15 Best Restaurants in Cave Creek, AZ
Located in Maricopa County, Cave Creek is one of Arizona's many unique and fascinating little towns.
It is a town in the foothills of the desert and is a mecca for anyone interested in cowboy culture, the outdoors, and live music.
You can find delicious classic American western, cowboy, and, surprisingly, Italian cuisine in this part of the country.
Try the best restaurants in Cave Creek, Arizona!
Harold's Cave Creek Corral
Harold's Cave Creek Corral, which first opened in 1935, has become the heart of the thriving Cave Creek community.
It has a lively atmosphere with great food, large servings, music, and opportunities to dance the night away.
The restaurant, located along Cave Creek Road, is clean, has a great layout, and provides prompt service.
There are menu options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Try one of their delicious breakfast items like chicken waffles, burritos, or homestyle breakfast potatoes.
Harold's Cave Creek Corral is a terrific place for breakfast or brunch on a Sunday.
They serve tasty and filling dishes like chorizo biscuits & gravy.
Try some of their tacos, chicken fried steak, double burger and seasoned fries, and Harold's Smokehouse Combo.
Listen to the band and dance the night away!
This place is excellent for hosting out-of-town guests, thanks to the many spacious indoor and outdoor areas.
The Horny Toad
Crave Creek, Arizona, is home to the Horny Toad, a popular steakhouse in the area.
Their famous fried chicken and original secret BBQ sauce have helped the Horny Toad win countless awards.
They have stylishly laid-back, with an endearingly rustic, old-west feel and comfortable furnishings.
The menu is varied, and the portions are generous.
Besides their famous fried chicken, they also serve pork ribs, chicken fried steak, mesquite-grilled steaks, meatloaf, mashed potatoes with gravy, and burgers.
Also, indulge in some of their ranch dressing created from scratch.
Spare some room for dessert because New Times Magazine has named their strawberry shortcake the Best Dessert.
Come here if you're craving comfort food in a classy, vintage atmosphere.
You can find the Horny Toad at East Cave Creek Road, Crave Creek, Arizona.
Big Earl's Greasy Eats
One of the most unusual places in the American Southwest is Big Earl's Greasy Eats, located in Cave Creek, Arizona.
This restaurant opened in 2002 inside a gas station on Cave Creek Road that dates back to the 1930s.
It is one of the city's oldest structures.
The neon lights and signages remind guests of 1950s burger joints.
Big Earl's Greasy Eats is known for its excellent burgers, but they also serve chicken, hot dogs, french toast, sides, vegetable sandwiches, and various salads.
There are only a handful of tables, booths, and barstools inside; however, there is plenty of outdoor seating.
The food at Big Earl's Greasy Eats is simple, traditional American fare, and not anything spectacular.
Their burger made with hormone- and antibiotic-free beef is their bestseller.
These burgers are delicious with fresh buns, quality mayonnaise, and crisp fresh vegetables.
However, their grilled chicken and steak sandwiches are equally good.
Try some chicken fried steak and eggs, breakfast sandwiches, or French toast.
Oregano's
Oregano's is your friendly neighborhood Italian restaurant serving freshly made thin crust, filled and pan pizzas, pasta, large salads, original adult specialty cocktails, and our famous dessert.
They're at a great spot right in the center of historic cave creek.
They are a restaurant with a hip retro vibe.
Oregano's is unlike any other restaurant since it serves authentic Chicago-style pizza and many other imaginative dishes.
It has friendly and helpful staff and a retro vibe.
The varied menu includes tasty options, including pizza, pasta, large salads, and drinks.
Of course, you must get the turkey-packed sandwich and the excellent house salad.
You may have to wait a while to get your fill of their delicious food.
El Encanto Restaurant
El Encanto Restaurant is a cozy Mission-style hideaway in the middle of Cave Creek.
It features Mexico's sights, sounds, and flavors.
Its archway's tile scenes, wrought iron gates, and furnishings will take you to Mexico.
It also includes a gorgeous pond where customers can watch ducks, turtles, owls, and other animals from the comfort of a covered patio.
The dishes on the menu are all cooked from scratch using high-quality ingredients using traditional Mexican cooking.
Enjoy excellent cuisine in a relaxing setting.
You must order some of their Pollo Fundido.
Their taquitos, tacos, margaritas, and chips and salsa are also excellent.
