While it may not enjoy the same gourmand cachet as some other U.S. cities, Phoenix’s dining scene has exploded in recent years. World-class chefs, boutique hotel restaurants, and luxury steakhouses have elevated the city far beyond its old reputation for casual Southwestern fare. And with the Valley’s peak dining season kicking off as cooler weather returns and winter visitors arrive, there’s no better time to explore the most exclusive—and most expensive—restaurants the city has to offer.
For this ranking, Chef’s Pencil analyzed the highest-priced tasting menu when available, or—more commonly—the cost of a three-course dinner consisting of the restaurant’s most expensive appetizer, main course, and dessert.
Prices are per person and exclude tax, gratuity, and drinks. Affordable alternatives are generally available at most of these establishments, but the list below shows how high Phoenix’s luxury dining can soar.
Note: This ranking is based on each restaurant’s highest-priced tasting menu or the cost of a three-course meal (starter, main, and dessert) from the à la carte menu. Most of these establishments also offer more moderately priced menus or à la carte options, making them accessible to a wider range of diners.
Prices listed are generally per person. However, in the case of very large cuts—such as oversized rib-eyes or tomahawks—these steaks are often intended to be shared by two or even three diners, though they can certainly be ordered by a very hungry, steak-loving individual.
1. Steak 44 — up to $361
Address: 5101 N 44th St, Phoenix, AZ 85018
Website: steak44.com
Steak 44 claims the top spot with a decadent three-course lineup that showcases why this upscale steakhouse has become a Phoenix institution. Begin with the Chicken Fried Lobster Tails (priced at $56)—a crispy, Chesapeake-seasoned indulgence that already hints at the restaurant’s “go big or go home” philosophy.
For the main event, diners can opt for the colossal Bone-In Wagyu Tomahawk ($295)—a showstopping cut of extraordinary marbling and flavor. Finish with the beloved Ultimate Warm Vanilla Caramel Cake ($22) for a total of $361, making Steak 44 the most expensive dinner experience in the city.
2. elements at Sanctuary — up to $337
Address: Sanctuary Camelback Mountain Resort & Spa, 5700 E McDonald Dr, Paradise Valley, AZ 85253
Website:
Perched on Camelback Mountain, elements blends Asian inspiration with refined American cooking. The luxe dinner trio begins with a lavish Seafood Platter ($65) featuring snow crab, oysters, ahi tuna poke, shrimp cocktail, and wakame.
The centerpiece is the 48oz Smoked Tomahawk ($255)—an enormous, smoke-kissed cut served with bone marrow. The sweet finale arrives in the form of the Peanut Butter Bombe ($17), bringing the total to $337.
3. Christopher’s at Wrigley Mansion — $275
Address: 2501 E Telawa Trail, Phoenix, AZ 85016
Website: christophersaz.com
Set inside a striking all-glass dining room with sweeping views of the city, Christopher’s offers Phoenix’s most refined tasting menu. Created by James Beard Award–winning Chef Christopher Gross, the eight-course experience ($275) is a fully immersive evening of fine dining.
The menu features elevated classics and modern showpieces: Westholme Wagyu Carpaccio, Day Boat Scallop with Kaluga Caviar, Skate in Crepe with Lobster-Cognac Sauce, 7-Day Dry-Aged Liberty Duck, Miyazaki A5 Wagyu Sukiyaki, and an array of desserts including a Mini Chocolate Tower and multiple mignardises. Few restaurants in Phoenix match the artistry here.
4. Different Pointe of View — Up to $238
Address: 11111 N 7th St, Phoenix, AZ 85020
Website: opentable.com/different-pointe-of-view
Perched high above the city with sweeping panoramic views, Different Pointe of View has long been one of Phoenix’s signature fine-dining destinations—celebrated as much for its dramatic desert vistas as for its refined, special-occasion cuisine. Its most indulgent three-course experience reaches $238, showcasing premium ingredients and elevated classic preparations.
A meal might begin with Sambuca Mussels, enriched with smoked salmon, tomato, and cream—an aromatic, silky starter that sets the tone for the courses to come. For the entrée, diners can indulge in the restaurant’s standout 30-Day Dry-Aged CAB Angus Tomahawk Ribeye, a luxurious cut served with duck-fat fingerling potatoes, grilled asparagus, and a deep wild mushroom demi. Dessert continues the theme of understated elegance with a Manchego Cheesecake, paired with pistachio–honey–almond ice cream and quince gelée for a refined, Mediterranean-inspired finish.
Different Pointe of View remains a quintessential Valley dining experience—romantic, dramatic, and crafted for guests seeking a memorable night above the lights of Phoenix.
5. Vincent on Camelback — $225
Address: 3930 E Camelback Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85018
Website: exploretock.com/vincent-on-camelback-phoenix
A pillar of Phoenix fine dining for nearly four decades, Vincent on Camelback seamlessly blends classic French technique with bold Southwestern flavors—a style that has defined Chef Vincent Guerithault’s culinary legacy. Its top-tier prix-fixe experience reaches $225, offering guests a curated selection of dishes that highlight the restaurant’s signature fusion: refined, elegant, and unmistakably regional.
