offers fruit smoothies, fresh fruit and coffee drinks for those who are able to resist ice cream with names like Oreo and Belgian chocolate. Hot dogs and veggie sandwiches round out the menu. Open daily from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Cash and traveler's checks. $. 229 N. Highway 89A. (928) 203-9868.
New York Bagels & Donuts — Bagels that could have been flown in from Brooklyn (but aren't), plus donuts and muffins baked on the premises daily. Arrive early, before the pumpernickel bagels disappear. Eat there or carry out. Open 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday and 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Cash and personal checks. $. 1650 W. Highway 89A. (928) 204-1242.
Sedona Coffee Roasters — The coffee is ground on the premises; the baked goods are brought in fresh daily. Plentiful seating makes this the perfect place to relax after a morning of hiking or afternoon of shopping. Open 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. $. Visa and MasterCard. 2155 W. Highway 89A. (928) 282-0282.
Picnic supplies
Garland's Indian Gardens Trading Post — Deli sandwiches and salads, groceries, locally grown fruits and vegetables. Pick up a bag of organic apples and a jug of locally pressed cider for a picnic by Oak Creek. Open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Visa and MasterCard. 3951 N. Highway 89A. (928) 282-7702.
New Frontier Natural Foods — A wide selection of organic grocery and bakery items. Open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. Visa and MasterCard. 2055 W. Highway 89A. (928) 282-6311.
No more.
These days, Sedona has more than its share of excellent restaurants. And contrary to the red rock community's health-crazed image, it's as easy to find foie gras and French wine as vegan stir-fries and green tea.
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At one end of the spectrum is L'Auberge de Sedona, the creek-side AAA four-diamond winner that features French cuisine and an extensive wine list.
At the other is Thai Spices, an inexpensive local favorite that features fresh, spicy Asian food "in a spiritually energized setting."
Dress is casual in Sedona. Unless a restaurant states otherwise, golf shirts, khakis and sundresses and sandals will get you in the door anywhere.
Expect to pay within these guidelines, based on the cost of a meal for one (excluding drinks, tax and tips) $ = less than $10; $$ = $10-20; $$$ = $21-50; $$$$ = More than $50.
Here is a sampling of Sedona's restaurants:
Family friendly
Coffee Pot Restaurant — Huge selection of omelets, fluffy pancakes and a "bottomless coffee pot" at every table. This local institution is a great place to go before a day of hiking, not only for the food but for the geography and nature tips you can pick up from the friendly staff and fellow patrons. Open daily for breakfast and lunch. Visa and MasterCard. $. 2050 W. Highway 89A. (928) 282-6626.
Pizza Picazzo — Hand-tossed pizzas with crusts that taste like yeasty Italian bread. "The Vortex" will wow meat lovers with its combination of salami, Canadian bacon, pepperoni and mushrooms. Olive fans will swoon for the "Puttansesca" - olive oil, kalamata olives, feta and more. Eat there or carry out. Open daily for dinner. Visa and MasterCard. $-$$. 1855 W. Highway 89A, (928) 282-4140.
Sedona Airport Restaurant — So what if you didn't fly your own plane to Sedona? Here, you can hang with the pilots and watch tourist helicopters and private jets fly in and out of the airport next door. At breakfast, order the Red Rock Omelet (avocado, tomato, bacon, jack cheese). Or come for an early dinner, watch the sunset on the patio and enjoy the $10.95 prime rib special. Save room for peach-pecan cobbler a la mode. Early-bird and all-you-can-eat specials served most days. Open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Visa and MasterCard. $-$$. 1185 Airport Road. (928) 282-3576.
Ethnic food
Shugrue's Javelina Cantina — Great sunset view, great margaritas. What else could you ask for? How about the best salmon tostadas this side of the border? The portions are big enough to share, but you won't want to. Eat in or take out. Open for lunch and dinner. Most major credit cards. $-$$. 671 Highway 179. (928) 203-9514.
Thai Spices — Tucked between a West Sedona crystal shop and a small motel, this inconspicuous restaurant specializes in spicy Thai cuisine made with fresh, whole ingredients. Although not strictly vegetarian, it has vegetarian versions of traditional dishes like Pad Thai (pan-fried rice noodles, vegetables, peanut sauce). Be sure to try Yum Yai, a shrimp salad with a pungent lemon dressing. Long a favorite of Sedona's New Age community. Conversations overheard at Thai Spices can be as unique as the food. Open Monday through Saturday for lunch and dinner. Visa and MasterCard. $-$$. 2986 W. Highway 89A. (928) 282-0599.
Fine dining
L'Auberge de Sedona — Hands down the most romantic restaurant in Sedona, with its country French dÈcor, extensive wine list and award-winning menu that features duck breast salad, pate, escargot as well as the beef and seafood one would expect at a AAA four-diamond winner. Between April and October, L'Auberge's outdoor Terrace on the Creek is a great place to splurge on breakfast crepes while watching ducks paddle down Oak Creek. Open Monday through Saturday for breakfast, lunch and dinner and Sunday for brunch and dinner. Most major credit cards. $$$-$$$$. 301 L'Auberge Lane. (928) 204-4352.
Shugrue's Hillside Grill — The ginger walnut chicken salad and savory seafood chowder on the menu make Shugrue's a popular lunch spot. But try to get there at dusk for spectacular views of the sun sinking behind the Red Rocks. The ginger-chicken salad is also on the dinner menu, along with a wide array of meat and seafood dishes. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Most major credit cards. $$-$$$$. 671 Highway 179. (928) 282-5300.
Yavapai Dining Room at Enchantment Resort — The fine dining restaurant at Enchantment is open to the public, but you may not get through the gate unless you have a reservation. During high season, it can be impossible to get a parking space, let alone a table anywhere at Enchantment. Once you're in, linger and enjoy the 360-degree views of Boynton Canyon and the blue-corn encrusted local trout. Open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Most major credit cards. $$$-$$$$. 525 Boynton Canyon Road. (928) 282-2900 or 800-826-4180.
Light meals and coffee shops
Black Cow Cafe — This soda fountain offers fruit smoothies, fresh fruit and coffee drinks for those who are able to resist ice cream with names like Oreo and Belgian chocolate. Hot dogs and veggie sandwiches round out the menu. Open daily from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Cash and traveler's checks. $. 229 N. Highway 89A. (928) 203-9868.
New York Bagels & Donuts — Bagels that could have been flown in from Brooklyn (but aren't), plus donuts and muffins baked on the premises daily. Arrive early, before the pumpernickel bagels disappear. Eat there or carry out. Open 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday and 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Cash and personal checks. $. 1650 W. Highway 89A. (928) 204-1242.
Sedona Coffee Roasters — The coffee is ground on the premises; the baked goods are brought in fresh daily. Plentiful seating makes this the perfect place to relax after a morning of hiking or afternoon of shopping. Open 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. $. Visa and MasterCard. 2155 W. Highway 89A. (928) 282-0282.
Picnic supplies
Garland's Indian Gardens Trading Post — Deli sandwiches and salads, groceries, locally grown fruits and vegetables. Pick up a bag of organic apples and a jug of locally pressed cider for a picnic by Oak Creek. Open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Visa and MasterCard. 3951 N. Highway 89A. (928) 282-7702.
New Frontier Natural Foods — A wide selection of organic grocery and bakery items. Open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. Visa and MasterCard. 2055 W. Highway 89A. (928) 282-6311.
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