You will also hear a mariachi band at El Encanto Restaurant.
Buffalo Chip Saloon and Steakhouse
The Buffalo Chip Saloon and Steakhouse, today a well-known watering hole, started in 1951 as a feed and bait shop near the highway leading to Bartlett and Horseshoe Lakes.
Over the years, it has expanded to cover five acres and more than 6,000 square feet in East Cave Creek Rd, Creek Cave, Arizona.
It has also become one of the country's most famous saloons and dance halls.
The Chip Saloon caters to a diverse crowd.
You can come here and dance to the rhythms of Pick of the Litter if you like.
Family-friendly activities include live bull riding on Wednesday and Friday nights and an unlimited fish fry on Fridays.
The Buffalo Chip Saloon and Steakhouse is also an excellent spot for some R&R while your meal and drinks.
Enjoy their beef brisket, pulled pork, and smoked beef sausage from the BBQ platter.
Their potato salad, corn, and cowboy and beans are also top-notch.
The food is delicious, and there's plenty of outside seating.
Cap your night and enjoy some soothing country-western music playing in the background.
Tonto Bar & Grill
The Tonto Bar & Grill is in the Rancho Mañana Resort on Cave Creek, Arizona, right next to the resort's golf course.
It is a great stop to eat, drink and relax after a tiring round of golf.
It is one of the best outdoor eating experiences in the Cave Creek area, with an innovative and superb menu.
This restaurant is a real find, tucked away amid beautiful surroundings.
The dishes are beautifully presented, and the chef brings fresh ideas to even the most tried and true classics.
Try the calamari with peppers, burger, arugula salad, or a Reuben sandwich with pickled jalapenos.
You can get the sea bass special for dinner.
Enjoy excellent service in a relaxing environment with a view of the golf course.
If you're looking for a great meal, make the trip to the Tonto Bar & Grill.
Local Jonny's Tavern & Cafe
Local Jonny's Tavern & Cafe is a family-run restaurant on busy East Cave Creek Road.
It has a pleasant atmosphere with excellent amenities and service.
They provide pleasant outdoor patios with live music performed nightly.
Their extensive menu features numerous options for each meal of the day.
Indoor and outdoor seating is available, including patios shaded by awnings.
The outdoor tables and chairs in the front of the building are trendy.
Brunch and sandwiches are two of the menu's strong points.
Try one of their tasty breakfast taco plates or veggie breakfast burritos.
Jonny's Burger is a local favorite topped with melted cheddar, organic greens, tomato, and seasoned mayonnaise.
In addition, you can order a fresh fruit side dish with cherries, pineapple, and strawberries.
You can always find something for every taste and palate at Local Jonny's Tavern & Cafe.
The Grotto Café
The Grotto Café on East Cave Creek Road has served the neighborhood since 2011.
In addition to the breakfast and lunch menu, they provide fresh pastries and locally roasted organic coffee.
The food and ambiance are excellent, and rock from the '70s plays in the background.
Come for lunch and try one of their delicious Cuban panini sandwiches, Classic 55 burgers, chicken salad sandwiches, or one of their many salads.
Breakfast options, including the red truck burrito, Grotto French toast, and espresso, are highly recommended.
Friendly chat in the indoor seating area can get loud, so you might want to move to the outdoor space.
The Grotto Cafe also features a great patio where you may drink beer, cocktails, coffee, or any of their other non-alcoholic drinks.
On Sundays, they have live music, and you may enjoy a meal while listening to the local band.
Bryan's Black Mountain Barbecue
Bryan's Black Mountain Barbecue is in a modest North Creek Cave Road building with a cafeteria-style layout.
The Food Network has named this restaurant the "Best Ribs in Arizona."
It serves low-key wood-smoked barbecue and traditional sides.
Guests have recommended Bryan's Black Mountain Barbecue as Cave Creek's best barbecue restaurant.
It's also famous for its ribs but also serves vegetarian "pulled" spaghetti squash sandwiches, baked potato salad, and homemade ice cream sandwiches.
They serve perfectly cooked brisket that is incredibly tender.
Their pork ribs, rubbed and slow-cooked, are delicious without being overwhelmed by barbeque sauce.
Le Sans Souci
Le Sans Souci, located at East Belle Vista Drive, is a rare find in the Cave Creek area.
