Where to eat.

If a friend flew in tomorrow, this is the list we would hand them. In order.

1. 01

   Alessia's Ristorante Italiano$$$

   Italian / Downtown Mesa

   Downtown Mesa's date-night Italian. Handmade pasta and a room that feels like someone's family runs it.

2. 02

   Espiritu Mesa$$$

   Seafood / Downtown Mesa

   The best seafood downtown, plated like it costs twice as much.

3. 03

   Sol Azteca Mexican Kitchen$$

   Mexican / Mesa

   Scratch Mexican that Mesa people name first, every time.

4. 04

   Rodizio Grill$$$

   Brazilian steakhouse / Mesa

   Endless carved meats and a salad bar that is not an afterthought. Bring an appetite and a group.

5. 05

   Bobby-Q BBQ and Steakhouse$$

   Barbecue / Mesa

   Barbecue and steaks, giant portions, zero pretense.

6. 06

   The Guadalupe on Main$$

   Mexican / Downtown Mesa

   Downtown Mexican with a real following. Easy call for lunch.

7. 07

   Pho Mama$ValueHidden gem

   Vietnamese / Asian District

   Mesa's Asian District in one bowl. Cheap, aromatic, exactly what you want.

8. 08

   Original Cuisine$$ValueHidden gem

   Chinese / Asian District

   The Asian District crowd favorite. Go with people and order too much.

9. 09

   Oro Brewing Co$$Hidden gem

   Brewery / Downtown Mesa

   Downtown nano-brewery that took Arizona Brewery of the Year. Good beer, good patio.

10. 10

    Babbo Italian Eatery$$

    Italian / Mesa

    Family Italian where the portions match the warmth. Comfortable and reliable.

Punches well above what you pay. Take the whole family without thinking about it.

• Nunthaporn's Thai Cuisine$$ValueHidden gem

  Thai / Downtown Mesa

  A downtown Thai spot regulars guard, with a deep veg-friendly menu.

• Izakaya Ramen$$ValueHidden gem

  Japanese / Downtown Mesa

  Steaming bowls and izakaya small plates tucked into downtown.

• Pho Mama$ValueHidden gem

  Vietnamese / Asian District

  Mesa's Asian District in one bowl. Cheap, aromatic, exactly what you want.

• Original Cuisine$$ValueHidden gem

  Chinese / Asian District

  The Asian District crowd favorite. Go with people and order too much.

Times and prices move constantly, so treat these as a starting point and confirm before you go.

• Alessia's Ristorante Italiano$$$

  Italian / Downtown Mesa

  Tuesday-Friday 3-6pm, with $30 bottle and board specials.

• Electric Pickle$$Hidden gem

  Pizza + bar / Downtown Mesa

  Daily 3-6pm: $3 off draft beer, craft cocktails and wine.

Announced but not open yet. Dates are the source’s, and they move.

• Udon Shin2026

  Japanese / Mekong Plaza

  The first US location from a famed Tokyo udon shop, with house-made noodles.

• Local First Arizona food hall2026

  Food hall / Downtown Mesa

  A food hall from the nonprofit behind Arizona's local-business movement.

• Margaritas Fresh Cocina$$

  Mexican / Mesa

  Lively, colorful Mexican that locals pick for happy hour and family dinners.

• Republica Empanada$$

  Latin American / Downtown Mesa

  Handmade empanadas from across Latin America in a downtown favorite.

• Sol Azteca Mexican Kitchen$$

  Mexican / Mesa

  Scratch Mexican that Mesa people name first, every time.

• The Guadalupe on Main$$

  Mexican / Downtown Mesa

  Downtown Mexican with a real following. Easy call for lunch.

• ZONA Cantina + Cocina$$

  Mexican / Mesa

  Cantina energy and a deep agave list.

Also worth it: Tacos Tijuana, Tacos y Huaraches El Gordo

• Alessia's Ristorante Italiano$$$

  Italian / Downtown Mesa

  Downtown Mesa's date-night Italian. Handmade pasta and a room that feels like someone's family runs it.

  Happy hour: Tuesday-Friday 3-6pm, with $30 bottle and board specials.

• Electric Pickle$$Hidden gem

  Pizza + bar / Downtown Mesa

  Wood-fired pizza, craft beer and a patio in the heart of downtown.

  Happy hour: Daily 3-6pm: $3 off draft beer, craft cocktails and wine.

• Babbo Italian Eatery$$

  Italian / Mesa

  Family Italian where the portions match the warmth. Comfortable and reliable.

• Goat & Ram$$

  Pizza / Downtown Mesa

  Artisan pizza and local craft beer downtown.

• Vito's Pizza & Italian Ristorante$$

  Italian / Mesa

  Neighborhood Italian and pizza, the reliable pick.

Also worth it: Sam & Luca Italian Bistro

• Nunthaporn's Thai Cuisine$$ValueHidden gem

  Thai / Downtown Mesa

  A downtown Thai spot regulars guard, with a deep veg-friendly menu.

• Izakaya Ramen$$ValueHidden gem

  Japanese / Downtown Mesa

  Steaming bowls and izakaya small plates tucked into downtown.

