Surprise, Arizona

Where to eat.

Think of this as a friend who lives here. 47 places we would actually send you to, starting with the ten that matter most.

The top 10 in Surprise10

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

Osteria Mia$$
Italian / Surprise
The Italian kitchen at the top of Surprise's list, and it earns it.
Saigon Kitchen$$ValueHidden gem
Vietnamese / Surprise
Family-owned Vietnamese often called the best meal in town. Pho, banh mi, all of it.
Bonfire Craft Kitchen & Tap House$$
American / Surprise
Craft kitchen and taps that anchor a night out here.
Barley & Smoke$$
Barbecue / Surprise
Smoked meats meet craft beer. A West Valley sleeper.
The Toast$$
Breakfast / Surprise
The brunch line that proves Surprise mornings are worth getting up for.
Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurant$$$Chain
American + wine / Surprise
A winery and restaurant in one, with a wine club people take seriously.
Ugly Tuna$$Hidden gem
Sushi / Surprise
Creative rolls, fresh sashimi, and lunch specials that undercut everyone.
Nick's Diner II$ValueHidden gem
Diner / Surprise
Greek-style breakfast plates and service chains cannot fake.
Lucky's Pizza$$ValueHidden gem
Pizza / Surprise
Authentic New York-style pies with a crisp crust. Get the white.
El Gordo$$
Mexican / Surprise
The local Mexican favorite that keeps topping the lists.

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

Saigon Kitchen$$ValueHidden gem
Vietnamese / Surprise
Family-owned Vietnamese often called the best meal in town. Pho, banh mi, all of it.
Nick's Diner II$ValueHidden gem
Diner / Surprise
Greek-style breakfast plates and service chains cannot fake.
Lucky's Pizza$$ValueHidden gem
Pizza / Surprise
Authentic New York-style pies with a crisp crust. Get the white.

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

Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurant$$$Chain
American + wine / Surprise
Wine O'Clock Happy Hour, Monday-Friday 3-5:30pm: cocktails and international wines by the glass for $8, small bites starting at $10.
Quench Taps and Tapas$$
Gastropub / Surprise
Tuesday-Thursday 3-5pm and Friday-Saturday 12-5pm: $2 off all tap beer, tap wine and cocktails.
Over Easy$$
Breakfast / Surprise
Weekday Social Monday through Friday from noon to 2pm at all locations: $12 lunch items, $2 off Easy Teasers, and $5 mimosas, brunch punch and Salty Dogs.

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

Flower ChildLate 2027
Healthy / Surprise
The Arizona-born healthy-eats brand expanding into the West Valley.

The five we would send you to first in each category, plus everything else worth knowing.

El Gordo$$
Mexican / Surprise
The local Mexican favorite that keeps topping the lists.
Don Ruben's Mexican Food$$
Mexican / Surprise
The Mexican spot Surprise names first.
Rio Mirage Cafe$$
Mexican / Surprise
A long-running local Mexican room.
Rito's Mexican Food$Hidden gem
Mexican / Surprise
Counter-service Mexican, cheap and consistent.
Francisco's Mexican Food$Hidden gem
Mexican / Surprise
A local counter regulars swear by.

Osteria Mia$$
Italian / Surprise
The Italian kitchen at the top of Surprise's list, and it earns it.
Lucky's Pizza$$ValueHidden gem
Pizza / Surprise
Authentic New York-style pies with a crisp crust. Get the white.
Portofino West Ristorante Italiano$$$
Italian / Surprise
White-tablecloth Italian, the special-occasion room here.
Babbo Italian Eatery$$
Italian / Surprise
Family Italian, generous portions.
Little Sicily Pizza$Hidden gem
Pizza / Surprise
The neighborhood slice shop.