Expect expertly executed courses featuring local ingredients, rich sauces, and the kind of meticulous preparation that has earned Vincent a loyal following and national acclaim.
6. Kai Restaurant at Sheraton Grand — $195
Address: 5594 W Wild Horse Pass Blvd, Chandler, AZ 85226
Website: kairestaurant.com
Kai holds the distinction of being Arizona’s only AAA Five Diamond and Forbes Five-Star restaurant, offering a dining experience rooted in the traditions, flavors, and ingredients of the Gila River Indian Community. Its signature seven-course tasting menu—crafted by Chef de Cuisine Drew Anderson—reaches $195 per person ($350 with wine pairing) and showcases Indigenous ingredients elevated with modern culinary technique.
The menu is organized into four thematic chapters—The Birth, The Beginning, The Journey, and The Afterlife—from which selections are drawn to create each guest’s tasting experience. Dishes may include creations such as Mushroom Mille-Feuille with fermented mushroom broth; Seared Scorpionfish with prawn and bell-pepper rouille; Grilled American Bison tenderloin with a 60-day corn purée; or refined desserts like Key Lime Pie with mesquite whipped cream or Flora Panna Cotta with prickly pear pâte de fruit.
Guests are asked to note any dietary restrictions when booking, though not all limitations can be accommodated. Kai’s menu may contain raw or undercooked ingredients.
7. Lon’s at the Hermosa Inn — Up to $183
Address: 5532 N Palo Cristi Rd, Paradise Valley, AZ 85253, United States
Set in the historic and romantic Hermosa Inn, Lon’s offers one of the Valley’s most refined Southwestern dining experiences. Its seasonal tasting menu—priced at $183—highlights wood-fired cooking, local Arizona ingredients, and elegant interpretations of regional flavors. Expect beautifully plated courses, lush garden surroundings, and a dining atmosphere that feels both intimate and timeless.
8. Ocean Prime — Up to $177
Address: 5455 E High St #115, Phoenix, AZ 85054
Website: ocean-prime.com
Known for its upscale seafood and steaks, Ocean Prime’s priciest three-course dinner tops out at $177, thanks largely to its premium cuts and signature seafood dishes.
9. Quiessence — $149
Address: 6106 S 32nd St, Phoenix, AZ 85042
Website: qatthefarm.com
Located on a historic farm property, Quiessence offers farm-to-table dining in one of Phoenix’s most romantic settings. Its top tasting option sits at $149, focusing on hyper-seasonal produce and artisanal ingredients.
10. Thea — Up to $128
Address: 4360 E Camelback Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85018
Website: globalambassadorhotel.com
Thea, inside the new Global Ambassador Hotel, draws on Mediterranean influences for a vibrant, ingredient-forward menu. Its most indulgent three-course dinner totals $128, making it one of the city’s most stylish upscale options.
11. The Stockyards Steakhouse — Up to $121
Address: 5009 E Washington St UNIT 115, Phoenix, AZ 85034, United States
Website: stockyardssteakhouse.com
A Phoenix legend since 1947, Stockyards serves classic Western steakhouse fare. Its highest-priced combination reaches $121, offering big cuts of beef and traditional sides in a historic setting.
12. Le Âme — Up to $120
Address: 4360 E Camelback Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85018
Website: globalambassadorhotel.com
Another Global Ambassador standout, Le Âme brings Parisian café culture to Phoenix. Its priciest three-course combo reaches $120, mixing French classics with modern touches.
13. T. Cook’s (Royal Palms Resort & Spa) —Up to $120
Address: 5200 E Camelback Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85018
Website: opentable.com/t-cooks
T. Cook’s is one of Phoenix’s most iconic fine-dining rooms, known for Mediterranean flavors and Old World ambiance. Its luxury dinner experience comes to $120 at the high end.
14. Francine — Up to $117
Address: 4710 N Goldwater Blvd, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Website: francinerestaurant.com
Francine delivers chic, French-Mediterranean cuisine in the heart of Scottsdale. The most expensive three-course combination totals $117, featuring elegant seafood and refined entrées.
15. Top of the Rock Restaurant — Up to $102
Address: 2000 W Westcourt Way, Tempe, AZ 85282
Website: opentable.com/top-of-the-rock
Rounding out the list, Top of the Rock offers sweeping desert views and polished American cuisine. Its top three-course dinner reaches $102, making it the most approachable luxury dining option on this list.
Once known primarily for Southwestern comfort food, chain restaurants, and resort dining, Phoenix has rapidly become a serious culinary destination. From Japanese-influenced tasting menus to historic steakhouses and Indigenous fine dining, the city’s high-end scene is now as diverse as it is ambitious.
While many of these restaurants offer more affordable options, Phoenix diners seeking a truly luxurious night out can expect prices that now rival those in Atlanta, Denver or Las Vegas—yet remain substantially more accessible than those in New York or Miami.
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