• Pho Mama$ValueHidden gem

  Vietnamese / Asian District

  Mesa's Asian District in one bowl. Cheap, aromatic, exactly what you want.

• Original Cuisine$$ValueHidden gem

  Chinese / Asian District

  The Asian District crowd favorite. Go with people and order too much.

• Pacific Rim Bento & Sushi$$

  Sushi / Mesa

  Bento and sushi done quickly and well.

Also worth it: Osaka Japanese Steakhouse

• Rodizio Grill$$$

  Brazilian steakhouse / Mesa

  Endless carved meats and a salad bar that is not an afterthought. Bring an appetite and a group.

• Espiritu Mesa$$$

  Seafood / Downtown Mesa

  The best seafood downtown, plated like it costs twice as much.

• Charleston's$$$

  Steakhouse / Mesa

  Casual steakhouse done properly, and the prime rib is the order.

• Black Angus Steakhouse$$$

  Steakhouse / Superstition

  Flame-grilled, aged at least 21 days, since 1964.

• Perry's Steakhouse & Grille$$$$Nearby / Gilbert

  Steakhouse / Gilbert

  The nearest special-occasion chophouse.

Also worth it: The Keg Steakhouse + Bar, Bourbon & Bones Chophouse

• Bobby-Q BBQ and Steakhouse$$

  Barbecue / Mesa

  Barbecue and steaks, giant portions, zero pretense.

• Big Nate's Family BBQ$$

  Barbecue / Mesa

  Family barbecue built on tradition.

• The Resident$$

  New American / Downtown Mesa

  A polished downtown newcomer worth the stop.

• The Public Grill Beer and Wine Bar$$

  Gastropub / Downtown Mesa

  Downtown gastropub with a solid list.

• Waldo's BBQ$$

  Barbecue / Mesa

  A long-running East Valley smokehouse.

Also worth it: Tom's BBQ, DZO BBQ

• Linda's Hoosier Cafe$Hidden gem

  Breakfast / Mesa

  A cozy breakfast-and-lunch counter with service people rave about.

• Morning Glory Brunchery$$

  Brunch / Baseline

  Bright room, big patio, genuinely attentive service.

• Thanks A Brunch$$

  Brunch / Mesa

  Top of the Saturday brunch list here.

• Wildberries$$

  Breakfast / Mesa

  A Mesa brunch staple.

• The Bread And Honey House$$Hidden gem

  Breakfast / Mesa

  Bakery-led breakfast worth the detour.

Also worth it: Cafe Hodgepodge

• Beanchain Coffee$

  Coffee / Mesa

  Specialty coffee, work-friendly seating and a community mission.

• Pura Vida Grinds$Hidden gem

  Coffee / East Main

  Costa Rican beans on East Main.

• Moka & Co$Hidden gem

  Coffee / Greenfield

  Yemeni coffee, and a good excuse to slow down.

• Pair Cupworks$$

  Coffee / Downtown Mesa

  One stop on downtown Mesa's walkable coffee loop.

• Lost Dutchman Coffee$

  Coffee / Downtown Mesa

  Local roaster on the downtown loop.

• Oro Brewing Co$$Hidden gem

  Brewery / Downtown Mesa

  Downtown nano-brewery that took Arizona Brewery of the Year. Good beer, good patio.

• 12 West Brewing$$

  Brewery / Downtown Mesa

  The downtown taproom of an East Valley favorite.

• Desert Eagle Brewing$$

  Brewery / Downtown Mesa

  Downtown Mesa's longtime brewpub.

• Cider Corps$$

  Taproom / Downtown Mesa

  Veteran-owned cidery, and a downtown anchor.

• MVPita Mediterranean Grill$Hidden gem

  Mediterranean / Mesa

  Fast Mediterranean plates done right.

• Mo' Bettahs$

  Hawaiian / Mesa

  Hawaiian plate lunch, generous and fast.

• Matty G's Steakburgers$Hidden gem

  Burgers / Mesa

  Unassuming from outside, then the smell hits you. A great find.

• Haven Burgers$Hidden gem

  Burgers / Mesa

  A hidden gem: perfectly grilled patties, serious toppings.

• Main Burger$

  Burgers / Downtown Mesa

  Top of the town's burger list.

People’s Choice

Mesa picks its favorite.

Our top 10 is on the ballot. Vote for your favorite, and if the one you love is missing, write it in below. Enough requests and it makes the list.

1. 1

   Alessia's Ristorante Italiano

   Italian

   Vote
2. 2

   Espiritu Mesa

   Seafood

   Vote
3. 3

   Sol Azteca Mexican Kitchen

   Mexican

   Vote
4. 4

   Rodizio Grill

   Brazilian steakhouse

   Vote
5. 5

   Bobby-Q BBQ and Steakhouse

   Barbecue

   Vote
6. 6

   The Guadalupe on Main

   Mexican

   Vote
7. 7

   Pho Mama

   Vietnamese

   Vote
8. 8

   Original Cuisine

   Chinese

   Vote
9. 9

   Oro Brewing Co

   Brewery

   Vote
10. 10

    Babbo Italian Eatery

    Italian

    Vote

No votes yet. Cast the first one.

One vote per person, per city. Change your pick anytime.