Saigon Kitchen$$ValueHidden gem
Vietnamese / Surprise
Family-owned Vietnamese often called the best meal in town. Pho, banh mi, all of it.
Ugly Tuna$$Hidden gem
Sushi / Surprise
Creative rolls, fresh sashimi, and lunch specials that undercut everyone.
Big Buddha Restaurant$$Hidden gem
Asian / Surprise
Asian plates with a patio, an easy weeknight answer.
Real Thai & Sushi$$
Thai / Surprise
Thai and sushi under one roof, top of the local list.
Tom Yum$$
Thai / Surprise
Straight-ahead Thai done well.

LongHorn Steakhouse$$Chain
Steakhouse / Surprise
The dependable steak night in town.
Outback Steakhouse$$Chain
Steakhouse / Grand Avenue
Australian-themed steaks, and the onion everyone orders.
Red Lobster$$Chain
Seafood / Bell Road
Seafood chain, cheddar biscuits first.
Texas Roadhouse$$Chain
Steakhouse / Grand Avenue
Free peanuts, rolls with cinnamon butter, steaks cut in house.
Morton's The Steakhouse$$$$Nearby / Glendale
Steakhouse / Glendale
The chophouse at Desert Diamond. Closest big-night steak to Surprise.

Bonfire Craft Kitchen & Tap House$$
American / Surprise
Craft kitchen and taps that anchor a night out here.
Barley & Smoke$$
Barbecue / Surprise
Smoked meats meet craft beer. A West Valley sleeper.
Nick's Diner II$ValueHidden gem
Diner / Surprise
Greek-style breakfast plates and service chains cannot fake.
Quench Taps and Tapas$$
Gastropub / Surprise
Tapas and a deep tap list.
Happy hour: Tuesday-Thursday 3-5pm and Friday-Saturday 12-5pm: $2 off all tap beer, tap wine and cocktails.
Tap House Sports Grill$$
American / Surprise
The reliable game-day room.

The Toast$$
Breakfast / Surprise
The brunch line that proves Surprise mornings are worth getting up for.
Lou's Tivoli Gardens$$
Brunch / Surprise
Serving breakfast, pasta and sandwiches here since 1990.
Over Easy$$
Breakfast / Surprise
Standout breakfast and service on this side of town.
Happy hour: Weekday Social Monday through Friday from noon to 2pm at all locations: $12 lunch items, $2 off Easy Teasers, and $5 mimosas, brunch punch and Salty Dogs.
Gathered Grounds$Hidden gem
Cafe / Surprise
Coffee and a light breakfast in a warm room.
IHOP$Chain
Breakfast / Surprise
Pancakes at any hour.

Also worth it: First Watch

Spencer's Place$
Coffee / Surprise
4.9 stars, and it employs people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Easy to root for.
Ground Shaker Coffee Bar$
Coffee / Surprise
A solid local coffee bar.
The Boyer Bakery/Cafe$$
Coffee / Surprise
4.7 stars, and the seasonal baking is the draw.
Better Buzz Coffee$
Coffee / Surprise
San Diego beach-cafe energy in the desert.
Milk and Honey Coffee$Hidden gem
Coffee / Surprise
A small local shop worth finding.

Also worth it: Starbucks

Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurant$$$Chain
American + wine / Surprise
A winery and restaurant in one, with a wine club people take seriously.
Happy hour: Wine O'Clock Happy Hour, Monday-Friday 3-5:30pm: cocktails and international wines by the glass for $8, small bites starting at $10.
Cactus Taproom$$
Taproom / Surprise
A taproom with a rotating list and a patio.

Red Robin$$Chain
Burgers / Surprise
Burgers with bottomless steak fries.
Culver's$Chain
Burgers / Surprise
Butter burgers and frozen custard, with a flavor of the day worth checking before you go.
In-N-Out Burger$Chain
Burgers / Surprise
The California burger with the short menu and the long line. Animal style is not on the board.
Whataburger$Chain
Burgers / Surprise
Texas burger chain, open late, orange and white A-frame.
Jack in the Box$Chain
Burgers / Surprise
Burgers, tacos and breakfast at any hour.