Founded in 1995, this family-run establishment brings authentic French cuisine and atmosphere to its diners.
Since then, it has offered authentic, delectable French cuisine.
Le Sans Souci boasts excellent cuisine and first-rate service in a warm and welcoming setting.
Their duck with orange sauce, lamb chops, and baked French onion soup are just a few options on the extensive menu.
Their food is delicious and reasonably portioned.
If you're still undecided, try one of their signature dishes like Trout Meneuite, Rack of Lamb, or Lobster Thermidor.
Also, try some of their butter garlic snails while you're there.
Finish your meal with a cup of Sans Souci cappuccino, which goes excellent with the main course.
Janey's Coffeeshop and Bodega
Janey's Coffeeshop and Bodega welcomed its first customers in 2010.
Locals and visitors will like the laid-back atmosphere at this Cave Creek establishment.
They have great food and local bands playing every night.
Relax with other guests as you listen to beautiful live music from various talented artists while sitting on the patio.
They have a great selection for lunch and dinner, and the service is excellent.
The chicken quesadillas, chicken salad sandwiches, and Janey's Reuben sandwiches are all excellent options.
They also feature an excellent selection of reasonably priced alcoholic beverages to complement their fantastic food.
It is a charming café serving excellent ice coffee in the heart of Cave Creek.
Drop by Janey's Coffeeshop and Bodega, located at East Cave Creek Road, and enjoy some delicious food and coffee.
Pomodoro Italian Grill & Seafood
Inside the adobe-style structure on Cave Creek Road that once housed Cartwright's, Pomodoro Italian Grill & Seafood serves delicious Italian and seafood dishes.
Pomodoro's menu features a variety of seafood, pasta, and meat.
Get some lobster ravioli, Pomodoro, and veal.
The broths of their marsala and picada are exquisite.
Their cioppino uses various seafood, including mussels, clams, and fish.
Likewise, they use fresh, hand-squeezed tomatoes and different seasonings.
Try one of their craft cocktails to round out your dinners, such as the Capone's Manhattan or Coco Chanel Cosmo.
The Pomodoro Italian Grill & Seafood provides fantastic service and authentic Italian food.
Wagon Wheel
If you are looking for a place to eat that is simple, rustic, and full of character, the Wagon Wheel Restaurant should be your first choice.
It's a classic, tiny restaurant and a decades-long neighborhood favorite.
This little cafe serves breakfast and lunch, decorated like a diner from the 1950s but with a western theme.
Its unbeatable deals, plus the quality of the meal, are well worth the price.
The eggs are cooked perfectly, and the bacon is savory and crunchy.
Likewise, the toast has generous amounts of butter.
Their burger is big and flavorful, and the fries are perfectly crunchy.
Located just outside downtown Cave Creek, Wagon Wheel Restaurant serves breakfast and lunch daily.
Other Restaurants Nearby
Giordano's Trattoria Romana
If you're looking for a place to enjoy authentic Italian food, coffee, and wine, look no further than Giordano's Trattoria Romana.
The restaurant is spotless, inviting, and charming, with an attractive design and pleasant atmosphere.
Its reputation for excellent food and service has made it a neighborhood staple.
The lasagna, penne, meatballs, mozzarella fritti, and mussels in wine garlic sauce are to die for.
The salads are also excellent, especially Giordano's house salad and the wedge salad with blue cheese dressing.
After your meal, relax with a cup of cappuccino or one of their high-quality wines.
On your next visit, stop by Giordano's Trattoria Romana in Carefree, Arizona, five minutes from Cave Creek.
Final Thoughts
Outdoor enthusiasts will appreciate Cave Creek's proximity to untouched areas of the Sonoran Desert, perfect for hiking, cycling, and other adventurous activities.
After a long day of adventure, your weary body deserves a good meal.
Relax and enjoy a delicious meal at the best restaurants in Cave Creek, Arizona!
Recent posts
15 Best Things to Do in Lake County, OH
15 Best Things to Do in Sidney, OH
16 Best Things to Do in Bolingbrook, IL
15 Best Things to Do in Enid, OK
20 Best Things to Do in Dumbo, Brooklyn
20 Best Things to Do in Prineville, OR
22 Best Things to Do in Verona, NY
20 Best Things to Do in Callicoon, NY
20 Best Things to Do in Crystal Lake, IL
20 Best Things to Do in Charleston, IL