Best Contemporary Mexican Restaurants in Downtown Phoenix

My wife and I had brunch at Bacanora, and it was everything we hoped for and more. From the moment we walked in, the service was warm, attentive, and genuine. The food? Simply outstanding. My wife enjoyed a hearty machaca burrito, packed with savory, slow-cooked goodness. I had their birria dish, served stew-style—rich, tender, and exploding with deep, comforting flavors. We paired it with a refreshing Mexican Coke, the perfect complement to such a bold meal. Every bite reflected the passion and care that goes into Bacanora’s kitchen—authentic, vibrant, and unforgettable. We love coming back whenever we can get a reservation, and Bacanora always delivers. We left happy, satisfied, and already planning our next visit. Highly recommend!

We were warmly greeted by the hostess, seated right away for our reservation. Our waitress Alyssa was FANTASTIC!!! Here recommendations were spot on from the guacamole with pomegranate seeds to the grilled Mexican wedge salad , vegetarian tacos, steak burro and taco and Madre, the food was amazing, the drinks were also fantastic and we finished off with the churro donuts. I give this place 5 stars , we give Alyssa 10 stars.

Wow! We went for the fixed menu Valentines experience and we were treated to a beautiful, innovative, delicious meal. The dining was three courses with choice of two dishes per course. My wife and I decided to get all 6 dishes and share. We also opted for the wine pairing with Mexican wine. It was immediately obvious why the chef is a James Beard semi finalist. The first course included a shrimp roll with succulent poached shrimp and complimentary spices that made the rival any lobster roll (this from someone born in Maine). The other starter was a scallop ceviche. The scallops were sliced so thinly they were almost transparent. The Mexican ceviche was carefully crafted so that the chilies did not overpower the delicate scallops. The second course included a fried snapper with a white mole and a dish of head on shrimp over a creamy polenta. Our desert included a cheesecake topped with a guava jelly with shrimp dust. This gave the desert a wonderful savory flavor. The other was a chocolate cake paired with a goat milk caramel. One of the best cakes either of us have had. The wine pairing was fantastic. The wine selected from small private vineyards rivaled many of the California and Oregon wines we have enjoyed over the years. What a delightful surprise! This review would not be complete without mentioning the impeccable service from Marlie who guided us through the entire experience. The restaurant decor was not at the level you would expect from a restaurant with this level of cooking, but it is worth coming for the entire experience

Excellent food and service. Menu I bit difficult to understand but the results (enchiladas & shrimp dishes) were first rate. A little expensive for every week.

The food was amazing, with more of a Mexican comfort food offering compared to their highly acclaimed sister restaurant, Bacanora. Flavorful, unique, and pleasing to the eye. The signature drinks were strong, complex and satisfying. Be warned, if an entree has a higher price, it’s for good reason. We made the mistake of ordering carne asada fries, 8 tacos and a few starters/sides and ended up going home with 3 boxes of food for the four of us to indulge in the next day. The jicama salad was a highlight of the meal while serving as a great palate cleanser with its refreshing yet spicy flavors. This restaurant has become a top contender on our list of local spots around Phoenix for special occasions and showing visitors what our amazing city has to offer for gastro culture. Do yourself a favor and get in here ASAP!